• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.120-128
• /
• 2008

The death ligand tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)/ Apo1L is a cytokine that activates apoptosis through cell surface death receptors. TRAIL has sparked growing interest in oncology due to its reported ability to selectively trigger cancer cell death. Euphorbiae humifusae Wind has been used in traditional Oriental medicine as a folk remedy used for the treatment of cancer. However, the mechanism responsible for the anticancer effects of E. humifusae not clearly understood. Here, we show that treatment with subtoxic doses of water extract of E. humifusae (WEEH) in combination with TRAIL induces apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant human gastric carcinoma AGS cells. Combined treatment with WEEH and TRAIL induced chromatin condensation and sub-G1 phase DNA content. These indicators of apoptosis were correlated with the induction of caspase activity that resulted in the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Combined treatment also triggered the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, co-treatment with WEEH and TRAIL down-regulated the protein levels of the anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, XIAP and cIAP-1. Although more study will be needed to examine the detailed mechanisms, this combined treatment may offer an attractive strategy for safely treating gastric adenocarcinomas and the results provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anticancer activity of E. humifusae.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.7
• /
• pp.869-878
• /
• 2013

Eleven functional plant materials were identified via a literature search, and their antioxidant capacity and inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells were tested. Yields from hot water extracts of the materials were the highest (52.10%) in Lycii fructus, and the yields from Phellinus linteus were the lowest (5.7%). The yields of another were 14.50-42.47%. Total phenol and flavonoids contents were the highest in P. linteus. The $EC_{50}$ values for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were lower than $100{\mu}g/ml$ for Salvia miltiorrhiza, whereas the values for P. linteus, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Paeonia lactiflora were $100-200{\mu}g/ml$. The $EC_{50}$ value for the superoxide anion radical scavenging activity of all the extracts was higher than $300{\mu}g/ml$. P. linteus for the reducing power was shown the highest activity. $Fe^{2+}$ chelating activity was the highest in the Morus alba extract. In an MTT assay, the cell viability of the RAW264.7 LPS-exposed cells was above 80% in extracts of $50{\mu}g/ml$ and above 77% in extracts of $100{\mu}g/ml$ in all the plant materials except Acanthopanax sessiliflorum. NO production in the RAW264.7 LPS-exposed cells showed a 12-fold increase compared to the control. The NO production level of all the extracts was $6.86-26.18{\mu}M$. Notably, $100{\mu}g/ml$ of S. baicalensis extract showed a remarkable decrease in NO production (72%) compared with the control. The potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of S.baicalensis, P. linteus, S. miltiorrhiza, M. alba, and P. lactiflora suggest that they are potential candidates as functional materials.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.136-142
• /
• 2016

Lespedeza species are mainly used for wildlife food and cover and for erosion control. The germination of these species can be enhanced after a fire occurrence in forest, which is known as fire-activated seeds to germinate. While the heat treatment could break seed dormancy of Lespedeza, its germination rate was quite low. We investigated that chemical scarification could promote germination of L. tomentosa. Seeds were soaked in 100% sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) for 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, 192, and 384 min, and then washed in distilled water for 24 h. Very few seeds were germinated in control (H₂SO₄ for 0 min). More than 90% of seeds were germinated in H₂SO₄ for 24, 48, and 92 min. However, some damage was observed in roots and cotyledons of seedling dipped in H₂SO₄ for a long time. To search the optimal soaking time in H₂SO₄ without defects, seeds scarified in H₂SO₄ for 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 300 min were sown the commercial soil medium. Seeds treated with H₂SO₄ for 90 min and 150 min emerged by about 92% and 84%, respectively. Therefore, H₂SO₄ treatment could break the seed dormancy of Lespedeza species, and especially in case of L. tomentosa the optimal treatment time in sulfuric acid was one to two hours. Germination of L. tomentosa began promptly following the scarification and was completed within about one month, indicating that seeds has no physiological dormancy, just has physical dormancy.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.185-192
• /
• 2013

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Agarum cribrosum on weight change and defecation states in rats with constipation induced by loperamide. Food intake and body weight both decreased in the 5% Agarum cribrosum and loperamide-treated group (SD5) and 10% Agarum cribrosum and loperamide-treated group (SD10), whereas fecal water contents increased by 1.6 and 2.1-fold in the SD5 and SD10 groups, respectively. The concentrations of total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride in the sera of the SD5 and SD10 groups were lower than those in the control (C) group. However, the biochemical parameters, GOT (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), GPT (glutamic pyruvic transaminase), and glucose levels, were not affected by the level of Agarum cribrosum. In addition, the concentrations of total-cholesterol and triglyceride in the livers of the SD5 and SD10 groups were also lower than those in the control group. The results of the present study demonstrated that Agarum cribrosum might ameliorate constipation symptoms, and lower lipid concentrations in the blood and liver.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.109-116
• /
• 2008

