• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of essential oil extracted from the wood of Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. et Zucc. Endl. (Cupressaceae). The essential oil was extracted from the wood of C. obtusa by hydrodistillation method, and conducted the analysis on the chemical composition of the extracted C. obtusa wood oil through GC-MS. The major constituents of the oil were found to be: ${\alpha}-pinene$ (11.4%), cadinene (5.4%), ${\delta}-cadiene$ (9.0%), ${\tau}-muurolol$ (22.2%), ${\alpha}-cadinol$ (20.8%) etc. We attempted to identify the anti-inflammatory activities of the oil when it is injected in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells, along with its effects on the secretion of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-13 (IL-13), ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$. According to the cell viability analysis conducted by MTT assay, the oil in $10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-5}%$concentration showed no effect on the cell viability. After RBL-2H3 cells treated by LPS stimulation were exposed to $10^{-7}%$ concentration of C. obtusa wood oil, the expression levels of IL-4, IL-13 within the cell were observed to remarkably decrease. Also, it was attenuated the release of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ from mast cells to a significantly meaningful level. These results suggest that C. obtusa wood oil exerts the anti-inflammatory effect, by regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines, which is a valuable feature to be highly utilized as the functional materials in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.309-321
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• 2023

Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtusa) belongs to Cupressaceae and grows wild in southern area of Korea. C. obtusa has been used for furnitures because of the superior quality of the lumber and remaining branches and leaves were used for extraction of essential oil (C. obtusa oil). C. obtusa oil has numerous health effects, including anti-inflammation, antibacterial, deodorization, sedative effect. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of C. obtusa oil on anti-wrinkles, skin-barrier and moisturizing. First, DPPH and ABTS assay were conducted to evaluate antioxidant effect and C. obtusa oil showed significance scavenging activity on both radicals. And elastase activity was examined for anti-wrinkle effect. At the result, elastase activity was significantly reduced by C. obtusa oil. Next, real-time PCR was performed to evaluate gene expression. At the results, MMP-1 mRNA expression was significantly reduced by C. obtusa oil in HDF cells. In addition, filaggrin and HAS-2 mRNA expression significantly increased by C. obtusa oil in HaCaT cells. Taken together, these results indicate that C. obtusa oil has potential as a cosmetic material for anti-aging by enhancing anti-wrinkle, skin-barrier and moisturizing effects.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.343-347
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• 2002

In the present study, effects of essential oils isolated from various plants have been evaluated on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced release of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E$_2$(PGE$_2$) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-$\alpha$) by the macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Among the tested essential oils, essential oil of Ligularia fischeri var. spiciformis (LF-oil) significantly inhibited the LPS-induced generation of NO, PGE$_2$ and TNF-$\alpha$ in Raw 264.7 cells. Consistent with these observations, the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 enzyme was inhibited by LF-oil in a concentration-dependent manner. Thus, this study suggests that inhibition of release of iNOS, COX-2 expression, and TNF-$\alpha$ by the essential oil of Ligularia fischer may be one of the mechanisms responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of this medicinal plant.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.297-304
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• 2014

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a plant native to Europe and has been widely used as a carminative and gastric stimulant worldwide. This plant also has been used in cosmetic formulations as a fragrance component and skin conditioning agent. This study investigated the effect of peppermint oil on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice. The animals were randomized into 4 groups based on different topical applications: saline (SA), jojoba oil (JO), 3% minoxidil (MXD), and 3% peppermint oil (PEO). The hair growth effects of the 4-week topical applications were evaluated in terms of hair growth, histological analysis, enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gene expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), known bio-markers for the enhanced hair growth. Of the 4 experimental groups, PEO group showed the most prominent hair growth effects; a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth. ALP activity and IGF-1 expression also significantly increased in PEO group. Body weight gain and food efficiency were not significantly different between groups. These results suggest that PEO induces a rapid anagen stage and could be used for a practical agent for hair growth without change of body weight gain and food efficiency.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.419-428
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• 2018

