Many of world's most successful and commercially-valuable medicines have been derived, directly or indirectly, from natural product sources. Scientists seeks to continue this trend by drawing upon the unique and extensive biota to discover new molecules with potential for development as new medicines. In attempting to generate as much chemical diversity as possible, there is a strategic emphasis on maximizing diversity at five key stages of the process.

The medicinal plants have been used as drugs for thousands of years and many of them are used in traditional medicines. How long are these medicinal plants used as drugs\ulcorner Ebers papyrus (BC 1550) is one of the oldest documents which described more than 700 kinds of herbal drugs. Some of herbal medicines described in the papyrus are familiar and ‘Opium’ is a good example. Some of the drugs described in the papyrus are hardly recognized as drugs by the standard of present day. We can trace back the history of medicinal plants from quite different approach. The investigations on group behavior of chimpanzees in Africa by ‘The Primate Institute of Kyoto University’ has revealed that chimpanzees suffered illness take specific plants which are not taken as daily food stuff. The chemical analysis clarified that the plants contain very bitter constituents and suggested that chimpanzees take medicinal plants to cure their illness. It is worth to note that young chimpanzees just learn what elder ones take when they suffer illness, but elders never teach to their children! It is no doubt that the chimpanzee's medicinal plants were found by random, and try and error screening. The medicinal plants found in this study have been used as herbal medicines by the peoples in the region.

Combinatorial chemistry is one of the most interested topics in the area of drug discovery. One of the most important points is how to find a lead compound that gives the seed structure for designing of a combinatorial library. Natural products is suitable for searching a new bioactive compound with new structure. We have carried out systematic screening works to find natural products possessing the effects on inter-and intra-cellular signaling. Two hundreds extracts of medical plants and two thousands microbial culture broth samples have been tested for the induction and inhibition of IL-2 or IL-6 production (Fig. 1). ELISA is an efficient method for screenings from such a large number of samples. Now, we apply this method to search prion- binding agents.

During a survey of new antitumor substances from higher plants, we have found that the crude extract of Simaba cedron Planchon (Simaroubaceae) showed cytotoxic activity (IC$\sub$50/ 0.7 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL) against P388 leukemia cells. Activity-guided chromatographic purification using P388 cells led to the isolation of five novel quassinoids, cedronolactones A-E (1-5) and nine known quassinoids, simalikalactone D (6), chaparrinon (7), chaparrin (8), glaucarubolone (9), glaucarubol (10), samaderine Z (11), guanepolide (12), ailanquassin A (13), and polyandrol (14). In this seminar, the structural elucidation of 1-5 and the cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds are discussed.

For the screening of bioactive natural products, the benzene or methanol extracts from 93 medicinal plants of Korea were prepared, and tested for the cytotoxicity against L1210 cells and for the antitumor action (Bae et al., 1992 and 1996). Of 93 extracts tested, 6 samples showed a cytotoxicity in both benzene and methanol extract, 39 samples in benzene and 13 samples in methanol extract. The benzene extract of the root of Scutellaria indica L., Sophora fIavescens Solander ex Aiton, Carpesium abrotanoides L., Gymnaster koraiensis (Nakai) Kitamura, Pyrola japonica Klenze, and Forsythiae Fructus showed a potent cytotoxic activity. This observation led to isolate active cytotoxic components, some of which demonstrated some antitumor action. In addition, the structure-activity relationship was discussed.

Spiraea japonica L. F., a plant species belongs to the Spiraea genus of Rosaceae family, has seven varieties. There are all varieties distributed in Yunnan province of China, and S. japonica var. acuminata and S. japonica var. fortunei were used as the folk medicines to treat malaria and inflammation etc.. Since 1960s, Japanese and Russian scholars obtained C$\_$20/-diterpenoid alkaloids from S. japonica L.F., also Chinese scholars got a series of Hetisine-type C$\_$20/-diterpenoid alkaloids from S. japonica var. fortunei in 1985. Since then, we started the chemical and pharmaceutical studies of this complex. Here we wish to report the bioactive effects of spiramine alkaloids and their derivatives on the platelet aggregation induced by AA, PAF, or ADP.

Brine shrimp lethality test has become one of our routine tools in selecting plant materials for further chemical or bioactivity studies in our laboratory. Usually, once a potentially bioactive sample has been identified, it will then be subjected to more elaborate bioassay procedures. Out of more than 200 plant samples tested we found eight samples to be toxic towards brine shrimp larvae.

China is rich in plant resources of various species. There are more than 3000 kinds of flowering plants distributed widely in the country. Throughout China's long history, many plants have been using for treatment of various diseases and playing very important role to support social civilization and prosperity. As present understanding, Chinese medicinal plants are rich sources of discovering and developing new natural drugs and lead compounds in China. To make the use of Chinese medicinal plants more scientific and more rational, its fundamental research should be strengthened, including studies on chemical constituents, pharmacological effects and its action mechanism.

Marine sponges are recognized as a plentiful source of diverse biologically active secondary metabolites. Recently, we have initiated a research to discover antitumor constituents from the marine sponges collected from Korean Waters. Marine sponges collected from the South Sea of Korea were screened for several biological activities including such as brine shrimp lethality and cytotoxicity. Significant brine shrimp lethality was detected in the crude extract of a two-sponge association of Poecillastra sp. and Jaspis sp. A cross-section of this sample showed two layers of morphologically distinct sponges. The thin and dirty yellow outer layer was identified as Poecillastra sp. (Pachastrellidae), the surface of which was very rough. The light-grey inner layer was identified as Jaspis sp. (Jaspidae), the surface of which was smooth. This two-sponge association appears to be consistent as these sponges were always found in associated form regardless of collection site or collection period. Investigation of the bioactive constituents monitored by brine shrimp lethality assay led to the isolation of pectenotoxin II (PTX2) and psammaplin A as causative compounds for the brine shrimp lethality. $^1$H- and $\^$13/C-nmr signals of PTX2 was fully assigned utilizing TOCSY, HETCOR, Long-range HETCOR, and Homonuclear J-resolved 2D experiments. PTX2 displayed very potent and selective cytotoxicities in the 60 cell line panel antitumor assay at the NCI. PTX2 has progressed to acute toxicity determination and in vivo antitumor assay at the NCI (Table 1). However, significant in vitro antitumor activity of PTX2 can not be affirmed in the in vivo assay.

Ginseng (the root of Panax ginseng C. A. MEYER, Araliaceae) has been used for traditional medicine in China, Korea, Japan and other Asian countries for the treatment of various diseases including psychiatric and neurologic diseases as well as diabetes mellitus. So far, ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) have been regarded as the principal components responsible for the pharmacological activities of ginseng. Ginsenosides are glycosides containing an aglycone (protopanaxadiol or protopanaxatriol) with a dammarane skeleton and have been shown to possess various biological activities including the enhancement of cholesterol biosynthesis, stimulation of serum protein synthesis, immuno- modulatory effects and anti-inflammatory activity. Several studies using ginsenosides have also reported anti-tumor effects, particularly the inhibition of tumor-induced angiogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis, and the control of phenotypic expression and differentiation of tumor cells.

The studies for antithrombotic substances from medicinal plants in my laboratory were started from the studies on PAF-antagonistic substances from Korean medicinal plants. The screening studies of PAF-receptor binding antagonistic activity were conducted on the extracts of 300 Korean medicinal plants, 37 tropical medicinal plants, 20 mushrooms, and 30 vegetables. From the results of screening studies, it was possible to select two Korean medicinal plants, i.e. 1) the leaf of Biota orientalis and 2) the seed of Arctium lappa, and two tropical medicinal plants, i.e. 3) the rhizome of Alpinia officinarum and 4) the leaf of Ardisia crispa as the candidates for the activity guided isolation of PAF-antagonistic substances.

Egasyn is accessory protein of ${\beta}$-glucuronidase(${\beta}$-G) in the liver microsomes. Liver microsomal ${\beta}$-G is stabilized within the luminal site of the microsomal vesicles by complexation with egasyn which is one of carboxylesterase isozymes. We investigated the effects of organophosphorus compounds(OPs) such as insecticides on the dissociation of egasyn-${\beta}$-glucuronidase(EG) complex. The EG complex was easily dissociated by administration of OPs, i.e., Fenitrothion, EPN, Phenthionate, and bis-p-nitrophenyl phosphate(BNPP), and resulting ${\beta}$-G dissociated was released into blood, leading to the rapid and transient increase of plasma ${\beta}$-G level with a concomitant decrease of liver microsomal ${\beta}$-G level. In a case of phenthionate treatment, less increase in plasma ${\beta}$-G level was observed, as compared with those of other OPs. This may be explained by a fact that phenthionate was easily hydrolyzed by carboxylesterase. Similarly, carbamate insecticides such as Carbaryl caused rapid increase of plasma ${\beta}$-G level. In contrast, no significant increase of plasma ${\beta}$-G level was observed when pyrethroid insecticides were administered to rats. This is due to a fact that pyrethroids such as Phenthrin and Allethrin were easily hydrolyzed by A-esterase as well as carboxylesterase. On the other hand, addition of OPs to the incubation mixture containing liver microsomes caused the release of ${\beta}$-G from microsomes to the medium. From these in vivo and in vitro data, it is concluded that increase of the plasma ${\beta}$-G level after OPs administration is much more sensitive biomarker than cholinesterase inhibition to acute intoxication of OPs and carbamates.

