Velvet antler is widely used as a traditional medicine, and numerous studies have demonstrated its tremendous nutritional and medicinal values including immunity-enhancing effects. This study aimed to investigate different deer velvet extracts (Sample 1: raw extract, Sample 2: dried extract, and Sample 3: freeze-dried extract) for proximate composition, uronic acid, sulfated glycosaminoglycan, sialic acid, collagen levels, and chemical components using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-light mass spectrometry. In addition, we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of the deer velvet extracts on BV2 microglia, HT22 hippocampal cells, HaCaT keratinocytes, and RAW264.7 macrophages using the cell viability MTT assay. Furthermore, we evaluated acute toxicity of the deer velvet extracts at different doses (0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg) administered orally to both male and female ICR mice for 14 d (five mice per group). After treatment, we evaluated general toxicity, survival rate, body weight changes, mortality, clinical signs, and necropsy findings in the experimental mice based on OECD guidelines. The results suggested that in vitro treatment with the evaluated extracts had no cytotoxic effect in HaCaT keratinocytes cells, whereas Sample-2 had a cytotoxic effect at 500 and 1000 μg/mL on HT22 hippocampal cells and RAW264.7 macrophages. Sample 3 was also cytotoxic at concentrations of 500 and 1000 μg/mL to RAW264.7 and BV2 microglial cells. However, the mice treated in vivo with the velvet extracts at doses of 500–2000 mg/kg BW showed no clinical signs, mortality, or necropsy findings, indicating that the LD50 is higher than this dosage. These findings indicate that there were no toxicological abnormalities connected with the deer velvet extract treatment in mice. However, further human and animal studies are needed before sufficient safety information is available to justify its use in humans.

Ethyl formate (EF) is a naturally occurring insecticidal compound and is used to control pests introduced from abroad, in quarantine, by a fumigation method. In particular, it is mainly used as a substitute for methyl bromide and is less toxic to humans and less harmful to plants. This study aimed to investigate the possible acute toxicity of EF to useful organisms, and how to reduce phytotoxicity in watermelon, zucchini, and oriental melon. After fumigation with EF for 2 h, the LC50 values for earthworms, honey bees, and silkworms were 39.9, 7.09, and 17.9 g m-3, respectively. The degree of susceptibility to EF was in the order of earthworms, silkworms, and honey bees based on the LC50 value, and EF fumigation induced stronger acute toxicity to honey bees. Phytotoxicity was observed in watermelon leaves treated with a concentration of 7.5 g m-3 EF, and when treated with a concentration of 10.0 g m-3, it was confirmed that the edges of watermelon leaves were charred and seemed to be damaged by acids. Zucchini and melon, and other cucurbits, showed strong damage to the leaves when treated with a concentration of 10 g m-3, and sodium silicate, at concentrations of 10% and 20%, was used to reduce phytotoxicity. Therefore, acute toxicity towards nontarget organisms and phytotoxicity during the fumigation of EF should be reduced for efficient agricultural pest control.

Evodiae Fructus is the dried unripe fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa, and has traditionally been used for treating stomachache and diarrhea. Evodiamine and rutaecarpine, the major biologically active compounds of Evodiae Fructus, are reported to have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as inhibit proliferation and metastasis of various cancer cells. The current study investigates the anti-oxidative and anti-cancer effects of the Evodiae Fructus extract, considering varying concentrations of methanol extraction (40, 80, and 95%). High contents of total phenolic compounds were determined in the order of extracts 80, 95, and 40%. Evaluating contents of the 95, 80, and 40% extracts revealed 36.77, 7.29, and 1.86 μg/mg evodiamine, respectively, and 53.02, 17.16, and 3.79 μg/mg rutaecarpine, respectively, with the highest content of both compounds obtained in the 95% extract. DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed to be inversely proportional to the contents of total phenolic compounds, with decreasing SC50 values obtained in the order 80, 95, and 40% extract. The 95 and 80% extracts exerted toxicity to AGS gastric cancer cells, but the 40% extract was non-toxic. Evodiamine is a known anti-cancer agent, and could be responsible for the observed toxicity. Cleavage of PARP, and Caspase-3, -7, -8 and -9 was observed in the 95% extract-treated AGS cells, indicating that cell toxicity exerted by the 95% extract could be attributed to apoptosis.

