• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.207-218
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• 2020

Ashwagandha is an important ancient medicinal crops, being affected with many diseases, among which leaf blight caused by Alternaria alternata has become the constraint resulting in huge yield losses. Continuous usage of chemical methods leads to environment, soil and water pollution. Whereas biological control of diseases is long lasting, inexpensive, eco-friendly and harmless to target organisms. In this context, it is aimed to evaluate five Trichoderma strains viz. Trichoderma virens IMI-392430, T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431, T. harzianum IMI-392432, T. harzianum IMI-392433 and T. harzianum IMI-392434 as bio-control efficacy against A. alternata and growth promoting effect in Ashwagandha. All the Trichoderma strains had varied antagonistic effects against the pathogen. In dual culture technique, the strain T. harzianum IMI-392433 showed maximum percentage inhibition of mycelial growth (54.89%) followed by T. harzianum IMI-392432 (53.83%), T. harzianum IMI-392434 (48.94%) and T. virens IMI-392430, (43.62%) against the pathogen, while the least inhibition percentage was observed with the T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431 (36.60%). The culture filtrate of the Trichoderma strain, T. harzianum IMI-392433 recorded highest inhibition on the mycelial growth (39.05%) and spore germination (80.77%) of pathogen and the lowest was recorded in T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431 (20.45 and 50%). Moreover, seeds treated with spore suspension of the strain T. harzianum IMI-392433 reduced the percentages of disease severity index significantly. The strain T. harzianum IMI-392433 also significantly increased seed germination %, seedling vigor and growth of Ashwagandha. The correlation matrix showed that root yield per plant of Ashwagandha had significant and positive correlation with plant height (r=0.726^⁎⁎), number of leaf (r=0.514^⁎⁎), number of primary branch (r=0.820^⁎⁎), number of secondary branch (r=0.829^⁎⁎), fresh plant weight (r=0.887^⁎⁎), plant dry weight (r=0.613^⁎⁎), root length (r=0.824^⁎⁎), root diameter (r=0.786^⁎⁎), root dry weight (r=0.739^⁎⁎) and fresh root weight (r=0.731^⁎⁎). The significant and negative correlation (r=-0.336^⁎⁎) was observed with the root yield and percentages of disease severity index. The study recognized that the T. harzianum IMI-392433 strain performed well in inhibiting the mycelial growth and reduced the percentages of disease severity index of pathogen as well as increased the plant growth in Ashwagandha.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.123-123
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• 2018

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common disorder affecting the emotional and physical health of women during certain periods of the menstrual cycle. Many researchers who have previously studied PMS have believed that PMS is associated with changes in sex hormones and serotonin levels at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. However, recent studies suggest that progesterone/estrogen imbalance and elevation of prolactin-induced by dopamine low-secretion play a crucial role in increasing PMS symptoms. Because of this, we have focused on mitigating PMS symptoms through the mechanism of prolactin secretion inhibition by dopamine receptor activation. The inhibition of prolactin secretion by 61-kinds of medicinal herb extracts was investigated in GH3 pituitary cells. Among them, Inula heleniun L. root extract (IHE) showed excellent prolactin secretion inhibitory effect. IHEs were prepared using 30, 50, and 70% ethanol. And the yield, cytotoxicity, dopamine receptor activity and inhibition of prolactin secretion of each extract were measured. Through a series of experiments, we found that prolactin secretion was significantly reduced (P<0.01) by the components present in IHE and that dopamine receptor regulation was possible (P<0.05). Considering yield and safety, we suggest the use of 30% ethanol IHE in the development of PMS symptom relief products.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.35-44
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• 2014

In this study, the bio-phytoremediation and phytoremediation technologies were applied to the soils contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and heavy metals to evaluate the remediation efficacy from May 2012 to December 2013. Poplar (Populus bonatii Levl.) and Sun Hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) were selected and planted in phytoremediation practice. These plants were also utilized in the bio-phytoremediation practice, with the addition of earthworm (Eisenia fetida) and petroleum-degrading bacteria (Pseudomonos sp. NKNU01). Furthermore, physiological characteristics, such as photosynthesis rate and maximal photochemical yield, of all testing plants were also measured in order to assess their health conditions and tolerance levels in adverse environment. After 20 months of remedial practice, the results showed that bio-phytoremediation practice had a higher rate of TPH removal efficacy at 30-60 cm depth soil than that of phytoremediation. However, inconsistent results were discovered while analyzing the soil at 100 cm depth. The study also showed that the removal efficiency of heavy metals was lower than that of TPH after remediation treatment. The results from test field tissue sample analysis revealed that more Zinc than Chromium was absorbed and accumulated by the tested plants. Plant height measurements of Poplar and Sun Hemp showed that there were insignificant differences of growth between the plants in remediation plots and those in the control plot. Physiological data of Poplar also suggested it has higher tolerance level toward the contaminated soils. These results indicated that the two testing plants were healthy and suitable for this remediation study.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.58-62
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• 2008

