• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.74-82
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• 2023

Nepeta sibirica L. or Siberian catmint is a medicinal plant species used in Mongolian traditional medicine for curing human different disorders and veterinary practices. The previous study of the whole plant concentrated on the determination of its essential oil composition and reported that the major ones are sesquiterpenes, including nepetalactone. The aim of this study was to reveal a new biological activity of the above-ground parts of N. sibirica L. and compare the activity of different extracts correlating with the content of biologically active compounds and evaluate their toxicity. For this purpose, anti-oxidative and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of the above-ground parts of N. sibirica L. aqueous and ethanol (EtOH) (40%, 70%) extracts were assayed spectrophotometrically. The aqueous extract showed positive anti-oxidative activity by both tested DPPH and FRAP assays with IC₅₀ 134.24 ± 1.42 mg/mL and FRAP value 1385.15 ± 8.12 µmol/L at 200 ㎍/mL, in contrast to 40% and 70% EtOH extracts. The 70% EtOH extract presented the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 77.29 ± 0.38 mg/mL) followed by 40% EtOH extract (176.72 ± 0.35 mg/mL) and aqueous extract (275.41 ± 0.23 mg/mL). Total phenolics were found to be gallic acid equivalent, % 3.74 ± 0.05 (70% EtOH), 3.94 ± 0.04 (40% EtOH), and 3.79 ± 0.16 (aqueous), whereas the total flavonoids as a rutin equivalent, % as 2.01 ± 0.12, 1.44 ± 0.17 and 1.99 ± 0.02, each. The aqueous extract showed the best anti-oxidative and lowest activity against the acetylcholinesterase; however, the 70% EtOH extract showed the opposite effects than that of the aqueous. No mortality incidence was visible at various doses, indicating that the oral median lethal dose of aqueous and 70% EtOH extracts were considered greater than 5000 mg/kg. N. sibirica L. belongs to the non-toxic category of the OECD 423 classification.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.73-82
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• 2023

Purpose : Cymbopogon citratus, also known as lemongrass, has widely spread around the world and its essential oil is usually applied in food, perfume, and other industrial purposes. In addition, C. citratus has also been used for the treatment of inflammation, digestive disorders, and diabetes in traditional medicine. In this study, the antioxidative activity of C. citratus ethanol extract (CCEE) was analyzed in RAW 264.7 cells through the induction of one of phase II enzymes, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 by nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor (Nrf)2, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt. Methods : The antioxidative activity of CCEE against oxidative stress and its underlying molecular mechanisms were analyzed by the cell viability assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation assay, and Western blot analysis in RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The results exhibited that CCEE potently attenuated tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced intracellular ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. CCEE treatment significantly induced the expression of HO-1 which is known for its antioxidative capacity. In addition, CCEE treatment significantly upregulated the expression of Nrf2, a corresponding transcription factor for the regulation of antioxidative enzymes, which was in accordance with the HO-1 overexpression. MAPK and PI3K/Akt were also evaluated for their important roles in the regulation of cellular redox homeostasis against oxidative damage. As a result, the potent HO-1 expression was mediated by not extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK), p38, but phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) phosphorylation. To confirm the antioxidative activity of CCEE-induced HO-1 expression, oxidative damage was initiated by t-BHP and attenuated by CCEE treatment, which was identified by HO-1 selective inhibitor and inducer. Conclusion : Consequently, CCEE potently induced the HO-1-mediated antioxidative potential through the modulation of Nrf2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that CCEE could be a promising strategy for the mitigation against cellular oxidative damage.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.369-378
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• 2023

Smilax sieboldii is one of the Smilax species. A number of Smilax plants have multiple physiologically-active components and anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant effects. Antiobesity effects induced by Smilax sieboldii have not been reported. In this study, we investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of anti-obesity activity of 70% ethanol Smilax sieboldii extract (SSE). The anti-obesity effect of SSE was determined using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We confirmed that SSE was not cytotoxic to murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, we evaluated SSE dose-dependently decreased the accumulation of lipids via an Oil Red O assay and triglyceride assay. These anti-obesity activities of SSE were mediated by the inhibition of adipogenesis-related marker genes (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ, CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein α, and SREBP1c) and lipogenesis-related marker genes (fatty acid synthase and aP2). These results suggest that SSE has the potential to exert anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemia effects by regulating adipogenic transcription factors and inhibiting the expression of adipogenic markers.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.350-359
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• 2007

