• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 2003

In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of the Lycii Fructus water extracts (LFE) against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and the mechanism underlying these protective effects in the rats. The pretreatment of LFE has shown to possess a significant protective effect by lowering the serum alanine and aspartate aminoteansferase (AST and ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). This hepatoprotective action was confirmed by histological observation, In addition, the pretreatment of LFE prevented the elevation of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and the depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) content and catalase activity in the liver of CC1₄-injected rats. The LFE also displayed hydroxide radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 83.6 μg/ml), as assayed by electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping technique. Moreover, the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) mRNA, as measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), was significantly decreased in the liver of LFE-pretreated rats when compared with that in the liver of control group. Based on these results, it was suggested that the hepatoprotective effects of the LFE may be related to antioxidant effects and regulation of CYP2E1 gene expression.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.273-282
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• 2013

The present study was designed to investigate the cardioprotective effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRG) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac injury in rats, particularly in regards to electrocardiographic changes, hemodynamics, cardiac function, serum cardiac enzymes, components of the myocardial antioxidant defense system, as well as inflammatory markers and histopathological changes in heart tissue. ISO (150 mg/kg, subcutaneous, two doses administered at 24-hour intervals) treatment induced significant decreases in P waves and QRS complexes (p<0.01), as well as a significant increase in ST segments. Moreover, ISO-treated rats exhibited decreases in left-ventricular systolic pressure, maximal rate of developed left ventricular pressure ($+dP/dt_{max}$) and minimal rate of developed left ventricular pressure ($-dP/dt_{max}$), in addition to significant increases in lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and creatine kinase activity. Heart rate, however, was not significantly altered. And the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were decreased, whereas the activity of malondialdehyde was increased in the ISO-treated group. ISO-treated group also showed increased caspase-3 level, release of inflammatory markers and neutrophil infiltration in heart tissue. KRG pretreatment (250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively) significantly ameliorated almost all of the parameters of heart failure and myocardial injury induced by ISO. The protective effect of KRG on ISO-induced cardiac injury was further confirmed by histopathological study. In this regard, ISO treatment induced fewer morphological changes in rats pretreated with 250 or 500 mg/kg of KRG. Compared with the control group, all indexes in rats administered KRG (500 mg/kg) alone were unaltered (p>0.05). Our results suggest that KRG significantly protects against cardiac injury and ISO-induced cardiac infarction by bolstering antioxidant action in myocardial tissue.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.105-114
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• 2014

Objectives : In this study, the antioxidant activities of the 80% ethanol and hot water extracts of Euphorbia supina Rafinesque were investigated. Methods : We measured total phenol contents, flavonoid contents, 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay. The production of reactive oxygen species was measured in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells using flow cytometry system. Results : The content of phenol in the hot water extract was $65.529{\pm}0.462mg/g$ and $126.932{\pm}1.894mg/g$ in the 80% ethanol extract, and that of flavonoid in the hot water extract was $16.063{\pm}0.471mg/g$ and $29.159{\pm}1.963mg/g$ in the ethanol extract. The 80% ethanol extract also showed higher DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities ($90.8{\pm}1.0%$ and $92.5{\pm}0.7%$) than the hot water extract ($81.5{\pm}0.5%$ and $91.5{\pm}0.2%$). The production of reactive oxygen species(ROS) was reduced dose-dependently by 80% ethanol and hot water extract at concentration of 1, 10 and $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion : According to these results, the 80% ethanol extract of Euphorbia supina Rafinesque has a good anti-oxidative effects than the hot water extract. Thus, the 80% ethanol extract of Euphorbia supina Rafinesque may serve as useful natural antioxidants.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.487-496
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Soshiho-tang (SSH) in mouse primary liver cells against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced oxidative stress. We also elucidated the molecular mechanism of hepatoprotective effect by SSH. Methods : Cell viability, level of ALT, AST and LDH, intracellular ROS level, mRNA expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes were used to evaluate hepatoprotection of SSH against $H_2O_2$. Target gene expressions were analyzed by real-time PCR. Results : Pre-treatment with SSH for 1 hour prevented cytotoxicity against $H_2O_2$. $H_2O_2$-induced ROS level decreased under SSH pre-treatment. mRNA expression of GPx and SOD increased in SSH-treated cells. In addition, HSP72 and HSP40 gene expression were elevated under SSH-treatment. Conclusions : These results indicate that SSH protects mouse primary liver cells from $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative injury. This hepatoprotective activity of SSH is mediated by decreasing intracellular ROS and increasing antioxidant enzyme expression (GPx and SOD) and stress response protein (HSP72 and HSP40).