Chinese traditional drugs have a long history to be used in clinics to treat various diseases and are confirmed to be effective approach through thousands of years of medical practice. Therefore, as a common understanding, the drug development from traditional Chinese medicines could be considered as a “shortcut” way with less blindness and more saving of time and money since development of new Chinese drugs has a different approach from that of western new drugs. Firstly, Chinese new drug development can be simplified as “from men to animal” process rather than “from animal to men” in western medicines. Hence the successful rate would be higher. Secondly, the original drugs or prescriptions from which the new drugs are planned to develop have been known what symptoms they are indicated for. Therefore, the developing procedure is actually a refine process with much less blindness than that of western drugs.

Artemisia annua, an indigenous plant in Korea, contains a clinically important potent antimalarial principle, artemisinin. Artemisinin is a cadinane-type sesquiterpene endoperoxide. Cadinane synthase catalyzes the first committed step in artemisinin biosynthesis by cyclizing farnesyldiphosphate. In hopes of finding a cadinane synthase gene involved in artemisinin biosynthesis, oligonucleotides were synthesized on. the basis of the consensus nucleotide sequences and Nco I restriction sites for convenience in cloning. Specifically, nucleotide sequences of two highly conserved regions were deduced from the genes of similar function of Hyoscyamus muticus, Nicotiana tabacum, Abies grandis, Lycopersicon esculentum, and Gossypium hirsutum to construct a set of primers for polymerase chain reation (PCR). A 184 bp fragment was found to be amplified by PCR, and subsequently cloned. The gene revealed 62.8% identity in nucleotide and 55.6% in amino acid sequence to correspondent gene of N. tabacum. The gene was different from another sesquiterpene cyclase gene of A. annua, germacranadiene synthase gene, recently reported by Mercke and Bordelius (1998).

Propentofylline (PPF), a xanthine derivative, has been reported to be effective for the treatment of both vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The elimination half-life of PPF was ranged from 15 to 45 min in rabbit and human, and PPF was rapidly disappeared from the blood. The objective of this experiment is to investigate whether xanthine analogues have effects on the profile of plasma concentration and metabolism of PPF. Caffeine (50 mg/kg, ip) was treated to Sprague-Dawley rats for consecutive 7 days and PPF was intravenously administered to rats 2 hr after the last dose of caffeine. In the other group, PPF was intravenously administered to rats 1 hr after a single dose of pentoxifylline (50 mg/kg, iv). Control group was treated with saline vehicle for the same period as in treatment groups. Blood was withdrawn at specific time intervals. PPF and one of its metabolite (POH) in plasma were determined by gas chromatography/nitrogen phosphorus detector. Plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters were compared between groups. The area under the curve (AUC) of PPF in rats treated sub chronically with caffeine was significantly decreased compared to control rats. Caffeine treatment results in a significant increase of total body clearance. The AUC of POH was significantly decreased in the caffeine-treated group. A single dose of pentoxifylline has no effect on the phramacokinetics of PPF. Reduction of the AUCs of PPF and POH both suggests that caffeine may increase the excretion of PPF with no affecting the metabolism of PPF to POH.

A number of uracil derivatives have been developed as anti-AIDS drugs having a mechanism of inhibiting cellular reverse transcriptase. A simple and rapid assay technique for recently synthesized KR-V analogues was developed using a high-performance liquid chromatography, and oral pharmacokinetics was examined for assessing their oral bioavailabilites. Plasma samples were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC using an ODS column with an ultraviolet detection system. All the analogues were eluted within 12 min and the LOQ was 15-30 ng/$m\ell$. The extraction recoveries were higher than 85%, except KR-V1039, 1068 and 1720 having ester group. This chromatic method was well applied to the kinetic studies for KR-V analogues. Among 16 analogues tested in the present work, the 6 compounds including KR-V1123, 1122, 1784, 1783, 1736 and 1700 were found to be bioavailable for oral administration to rats.

Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) is part of a complex syndrome which occurs as a complication of chronic liver disease and portal hypertension. The gastric mucosa in these patients shows typical congestion of ‘mosaic-like’ pattern and vulnerable to various noxious agents such as NSAIDs and ethanol. We previously reported that DA-9601, a quality-controlled extract from Artemisia asiatica, exhibits cytoprotection against various gastritis models. In the present study we investigated the effect of DA-9601 on ethanol-induced gastric damage in PHG rats. Experimental PHG was produced by CBD ligation in SD rats. DA-9601 was orally administered at a dose of 30 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks.

Glycyrrhizin (18$\beta$-glycyrrhetic acid $\beta$-D-glucuronyl a-D-glucuronic acid, GL), a main component of liquore extract (Glycyrrhiza glabra), is ingested orally as a component in the oriental medicine. By human intestinal bacteria, glycyrrhizin (18$\beta$-glycyrrhetinic acid $\beta$-D-glucuronyl a-D-glucuronic acid, GL) was metabolized to glycyrrhetinic acid (GA): main pathway metabolizing GL to GA by glucuronidases of Bacteroides J-37 (Kim et al., 1997) and Eubacterium sp strain GLH (Akao et al., 1987) and minor pathway metabolizing GL to GA via 18$\beta$-glycyrrhetic acid D-glucuronic acid (GAMG) by $\beta$-glucuronidase of Streptococcus LJ-22 and glucuronidases of Bacteroides J-37 / E. coli. $\beta$-Glucuronidase from Streptococcus LJ-22 hydrolyzed GL to GAMG, not GA. $\beta$-Glucuronidase of Streptococcus LJ-22 hydrolyzed $\beta$-glucuronic acid conjugates of polysaccharides rather than aglycone-$\beta$-glucuronides Optimal pH of Streptococcus LJ-22 $\beta$-glucuronidase was 5-6 and its molecular weight was 250 kDaltons. Km for GL was 0.37mM.

Studies on natural products are of great interest, due to the limits in development of synthesized medicine and its side effects. Deer antler is the most popular cure-all type drug among Asian folk medicines. In this study, we newly isolated the biologically active components from chloroform extract and 70% ethanol extract of deer antler, and analyzed their structures. First, the structure of monoacetyldiglyceride in deer antler was identified. To investigate the structure-activity relationship of monoacetyldiglycerides, we synthesized diverse substituted glycerides from glycerol, and confirmed their structures by spectroscopic methods. Among seven structurally-interesting compounds tested in this study, compound 1,2,3,5, and 6 showed activity toward [Ca$\^$2+/]$\_$i/ increase in fura-2 loaded rat pancreatic acinar cells. Second, 70% ethanol extract of deer antler stimulated insulin release from rat pancreatic islets. We found the most effective fraction was CN-Es-8 in 70% ethanol extract, and it increased intracellular Ca$\^$2+/ concentration in pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell.

Specific inhibitors of a calcium activated neutral protease calpain could be used for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, cataract and muscular dystrophy diseases because of their therapeutic effects. In the course of screening for potential calpain inhibitors from microorganisms, a new analogue of chymostatins named calmostinol was isolated from the culture filtrate of an actinomycete. The MW was determined to be 596 [(M + H)$\^$+/] by FAB-MS in glycerol matrix. The structure was elucidated to be N-[((S)-1-carboxy-2-phenylethyl)-carbamoyl]-${\alpha}$-[2- iminohexahydro-4(S)-pyrimidyl]-L-glycyl- L-valyl-phenylalaninol, by the spectroscopic methods such as NMR and MS fragmentation studies. Calmostinol exhibited strong activity against calpain while not against a Ca$\^$2+/ -independent cysteine protease papain.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent proteases that degrade extracellular matrix and basement membrane. These enzymes are play important roles in tumor cell invasion and metastasis, as well as angiogenesis and other connective tissue diseases. In our screening program for inhibitors of MMP-2 from fungal metabolites, we have isolated novel non-peptidic inhibitors of MMPs, designated gelastatin A and B from the culture broth of Westerdykella multispora F50733. The structures of gelastatin A and B were determined to be 3-(5E-hexa-2E,4E-dienylidene-2-oxo-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-3yl)-propanoic acid and 3-(5Z-hexa-2E,4E-dienylidene-2-oxo-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-3yl)-propanoic acid, respectively. Gelastatin A and B exist as a mixture of two stereoisomers in a ratio of 2: 1. The 2: 1 mixture of gelastatin A and B inhibited activated MMP-2 and MMP-9 with an IC$\sub$50/ value of 0.63, 5.29 ${\mu}$M, respectively. They inhibited the invasion of B16F10 melanoma cells through basement membrane Matrigel with dose dependent.

The Pasteurella haemolytica-induced pneumonic lesions are frequently occurred with stress and infection of virus in the cattle. In the course of screening for antimicrobial activity against Pasteurella haemolytica, compound 51086 has been isolated from the fermentation broth of the strain streptomyces sp. The compound 51086 was purified by column chromatography and HPLC, subsequently. The structure of compound 51086 was determined as a hygromycin A by a combination of $^1$H NMR, $\^$l3/C NMR, HMBC, and ESI -MS. This compound showed significant antibacterial activity against P. haemolytica and P. multocidn in Gram-negative bacteria.

