• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.273-279
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• 2012

This experiment was conducted to determine a potential effective biological weed control and/or rice young seedling injury by golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) at wet hill seeded rice field. The rice seeds used were treated by iron-coating. The efficacy of weed control as affected by golden apple snail has been tested with twice applications of young golden apple snails of 12 kg (24,000 young snails, $0.5g{\pm}10%$ per young snail, 30~40 days after hatching) per ha at the same day after harrowing and applied with rate of 10 kg (20,000 young snails) per ha at 15days after seeding, respectively. The comparison of this experiment was of the conventional machine transplanted rice paddy field in terms of weed control and rice plant injury as a visual grade. The weed efficacy was of 100% similar with the conventional paddy field which was applied by systematic herbicides of pre-emergence and post-emergence chemical herbicides and there was 1~3% significant rice young seedling injury but no yield losses and grain quality due to the input of golden apple snail.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 2018

Helminthostachys zeylanica is a rare plant grows in lightly shaded areas. The fern was traditionally used as antipyretic and antiphlogistic agents. This study was aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of H. zeylanica on foodborne Bacillus cereus. The chemical composition of its ethanolic extract was also determined. The plant samples were collected at Kampung Kebun Relong, Kedah, Malaysia. The ethanolic extract showed significant inhibitory activity on B. cereus with a sizeable clear zone detected on disc diffusion assay. On broth microdilution assay, the MIC of the extract on B. cereus was 6.25 mg/ml and the MBC was 12.5 mg/ml. The inhibitory activity of the extract on B. cereus was bactericidal. In the growth dynamic study, the antibacterial efficacy of the extract was concentration dependent, where a lower colony forming unit count was obtained with increased extract concentration. The SEM micrograph of extract treated B. cereus cells showed invaginations of cell wall. The bacterial cell structure collapsed after 24 h exposure to the extract. The GCMS analysis of the extract showed that the major constituents of the extract were phenol (36.26%) and quercetin (29.70%). This study is important as it shows the potential use of H. zeylanica as an effective agent to control B. cereus related infections.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.161-170
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• 2010

We surveyed 837 students attending elementary schoolchildren in Korea for health functional foods (HFF) consumption and significant variables for their HFF consumption including demographic characteristics, parental health concern on offsprings, food eating frequency of subjects and beliefs on potential efficacy of HFF by subjects. The consumption prevalence of HFF was 45.9%, and among all types of HFF, nutritional supplements were taken most frequently, followed by apricot extract-fermented products > lactic acid bacteria containing products > EPA/DHA containing products > red ginseng products. HFF consumption was higher in subjects had parents of high education level (p < .05) and those from families with a high socioeconomic status (p < .01) in comparison to each corresponding group. Health concern on offsprings by parents (p < .001) and consumption ratio of HFF by family (p < .001) was higher in consumers than in nonconsumers of HFF. Total score of dietary assessment was higher in consumers than in nonconsumers of HFF (p < .01), and consumers had a more positive view concerning the potential efficacy of HFF than did nonconsumers (p < .001). Most consumers of HFF took HFF when they were healthy (42.5%), and they did not feel special effects through HFF consumption (47.7%). Most consumers of HFF got the information on HFF from family and relatives (24.8%), and most of them purchased HFF at pharmacy or oriental medicine clinics (53.9%). HFF consumers preferred multi-vitamins and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin mineral supplements belonged to HFF. Given the widespread consumption of HFF by elementary schoolchildren, the reasonable consumption of these products for the contribution to their overall health and well-being should be emphasized through nutrition education for them and their family.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.280-286
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• 2017

Objective: This case series aims to report the efficacy and the safety of using snake venom pharmacopuncture (SVP) for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Methods: Three heterogeneous cancer (1 endometrium, 1 cervix, and 1 prostate cancer) patients were referred to the East-West Cancer Center (EWCC), Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, from August 02, 2017, to September 15, 2017, for treatment with SVP, and they were treated with SVP 4 times, 6 times, and 8 times, respectively. During the treatment period, the efficacy of SVP therapy was assessed by using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), and the stability was evaluated by using blood tests. Following each session, all patients were examined closely for any allergenic responses or adverse effects. Results: All patients showed noticeable improvements of their NRS and CTCAE scores. Except for bleeding and bruising at the SVP injection site, no major side effects were noted. One of the patients reported mild chilling and a sore throat after receiving the second treatment; those symptoms went away after a few hours. No hematologic toxicity, hepatotoxicity, or nephrotoxicity was found on the blood test. Conclusion: The results of this research suggest positive potential benefits of using SVP for treating patients with CIPN. Also, the excellent safety results of SVP seen in this research should lead to larger clinical trials aimed at developing SVP into a potential intervention for managing patients with the symptoms of CIPN.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.245-256
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• 1996

