As a herbal supplement, Dioscorea batatas Decne (DBD) presents potent antioxidant activity and diverse health benefits. In the present study, functions of a 30 kDa glycoprotein isolated from DBD (hereafter, DBD glycoprotein) in the regulation of feed efficiency and fecal malodor in mice were explored. DBD glycoprotein produced protective effect against cytotoxicity induced by the ecotoxicological endocrine-disrupting substance bisphenol A in gastrointestinal epithelial HT-29 cells. To investigate its potential roles in the regulation of feed efficiency and fecal malodor, mice were administered an oral injection of DBD glycoprotein for 2 weeks. Compared with the control values, the weight of internal organs (liver, heart, kidney, and spleen) and levels of glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase were not significantly changed during DBD glycoprotein administration for 2 weeks. Interestingly, DBD glycoprotein improved feed efficiency and reduced hydrogen sulfide concentration without altering the ammonia level in mouse feces. Collectively, these results indicate that DBD glycoprotein is a functional agent that exerts gastrointestinal protective effects against ecotoxicological substances, improves feed efficiency, and reduces fecal malodor.

Technology used by human beings has developed drastically over the years. Although people enjoy affluent lives as a result of this development, the depletion of resources has brought about a variety of environmental problems such as emission of fine dust, treatment of waste water, and global warming. Although studies on environmental pollution are being conducted continuously, there are a limited number of studies that analyze research trends from quantitative and qualitative perspectives. In order to examine the current research landscape, we employed Scopus to combine research interest in environmental science with bibliographic analysis. Among 74,089 papers published in 57 journals of environmental science, 3,212 papers were published by Korean authors and citations per publications and Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) of those papers were 7.3 and 1.0, respectively. By assessing the bibliometric indicators in the field of environmental science, this study provides insight into research trends and related data to aid researchers in developing research strategies.

Ulmus davidiana Nakai (UDN) has been traditionally used as a herbal medicine in Korea. In the present study, we investigated the anti-ecotoxic potential of a 116 kDa glycoprotein isolated from UDN (UDN glycoprot ein) in regulating fecal malodor and feed efficiency in mice. We found that UDN glycoprotein (200 μg/ml) has an inhibitory effect on the cell death induced by an ecotoxicological endocrine disrupting chemical, bisphenol A, in colon epithelial HT-29 cells. UDN glycoprotein did not show significant differences regarding the weight of ecotoxicity-related organs (liver, heart, kidneys, and spleen) and the levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase in mice for 2 weeks, compared to the control. Additionally, UDN glycoprotein reduced the levels of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia as markers of fecal malodor in mice. Interestingly, UDN glycoprotein can improve the mouse feed efficiency. In conclusion, our data indicate that anti-ecotoxicological UDN glycoprotein has the ability to increase the feed efficiency and reduce the fecal malodor by maintaining the viability of colonic epithelial cells in mice.

Chrysanthemum boreale Makino (C. boreale) is widely distributed in Asian countries, and has traditionally been used to treat various inflammatory diseases including bronchitis. In this study, we aimed to isolate biologically active compounds from leaves and stems of C. boreale. Chemical components were purified by column chromatograpy and recyclic HPLC, and characterized from their spectral data (IR, MS, NMR). Biological activity experiments were conducted for Farnesyl-protein transferase (FPTase) activity, apoptosis and nitirc oxide (NO) release. As a results, three sesquiterpene lactones were isolated. Compound 1 (4-methoxy-8-O-acetyl-10-hydroxy-2,11(13)-guaiadiene-12,6-olide) showed strong cytotoxic activities having an average growth inhibition of 50% (GI50) value of 1.89 ㎍/㎖against human colon adenocarcinoma cells. Compound 1 also showed a low half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 10 ㎍/㎖ for NO release. In the caspase 3 activity, compound 1 and compound 2 (8-O-(2-carbonyl-2-butyl)-3,10-dihydroxy-4,11(13) -guaiadiene-12,6-olide) exhibited 94% and 90% apoptosis inhibition activity, respectively. Compound 3 (4,8-O-diacetyl -10-hydroxy-2(3),11(13)-guaiadiene-12,6-olide) showed a strong inhibitory effect on FPTase activity with 90% inhibitory activity at a concentration of 100 ㎍/㎖. These results clearly show the presence of lactone compounds in the leaves and stems, which may partially contribute to the pharmacological activity of C. boreale.