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.550-564
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• 2011

Objectives : Oxidative stress seems to play a major role in mechanisms by which ethanol causes liver injury. Previous studies have shown that treatment with Yinjinchunggan-tang (Yinchenqinggan-tang, YJCGT) has protective effects on alcoholic liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of YJCGT on alcohol-induced oxidative stress. Materials and Methods : In vitro, we evaluated the inhibitory activities of YJCHT on DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl), xanthine oxidase, trypsin, and hyaluronidase. In a cell culture model, we measured cell viability and proliferation, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) after YJCGT treatment in C34 and E47 cell lines, and HepG2 cells transfected with/ without cytochrome P450IIE1 (CYP2E1) gene. In vivo, we estimated serum level of hepatic biochemical markers, and alcohol concentration in the blood. Results : YJCGT showed significant free radical scavenging activity against DPPH and xanthine oxidase and decreased hyaluronidase activity effectively in vitro. YJCGT also increased cell viability, and proliferation in C34 and in E47 cell lines, and increased activities of superoxide dismutase, and catalase in C34 and in E47 cell lines. YJCGT reduced serum AST, LDH, and total cholesterol level in some of the results, and reduced blood alcohol concentration in vivo, as well. Conclusions : This study suggests that YJCGT has protective effects on oxidative stress by inhibiting alcohol-induced suppression of antioxidant enzyme activities.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.413-423
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• 2020

Background: Ginseng berries (GBs) show temporal metabolic variations among different maturation stages, determining their organoleptic and functional properties. Methods: We analyzed metabolic variations concomitant to five different maturation stages of GBs including immature green (IG), mature green (MG), partially red (PR), fully red (FR), and overmature red (OR) using mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomic profiling and multivariate analyses. Results: The partial least squares discriminant analysis score plot based on gas chromatography-MS datasets highlighted metabolic disparity between preharvest (IG and MG) and harvest/postharvest (PR, FR, and OR) GB extracts along PLS1 (34.9%) with MG distinctly segregated across PLS2 (18.2%). Forty-three significantly discriminant primary metabolites were identified encompassing five developmental stages (variable importance in projection > 1.0, p < 0.05). Among them, most amino acids, organic acids, 5-C sugars, ethanolamines, purines, and palmitic acid were detected in preharvest GB extracts, whereas 6-C sugars, phenolic acid, and oleamide levels were distinctly higher during later maturation stages. Similarly, the partial least squares discriminant analysis based on liquid chromatography-MS datasets displayed preharvest and harvest/postharvest stages clustered across PLS1 (11.1 %); however, MG and PR were separated from IG, FR, and OR along PLS2 (5.6 %). Overall, 24 secondary metabolites were observed significantly discriminant (variable importance in projection > 1.0, p < 0.05), with most displaying higher relative abundance during preharvest stages excluding ginsenosides Rg1 and Re. Furthermore, we observed strong positive correlations between total flavonoid and phenolic metabolite contents in GB extracts and antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Comprehending the dynamic metabolic variations associated with GB maturation stages rationalize their optimal harvest time per se the related agroeconomic traits.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.412-418
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• 2019

Background: Previously, studies have observed that the leaf extract of Cotoneaster wilsonii Nakai has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activites. Therefore, further research was conducted to separate the active antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in the leaf of the C. wilsonii. Methods and Results: The anti-oxidant effects were evaluated by analyzing the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, estimating the totla phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), and using reducing power assay method. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction demonstrated the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀; 9.69 ㎍/㎖), and the highest TPC and TFC (345.98 mg·GAE/g, and 74.23 mg·QE/g). Moreover, it indicated the highest effects on nitric oxide production. Therefore, the active compound was separated using the EtOAc fraction, determined on the basis of spectral data, and identified as (+)-catechin. Conclusions: The first compound separated was made from the leaf of C. wilsonii was (+)-catechin, which produced potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.7-18
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• 2015

In this study, we studied the effect of dissolved cement powder on Carassius auratus by analysis of the morphophysiological changes. The gill exposed to dissolved cement powder showed the thickened primary lamellae and the activity of chloride cells and mucous cells was also significantly increased and the proliferation, separation and clubbing of gill filament was observed in the secondary lamellae. In the kidney tissue, the space in Bowman's capsule was widen and the arrangement of dermis was irregular due to the thinned epidermis in the integument tissue. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and LDH tended to increase with the duration of cement exposure. It was confirmed that the up-regulated proteins were identified as involved in glycolysis and energy metabolism and down-regulated proteins were myofibrillar proteins which were involved in muscle contraction by the cement exposure to the integument. With these results, dissolved cement powder was thought to be a big threat to the survival of the fish because it causes the morphological changes and weakens the physiological activity in C. auratus tissues.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.296-301
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• 2015

The effects of pine needle powder (PNP) on the physicochemical characteristics of tofu were investigated, and consumer acceptance test was conducted. The pH, moisture content, and lightness and yellowness significantly decreased with increasing PNP concentration from 0 to 0.8% (P<0.05). Hardness increased significantly with increasing PNP concentration (P<0.05). Antimicrobial effects of PNP incorporated into tofu were also investigated. Antioxidant activities of control and produced tofu were compared based on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and total polyphenol contents. DPPH radical scavenging activity and total polyphenol contents increased significantly (P<0.05) and were well-correlated. Tofu with 0.2% PNP is recommended (with respect to overall preference score) for taking advantage of the functional properties of PNP without sacrificing consumer acceptability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1447-1452
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to develop a healthy Sulgidduk, a kind of rice cake, added with Portulaca oleracea L.. The effects of P. oleracea L. paste (0% 1%, 3%, or 5%) on the quality characteristics of Sulgidduk were evaluated. As the concentration of P. oleracea L. paste increased, pH decreased and acidity increased. The reducing sugar contents (%) increased with the amount of P. oleracea L. paste. The Hunter a and b values of Sulgidduk increased with an increase in P. oleracea L. paste concentration, whereas L value decreased. DPPH radical scavenging activity and SOD like activity of P. oleracea L. Sulgidduk increased with increasing P. oleracea L. paste contents. The sensory results show that overall preference of Sulgidduk with a P. oleracea L paste content of 3% was higher than those of other treatments.