• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.66-83
• /
• 2002

Recently, we have provided evidence that ginsenosides, the active components of Panax ginseng, utilize pertussis toxin (PTX)-insensitive $G{\alpha}_{q/11}-phospholipase\;C-{\beta}3(PLC-{\beta}3)$ signal transduction pathway for the enhancement of $Ca^{2+}-activated\;Cl^{-}$ current in the Xenopus oocyte (British J. Pharmacol. 132, 641-647, 2001; JBC 276, 48797-48802, 2001). Other investigators have shown that stimulation of receptors linked to $G{\alpha}-PLC$ pathway inhibits the activity of G proteincoupled inwardly rectifying $K^+$ (GIRK) channel. In the present study, we sought to determine whether ginsenosides influenced the activity of GIRK 1 and GIRK 4 (GIRK 1/4) channels expressed in the Xenopus oocyte, and if so, the underlying signal transduction mechanism. In oocyte injected with GIRK 1/4 channel cRNAs, bath-applied ginsenosides inhibited high potassium (HK) solution-elicited GIRK current $(EC_{50}:4.9{\pm}4.3\;{\mu}g/ml).$ Pretreatment of the oocyte with PTX reduced the HK solution-elicited GIRK current by $49\%,$ but it did not alter the inhibitory ginsenoside effect on GIRK current. Prior intraoocyte injection of cRNA(s) coding $G{\alpha}_q,\;G{\alpha}_{11}\;or\;G{\alpha}_q/G{\alpha}_{11},\;but\;not\;G{\alpha}_{i2}\;or\;G{\alpha}_{oA}$ attenuated the inhibitory ginsenoside effect. Injection of cRNAs coding $G{\beta}_{1{\gamma}2}$ also attenuated the ginsenoside effect. Similarly, injection of the cRNAs coding regulators of G protein signaling 1, 2 and 4 (RGS1, RGS2 and RGS4), which interact with $G{\alpha}_i\;and/or\;G{\alpha}_{q/11}$ and stimulates the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP in active GTP-bound $G{\alpha}$ subunit, resulted in a significant reduction of ginsenoside effect on GIRK current. Preincubation of GIRK channel-expressing oocyte in PLC inhibitor (U73122) or protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (staurosporine or chelerythrine) blocked the inhibitory ginsenoside effect on GIRK current. On the other hand, intraoocyte injection of BAPTA, a free $Ca^{2+}$ chelator, had no significant effect on the ginsenoside action. Taken together, these results suggest that ginsenosides inhibit the activity of GIRK 1/4 channel expressed in the Xenopus oocyte through a PTX-insensitive and $G{\alpha}_{q/11}$-,PLC-and PKC-mediated signal transduction pathway.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of present study was to investigate the vasorelaxant activities and mechanisms of action of the ethanol extract of P. yedoensis leaf (PYL) on isolated rat aortic rings. Methods : Dried P. yedoensis leaves were extracted 3 times with 100% ethanol for 3 h in a reflux apparatus. Isolated rat aortic rings were suspended in organ chambers containing 10 ml Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) solution. The rings were maintained at $37^{\circ}C$ and aerated with a mixture of 95% $O_2$ and 5% $CO_2$. Changes in their tension were recorded via isometric transducers connected to a data acquisition system. Results : PYL relaxed the contraction of aortic rings induced by phenylephrine (PE, 1 ${\mu}M$) or KCl (60 mM) in a concentration dependent manner. However, the vasorelaxant effects of PYL on endothelium-denuded aortic rings were lower than endothelium-intact aortic rings. And the vasorelaxant effects of PYL on endothelium-intact aortic rings were reduced by pre-treatment with $N{\omega}$-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10 ${\mu}M$), methylene blue (10 ${\mu}M$), 1-H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-${\alpha}$]-quinoxalin-1-one (10 ${\mu}M$), tetraethylammonium (5 mM). In addition, PYL inhibited the contraction induced by extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in endothelium-denuded aortic rings pre-contracted by PE or KCl in $Ca^{2+}$-free K-H solution. Conclusions : These results suggest that PYL exerts its vasorelaxant effects via the activation of Nitric Oxide (NO) formation by means of L-arginine and NO-cGMP pathways and via the blockage of receptor operated calcium channels, voltage dependent calcium channels and calcium-activated potassium channels.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.502-509
• /
• 2016