The egg development and morphological change of larvae and juveniles of the starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus were observed in laboratory. Fertilized eggs of the species, 1.09~1.19 mm (mean $1.13{\pm}0.03mm$, n=50) in diameter, were floating, colorless, transparent in shape and lacked in oil globules. The eggs hatched out 121 hours after fertilization at water temperature $8.2{\sim}11.2^{\circ}C$. The size of the hatched larvae were 2.58~2.89 mm (mean $2.67{\pm}0.09mm$) in total length, their mouth and anus were not open yet and myotome number was 14+27=41. Melanophore and xanthophore appeared on the notochord and digestive organ and the margin of membrane fin, on the yolk sac and eyes were lacking in pigment cells. 5 days after hatching the larvae attained 4.30~4.97 mm (mean$4.74{\pm}0.21mm$) in TL, and their mouth and anus were open. 10 days after hatching the larvae transformed to postlarval stage and they were 4.67~5.75 mm in TL (mean $5.30{\pm}0.31mm$), and absorbing the yolk completely. Feeding activity increased as the mouth became larger. At 23 days, the larvae attained 6.69~8.82 mm in TL (mean $7.85{\pm}0.75mm$), and the right eye was started moving to the left side of the head. At 52 days, the juveniles attained 10.99~17.06 mm in TL (mean $13.50{\pm}1.67mm$). The right eye was moved completely onto the left side. All of the fins had completed set of the fin rays (D. 64~67: A. 45~51: P. 11: V. 6: C. 19).

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.500-505
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of cooking methods (cooking apparatus and reaction level of oxygen) on the rancidity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and furans produced while cooking deep-fired instant noodles. The sample rancidities showed a decreasing trend regardless of the cooking apparatus, as the available oxygen content in the cooking pot was reduced. In particular, soaking and then cooking using a microwave oven was found to be the most effective method to retard rancidity development. The ROS concentration after cooking had a similar trend to the rancidity. The furan concentrations of the samples significantly decreased under all cooking conditions as compared to the control, and the lowest value was 10.69 ppb for the sample cooked in a microwave oven without a cooking pot lid after soaking. The results indicate that cooking in a microwave oven with soaking was the most effective method for the oxidative stability of deep-fried instant noodles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.1015-1021
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• 2013

Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal, an important species of licorice, is one of the most widely used medicinal plants for over 4000 years. Glycyrrhiza plant species has been well known for its various therapeutic activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-ulcer. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal ethanol extracts (GBE) on adipocyte and osteoblast differentiation. Mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells were treated with sub-cytotoxic doses of GBE, and its effects on adipocyte differentiation were assessed. We found that GBE dose-dependently increased lipid accumulation and also induced the expression of adipocyte markers, such as $PPAR{\gamma}$ and its target genes, aP2, and adiponectin, in C3H10T1/2 cells. Consistently, similar effects of GBE on lipid accumulation were also observed in preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells that further supports the pro-adipogenic activities of GBE. We also investigated the effects of GBE on osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells. As a results, we found that GBE increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase in a dose-dependent manner and also promoted the expression of osteoblast markers, such as ALP and RUNX2, during osteoblast differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells. Similar pro-osteogenic effects of GBE were also observed in preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Finally, our data show that a major bioactive compound found in Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal, licochalcone A (LA) but not glycyrrhizic acid (GA), can mediate the pro-adipogenic and pro-osteogenic effects of GBE. Taken together, this study provides data to show the possibility of GBE and its bioactive component LA as putative strategies for type 2 diabetes and bone diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.370-378
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Dendropanax morbifera (D. morbifera) leaf hot-water extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-treated HepG2 cells. Treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract increased the cell viability of CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells without inducing cytotoxicity. The levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) released by CCl₄-treated cells were 27.6 U/L and 52.4 U/L, respectively, and were significantly higher than those in untreated control cells (10.0 U/L and 15.2 U/L, respectively). Moreover, the level of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was 5.4 times higher, while that of glutathione was 44.0% lower in CCl₄-treated cells than in control cells. However, treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the levels of ALT, AST, and GGT, and an increase in the level of glutathione. Moreover, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells was effectively reduced after treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Additionally, overproduction of intracellular lipids induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively inhibited by D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract treatment. Furthermore, DCFDA staining showed that overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively reduced by treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Our results indicate that owing to its beneficial effects, D. morbifera leaf extract has considerable potential as a functional food material for liver protection.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.274-283
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• 2014

