• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.5999-6003
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• 2014

Pesticides used in Korea are grouped by four classes of hazard (extremely, highly, moderately and slightly hazardous) based on acute oral and dermal toxicity in the rat. However, there is little information of carcinogenic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential carcinogenicity for active ingredients of pesticides used in Korea. A total of 1,283 pesticide items were registered under the Pesticide Control Act of which 987 were commercially available. Of these 987 items, 360 active ingredients not duplicated were evaluated for carcinogenicity using the carcinogen list established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some 25 out of 360 ingredients were classified as likely to be carcinogenic (probable) to humans and 52 had suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential (suspected) based on the US EPA classification. Some 31% of 987 items contained probable or suspected human carcinogenic ingredients. Carcinogenic pesticides accounted for 24% (5,856/24,795 tons) of the total volume of consumption in Korea. Interestingly, pesticides with lower acute toxicity were found to have higher carcinogenic potential. Based on these findings, the study suggests that it is important to provide information on long-term toxicity to farmers, in addition to acute toxicity data.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.297-301
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• 2001

The acute toxicity of CJ-50005, an inactivated whole virus vaccine derived from hepatitis A virus (HM175) grown in human MRC-5 diploid fibroblast culture, was tested in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and beagle dogs. CJ-50005 was orally and intramuscularly administered up to the maximum dose of 81$\mu\textrm{g}$/kg. as much as 3,000 times of the expected clinical dose, in SD rats and was intramuscularly administered up to 27 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, as much as 1,000 times of the expected clinical dose, in beagle dogs. In these experiments, there were no death and clinical changes which were related to CJ-50005 administration. In addition, there were no significant changes between control and treated groups in body weights and autopsy findings. In conclusion, the administration of CJ-50005 over 81$\mu\textrm{g}$/kg in SD rats and over 27$\mu\textrm{g}$/kg in beagle dogs was proved to be safe, and it is thought that CJ-50005 may not show any toxicity in its clinical use.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.193-198
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• 2023

Several chemicals have been developed owing to the progression of industrialization, among which endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs; essential for plastic production) are used as plasticizers and flame retardants. Plastics have become an essential element in modern life because they provide convenience, thus increasing EDCs exposure to humans. EDCs cause adverse effects such as deterioration of reproductive function, cancer, and neurological abnormalities by disrupting the endocrine system and hence are classified as "dangerous substances." Additionally, they are toxic to various organs but continue to be used. Therefore, it is necessary to review the contamination status of EDCs, select potentially hazardous substances for management, and monitor the safety standards. In addition, it is necessary to discover substances that can protect against EDC toxicity and conduct active research on the protective effects of these substances. According to recent research, Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) exhibits protective effects against several toxicities caused by EDCs to humans. In this review, the effects of EDCs on the human body and the role of KRG in protection against EDC toxicity are discussed.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.145-154
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• 1999

A novel retinol derivative, polyethoxylated retinamide (Medimin A) was synthesized, as an anti-aging agent. Collagen synthesis, skin permeation, stability, and toxicity of Medimin A were evaluated and compared with those of retinol and retinyl palmitate. In vitro collagen synthesis was evaluated by quantitative assay of [$^3H$]-proline incorporation into collagenase sensitive protein in fibroblast cultures. For in vitro skin permeation experiments, Franz diffusion cells (effective diffusion area: $1, 766{\;}\textrm{cm}^2$) and the excised skin of female hairless mouse aged 8 weeks were used The stabilities of retlnoids were evaluated at two different temperature ($25{\;}^{\circ}C$ and $40{\;}^{\circ}C$) and under UV in solubilized state and in OW emulsion. To estimate the safety, acute oral toxicity, acute dermal toxicity, primary skin irritation, acute eye irritation and human patch test were performed The effect of Medimin A on collagen synthesis was similar to that of retinol. The skin permeability of Medimin A was higher than those of retinol and retinyl palmitate. The Medimin A was more stable than retinol and retinyl palmitate. Medimin A was nontoxic in various toxicological tests. These results suggest that Medimin A would be a good anti-aging agent for enhancing bioavailability and stability.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.797-810
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• 2023