The purpose of this study was to assess cross-generational effects of bisphenol A exposure in benthic copepods, Tigriopus west. Nauplii (<24 hours old) were exposed to graded concentrations of bisphenol A, and toxicity end-points such as survival, development, sex ratio, and fecundity were measured. F1 generations were grown under innoxious conditions, and similarly assessed. Significant differences were observed in development of nauplii and copepodites, between exposed and non-exposed copepods; however, there were no differences in survival of nauplii or copepodites, sex ratio, or brooding rate in parental generation. In contrast, in the F1 generation, there were significant differences between the control group and exposed group in survival and development of nauplii. Length, width, and biomass of parental and F1 generations were reduced in the exposed group compared to the control group. In addition, some deformities, such as swelling of the prosome, abnormally shaped egg sac, and dwarfism were observed after exposure to bisphenol A. So, our study demonstrates that a cross-generation toxicity test and monitoring of morphological deformities in harpacticoid copepods, can be useful for development of potential bioindicators for environmental monitoring, and assessment of chemical impact.

To find best humidity condition for the use of Beauveria ARP14 against Grapholita molesta (Busck), first instar of G. molesta was treated with three conidial concentrations (1×107, 1×108, and 1×109 conidia/ml) in three different relative humidities (RH; 55, 75, and 95%). Mortality varied depending on concentration and humidity. Mortality in 95% RH was 1.5 and 2.7 times higher than 75 and 52% humidity at 1×109 conidia/ml and 16 hours after the exposure. However, the mycosis rates after 14 days were all not different among the treatments. In conclusion B. bassiana ARP14 could be most effective when applied higher at RH condition.

Although Semisulcospira libertina is generally regarded as a supplement for the alleviation of alcohol hangover, little is known about its effects on cell metabolism. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the constituents of the extracts prepared using different extraction methods and to compare their biochemical properties. The amino acid contents were found to be much higher in acidic and enzymatic hydrolysates than hot water extracts from S. libertina. DPPH radical scavenging activities in acidic and enzymatic hydrolysates were higher than those of hot water extracts. Three types of S. libertina hydrolysate was added to HepG2 cells damaged by acetaminophen (AAP), after which the survival rate of HepG2 cell were measured. In addition, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in the culture media were evaluated. The survival rates of HepG2 cells were 77.0±4.3% and 81.5±1.3% at 3 h and 5h enzymatic hydrolysates, respectively. These cell survival rates were higher compared to those of the negative control group (67.8±4.3%) treated only with acetaminophen. Cellular toxicities induced by treatment with AAP were also significantly alleviated in response to treatment with the extracts of S. libertina. In addition, the activities of 2 key enzymes that metabolize ethanol, alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, were upregulated by 4.7- and 2.7-fold respectively in response to treatment with a 3 h enzymatic hydrolysate of S. libertina. Taken together, these results provide biochemical evidence of the method by which S. libertina exerts its biological functions, including the alleviation of alcohol hangover and the protection of liver cells against toxic insults.

Although Semisulcospira libertina is generally regarded as a supplement for the alleviation of alcohol hangover, little is known about its effects on cell metabolism. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the constituents of the extracts prepared using different extraction methods and to compare their biochemical properties. The amino acid contents were found to be much higher in acidic and enzymatic hydrolysates than hot water extracts from S. libertina. DPPH radical scavenging activities in acidic and enzymatic hydrolysates were higher than those of hot water extracts. Three types of S. libertina hydrolysate was added to HepG2 cells damaged by acetaminophen (AAP), after which the survival rate of HepG2 cell were measured. In addition, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in the culture media were evaluated. The survival rates of HepG2 cells were 77.0±4.3% and 81.5±1.3% at 3 h and 5h enzymatic hydrolysates, respectively. These cell survival rates were higher compared to those of the negative control group (67.8±4.3%) treated only with acetaminophen. Cellular toxicities induced by treatment with AAP were also significantly alleviated in response to treatment with the extracts of S. libertina. In addition, the activities of 2 key enzymes that metabolize ethanol, alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, were upregulated by 4.7- and 2.7-fold respectively in response to treatment with a 3 h enzymatic hydrolysate of S. libertina. Taken together, these results provide biochemical evidence of the method by which S. libertina exerts its biological functions, including the alleviation of alcohol hangover and the protection of liver cells against toxic insults.

Toxicity test of contaminate soil is very complex because of differential bioavailability in the soil. Therefore, bioavailability of metals in soil is a major factor influencing estimates of toxicity. In this study, the two major test was conducted. First, the toxicity of arsenic for the Collembola, Paronychiurus kimi, was assessed by determining the effects of increasing arsenic concentration on survival, reproduction and body concentration of As in five forested soils with different available phosphate and oxide-metal concentration. Second, the sequential extraction procedure (SEP) for arsenic by choosing extraction reagents commonly used for sequential extraction of metals was tested. The EC50 based on total As concentration in soil was estimated respectively. The available phosphate and oxide-metal concentration in soil influenced on As fraction in soil. Especially, As in soil which is non specifically and specifically sorbed (fraction 1, 2) has strong correlation with available phosphate and oxide-metal concentration (p<0.05). The toxicity is more higher in the soil with high available phosphate and low oxide-metal concentration. In addition, the high arsenic concentration in fraction which is amorphous and poor-crystalline hydrous oxide of Fe and Al (fraction 3) had effect to the toxicity. As a result, the toxicity of As is related with As concentration in fraction 1, 2 and 3 and the soil properties and the arsenic fractionation in soil have a influence on the bioavailability and toxicity.