Ulmus davidiana Nakai (UDN) has been traditionally used as a herbal medicine to treat inflammatory diseases in Korea. In the present study, we investigated the anti-ecotoxic potential of a 116 kDa glycoprotein isolated from UDN (UDN glycoprotein) in human intestinal epithelial INT-407 cells. We demonstrated that UDN glycoprotein (20 μg/mL) could inhibit the production of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) induced by toluene, an ecotoxic substance. Additionally, we found that the toluene-induced intestinal cytotoxicity was mediated by the phosphorylation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) via the production of intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The UDN glycoprotein significantly decreased the levels of ROS production and p38 MAPK activation in toluene-stimulated INT-407 cells. Moreover, the UDN glycoprotein inhibits the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), which is responsible for the production of LDH, in toluene-stimulated INT-407 cells. Collectively, our data indicate that UDN glycoprotein is a natural antioxidant and a modulator of ecotoxicity signaling pathways in human intestinal epithelial cells.

Curcumin (C21H20O6) is a hydrophobic polyphenol found in turmeric. Although curcumin has been used as a natural medicine, its major limitation is related to poor absorption from the gut. Therefore, we developed a method for preparation of Curcumin Nanospheres (CN) to improve the aqueous-phase solubility of curcumin and investigate the functional role of CN in promoting feed efficiency and odor reduction in mice. CN showed inhibitory effects on actate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity induced by ecotoxic substance toluene in gut epithelial HCT116 cells. In addition, the weights of internal organs (liver, heart, kidneys, and spleen) and the levels of serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (GOT), Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (GPT), and LDH did not show significant differences between mice administered oral CN for two weeks and compared to the control group. Interestingly, CN not only reduced hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3) levels and fecal odor, but also improved feed efficiency in mice. These results demonstrate that oral nano-delivery of anti-ecotoxicological CN is a functional system to deliver curcumin to the gut to improve feed efficiency and reduce fecal odor in mice.

Chrysanthemum boreale Makino is widely distributed in Korea, China, Japan and Southeast Asian countries. C. boreale is one of the herbs used for treating various inflammatory diseases in oriental medicine. The present study was conducted to identify biologically active compounds from the leaves and stems of C. boreale. We isolated two sesquiterpene sactones from the leaves and stems of C. boreale using silica gel column chromatography and recyclic high perfomance liquid chromatography. The lactones were characterized by their spectroscopic data (NMR, IR, MASS). These compounds were subjected to Farnesyl Protein Transferase (FPTase) inhibition, Nitric Oxide (NO) release inhibition and apoptosis inhibition. The structur of the following isolated compound were elucidated 8,10-o-Acetyl-2-methoxy-10-hydroxy-3,11(13)-guaiadiene-12,6-olide and 4,10-dihydroxy -8-o-Acetyl-2,11(13)-guaiadiene-12,6-olide. In the NO release inhibition assay, compound 2 showed strong activities, with an IC50 value of 7 μg/mL, whereas compound 1 did not exhibit significant activity with an IC50 value of over 14 μg/mL against murine macrophage.

Acyltransferase (AT) catalyzes the transfer of an acyl moiety from acyl-coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) to an acceptor. ATs play important roles in the maintenance of homeostasis in the human body and have been linked to various diseases; therefore, several ATs have been proposed as potential targets for the treatment or prevention of such diseases. The AT family includes acyl-CoA:cholesterol AT (ACAT), diacylglycerol AT, and monoacylglycerol AT for the metabolism of lipids. Furthermore, recent molecular biological studies revealed the existence of their isozymes with distinct functions in the body. ACAT plays a critical role in the formation of cholesteryl esters from cholesterol and fatty acids, and is a potential target for treating hypercholesterolemia. During an experiment designed to discover biologically active compounds from herbal medicines, we isolated two known guaianolide sesquiterpene lactones from Chrysanthemum boreale Makino (Compositae). The lactones were characterized from their spectroscopic data (NMR, IR, MASS). These compounds were subjected to ACAT inhibition assay. Here, we report the isolation and structural elucidation of the compounds 8-o-acetyl-2-methoxy-10-hydroxy-3,11(13)-guaiadiene-12,6-olide and 8-acetyl-3,10-hydroxy-4(15),11(13)-guaiadiene-12,6-olide. In the ACAT inhibition assay, compound 1 showed strong inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value 45 μg/mL, whereas compound 2 did not exhibit significant inhibitory activity with an over 100 μg/mL.

