• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.392-399
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• 2009

Recent studies indicate that green tea may have anticancer, antioxidant, and antihypertensive effects, and aids body weight control and the promotion of various desirable physiological functions. However, few studies have investigated the antimicrobial effects of green tea. We sought to determine the antimicrobial activity of green tea extract against food spoilage microorganisms. The extract showed remarkable antimicrobial effects against a wide spectrum of putrefactive and food spoilage microorganisms when used at concentrations greater than $500{\mu}g/ml$. The extract showed thermal and pH stability in the range of $40{\sim}150^{\circ}C$ and pH 3.11, respectively. Green tea extract seems to be an ideal natural antimicrobial, considering both efficacy and thermal and pH stabilities. Antimicrobial substances in green tea extract were investigated using electron microscopy and a $\beta$-galactosidase assay. The data showed that the extract contains several efficacious materials, and that their activities are not synergistic but are instead independent. Our data indicate that hydrophilic antimicrobial substances in green tea extract might control food spoilage microorganisms owing to perturbation of the microbial cell membrane.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.356-361
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• 2017

Houttuyniae Herba is widely used as a cosmetic for enhancing hair growth, and study on promoting mouse hair growth has also been reported. However, studies on the effects of the Houttuyniae Herba on dermal papilla (DP) cells, which play an important role in hair growth, are not well known. For this reason, we studied the effect of Houttuyniae Herba on DP cells. The strong antioxidant activity of Houttuyniae Herba was confirmed by ABTS assay. In the MTS assay, cell viability was reduced to 94.5% in DP cells by treatment of 2 mg/ml concentration of Houttuyniae Herb and cytotoxicity was not observed at 1 mg/ml concentration. The mRNA expression levels of Bone morphogenetic pretein (BMP6), fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), FGF10, and ${\beta}$-galactosidase genes, which are involved in hair growth cycle and hair loss induction, were measured by quantitative RT-PCR after Houttuyniae Herbtreatment. Houttuyniae Herb did not significantly affect mRNA expression of BMP6, FGF7, FGF10, and ${\beta}$-catenin, which are important factors for regulating the hair cycle, including type 1 $5{\alpha}$-reductase. However, mRNA expression of type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase, the major cause of male hair loss, was significantly reduced to 56.1% by treatment of Houttuyniae Herbtreatment. Taken together, these results suggest that the Houttuyniae Herbtreatment can help to treat lair loss through removing free radicals and suppression of the expression level of type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase in DP cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 1995

The Escherichia coli mixed-function serC-aroA operon encodes biosynthethic enzymes for unrelated pathways leading to the syntheses of serine and aromatic amino acids. It has been proposed that the operon is expressed in a cAMP-dependent manner. In this work experiments were performed to investigate the cAMP-dependent expression of the operon. Exogenous cAMP increased ${\beta}$-galactosidase synthesis in the $cya^+$ and cya strains harboring the serC-aroA-lac fusion plasmid. This enhancement was more dramatic in the $cya^-$ strain grown in a minimal medium. In a dot blot assay the serC-aroA mRNA content increased in a concentration-dependent pattern after the addition of exogenous cAMP. The activity of phosphoserine aminotransferase, encoded by the serC gene, apparently increased in E. coli cells after the addition of cAMP. All results obtained confirmed that the expression of the E. coli serC-aroA operon is positively regulated by cAMP at the level of transcription.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 2006

Background: Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen-presenting cells in the immune system and can induce T cell response against virus infections, microbial pathogens, and tumors. Therefore, immunization using DC loaded with tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) is a powerful method of inducing anti-tumor immunity. For induction of effective anti-tumor immunity, antigens should be efficiently introduced into DC and presented on MHC class I molecules at high levels to activate antigen-specific $CD8^+$ T cells. We have been exploring methods for loading exogenous antigens into APC with high efficiency of Ag presentation. In this study, we tested the effect of the cationic liposome (Lipofectin) for transferring and loading exogenous model antigen (OVA protein) into BM-DC. Methods: Bone marrow-derived DC (EM-DC) were incubated with OVA-Lipofectin complexes and then co-cultured with B3Z cells. B3Z activation, which is expressed as the amount of ${\beta}$-galactosidase induced by TCR stimulation, was determined by an enzymatic assay using ${\beta}$-gal assay system. C57BL/6 mice were immunized with OVA-pulsed DC to monitor the in vivo vaccination effect. After vaccination, mice were inoculated with EG7-OVA tumor cells. Results: BM-DC pulsed with OVA-Lipofectin complexes showed more efficient presentation of OVA-peptide on MHC class I molecules than soluble OVA-pulsed DC. OVA-Lipofectin complexes-pulsed DC pretreated with an inhibitor of MHC class I-mediated antigen presentation, brefeldin A, showed reduced ability in presenting OVA peptide on their surface MHC class I molecules. Finally, immunization of OVA-Lipofectin complexes-pulsed DC protected mice against subsequent tumor challenge. Conclusion: Our data provide evidence that antigen-loading into DC using Lipofectin can promote MHC class I- restricted antigen presentation. Therefore, antigen-loading into DC using Lipofectin can be one of several useful tools for achieving efficient induction of antigen-specific immunity in DC-based immunotherapy.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.235-239
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• 2004

