• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.158-168
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• 2023

Natural products have been used to mitigate the effects of cancer and infectious diseases, as they feature diverse bioactivities, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Here, we chose 10 natural products that are well-known as pulmonary enhancers and investigated their bactericidal effects on Streptococcus pneumoniae. In the disk diffusion assay, the growth of S. pneumoniae was significantly regulated by G. fructus treatment regardless of extraction method used. We first adopted spraying as a novel delivery method for G. fructus. Interestingly, mice exposed to G. fructus three times a day for 2 weeks were resistant to S. pneumoniae intranasal infection (shown both through body weight loss and survival rates compared to the control group). Moreover, we confirmed that exposure to G. fructus regulated the colonization of the bacteria despite the sustained inflammation in the lung after exposure to S. pneumoniae, indicating that migrated inflammatory immune cells may involve a host defense mechanism against pulmonary infectious diseases. While a similar number of granulocytes (CD11b⁺Ly6C⁺Ly6G⁺), neutrophils (CD11b⁺Ly6C^intLy6G⁺), and monocytes (CD11b⁺Ly6C^intLy6G^-) were found between groups, a significantly increased number of alveolar macrophages (CD11b⁺CD11c^hiF4/80⁺) was detected in BAL fluids of mice pre-exposed to G. fructus at 5 days after S. pneumonia infection. Taken together, our data suggest that this usage of G. fructus can induce protective immunity against bacterial infection, indicating that facial spray may be helpful in enhancing the defense mechanism against pulmonary inflammation and in evaluating the efficacy of natural products as immune enhancers against respiratory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.87-102
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• 2019

Most chronic wounds persist in the inflammatory phase during wound healing due to the biofilm. Biofilms are resistant to antibiotics, weakening penetration, resistance to biocides and weakening local immune responses. The biofilm is firmly attached to the surrounding tissues and is very difficult to remove. Therefore, strategies to remove hard biofilms without damaging surrounding tissue are very important. One of possible strategies is dispersal. So many studies have been done to develop new strategies using dispersal mechanisms. In this review paper, especially chemotaxis, phage therapy, polysaccharides, various enzymes (glycosidases, proteases, and deoxyribonucleases), surfactants, dispersion signals, autoinducers, inhibitors were introduced. Combination therapies with other therapies such as antibiotic therapy were also introduced. It is expected that the possibility of treatment of chronic wound infection using the knowledge of the biofilm dispersal mechanisms presented in this paper will be higher.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Exosomes are nano-sized membrane-bound extracellular vesicles containing various biological molecules, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, which can be used to modulate physiological processes. The exosomal molecules secreted by cells can be extensively used as tools for diagnosis and therapy. Exosomes carry specific molecules released by the cells they originate from, which can be transferred to surrounding cells or tissues by the exosome. For these reasons, exosomes can be exploited as biomarkers for diagnosis, carriers for drug delivery, as well as therapeutics. In stem cell technology, exosomes have been an attractive option because they can be used as safer therapeutic agents for stem cell-based cell-free therapy. Recently, studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in alleviating symptoms associated with coronavirus disease 2019 as they have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential. Performing multiple studies on exosomes would provide innovative next-generation options for clinical diagnostics and therapy. This review summarizes the use of exosomes focusing on their diverse roles. In addition, the potential of exosomes is illustrated with a focus on how exosomes can be exploited as powerful tools in the days to come.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 2007

Background: Asthma is a syndrome that is characterized by a variable degree of airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway inflammation. Colchicine is an inexpensive and safe medication with unique anti-inflammatory properties. IL-1Ra (Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) mediates the anti-inflammatory effect in human inflammatory diseases, including asthma. This study examined whether IL-1Ra mediates the anti-inflammatory effect of colchicine in normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE), RAW 264.7 cells (murine macrophage cell line), and a mouse lung. Methods: NHBE, RAW 264.7 cells and BALB/c mice were stimulated with colchicine, and the increase in the IL-1Ra level was estimated by ELISA, Western analysis and RT-PCR analysis. Results: Colchicine stimulated NHBE and RAW 264.7 cells to release IL-1Ra into the supernatant in a dose-and time-dependent manner. The major isoform of IL-1Ra in NHBE and RAW 264.7 cells is type I icIL-1Ra, and sIL-1Ra, respectively. IL-1Ra up-regulation was blocked by PD98059, a specific inhibitor in MAPK pathways. Colchicine also stimulated the secretion of IL-1Ra into the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of BALB/c mouse. Conclusion: Colchicine stimulates an increase in the IL-1Ra level both in vivo and in vitro, and might have an anti-inflammatory effect.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1994.04a
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• pp.201-201
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• 1994

항암 및 면역조절작용을 가지고 있으며 그자체가 서방성 prodrug으로서 약효를 나타낼것으로 기대되는 ara-C와 etherphospholipid의 conjugate인 ara-CDP-DL-PCA.2Na의 실험동물(rat)에서의 체내동태를 HPLC 정량법으로 시행 하였다. Ara-CDP-DL-PCA.2Na의 정맥내 투여(20mg/300g)의 경우 혈장중 반감기는 분포상에 있어서는 평균 20min, 소실상 에서는 4.42hr이었다. 분포 용적은 0.1635Lㆍkg$^{-1}$이었고, 전신 clearance 는 25.63ml.$hr^{-1}$.kg$^{-1}$이었다. 한편 AUC는 2601$\mu\textrm{g}$.hr.ml$^{-1}$이었다. 복강내 주사(1g/kg)의 경우 소실상의 반감기는 3.28hr, AUC는 439.3$\mu\textrm{g}$.hr.ml$^{-1}$이었다. 최고 혈중농도 도달시간은 4.4hr이었으며 그때의 농도는 33.19$\mu\textrm{g}$.ml$^{-1}$이었다. 한편 흡수속도 정수는 0.2493$hr^{-1}$이었다. 정맥내 투여에 대한 복강내 투여의 생체 이용율은 1.1252%로 복강내 투여시 흡수율이 좋지 않음을 시사하고 있다. 이는 투여 시료인 micellar solution이 일종의 약물저장 형태로 작용하여 활성물질을 서서히 방출 하기 때문인 것으로 사료된다. 한편 예비적 대사연구결과 TLC에서 뇨나 담즙으로 배설되는 유의한 농도수준의 ara-CDP-DL-PCA.2Na가 없는 것으로 평가되었다. 이는 생체내에서 enzyme등에 의한 대사과정을 거치는 것으로 사료되는바 방사성 동위원소 표지화합물을 이용한 충분한 대사연구가 필요한 것으로 사료된다.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.360-367
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• 1991