Oral exposure of humans by excess amounts of arsenic may cause disturbances of the reproductive system. In the present study, such exposure was modelled in rats, with the support of sperm principal parameters and histopa-thological observations. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups where the group I was served as a normal control, group II was received sodium meta-arsenite as arsenic (10 mg/kg b.w/day) and a combi-nation of sodium meta- arsenite and sodium selenite (3 mg/kg b.w/day) in group III. After 6 weeks, there was no significant change in testis weight and in total motility of all the three experimental groups, whereas, rapid moving spermatozoa, moderately moving spermatozoa and slow moving spermatozoa were significantly decreased in arsenic treated rats as compared to control rats. The other sperm principal parameters like progressiveness, average path velocity, straightness linear velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straightness, linearity sperm head elongation ratio, area, linearity amplitude of lateral head department (ALH) and beat cross frequency (BCF) were found to be reduced in arsenic intoxicated rats. These results are not correlated with the histological studies. On oral admini-stration of selenium ameliorated the adverse effects of arsenic as compared to arsenic alone treated rats. Our findings clearly demonstrate that administration of selenium could prevent some of the deleterious effects of arsenic in the testis.

Bemisia tabaci is a serious pest in various horticultural crops in the world. Due to use of chemical pesticide for their management they develop pesticide resistance and environmental contamination. It is necessary to develop alternative bio-pesticides using natural products from plants and natural enemies. Nicotiana benthamiana is a variety of wild tobacco plants and produce acyl sugars from glandular trichomes in the leaves. When adult whiteflies were reared with fresh N. benthamiana leaves, they were completely dead within 84 h. Oral feeding of 20% N. benthamiana extracts using ethanol and water showed complete mortality of whiteflies within 48 hours. Spray of N. benthamiana extracts into the leaves was lethal to eggs but not to nymphs of whiteflies. Further, tomato plants sprayed with N. benthamiana extracts were highly repellent to adult whiteflies. Quantitative real-time PCR indicated that the expression of various genes of B. tabaci was changed by oral feeding of N. benthamiana extract. This study suggests N. benthamiana extract is a useful for the control of whiteflies and can be used as an alternative natural pesticide for the whitefly management.

The present study investigated the urinary tract toxicity of melamine alone or in combination with cyanuric acid in rats. Male rats were orally administered melamine alone (800 mg/kg) or melamine plus cyanuric acid (50 mg/kg each) for 3 consecutive days. Although melamine treatment did not show any significant difference in body weight, kid- ney or urinary bladder weight, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or creatinine levels, it caused a decrease in urinary pH and mild histopathological alterations in the kidney and urinary bladder. In contrast, co-administration of melamine and cyanuric acid induced a decrease in body weight, an increase in kidneys and urinary bladder weights, and an elevation in serum BUN and creatinine levels, which were not observed in animals treated with melamine alone. His- topathological examination showed that the incidence and severity of histopathological lesions in the kidney and uri- nary bladder were much higher than those in the melamine group. Urinalysis revealed an increase in urine occult blood, leukocytes and protein and a decrease in urinary pH. These results indicate that concomitant administration of cyanuric acid synergistically potentiated the urinary tract toxicity induced by melamine in rats. In this study, we first demon- strated the synergistic toxic effects of melamine in combina- tion with cyanuric acid on urinary bladder and urinalysis in rats.

본 연구는 쌀을 비롯한 저장곡물을 가해하는 어리쌀바구미(Sitophilus zeamais) 성충에 대해서 8종의 식물정유의 훈증독성과 Y-tube를 이용한 후각반응으로 기피효과를 조사하였다. 10㎕/L air의 농도에서 훈증독성시험 결과 pennyroyal과 tea tree 오일에서 각각 97%, 63%의 높은 살충효과를 보였다. 특히, pennyroyal oil(LT50, hour=3.87)은 tea tree oil((LT50, hour=4.09)보다 높고 빠른 살충력을 보였다. 10㎕/filter paper의 농도에서 후각계를 이용한 기피효과는 Cedarwood(80%), Cinnamon(83.3%), Cypress(81.1%), pennyroyal(97.1%) oil이 높은 기피활성을 보였으며, 이보다 낮은 1㎕/filter paper의 농도에서도 Cinnamon(82.4%), Cypress(80.0%), pennyroyal(86.7%) 오일은 높은 기피활성을 나타냈다.