Drosophila melanogaster heat shock protein 70 gene promoter (Dhsp70p) is widely used in transgenic insect to drive exogenous gene, and the homologous region 3 from Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPVhr3) functions as an enhancer for several promoters. To test whether BmNPVhr3 can enhance the Dhsp70ps transcriptional activity, the reporter plasmids, which contain the Dhsp70p, the reporter $\beta$-galactosidase gene with SV40 terminator and BmNPVhr3 fragment, are constructed and transfected into the insect cell lines (Bm-N cells and Sf-21 cells) by lipofectin-mediated method. The results from the transient expression assay show that BmNPVhr3 significantly increases transcriptional activity of Dhsp70p both under the normal condition and under the heat-shock treatment, although the effects are significantly different between in Bm-N cells and in sf-21 cells. The enhancing behavior of BmNPVhr3 on the Dhsp70p is in an orientation-independent manner. Meanwhile, the effects of heat-shock treatment on Dhsp70p alone or Dhsp70p/BmNPVhr3 combination present no significant difference, indicating that BmNPVhr3 only enhances the transcriptional activity of Dhsp70p, but cant alter its characteristic of the response to the heat-shock stress. The above results suggest that the Dhsp70p/BmNPVhr3 combination is more effective one to drive exogenous gene for transgene or stable cell expression system in insects.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.149-155
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• 1997

Antaeum(ATE) has been used as a prescription for threatened abortion, associated with pregnancy in traditional medicine. Because gravida could be administered ATE for a long period, its administration might cause a harmful effect on fetus and gravida during the pregnancy. This study aimed to determine whether exposure to ATE caused mutagenicity or hepatotoxicity during the pregnant period. For mutagenicity test of ATE, Salmonella typhimurium and Bacillus subtilis were used as indications for DNA damage. In the Ames test, Samonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 were used for mutagenicity testing, and the number of histidine revertants was measured. In Rec-assay, Bacillus subtilis H $17(Rec^+)$ and $M-45(Rec^-)$ strains were used to clarify the DNA damage property. In the SOS umu test, Salmonella typhimurium TA15335 containing plasmid pSK1002 was used as a tester strain, and we monitored the levels of umu operon expression by measuring the ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activity. From the tested results, ATE did not show DNA damage and mutagenicity. On the other hand, hepatotoxicity of ATE to female ICR mice was monitored by the measurements of s-GOT, s-GPT and LDH activities after oral feeding for 15 days. ATE did not show significant change of s-GOT, s-GPT and LDH activities in mice sera.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.195-199
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• 1996

We have cloned several E. coli sfs genes which stimulate mal gene expression with $crp^{{\ast}1}$). One the genes (pPVC2) was sequenced and potential CRP binding site is located in the upstream of the putative promoter in the regulatory region. In order to investigate the regulation of the sfs1 gene by the cAMP-CRP complex, we have constructed the sfs-lacZ fusion gene in this research. The overall transcriptional stimulations of sfs1 gene in the presence cAMP were confirmed by ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activity and Western blot analysis of sfs1-lacZ fusion gene. Transcriptional regulation by cAMP-CRP was also confirmed by Northern blot analysis. End-labelled DNA of the DNA fragment in sfs1 regulation region were used for gel retardation assay to examine the CRP-DNA complex in the presence of cAMP. Results here indicate that CRP binding site in the regulatory region of sfs1 gene is positive regulator for the expression of sfs1 gene.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.264-270
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• 2023