Effect of Mylabris sidae(MS) and Epicauta gorhami(EG) polysaccharide fractions on the inflammation and immune responses were studied in vivo. MS and EG contained cantharidin about 0.61 and 0.65%, respectively. It was shown that MS and EG polysaccharide fractions at a oral dose of 100 mg/kg have the significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity; They inhibited significantly the carrageenin-induced inflammation and acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome. They accelerated significantly the carbon clearance and the phagocytosis of colloidal carbons by Kupffer cells in liver, but they at a oral dose of 100 mg/kg suppressed significantly the Arthus reaction in the sheep red blood cell(S-RBC)-sensitized mice in accordance with the inhibition of haemaglutinin titer, haemolysin titer and plaque-forming cells. On the other hand, they at a oral dose of 200 mg/kg accelerated slightly the oxazolone-induced dermatitis in rats and delayed hypersensitivity in the S-RBC-challenzed mice in consistent with the increase of rosette forming cells. As the above results, it exhibited that MS and EG polysaccharide fractions inhibited the humoral immune responses, but they accelerated the function of macrophages and cellular immune responses. EG polysaccharide fraction had more active than MS polysaccharide fraction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.1053-1060
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• 2017

The present study examined the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of Pinus koraiensis (PK) cone shell extracts in vitro. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of PK cone shell extracted with hot water, 20% ethanol (EtOH), or 50% EtOH were examined using 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activites, as well as nitric oxide (NO) and anti-inflammatory cytokine measurements. The 20% EtOH extract of the PK cone shell decreased the NO and inflammatory cytokines secretion, and increased the ABTS radical scavenging, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities. This indicates that the 20% EtOH extract of the PK cone shell would be helpful in inflammation and oxidation systems. Therefore, the 20% EtOH extract of PK cone shell has great potential as a useful health food.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.309-315
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• 2021

Pycnogenol extracted from pine bark is a component with great antibacterial activity and antioxidant effect. It is applied as a natural anti-inflammatory agent with various medical effects including anti-inflammatory effects, regulation of blood pressure, regulation of the immune system, and inhibition of cancer cell growth. However, research related to cosmetics is limited. Therefore, in this study, the effect of Pycnogenol on the skin was studied through a clinical approach. Changes in skin condition were observed after using cosmetics with Pycnogenol and without Pycnogenol for 6 weeks for 10 clinicians in each group. We observed the effect of pore reduction, wrinkle reduction around eyes, a decrease of the number and angle of loose pores, and reduction of pigmentation. Therefore, cosmetics containing Pycnogenol have the effect of improving skin problems of aging skin.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2007

Toll-like receptors induce innate immune responses recognizing conserved microbial structural molecules that are known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Ligand-induced homotypic oligomerization was found to proceed in LPS-induced activation of TLR4 signaling pathways. TLR2 is known to heterodimerize with TLR1 or TLR6 and recognize diacyl- or triacyl-lipopeptide, respectively. These results suggest that ligand-induced receptor dimerization of TLR4 and TLR2 is required for the activation of downstream signaling pathways. Therefore, receptor dimerization may be one of the first lines of regulation in the activation of TLR-mediated signaling pathways and induction of subsequent innate and adaptive immune responses. Here, we report biochemical evidence that curcumin from the plant Curcuma longa inhibits activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$, expression of COX-2, and dimerization of TLRs induced by TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4 agonists. These results imply that curcumin can modulate the activation of TLRs and subsequent immune/inflammatory responses induced by microbial pathogens.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.383-390
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• 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can be differentiated into a variety of cell types, including adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, β-pancreatic islet cells, and neuronal cells. MSCs have been reported to exhibit immunomodulatory effects in many diseases. Many studies have reported that MSCs have distinct roles in modulating inflammatory and immune responses by releasing bioactive molecules. Exosomes are cell-derived vesicles present in biological fluids, including the blood, urine, and cultured medium of cell cultures. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of mouse adipose tissue-derived MSCs (mAD-MSCs), cultured medium (MSC-CM) of mAD-MSCs, and mAD-MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. We observed that the expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10 were significantly increased in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells compared to those in LPS-unstimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, these values were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in mAD-MSCs-RAW 264.7 cell co-culture groups, MSC-CM-treated groups, and MSC-Exo-treated groups. MSCs can modulate the immune system in part by secreting cytokines and growth factors. We observed that immunomodulatory factors such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10 were secreted by mAD-MSCs under co-culturing conditions of mAD-MSCs with activated RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, mAD-MSC-derived exosomes exhibited similar immunomodulatory effects in activated RAW 264.7 cells. Therefore, our results suggest that mAD-MSCs have an immunomodulatory function through indirect contact.