• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.371-383
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• 2021

Plant essential oils are used in products such as fragrances and cosmetics due to their individual aromatic characteristics. Currently, essential oils are not only used in cosmetics but also in pharmaceutical products with anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, insecticidal, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, psychophysiological, or anti-aging effects. Despite their pharmaceutical properties, some studies reported cytotoxic effects in high doses. Therefore, for pharmaceutical purposes, the margin of safety of essential oils needs to be examined. Herein, we evaluated the IC₅₀ of 10 essential oil from Korean native plants: Juniperus chinensis L. var. sargentii Henry, Citrus natsudaidai Hayata, Citrus reticulata Blanco, Citrus unshiu (Yu. Tanaka ex Swingle) Marcow, Artemisia capillaris Thunb, Aster glehnii F. Schmidt, Juniperus chinensis L, Zanthoxylum schinifolium Siebold & Zucc, Zanthoxylum piperitum (L.) D, and Cinnamomum loureirii. In addition, gene regulation of the cell-cycle gene and apoptosis marker CASP3 was examined at the IC₅₀ level. The purpose of this study was to describe the toxic concentrations of essential oils extracted from Korean native plants, thereby providing toxic concentration guidelines for inclusion in a toxicity database and in the application of plant essential oils in various fields.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2020

A variety of shellfish species sold for human consumption are available for purchase in the domestic fish market. The microalgae families inhabit the ocean, where planktons supply the main nutritional resource for the growth of shellfish. Some phytoplanktons produce toxic compounds that are accumulated in shellfish and ultimately cause toxicity in humans. This article reports the cytotoxicity of commercially available shellfish species. Accordingly, hot water extract (HWE) and an aqueous fraction of 50% methanol extract (MEE-AF) showed no significant cytotoxicity on the two cell lines (i.e., HL-60 and Vero cell lines), but 50% methanol extract (MEE) in 3, 6 samples showed 50% cytotoxic effects on HL-60 cells, and 1, 4 samples showed 40%, 20% cytotoxic effects on Vero cells, respectively. In addition, their consequential dichloromethane fractions (MEE-DF) exhibited significant toxicities at the highest concentration (1,000 ㎍/ml) on HL-60 and Vero cells. Since the shellfish samples showed cytotoxicity in the dichloromethane fraction, it is possible that the dichloromethane fraction contains marine toxins. Further research will be needed to identify the toxic components from each sample.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2021

The accumulation of ammonia, a consequence of intensive aquaculture activity, can damage cultured animals. We analyzed the survival rates, growth, antioxidant responses, and immune responses of abalones, Haliotis discus hannai (mean shell length 70.2 ± 4.9 mm; mean body weight 36.9 ± 3.6 g), biweekly for four weeks, to determine the accumulated concentrations of ammonia (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 mg/L). In our biweekly measurements, a survival rate of ≥ 95% was observed for all concentrations of ammonia. The specific growth rate (SGR) decreased at ≥ 0.8 mg/L (p < 0.05), but the daily increment in shell length (DISL) showed no significant change (p < 0.05). Regarding antioxidant responses, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the hepatopancreas was increased at ammonia concentrations over 0.8 and 0.2 mg/L (p < 0.05) at two and four weeks, respectively, and the SOD activity of the gills increased at concentrations over 0.4 and 1.6 mg/L (p < 0.05) at four weeks. The catalase (CAT) activity of the hepatopancreas and gills increased at ammonia concentrations > 0.8 mg/L (p < 0.05). Phenoloxidase (PO) activity increased at ammonia concentrations over 0.8 mg/L (p < 0.05), and Lysozyme (LZM) increased at concentrations over 0.8 and 0.4 mg/L (p < 0.05). Overall, our findings indicated that ammonia concentrations over 0.8 mg/L in seawater might damage the SGR, antioxidant responses, and immune responses in H. discus hannai. Our findings suggest the necessity of improvement or reinstallation for abalone aquaculture systems and can be used to assess the toxic effects of ammonia on H. hannai.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

