• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.173-179
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Gastrodia elata Blume (GEB), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used to treat a wide range of neurological disorders (e.g., paralysis and stroke) and skin problems (e.g., atopic dermatitis and eczema) in oriental medicine. This study was designed to investigate whether GEB extract inhibits melanogenesis activity in murine B16F10 melanoma. MATERIALS/METHOD: Murine B16F10 cells were treated with 0-5 mg/mL of GEB extract or $400{\mu}g/mL$ arbutin (a positive control) for 72 h after treatment with/without 200 nM alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH) for 24 h. Melanin concentration, tyrosinase activity, mRNA levels, and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (Trp)1, and Trp2 were analyzed in ${\alpha}$-MSH-untreated and ${\alpha}$-MSH-treated B16F10 cells. RESULTS: Treatment with 200 nM ${\alpha}$-MSH induced almost 2-fold melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity along with increased mRNA levels and protein expression of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1 and Trp2. Irrespective of ${\alpha}$-MSH stimulation, GEB extract at doses of 0.5-5 mg/mL inhibited all these markers for skin whitening in a dose-dependent manner. While lower doses (0.5-1 mg/mL) of GEB extract generally had a tendency to decrease melanogenesis, tyrosinase activity, and mRNA levels and protein expression of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1, and Trp2, higher doses (2-5 mg/mL) significantly inhibited all these markers in ${\alpha}$-MSH-treated B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects of the GEB extract at higher concentrations were similar to those of $400{\mu}g/mL$ arbutin, a well-known depigmenting agent. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that GEB displays dose-dependent inhibition of melanin synthesis through the suppression of tyrosinase activity as well as molecular levels of MITF, tyrosinase, Trp1, and Trp2 in murine B16F10 melanoma. Therefore, GEB may be an effective and natural skin-whitening agent for application in the cosmetic industry.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In Oriental medicine, certain foods may be beneficial or detrimental based on an individual's constitution; however, the scientific basis for this theory is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of body constitution, based on the Sasang type of Korean traditional medical classification system, on the bioavailability of soy isoflavones of Cheonggukjang, a quick-fermented soybean paste. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A pilot study was conducted on 48 healthy Korean men to evaluate the bioavailability of isoflavone after ingestion of food based on constitution types classified by the Sasang typology. The participants were classified into the Taeeumin (TE; n = 15), Soyangin (SY; n = 15), and Soeumin (SE; n = 18) groups. Each participant ingested 50 g of Cheonggukjang per 60 kg body weight. Thereafter, blood was collected, and the soy isoflavone metabolites were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Ntrikinetic analysis of individual isoflavone-derived metabolites was performed. RESULTS: Our nutrikinetic analysis identified 21 metabolites derived from isoflavones in the blood samples from 48 healthy Korean men (age range, 21-29 years). Significant differences were observed in the time to maximum concentration (T_max) and elimination half-life (t_1/2) for nine metabolites among the three groups. The T_max and t_1/2 of the nine metabolites were higher in the SE group than in the other groups. Moreover, the absorption rates, as determined by the area under the plasma-level curve (AUC) values of intact isoflavone, were 5.3 and 9.4 times higher in the TE group than in the SY and SE groups, respectively. Additionally, the highest AUC values for phase I and II metabolites were observed in the TE group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that isoflavone bioavailability, following Cheonggukjang insgestion, is high in individuals with the TE constitution, and relatively lower in those with the SE and SY constitutions.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.200-209
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• 2021

In this study, a low-salt Lentinula edodes soybean paste (LSLESP) with improved palatability and storability relative to traditional Korean soybean paste was developed by utilizing low quality log cultivation of L. edodes. We also conducted quality characteristic analyses of spread jam made from low-salt L. edodes soybean paste (SJLLESP). The lowest salinity content and the highest L (brightness) value was found in LSLESP. According to proximate compositions analysis, crude protein, crude fat, and ash content were higher in commercial soybean paste than in LSLESP. Glucose, fructose, and maltose were the only free sugars detected in commercial soybean paste, whereas arabinose and fucose were additionally detected in LSLESP. Only two types of organic acid, were detected in common in commercially available soybean paste and LSLESP. Four types of organic acid, were detected in SJLLESP due to its added ingredients. The major free amino acids in commercially available soybean paste and LSLESP are histidine, glutamic acid, and arginine. Total amino acid, content was higher in LSLESP (54.81 mg%) than in commercial soybean paste (49.26 mg%). Total free amino acid, content in SJLLESP was 43.01 mg%. Ergosterol and β-glucan contents were highest in SJLLESP. The elevated ergosterol and β-glucan content in low-salt LSLESP relative to commercial soybean paste was significant. In conclusion, LSLESP and SJLLESP contain useful components from L. edodes, and offer the advantage of low salinity. LSLESP and SJLLESP could thus contribute to the development of health foods using L. edodes.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2010