Background: Resin-based dental materials release residual monomers or other substances from incomplete polymerization into the oral cavity, thereby causing adverse biological effects on oral tissue. 10-Methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (10-MDP), an acidic monomer containing dihydrogen phosphate and methacrylate groups, is the most commonly used component of resin-based dental materials, such as restorative composite resins, dentin adhesives, and resin cements. Although previous studies have reported the cytotoxicity and biocompatibility in various cultured cells, the effects of resin monomers on cellular aging have not been reported to date. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of the resin monomer 10-MDP on cellular senescence and inflamm-aging in vitro. Methods: After stimulation with 10-MDP, MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells were examined for cell viability by WST-8 assay and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by flow cytometry. The protein and mRNA levels of molecular markers of aging were determined by western blotting and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. Results: Treatment with 0.05 to 1 mM 10-MDP for 24 hours reduced the survival of MC3T3-E1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The intracellular ROS levels in the 10-MDP-treated experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group. 10-MDP at a concentration of 0.1 mM increased p53, p16, and p21 protein levels. Additionally, an aging pattern was observed with blue staining due to intracellular senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity. Treatment with 10-MDP increased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-8, however their expression was decreased by mitogen-activated-protein-kinase (MAPK) inhibitors. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that the exposure of osteoblast-like cells to the dental resin monomer 10-MDP, increases the level of cellular senescence and the inflammatory response is mediated by the MAPK pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6191-6196
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• 2012

Aims and Background: Traditional chemotherapy strategies for human leukemia commonly use drugs based on cytotoxicity to eradicate cancer cells. One predicament is that substantial damage to normal tissues is likely to occur in the course of standard treatments. Obviously, it is urgent to explore therapies that can effectively eliminate malignant cells without affecting normal cells. Our previous studies indicated that ginsenoside $Rg_1$ ($Rg_1$), a major active pharmacological ingredient of ginseng, could delay normal hematopoietic stem cell senescence. However, whether $Rg_1$ can induce cancer cell senescence is still unclear. Methods: In the current study, human leukemia K562 cells were subjected to $Rg_1$ exposure. The optimal drug concentration and duration with K562 cells was obtained by MTT colorimetric test. Effects of $Rg_1$ on cell cycle were analyzed using flow cytometry and by SA-${\beta}$-Gal staining. Colony-forming ability was measured by colony-assay. Telomere lengths were assessed by Southern blotting and expression of senescence-associated proteins P21, P16 and RB by Western blotting. Ultrastructural morphology changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results: K562 cells demonstrated a maximum proliferation inhibition rate with an $Rg_1$ concentration of $20{\mu}\;mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ for 48h, the cells exhibiting dramatic morphological alterations including an enlarged and flat cellular morphology, larger mitochondria and increased number of lysosomes. Senescence associated-${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-Gal) activity was increased. K562 cells also had decreased ability for colony formation, and shortened telomere length as well as reduction of proliferating potential and arrestin $G_2$/M phase after $Rg_1$ interaction. The senescence associated proteins P21, P16 and RB were significantly up-regulated. Conclusion: Ginsenoside $Rg_1$ can induce a state of senescence in human leukemia K562 cells, which is associated with p21-Rb and p16-Rb pathways.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2006

The use of underarm and body care cosmetics with oestrogenic chemical excipients (particularly the parabens) and the hypothesized association with breast cancer incidence, particularly in women. It is noted that the type of cosmetic product is irrelevant (e.g. antiperspirant/deodorant versus body lotion, moisturizers or sprays versus creams) and attention must focus on issues of actual exposure to chemicals through continued dermal application of body care products and the endocrine/hormonal activity and toxicity of the chemicals in the formulations. To evaluate the estrogenic activities of parabens such as ethylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben and isopropylparaben, we used recombinant yeasts containing the human estrogen receptor [Saccharomyces cerevisiae ER+LYS 8127], human breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines and human estrogen receptor ${\alpha}\;and\;{\beta}$. In E-screen assays, isopropylparaben is the most estrogenic paraben, and in ER competition assay, isobutylparaben is the most estrogenic paraben. We evaluated isopropylparaben was most active in the recombinant yeast assay, followed by propylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben and butylparaben. Results from this study demonstrate that parabens are observed in human endocrine system. Therefore, we have shown that the parabens is induced the estrogenic activities similar to $17{\beta}$-estradiol and Bisphenol-A.