• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2011

Many anticancer agents as well as ionizing radiation have been shown to induce autophagy which is originally described as a protein recycling process and recently reported to play a crucial role in various disorders. In HCT116 human colon cancer cells, we found that curcumin, a polyphenolic phytochemical extracted from the plant Curcuma longa, markedly induced the conversion of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-I to LC3-II and degradation of sequestome-1 (SQSTM1) which is a marker of autophagosome degradation. Moreover, we found that curcumin caused GFP-LC3 formation puncta, a marker of autophagosome, and decrease of GFP-LC3 and SQSTM1 protein level in GFP-LC3 expressing HCT116 cells. It was further confirmed that treatment of cells with hydrogen peroxide induced increase of LC3 conversion and decrease of GFP-LC3 and SQSTM1 levels, but these changes by curcumin were almost completely blocked in the presence of antioxidant, N-acetylcystein (NAC), indicating that curcumin leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which results in autophagosome development and autolysosomal degradation. In parallel with NAC, SQSTM1 degradation was also diminished by bafilomycin A, a potent inhibitor of autophagosome-lysosome fusion, and cell viability assay was further confirmed that cucurmin-induced cell death was partially blocked by bafilomycin A as well as NAC. We also observed that NAC abolished curcumin-induced activation of extracelluar signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 112 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), but not Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). However, the activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK seemed to have no effect on the curcumin-induced autophagy, since both the conversion of LC3 protein and SQSTM1 degradation by curcumin was not changed in the presence of NAC. Taken together, our data suggest that curcumin induced ROS production, which resulted in autophagic activation and concomitant cell death in HCT116 human colon cancer cell. However, ROS-dependent activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, but not JNK, might not be involved in the curcumin-induced autophagy.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.266-275
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• 2009

To develop new high-quality Yakchobugak, features of Lactococcus lactis-fermented waxy rice paste after addition of some colored powdered agro-food products were investigated. Total and reducing sugars of waxy rice paste fermented by lactic acid bacteria were higher than those of control raw waxy rice paste. Total acidity gradually increased as powder concentration rose, being 1.02-1.56% and 0.96-1.87% in samples fermented with Cucurbita maxima and Capsicum annuum powders, respectively; these values were 3-4 times those in rice fermented with other powders. Fermented waxy rice paste viscosities were lower than those of non-fermented samples. The viscosities of samples fermented with Curcuma longa and Opuntia ficus powders were in the range $100-160{\times}10^4$ centipoise($mPa{\cdot}s$), and those of pastes fermented with Robus coreanus and Camellia sinensis extracts were under $40{\times}10^4mPa{\cdot}s$. Hunter color lightness(L) values decreased and yellowness(b) values rose after fermentation. Waxy rice paste fermented with Robus coreanus showed uniform particle size distribution, and many pores, by scanning electron micrography.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to determine the quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of Yaksik prepared with different amounts of turmeric powder. Turmeric powder was incorporated into Yaksik at different levels containing 1.7, 2.8, and 3.9% based on the total weight of ingredients. Moisture contents of Yaksik were 41.45~44.93% and increased with higher amount of turmeric powder. Ash and crude lipid contents did not show any significant differences between control and samples. The control group showed higher sweetness and lower pH than the other groups, and sweetness decreased and pH increased upon addition of turmeric powder. In the chromaticity determination, L value decreased while a and b values increased as turmeric powder increased. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents proportionally increased with levels of turmeric powder. The antioxidant activities measured by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities as well as reducing power were significantly higher than those of the control and proportionally increased as turmeric powder increased. In the sensory evaluation, control and Yaksik made with 1.7% addition of turmeric powder showed the highest preference in terms of color, taste, texture, and overall acceptance. These results suggest that turmeric powder may be a useful ingredient in Yaksik to improve quality and sensory properties.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2002.05b
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• pp.88.2-98
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• 2002