The seasonal appearance and the chemical composition characteristics of cladode of Opuntia humifusa were investigated in this study. The minor (horizontal) and major (vertical) axes, the width, and weight of O. humifusa cladode were compared for its appearance features. Moisture, crude protein, ash, fat, color, dietary fiber, mineral, and amino acids contents were measured for the comparison of their chemical composition characteristics. The cladode of O. humifusa harvested in summer showed higher values of minor and major axis, width, and weight than those harvested in winter. According to the results of Hunter color index, cladode of O. humifusa harvested in summer showed the highest lightness level (Hunter L value). In the meanwhile, cladode of O. humifusa harvested in spring showed the highest Hunter a (redness) and b (yellowness) values. Cladode of O. humifusa harvested in summer had the lowest crude protein and crude fat contents, while it showed the highest crude ash content. The total contents of moisture and dietary fiber were significantly greater than summer-harvested cladode of O. humifusa followed by spring- and winter-harvested cladode of O. humifusa. The major mineral content of all seasonal cladode of O. humifusa was $Ca^{2+}$. Glutamic acid and aspartic acid were the major amino acids in all seasonal samples. Contrary, the contents of total amino acids and free amino acids were the lowest in summer-harvested cladode of O. humifusa. Taken together, it was concluded that the appearance and chemical quality of cladode of O. humifusa was versatile depending on the harvesting season.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.696-700
• /
• 1999

The effects and behaviors of heavy metals incoming from industrial by-products were investigated in cement clinker reaction. The raw meal containing 500 ppm of heavy metal ion such as Cu, Cd, Cr, and Pb was calcined at $1450^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes. Burnability index, fixation concentration of heavy metals in clinker, and apportionment ratio were analyzed. Pb had a minimum fixation concentration of under 5% and Cr had a maximum over 85%. The burnability of Cr containing clinker was lower than that of others as the result of higher value of 3.41% of free lime after calcination at $1450^{\circ}C$. Cu, Cd, and Pb had not any significant effects on the clinker reactitivity. The volatility of heavy metals produced lots of macropores and micropores in clinker and minerals. Cd and Cr were the major apportionments in alite and belite and Cu in interstitial phase. Pb was existed under the detection limit of EDAX analysis due to its higher volatility.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.462-472
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the quality characteristics of Brassica juncea cultivated in Jeongseon (BJJ), South Korea. We analyzed the nutritional components and antioxidant activity of BJJ. As a result of the free sugar analysis, the contents of glucose and fructose in BJJ were $0.29{\pm}0.02g/100g$ and $0.10{\pm}0.00g/100g$, respectively. The major fatty acids were palmitic acid, octadecenoic acid and stearic acid. The palmitic acid was the highest at 31.22% of all fatty acids. The major minerals were identified as Ca, P, K, Mg and Na. The contents of vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, vitamin C and vitamin E in BJJ were $0.02{\pm}0.00mg/100g$, $0.087{\pm}0.01mg/100g$, $0.02{\pm}0.00mg/100g$, $0.56{\pm}0.06mg/100g$ and $0.20{\pm}0.03mg\;{\alpha}-TE/100g$, respectively. As a result of the free amino acid analysis, total amino acid contents in BJJ were $2,801.21{\pm}115.38mg/100g$. L-proline content was the highest ($744.30{\pm}119.06mg/100g$) in BJJ. BJJ extract inhibits reactive oxygen species production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Also, BJJ extract exhibits a protective effect on oxidative stress in $H_2O_2$-induced human dermal fibroblast. These results indicate that BJJ comprises various valuable nutrients which can be used as functional food ingredients.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.18-28
• /
• 2018

In this study, the antioxidant activities and cytoprotective effects against oxidative stress of Lonicera japonica Thunb. 50% ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction were investigated. Using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay, the free radical scavenging activity (FSC50) of L. japonica Thunb. 50% ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction was determined as 152.00 and $77.25{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. To measure the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity, the total antioxidant capacity (OSC50) was determined by using a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The antioxidant activity of the ethyl acetate fraction ($0.33{\mu}g/ml$) was approximately four times stronger than that of the 50% ethanol extract ($1.12{\mu}g/ml$). The protective effect against $^1O_2$-induced cellular damage of human erythrocytes (${\tau}_{50}$) was 46.0 min at $10{\mu}g/ml$ of the 50% ethanol extract and 52.3 min at $1{\mu}g/ml$ of the ethyl acetate fraction. We also investigated the cytoprotective effects against oxidative stress induced by $H_2O_2$ and the intracellular ROS scavenging activity in response to UVB irradiation and found that the extract and fraction protected human skin cells from damage and reduced ROS. These results confirmed that L. japonica Thunb. was a valuable plant-derived natural antioxidant with potential for development as an antioxidative functional ingredient.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 2015