Elaeagnus umbellata leaves have been reported to suppress inflammation, allergic responses, lung cancer proliferation and oral bacterial growth. Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that has been found to cause many toxicities, including liver toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of 70% ethanol extract of E. umbellata leaves (EUL) to protect human hepatocytes from Cd toxicity. After exposure of HepG2 cells to Cd at 10 𝜇M for 24 h, cell viability, expression levels of apoptosis- and antioxidant-related proteins, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and Cd uptake were assessed. EUL protected HepG2 cells from Cd-induced apoptosis as determined by MTT assay. A decrease in caspase-3 and p-p53 protein levels was observed in cells pretreated with EUL prior to Cd exposure. Furthermore, the Cd-induced increase in intracellular DCF fluorescence was attenuated by EUL, indicating that the Cd-induced apoptosis preventing effect was associated with the suppression of ROS accumulation. Moreover, EUL's effects on the inhibition of p38, JNK, and AKT phosphorylation also appear to be associated with protection against Cd toxicity. Moreover, EUL upregulated Cd-depressed expression of Nrf2, HO-1, catalase, and MT-1,2 proteins, suggesting that Cd uptake-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells may be inhibited by EUL's antioxidative potential.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.46-54
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• 2006

The methylmercury (MeHg) is a toxic environmental pollutant, causing serious neurological and developmental effects in humans. Recent epidemiological studies have indicated that ingestion of MeHg in fish during pregnancy can result in neuroethological effects in the offspring. However, the mechanism underlying the MeHg-toxicity is not fully understood. To elucidate the mechanisms of toxicity of MeHg and of defense against MeHg, we searched for factors that determine the sensitivity of yeast cells to MeHg, and found that overexpression of Cdc34, a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) that is a component of the ubiquitin-proteasome (UP) system, induces a resistance to MeHg toxicity in both yeast and human cells. The UP system is involved in the intracellular degradation of proteins. When Cdc34 is overexpressed in cells, ubiquitination reactions are activated and the degradation of certain proteins by the UP system is enhanced. Therefore, it seems likely that certain as-yet-unidentified proteins that increase MeHg toxicity might exist in cons and that toxicity might be reduced by the enhanced degradation of such proteins, mediated by the UP system, when Cdc34 is overexpressed. SCF ubiquitin-ligase is a component of UP system and consists of Skpl, the scaffold protein Cdc53, the RING-finger protein Hrt1, and one member of the family of F-box proteins. The F-box proteins directly bind to the substrates and are the determinants of substrate specificity of SCF. Therefore, we searched for the f-box protein that cofers resistance to MeHg, and found that overexpression of Hrt3 or Yi1224w induced resistance to MeHg toxicity in yeast cells. Since the protein(5) that enhance toxicity of MeHg might plausibly be induced in substrates of both f-box proteins, we next searched for substrate proteins that are recognized by Hrt3 or Y1r224w using two-hybrid screen. We found that Did3 or Crsl interacts with Hrt3; and Eno2 interacts with Yir224w. The yeast cells that overexpressed each those proteins showed hypersensitivity to MeHg, respectively, indicating that those proteins enhance the MeHg toxicity. Both Dld3 and Eno2 are proteins involved in the synthesis of pyruvate, and overexpression of both proteins might induce increase in interacellular levels of pyruvate. Deletion of Yi1006w that transports pyruvate into the mitochondria induced aresistance to MeHg. These results suggest that the promotion of the pyruvate irdlowinto the mitochondria might enhance MeHg toxicity. This study providesimportant keyfor the elucidauon of the molecular mechanism of MeHg toxicity.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.676-685
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the single oral toxicity of Peucedani Radix (PR) ethanol extracts. PR is one of the important herbs for removal of phlegm, the viscous turbid pathological product that can accumulate in the body and cause a variety of diseases. However, research on the pharmacologic toxicity of PR is lacking. Methods: In this study, PR was orally administered to 5-week-old male ICR mice at an oral dose of 2,000, 3,000, or 5,000 mg/kg. After a single-dose administration, the mortality and behavioral changes were observed daily and body weights were measured every two days. After 14 days, the organ weight, organ index, macroscopy, hematological analysis, and serum biochemistry analysis were determined. Results: No mortality, body weight changes, abnormal behavioral changes, or anatomical signs of toxicity were found. The organ weight, organ index, hematological analysis, and serum biochemistry analysis were also within the normal ranges. Conclusions: These results suggest that the 50% lethal dose of PR is more than 5,000 mg/kg. This could indicate that PR is a safe drug without acute toxicity and side effects.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1987

