• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.3327-3332
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• 2010

We investigated the effects of newly synthesized 4-[(butylsulfinyl)methyl]-1,2-benzenediol (SMBD) on the prevention of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. SMBD exhibited stronger inhibition of $Cu^{2+}$-induced low-density lipoprotein oxidation than that of ascorbic acid or simvastatin. Three-month-old rabbits were fed an atherogenic diet containing 0.5% cholesterol and 10% coconut oil, while other two groups were given an atherogenic diet with intravenous injection of either simvastatin or SMBD (0.33 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. The concentrations of plasma cholesterol and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were significantly decreased in SMBD groups, compared to the control group. Also, aortic lipid level in the SMBD group significantly lower than that in the control group. Furthermore, compared with the control group, the SMBD group significantly inhibited the increase of aortic intimal thickness by 36% via reducing of aortic reactive oxygen species and cyclooxygenase-2 protein levels. We conclude that raised antioxidant effect of SMBD results in significant prevention against hypercholesterolemia.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.527-537
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• 2020

Panax ginseng, a medicinal plant, has been used as a blood-nourishing tonic for thousands of years in Asia, including Korea and China. P. ginseng exhibits adaptogen activity that maintains homeostasis by restoring general biological functions and non-specifically enhancing the body's resistance to external stress. Several P. ginseng effects have been reported. Korean Red Ginseng, in particular, has been reported in both basic and clinical studies to possess diverse effects such as enhanced immunity, fatigue relief, memory, blood circulation, and anti-oxidation. Moreover, it also protects against menopausal symptoms, cancer, cardiac diseases, and neurological disorders. The active components found in most Korean Red Ginseng varieties are known to include ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, alkaloids, polyacetylene, and phenolic compounds. In this review, the identity and bioactivity of the non-saponin components of Korean Red Ginseng discovered to date are evaluated and the components are classified into polysaccharide and nitrogen compounds (protein, peptide, amino acid, nucleic acid, and alkaloid), as well as fat-soluble components such as polyacetylene, phenols, essential oils, and phytosterols. The distinct bioactivity of Korean Red Ginseng was found to originate from both saponin and non-saponin components rather than from only one or two specific components. Therefore, it is important to consider saponin and non-saponin elements together.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.163-177
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• 2001

Most, if not all, aphids harbor intracellular bacterial symbionts, called Buchnera, in their bacteriocytes, huge cells differentiated for this purpose. The association between Buchnera and aphids is so intimate, mutualistic and obligate that neither of them can any longer reproduce independently. Buchnera are vertically transmitted through generations of the host insects. Evidence suggests that Buchnera were acquired by a common ancestor of aphids 160-280 million years ago, and have been diversified, since then, in parallel with their aphid hosts. Molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that Buchnera belong to the g subdivision of the Proteobacteria. Although Buchnera are close relatives of Escherichia coli, they contain move than 100 genomic copies per cell, and their genome size is only one seventh that of E. coli. The complete genome sequence of Buchnera revealed that their gene repertoire is quite different from those of parasitic bacteria such as Mycoplasma, Rickettsia and Chlamydia, though their genome sizes have been reduced to a similar extent. Whereas these parasitic bacteria have lost most genes for the biosynthesis of amino acids, Buchnera retain many of them. In particular, Buchnera's gene repertoire is characteristic in the richness of the genes for the biosynthesis of essential amino acids that the eukaryotic hosts are not able to synthesize, reflecting a nutritional role played by these symbionts. Buchnera, when housed in the bacteriocyte, selectively synthesize a large amount of symbionin, which is a homolog of GroEL, the major stress protein of E. coli. Symbionin not only functions as molecular chaperone, like GroEL, but also has evolutionarily acquired the phosphotransferase activity through amino acid substitutions. Aphids usually profit from Buchnera's fuction as a nutritional supplier and, when faced with an emergency, consume the biomass of Buchnera cells as nutrient reserves.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.77-82
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to measure whole blood viscosity (WBV) and then to establish its reference values and identify correlation between WBV and hematology or serum chemistry in beagle. The experiment was made up of 82 healthy beagle dogs. Jugular vein blood samples (10 ml) were collected. WBV (cP) measured within 4 hours after collection by U-shaped scanning capillary-tube viscometer ($BVD-PRO1^{(R)}$) which is capable of measuring yield stress and viscosity of whole blood continuously over a wide range of shear rates from $1s^{-1}$ to $1000s^{-1}$ is new type of capillary tube viscometer and calculates viscosity using Casson fluid model. Measured values of WBV, Complete blood cell count, serum chemistry were analyzed by RM-ANOVA test. Mean diastolic and systolic WBV (cP) were $29.032{\pm}6.137$ and $4.528{\pm}0.865$. Bodyweight (BW), Red blood cell count (RBC), Hemoglobin (HGB), Hematocrit (HCT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Cholestetol (CHOL), Total protein (TP), Globulin, Chloride (Cl), Fibrinogen, were statistically correlated with WBV over whole range of shear rates (p < 0.05). This study newly evaluated reference values of WBV by U-shaped viscometer in beagle. Correlation between WBV and BW, RBC, HGB, HCT, ALP, CHOL, TP, Globulin, Cl, Fibrinogen was presented.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2005