A wide arry of naturally occurring substances particularly those present in dietary and medicinal plants, have been reported to possess substantial cancer chemopreventive properties. Certain phytochemicals retain strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties which appear to contribute to their chemopreventive or chemoprotective activities. Inducible cyclooxygenase(COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are important enzymes that mediate inflammatory processes. There is some evidence that expression of both COX-2 and iNOS is co-regulated by the eukaryotic transcription factor NF-$textsc{k}$B. Increased expression of COX-2 and/or iNOS has been associated with pathophysiology of certain types of human cancers as well as inflammatory diseases. Since inflammation is closely linked to tumor promotion, substances with potent anti-inflammatory activies are anticipated to exert chemopreventive effects on carcinogenesis, particularly in the promotion stage. An example is curcumin, a yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae), that strongly occurring diaryl heptanoids structurally related to curcumin have substantial anti-tumor promotional activities in two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis. Thus, yakuchinone A [1-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-7-phenyl-3heptanone] and yakuchinone B [1-(4'-hydroxy-3'methoxyphenyl)-7-phenylhept-1-en-3-one] present in Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel (Zingiberacease) attenuate phorbol ester-induced inflammation and papilloma formation in female ICR mice. These diarylheptanoids also suppressed phorbol ester-induced activation of epdermal ornithine decarboxylase and its mRNA expression when applied onto shaven backs of mice. Yakuchinone A and B as well as curcumin inhibited phorbol ester-induced expression of COX-2 and iNOS and their mRNA in mouse skin via inactivation of NF-$textsc{k}$B. Capsaicin, a major pungent ingredient of red pepper also attenuated phorbol ester-induced NF-$textsc{k}$B activation. Similar suppression of COX-2 and iNOS and down-regulation of NF-$textsc{k}$B activation for its DNA binding were observed with the ginsenosied Rg3 and the ethanol extract of Artemisia asiatica. We have also found that certain anti-inflammatory phytochemicals exert inhibitory effects on phorbol ester-induced COX-2 expression and NF-$textsc{k}$B activation in immortalized human breast epithelial (MCF-10A) cells in culture. One of the plausible mechanisms undelying inhibition by aforementioned phytochemicals of phorbol ester-induced NF-$textsc{k}$B activation involves interference with degragation of the inhibitory unit, I$textsc{k}$Ba, which blocks subsequent nuclear translocation of the functionally active p65 subunit of NF-$textsc{k}$B. the activation of epidermal NF-$textsc{k}$B by phorbol ester and subsequent induction of COX-2 hence appear to play an important role in intracellular signaling pathwasy leading to tumor promotion and targeted inhibition of NF-$textsc{k}$B may provide a new promising cancer chemopreventive strategy.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.151-162
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality change of fresh-cut tumeric (Curcuma Longa Linne) according to packaging method during storage time. The fresh-cut tumeric were packaged in three different methods : degassing valve packaging (DVP), $CO_2$ gas absorber packaging (CAP) and micro-perforated packaging (MPP). After the samples were packaged, they were stored for 15 days at 4 and $23^{\circ}C$ respectively. The following parameters were observed to indicate the quality changes of the samples: weight loss, CIE $L^*a^*b^*$ colour difference, variation of gas composition inside the package, curcumin contents and changes in hardness of fresh-cut tumeric. DVP did not effectively release $CO_2$ gas to the outside. MPP was suitable to release $CO_2$ gas. However, MPP showed very fast browning and erosion, because a large amount of oxygen was introduced through the perforated hole on the film. CAP was most effective packaging method to inhibit browning, to prevent expansion of the packaging by $CO_2$ gas and to minimize weight loss of fresh-cut tumeric.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2018

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) has been widely used in skin care formulations. Due to its remarkable effects on anti-oxidation, collagen biosynthesis and whitening, ascorbic acid is considered as an effectible anti-aging active ingredient. But, the instability problems of ascorbic acid in cosmetic formulation such as oxidation, browning and changes in smell is the difficult issue to be overcome for the application of high concentration of ascorbic acid. We tried to stabilize the ascorbic acid in non-aqueous liquid formulation that contains polyol solvent at first. The non-aqueous system was effectible to reduce oxidation. But, ascorbic acid was crystallized in the non-aqueous formulation at the low temperature below $5^{\circ}C$. We tried to develop way to stabilize the ascorbic acid in aqueous solutions to solve the crystallizing problem. In this study, we search the optimal ratio of antioxidant combination, such as zinc sulfate, glutathione and curcuma longa (turmeric) root extract. Formulations were stored at - $16^{\circ}C$, $5^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$, $40^{\circ}C$, $50^{\circ}C$ and cycle($5-40^{\circ}C$) (in incubator) for a period of eight weeks to investigate their stability. In the stability analysis, the test parameters consisted of color, scent, phase separation and sedimentation. Ascorbic acid stability was checked by HPLC analysis.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2015

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a constituent of turmeric powder derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has been shown to inhibit the growth of various types of cancer cells by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, a need exists to design more effective analogs because of curcumin's poor intestinal absorption. EF-24 (diphenyl difluoroketone), the monoketone analog of curcumin, has shown good efficacy in anticancer screens. However, the effects of curcumin and EF-24 on salivary gland epidermoid carcinoma cells are not clearly established. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin and EF-24 on cell growth and induction of apoptosis in human salivary gland epidermoid carcinoma cells. Our studies showed that curcumin and EF-24 inhibited the growth of HTB-41 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the potency of EF-24 was > 34-fold that of curcumin. Treatment with curcumin or EF-24 resulted in nuclear condensation and fragmentation in HTB-41 cells, whereas the control HTB-41 cell nuclei retained their normal regular and oval shape. Curcumin and EF-24 promoted proteolytic cleavages of procaspase-3/-7/-9, resulting in an increase in the amount of cleaved caspase-3/-7/-9 in the HTB-41 cells. Caspase-3 and -7 activities were detected in viable HTB-41 cells treated with curcumin or EF-24. These results suggest that the curcumin and EF-24 inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in HTB-41 human salivary gland epidermoid carcinoma cells, and that they may have potential properties as an anti-cancer drug therapy.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2018

