• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 1998

This study was carried out to develop antitumor agents based on effects of the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanolic extract of Lonicerae flos on human oral epitheloid carcinoma cells. Human oral epitheloid carcinoma cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 media containing 10% fetal bovine serum, antibiotic, and fungizone. After incubation for 24 hrs, the cells were treated with A, B, C, D, and E fractions for 48hrs under the same condition. MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazoliumbromide), NR (Neutral red) and SRB (Sulforhodamine B protein) assay were performed. The light microscopic findings were observed by inverted microscope. In MTT assay, fraction B was shown significant antitumor activity (P<0.001), fraction E was shown significant antitumor activities (P<0.05), but the other fractions were not shown. In NR assay, fraction B was shown significant antitumor activity (P<0.001). In SRB assay, fractions B was shown significant antitumor activities (P<0.01). fractions A and D were shown significant antitumor activities (P<0.05). but the other fractions were not shown. In light microscopy. the fraction B of the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanolic extract of Lonicerae flos showed the highest antitumor activity. These finding suggested that fraction B possessed the most antitumorous agent.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.126-133
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• 2021

Background: 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (20(S)-PPD), one of the aglycone derivatives of major ginsenosides, has been shown to have an anticancer activity toward a variety of cancers. This study was initiated with an attempt to evaluate its anti-cancer activity toward human endometrial cancer by cell and xenograft mouse models. Methods: Human endometrial cancer (HEC)-1A cells were incubated with different 20(S)-PPD concentrations. 20(S)-PPD cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using the annexin V binding assay and cell cycle analysis. Cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and activated caspase-9 were assessed using western blotting. HEC-1A cell tumor xenografts in athymic mice were generated by inoculating HEC-1A cells into the flank of BALB/c female mice and explored to validate 20(S)-PPD anti-endometrial cancer toxicity. Results: 20(S)-PPD inhibited HEC-1A cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 3.5 μM at 24 h. HEC-1A cells morphologically changed after 20(S)-PPD treatment, bearing resemblance to Taxol-treated cells. Annexin V-positive cell percentages were 0%, 10.8%, and 58.1% in HEC-1A cells when treated with 0, 2.5, and 5 μM of 20(S)-PPD, respectively, for 24 h. 20(S)-PPD subcutaneously injected into the HEC-1A cell xenograft-bearing mice three times a week for 17 days manifested tumor growth inhibition by as much as 18% at a dose of 80 mg/kg, which sharply contrasted to controls that showed an approximately 2.4-fold tumor volume increase. These events paralleled caspase-9 activation and PARP cleavage. Conclusion: 20(S)-PPD inhibits endometrial cancer cell proliferation by inducing cell death via a caspase-mediated apoptosis pathway. Therefore, the 20(S)-PPD-like ginsenosides are endowed with ample structural information that could be utilized to develop other ginsenoside-based anticancer agents.

• Carbon letters
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2012

Most heavy metals are well-known toxic and carcinogenic agents and when discharged into wastewater represent a serious threat to the human population and the fauna and flora of the receiving water bodies. The present study aims to develop a procedure for Pb(II) removal. The study was based on using powdered activated carbon, which was prepared from walnut shells generated as plant wastes and modified with potassium carbonate or phosphoric acid as chemical agents. The main parameters, such as effect of pH, effect of sorbent dosage, Pb(II) concentrations, and various contact times influence the sorption process. The experimental results were analyzed by using Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption models. The kinetic study of Pb(II) on activated carbon from walnut shells was performed based on pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order equations. The data indicate that the adsorption kinetics follow the pseudo-second order rate. The procedure was successfully applied for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solutions.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.32 no.2 s.121
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• pp.84-90
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• 2007

This study was conducted to design and manufacture a final prototype of garlic separator and to evaluate its performance. The performance of garlic separation was compared with manual separation. The final prototype for garlic separation consists of bucked-elevator device for automatic feed of garlic, rotating cone typed device, blower, and power transmission device. The optimal condition of outlet clearance was 19 mm and in this clearance, the proportions of fragment garlic separated in the large quality of Namdo garlic and all quality of Uiseong garlic were above 95% and above 85%, respectively. All proportion of damaged garlic was below 5% for all variety and quality. The garlic separation capacities of this developed machine were 310 kg/h for Namdo garlic and 293.6 kg/h for Uiseong garlic in the large quality. Capacities of final prototype compared with human being were $12.9{\sim}19.6$ times for Namdo and $24.2{\sim}31.7$ times Uiseong garlic, respectively.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.276-281
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• 2018

High concentration of copper in mezcal, a representative Mexican spirituous alcoholic beverage, is a serious problem due to the damage that it may cause to human health. A cyclic voltammetry and square wave anodic stripping voltammetry study of copper (II) in three commercial mezcal samples based on glassy carbon electrode response was undertaken. The analysis was developed using a simulated matrix solution ($EtOH/H_2O$ (1:1), 0.1 M $LiClO_4$ and AcOH/AcONa 0.05 M/0.008 M), with Cu (II) concentrations in the range 0 - 1 ppm. Direct electrochemical analysis of mezcal samples was complicated by the presence of different organic compounds in the matrix. The analytical signal of Cu (II) in the spirituous was notably improved and the interferences caused by organic compounds were minimized, by diluting the mezcal samples 10% with $EtOH/H_2O$ (1:1) solution. An efficient quantification of Cu (II) was obtained from the calibration curve by the SWASV and using the internal standard method (Cd (II)) in commercial samples (1.2-6.7 ppm); the results were correlated satisfactorily with the values obtained by AAS.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.52-52
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• 2003

