• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2003

Rehmannia glutinosa is one of the most important medicinal crops in Korea. However, various plant pathogens, including Fusatium spp., cause great damage on R. glutinosa and result in enormous economic losses. This study was conducted to breed Fusarium-resistant plants by using Agrobacterium tumefaciences and AFP (anti-fungal protein) gene. The plant material used was a native accession of R. glutinosa. The PCR analysis was conducted to verify transgenicity. Based on the PCR analysis, nptII band was observed in transgenic plant genome. Southern blot and AFP protein analyses also showed the expression of this gene in transgenic plants. Expression of AFP in transgenic plants offers the possibility of developing resistance to fungal infection.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1412-1423
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• 2019

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus tubingensis that belongs to the black Aspergillus section has the capacity to produce high-value metabolites, for instance, naphtho-gamma-pyrones (NGPs). For these fungal secondary metabolites, numerous biological properties of industrial interest have been demonstrated, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-cancer capacities. It has been observed that production of these secondary metabolites is linked with fungal sporulation. The aim of this research was to apply osmotic and oxidative environmental stresses to trigger the production of NGPs in liquid cultures with CYB (Czapek Dox Broth). In addition, numerous parameters were tested during the experiments, such as pH value, incubation time, container geometry, and static and agitation conditions. Results demonstrate that the produced amount of NGPs can be enhanced by decreasing the water activity ($a_w$) or by adding an oxidative stress factor. In conclusion, this study can contribute to our knowledge regarding A. tubingensis to present an effective method to increase NGP production, which may support the development of current industrial processes.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.125-129
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• 2019

Honey bees are important pollinators in agriculture, but are threatened by the pathogen Ascosphaera apis, which causes chalkbrood. Despite attempts to control this fungus using synthetic fungicides, none of them have been proven to be completely effective. Among 640 natural compounds that we tested, 4-hydroxyderricin (MIC=3.125, 6.25 mg/L after 24 h and 48 h growth, respectively) exhibited the strongest anti- Ascosphaera apis activity, followed by acetylshikonin (MIC=12.5 mg/L for 24 h and 48 h growth). 4-Hydroxyderricin showed selective growth inhibition of Ascosphaera apis and Rhizopus oryzae among tested fungus strains. Treatment 4-hydroxyderricin with miconazole revealed a synergistic effect (FICI=0.65±0.13 at 48 h incubation). These findings suggest that 4-hydroxyderricin, which has antifungal activity against Ascosphaera apis but few other fungal species, can effectively control infectious fungal diseases. Combined treatment of bees with 4-hydroxyderricin and miconazole could reduce cytotoxicity and improve the cost effectiveness of treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2011

To develop new functional traditional rice wines using Gugija and Liriope tuber as raw materials, screenings of optimal fungal nuruk and alcohol fermentative yeast for brewing of Gugija-L. tuber traditional rice wine were performed with investigation of optimal fermentation condition. Finally, we selected commercial SJ nuruk and Saccharomyces cerevisiae C-2 as optimal nuruk and yeast for Gugija-L. tuber traditional rice wine. Furthermore, a new antihypertensive and anti-gout Gugija-L. tuber traditional rice wine was produced when 3% of Jangmyong Gugija and L. tuber No.1 were added into cooked rice and then fermented at $25^{\circ}C$ for 5 days with SJ nuruk and S. cerevisiae C-2.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.571-582
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• 2020

Quorum sensing (QS)-mediated infections cause severe diseases in human beings. The control of infectious diseases by inhibiting QS using antipathogenic drugs is a promising approach as antibiotics are proving inefficient in treating these diseases. Marine fungal (Pestalotiopsis sydowiana PPR) extract was found to possess effective antipathogenic characteristics. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the fungal extract against test pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 was 1,000 ㎍/ml. Sub-MIC concentrations (250 and 500 ㎍/ml) of fungal extract reduced QS-regulated virulence phenotypes such as the production of pyocyanin, chitinase, protease, elastase, and staphylolytic activity in P. aeruginosa PAO1 by 84.15%, 73.15%, 67.37%, 62.37%, and 33.65%, respectively. Moreover, it also reduced the production of exopolysaccharides (74.99%), rhamnolipids (68.01%), and alginate (54.98%), and inhibited the biofilm formation of the bacteria by 90.54%. In silico analysis revealed that the metabolite of P. sydowiana PPR binds to the bacterial QS receptor proteins (LasR and RhlR) similar to their respective natural signaling molecules. Cyclo(-Leu-Pro) (CLP) and 4-Hydroxyphenylacetamide (4-HPA) were identified as potent bioactive compounds among the metabolites of P. sydowiana PPR using in silico approaches. The MIC values of CLP and 4-HPA against P. aeruginosa PAO1 were determined as 250 and 125 ㎍/ml, respectively. All the antivirulence assays were conducted at sub-MIC concentrations of CLP (125 ㎍/ml) and 4-HPA (62.5 ㎍/ml), which resulted in marked reduction in all the investigated virulence factors. This was further supported by gene expression studies. The findings suggest that the metabolites of P. sydowiana PPR can be employed as promising QS inhibitors that target pathogenic bacteria.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.578-583
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• 2010