Biological activities such as anti-oxidative and anti-microbial of the Seungmakalgeuntang, a traditional prescription, were evaluated. The electron donating ability of water, ethanol, supercritical fluid and 1,3-butylene glycol extract of Seungmakalgeuntang showed more than 50% at a 100 ppm concentration. At a 1000 ppm concentration, the superoxide dismutase-like activities of ethanol and supercritical fluid extract of Seungmakalgeuntang showed less than 50%. xanthine oxidase inhibition effect of the supercritical fluid extract showed more than 70% at a 1,000 ppm concentration, which was higher than vitamin C. From the measurement on lipid oxidation, the $Fe^{2+}$ chelating abilities of the supercritical fluid extract of Seungmakalgeuntang was more than 60% at a 100 ppm concentration. Also the $Cu^{2+}$ chelating abilities of supercritical fluid extract Seungmkalgeuntang was showed more than 60% at a 500 ppm concentration. Clear zones formed by sample against the human skin-resident microflora such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acne of ethanol and supercritical fluid extract of Seungmakalgeuntang showed the highest among all the extracts tested using a 4mg/disc. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against both S. epidermidis and S. aureus showed 2,500 ppm in the extract of the supercritical fluid.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2016

The root bark of Ulmus macrocarpa has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as edema, infection and inflammation. Nevertheless, the biological activities and underlying mechanisms of the immunomodulatory effects remain unclear. In this study, as part of our ongoing screening program to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of new compounds from traditional medicinal resources, we investigated the effects of U. macrocarpa water extract (UME) on immune modulation in a murine RAW 264.7 macrophage model. As immune response parameters, the productions of as nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such tumor necrotic factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 were evaluated. Although the release of IL-1β remained unchanged in UME-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, the productions of NO, TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly increased, along with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase, TNF-α and IL-10 expression at concentrations with no cytotoxicity. UME treatment also induced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) indicating that UME activated macrophages through the activation of NF-κB, phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and MAPKs signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, pre-treatment with UME significantly attenuated the production of NO, but not TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells suggesting that UME may be useful in preventing inflammatory diseases mediated by excessive production of NO. These findings suggest that the beneficial therapeutic effects of UME may be attributed partly to its ability to modulate immune functions in macrophages.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.721-726
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• 2015

Phellinus baumii has been used in traditional oriental medicine for the treatment of various cancer types, such as lung cancer, ovarian cancer and malignant melanoma. It has strong anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities due to its polysaccharides including glucan, schizophyllan, heteroglycan and lentinan, as well as its polyphenolics such as protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid. ${\beta}$-Glucan and polyphenolics may be the most important activ ecompounds in P. baumii. Therefore, researchers have focused on these two compounds to improve their contents in extracts. In this study, P. baumii was extracted with hot-water and ethanol at different pH conditions, and their ${\beta}$-glucan contents, antioxidant activity and antioxidant contents were determined. Extraction yield was highest for the 60% ethanol extract at pH 4. The ${\beta}$-glucan contents of the hot-water extract at pH 7 was higher than those of the ethanol extracts. The antioxidant contents and antioxidant activities of the ethanol extracts were higher than those of the hot-water extracts. Extraction with 60% ethanol at pH 7 was appropriate with respect to the antioxidant capacities.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.5-11
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• 2023

Rehmannia glutinosa is a perennial herb belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae and is used in traditional oriental medicine. This study was carried out current status of breeding of R. glutinosa, its problems, and the matters to be improved were made. Based on the research data published so far, this study summarized the characteristics of breeds cultivated in Korea and compared and analyzed the status of cultivation area, production, import, and price changes for 15 years from 2008 to 2021. The cultivated area of R. glutinosa is gradually decreasing, and the amount of import is increasing and decreasing repeatedly. Amount of import has declined significantly. There was a lot of disinfection and disposal in the middle of import, and dried Jihwang and Sukjihwang were imported without distinction. R. glutinosa must be cultivated and supplied as a variety desired by the industry, cultivation techniques need to be taught to producers. In order to clearly identify the amount of import, import code of dried Jihwang and Sukjihwang must be classify. In addition, it is necessary to develop and supply harvesting agricultural machines for mechanization. For the stable income of producers, supply control through contract cultivation will ensure stable farm income.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2018

Advances in bacterial and fungal genome mining uncover a plethora of cryptic secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. Guided by the genome information, targeted transcriptional derepression could be employed to determine the product of a cryptic gene cluster and to explore its biological role. Monascus spp. are food grade filamentous fungi popular in eastern Asia and several genome data belong to them are now available. We achieved transcription activation of a cryptic fungal polyketide synthase-nonribosomal peptide synthase gene Mpfus1 in Monascus purpureus ${\Delta}MpPKS5$ by inserting Aspergillus gpdA promoter at the upstream of Mpfus1 through double crossover gene replacement. The gene cluster with Mpfus1 show a high similarity to those for the biosynthesis of conjugated polyene derivatives with 2-pyrrolidone ring and the mycotoxin fusarin is the representative member of this group. The ${\Delta}MpPKS5$ is incapable of producing azaphilone pigment, providing an excellent background to identify chromogenic and UV-absorbing compounds. Activation of Mpfus1 resulted in a yellow hue on mycelia and its methanol extract exhibit a maximum absorption at 365 nm. HPLC analysis of the organic extracts indicated the presence of a variety of yellow compounds in the extract. This implies that the product of MpFus1 is metabolically or chemically unstable. LC-MS analysis guided us to predict the MpFus1 product and to propose that the Mpfus1-containing gene cluster encode the biosynthesis of a desmethyl analogue of fusarin. This study showcases the genome mining in Monascus and the possibility to unveil new biological activities embedded in it.