Two novel compounds SSC1 and SSC2 were isolated from culture broth produced from the strain of Stereum hirsutum by using of YM broth. They were isolated through HP-20 column chromatography, silica gel column chromatography and preparative HPLC, successively. The molecular formulas of SSC1 and SSC2. were determined as C$\sub$15/H$\sub$22/O$_3$ by high resolution EI -mass. The chemical structures of SSC1 and SSC2 were determined as sesquiterpenoid compounds by spectroscopic analysis of UV, IR, $^1$H NMR, $\^$13/C NMR, DEPT, HMQC and HMBC spectrum.

In the course of screening for new natural compounds having antioxidant activity from microbials, mushrooms as well as plants. We have isolated novel sesquiterpenoid and officinalic acid from methanolic extracts of Stereum ostrea. The dried fruit body( 450 g) of Stereum ostrea was extracted with methanol, then methanolic extract was partitioned between water and hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate, subsequently. The chloroform extract was subjected on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and RP-18 column chromatography, successively. And two compounds were isolated and identified as new triterpenoids and officinalic acid using $^1$H - NMR, $\^$13/C - NMR as well as Mass spectra.

It has been known that MAO (monoamine oxidase) catalyses the oxidation of endogenous neurotransmitter amines. From its key role in the regulation of some physiological amines, it has been the target of inhibitors used as antidepressive agents. In our continuing search for MAO inhibitors from Basidiomycete. sp., strain 8082 was selected. Two metabolites (8082-1 and 8082-2) were isolated by adsorption chromatography and HPLC from the culture broth of strain 8082. The structure of 8082-1 and 8082-2 were elucidated by $^1$H-, $\^$13/C-NMR and HMBC spectral data, and these products were identified as 5-methylmellein and nectriapyrone, respectively, which have significant inhibitory effect against mouse brain MAO.

Tylopeptins A and B are novel peptides from methanol extract of fruit body of mushroom, Tylopilus neofelleus, These novel peptides were isolated by reverse-phase HPLC. And they have been shown to consist of one acetylated N -terminal residue, fourteen amino acids, and leucinol, C-terminal amino alcohol. Sequencial determination and complete 1H and 13C resonance assignments were based on positive ion F AB mass spectroscopy and two dimensional NMR techniques using HOHAHA, ROSEY, HMQC, and HMBC. These compounds are active against some Gram-positive bacteria, but inactive against phathogenic fungi and Gram-negative bacteria.

The modulation of glycosidase activity by inhibitors is of great interest. Such compounds have been shown to be important tools in mechanistic studies on glycohydrolase as well as having promising therapeutic application. An ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitor was isolated from culture filterates of Penicillium sp. The inhibitor was active against ${\alpha}$-glucosidase isolated from yeast and porcine small intestine. However, it showed no inhibition to Aspergillus ${\alpha}$-galactosidase, Escherichia coli ${\beta}$-galactosidase, and jack bean ${\alpha}$-mannosidase. The inhibitor was highly soluble in ether, methanol and chloroform. The inhibitor was purified using silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC. The inhibitory compound designated PA-7(IC$\sub$50/=35$\mu\textrm{g}$) was obtained as white powder. The structure of PA-7 was determined with spectroscopic data of EI-MS, FAB-MS, $^1$H, and $\^$13/C NMR. The inhibitor has a diketopiperazine moiety.

To find an antagonist of Pythium ultimum, the causal agent of damping-off, numerous actinomycete strains were screened for in vitro inhibiting mycelial growth of the target fungus and producing bioactive metabolites. A strain identified as Streptomyces sp. G60655 was isolated and used for further antagonistic efficacy. The degree of antagonism between the fungus and G60655 was affected by the medium used. Furthermore, the preinoculation of the antagonist was found to be necessary to exhibit the maximum efficacy of antagonsim against the fungus. From the culture broth, a bioactive metabolite was detected and purified by solvent extraction, silica gel chromatography and preparative HPLC. The FAB-MS spectrum of the active compound showed a molecular ion peak at m/z 1101 (M + H)$\^$+/, suggesting the molecular weight of 1100. The UV absorptions at 242 and 323 nm indicated the presence of aromatic functions. The structure of this compound was identified as echinomycin, a depsipeptide antibiotic by spectroscopic studies including various NMR measurements. Echinomycin was inactive against several soil born fungi, but inhibited the mycelial growth of P. ultimum and its related oomycetous fungi.

L-asparaginyl and L- aspartyl residues in proteins are subject to spontaneous degradation reactions generating isomerized and racemized aspartyl derivatives. Proteins containing L-isoaspartyl and D-aspartyl residues usually have altered structures and diminished biological activities. These residues can be recognized and be repaired to normal L-aspartyl residues by protein L-isoaspartyl methyltransferase(PIMT), which is present at high levels in testis. Although testicular PIMT have been shown to be involved in either sperm motility or sperm maturation, it may play an important role in the repair of damaged sperm proteins during the prolonged period of epididymal transport and storage. In the present study, as a initial step toward elucidating the function of protein carboxylmethylation in testis, we purified PIMT from porcine testicular cytosol as a momeric 27,000 Da species by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-sephacel chromatography, SAH-liganded affinity chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. The optimum pH for the reaction was 6.0. $K_{m}$ values of the enzyme for the S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), synthetic oligopeptide(VYP-L-isoD-HA) and histone type II-As were 1.0 ${\mu}$M, 33.2 ${\mu}$M and 276 ${\mu}$M respectively. Consequently, properties of the porcine testicular PIMT is similar to that of other mammalian PIMTs.

Stability, efficacy, absorption and toxicity of a new nasal spray formulation including salmon calcitonin were studied in the laboratory animals. After the effects of many excipients on the stability of salmon calcitonin were evaluated using HPLC system, we selected taurine. Our experimental composition of salmon calcitonin contains taurine as a stabilizer and HPMC (hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose) as an adhesive polymer. After intranasal administration of salmon calcitonin formulations, Mia$\^$(R)/, Men$\^$(R)/ and experimental composition, 22 IU to rats, the reduction percentages of calcium concentration in plasma (ΔD%) were 16.3%, 12.9% and 20.8%, respectively. After intranasal administration of Mia$\^$(R)/, Men$\^$(R)/ and experimental composition to rats, C$\sub$MAX/ (205${\pm}$161, 244${\pm}$117, and 330${\pm}$202 pg/$m\ell$, respectively) and AUC (41585${\pm}$22070, 41191${\pm}$19125, and 63357${\pm}$43126 pg. min/$m\ell$, respectively) were calculated. The permeation coefficients 10$\^$-7/,cm/sec) of salmon calcitonin in Mia$\^$(R)/, Men$\^$(R)/ and experimental composition using Ussing chamber with rabbit nasal mucosa were 4.7${\pm}$1.5, 0.75${\pm}$0.4 and 5.3${\pm}$1.1, respectively. The experimental composition with taurine and HPMC was proved to be excellent because it improved the stability of salmon calcitonin and inhanced the absorption of salmon calcitonin and was not irritative to the nasal mucosa.

Effects of nitric oxide and hypoxia on ethoxyresorufin deethylase in Hepa I cells and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were examined. TCDD treatment have resulted in the stimulation of ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity based on fluorometry in Hepa I in dose and time dependent manner. 0.1 nM TCDD showed maximal stimulation of ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity and 24 hour treatment also showed maximal stimulation of ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity. In MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, untreated cells showed high basal level of ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity. TCDD treatment to MCF-7 cells resulted minor stimulation of ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity compared to that in Hepa I cells. Nitric oxide and hypoxia inhibit TCDD effects on ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity in both cell lines. And also flavonoids, such as quercetin showed an inhibition of ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity that is stimulated with TCDD or 3-Methylcholanthrene. Estrogen and estrogen metabolite such as 16 a-estriol and 2-hydroxyestradiol also affects the ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity in MCF-7 cells.

Effects of TCDD and flavonoids on ethoxyresorufin deethylase in Hepa I cells and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were examined. TCDD treatment have resulted in the stimulation of ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity based on fluorometry in Hepa I in dose and time dependent manner. 0.1 nM TCDD showed maximal stimulation of ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity and 24 hour treatment also showed maximal stimulation of ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity. In MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, untreated cells showed high basal level of ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity. TCDD treatment to MCF-7 cells resulted minor stimulation of ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity compared to that in Hepa I cells. Various chemicals were tested for ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity in both cell lines. Flavonoids, such as quercetin showed an inhibition of ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity that is stimulated with TCDD or 3-Methylcholanthrene. Estrogen and estrogen metabolites such as 16a-estriol also affects the ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity in MCF-7 cells.

The aim of this study was to find out the effect of hypoxic condition on the regulation of cyplal gene expression. pcyplal-Luc construct was cloned and transfected into Hepa I cells. When Hepa-I cells containing pcyplal-Luc were treated by DFO (desferrioxamine) which is iron-chelating agent, the stimulatory effect of luciferase by TCDD was decreased. This inhibitory effect of desferrioxamine on the luciferase activity was dose dependent and abolished by concomitant treatment with N$\^$G/-nitro-ι-arginine. And when cobalt chloride which is known as a hypoxia inducing chemical was administrated, the stimulatory effect of luciferase by TCDD was also decreased. This inhibitory effect of cobalt chloride on the luciferase activity was dose dependent and abolished by concomitant treatment with N$\^$G/-nitro-ι-arginine. These data showed that hypoxic condition down regulates cyplal gene expression and this might be through nitric oxide action.