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is synthesized in the female reproductive tract and has been shown to play an important role in human and murine embryo development and implantation. However, the mechanism of GM-CSF on the embryo development is unknown. Recent studies suggested that GM-CSF may be increase the expression of implantation relented genes, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) system. Our aim of this study was to compare the interleukin-1$\alpha$ (IL-1$\alpha$), interleukin-1$\beta$ (IL-1$\beta$) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-lra) mRNA between the GM-CSF supplemented group and control group in mouse embryos. Mouse 2-cell embryos were cultured in P-1 medium supplemented with or without mouse GM-CSF (10 ng/ml). The number of total and apoptotic cell in blastocyst were assessed by TUNEL. And then, the expression of IL-1$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$ and IL-1ra mRNA in blastocyst were examined by RT-PCR.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1396-1402
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• 2009

Hizikia fusiforme is a kind of edible brown seaweed that grows mainly in the northwest Pacific including Korea, Japan and China, and has been widely used as food in Korea. Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production is thought to have beneficial immunomodulatory effects in acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. In this study, we investigated the effects of extracts of H. fusiforme on the expression of COX-2 and production of $PGE_2$ in U937 human pre-monocytic cell models. In U937 cells stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to mimic inflammation, methanol extract of H. fusiforme (MEHF) and ethanol extract of H. fusiforme (EEHF), but not water extract of H. fusiforme (WEHF), inhibited PMA-induced expression of both COX-2 protein and mRNA, which was associated with inhibition of $PGE_2$ production. To investigate the mechanism by which MEHF and EEHF inhibit COX-2 gene expression and $PGE_2$ production, we examined the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-$\kappa$B) in U937 cells. Pre-treatment with MEHF and EEHF significantly attenuated the PMA-induced IkappaB degradation and prevented nuclear translocation of NF-$\kappa$B. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activity of H. fusiforme.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 2006

Functional damage to microvascular endothelial cells by hyperglycemia is thought to be one of the critical risk factor.; in the impaired wound healing seen with diabetes mellitus. It is also thought that oxidative stress plays a significant role in this endothelial cell dysfunction. The present study examined the differential effects of flavonoids on endothelial cell dysfunction under high glucose conditions. Human endothelial cells exposed to 30 mmol/L glucose for 7 d were pre-treated with various flavonoids and pulse-treated with 0.2 mmol/L $H_2O_2$ for 30 min. High glucose markedly decreased cell viability with elevated oxidant generation and nuclear condensation. $H_2O_2$ insult exacerbated endothelial cytotoxicity due to chronic exposure to high glucose. (-)Epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin improved glucose-induced cell damage with the disappearnnce of apoptotic bodies, whereas apigenin intensified the glucose cytotoxicity. In addition, cell viability data revealed that these flavonoids of (-)epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin substantially attenuated both high glucose- and $H_2O_2$- induced dual endothelial damage. These results suggest that (-)epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin may be beneficial agents for improving endothelial cell dysfunction induced by high glucose and may prevent or reduce the development of diabetic vascular complications.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9341-9346
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• 2014

Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L) Merr (AT) is commonly used as an herbal medicine and edible plant in some areas of China and other Asian countries. AT is thought to have anticancer effects, but potential mechanisms remain unknown. To assess the anticancer properties of AT, we exposed prostate cancer cells to AT extracts and assessed cell proliferation and signaling pathways. An ethanol extract of AT was suspended in water followed by sequential extraction with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. PC-3 cells were treated with different concentrations of each extract and cell viability was determined by the MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. The ethyl acetate extract of the ethanol extract had a stronger inhibitory effect on growth and a stronger stimulatory effect on apoptosis than any of the other extracts. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that the ethyl acetate extract suppressed the transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$, increased the level of caspase-3, and decreased the levels of phospho-Erk1/2 and phospho-Akt. This is the first report on the anticancer activity of AT in cultured human prostate cancer cells. The results suggest that AT can provide a plant-based medicine for the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.367-381
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to establish a mother and child cohort in the Chinese population, and investigate human breastmilk (HBM) composition and its relationship with maternal body mass index (BMI) and infant growth during the first 3 mon of life. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 101 Chinese mother and infant pairs were included in this prospective cohort. Alterations in the milk macronutrients of Chinese mothers at 1 mon (T1), 2 mon (T2), and 3 mon (T3) lactation were analyzed. HBM fatty acid (FA) profiles were measured by gas chromatography (GC), and HBM proteomic profiling was achieved by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). RESULTS: During the first 3 mon of lactation (P < 0.05), significant decreases were determined in the levels of total energy, fat, protein, and osteopontin (OPN), as well as ratios of long-chain saturated FA (including C16:0, C22:0 and C24:0), monounsaturated FA (including C16:1), and n-6 poly unsaturated FA (PUFA) (including C20:3n-6 and C20:4n-6, and n-6/n-3). Conversely, butyrate, C6:0 and n-3 PUFA C18:3n-3 (α-linolenic acid, ALA) were significantly increased during the first 3 mon (P < 0.05). HBM proteomic analyses distinguished compositional protein differences over time (P = 0.001). Personalized motherinfant analyses demonstrated that HBM from high BMI mothers presented increased total energy, fat, protein and OPN, and increased content of n-6 PUFA (including C18:3n-6, C20:3n-6 and n-6/n-3 ratio) as compared with low BMI mothers (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BMI of the mothers positively correlated with the head circumference (HC) of infants as well as the specific n-6 PUFA C20:3n-6 over the 3 time points examined. Infant HC was negatively associated with C18:0. CONCLUSION: This study provides additional evidence to the Chinese HBM database, and further knowledge of FA function. It also helps to establish future maternal strategies that support the healthy growth and development of Chinese infants.