Utilization of carbon sources by Bacillus cereus D324, a biological control agent, and Pythium species, which causes rice seedling disease, was studied with the objective of increasing the efficacy of biological control by providing the biological control agent with specific beneficial carbon sources. D-galactose, D-sorbitol, and D-mannitol were poor carbon sources for Pythium spp. growth but were good for B. cereus D324 growth. Growth in a growth chamber of rice seeds coated with B. cereus D324 amended with specific carbon sources, such as D-galactose and D-sorbitol, showed significantly enhanced seedling emergence compared to seeds coated only with B. cereus D324. Field trials showed that both seedling emergence and yield increased, when the above specific carbon sources were added to B. cereus D324 in seed coating formulations. This result indicated that amending seed coating formulations with specific carbon sources could significantly increase seedling emergence and yield in the field.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to confirm the antioxidant, black hair, and hair growth effects of the N. jatamansi, O. basilicum, and C. sativus mixed extracts that pharmacological efficacy has been verified. Accordingly, four samples (NOC-1 to-4) produced under different extraction conditions were prepared and the results are as follows. First, all samples showed an increase in antioxidant content in a concentration-dependent manner from the results of antioxidant efficacy. In particular, NOC-4 extracted by steaming and ultrasonic methods showed the highest antioxidant effect among the four samples. As a result of analysis of the amount of melanin production in mouse melanoma cells, NOC-4 with concentration of 500 ㎍/ml showed higher melanin production compared to the control group, so the black hair efficacy was the best. Also, in the hair growth test results, it was found that the hair growth was the best at 0.94 ± 0.10 mm at experimental group orally administered with 500 mg/kg of NOC-4. In addition, as a result of cytotoxicity analysis in mouse melanoma cells, the safety of samples was demonstrated by maintaining cell viability of 95% or more at all concentrations. These results suggest that the steaming and ultrasonic extraction method increased the extraction yield of active ingredients for antioxidant, melanin, and hair generation, thereby affecting physiological activity. Based on these results, if the steaming and ultrasonic extraction methods are applied to the mixed extraction of N. jatamansi, O. basilicum, and C. sativus, it is judged that the practical potential as a natural material for black hair and hair growth agents will increase.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.683-691
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to measure the yield and to evaluate the physiological activity of Cannabis sativa seed(Hemp seed) extracts extracted using a density fluctuation supercritical carbon dioxide for each temperature condition-30℃(HSSE30), 45℃(HSSE45), 60℃(HSSE60), and to enable dissolution of the poorly water-soluble extracts by liposome formulation and to enhance the skin permeability. As a result of the yield measurement, HSSE60 showed the highest yield, and in the antioxidant activities, HSSE45 had the highest total polyphenol content, and showed the highest DPPH, ABTS+ radical scavenging activities at the highest concentration of the extracts. As a result of the antimicrobial susceptibility testing, a clear zone appeared only in the Propionibateium acnes strain. It was confirmed that particle size was reduced and the absolute value of the zeta potential increased in the case of the formulation in which the extracts were in liposomes than in the formulation in which the extracts were dissolved in deionized water, and the skin permeability was improved. Based on these experimental results, we confirmed the possibility of using the hemp seed supercritical carbon dioxide extracts, a poorly water-soluble extract, can be applied as a functional natural material for cosmetics.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.107-121
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) injections specified in the clinical guideline for COVID-19 by conducting a meta-analysis of viral pneumonia data. Methods: TCM injections data on viral pneumonia were collected until July 31, 2021. CNKI, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane electronic database were used to collect the clinical data. "COVID-19," "Viral pneumonia," "Tanreqing," "Xiyanping," "Reduning," "Xingnaojing," "Xuebijing," "Shenmai," "Shengmai," and "Shenfu" were used as keywords. All data collected were mainly about TCM injections and viral pneumonia. Furthermore, studies that included results such as the total effective rate, cough disappearance time, antipyretic time, lung rhomboid disappearance time, and adverse drug reaction were collected for the meta-analysis to identify the efficacy of TCM injections. However, data unrelated to TCM injections specified in the clinical guidelines for COVID-19 or viral pneumonia were excluded. The quality of included RCTs was assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, and Review Manager 5.3 software was used to conduct the meta-analysis. Results: A total of 18 studies with 1540 patients were included in this study. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the total effective rate OR = 4.61 (95% CI 2.92, 7.25, p = 1.00/ I² = 0%); the cough disappearance time: SMD -1.23 (-1.37, -1.09, p < 0.00001/ I² = 94%); the antipyretic time: SMD -1.26 (-1.40, -1.11, p < 0.00001/ I²=94%); lung rhomboid disappearance time: SMD -1.17 (-1.33, -1.02, p < 0.00001/ I² = 89%); and adverse drug reaction was OR 0.36 (95% CI 0.20, 0.64, p = 0.21/ I² = 30%). From the results, the treatment group (TCM injection) showed better efficacy than the control group (Western medication). Conclusion: Xiyanping, Reduning, and Tanreqing injections may yield benefits as COVID-19 treatments. However, clinical trials on TCM injections for the treatment of COVID-19 are still lacking. More high-quality clinical trials are still required.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1300-1307
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• 2007