In order to study the effect of nitric oxide on the regulation of mouse cyplal expression, 5' flanking DNA of mouse cytochrome P450 lal was cloned into pGL3 basic vector encoding luciferase gene. pcyplal-Luc was transfected into Hepa I cells and various chemicals were treated. Luciferase activity was stimulated 1000 folds over that of control by TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-p-dioxin) treatment and this stimulation was dose dependent. When SNP (sodium nitroprusside) which donates nitric oxide was administrated, this stimulatory effect of TCDD on luciferase activity was decreased. And LPS (lipopolysaccharide) which is an iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) inducer also decreased the stimulatory effect of TCDD on luciferase. And iNOS inhibitor N$\^$G/-nitro-ι-arginine + TCDD treatment increased the stimulation effect of TCDD and this effect was abolished when ι-arginine was added to N$\^$G/-nitro-ι-arginine + TCDD treatment. When N$\^$G/-nitro-ι-arginine was concomitantly administrated with SNP or LPS to confirm the effect of nitric oxide, the inhibitory effect of SNP or LPS was abolished. These data strongly suggest that nitric oxide might be an inhibitory regulator on the cytochrome P450 lal gene expression in Hepa cells.

This study has been undertaken to examine the effect of biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB) on rat liver drug metabolizing enzyme in order to understand the mechanism of DDB on improving hepatic toxicity in rat liver. After DDB was administered into male rats for different periods of time, mRNA level of CYP1A1 and CYP2B1 was measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DDB treatment resulted in increase in CYP2B1 mRNA level whereas there was no change in CYP1A1 mRNA level. This effect of DDB was time dependent reaching maximal level by 2-day treatment. DDB dose response study showed that 50mg/kg DDB induced CYP2B1 mRNA to maximal level and DDB icreased CYP2B1 gene expression with dose-dependent manner. Based on studies of lipid peroxidation, serum ALT and AST levels and histopathologic examination showed DDB protection on CCl4 induced hepatotoxiccity.

Antagonists acting at the glycine site of the NMDA receptor have been gaining safer alternatives for stroke therapy because they have few adverse effect competitive and noncompetitive NMDA antagonists. Therefore, the neuroprotect novel glycine site antagonist KC0244 were evaluated in a rat model of transient comparison with GV150526A in a developmental phase. Middle cerebral artery oc was produced by insertion of a silicone-coated 4-0 nylon monofilament to the o in male Sprague-Dawley rats under isoflurane anesthesia. After 90 or 120 min retracted and the ischemic tissue reperfused. In 90-min MCAO model, GV150526A was administered 30 min before MCAO or immediately after MCAO. In 120-min MC KC0244 or GV150526A (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 1 hr before MCAO or imme MCAO. Infarct volume was measured 24 hr after MCAO using the 2,3,5-triphe chloride staining method. In 90-min MCAO model, treatments with GV1505 significantly reduce infarct volume although they tended to slightly reduce cor approximately 19% compared with the nontreated group. In 120-min MCAO model with GV150526A did not either significantly reduce infarct volume although the reduce total infarct volume by approximately 16% compared with the vehicle-tre However, 1-hr preischemic and immediate treatments with KC0244 reduced total i 39 and 30% (corrected total infarct volume by 44 and 32%), respectively, co vehicle-treated control group. The results suggest that KC0244 can provid against transient focal ischemic damage with greater in vivo potency than GV150

The physiological responses caused by exposure of high- and low-level lead exhibit different phase. Low-level lead continuous hypertension, but high-level lead can in the development of hypertension. In this study it was tested which difference can be caused as lead levels and, if it can be caused, whether hematological changes are related with the hypertensive effects induced by different levels of lead exposure was tested. Lead intoxication in male SD rats was induced by exposure through drinking water containing 50, 200 and 1000 ppm lead (as lead acetate). The animals of control group was supplied drinking water containing sodium acetate ad libitum. The number of each animal group was 10. Systolic blood pressures were measured in the unanesthetized state by the tail-cuff technique at 0, 3, 7 and 16 weeks. RBC, WBC, MCV, hemoglobin, hematocrit and whole blood viscosity levels were examined.

In the present study, we have demonstrated that taurine could stimulate the production of nitric oxide and the activity of ERK2 (extracellular signal regulated protein kinase or pp42 MAP kinase). Nitric oxide(NO), the product of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), is known to be implicated in the metabolism of bone. ERK cascade plays a key role in the gene expression of iNOS in osteoblastic cell. We investigated whether taurine (l-20mM) could stimulate ERK2 activity, nitric oxide production, and inducible nitric oxide synthase in osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells. Nitric oxide was measured spectophotometrically as nitrite and the activation of ERK2 and iNOS was studied using Western 145 blot analysis. Taurine increased the production of nitric oxide in a dose-dependent manner and the effect was reached to a maximum at 10 mM. The activation of iNOS were consistent with NO levels. The tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK2 was increased by taurine in a time-dependent manner. The these result suggest that taurine might stimulate the production of nitric oxide in osteoblast-like cells by the activation of ERK2 and could regulate the metabolism of bone via nitric oxide.

The present study was designed to examine the effect of total ginseng saponin on contractile responses of vasoconstrictors in the rat aorta. Phenylephrine (an adrenergic ${\alpha}$$_1$-receptor agonist) and high potassium (a membrane depolarizing agent) caused greatly contractile responses in the rat aorta, respectively. However, in the presence of total ginseng saponin (600 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$), the contractile responses of phenylephrine (10$\^$-5/ and 10$\^$-7/ M) and high potassium (3.5 ${\times}$ 10$\^$-2/ and 5.6 ${\times}$ 10$\^$-2/ M) were markedly potentiated whereas prostaglandin F$\sub$2${\alpha}$/ (5 ${\times}$ 10$\^$-6/ M)-induced contractile response was not affected. The contractile responses induced by phenylephrine (10$\^$-5/ M) and high potassium (3.5 ${\times}$ 10$\^$-2/ M) even in the presence of total ginseng saponin (600 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) were greatly inhibited by the pretreatment of nicardipine (10$\^$-6/ M), a calcium channel blocker. Taken together, these experimental results suggest that total ginseng saponin can enhance the contractile responses evoked by stimulation of adrenergic ${\alpha}$$_1$-receptor and the membrane depolarization in the rat aorta, which seems to be associated to calcium influx.

The present study was designed to examine the effect of total ginseng saponin on CA secretion evoked by activation of nicotinic receptors from the isolated perfused rat adrenal glands. Total ginseng saponin given (100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/20 min) into an adrenal vein did fail to produce alteration of spontaneous CA release from the rat adrenal medulla. Acetylcholine (5.32 mM)- and DMPP (100 uM, a selective ncotinic receptor agonist)-evoked CA secretory responses were reduced markedly by the pretreatment with the total ginseng saponin at a rate of 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/6.2 $m\ell$/20 min, respectively.

It has been known that potassium channel openers are a new class of molecules that have attracted general interest because of their potent antihypertensive activity in vivo and vasorelaxant activity in vitro (Hamilton and Weston, 1989). In the present study, it was attempted to examine the effect of the potassium channel opener on catecholamine (CA) secretion evoked by cholinergic stimulation, membrane depolarization and calcium mobilization from the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland. The perfusion of pinacidil (30-300 uM) into an adrenal vein for 20 min produced relatively dose-dependent inhibition in CA secretion evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^{+}$ (56 mM), DMPP (100 uM for 2 min), McN-A-343 (100 uM for 2 min), cyclopiazonic acid (10 uM for 4 min) and Bay-K-8644 (10 uM for 4 min). Also, under the presence of minoxidil (100 uM), which is also known to be a potassium channel activator, CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were also significantly depressed. However, in adrenal glands preloaded with pinacidil (100 uM) under the presence of glibenclamide (1 uM), an antidiabetic sulfonylurea that has been shown to be a specific blocker of ATP-regulated potassium channels (for 20 min), CA secretory responses evoked by ACh, high potassium, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclopiazonic acid were considerably recovered to a considerable extent of the normal release as compared to that of pinacidil only. These results, taken together, suggest that pinacidil cause the marked inhibition of CA secretion evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both nicotinic and muscarinic) receptors as well as by membrane depolarization, indicating strongly that this effect may be mediated by inhibiting influx of extracellular calcium and release in intracellular calcium in the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. Furthermore, these findings suggest strongly that these potassium channel openers-sensitive membrane potassium channels also play an important role in regulating CA secretion.