The essential oil obtained by steam distillation from medicinal plants of Cinnamomum cassia and Prunellae Herba. Analysis of essential oils were performed on GC/MS selective detector. Separations were performed fused silica capillary column. The carrier gas was ultra pure helium with a flow of 1 ㎖/min and the splitless injector temperature was set as 280 °C. The column temperature program was as follows: initial temperature of 70 °C for 4 min, and increased by 2 °C /min 70 to 100 °C (held 2 min), After that the temperature was varied from 100 to 200 °C at 5 °C/min (held 20 min), increase to 280 °C (held 5 min) at 10 °C /min, in a total run time of 73 min. Ten volatile flavor components were identified from C. cassia and ten volatile flavor components were identified from Prunellae Herba. Strong inhibition of growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus was obtained with all doses of C. cassia tested. Moreover, antimicrobial activity of C. cassia occurred in a dose dependant manner.

This study is an endeavor to evaluate the risk assessment of hazardous(aflatoxin B1) in medicines from oriental medical prescription which are circulated much recently. For that, twelve globular and granule types, seven liquid types of herbal medicine were bought to compare and analyze the content of aflatoxin B1, which are harmful to human body. Woo Hwang Cheong Sim Hwan of Aflatoxin B1 concentration lower than the standard accepted by all the products have been detected, B company(tradition) is the concentration of 1.24 ㎍/kg, C company 1.04 ㎍/kg, A company(tradition) and B company did not detect. And the general pill of aflatoxin B1 concentration lower than the standard accepted by all the products have been detected, S-1 is the concentration of 1.8 ㎍/kg, S-2 of 1.04 ㎍/kg, S-3 of 0.88 ㎍/kg, S-4 of 9.32 ㎍/kg, S-6 of 7.8 ㎍/kg, S-5 did not detect. All the products eundan allowed in the concentration of aflatoxin B1 levels were lower than detection, D company of 0.96 ㎍/kg, E company concentration was not detected. The liquid product of aflatoxin B1 concentration was found liwer than the standard accepted by all the product, L-3 concentration of 0.8 ㎍/kg, K-4 was detected in the 1.16 ㎍/kg, L-1 and L-2 is not detected, L-5 concentration of 15 ㎍/kg, L-7 is detected as 1.08 ㎍/kg and, L-6 was not detected.

Carrots (Daucus carota L.) are consumed as an important dietary source of provitamin A including β-carotene, α-carotene and lutein. An HPLC method was applied to determine the content of the carotenoid composition in carrot cutivars cultivated in Korea. HPLC analyses were carried out with five carrot cultivars (Socheon-5-chon, Hongsim-5-chon, Myeongju-5-chon, Seonhongbom-5-chon and Betarich) sown at April, 2007 and six cultivars (Yeoreum-5-chon, Hanyeoreum-5-chon, Sinheukjeon-5-chon, Bibariheukjeon, Manina and Betarich) sown at August of the same year. In general, the former varieties are not used for the sowing at summer because of their bolting (growth of floral axis). The former and the latter carrots were harvested after 110 and 96 days from seeding, respectively, and the carotenoids were extracted with acetone after freeze-drying. The amount of α-carotene (117.7∼205.3 μg/g・DW) was similar to that of β-carotene (113.1∼189.6 μg/g・ DW) for the carrot cultivars sown at spring, while the content (46.2∼71.1 μg/g・DW) was about a half of β-carotene content (92.5∼140.2 μg/g・DW) for the latter cultivars. In addition, the average content of lutein (25.2 μg/g・DW) in the former cultivars was eight times higher than that in the latter cultivars (3.1 μg/g・DW). Among the spring cultivation types, Socheon-5-chon and Myeongju-5-chon showed higher amount of α-carotene and β-carotene, while the higher amount was determined in Yeoreum-5-chon and Sinheukjeon-5-chon among the autumn cultivation types. Validation of the HPLC-DAD method showed good linearity (r2 > 0.997) of the three compounds analyzed in a wide concentration range (0.025∼20 μg/ml). The R.S.D. values for intra-day and inter-day precision were less than 19.2% and the mean recovery of each compound was 85.4∼104.7%.