Isoflavones are synthesized by isoflavone synthases via the phenylpropanoid pathway in legumes. We have cloned two isoflavone synthase genes, IFS1 and IFS2, from a total of 18 soybean cultivars. The amino acid residues of the proteins that differed between cultivars were dispersed over the entire coding region. However, amino acid sequence variation did not occur in conserved domains such as the ERR triad region, except that one conserved amino acid was changed in the IFS2 protein of the GS12 cultivar ($R_{374}G$) and the IFS1 proteins of the 99M06 and Soja99s65 cultivars ($A_{109}T$, $F_{105}I$). In three cultivars (99M06, 99M116, and Simheukpi), most of amino acid changes were such that the difference between the amino acid sequences of IFS1 and IFS2 was reduced. The expression profiles of three enzymes that convert naringenin to the isoflavone, genistein, chalcone isomerase (CHI), isoflavone synthase (IFS) and flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) were examined. In general, IFS mRNA was more abundant in etiolated seedlings than mature plants whereas the levels of CHI and F3H mRNAs were similar in the two stages. During seed development, IFS was expressed a little later than CHI and F3H but expression of these three genes was barely detectable, if at all, during later seed hardening. In addition, we found that the levels of CHI, F3H, and IFS mRNAs were under circadian control. We also showed that IFS was induced by wounding and by application of methyl jasmonate to etiolated soybean seedlings.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.266-272
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of gelatin extracted from pork skin under soaking in various acid solutions (lactic acid, acetic acid, and citric acid). Gelatin sol was extracted at 8$0^{\circ}C$, frozen at -2$0^{\circ}C$ and lyophilized it for 3 days to be completely dried in freeze drying unit. In the evaluation of gelatin quality, gelatin soaked in citric acid showed higher L- and a-values than those of any other gelatin (p<0.05). Gelatin treated by acetic acid showed the highest gel strength, cohesiveness, and brittleness. The content of hydroxyproline amino acid in gelatin treated by acetic acid was larger than one of gelatin treated in lactic and citric acid in order. From the experimental results, the highest quality of gelatin in all of period, which was soaked in acetic acid and lactic acid, has a more good quality than gelatin soaked in citric acid.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.540-548
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• 2018