Drug delivery to the brain is facilitated by the synthesis of chimeric peptides, where in neuropharmaceuticals are linked to a vector such as an antibody to the transferrin receptor that mediates transcytosis through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). When disulfide linkers are used in the chimeric peptide, it is crucial that the S-S bridge is stable during transit and that cleavage does not occur prematurely within endothelial cells, as the peptide drug moiety would then be sequestered by the BBB instead of passing through it. The present study addressed that problem. As a model drug a metabolically stable opioid peptide, [$^3$H]DALDA (Tyr-dArg-Phe-Lys-NH$_2$), was used. It was monobiotinylated with NHS-SS-biotin to yield bio-[$^3$H]DALDA. The biotinylated peptide was bound to the vector OX26-SA which is a covalent conjugate of OX26 and streptavidin (molar ratio = 1: 1). In vitro treatment of the chimeric peptide, bio-[$^3$H]DALDA/OX26-SA, with a reducing agent, dithiothreitol, released the labeled peptide from the vector by conversion of bio-[$^3$H]DALDA to the desbiotinylated derivative, desbio-[$^3$H]DALDA.

Oxytocin (OT) is a neurohypophyseal nonapeptide which plays an important role in CNS function as well as uterine contraction during delivery. Furthermore, recently it has been reported that OT may also have analgesic effect and found that the release of OT is related with opioid receptors, especially $\kappa$ and ${\mu}$.

Taurine, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid is widely distributed in animal tissues and has a variety of biological activities. A recent worldwide study demonstrated beneficial effects of taurine on aging and age-associated disorders. In general, taurine levels in the brain decrease when an animal is subjected to pathologic conditions such as ischemia-anoxia and seizure. But taurine levels tend to increase in the brain in hypertention. In the present study, the blood-brain barrier BBB) transport of [$^3$H]taurine was compared between spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats (SD) using Internal artery carotid perfusion (ICAP) at a rate of 4$m\ell$/min for 10, 15 and 30 second. Calculated V$\_$D/, volume of distribution in brain, and PS, the permeability surface area product of [$^3$H]taurine through the BBB in SHR was a little lower than that in SD. PS for 15s is more higher than that of other seconds in both of them. It could be followed by taurine efflux back into blood after 15s. We also obtained pharmacokinetic parameters using intravenous injection of plasma volume marker, [$\^$14/C]sucrose and [$^3$H] taurine. PS value of [$^3$H]taurine in SHR (16.1 ${\pm}$ 2.9 ${\times}$ 10$\^$-3/ $m\ell$/min/g) was significantly higher than that in SD (7.4 ${\pm}$ 0.8 ${\times}$ 10$\^$-3/ $m\ell$/min/g). There is also significant difference for %ID/g in brain between SHR (0.195 ${\pm}$ 0.031) and SD (0.058 ${\pm}$ 0.003).

Taurine is synthesized in the body or uptaken from dietary and is distributed in the various organs. It differs from other amino acids by virtue of the fact that a sulfonic acid group replaces the carboxyl group of what would be ${\beta}$-alanine. In order to function within the cell it must be transported into the cells by taurine transporter that is spanned 12 transmembrane domains. The human taurine transporter has long cytoplasmic carboxy and amino termini that may function as regulatory attachment sites for other proteins. Six potential protein kinase C(PKC) phosphorylation sites have been reported in human taurine transporter.

The non-mevalonate pathway is a newly discovered isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway in some bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae and plants. Because isoprenoid metabolites (ubiquinone, menaquinone, undecaprenol) are essential for bacterial growth, this pathway may represent a novel target for antibacterial agents. Antibiotics with a unique mechanism of action are needed to combat the risk of antibiotic resistance that is a current worldwide problem. In order to study this pathway as viable target, it was necessary to verify use of the pathway in our model system, the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Incubation experiments with [6,6-$^2$H$_2$]-D-glucose and [l-$^2$H$_3$]-deoxy-D-xylulose were conducted to provide labeled menaquinone-7 (MK -7), the most abundant isoprenoid in B. subtilis. $^2$H-NMR analysis of the MK-7 revealed labeling patterns that strongly support utilization of the non-mevalonate pathway. Another approach to study the pathway is by structure activity relationships of proposed inhibitors of the pathway. Fosmidomycin is a phosphonic acid with antibacterial activity known to inhibit isoprenoid biosynthesis in susceptible bacteria and may act by inhibiting the non-mevalonate pathway. Fosmidomycin and an N-methyl analog were synthesized and tested for antibacterial activity. Fosmidomycin was active against Escherichia coli and B. subtilis, while N-formyl-N-methyl-3-amino-propylphosphonic acid was inactive.

Results of chemistry and biological activity of many years indicate that plants belonging to the Isodon genus are rich in ent-kaurane diterpenoids, which have been revealed to possess biological activities such as antitumor, antibacterial and antiinflammatory effects. In continuation of our research on diterpenoids in medicinal plants of this genus, the acetone extract from the leaves of I. xerophilus, which is a plant native to Yunnan province of China, showed potent antitumor activity against K562. After partition, the most active EtOAc part was studied. Four new diterpenoids named xerophilusin A(l), B(2), C(3), D(4), and eight known compounds including macrocalin B(5) and rabdorosthomin A(6) were isolated, whose structures were elucidated through a series of one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques(DEPT, COSY, HMQC, HMBC and ROESY experiments). Among them, compound 1, 2 and 5 had two unique epoxy units formed by two ether bridges from C-20 to C-7, C-14. Up to now, there are four compounds having such an peculiar structure besides these three compounds. Compound 3 and 4 were two of the few examples possessing $1{\beta}$ substitutes. All the diterpenoid compounds were subjected to the antitumor screening. It is interesting that only xerophilusin A(l), B(2) and macrocalin(5) exhibited significant antitumor activity against K562 by the method of MTT($IC_{50}$ were listed in Table 1.). The results inspired us to infer that the unique ether bridges from C-20 to C-7, C-14 possibly played an important role in the antitumor activity.

To achieve the aim of this investigation, the extracellular protease was isolated from bacteria BAC-4, a strain was cultivated in the medium for the production of penicillin acilase in a period of 32 hours. The enzyme was first purified by aceton precipitation method, followed by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-sephacel column. The highest specific activity of the aceton fraction was found to be 2.19 unit per mg, with degree of purification of 13 times. Further purification of the enzyme on DEAE -sephacel had a specific activity of 58.6 unit per mg and degree of purification of 344 times compared to its crude extract. The optimum pH of the enzyme was 8.4, and the potimum temparature was 37$^{\circ}C$. The K$\_$M/ and $V_{max}$ calculated at experiment conditions were found to be 0.66%(W/V) and 3.61 unit per mL respectively.

Various natural compounds act as antioxidants in protection against lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation yields a variety of decomposition products which have been implicated in not only decreasing the nutritional value of food, but also in developing an off-flavor and toxic substances. As a source of safer and more effective natural antioxidants of natural origin have been widely investigated. Some Indonesian plants have evaluated for their antioxidative activity, and suggested the possible existence of various antioxygenic compounds in them. We attempted to study such antioxygenic compounds with simple method evaluation. As we are interested in the natural product compounds, we examined of several sample such as edible sea-weeds, and some edible fruits. Sea-weed, Eisenia bicyclis, one of the edible brown algae, exhibited the activity. As a traditional food additive consumed by Indonesian, Garcinia parvifolia is used as taste supplement in region West Sumatra, have been studied. Our current studies on the semi-polar fractions shows the activity by the thiocyanate method test. Another sample, Garcinia mangostana, a famous fruit with sweet taste, the part kernel have also evaluated. The acidic fraction of the extract showed antioxidative activity. Some other active components were found in the neutral and BuOH fractions.

The use of synthetic pesticides in crop production, brings the possibility of a nonselective toxicity and accumulation of toxic compounds in the environment. As an alternative, bioactive compounds from actinomycetes can provide a rich source for biodegradable pesticides. A variety of biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, herbicidal, insecticidal and anticoccidial are associated with these microbial metabolites. Studies on the production of bioactive compounds from marine-derived actinomycetes have been very few, compared to the terrestrial actinomycetes. With their unique metabolic and physiological capabilities, the marine actinomycetes can be useful producers of novel metabolites.

Gliricidia sepium is a medicinal plant that has been established to have antidermatophytic activity. This research was able to isolate an antidermatophytic agent from the leaves of the plant. Leaves of Gliricidia sepium, locally known as kakaoati, were collected from the College of Science area of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. These were air dried, grounded and immersed in methanol. Different fractions were obtained by partitioning with hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. These fractions were bioassayed to determine the fractions with the most antifungal activity using Trichophyton mentagrophytes as test organism. Inhibitory zone in millimeters was obtained and it was found out that the most active fraction was the hexane fraction with an inhibition zone of 25 mm as compared to chloroform with 16 mm and ethyl acetate with 18 mm.

Swainsonine is a toxic indolizidine alkaloid found in the plant, Swainsona species (Dorling, 1978; Colgate, 1979). It is a potent inhibitor of the glycoprotein processing pathway in the Golgi apparatus. Specifically, it inhibits mannosicase II resulting in abherrant high mannose glycans. Recent studies showed that swainsonine prevents metastasis of tumor cells and it inhibits solid growth tumor, at least partially (Goss et al., 1994; Baptista et al, 1994).