Nutritional composition and in vitro antioxidant activities of the ethanol extract of Korean traditional actinidia (Actinidia arguta) sprouts of the Otumsense variety were investigated to examine the sproutsi nutritional value. The most abundant mineral, amino acid, and fatty acid were calcium, glutamic acid, and ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid, respectively. The major free sugar of Otumsense sprouts was sucrose. The level of vitamin C, a natural antioxidant, was highest among other vitamins examined. The amount of total polyphenol was highest in the 40% ethanol extract. The 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging activity of the 40% ethanol extract was about 94% at a concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. Malondialdehyde inhibition by the extract increased in a dose-dependent manner (from 0 to $100{\mu}g/mL$). Intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation resulting from $H_2O_2$ treatment of PC12 cells significantly reduced when the 40% ethanol extract was present in the media compared to that in PC12 cells treated with $H_2O_2$ only.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.286-292
• /
• 1991

This study was carried out to investigate in influence of inoculation B. sp. and lime types on nutrient content of peanut seed, and the correlation between nutritient contents in seed and plant. 1. Inoculated B. sp., content of crude protein, phenylalanine, isoleucine, cystine, histidine, aspartic acid, serine, and alanine in seed were increased significantly, but that of crude fat was decreased. 2. The content of crude fat was the highest without lime, glutamic acid was the highest with calcium sulfate, valine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, aspartic acid, serine, glycine and alanine with slaked lime, and histidine with calcium carbonate. 3. The content of crude protein in seed was negatively correlated with that of crude fat. The contents of chlorophyll, allantoin, ammonia, free amino acid, T-N, $P_2O_5$, and CaO in leaf at 100 days after sowing were positively correlated with the content of crude protein and various kinds of amino acid in seed, but negatively with the content of crude fat. The content of nitrate in leaf at 100 days after sowing showed the result of contrary tendency.

• Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.497-502
• /
• 2011

Broccoli is considered as one of the functional foods to offer a hearty supply of the nutrient-rich vegetable in the world. Broccoli contains high level of phytochemicals, and that is selected as one of the top 10 vegetables for human health promotion. Especially, glucosinolates and flavonoids are well known as anti free oxygen radicals in vegetables and fruits. In Korea, broccoli consumption has increased to well known on the health-beneficial vegetables since 2000. However, broccoli has many problems of postharvest management since the quality of harvested heads quickly declines. Major problems are the floret yellowing, wilting, off-odor, and decay. The multiple postharvest applications improve broccoli quality and cold treatment including pre-cooling extends on the shelf-life with circumstance of optimum storage which is 0℃ temperature and a range of 95-100% relative humidity. Controlled atmosphere or modified atmosphere packaging can be used as supplemental treatments to extend postharvest life. 1-2% O₂ + 5-10% CO₂ is currently recommended for broccoli. Postharvest management is important for broccoli because price fluctuations depend on harvest time and quality. In this study, we tried to review physiological change of broccoli after the harvest, storage method, and various techniques to optimize quality during distribution.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.465-471
• /
• 2008

Physicochemical characteristics of black garlic were analyzed. Colorimetry measurement showed that the black garlic, compared with fresh and steamed garlics, was the highest in a value and the lowest in L and b values. Crude lipid, crude protein, and total sugars were the highest in black garlic, which was followed by steamed and fresh garlic. On the other hand, moisture content was the lowest in the black garlic and the highest in the fresh garlic. The pH of garlics was ca. 6.8, 6.5, and 4.4 in fresh, steamed, and black garlic, respectively, which indicated that garlics tended to be acidified with the thermal processing. Total pyruvate and total thiosulfinates were the lowest in steamed garlic ($77{\mu}mol$/g and 0.07 OD/g for each) and the highest in black garlic ($278{\mu}mol$/g and 0.77 OD/g). Arabinose and galactose were detected only in black garlic and their contents were 1.6 and 13 mg/100 g, respectively. Free sugars such as glucose, sucrose and fructose were the highest in the order of fresh, steamed, and black garlic. Potassium was a predominant mineral in all garlics, constituting 76% of total minerals. Glutamic acid, arginine, and aspartic acid were the major composition amino acids in all garlics, regardless of processing conditions. 15 kinds of free amino acids were detected in fresh and steamed garlic, while five more free amino acids, O-phosphoethanolamine, and urea were additionally detected in black garlic.