Background: Acute hepatic failure is a life-threatening critical condition associated with rapid deterioration of liver function and liver transplantation. Several studies have shown that Panax ginseng Mayer has antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects. However, the hepatoprotective effect of ginseng berry is still unveiled. In this study, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of ultrasonication-processed ginseng berry extract (UGBE) on acute hepatic failure model in rats. Methods: Ginseng berry extract (GBE) was ultrasonically processed. The GBE, silymarin, and UGBE were orally administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 4 wk. Twenty-four h after the last administration, rats were challenged with D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results: After ultrasonication, the component ratio of ginsenosides Rg2, Rg3, Rh1, Rh4, Rk1, Rk3, and F4 in GBE had been elevated. Administration of UGBE significantly increased the survival rate of D-GalN/LPS-challenged rats. Pretreatment with UGBE significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels in D-GalN/LPS-challenged rats in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of enzymatic markers for oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione) were increased by UGBE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Tumor necrosis factor alphalevel, inducible nitric oxide synthase activities, and nitric oxide productions were reduced by UGBE treatment. In addition, hemeoxygenase-1 levels in liver were also significantly increased in the UGBE-treated group. The protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 was decreased by UGBE administration. Hematoxylin and eosin staining results also supported the results of this study showing normal appearance of liver histopathology in the UGBE-treated group. Conclusion: UGBE showed a great hepatoprotective effect on D-GalN/LPS-challenged rats via the toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.74-74
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• 2018

Abeliophyllum distichum is Korea Endemic Plants and its genetic resources found from Korea only. Bioactivities of A. distichum such as antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory studies have been proved through many researches. Whereas, there are no studies on the biological activity of its callus extracts. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activities of callus extracts derived from A. distichum and its inhibitory effect on oxidative DNA damage. The antioxidant activities were assessed using radical scavenging assays with DPPH, ABTS, and reducing power assay and the inhibitory effects on oxidative DNA damage were measured using ${\varphi}-174$ RF I plasmid DNA cleavage assay. In addition, callus extracts derived from A. distichum showed high antioxidant acitivties and no cytotoxicity in NIH/3T3. Also, it has significantly suppressed expression of ${\gamma}$-H2AX and p53 protein and mRNA levels in NIH/3T3 cells exposed to oxidative stress. Therefore, the callus extracts derived from A. distichum has potential antioxidant activity that can provide protective effects against the oxidative DNA damage caused by free radicals. This study suggest that it is valuable as cosmetics and medicine for antioxidant and cancer preventive materials.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.155-164
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• 2010

Lycii fructus is the fruit of Lycium chinense Miller and is part of the Solanaceae family. Lycii fructus produces various effects such as hypotensive, hypoglycemic, anti-pyretic, and anti-stress activities. Lycii fructus is known to contain betaine, carotene, nicotinic acid, zeaxanthin, and cerebroside. In the present study, the effects of Lycii fructus aqueous extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in murine raw 264.7 macrophage cells were investigated. In this study we utilized the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and nitric oxide (NO) detection. Lycii fructus aqueous extract suppressed NO production by inhibiting the LPS-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) mRNA and iNOS protein in murine raw 264.7 macrophage cells. Also, Lycii fructus aqueous extract suppressed the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) in the nucleus. These results demonstrated that Lycii fructus aqueous extract causes an anti-inflammatory effect that was likely produced by the suppression of iNOS expression through the down-regulation of NF-$\hat{e}B$ binding activity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the antibiotic effects of bee venom (Apis mellifera) on the growth performance and blood characteristics in broiler chicken. 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into 3 groups with 3 replicates of 5,000 birds each. The treatments were control without antibiotic and bee venom, 0.5ppm or 1ppm bee venom. The final body weight and body weight gain were significantly higher in bee venom than control (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio in all treated groups were significantly improved as compared to that of control (P<0.05). No significant differences among the groups were observed in the contents of total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein, albumin and globulin in blood serum. The white blood cell, red blood cell, heterophil, lymphocyte, and stress indicator (heterophil:lymphocyte rate) were not significantly different among the groups. The superoxide dismutase-like activities in the groups that were water containing bee venom were significantly increased compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). It has been suggested that bee venom promotes the growth of broilers without any negative effect when added in broiler water.