The phenomenon of sediment resuspension in rivers and lakes causes contaminants (heavy metals and nutrients) accumulated in the sediment to leach into the overlying water. As a result, it can lead to changes in toxic effects and eutrophication in the aquatic ecosystem. In this regard, it is important to quantitatively determine the amount of contaminants leached during sediment resuspension. In this study, methods for assessing the amount of released contaminants and the types of contaminants potentially released due to sediment resuspension were studied and summarized. Methods for assessing leaching can be divided into three groups based on the principle of causing resuspension: (i) the oscillating grid chamber method, (ii) the mechanical stirrer method, and (iii) the shaker method. It was confirmed that the types of contaminants that can potentially be released include heavy metals bound to sulfides, as well as exchangeable and labile forms of heavy metals and nutrients. To effectively manage stable aquatic ecosystems in the future, a simplified leaching test method is needed to assess in advance the risks (i.e., changes in toxic effects and eutrophication) that sediment resuspension may pose to aquatic ecosystems.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.501-508
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• 2024

In this study, nanotoxicity tests were made by exposure of Artemia salina to copper (Cu 60-80 nm) and copper oxide (CuO 40 nm) nanoparticles (NPs) at different concentrations (0.2, 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 mg/L). The LC₅₀ value of Cu (60-80 nm) NPs on the A. salina individuals at the beginning (0), 24^th, 48^th and 72^nd hours and elimination period was 52.37 mg/L while the LC₅₀ value of CuO (40 nm) NPs was 55.39 mg/L. The results of UV-Vis absorbance values showed that all statistical data revealed that maximum effect was observed between 24-30 hours and 25 ppm absorbance concentration was more effective. The multiple R, correlation coefficient (R2) and adjusted R2 values of Cu NP for the suitable Quadratic model were, respectively; 92.96 %, 86.42 % and 76.71 % while they are 98.31 %, 96.64 % and 94.25 % for CuO NP. Also, the data, was indicated effect size significantly changed based on the type and size of NP. Considering the microscope results, it was clearly noticed that A. salina organisms took the NPs in to their body. The accumulation in the gut of A. salina was observed and the images were taken with phase contrast microscope for both of NPs. The highest decrease for survival rates of A. salina individuals exposed to Cu NP was observed in the 10 ppm concentration (43.47 %) and in the 5 ppm concentration (46.20 %) for CuO NP. The results revealed that Cu and CuO NPS showed different toxic effects and that Cu NPs were more toxic than CuO.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2024

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is toxic heavy metal that accumulates in organisms after passing through their respiratory and digestive tracts. Although several studies have reported the toxic effects of Cd exposure on human health, its role in embryonic development during preimplantation stage remains unclear. We investigated the effects of Cd on porcine embryonic development and elucidated the mechanism. Methods: We cultured parthenogenetic embryos in media treated with 0, 20, 40, or 60 µM Cd for 6 days and evaluated the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation. To investigate the mechanism of Cd toxicity, we examined intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Moreover, we examined mitochondrial content, membrane potential, and ROS. Results: Cleavage and blastocyst formation rates began to decrease significantly in the 40 µM Cd group compared with the control. During post-blastulation, development was significantly delayed in the Cd group. Cd exposure significantly decreased cell number and increased apoptosis rate compared with the control. Embryos exposed to Cd had significantly higher ROS and lower GSH levels, as well as lower expression of antioxidant enzymes, compared with the control. Moreover, embryos exposed to Cd exhibited a significant decrease in mitochondrial content, mitochondrial membrane potential, and expression of mitochondrial genes and an increase in mitochondrial ROS compared to the control. Conclusions: We demonstrated that Cd exposure impairs porcine embryonic development by inducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Our findings provide insights into the toxicity of Cd exposure on mammalian embryonic development and highlight the importance of preventing Cd pollution.