Three analgesic constituents: FB2c, FB6Fc, and FB10E5c from the hexane extract of Mentha cordifolia Opiz. (Yerba buena) leaves were isolated by solvent partitioning and sequential repeated vacuum liquid chromatography. Spectral analysis of the three constituents show that FB2c is ${\beta}$-sitosterol; FB10E5c is ${\beta}$-sitosteryl-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside; and FB6Fc is a cis-8- pentadecenyl with lactone variety. At a dosage of 100 mg/kg mouse, isolates FB2c, FB6Fc, and FB10E5c decreased the number of squirms induces by acetic acid by 70.0 %, 67.3 %, and 73.0 %, respectively.

In order to discover new types of 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonists, we have devoted our attention to investigating naturally occurring compounds having anti-5HT activity in vitro. Recently, ${\gamma}$-mangostin [1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-2,8-bis(3-methyl-2-bytenyl)-9H-xanthen-9-one] from the fruit hull of Garcinia mangostana Linn has been shown to be a selective antagonist for 5-hydroxytryptamine$_{2A}$ receptors in smooth muscle and platelets. It is of interesting that y-mangostin which does not have a nitrogen atom, possesses marked 5-$HT_{2A}$ receptor blocking activity. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of ${\gamma}$-mangostin on central 5-HT receptors by using animal behavioural models. Intracerebronventricular injection of ${\gamma}$-mangostin (10-40n mol/mouse) inhibited 5-fluoro-${\alpha}$-methyltryptamin (5-FMT) (45 mg kg$^{-1}$, i.p.)-induced head-twitch response in mice in the presence or absence of citalopram (5-HT-uptake inhibitor). Neither the 5-FMT- nor the 8-hydroxy-2-( di-n-propylamino )tetralin (5-HT$_{1A}$-agonist)-induced 5-HT syndrome (head weaving and hindlimb abduction) was affected by ${\gamma}$-mangostin. The locomotor activity stimulated by 5-FMT through the activation of at-adrenoceptors did not alter in the presence of ${\gamma}$-mangostin. 5-HT-induced inositol phosphates accumulation in mouse brain slices was abolished by ketanserin. ${\gamma}$-Mangostin caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of the inositol phosphates accumulation and the binding of [$^3H$]-spiperone, a specific 5-$HT_{2A}$ receptor antagonist, to mouse brain membranes. Kinetic analysis of the [$^H3$]-spiperone binding revealed that ${\gamma}$-mangostin increased the $_{d}$ value without affecting the $B_{max}$ value, indicating the mode of the competitive nature of the inhibition by ${\gamma}$-mangostin. These results suggest that ${\gamma}$-mangostin inhibits 5-FMT-induced head-twitch response in mice by blocking 5-$HT_{2A}$ receptors not by blocking the release of 5-HT from the central neurone. ${\gamma}$-Mangostin is a promising 5-$HT_{2A}$ receptors antagonist in the central nervous system.m.

The metabolic behavior of Debaryomyces hansenii was investigated in terms of substrate utilization and by product formation under different cultural conditions. Debaryomyces hansenii exhibited best growth and most tolerant of increased NaCl, sucrose and potassium sorbate at their optimum pH (5.0). A combination of two or more environmental stresses had stronger inhibitory effects on their growth kinetics, utilization of carbohydrate substrates and the production of organic acids, volatile compounds and other metabolites. Significant amounts of glycerol (0.35-4.4 g/L) and arabitol (0.08-9.8 g/L) were produced by D. hansenii. The main organic acids produced were citric (0.6-1.4 g/L), acetic (0.3-2.8 g/L), fumaric (0.2-1.0 g/L) and malic acids (1.1-1.7 g/L). A range of other compounds such as ethyl acetate, n-propanol, isoamyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol and acetoin were also produced. The concentration of these compounds varied with the cultural conditions. Such compounds would have specific impacts on food quality in which D. hansenii is found.

A research collection of Pseudomons solanacearum bacteria, a pathogen causing ‘bacteria wilt’ disease of more than 265 plant species, represented for northern provinces of Vietnam has recently been established and was saved for examination of antifungal activity in their culture fluids. All strains used in this work have been isolated from infected tomato, potato, and groundnut collected from production fields and they express different levels of virulence on their host plants. Cell-free culture fluids of these strains were tested for antifungal activity (to inhibit growth of mycelium and to destroy germination tube of fungal spores) on a number of fungi that either infect or associate with vegetable crops of Solanaceae family (tomato, potato, pepers...), fruit plants (banana), and even well-known by Vietnamese traditional medicine herbal plants belonging to Trifoliatus, Schefflera, Homalomena and Panax genera (Araliaceae family) of which roots are used as a resource of the herbal material. The antifungal activity was found in nearly all strains tested. Result of study on chitin, CMC, tween 80 and casein degradation abilities of the latter suggested that antifungal activity of positively-found strains may be due to their ability of extracelluar chitinase's excretion that destroy fungal cell wall.

Twelve different derivatives were synthesised from chitin/chitosan[1, 2, 3]. Their structures have been determined by different physical methods. The bioassay screening on antifungal and antibacterial activities of all these compounds showed that most of them had significant activity and they can inhibite the growth of some fungi and bacterias : E. coli, S. pyogenes, F. oxysporum, P. oryzae, that caused the spoilage of fresh fruits and foods. Furthermore, all of these compounds are non-toxic (LD$\_$50/>50g/kg) and can be applied for food preservation.

We reported a new processed ginseng with increased biological activities which is named as “sun ginseng (SG)”. Study on the saponin constituents of SG led to the isolation of seven new ginsenosides named as ginsenoside Rk$_1$, Rk$_2$, Rk$_3$, Rs$_4$, Rs$\_$5/, Rs$\_$6/ and Rs$\_$7/. Ginsenoside Rk$_1$, Rk$_2$ and Rk$_3$ were the Δ$\^$20(21),24(25)/-diene dammarane compounds, while ginsenoside Rs$_4$, Rs$\_$5/, Rs$\_$6/ and Rs$\_$7/ were mono-acetylated compounds. Many other ginsenosides which were reported as minor constituents of red ginseng were also isolated, which include 20(S)-Rg$_3$, 20(R)-Rg$_3$, Rg$\_$5/, Rg$\_$6/, F$_4$, Rh$_4$, 20(S)-Rs$_3$ and 20(R)-Rs$_3$. The major ginsenosides of SG were 20(S)-Rg$_3$, 20(R)-Rg$_3$, Rk$_1$ and Rg$\_$5/.

An enhanced formation of nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator of hypotention, peripheral vasodilation and vascular hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictor agents in endotoxaemia. And tumor necrosis factor (TNF${\alpha}$), as a primary mediator of circulatory shock has been known to induce inducible nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS), leading to excessive production of NO. We isolated two sesquiterpene lactone compounds from Saussurea lappa and their structures were elucidated as dehydrocostus lactone and costunolide. These compounds inhibit the production of both NO and TNF${\alpha}$ by LPS (1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$)-activated Raw 264.7 cells. NO was measured spectropho-tometrically as nitrite by the Griess reagent and TNF${\alpha}$ by ELISA. Dehydrocostus lactone (IC$\sub$50/ : 3.0 ${\mu}$M) and costunolide (IC$\sub$50/ : 4.5 ${\mu}$M) inhibited the production of NO in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells by suppressing inducible nitric oxide synthase enzyme expression. These compounds also decreased the TNF${\alpha}$ levels in LPS-activated system in vitro and in vivo.

In the previous report, tetrandrine (TET) and fangchinoline (FAN) showed antithrombotic and antiplatelet aggregation activities. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of tetrandrine and fangchinoline on human platelet aggregation, formation of thromboxane B$_2$ and coagulation of platelet poor plasma. TET and FAN inhibited platelet activating factor (PAF) induced human platelet aggregation, but didn't inhibit the specific binding of PAF to its receptor. Meanwhile, TET and FAN also inhibited PAF, thrombin and arachidonic acid induced thromboxane B$_2$ formation in human washed platelets. In addition, neither TET nor FAN showed any anticoagulation activities in the measurement of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT) using human platelet poor plasma. These results suggest that antithrombotic effects of TET and FAN in mice may be mainly related to the antiplatelet aggregation activities, and the antiplatelet aggregation effects may be related to the intracellular messenger system such as TXA$_2$ formation etc., but not to the binding of PAF to PAF-receptor on the platelet membrane directly.

We reported that the hexane fraction of Torilis Fructus have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Therefore, in order to isolate the active compound, the hexan fraction of Torilis Fructus was chromatographed on silica gel column. The subfraction of hexane fraction was crystallized as colorless stout needles. The chemical structure of this compound was verified to be torilin through m.p., UV, IR, GC-MS, and NMR spectral data. In pharmacological tests, torilin exhibited strong anticarrageenan activity at the dose of 90 and 270 mg/kg, p.o. in rats, and it had inhibitory effect on the vascular permeability at the dose of 30 and 90 mg/kg, p.o. in mice. Torilin showed potent inhibition of leucocyte emigration in CMC-pouch at the dose of 3 and 9 mg/rat, s.c. Torilin have the analgesic effect at the dose of 30, 90 and 270 mg/kg, p.o. in both of the acetic acid- and phenyl-p-benzoquinone-induced writhing syndrome. It also increased the pain threshold at the dose of 30, 90 and 270 mg/kg, p.o. in the tail pressure method and the Randall-Selitto method. Torilin did not show a hypothermic action at the dose of 30 and 90 mg/kg, p.o. in mice. The acute toxicity of torilin was very weak: the LD$\_$50/ value was more than 5000 mg/kg, p.o. and 2000 mg/kg, Lp. in mice. From the above mentioned results, it was suggested that torilin had potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in animals.