It has been reported that extracts of globe thistle (Echinops spp.) and thistle (Circium spp., Carduus spp. and Onopordum spp.) have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities. Methanol extracts of Echinops setifer and Carduus spp. were used to test and see if the extracts of these plants could suppress growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium fortuitum. Although extract of Echinops setifer showed no anti-mycobacterial activities, extract of Carduus spp. showed inhibition zones when tested with filter discs. Genomic DNA was isolated from Carduus spp. and PCR was performed to clone a DNA fragment containing ITS1, 5.8S rRNA gene and ITS2. A 733-bp PCR product was obtained and its DNA sequence was reported to the GenBank (accession number GU188570). BLAST search of the obtained DNA sequence did not show a match with any DNA sequences in the Genbank. Carduus crispus and Carduus defloratus had the closest phylogenetic relationships to this plant.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.306-312
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• 2013

Costunolide ($C_{15}H_{20}O_2$) is a sesquiterpene lactone that was isolated from many herbal medicines and it has diverse effects (anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory) according to previous reports. However, the anti-cancer effects of Costunolide and its mechanism of actions are not well known in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. In this study, we observed that costunolide suppresses cell growth in estrogen receptor positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells as shown by MTT assay and soft agar colony formation assay. To examine the mechanism by which costunolide inhibits MCF-7 cell growth, we performed FACS analysis. We found that costunolide induced G2/M and S cell cycle arrest, and regulated cycle-related protein expression. In addition, costunolide inhibited ERK signaling pathway and induced autophagy. Therefore, costunolide might be a good and useful chemotherapy agent for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer patients.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.140-146
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• 2005

Candida albicans, a polymorphic fungus, causes systemic and local infections. Recent reports show that the fungus is a main etiological agent for the arthritis. For trea tment, antifungal drugs and/or rheumatoid drugs are used, but resistance and side effects limit application of the drugs. In search of new sources for treatment of the fungal arthritis, we choose Egb 761 (extract of Ginkgo leaves 761), one of the most popular over-the-counter herbal medicines. The Egb 761 contains two major ingredients such as terpene and flavonoid. In the present study, we examined if the terpene portion of Egb 761 had anti-inflammatory activity against C.albicans-caused arthritis. The terpene was extracted with combination of methanol and water from the Egb 761, followed by gel-permeation chromatography. Presence of terpene was determined by the Salkowski colorimetric method and HPLC analysis. For an animal model of inflammation induction, mice were given an emulsion form of C.albicans cell wall mixed with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) by footpad-injection. Results showed that intraperitoneal administration of the water-soluble portion that contained terpene and flavonoid reduced the inflammation. Whereas the terpene had anti-inflammatory activity, flavonoid portion had no such activity, For determination of possible mechanism of the activity, the terpene seemed to be suppression of nitric oxide (NO) production from LPS-treated macrophages. Taken together the Ginkgo terpene may have anti-inflammatory effect against C.albicans-caused arthritis, possibly by blocking NO production.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.125-133
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• 2021

Objectives : Thymus quinquecistatus var. japonica (H.Hara) is a member of the genus Thymus of perennial aromatic herb, and it's designated as a natural monument of South Korea. It has traditionally been known to have protective or therapeutic effects on various human disease including cerebrovascular and neurological disease. Recently it was suggested that essential oil extracted from thyme has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial effect. The aim of this study is to investigate anti-inflammatory effect of Thymus quinquecistatus var. japonica in Raw 264.7 macrophage cell line. Methods : The cytotoxic effects of water and 70% ethanol extracts from Thymus quinquecistatus var. japonica, was tested using MTT assay. Inhibitory effects of the extracts to nitric oxide production and mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines were examined by RT-PCR. Also, MitoSOX-red assay and JC-1 assay were performed to determine if the extracts can inhibit mitochondrial ROS accumulation and maintain mitochondrial membrane potential. Results : In LPS-induced inflammatory response, the extracts efficiently reduced nitric oxide NO production through inhibiting mRNA expression of iNOS enzyme. In addition, expression of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1𝛽 and IL-6, was also down-regulated by the extract treatments. Excessive accumulation of mitochondrial ROS induced by LPS was inhibited in the extract treated cells, which finally protected mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusions : These results showed that water and 70% ethanol extracts from Thymus quinquecistatus var. japonica have anti-inflammatory effect through down regulation of IL-1𝛽, IL-6, and iNOS, and also have antioxidative effect against mitochondrial ROS accumulation that promote inflammatory response.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.246-255
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• 2023

Genus Penicillium comprising the most important and extensively studied fungi has been well-known as a rich source of secondary metabolites. Our study aimed to analyze and investigate biological activities, including in vitro anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties, of metabolites from a marine-derived fungus belonging to P. levitum. The chemical compounds in the culture broth of P. levitum strain N33.2 were extracted with ethyl acetate. Followingly, chemical analysis of the extract leaded to the isolation of three ergostane-type steroid components, namely cerevisterol (1), ergosterol peroxide (2), and (3β,5α,22E)-ergosta-6,8(14),22-triene-3,5-diol (3). Among these, (3) was the most potent cytotoxic against human cancer cell lines Hep-G2, A549 and MCF-7 with IC₅₀ values of 2.89, 18.51, and 16.47 ㎍/mL, respectively, while the compound (1) showed no significant effect against tested cancer cells. Anti-inflammatory properties of purified compounds were evaluated based on NO-production in LPS-induced murine RAW264.7 macrophages. As a result, tested compounds performed diverse inhibitory effects on NO production by the macrophages, with the most significant inhibition rate of 81.37±1.35% at 25 ㎍/mL by the compound (2). Interestingly, compounds (2) and (3) exhibited inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase enzymes in vitro assays. Our study brought out new data concerning the chemical properties and biological activities of isolated steroids from a P. levitum fungus.