Background: Despite the large number of studies on ginseng, pharmacological activities of ginseng seed oil (GSO) have not been established. GSO is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, mostly oleic and linoleic acids. Unsaturated fatty acids are known to exert a therapeutic effect in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we investigated the protective effect and underlying mechanisms of GSO against NAFLD using in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: In vitro lipid accumulation was induced by free fatty acid mixture in HepG2 cells and by 3 wk of high fat diet (HFD)-feeding in Sprague-Dawley rats prior to hepatocyte isolation. The effects of GSO against diet-induced hepatic steatosis were further examined in C57BL/6J mice fed a HFD for 12 wk. Results: Oil Red O staining and intracellular triglyceride levels showed marked accumulation of lipid droplets in both HepG2 cells and rat hepatocytes, and these were attenuated by GSO treatment. In HFD-fed mice, GSO improved HFD-induced dyslipidemia and hepatic insulin resistance. Increased hepatic lipid contents were observed in HFD-fed mice and it was lowered in GSO (500 mg/kg)-treated mice by 26.4% which was evident in histological analysis. Pathway analysis of hepatic global gene expression indicated that GSO increased the expression of genes associated with ${\beta}$-oxidation (Ppara, Ppargc1a, Sirt1, and Cpt1a) and decreased the expression of lipogenic genes (Srebf1 and Mlxipl), and these were confirmed with reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase-chain reaction. Conclusion: These findings suggest that GSO has a beneficial effect on NAFLD through the suppression of lipogenesis and stimulation of fatty acid degradation pathway.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.435-447
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• 2021

Purpose: Body adiposity is negatively correlated with hepatic iron status, and Korean pine nut oil (PNO) has been reported to reduce adiposity. Therefore, we aimed to study the effects of PNO on adiposity, hepatic mineral status, and the expression of genes and proteins involved in iron absorption. Methods: Five-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a control diet containing 10% kcal from PNO (PC) or soybean oil (SBO; SC), or a high-fat diet (HFD) containing 35% kcal from lard and 10% kcal from PNO (PHFD) or SBO (SHFD). Hepatic iron, copper, and zinc content; and expression of genes and proteins related to iron absorption were measured. Results: HFD-fed mice had a higher white fat mass (2-fold; p < 0.001), lower hepatic iron content (25% lower; p < 0.001), and lower hepatic Hamp (p = 0.028) and duodenal Dcytb mRNA levels (p = 0.037) compared to the control diet-fed mice. Hepatic iron status was negatively correlated with body weight (r = -0.607, p < 0.001) and white fat mass (r = -0.745, p < 0.001). Although the PHFD group gained less body weight (18% less; p < 0.05) and white fat mass (18% less; p < 0.05) than the SHFD group, the hepatic iron status impaired by the HFD feeding did not improve. The expression of hepatic and duodenal ferroportin protein was not affected by the fat amount or the oil type. PNO-fed mice had significantly lower Slc11a2 (p = 0.022) and Slc40a1 expression (p = 0.027) compared to SBO-fed mice. However, the PC group had a higher Heph expression than the SC group (p < 0.05). The hepatic copper and zinc content did not differ between the four diet groups, but hepatic copper content adjusted by body weight was significantly lower in the HFD-fed mice compared to the control diet-fed mice. Conclusion: HFD-induced obesity decreased hepatic iron storage by affecting the regulation of genes related to iron absorption; however, the 18% less white fat mass in the PHFD group was not enough to improve the iron status compared to the SHFD group. The hepatic copper and zinc status was not altered by the fat amount or the oil type.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2002

