Nakseonjae in Changdeokgung Palace was established at The King Hunjong’s 13rd year (1847), the mid-19th century. It was constructed for own rests of King Hunjong and the residence of Kyungbin (king’s concubines), and is showing features of upper-class houses from several points such as rustic architectural types by getting out of authoritative aspects as king’s shelter space within the palace, block and floor distribution that separated spaces for men and women, simplicity in structures and styles, and non-colorful painting etc. This study aims at tracing on which architectural types did the upper-class houses within Hanyang (modern Seoul) at late Joseon Dynasty have and what was characteristics of Nakseonjae. The resemblance between Nakseonjae and the upper-class houses was very little differences from scale aspects, and floor plan shapes of Anchae (women’s quarters) and Sarangchae (men’s quarters) were followed basic common styles. Also, resemblance could be confirmed in the structural styles too. Characteristics of Nakseonjae are showing apparent differences from clearance compositions such as hall configuration etc. Nakseonjae was king’s dwelling place, and spaces for house’s collateral functions such as kitchen, stable, and warehouse etc together with shrine were unnecessary, and such places were substituted into servants’ quarters for assisting the Royal family. In detailed structural styles, column’s size was larger 3cm or more than the upper-class houses, and its height was higher to the degree of 30~60cm. Besides, formality as king’s shelter space was raised more in decorating aspects, and Nakseonjae was implemented by getting architectural influences from Qing Dynasty of China. This study induced features of Hanyang’s upper-class houses at the 19th century by supplementing distribution and space configurations at existing cases of Seoul and Gyeonggi area together with house diagrams having been collected by Gaokdohyung (site and floor plan) of Jangseogak Library, and confirmed resemblances and differences with Nakseonjae, that is, features of Nakseonjae. Through the result, this study judges a fact that architecture of Nakseonjae seemed to be affected from conveniences of upper-class houses within Hanseong, and also architectural styles and distribution types of Nakseonje would give influences to the upper-class houses.

Background : Dry eyes are caused by highly increased osmolarity of tear film, inflammation, and apoptosis of the ocular surface. Polygonum cuspidatum is a herbaceous perennial plant of the genus Polygonum found in Asia and North America. However, the effects of P. cuspidatum aqueous extract (PCE) on hyperosmolarity-induced inflammation and apoptosis in human corneal epithelial cells have not been examined. Methods and Results : Hyperosmotic media induced human corneal epithelial cell (HCEC) cytotoxicity though increased inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. PCE treatment significantly inhibited expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α), and activation of NF-κB p65 in hyperosmolar stress-induced HCECs. In addition, Hyperosmolarity-induced increase in BAX expression and activation of cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and caspase 3 were attenuated in a concentration-dependent manner by PCE. PCE treatment restored anti-oxidative proteins such as Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1), and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in hyperosmolar stress-induced HCECs. Conclusion : PCE protected against hyperosmolar stress-induced inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidation by inhibiting expression of COX-2, BAX, MMP9; activation of NF-κB, caspase 3, and PARP; and increasing expression of MUC4 and anti-oxidative proteins. Overall, our data provide insight into the protective effects of PCE as a candidate for eye health.