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) have been developed as a new drug delivery system. Although many particulate drug carriers, such as microsphere, liposome, niosome, emulsion, etc. have been introduced, they have some disadvantage; low efficiency of incorporation and stability, lack of reproducibility, and so on. Meanwhile, SLN as a new drug delivery system is known to entrap rugs with a high efficiency and a good reproducibility. Moreover, small size SLN can circulate in blood for a prolonged time. Although many preparation methods were introduced, microfluidization method is recommended to be the most useful. This study was attempted to prepare and evaluate ketoprofen-incorporated SLNs (keto-SLN), which were prepared by two methods, ultrasonication and microfluidization. Keto-SLN was evaluated by measurement of particle size and zeta potential, efficacy of entrapment, sedimentation volume, in virto release pattern. The mean particle size was about $0.1\;{\mu}m$, and the size was dependent on the type and the amount of emulsifier. Zeta potential was negative, $-9{\sim}-13mV$ and entrapment efficacy was very high and stability was good for at least 60 days in the respect of particle size and sedimentation volume ratio. Analgesic effect was also determined as well as pharmacokinetic parameters. The former was comparable to that of that of ketoprofen loaded suspension (keto-sus) and the latter revealed that consistent with the delayed release of keto-SLN. $T_{max}$ was longer than keto-sus. Therefore, keto-SLN was favourable dosage forms in the field of drug delivery system such as anti-cancer, analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.37-47
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• 2024

Objectives : Because predicting the potential efficacy and mechanisms of Korean medicines is challenging due to their high complexity, employing an approach based on network pharmacology could be effective. In this study, network pharmacological analysis was utilized to anticipate the effects of YunPye-Hwan (YPH) in treating Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods : Compounds and their related target genes of YPH were gathered from the TCMSP and PubChem databases. These target genes of YPH were subsequently compared with gene sets associated with COPD to assess correlation. Next, core genes were identified through a two-step screening process, and finally, functional enrichment analysis of these core genes was conducted using both Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Pathways. Results : A total of 15 compounds and 437 target genes were gathered, resulting in a network comprising 473 nodes and 14,137 edges. Among them, 276 genes overlapped with gene sets associated with COPD, indicating a significant correlation between YPH and COPD. Functional enrichment analysis of the 18 core genes revealed biological processes and pathways such as "miRNA Transcription," "Nucleic Acid-Templated Transcription," "DNA-binding Transcription Factor Activity," "MAPK signaling pathway," and "TNF signaling pathway" were implicated. Conclusion : YPH exhibited significant relevance to COPD by modulating cell proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, and cell death pathways. This study could serve as a foundational framework for further research investigating the potential use of YPH in the treatment of COPD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.759-770
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• 2022

