• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.106-106
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• 2022

The cone of Red Pine (Pinus densiflora), which has been used as a drug in traditional medicine. Its ethyl acetate fraction was reported to exert antioxidant, anti-melanogenesis, and anti-inflammation activites. Apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) is regarding as a potential strategy for alleviation of hepatic fibrosis. We conducted to investigated whether the treatment of cone has a potential to control of some factors related in apoptosis and autophagy in cell signaling pathways. We suggest that the cone induced apoptosis through confirming the expression levels of genes (cPARP, Bcl-XL, Bax, p53, and caspase-3) in LX-2 cells. Also, the cone may regulate autophagy (LC3, p62, Beclin-1, and ATG12). Remarkably, the treatment of cone may affect to formation of autophagosomes in the immunofluorescence image in live cells. These findings suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction from the cone of Red Pine (P. densiflora) may have potential as an alternative therapeutic agent for the alleviation and prevention of liver fibrosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2021

Injection lipolysis or mesotherapy gained popularity for local fat dissolve as an alternative to surgical liposuction. Phosphatidylcholine (PPC) and aminophyl-line (AMPL) are commonly used compounds for mesotherapy, but their efficacy and safety as lipolytic agents have been controversial. Glycerophosphocholine (GPC) is a choline precursor structurally similar to PPC, and thus introduced in aesthetics as an alternative for PPC. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GPC on adipocytes differentiation and lipolysis and compared those effects with PPC and AMPL using in vitro and in vivo models. Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 was measured by Oil Red O staining. Lipolysis was assessed by measuring the amount of glycerol released in the culture media. To evaluate the lipolytic activity of GPC on a physiological condition, GPC was subcutaneously injected to one side of inguinal fat pads for 3 days. Lipolytic activity of GPC was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining in adipose tissue. GPC significantly suppressed adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 in a concentration-dependent manner (22.3% inhibition at 4 mM of GPC compared to control). Moreover, when lipolysis was assessed by glycerol release in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, 6 mM of GPC stimulated glycerol release by two-fold over control. Subcutaneous injection of GPC into the inguinal fat pad of mice significantly reduced the mass of fat pad and the size of adipocytes of injected site, and these effects of GPC were more prominent over PPC and AMPL. Taken together, these results suggest that GPC is the potential therapeutic agent as a local fat reducer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.394-401
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• 2020

As embryonic stem cells become pluripotent, they may cause tumor development when injected into a host. Therefore, researchers are focusing heavily on the therapeutic potential of tissue-specific stem cells (adult stem cells) without resultant tumor formation. Adult stem cells can proliferate for a limited number of generations and are restricted to certain cell types (multipotent). Mature tissue cell types in mammals cannot be intrinsically dedifferentiated or transdifferentiated to adult stem cells. Hence, the technology of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for reprogramming adult somatic cells was introduced in 2006, ushering in a new era in adult stem cell research. Although iPSCs have been widely used in the field, the approach has several limitations: instability of the reprogramming process, risk of incomplete reprogramming, and exposure to transgenes integrated into the cell genome. Two years before the introduction of the iPSC technique, the synthetic small molecule 2,6-disubstituted purine, called reversine, was introduced. Reversine can induce the dedifferentiation of committed cells into multipotent progenitor-type cells by reprogramming and converting adult cells to other cell types under appropriate stimuli. Thus, it can be used as a chemically induced multipotent cell agent to overcome the limitations of iPSCs. Also, as an alternative therapeutic approach for treating obesity, it can be used to generate beige cells by browning white adipocytes. While reversine has the potential to act as an anti-cancer agent, this review focuses on its role in differentiation, dedifferentiation, and transdifferentiation in somatic cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.803-811
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• 2014

Concerns over drug-resistant bacteria have stimulated interest in developing alternative methods to control bacterial infections. Endolysin, a phage-encoded enzyme that breaks down bacterial peptidoglycan at the terminal stage of the phage reproduction cycle, is reported to be effective for the control of bacterial pathogenic bacteria. Bioinformatic analysis of the SPN9CC bacteriophage genome revealed a gene that encodes an endolysin with a domain structure similar to those of the endolysins produced by the P1 and P22 coliphages. The SPN9CC endolysin was purified with a C-terminal oligo-histidine tag. The endolysin was relatively stable and active over a broad temperature range (from $24^{\circ}C$ to $65^{\circ}C$). It showed maximal activity at $50^{\circ}C$, and its optimum pH range was from pH 7.5 to 8.5. The SPN9CC endolysin showed antimicrobial activity against only gram-negative bacteria and functioned by cutting the glycosidic bond of peptidoglycan. Interestingly, the SPN9CC endolysin could lyse intact gram-negative bacteria in the absence of EDTA as an outer membrane permeabilizer. The exogenous lytic activity of the SPN9CC endolysin makes it a potential therapeutic agent against gram-negative bacteria.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.449-454
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• 2014