Respiratory care with oxygen inhalation is often a necessity to maintain life, and it is one of the important therapeutic adjuncts in respiratory disease and in intensive care after surgery. However, it has been reported that oxygen toxicity occurs after prolonged exposure to 100% 0, [Smith, 1899; Kistler et al. 1967; Schaffner et al. 1967; Rowland and Newman, 1969. Subjective symptoms of oxygen toxicity include tracheal irritation, frequent cough, some burning sensation in the trachea, tachypnea, severe dyspnea, etc. [Welch, 1963; Fisher et al, 1968; Milier et al, 1970; Clark and Lambertsen, 1971; Sackner, 1975]. Pathologic findings are atelectasis, injuries to the pulmonary capillaries and hemorrhage in the alveoli in gross specimens. There can be inflammation, proliferation of fibrin, thickening of alveolar membranes, degeneration of collagen fibers and interstitial edema in the microscopic findings. [Penrod, 1956; Cedergren, 1959; Bean, 1965; Schaffner, 1967]. Dubois and colleagues [1961] found that the amount of pulmonary surfactant was decreased in oxygen toxicity and atelectasis followed by the decreased pulmonary surfactant. Many authors reported that vital capacity, inspiratory force, pulmonary compliance, pulmonary capillary blood flow and pulmonary elasticity were deceased and arteriovenous shunting increased. [Comroe et al, 1945; Fuson et al, 1965; Kistler et al, 1966; Knowles and Blenner-hassett, 1967; Barber et al, 1978]. Many human volunteers were examined after prolonged exposure in a high oxygenated chamber and there were a few reports on animals with oxygen toxicity, subjects including rabbits. Gas partial pressures of alveoli and arteries were measured in rabbits exposed to 100% $O_2$ and the alveolar-arterial gas gradients were analyzed, which is the basis for the study of oxygen toxicity. These rabbits were divided into two groups; rabbits under natural respiration, and second group under artificial respiration with a respirator. The alveolar $PO_2$ [$P]AO_2$] and $PCO_2$ [$PACO_2$], and the arterial $PO_2$ [$PaO_2$] were measured under varying $O_2$ pressures; 15% $O_2$, 21% $O_2$ and 100% $O_2$.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

Background : There has been renewed interest in complementary alternative medicine around the world far a decade. On the other hand, the issue of safety of herbal medicine in Korea has been continuously questioned. Issues raised have included not only chemical residue or heavy metals caused by pollution, but also the toxicity of herbal medicine itself. Objectives : The purpose of this study was to review some herbal medicines subject to controversy of toxicity and figure out what kind of problems they evidence. Methods : In this review, PubMed was used to search medical journals. Keywords such as 'herb, or herbal medicine', 'safety, or adverse events, or adverse effect, or toxicity, or liver injury' were applied. Journals were selected by four inclusion criteria, as objectives should be human, researchers should be medical doctors, literature written in the English language, and types of journals should be meta-analysis or practice guideline or reviews. Finally, 9 cases from 60 journals were included in this review. Results : We reviewed 13 herbal medicines for controversy of toxicity such as ephedra(Mahuang), Arisolochia fangchi, Aristolochia manshuriensis, licorice, skullcap , germander, Syo-saiko-to(Xiao-chai-hu-tang), Chelidonium majus, mistletoe, Dictamnus dasycarpus and madder. Conclusions : It suggested that 'who it is prescribed for' is one of the most important factors to identify the causes of toxicity in herbal medicine and dietary supplements, under specific conditions in Korea.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.119-129
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• 2019

As the use of cosmetics has greatly increased in a daily life, safety issues with cosmetic ingredients have drawn an attention. Drometrizole [2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole] is categorized as a sunscreen ingredient and is used in cosmetics and non-cosmetics as a UV light absorber. No significant toxicity has been observed in acute oral, inhalation, or dermal toxicity studies. In a 13-week oral toxicity study in beagle dogs, No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was determined as 31.75 mg/kg bw/day in males and 34.6 mg/kg bw/day in females, based on increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Although drometrizole was negative for skin sensitization in two Magnusson-Kligman maximization tests in guinea pigs, there were two case reports of consumers presenting with allergic contact dermatitis. Drometrizole showed no teratogenicity in reproductive and developmental toxicity studies in which rats and mice were treated for 6 to 15 days of the gestation period. Ames tests showed that drometrizole was not mutagenic. A long-term carcinogenicity study using mice and rats showed no significant carcinogenic effect. A nail product containing 0.03% drometrizole was nonirritating, non-sensitizing and non-photosensitizing in a test with 147 human subjects. For risk assessment, the NOAEL chosen was 31.75 mg/kg bw/day in a 13-week oral toxicity study. Systemic exposure dosages were 0.27228 mg/kg bw/day and 1.90598 mg/kg bw/day for 1% and 7% drometrizole in cosmetics, respectively. Risk characterization studies demonstrated that when cosmetic products contain 1.0% of drometrizole, the margin of safety was greater than 100. Based on the risk assessment data, the MFDS revised the regulatory concentration of drometrizole from 7% to 1% in 2015. Under current regulation, drometrizole is considered to be safe for use in cosmetics. If new toxicological data are obtained in the future, the risk assessment should be carried out to update the appropriate guidelines.