• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.318-324
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• 2009

1-Furan-2-yl-3-pyridin-2-yl-propenone (FPP-3) has recently been synthesized and characterized to have an anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of the production of nitric oxide. In the present study, adverse effects of FPP-3 on hepatic functions were determined in female BALB/c mice. When mice were administered with FPP-3 at 125, 250 or 500 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days orally, FPP-3 significantly increased absolute and relative weights of liver with a dose-dependent manner. In addition, FPP-3 administration dramatically increased the hepatotoxicity parameters in serum at 500 mg/kg, in association of hepatic necrosis. FPP-3 significantly induced several phase I enzyme activities. To elucidate the possible mechanism(s) involved in FPP-3 induced hepatotoxicity, we investigated the hepatic activities of free radical generating and scavenging enzymes and the level of hepatic lipid peroxidation. FPP-3 treatment significantly elevated the hepatic lipid peroxidation, measured as the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance, and the activity of superoxide dismutase. Taken together, the present data indicated that reactive oxygen species might be involved in FPP-3-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.111-116
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• 2015

The soil sample obtained from shooting area contaminated with Pb, Cu, and Zn was investigated to determine the chemical forms of heavy metals with Tessier’s sequential extraction method, which is constituted of five fractions such as ‘exchangeable’, ‘bound to carbonate’, ‘bound to oxide’, ‘bound to organic matter’, and residual fractions. The amount of organic matter was measured by loss on ignition (LOI) and then the results of ‘bound to organic matter’ and LOI were compared. The sequential extraction results show that 4.7%-45% of Pb, 6.2%-25.9% of Cu and 3.9%-15.3% of Zn belong to the ‘bound to organic matter’ fraction, but LOI result shows that only 1.0%-2.8% of organic matter exists in the soil sample. In heavy medium separation tests, because Pb and Cu extracted in ‘bound to organic matter’ and residual fractions were removed, the heavy metals in the fractions would exist as heavier forms. These results suggest that the part of heavy metal extracted in ‘bound to organic matter’ fraction would result from the oxidation of metallic forms by hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid used in the fraction, and, consequently, that the ‘bound to organic matter’ fraction should be investigated in detail to determine the removal method and treatment capacity when the Tessier’s sequential extraction method is used to examine heavy metal contaminants resulted from elemental metal like bullets.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.295-299
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• 2008

The antioxidant activities, anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxic effects of methanol extract from Euphorbia humifusa were evaluated in this study. Total phenolic compound contents were $68.35{\pm}0.16$ mg/g and total flavonoid compound contents were estimated as $38.74{\pm}1.26$ mg/g. EC50 values for DPPH radical scavenging activity of methanol extract was $56.26{\pm}0.66{\mu}g/mL$ and those of positive controls as ascorbic acid, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and BHA were $8.38{\pm}0.14{\mu}g/mL$, $16.45{\pm}0.89{\mu}g/mL$ and $21.18{\pm}1.01{\mu}g/mL$ respectively. NO scavenging activity increased in depending on concentration of extract. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with extract caused inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production. The cell viability showed that the methanol extract had cytotoxicity in the growth of breast cancer cell ($66.54{\pm}1.91%$ at $400{\mu}g/mL$ conc., $43.98{\pm}3.35%$ at $800{\mu}g/mL$ conc.). Based on the results, It was suggested that the methanol extract of Euphorbia humifusa has a potential candidate for functional cosmetic and medicine.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2017

Background: Ganoderma lucidum cultured on hulled barley was investigated as a potential natural source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Methods and Results: The yields from Ganoderma lucidum cultured on hulled barley water and ethanol extract were 17.69% and 25.77%, respectively. The antioxidant activity of Ganoderma lucidum cultured on hulled barley extracts was confirmed by various methods including assayss of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzo thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), nitrite radical scavenging, and $Fe^{3+}$ to $Fe^{2+}$ reducing power activity. The ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum cultured on hulled barley showed improved DPPH, ABTS and nitrite radical scavenging activity compared with the water extract. After treatment of RAW264.7 cells with Ganoderma lucidum cultured on hulled barley ethanol extracts, the cell viability compared with the control was 92.82%, even at a concentration of $3,000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The ethanol extract inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with $H_2O_2$, even at low concentrations. In addition, the ethanol extract showed an inhibitory effects on the production of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) in RAW264.7 cells. Conclusions: This study suggests that the extract of Ganoderma lucidum cultured on hulled barley is a potential source of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2017

Background: We investigated the antioxidative and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of 70% ethanol extract, and its fractions, of the root of Rumex japonicus HOUTT. Methods and Results: The total phenolic compound contents of the 70% ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction were 168.99 mg/g and 651.78 mg/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity was compared through the DPPH radical and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assays. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest DPPH radical and NO scavenging abilities, which confirmed the antioxidant activity. Specifically, the ethyl acetate fraction showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging ability than ascorbic acid. These results were related to the total phenolic compound content of the ethyl acetate fraction. Moreover, in the tyrosinase inhibition assay, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited stronger inhibitory activity than arbutin, which was used as the positive control. The cell viability of L929 cells was analyzed by MTT assay after treatment with 70% ethanol extract and all fractions; no changes in viability were observed, which demonstrated the nontoxic nature of the extract and fractions. Conclusions: These results suggested that the extract from the root of R. japonicus and its ethyl acetate fraction could be a novel resource for the development of a cosmetic with antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activity.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1995