We previously reported the hepato-protective effect of butanol soluble fraction of methanolic extract of Carthamus tinctorius L. Semen on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity. In this study, the active component from the butanol soluble fraction was isolated by column chromatographic separation using Silica gel and Sephadex LH -20 and identified by spectroscopic methods such as Mass, $^1$H - NMR and $\^$13/C-NMR. The hepato-protective effect of the isolated active component on the CCl$_4$-induced liver damaged rats has been evaluated by performing blood chemical analysis and biotransformational enzyme analysis.

The marine sponge Petrosia sp. is known for various bioactive compounds including the recently reported polyacetylenic alcohols. In our continuous survey of bioactive compounds from the Petrosia sp. collected from Korean waters, a cyclopentanepentol which rarely occurs in natural products has been isolated. It was found to inhibit DNA replication at the initiation step.

Gastrodia elata Blume (Orchidaceae) is a saprophyte growing in the woods of Korea, China and Japan. The tubers of this plant have been considered as one of the very important herbal medicines in oriental countries and were used for the treatment of headaches, migraine, dizzines, childhood convulsion, epilepsy, rheumatism, neuralgia and other neuralgic and nervous affections. In the course of our search for plants with anti-platelet and/or

The root of Aralia continentalis Kitagawa(Araliaceae) have been used as an analgesic and fever remedy, and for treatment of rheumatism in Chinese medicine, whereas the young leaves are used for salad. An antioxidant activity of the young leaves of A continentalis was determined by measuring lipid peroxide produced when a mouse liver homogenate was exposed to the air at 37$^{\circ}C$, using 2-thiobarbituric acid(TBA) and by evaluation the radical scavenging activity on 1,l-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Bioassay guided fractionation of MeOH extract isolated six flavonoid compounds as active components from EtOAc fraction. Adenosine and two saponins were isolated from the weak active BuOH fraction. The antioxidant effect by DPPH radical scavenging activity showed that quercetin was the most active among these compounds. Hyperoside and kaempferol were also active, while 6"-O-acetyl astragalin, astragalin, trifolin, adenosine, oleanolic acid 28-O-glucosyl ester and salsoloside C methyl ester were almost inactive. All the compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods.

Telomerase synthesizes telomeric DNA repeats onto chromosome ends de novo. Telomerase activation and telomere shortening in human somatic cells have been implicated in cell tumorigenesis and immortalization. In order to find the potential inhibitors against telomerase activitiy which can be used as potential anticancer agents, we screened about 100 kinds of natural products after partition into n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous layers from methanol extracts. The inhibitory effects of these materials against telomerase enzyme activity were tested in 293T cell culture using telomeric repeat amplification protocol(TRAP). The incorporation of $\^$32/P-dGTP into amplified DNA was measured by adsorption to Whatman DE81 paper instead of using TRAP assay for screening the extracts of natural products. Strong effective compounds were not found in this study but DE81 filter spotting method may be a useful model for the screening. Some of the compounds which showed somewhat inhibitory effects had cytotoxic effects also.

Aldose reductase(AR), a rate-limiting enzyme in the polyol pathway, has been demonstrated to cause the intracellular accumulation of sorbitol or galactitol and hence to play key roles not only in the cataract formation in the lens but also in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy, etc. In a series of investigations to evaluate potential AR inhibitors from medicinal plants, we have shown that some hot water extracts exhibited a significant inhibition of a significant inhibition of bovine lens AR in vitro. Among active plants, the roots of Angelica dahuria (Umbelliferae) were shown to have relatively potent AR inhibitory activity. Systematic fractionation of the ether soluble fraction monitored by bioassay led to isolation of two furanocoumarins, byakangelicin(I) and ter-O-methyl byakangelicin( II), were identified as potential AR inhibitors, their $IC_{50}$ values being 6.2 M and 2.8 M, respectively.

As part of our continuing attempts to evaluate biologically active compounds from fruiting bodies of cultivated fungus of Paecilomyces japonicus Yasuda, we conducted series of experiments on various fractions and compounds isolated by systematic fractionations. Our main efforts were concentrated on searching for compounds showing antitumor activities, which were tested on mice carrying Sarcoma-180 ascitic tumor. The antitumor activity was assessed by the life spans after these mice were administered Lp. with test compounds for consecutive 20 days. One of two pure compounds, which we have isolated to date, demonstrated significant prolongation of life span. ( Mean Survival Time: 30.3 days compared to that of control: 23.6 days). Structural analysis showed that this compound corresponds to D-mannitol. On the other hand, Ergosterol, another isolated pure compound didn't show efficient antitumor activity. We also obtained water-soluble fractions containing protein-bound polysaccharides and n-butantol fractions, which showed strong antitumor activities, 35.4(150%) and 32.1(136.0%) days of MST, respectively. In SRB assay, however, the test materials didn't show any toxic effects, but the level of acid phosphatase increased significantly when they were applied in cultured macrophage in vitro. Therefore, we concluded that antitumour activities might be attributed to immunostimulating rather than cytotoxic effects. Further experiments are underway to purify and structurally characterize new antitumour compounds from the active fractions.

Persicaria lapathifolia Gray (Polygonaceae) is a common weed in Korea. This plant and other Persicaria species including P. orientale and P. pubescens have been used as an analgesic and stomachic as well as for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and malaria. During the screening program of plant extracts, MeOH extract of P. scabrum showed anticomplement activity and the MeOH extract was partitioned with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and buthanol. EtOAc fraction showed strong activity and activity guided separation yielded eight flavonoids. Two known galloylated and a novel ferulloylated flavonoid glycosides showed strong anticomplement activity. Other flavonoid glycosides, kaempferol 3-O-${\alpha}$-$\sub$L/-arabinopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-${\beta}$-$\sub$D/-glucopyranoside, kaempferol 3-O-${\beta}$-$\sub$D/-galactopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-${\alpha}$-$\sub$L/-arabinopyranoside, quercetin 3-O-${\beta}$-$\sub$D/-glucopyranoside, quercetin O-${\beta}$-$\sub$D/-galactopyranoside did not showed anicomplement activity.

The objective was to verify biological activities of fruit and stem of prickly pear(Opuntia ficus indica L. var, saboten Makino). We have determined inhibitory activities on enzymes, such as dopamine ${\beta}$-hydroxylase(DBH), monoamme oxidase A and B(MAO-A, B), and antioxidant activity, in vitro. We purchased dried stem powder and lyophilized fruit powder of prickly pear from CheJu Island, and prepared the extracts with 80% of methanol. The fruit extract showed stronger inhibitory effects on MAO-A and -B and antioxidant activity compared. to the stem extract, on fractionation with hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and water. Both the stem and the fruit extracts with ethyl acetate showed stronger enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities than other extracts. Now we are isolating active principles from both ethyl acetate extracts.

Extracts of 24 edible vegetables were tested concerning their action on in vitro inhibition on dopamine ${\beta}$-hydroxylase (DBH) and monoamine oxidase (MAO). All vegetables were purchased in Korean market and their common names were kept. Radish sprouts, ‘kkoch-na-mul’, ‘chong-gyong-chae’, ragwort, applemint showed strong DBH inhibitory effect when tyramine and crude bovine adrenal DBH were used as substrate and enzyme, respectively. ‘Cham-chwi’(Aster scaber), kale, ‘cham-na-mul’(Pimpinella brachycarpa), leek were found to have MAO-A inhibitory effect with serotonin and crude rat brain MAO-A. Lettuce, ‘chong-gyong-chae’, radish sprouts, beet leaves were found to have MAO-B inhibitory effect with benzyl amine and crude rat liver MAO-B.

Tissue factor (TF) is a cell surface receptor of coagulation factor Ⅶ and is the principal initiator of the vertebrate coagulation cascade. TF is found in high levels in some organs such as brain, lung and placenta, whereas blood monocytes, endothelial cells contain only trivial amount of TF when quiescent, and is stimulated to synthesize TF by infections or vascular lesions. TF is reported to be found in high levels in atherosclerotic plaques, cancer cells. TF activation in various cells in many infectious or immunologic diseases tells us the physiologic importance of TF. We screened many edible vegetables for TF inhibitor, by measuring the prothrombin time to detect the TF activity, and we picked Aster scaber to isolate the TF inhibitory substance. Aster scaber showed two kinds of anti thrombotic activity, one is TF inhibition and the other is elongation of plasma recalcification time. The anti thrombotic substances were found to be saponins which has echinocystic acid as aglycone.