• Journal of Oriental Physiology
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• v.14 no.2 s.20
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• pp.117-126
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to examine the toxic effects caused by Glucose Oxidase(GO) and the effects of herbal extracts such as Acori Rhizoma(AR) on the treatment of the toxic effects. For this purpose, experiments with the cultured cell from the cerebrums of new born mice were done. The results of these experiments were as follows. 1. GO, a oxygen radical, decreased the survival rate of the cultured cells on NR assay and MTT assay. 2. GO, a oxygen radical, decreased the amount of neurofilaments and total protein. 3. AR have efficacy of increasing the amount of neurofilament. 4. AR have efficacy of increasing the amount of total protein. From the above results, It is concluded that AR has marked efficacy as a treatment for the damages caused in the GO-mediated oxidative process. And AR is thought to have certain pharmacological effects on controlling over aging. Further clinical study of this pharmacological effects of AR should be complemented.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.32-39
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• 2013

This research focused on the effects of heavy metals on the biomonitoring activity of genetically engineered bioluminescent bacteria, Pseudomonas putida mt-2 KG1206. KG1206 was exposed to single or binary mixtures of different heavy metals as well as soils contaminated with heavy metals. In case of single exposure with different inducer pollutant, the toxicity order was as followings : As(III) > Cd, As(V) >> Cu, Cr(VI). The toxic effects of the binary mixtures was compared to the expected effect based on a simple theory of probabilities. The interactive effects were mostly additive, while in few cases antgonistic and synergistic mode of action was observed for some concentration combinations. No considerable correlation was found between the total metal contents in soils and the bioluminescence activity of each sample. However, statistically significant differences (p = 0.0102) were observed between two groups, classified based on arsenite contamination. These results demonstrate the usage of recombinant bioluminescent microorganism in biomonitoring and the complex interactive effects of metals.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2014

Arecoline is a major alkaloid of areca nuts which are widely chewed by southeast Asian and it manifests various toxic effects in different organs of human and animals. In this work, mature mice were treated by vitamins C plus E, arecoline, or both daily for four weeks. The results showed that arecoline significantly increased the levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and significantly decreased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the liver tissues. Additionally, the body weight, testis weight, sperm counts, motility and normal sperms also were significantly decreased. The supplement of vitamins C and E can bring the activities of ALP and GPT to normal levels and partially restore the sperm counts compared to the arecoline-treated group but have no other positive effects. In conclusion, the vitamins C and E partially attenuated the arecoline-induced hepatotoxiciy but basically had on protective effects against the arecoline-induced testicular toxicity.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.57-63
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• 2003

Background : This study was to investigate existing studies on the mushroom Phellinus linteus for possible applications in treating hard to cure diseases and uses in herbal acupuncture as the above is known to have an anti-cancer effects and stimulating the immune system. Results : Based on the literary consideration, the following results were obtained : 1. Proteins and polysaccharides of the Class Basidiomycetes activate the host immune system for anti-cancer action without known side effects, thus it can be given for the prevention and treatment of cancer as a supplement. Phellinus linteus mushroom showed the most significant effects. 2. The Phellinus linteus mushroom is a fungi in the family Hymenochaetaceae and Phellinus, under the class Basidiomycetes. Phellinus linteus can be often found on the trunk of mulberry trees and other latifoliate trees. 3. The characteristics of Phellinus linteus are sweet, neutral in temperature, non-toxic, dissipate the stagnated blood, stop bleeding, invigorate the blood circulation and remove stasis, and nourish qi. It has been used for treating continuous menstrual discharge among the female patients and removing masses in the abdomen to name a few. 4. Phellinus linteus contains agaric acid, fatty acid, C23 and other numerous enzymes. 5. Phellinus linteus is known to have anti-cancer and anti-oxidant effects, stimulation of the immune system, as well as anti-inflammatory effects, inhibition of angiogenesis, and analgesic actions.