In this study, the breads with medicinal herbs (MH) composites showing immunostimulating activity were prepared and their characteristics were examined. Fourteen kinds of medicinal herbs were extracted with hot water and divided into 3 groups (MH-1, MH-2, MH-3) based on their contents. All groups showed immunostimulating activity in terms of macrophage phagocytosis, nitrite production, cytostatic activity and cytokine production. In the preparation of breads containing MH extracts of various contents (0, 30, 50, 70, and 100%), there was no significant difference among dough pHs of all groups after first fermentation, but loaf volume was significantly (p<0.05) increased in 70% added group while decreased in 30%, 50%, and 100% added groups compared to the control. The "a" and "b" values of bread crumb increased with the content of MH extracts while "L" value decreased, but these values of bread crust were similar to the control group. Most improvements in hardness, adhesiveness, gumminess and chewiness of bread were noticed by the addition of 70% MH extracts, but those of springiness, cohesiveness and resilience were mostly by the 50% addition ones. Through the sensory evaluation, it was revealed that mouth feeling, taste and overall preference decreased at breads containing 70% and 100% extracts, although appearance and crumb texture were not significantly (p<0.05) different among all groups.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.5-14
• /
• 1975

Eroded sloping faces in hillsides including cut-bank slopes are liable to both surface erosion and land-slides and the key to control of these form of erosion lies with drainages of excessive run-off and dense vegetation establishment including surface mulching on the slopes. Micro-plots having $1.6m^2$ (1 metre in width and 1.6 metres in slope length, and 1:1.2 in gradient) of banking slopes on coarse sand soil are used to establish the order of magnititude of the difference in controlling of soil erosion and water runoff, and in rating of survival, performed on the repetetions of three-experiment plots consisted of such three levels as 90% (Dense), 70% (Moderate), and 50% Sparse of the density of the coarse straw-mat mulchings. The main results obtained may be summarized as follows: 1. The rates of surface runoff are calculated as 13.13% from the dense mulchings, 14.21% from the moderate mulchings, and 15.57% from the sparse mulchings respectively. 2. The total amounts of soil loss are measured as about 1.24 tons/ha. from the dense mulchings, about 1.33 tons/ha. from the moderate mulchings, and about 1.44 tons/ha. from the sparse mulchings respectively. The amounts of soil loss under these treatments are much lower than the standard of erosion in USDA (1939 Bennet). 3. Average numbers of germination by treatment are counted as 80 seedlings at the dense mulchings. 132 at the moderates and 121 at the sparse respectively. Large numbers of seedling are suppressed and died during the growing at the dense mulchings due to mainly mechanical obstruction. 4. Coarse straw-mat having about 70% of coverage density is the most suitable mulches in both soil erosion control and vegetation establishment. 5. The method of coarse straw-mat mulching is the most recommendable measure for establishing the vegetation cover with less soil erosion on the denuded gentle slopes in hillsides at present in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.10
• /
• pp.1271-1278
• /
• 2007

In this study, the ability of Styela clava or Styela plicata to reduce ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and hepatic and leucocytic DNA damages was evaluated. Twenty four male SD rats were given 25% ethanol containing water (ad lib, p.o.) and divided into 3 groups; ethanol treated control group (EtOH), ethano1+3% S. clava (EtOH+SC), and ethano1+3% S. plicata (EtOH+SP). After 6 weeks, the supplementation of S. clava reduced the plasma ALT, ALP and LDH activities significantly (p<0.05), while S. plicata induced significant decrease in the plasma LDH activity only. The comet assay was employed to quantify the alcohol-induced DNA damage in rat hepatocytes and leucocytes. A significant protective effect on hepatic and leucocytic DNA damages was observed in S. clava or S. plicata supplemented groups compared to the EtOH control group. The hepatic DNA damage was correlated positively with plasma ALP and LDH activities. These results demonstrated that S. clava or S. plicata supplementation protected alcohol-induced hepatic and leucocytic DNA damage.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.86-92
• /
• 2007