Turmeric oleoresin, extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L., is a widely-used natural food colorant. Curcuminoids, the major pigments in turmeric, which include curcumin, demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BMC), possess various physiological activities. In the present study, changes in the chemical properties, antioxidant activities, and cytotoxicity of turmeric pigments upon heating were investigated. Color intensity of turmeric was significantly reduced after heating. Residual levels of curcumin, DMC, and BMC after 15 min of heating at $95^{\circ}C$ were 11.9, 37.4, and 77.3% respectively. Scavenging activities of turmeric against 2,2'-azobis-3-ethyl-benz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-azobis (2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) peroxyl radicals, and nitrite were significantly enhanced after heating, while 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity remained unaffected. Generation of $H_2O_2$ from turmeric was increased via thermal decomposition. Cytotoxicity of turmeric pigments against colon cancer and normal intestinal cells was reduced significantly after heating. The results indicate that thermal processing affects chemical properties and bioactivities of turmeric pigments. These effects should be considered during the processing of foods containing turmeric pigments.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.364-369
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• 1995

Anticarcinogenic activity of Moutan radix for mouse ascites cancer induced by mouse Sarcoma 180 (S-180) cells was investigated. Methanol extract of Moutan radix including other folk medicinal plants (Taxus cuspidata, Curcuma longa, Artemisia capillaris, Ligrstri fructus, and Liriope platyphylla) used to remedy or cure many chronic human diseases like cancer was fractionated into hexane, chloroform ($CHCl_3$), ethylacetate (EtOAc), and butanol (BuOH) fractions. Anticarcinogenic activity of the fractions, exhibited a strong cytotoxicity for L1210 and S-180 cells, was examined for mouse ascites cancer induced by S-180 cells. Male ICR mice (7 mice/treatment, $5{\sim}6$ weeks of age, $23{\pm}1\;g$ were injected i.p. with S-180 cells ($1{\times}10^{7}\;cell/1\;ml$ PBS). One day later, each mouse was given 0.1 ml of 10% DMSO containing sample ($30\;{\mu}g/g$ body weight) every day for 10 consecutive days. Control mice were only given 0.1ml S-180 cells and 0.1 ml 10% DMSO. Mice treated with EtOAc fraction of Moutan radix showed 28.7 days of life, which is 167% of control mice's life. Based on the dose-dependant experiment mice treated with $30\;{\mu}g$ showed longer life relative to mice treated with ootherr doses (5, 15, $60\;{\mu}g$), and mice treated with $60\;{\mu}g$ exhibited toxic symptoms. Body weight of mice treated with Moutan radix was significantly reduced relative to that of control mice (p<0.05). GC-MS analysis in conjunction with silica-gel column chromatography revealed that the EtOAc fraction contained 2-methoxylphenol, benzoic acid, 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethanone, 8-methyl-2,4(1H,3H)pteridinedione and 2,5-furan-dicarboxylic dimethyl ester as regards to the anticarcinogenic property of the EtOAc fraction. These results suggest that Moutan radix might be included as an anticarcinogenic medicinal plant for treatment of ascites cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.272-281
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• 2003

Nontraditional or alternative medicine is becoming an increasingly attractive approach for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders and cancers. Curcumin is the major constitute of turmoric powder extracted from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin present in grapes and a variety of medicinal plants. In this report, We investigated the effect of curcumin and resveratrol on regulatory protein of cell cycle, induction of apoptosis and MMP activity. Treatment with 75 M curcumin for 24 hrs produced morphological changing in HN-4 cells. Curcumin and resveratrol inhibited the cellular growth in HN-4 cells. Inhibition of cell growth was associated with down-regulation of cell cycle regulatory proteins. Curcumin-induced caspase-3 activation and Bax degradation were dose-dependent with a maximal effect at a concentration of 100 M. The elevated caspase-3 activity in curcumin treated HN-4 cells are correlated with down-regulation of survivin and cIAP1, but not cIAP2. Curcumin induced a dose-dependent increase of cytochrome c in the cytosol. Curcumin induced-apoptosis was mediated through the release of cytochrome c. In addition, curcumin-induced apoptosis was caused by the generation of reactive oxygen species, which was prevented by antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Cotreatment with NAC markedly prevented cytochrome c release, Bax cleavage and cell death. Also resveratrol-induced apoptosis was preceded by down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, cIAP1, and caspase-3 activity. However, resveratrol-induced apoptosis was not prevented by antioxidant NAC. In addition, HN-4 cells release basal levels of MMP2 when cultured in serum-free medium. Treatment of the cells with various concentrations of PMA for 24 hr induced the expression and secretion of latent MMP9 as determined by gelatin zymography. HN-4 cells were treated with various concentrations of curcumin and resveratrol in the presence of 75 nM PMA, and MMP2 and 9 activities were inhibited by curcumin and resveratrol. These findings have implications for developing curcumin-based anticancer and anti-inflammation therapies.