Background: Extracts of Caesalpinia mimosoides Lamk has been reported to possess anticancer effects, but the active ingredients and the anti-cancer mechanisms are still unknown. Materials and Methods: The effects of a C mimosoides Lamk extract on cell proliferation and apoptosis induction in human cervical carcinoma cell lines, namely HeLa, SiHa, and C33A, as well as in normal Vero cells, were investigated. Results: Treatment with 5 active fractions (F17-F21) of C mimosoides Lamk methanol extracts inhibited cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Neutral red assays indicated that treatment with F21 significantly decreased the viability of all cervical cancer cell lines compared to F21-treated normal cells. In addition, HPLC analysis revealed that F21 contained multiple phenolic compounds, namely gallic acid, caffeine, vanillic acid, ferulic acid and resveratrol. F21 had the lowest IC50 and, therefore, a much higher cytotoxicity than F20, F17, F19, and F18 by 20-, 25-, 46- and 47- fold, respectively. Analysis of activation of the apoptosis pathway using a caspase 3/7 activity assay revealed that F21 treatment resulted in a considerable increase in caspase activation in all cancer cell lines tested. At the same concentration of F21, HeLa cells had the highest caspase activity (6.5-fold) compared to the control. Conclusion: C mimosoides Lamk may be of value as an alternative therapeutic agent, especially in combination with other compounds offering possible of synergy of action. Moreover, HPV- and non-HPV-related cervical cancer cells may differ in their responses to treatment regimens.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.794-805
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• 2020

Objective : Teriparatide is known as an effective anabolic agent not only for severe osteoporosis but also for bone healing and union. We explored the possibility of teriparatide as an alternative treatment option for osteoporotic thoracolumbar (TL) burst fracture. Methods : This retrospective study enrolled 35 female patients with mean age of 73.77±6.71 years (61-88) diagnosed as osteoporotic TL burst fracture with ≥4 of thoracolumbar injury classification and severity (TLICS) score and no neurological deficits. All patients were treated by teriparatide only (12 of group A), teriparatide plus vertebroplasty (12 of group B), or surgical fixation with fusion (11 of group C), and followed up for 12 months. Radiological outcomes were evaluated using radiological parameters including kyphotic angle (KA), segmental vertebral kyphotic angle (SVKA), compression ratio (CR), and vertebral body height (anterior [AH], middle [MH], posterior [PH]). Functional outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and Macnab classification (MC). Results : There were no statistical significant differences in age, bone mineral density (-3.36±0.73), and TLICS score (4.34±0.48) among the three groups (p>0.05). Teriparatide was administered during 8.63±2.32 months in group A and B. In 12-month radiological outcomes, there were significant restoration in SVKA, CR, AH, and MH of group B and KA, SVKA, CR, AH, and MH of group C compared to group A with no radiological changes (p<0.05). All groups showed similar significant improvements in 12-month functional outcomes, although group B and C showed a better 1-month VAS, 1-month MC, 3-month MC compared to group A (p<0.05). Conclusion : Non-surgical treatment with teriparatide showed similar 12-month functional outcomes compared to surgical fixation with fusion. The additional vertebroplasty to teriparatide and surgical fixation with fusion were more helpful to improve short-term functional outcomes with structural restoration compared to teriparatide only.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.233-239
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• 2007