$_2$(5,7-dipropoxychrysin), $B_1$(chrysin7-O-toluate), $T_{0}$(5-hydroxy-7-butoxy-chrysin), and $O_1$(5- hydroxy-7 -octoxychrysin) are chrysin derivatives which have isolated from Mori Cortex Radicis. They exhibited strong hypoglycemic effect, so they can be developed for hypoglycemic agents. In this study, we evaluated the acute toxicity of $P_2$, $B_1$, $T_{0}$, and $O_1$ by a single oral administration in rats and mice. The male SD rats and the male ICR mice were divided into 5 groups, and each group was treated orally with 500mg/kg $P_2$, $B_1$, $T_{0}$, and $O_1$, and control respectively. 500mg/kg is the highest dosage which can be administered to mouse. Each group of mice were subdivided as the dosage, 5mg/kg, 20mg/kg, l00mg/kg, and 500mg/kg. After oral administration, we examined food consumption, clinical signs and mortality of each group for 12 days. We also examined body weight increment of animals before and after treatment. Then organ weights were examined on 13th day. There was no toxic effect in mortality, body weight changes, food consumption, clinical signs and organ weights. We found out that the $LD_{50}$ of $P_2$, $B_1$, $T_{0}$, and $O_1$ is more than 500mg/kg in rats.

It has been hypothesized that formation of oxygen-derived free radicals may play an important part in ischemically induced tissue injury. In this study, the effects of vitamin C treatment on hepatic reperfusion model were investigated. Livers isolated from 18 hrs fasted rats were subjected to low flow hypoxia (1 $m\ell$/g liver/min, for 45min) followed by reoxygenation (for 30min). The perfusion medium used was Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer (KHBB, pH 7.4) and vitamin C (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mM) was added to perfusate. 7-Ethoxycoumarin was used as substrate of phase and metbolism. After hypoxia oxygen consumption significantly dropped but vitamin C 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mM treatments restored oxygen consumption to the level of control group. LDH and lipid peroxidation were not changed in all experimental groups. Oxidation, phase metabolism, significantly decreased following hypoxia but improved during reoxygenation. Vitamin C 0.25 mM treatment significantly improved the oxidation of 7-ethoxycoumarin during hypoxia and reoxygenation, but the oxidation significantly decreased by vitamin C 2.0 mM treatment. Similarly, sulfate conjugation decreased in hypoxic group, but this decrease was inhibited by vitamin C 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mM treatments. Our findings suggest that hypoxia/reoxygenation diminishes hepatic drug metabolizing function, vitamin C at concentration of 0.25-1.0 mM ameliorates but at higher concentration aggravates these hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced changes.

The blood - brain barrier (BBB) expresses high concentrations of transferrin receptor, and it was revealed that anti-transferrin receptor mouse monoclonal antibody (OX26) undergoes transcytosis through the BBB. This property allows the OX26 to serve as a brain drug delivery vector. In an attempt to produce broadly useful targeting agents, genetic engineering and expression techniques have been used to produce antibody-avidin (AV) fusion protein (OX26 IgG3C$\_$H/3-AV). In the present study we estimated the BBB permeability and stability of genetically engineered vector.

Recently, evaluation of brain transport of taurine which is possible to effect on Alzheimer's disease has investigated in rats. Also, internal carotid artery perfusion (ICAP) method is very useful for measuring of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in rats. But ICAP has difficulties to evaluate of BBB permeability in mice especially. In the present study examines neuropharmaceutials permeability through the BBB in mice by common carotid artery perfusion (CCAP) method that modify ICAP method and require simple surgery. The external carotid artery (ECA) is cannulated with coagulating pterygopalatine artery (PPA) on ICAP method, while CCA is cannulated without coagulating PPA on CCAP method. The CCAP method require 4-5 fold higher infusion rate than ICAP method because an additional factor of 2 must be incorporated to adjust for fluid loss to the extracerebral circulation.

Ginkgetin was previously reported as an inhibitor of group II phospholipase A$_2$. It also inhibited in vitro arachidonate release from the activated macrophages and lymphocyte proliferation. These previous studies suggested an anti-inflammatory nature of ginkgetin, especially on chronic inflammation. In fact, ginkgetin showed potent anti-inflammatory activity against rat adjuvant-induced arthritis, a chronic inflammatory animal model, with comparable analgesic activity. In order to investigate the action mechanisms, tumor necrosis factor and interferone release were studied from human PMMC. It was found that ginkgetin clearly inhibited release of these cytoknes from human PMMC. Ginkgetin was also found to inhibit immunoglobulin M production at 1 - 10 uM. These results may contribute to antiarthritic activity of ginkgetin in vivo.

Nitric oxide is involved in various physiological processes. Among isoforms of nitric oxide synthase, iNOS is partly responsible for inflammation and septic shock. During our continual search for anti-inflammatory flavonoids, we have found that flavonoids, especially flavones, possessed the inihibitory activity of NO production by iNOS from LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cell. In this study, flavonoids from Scutellaria radix were investigated for their inhibitory activity of nitric oxide production. It was found that wogonin, among tested flavonoids including baicalein, oroxylin A, skullcapflavone II, showed the strongest inhibition of nitric oxide production (IC$\sub$50/ = 17 uM). And this inhibition was, at least partly, due to down-regulation of iNOS enzyme induction, not due to direct inhibition of iNOS enzyme activity.

Chronic electroconvulsive shock(ECS) was shown to Increase phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate(PIP$_2$) breakdown and the activity of PLC with the accumulation of inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate(IP3). The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of ECS on the expression of phospholipase C(PLC) isotypes in rat brain. Two groups of animals were prepared: sham and ECS treated groups. Rats in ECS treated groups received maximal ECS(70mA, 0.5second, 60㎐) by constant current stimulator through ear-clip to induce tonic extension seizures for 12 consecutive days. The expression of PLC isotypes in rat brain was determined by immunohistochemical procedure using sagital section of rat brain. The immunoreactivity of PLC${\beta}$1 was observed in corpus striatum, hippocampus, thalamus and that of PLC${\gamma}$1 in corpus striatum, hippocampus, thalamus, frontal cortex, parietooccipital cortex, limbic forebrain, pons, medulla, superior colliculus, inferior colliculus, rest of midbrain. The amount of PLC was analyzed by Western blot using antibodies against PLC${\beta}$1 and PLC${\gamma}$1. Chronic ECS reduced the immunoreactivity of PLC${\beta}$1 in corpus striatum, hippocampus, thalamus but had little effect on PLC${\gamma}$1. To quantify this change, quantitative Western blot using antibodies against PLC${\beta}$1 and PLC${\gamma}$1 was conducted. The immunoreactivity of PLC${\beta}$1 in ECS treated rat whole brain was decreased by 40 % in cytosolic fraction and 26 % in membrane fraction. This different effect of ECS on PLC isotypes may results from the difference of their activation mechanisms and the different effects of ECS on them. The results from the present study suggest that chronic ECS primalily affects neurotransmitter receptors related IP$_3$ signaling in rat brain.

Muc1 mucin is found in a variety of epithelial tissue and is overexpressed in several epithelial cancer. Recently it is alsol reported that primary Hamster tracheal surface epithelial(HTSE) cells express Muc1 protein and cDNA encoding HTSE muc1 protein has been cloned. Although numerous monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to human muncins, particularly Muc1 have been produced, no such antibodies to murine Muc1 have been described. We now describe monoclonal antibody, called mAb M1CT, produced to C-terminal region of HTSE Muc1 protein by immunising mice with a glutathion-s-transferase linked fusion protein. In this study, using this antibody(mAb M1CT) we investigated the effect of RA on the expression of Muc1 in HTSE cells. Retinoic acid(RA) plays an essential role in maintaining normal differentiation of tracheal epithelial cells. With RA-deficiency tracheocytes undergo squamous metaplasia, an abnormal differentiation that can be reversed by RA. We had primary culture of HTSE cells under different concentrations of RA. Culture was maintained until the direction of differentiation was determined. Then Western blot analysis with mAb M1CT was performed with the cell lysates from the culture. The expression of Muc1 protein was decreased in dose-dependent manner as the concentration of retinoic acid was decreased. Our result indicates that the expression of Muc1 protein is coordinately regulated with airway mucous cell differentiation by RA pathway. And the antibody, mAb M1CT, produced in this study should provide useful tool to study the expression of Muc1 mucin in differentiation process or disease.

In this study, the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on ischemia/reperfusion injury were investigated on retrograded aortic perfusion model. Hearts from Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit solution (pH 7.4, 37) on a Langendorff apparatus. After equilibration, hearts were treated with ursodeoxycholic acid 10, 20, 40 and 800 M or vehicle (0.04% DMSO) for 10 min before the onset of ischemia. Following 25 min of global ischemia, ischemic hearts were reperfused and allowed to recover for 30 min. The physiological (i.e. heart rate, left ventricular diastolic pressure, coronary flow and time to contracture formation) and biochemical (lactate dehydrogenase, LDH) endpoints were evaluated. In vehicle group, time to contracture formation (TTC) value was 19.5 min during ischemia, LVDP was 20.8 mmHg at the endpoint of reperfusion and LDH activity in reperfusate was 59.7 U/L. Cardioprotective effects of UDCA following ischemia/reperfusion consisted of a reduced TTC (EC$\_$25/ = 16.10 M), reduced LDH release and enhanced recovery of contractile function during reperfusion. Especially, the treatments of UDCA 80 M remarkably increased LVDP (68.1 mmHg) and reduced LDH release (33.2 U/L). Our findings suggest that UDCA ameliorates ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial damage, in agreement with physiological and biochemical parameters.