Oxidative stress causes tissue damage and facilitates the progression of metabolic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular heart diseases, and obesity. Lipid accumulation and obesity-related complications have been observed in the presence of extensive oxidative stress. As part of an ongoing study to develop therapeutic supplements, Sargassum sp. were tested for their ability to scavenge free radicals and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as to suppress lipid accumulation. Three species, S. hemiphyllum, S. thunbergii, and Sargassum horneri, were shown to scavenge free radicals in a di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium (DPPH) assay. In addition, Sargassum sp. was shown to scavenge intracellular ROS and to decrease nitric oxide (NO) production in $H_2O_2$ and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced in RAW264.7 mouse macrophages, respectively. Taken together, the results suggest that Sargassum sp. possess huge potential to relieve oxidative stress and related complications, as well as lipid-induced oxidation. They indicate that S. hemiphyllum, S. thunbergii, and S. horneri are potent functional supplements that can produce beneficial health effects through antioxidant and antiobesity activities, with S. hemiphyllum being the most potent among the Sargassum sp. tested. A potential mechanism for the effect of Sargassum sp. on the suppression of lipid accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 mouse preadipocytes through deactivation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ (PPAR ${\gamma}$) is presented.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 1996

Zanthoxylum piperitum and Z. schinifolium have been utilized not only as food stuffs, but also as medicinal plants in Korea. In this study, lipids, sugar, amino acids and other components of Zanthoxylum piperitum and Z. schinifolium peels and seeds were analyzed by HPLC and GLC. Four samples contained common fatty acids such as linoleic, linolenic, palmitic, oleic and stearic acid. The contents of unsaturated fatty acids were 87.1% and 64.8% in Z. schinifolium peels and seeds, 73.6% and 62.9% in Z. piperitum peels and seeds, respectively. Z. schinifolium peels contained only beta-sitosterol, whereas other three samples contained campesterol, stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol. In case of free amino acids, peels of both species showed higher contents of acids than seeds of both species. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, arginine, valine, and leucine were found in all four samples. Essential oils consisted of limonene (30.1-66.8%), beta-phellandrene (4.8-13.3%), citronellal (1.5-22%) and cineol (1.6-3.9%). It is worthwhile to note that the content of citronellal in Z. schinifolium seeds was higher than that of the others.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.7-18
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• 1979

Almonds are one of the oldest sources of food and oil for man as used the ice cream, candy, roast, salting, chocolate, breads, backed, cookies, and flavoring ect. So, we wish to plant Almond in our country at the most parts of mountains. In this purpose we must be find out of both root stock of more compatibility and new techniques of grafting was rather simples as compared with the many steps of machinary involved today. This investigation has been carried out to reveral compatibility and practical controls of environment effectives involved in the occurence of each difference combination results in interspecific grafting of Almonds on the root stock of Prunus mandshurica and Prunus persica as materials during the 9 months period from March to November in 1978. With these selected scions were 4 varieties of Almond employing as the Hal1's hardy, Nonpareil, and Thompson grafted in the polyethylene green house with almost identical provision made for effective controls of automatical supplying to heating and mistsprayers as the $22{\sim}25^{\circ}C$ of temperature and 70~90% humidity. Following results have been obtained. Those environmental controls were more effective and practical to grafting unions and success by means veneer-grafting at the green house. 1. Hall's hardy Almond grafted on the root stock of Prunus persica was more compatibility than Prunus mandshurica. 2. The survival percentages as follows of the 95.33% of Hall's hardy/Prunus persica and 92.66% of Hall's hardy/Prunus mandshurica. And those were no significant between root stock of both species. 3. The 3 varieties of sweet Almond grafted on the root stock of P. mandshurica. And those were no significant between root stock of both species. 4. And the survival percentages as fellows. Thompson 92.66%, Nonpareil 90.66% and Kapareil 89.33% those grafted on the root stock of Prunus persica. 5. And then the survival percentage of interspecific grafts on the root Prunus mandshurica as follows of the materials of Thompson 89.66%, Nonpareil 87%, Kapareil 85%. 6. The analysis of variance were no significant among the interactions between 3 varieties Almond and 2 species of root stock plants. 7. And the growth of interspecific grafts of the high 161cm, diameter 12.3mm and length of roots 21.5cm growth as the Hall's hardy Almond grafted on the root stock of Prunus persica. 8. The root stock plants of Prunus mandshurica more effected to 6~8 days early developed leafing of scions and dark green colour than the Prunus persica. 9. The identical provision of automatic systems was more effective to graft unions and grafting process. 10. The veneer-grafting method at the green house was more effective and practical method for the mass production of Almond grafts.