Strontium selective chromatographic material $(Sr-Spec^{TM})$ was investigated for separation of radiostrontium from environmental soil and water sample. This chromatographic material has great capacity of binding of strontium ion in nitric acid media, and has selectivity to permit the separation of stontium from bulk amount of calcium. But the extraction of strontium was reduced by the other interfering ions such as K and Ba. So, in order to apply this material to the soil sample, prior removal treatment of K and Ba was needed. But the Sr-Spec material could provides simple and effective methods for the separation and removal of radiostrontium from liquid sample.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.200-206
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• 2005

Effect of quercetin on NO production and regulation mode of quercetin on oxidative stress, $NF{\kappa}B$ activation, and iNOS expression, possible mechanisms of NO suppression in LPS-stimulated macrophages were investigated. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with quercetin significantly reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production dose-dependently ($IC_{50}$, $9.2\;{\mu}M$). Expression of iNOS and specific DNA binding activities of nuclear factor kB ($NF{\kappa}B$) were significantly suppressed by quercetin pretreatment. Quercetin reduced thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) accumulation, enhancing GSH level and antioxidant activities of enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. These results demonstrate quercetin may ameliorate inflammatory diseases by suppressing NO production through inhibition of iNOS expression, $NF{\kappa}B$ transactivation, and oxidative stress, which may be mediated partially by antioxidative effect of quercetin. Thus, quercetin appears to be used as a potential therapeutic agent for treating LPS-induced inflammatory processes.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.495-501
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• 2018

Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure is a risk factor for skin damage resulting in oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) to improve its biological activities using a three-step steaming process. We investigated the protective effects of PG and steamed PG extracts on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) against UVB radiation-induced oxidative stress and inflammation as well as the underlying mechanisms. The antioxidant potential of the PG extracts was evaluated by measuring the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity. ABTS and DPPH were shown by the 0, 30, and 70% ethanol extracts of 2S-PG and 3S-PG ($IC_{50}$, 28~45 and $27{\sim}30{\mu}g/mL$, respectively). Treatment of UVB-irradiated cells with steamed PG ($25{\sim}400{\mu}g/mL$) did not affect their viability. The streamed PG extract suppressed UVB-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, streamed PG extract reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression in UVB-irradiated HDF, regulating nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ expression. These findings suggest that steamed PG extract may be potentially effective against inflammation associated with UVB-induced oxidation stress.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.334-341
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• 2015

HAE series (HAE 01 - 06), are the mixtures of medicinal plants; Lonicerae Folium et Caulis (Lonicera japonica), Scutellariae Radix (Scutellaria baicalensis), Adenophorae Radix (Adenophora triphylla var. japonica), Polygonati Oddorati Rhizoma (Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum), Platycodi Radix (Platycodon grandiflorum), Liriopis seu Ophiopogonis Tuber (Liriope platyphylla). HAE 06 showed the significant antitussive effect in HAE series. HAE 04, 05, and 06 increased the effect of expectorant measured by secretion of phenol red in rats. All tested HAE series were observed to have the anti-oxidant activity determined by the scavenging activity. HAE 01, 03 and 06 were significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) increased by LPS. HAE 06 was selected based on the results and done further experiments. HAE 06 inhibited the number of coughing induced by citric acid in dose dependent manner. HAE 06 effectively increased the effect of expectorant. HAE 06 exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the production of NO and TNF-${\alpha}$. In addition, HAE 06 significantly suppressed inducible Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Especially HAE 06 has the highest effect in alleviating the respiratory symptoms. Moreover, the enhancement antioxidant activity and reduction inflammation partly were attributed to it. HAE 06 may become the promising candidate for the treatment of respiratory symptom in the future.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2008

We previously reported that anti-inflammatory properties of poncirin, isolated from fruit of Poncirus trifoliata, might be the result from the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis $factor-{\acute{a}}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interlukin-6 (IL-6) expression via the down-regulation of $NF{-\kappa}B$ binding activity. In this study, we investigated whether poncirin has an inhibitory effect on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators ex vivo and whether poncirin could relieve the symptoms of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice model of inflammatory bowel disease. Poncirin significantly inhibited the productions of NO, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse peritoneal macrophage. In addition, poncirin-treated mice when compared to control mice not receiving treatment recovered better from the weight loss caused by DSS-induced colitis. Changes in disease activity index (DAI) of poncirin-treated mice were also more favorable than for control mice and were comparable with mice treated with a typical anti-inflammatory-drug, 5-aminosalichylic acid (5-ASA). In addition, suppression of plasma NO and IL-6 productions of poncirin-treated mice was also observed in DSS-induced colitis. These results suggest that poncirin has potentially useful anti-inflammatory effects mediated by suppression of inflammatory mediator productions.