The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of the mixed herbal medicine for the substitution of antibiotics on the performance of laying hens. Day old hyline 1,500 layer chicks were randomly assigned to 4 treatments. Control were 600 and three each treatment was 300. Eggs were collected at every weeks for measuring egg production and week 26, 27, 28 for chemical analyses. Chemical analyses were done for fatty acid profile of egg yolks, amino acid, antibiotics residue in eggs(collect eggs after supplying OTC 21ppm/bird/day to control for four day at 26, 27, 28) during the laying period(19～77 wk). On 0～4 week, T-3 showed higher feed intake than those fed the other diets and on 5～13 week, T-2 showed highest feed intake among treatments. After birds were moved (14～18 wk) CT-3 showed highest, but for overall rearing period, there was not significantly different among treatments. In conclusion the mixed herbal medicine did not tended to influence palatability to rearing birds. Egg quality(egg yolk color, haugh unit, eggshell breaking strength) showed no difference among treatments. Ratio of unsaturated fatty acid (mg/100g)/saturated fatty acid (mg/100 g) was not difference among treatments, but linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) of the mixed herbal medicine treatments showed higher then control. The antibiotics residue of CT, T treatments egg was not detected and control was not detected or below allowance. In conclusion the mixed herbal medicine can be possible to feed laying hen without antibiotics.

The experiment was conducted to determine effect of the mixed herbal medicine for the substitution of antibiotics on the performance of laying hens. Day old hyline 1,500 layer chicks were randomly assigned to 4 treatments. Control were 600 chicks and there were three treatments of each 300 chicks. The 4 treatments were as follows: the mixed herbal medicine 0.1%(T-1), 0.3%(T-2) and 0.5%(T-3) after removed antibiotics on commercial feed and commercial feed(control) from 5th week to 13th week, each treatment was replicated 3 times and from 14th week to 18th week. Each 100 hens of the mixed herbal medicine 0.1%(CT-1), 0.3%(CT-2) and 0.5%(CT-3) were moved to cage. Body weight were measured on 4th, 8th, 13th week and feed intake, mortality were measured on every weeks. Body weight at fourth week, all treatments tended to be higher than control and T-3 statistically was highest(p<0.01). On 8th week, also treatments statistically high and T-1 was highest(p<0.01). But 12th week, there was not significantly different among treatments. Therefore it will be possible that the mixed herbal medicine substitute for antibiotics after vaccination. Mortality was not different between treatment and control overall rearing period. Early laying period(19～41wk), T-2 showed highest feed intake(107.1g) among treatments, later laying period(42～77wk), T-1 showed highest feed intake(134.3g) and was not any different among each treatments.

This study is an endeavor to evaluate the safety of medicines from heavy metals, prescribed on the basis of herbal medicinal system and oriental medical prescription which are circulated much recently. For that, three globular types, four extract granular types and four liquid types of herbal medicine were bought to compare and analyze the content of heavy metals, such as As, Pb, Cd and Hg, which are harmful to human body. The concentration of Pb was found to be 0.552 ppm in Sachiltang, 2.552 ppm in Anjungjogiwhan and 1.735 ppm in Cheongsangbohwawhan in case of pill type herbal medicine, and liquid type herbal medicine, Maekmundongtang was 0.002 ppm, Galgeuntang was 0.003 ppm, Sangwhatang was 0.004 ppm, 20jeon Daebotang was 0.0185 ppm. And the concentration of Pb was found to be 0.322 ppm in Banhasasimtang, 0.47 ppm in Eungjosan, 0.29 ppm in Yukmijihwangtang, 0.64 ppm in Socheongryongtang in case of granular type. It was found that the liquid types herbal medicines were relatively safer than three pill types of, four granular types of and four liquid types herbal medicines were tested for concentration of heavy metals. It is considered that is required in the stage of raw material treatment, manufacturing and packaging because those herbal medicines are directly taken in and absorbed into human body through the final treatment process.