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Dochetang for the treatment of chronic diarrhea in a 4 months-old-female Korean native calf. The calf was presented to the Wow Animal Clinic, Iksan with the history of chronic diarrhea for several weeks. The feces test did not reveal the presence of the parasites or microbes causing diarrhea in calf. The blood test was also negative to the virus that causes of diarrhea in calf. Adminstration of parenteral antibiotics resulted in improvement of the condition temporarily but diarrhea was recurred again after 2-3 weeks. Then the calf was treated with Dochetang administered orally once a day in an empty stomach for 15 days. Feces was significantly reduced in moisture on 7 days after initial treatment. On 9 days after initial treatment, the calf had normal appetite and defecation in physiological conditions. Blood samples were collected before administration and on 1, 2 and 3 weeks after initial administration of Dochetang for hematology and biochemistry. A significantly differences were observed in the white blood cell (WBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), albumin (ALB), glutamic pyrubic transaminase (GPT), inorganic phosphorus (IP) and magnesium (Mg), while no significant differences were seen in the red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), platelet (PLT), glucose (Glu), total protein (T-pro), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatine (CRE). This study suggests that Dochetang administration can be a successful alternative therapeutic agent in instead of antibiotics for the treatment of chronic diarrhea in calves.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.57 no.10
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• pp.33.1-33.7
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of a combined use of extracts of medicinal herbs Taraxaumi mongolicum, Viola yedoensis Makino, Rhizoma coptidis, and Radix isatidis (MYCI) on porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED). Twenty-two 3-day-old piglets received an oral challenge with $3{\times}10^{3.5}$ $TCID_{50}$ of the virulent PED virus (PEDV) in PBS or PBS only and daily oral administration of 60 mg of the MYCI mixture suspended in milk replacer or the vehicle for 7 days in a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement of treatments. Average daily gain (ADG) increased (p < 0.05) in response to the MYCI treatment in the PEDV-challenged piglets (-18 vs. 7 g for the vehicle- vs. MYCI-administered group), but not in unchallenged animals (27 vs. 28 g). Diarrhea score and fecal PEDV shedding, however, were not influenced by the MYCI treatment. The PEDV challenge caused severe intestinal villus atrophy and crypt hyperplasia, both of which were alleviated by administration of the MYCI mixture as indicated by an increase in the villus height and a decrease in the crypt depth due to the treatment. Overall, medicinal herb extracts used in this study ameliorated impaired growth performance and intestinal lesion of newborn piglets challenged with the virulent PEDV. Therefore, our results suggest that the MYCI mixture could be used as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent against PED.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2010

New biological treatments were being developed at a record place, but their potential could be compromised by a significant obstacle: the delivery of these drugs into a body. Pharmaceutical delivery is now nearly as important as product. New systems are being developed, and Drug Delivery Markets Series cover these new systems. Transdermal Delivery System(TDS) is often used as a method of drug dosage into the epidermic skin. An approach used to delivery drugs through the skin for therapeutic use as an alternative to oral, intravascular, subcutaneous and transmucosal routes. Various transdermal drug delivery technologies are described including the use of suitable formulations, carriers and penetration enhancers. The most commonly used transdermal system is the skin patch using various types of technologies. Compared with other methods of dosage, it is possible to use for a long term. It is also possible to stop the drug dosage are stopped if the drug dosage lead to side effect. Polysaccharides, such as karaya gum and glucomannan, were selected as base materials of TDS. Also, these polymers were characterized in terms of enhancers, drug contents. Among these polysaccharide, the permeation rate of karaya gum matrix was fastest in fibric acid(ciprofibrate) such as lipophilic drug in vitro. We used glycerin, PEG400 and PEG800 as enhancers. Since dermis has more water content(hydration) than the stratum corneum, skin permeation rate at steady state was highly influenced when PEG400 was more effective for lipophilic drug. Proper selection of the polymeric materials which resemble and enhance properties of the delivering drug was found to be important in controlling the skin permeation rate. Especially, this result suggests a possible use of polysaccharide gel ointment matrix as a transdermal delivery system of anti-hyperlipoproteinemic agent.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.111-117
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• 2021

The study was aimed at developing an alternative therapeutic agent against acne vulgaris, one of the most common skin diseases, to meet the continuing demand for new therapies. Acne vulgaris is often associated with the acne-causing bacteria such as Cutibacterium acnes. To investigate the safety of agents against acne vulgaris, we evaluated the potential antibacterial activities of edible seaweeds against C. acnes in Korea. Forty-one edible seaweeds, including the brown, green, and red varieties, were selected for the antibacterial test. In comparison with other seaweeds, 70% ethanolic extracts of brown seaweeds, such as Cladophora wrightiana var. minor, Eisenia bicyclis, Ecklonia cava, Ishige foliacea, Ishige okamurae, Sargassum filicinum, and Sargassum miyabei Yendo, exhibited potential antibacterial activity against C. acnes with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging between 64 and 128 ㎍/mL. To investigate the active anti-acne agents and to enhance our understanding of the antibacterial activities against C. acnes, further solvent-fractionation experiments are warranted. The findings imply that brown seaweeds can be a potential source of natural agents against acne vulgaris.