This study was carried out to develop health & functional food by using Korean red ginseng for prevention of skin wrinkles. Effects of Korean red ginseng on the collagen biosynthesis and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-I (MMP-1) activity in human dermal fibroblast were investigated. Crude saponin contents of Korean red ginseng water extract (WE), Korean red ginseng ethanol extracts (EE) and Korean Red ginseng purified extracts (PE) were 72 mg/g, 107 mg/g and 220 mg/g, respectively. We incubated human fibroblast cell with Korean red ginseng component by addition of l ${\mu}g/ml$, 5 ${\mu}g/ml$, 10 ${\mu}g/ml$. Amount of collagen biosynthesis was 1.86 ng/ml in control sample and 2.85 ng/ml, 2.05 ng/ml and 2.58 ng/ml in retinoic acid, EE and PE respectively. Furthermore, $ginsenoside-Rg_1$ and $ginsenoside-Rb_1$ were shown 2.01 ng/ml and 3.07 ng/ml. MMP-l activities of EE, PE, $ginsenoside-Rg_1$ and $ginsenoside-Rb_1$ were decreased to 92%, 94%, 91% and 78% respectively as compared with control. Cell proliferation were showed 84-96% in the Korean red ginseng components. The antioxidative SOD activities of the Korean red ginseng components were showed 28-69%, however it was lower than that of Vitamin C. From this results, we conclude that Korean red ginseng have a anti-wrinkle effect and $ginsenoside-Rb_1$ may be considered as a more effective component.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.20 no.11
• /
• pp.1417-1423
• /
• 2011

For evaluating the effect of various organic fertilizer ratios on the Spiraea${\times}$bumalda 'Gold Mound' growth, a container green wall system experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at Konkuk university. The experimental planting grounds were prepared with different organic fertilizer ratios ($A_1L_0$, $A_8L_1$, $A_4L_1$ $A_2L_1$ and $A_1L_1$) and with drought tolerance and an ornamental value Spiraea${\times}$bumalda 'Gold Mound' was planted. The change in soil moisture contents, plant height, number of branches, number of dead leafs, number of leaf, number of shoots, length of node, length of leaf, width of leaf, root-collar caliper, chlorophyll contents and survival rate were investigated from April to Jun 2010. 1. The result of soil moisture contents was analyzed with weight unit in the container green wall system during the dry summer season. The soil moisture contents were significantly enhanced in the container green wall system in increasing order as the amount of fertilizer level increased $A_1L_1$ > $A_2L_1$ > $A_4L_1$ > $A_8L_1$ > $A_1L_0$. 2. Compared to the control treatment (amended soil with 100% + organic fertilizer 0%) application, the highest plant growth was observed in the treatment of $A_2L_1$(amended soil with 67% + organic fertilizer 13%) application. However, the differences between the organic fertilizer ratio treatments of $A_1L_1$, $A_4L_1$, $A_8L_1$, and the $A_1L_0$ organic fertilizer application were mostly not significant. 3. The survival rate increased with the increasing application of organic fertilizer, but in the control treatment (amended soil with 100% + organic fertilizer 0%) application all the plants died. Experimental results from the presented study clearly demonstrated that the organic fertilizer improved the survival rate more than the Spiraea${\times}$bumalda 'Gold Mound' growth at different levels of organic fertilizers. This strain can be utilized as a plant growth application in living wall systems during the dry summer season. Therefore, Spiraea${\times}$bumalda 'Gold Mound' is expected to be a highly valuable shrub for the green wall system if it should be considered in integration with stormwater retention or as a soil conditioner for increasing soil water contents in planting ground.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.38 no.11
• /
• pp.1535-1542
• /
• 2009

To find the new use of Korean ginseng and mushroom, crude polysaccharides were prepared from submerged cultures of Hericium erinaceum in the medium supplemented with Korean ginseng extracts. When we fractionated crude polysaccharides (HE-GE-CP-1, 3, and 5) from hot-water extracts of submerged cultures of H. erinaceum with ginseng extracts (1%, 3%, and 5% addition of total medium), the yields of HE-GE-CP-1, 3, and 5 were identified at 5.7, 5.1, and 4.8%, respectively. Among crude polysaccharide fractions, HE-GE-CP-5 was significantly higher (1.89-fold of the saline control) than those of HE-GE-CP-1 (1.64-fold) or HE-GE-CP-3 (1.76-fold) on mitogenic activity of splenocytes. HE-GE-CP-5 also had the more potent bone marrow cell proliferation (1.83-fold) rather than HE-CP or HE-GE-CP-1 or HE-GE-CP-3 (1.59- or 1.44- or 1.69-fold, respectively), and anti-metastatic activity as anti-cancer effect showed the highest prophylactic value (72.4% inhibition of tumor control) in 5% supplementation of ginseng extract. However, the lysosomal phosphatase of macrophage was significantly stimulated after HE-GE-CP-3 treatment (2.03-fold). In addition, the immunostimulating and anti-metastatic crude polysaccharide, HE-GE-CP-5, contained mainly neutral sugars (63.2%) with considerable amounts of uronic acid (19.3%) and a small amount of proteins (8.8%). HE-GE-CP-5 can stimulate immune system to inhibit tumor metastasis, and its anti-tumor metastasis may be associated with macrophages, splenocytes and Peyer's patch cells activation.