We studied concentration of heavy metals in Sagunjatang. In this experiment was analyzed the concentration of heavy metals of boiled Sagunjatang, decoction and its ingredient herbal medicines. The concentration of heavy metals(As, Pb, and Cd) were analysed using ICP-AES, and Hg was analysed by mercury analyzer. The average concentration of heavy metals in Sagunjatang were as follows : In all ingredient herbal medicines (Glycyrrhizae Radix, Atractylodes Macrocephala, Poria Cocos and Jinseng) of Sagunjatang, As(arsenite) contents in all samples was in the range of 0.369-0.723ppm, Cd(cadmium) was in the range of 0.000-0.085ppm, Pb(lead) was in the range of 0.059-0.871ppm and Hg(mercury) was in the range of 0.001-0.004ppm. In boiled Sagunjatang, the concentration of heavy metals(As, Pb, Cd and Hg) was in the range of 0.000-0.016ppm, respectively. In the decoction of herbal medicines after boiled, the concentration of heavy metals was in the range of 0.004-0.387ppm. These results suggest that Sagunjatang which we take is less harmful than herbal medicine itself, and there are more significant for using the decoction of herbal medicines.

To obtain the safety evaluation of the ginseng, residues of heavy metals in culture environment of ginseng on Punggi and Sangju, Kyeongbuk are surveyed. The concentration for component of ginseng on Punggi and Sangju were 14.12 mg/kg and 15.74 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration for general component such as crude fiber, ash, crude lipid, crude protein, carbohydrate, of ginseng were coincided between Punggi and Sangju. The concentration for As, Pb, Cd, and Hg in soil on Punggi were 14.24 ppb, 43.13 ppb, 8.73 ppb and 0.82 ppb, respectively. The concentration for As, Pb, Cd, and Hg in soil on Sangju were 19.20 ppb, 54.82 ppb, 15.90 ppb and 1.04, respectively. Residual heavy metals are not polluted in the soil with culture ginseng on Punggi and Sangju. The concentration for As, Pb, Cd, and Hg with ginseng on Punggi were 29.30ppb, 21.78 ppb, 1.32 ppb and 2.72 ppb, respectively. The concentration for As, Pb, Cd, and Hg with ginseng on Sangju were 3.22 ppb, 24.43 ppb, 1.44 ppb and 4.74 ppb, respectively. Also the detection concentration for As, Pb, Cd, and Hg in ginseng were also lower than the Korea Food & Drug Administration advisory level for heavy metal in herbal medicines. Residual heavy metals are not polluted in the ginseng on Punggi and Sangju at Kyeongbuk, Korea.

The kinetics of the reaction of methyl mercaptan into aqueous diethanolamine were studied over a range in temperature (20～60℃) and amine concentrations (0-40 wt %) using a wetted-sphere absorber. The physicochemical properties needed to interpret the data are the solubility and diffusivity of methyl mercaptan in the aqueous diethanolamine solution. The density and the viscosity were obtained and correlated in the experimental range. The Wilke-Chang equation was applied to estimate the diffusion coefficient. The enhancement factor was found to be high temperature is below than low temperature. It means the absorption rate with chemical reaction is lower than the physical absorption rate.