Dopamine(DA), norepinephrine(NE), and epinephrine(E) belong to a class of neurotransmitters known as catecholamine (CA) which are synthesized and secreted by mammalian brain and adrenal medulla. CA regulate several behavior patterns connected with breeding, and regulate GnRH-gonadotropin hormone axis' vitality between hypothalamus-pituitary gland linking with reproduction freeze. The present study examined effects of sex steroid hormone on the transcriptional activities of CA biosynthesis enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase(TH), dopamine $\beta$ -hydroxylase(DBH), and phenylethaolamine-N-methyl transferase(PNMT). Mature female rats were ovariectomized(OVX) and implanted with 17 $\beta$-estradiol(E$_2$: 500 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) or sesame oil. Forty-eight hours after implantation all the animals were sacrificed. Total RNAs were extracted immediately and were applied to semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The expression level of TH was appeared by hypothalamus > SNc> adrenal medulla orders in OVX＋Oil group, and by SNc > hypothalamus) adrenal medulla orders in OVX+E$_2$ group. Treatment with E$_2$ significantly increased TH expression in SNc and adrenal medulla but in hypothalamus, the reduced TH expression was observed. The expression level of DBH was appeared by adrenal medulla > SNc > hypothalamus orders in OVX＋Oil group and in OVX＋E$_2$ group. Administration of E$_2$ significantly reduced DBH expression in SNc, and increased in adrenal medulla. Two cDNA products, large(PNMT1) and small(PMNTs) species of 110bp difference, were amplified in SNc and hypothalamus, but only PNMTs was observed in adenal medulla. The PNMTs expression level was in the order of adrenal medulla > hypothalamus > SNc in both OVX＋Oil and OVX＋E$_2$ group. The PNMTs expression in SNc and adrenal medulla was significantly increased byE$_2$. The present report demonstrated that estrogen effects on transcriptional activities for CA biosynthethic enzymes were tissue specific in adrenal medulla as well as different region of brain. These results suggest that it might be crucial relationship between the type of estrogen receptor and CA enzyme gene expression.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.79-86
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• 2018

Objectives : Hemorrhoids are one of the most common diseases in humans. Jingyoganghwaltang (JG) and Cheongsimhwan (CS) have been used for treating hemorrhoids in Korean traditional clinical practice. The present study was designed to evaluate the traditional effects of JG and CS on the experimental hemorrhoid model in rats. Methods : Hemorrhoids are closely related to inflammation. Accordingly, we examined the nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophage cell line in order to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect. The expression levels of inflammation related genes including IL-1 beta, IL-6, INOS, and TNF-alpha were examined via a real-time quantitative PCR. Croton oil-induced hemorrhagic animal model was used to test the in vivo efficacy against hemorrhoids. The rectal tissues were weighed and the inflammatory proteins were measured to confirm the anti-inflammatory effects. Results : JG and CS have a statistically significant effect on inhibition of NO production and on the reduction of inflammatory gene expression such as IL-1 beta, IL-6, INOS, and TNF-alpha. The synergistic effects of co-treatment of JG and CS were found out in the IL-6 gene expression. The in vivo study using croton oil-induced hemorrhoid model in rat was performed to check the co-treatment effects. As a result, the co-treatment reduced the inflammation of the rectal tissue and decrease the inflammation related protein productions including ICAM1, MMP2 and MMP9. Conclusions : These results suggest that JG and CS co-treatment demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in croton oil-induced hemorrhoid model in rat.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.464-471
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• 2011

Sesame oil is a simple pressed oil as unrefined oil. During manufacturing process of roasting-expression, benzo(a)pyrene[B(a)P] formed as a strong carcinogenic substance is cause a social problem. In manufacturing process of sesame oil, it had following the forming pathway of benzo(a)pyrene[B(a)P] as well as minimizing plan of B(a)P formation. Suitable roasting condition by roaster was during 15~20min at $220^{\circ}C$, B(a)P content in sesame oil was $1.35{\sim}1.57{\mu}g/kg$. Between roasting temperature and/or roastingtime and forming amount of B(a)P was showed a linear correlation. As a point of view the turbidity and yield of final product, roasting process of the more regular level was required.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.233-238
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• 2000

We developed a quantitative method for evaluating CEP(color expression power) in eye shadow. This method enables the cosmetic industry to measure CEP on an interval scales, so it is more accurate and reproducible than previous panel tests. Oil, colorants, Pigments and pearls are major factors affecting CEP in eye shadow formulas. We studied the oil effect on CEP using our unique method so CEP could be improved. We believe this method can be applied to other color cosmetics as well. In conclusion, we expected this method to be useful to formulator who want to improve the color expression power in color cosmetics. Additionally, we hope it will contribute toward developing the experiential know-how about color to scientific knowledge.