Background: Aerobic cellular respiration provides chemical energy, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), to maintain multiple cellular functions. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) can deacetylate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) to promote mitochondrial biosynthesis. Targeting energy metabolism is a potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as cardiac and neurological disorders. Ginsenosides, one of the major bioactive constituents of Panax ginseng, have been extensively used due to their diverse beneficial effects on healthy subjects and patients with different diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of total ginsenosides (GS) on energy metabolism remain unclear. Methods: In this study, oxygen consumption rate, ATP production, mitochondrial biosynthesis, glucose metabolism, and SIRT1-PGC-1α pathways in untreated and GS-treated different cells, fly, and mouse models were investigated. Results: GS pretreatment enhanced mitochondrial respiration capacity and ATP production in aerobic respiration-dominated cardiomyocytes and neurons, and promoted tricarboxylic acid metabolism in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, GS clearly enhanced NAD⁺-dependent SIRT1 activation to increase mitochondrial biosynthesis in cardiomyocytes and neurons, which was completely abrogated by nicotinamide. Importantly, ginsenoside monomers, such as Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rh1, Rb2, and Rb3, were found to activate SIRT1 and promote energy metabolism. Conclusion: This study may provide new insights into the extensive application of ginseng for cardiac and neurological protection in healthy subjects and patients.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.408-419
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside compound K (CK), the main active metabolite in Panax ginseng, has shown good safety and bioavailability in clinical trials and exerts neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemic stroke. However, its potential role in the prevention of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of ginsenoside CK against cerebral I/R injury. Methods: We used a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, including oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion induced PC12 cell model and middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion induced rat model, to mimic I/R injury. Intracellular oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rate were analyzed by Seahorse multifunctional energy metabolism system; ATP production was detected by luciferase method. The number and size of mitochondria were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and MitoTracker probe combined with confocal laser microscopy. The potential mechanisms of ginsenoside CK on mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergy were evaluated by RNA interference, pharmacological antagonism combined with co-immunoprecipitation analysis and phenotypic analysis. Results: Ginsenoside CK pretreatment could attenuate mitochondrial translocation of DRP1, mitophagy, mitochondrial apoptosis, and neuronal bioenergy imbalance against cerebral I/R injury in both in vitro and in vivo models. Our data also confirmed that ginsenoside CK administration could reduce the binding affinity of Mul1 and Mfn2 to inhibit the ubiquitination and degradation of Mfn2, thereby elevating the protein level of Mfn2 in cerebral I/R injury. Conclusion: These data provide evidence that ginsenoside CK may be a promising therapeutic agent against cerebral I/R injury via Mul1/Mfn2 mediated mitochondrial dynamics and bioenergy.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.59-69
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• 2024

This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Indigo Naturalis (IN) in treating a Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The objective is to comprehensively examine the effects and pharmacological mechanisms of IN on IBD, assessing its potential as an novel treatment for IBD. Analysis of 11 selected papers is conducted to understand the effects of IN, focusing on compounds like indirubin, isatin, indigo, and tryptanthrin. This study evaluates their impact on Disease Activity Index (DAI) score, colon length, mucosal damage, and macrophage infiltration in Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice. Additionally, It investigate into the anti-inflammatory mechanisms, including Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) pathway activation, Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB)/nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)/Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) inhibition, and modulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MYD88)/NF-κB and Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathways. Immunomodulatory effects on T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg cell) balance and Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3-β) expression are also explored. Furthermore, the study addresses the role of IN in restoring intestinal microbiota diversity, reducing pathogenic bacteria, and increasing beneficial bacteria. The findings reveal that IN, particularly indirubin and indigo, demonstrates significant improvements in DAI score, colon length, mucosal damage, and macrophage infiltration in DSS-induced colitis mice. The anti-inflammatory effects are attributed to the activation of the AhR pathway, inhibition of inflammatory pathways, and modulation of immune responses. These results exhibit the potential of IN in IBD treatment. Notably, the restoration of intestinal microbiota diversity and balance further supports its efficacy. IN emerges as a promising and effective treatment for IBD, demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects and positive outcomes in preclinical studies. However, potential side effects necessitate further investigation for safe therapeutic development. The study underscores the need for future research to explore a broader range of active ingredients in IN to enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.245-252
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to explore the compounds, targets and related diseases of garlic by the approaches of network pharmacology and bioinformatics in traditional chinese medicine. Methods : We investigated components and their target molecules of garlic using SymMap and TCMSP and they were compared with analysis platform. Results : 56 potential compounds were identified in garlic, 26 of which contained target information, and it was found that these 26 compounds and 154 targets interact with each other through a combination of 243 compounds. In addition, Apigenin was linked to the most targeted gene (78) in 26 compounds, followed by Kaempferol (61 genes), Nicotic Acid (14 genes), Geraniol (11 genes), Eee (10 genes), and Sobrol A (9 genes). Among 56 potential compounds, three compounds (Kaempferol, Dipterocarpol, and N-Methyl cytisine) corresponded to the active compound by screening criterion Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion (ADME). In addition, 12 compounds in 56 potential compounds were associated with gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorder. Among them, Kaempferol was a compound that met the ADME parameters and the rest were potential compounds that did not meet. Also, Kaempferol was closely related to GI motility disorder, indicating that this Kaempferol could be a candidate for potential medical efficacy. Conclusions : It shows the relationship between the compound of garlic, an herbal supplement, and the biological process associated with GI motility disorder. These results are thought to help develop strategies for treating GI motility disorders.