본 연구에서는 식품의약품안전청고시에서 규제한 유기염소계 농약을 포함하여 다성분 동시분석법을 확립하였으며, 경상북도 상주지역 인삼자원의 재배토양 및 인삼 시료 중에서 유기염소계 농약의 잔류성을 검토하였다. α-BHC의 유지시간은 21.455분이었는데 이를 1.00으로 하였을때 β-BHC, δ-BHC, Quintozene, γ- BHC, Aldrin, Captan, o,p-DDE 및 α-Endosulfan의 상대적인 유지시간은 각각 1.025, 1.034, 1.038, 1.056, 1.143, 1.183, 1.199 및 1.218이었다. 또한 p,p-DDE, o,o-DDD, Dieldrin, Fenhexamid, Endrin, β- Endosulfan, o,p-DDT, o,p-DDD, p,p-DDT 및 Endosulfan-sulfate의 상대적인 유지시간은 각각 1.230, 1.242, 1.246, 1.261, 1.279, 1.283, 1.286, 1.329, 1.333, 1.338이었다. 피이크 분리가 정량분석하기에 지장이 없었으며, 따라서 19가지 유기염소계열 농약을 동시 다성분 분석 할 수 있었다. 최소검출농도는 α-BHC, Quintozene, Aldrin, Captan, α-Endosulfan, Dieldrin이 각각 0.95ng/g, 0.27ng/g, 1.04ng/g, 0.63ng/g, 0.55ng/g 및 0.62ng/g이었다. 또한 Fenhexamid, Endrin, β-Endosulfan, o,p-DDT, Endosulfan-sulfate도 각각 5.71ng/g, 0.61ng/g, 0.48 ng/g, 0.44ng/g 및 0.51ng/g이었다 상주지역의 인삼자원은 식품의약품안전청고시에서 생약의 잔류농약 허용기준으로 제시된 BHC, Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endrin 및 DDT가 불검출되었다. 또한 재배토양에서도 불검출 되었다. 따라서 경상북도 상주 인삼 재배환경은 유기염소계 농약으로 오염되지 않았다.

The concentration of heavy metal were studied for the estimation of quality in herbal medicines which is Bupleuri Radix, Paeoniae Radix, Dioscoreae Rhizoma and Astragali Radix in products of north Gyeongbuk area. Also, we collected soils from several area in Gyeongbuk, and determined heavy metal concentration of soils by ICP. We compared with herbal medicines in products of Gyeongbuk and their soils. The average levels of heavy metal of herbal medicines in Gyeongbuk area are as follows : Mercury is 0.037㎎/㎏, Chromium is 0.093㎎/㎏, Nickel is 0.108㎎/㎏, Copper is 0.475㎎/㎏, Zinc is 3.14㎎/㎏, Manganese is 1.52㎎/㎏, Iron is 7.83㎎/㎏, and Cadmium, Lead and Arsenic is not detected. It was very lower in concentrations than those of average Korea area. For the heavy metals contents of Gyeongbuk area, in Gong Jung Ri, represented the higher level, it may be due to a near the road. The Cd contents in soil was not a wide difference. For the As and Pb contents in soil, Song Sa Ri (Bupleuri Radix) represented the higher level(0.68㎎/㎏, 1523㎎/kg). Correlation coefficients of heavy metal contents in cultured herbal medicines and their soils did not give reproducible results. But the degree of correlation between a few heavy metal contents of Dioscoreae Rhizoma and their soil showed the good transfer from the soil.

The concentration of heavy metal were studied for the estimation of quality in herbal medicines which is Bupleuri Radix, Paeoniae Radix, Dioscoreae Rhizoma and Astragali Radix in products of north Gyeongbuk area. And we collected soils from several area in Gyeongbuk, and determined heavy metal concentration of soils by ICP. We compared with herbal medicines in products of Gyeongbuk and their soils. For the heavy metals contents of Gyeongbuk area, in Gong Jung Ri, represented the higher level, it may be due to a near the road. The Cd contents in soil was not a wide difference. For the As and Pb contents in soil, Song Sa Ri (Bupleuri Radix) represented the higher level (0.68㎎/㎏, 1523㎎/kg). Heavy metal contents in cultured herbal medicines and their soils did not give reproducible results. But the degree of correlation between a few heavy metal contents of Dioscoreae Rhizoma and their soil showed the good transfer from the soil.