This study assessed the possible role of different traits in selected plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for improving wheat growth and yield under natural conditions. Rhizobacteria exhibiting 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC)-deaminase activity were isolated and screened for their growth-promoting activity in wheat under axenic conditions. Five isolates belonging to Pseudomonas and one Burkholderia caryophylli isolate that showed promising performances under axenic conditions were selected and characterized for in vitro ACC-deaminase activity, chitinase activity, auxin production, P solubilization, and root colonization. These isolates were then used as inocula for wheat cultivated under natural conditions in pot and/or field trials. Significant increases in root elongation, root weight, tillers per pot, 1,000-grain weight, and grain and straw yields were observed in response to inoculation with PGPR in the pot trials. Inoculation with these PGPR was also effective under field conditions and increased the wheat growth and yield significantly. However, the efficacy of the strains was inconsistent under the axenic, pot, and field conditions. Pseudomonas fluorescens ($ACC_{50}$), which exhibited a relatively high in vitro ACC-deaminase activity, chitinase activity, auxin production, and P solubilization and more intensive root colonization, was the most efficient isolate under the field conditions. Therefore, these results demonstrated that ACC-deaminase activity is an efficient parameter for the selection of promising PGPR under axenic conditions. However, additional traits of PGPR, including auxin production, chitinase activity, P solubilization, and root colonization, are also important for selecting PGPR as biofertilizers.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.109-117
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• 2020

Cre recombinase is widely used to manipulate DNA sequences for both in vitro and in vivo research. Attachment of a trans-activator of transcription (TAT) sequence to Cre allows TAT-Cre to penetrate the cell membrane, and the addition of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) helps the enzyme to translocate into the nucleus. Since the yield of recombinant TAT-Cre is limited by formation of inclusion bodies, we hypothesized that the positively charged arginine-rich TAT sequence causes the inclusion body formation, whereas its neutralization by the addition of a negatively charged sequence improves solubility of the protein. To prove this, we neutralized the positively charged TAT sequence by proximally attaching a negatively charged poly-glutamate (E12) sequence. We found that the E12 tag improved the solubility and yield of E12-TAT-NLS-Cre (E12-TAT-Cre) compared with those of TAT-NLS-Cre (TAT-Cre) when expressed in E. coli. Furthermore, the growth of cells expressing E12-TAT-Cre was increased compared with that of the cells expressing TAT-Cre. Efficacy of the purified TAT-Cre was confirmed by a recombination test on a floxed plasmid in a cell-free system and 293 FT cells. Taken together, our results suggest that attachment of the E12 sequence to TAT-Cre improves its solubility during expression in E. coli (possibly by neutralizing the ionic-charge effects of the TAT sequence) and consequently increases the yield. This method can be applied to the production of transducible proteins for research and therapeutic purposes.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 2019

Ginsenosides are active constituents of ginseng (Panax ginseng) that have possible anti-aging, physiological and pharmacological activities, such as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. Although the ginseng root is generally used more often than the aerial parts for medicinal purposes, the flowers also contain numerous ginsenosides, including Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re and Rg1. Therefore, an extract from the flowers of the P. ginseng could have the pharmacological efficacy of bioactive compounds including ginsenosides. The high hydrostatic pressure extraction (HHPE) is a method that is used for the efficient extraction of bioactive compounds from plant materials. In this study, we compared the yield of ginsenosides from ginseng flowers under different conditions of extraction pressure and time of HHPE. The results indicate that the total yield of the ginsenosides improved as the pressure increased from 0.1 to 80 MPa and treatment duration increased to 24 hours. In addition, the ginsenoside extracts from HHPE at 80 MPa, which possessed a higher total ginsenoside concentration, decreased the viability of the primary human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) significantly than the ginsenoside extracts from HHPE at 0.1 MPa. Collectively, we found that the method of HHPE that was performed for 24 hours at 80 MPa showed the highest yield of ginsenosides from the flowers of P. ginseng. In addition, our study provides a foundation for the efficient extraction of ginsenosides, which had a potent bioactivity, from flowers of P. ginseng through HHPE.