• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

$Toxoplasma$ $gondii$ penetrates all kinds of nucleated eukaryotic cells but modulates host cells differently for its intracellular survival. In a previous study, we found out that serine protease inhibitors B3 and B4 (SERPIN B3/B4 because of their very high homology) were significantly induced in THP-1-derived macrophages infected with $T.$ $gondii$ through activation of STAT6. In this study, to evaluate the effects of the induced SERPIN B3/B4 on the apoptosis of $T.$ $gondii$-infected THP-1 cells, we designed and tested various small interfering (si-) RNAs of SERPIN B3 or B4 in staurosporine-induced apoptosis of THP-1 cells. Anti-apoptotic characteristics of THP-1 cells after infection with $T.$ $gondii$ disappeared when SERPIN B3/B4 were knock-downed with gene specific si-RNAs transfected into THP-1 cells as detected by the cleaved caspase 3, poly-ADP ribose polymerase and DNA fragmentation. This anti-apoptotic effect was confirmed in SERPIN B3/B4 overexpressed HeLa cells. We also investigated whether inhibition of STAT6 affects the function of SERPIN B3/B4, and vice versa. Inhibition of SERPIN B3/B4 did not influence STAT6 expression but SERPIN B3/B4 expression was inhibited by STAT6 si-RNA transfection, which confirmed that SERPIN B3/B4 was induced under the control of STAT6 activation. These results suggest that $T.$ $gondii$ induces SERPIN B3/B4 expression via STAT6 activation to inhibit the apoptosis of infected THP-1 cells for longer survival of the intracellular parasites themselves.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.1449-1453
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• 2008

Galla Rhois is a nest of parasitic bug, has been traditionally used for the treatment of the therapy of diarrhea, peptic ulcer, hemauria, etc., that showed various anti-inflammatory activity, and other biological properties. We studied the effect of Galla Rhois ethanol extract. we investigated whether compounds isolated from the ethanol extract of Galla Rhois, could modulate iNOS and COX-2 expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found compounds that suppressed LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression. Suppression of the expression of iNOS and COX-2 was in parallel with the comparable inhibition of the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Our results suggest that compounds can inhibit NO and PGE2 productions through suppression of LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression. Because COX-2- or iNOS-dependent mechanisms are involved in inflammation and tumor progression, our findings provide a new uncovering mechanism responsible for anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects of Galla Rhois.

• 한국어병학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.177-184
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• 2020

In an attempt to find a feed additive showing an anti-scuticociliate effect, extracts from Citrus unshiu Peel were tested against virulent scuticociliate infection. The most effective anti-scuticociliate killing activity in vitro was observed in the extract squeezed from homogenizing water-soaked dried tangerine peel (DTP). In addition, we have investigated the effect of DTP as a feed additive on growth rate and anti-parasitic activity of olivaceus flounder. DTP extract added diets (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 5%/feed weight) were fed to flounder for 7 days for checking a growth rate and 14 days for a challenging test. As a result, the feed conversion rate was significantly improved only in 1% DPT extract group compared to the control and 0.5% DTP extract fed group showed 100% of survival rate in the challenge test, all of which indicating that DTP extract would be a potential feed additive against scuticociliatosis.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.371-383
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• 2021

Plant essential oils are used in products such as fragrances and cosmetics due to their individual aromatic characteristics. Currently, essential oils are not only used in cosmetics but also in pharmaceutical products with anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, insecticidal, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, psychophysiological, or anti-aging effects. Despite their pharmaceutical properties, some studies reported cytotoxic effects in high doses. Therefore, for pharmaceutical purposes, the margin of safety of essential oils needs to be examined. Herein, we evaluated the IC₅₀ of 10 essential oil from Korean native plants: Juniperus chinensis L. var. sargentii Henry, Citrus natsudaidai Hayata, Citrus reticulata Blanco, Citrus unshiu (Yu. Tanaka ex Swingle) Marcow, Artemisia capillaris Thunb, Aster glehnii F. Schmidt, Juniperus chinensis L, Zanthoxylum schinifolium Siebold & Zucc, Zanthoxylum piperitum (L.) D, and Cinnamomum loureirii. In addition, gene regulation of the cell-cycle gene and apoptosis marker CASP3 was examined at the IC₅₀ level. The purpose of this study was to describe the toxic concentrations of essential oils extracted from Korean native plants, thereby providing toxic concentration guidelines for inclusion in a toxicity database and in the application of plant essential oils in various fields.

• 셀메드
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.14.1-14.9
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• 2021

Background: Cuscuta reflexa Roxb is a member of the Cuscutaceae family, and in Unani medicine, it is known as Aftimoon. It is a parasitic plant that can be found growing abundantly on various host plants in India up to 3000 metres in altitude during the rainy season. Unani physicians have been using it for years to cure a variety of illnesses, including psychiatric illnesses like melancholia, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. It has been used to cure hepatitis, palpitations, and skin disorders, among other things. Objective of the study: To evaluate anti-anxiety effect of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb in Swiss Albino mice of either sex. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 Swiss Albino mice weighing 25-35 g were used in this study. Animals were chosen at random and held in their cages for at least 7 days in a standard setting. Group A was given regular saline as a vehicle, Group B was given a hydro alcoholic extract of the lower dose of the test drug, Group C was given a hydro alcoholic extract of the higher dose of the test drug, and Group D was given the standard drug Diazepam 5 mg/kg orally. Aftimoon as hydro alcoholic extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body wt.) was given in single and double doses and observed for 7 days. Results: For each parameter in each category, mean and standard deviations were computed. For multiple group comparisons, a one-way ANOVA was used, followed by Turkey's post hoc test. (p<0.05) was used as the significance standard. Conclusion: These results advocate that the Aftimoon as double dose (400 mg/kg body wt.) revealed anti-anxiety effect similar to standard drug.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.133-137
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• 1998

To investigate the effect of acupuncture on bovine parasitosis, we first surveyed the prevalence of parasite by fecal sedimentation and floatation techniques, and Giemsa stain for blood parasites. Coccidia were the most frequent parasite(22.1%), which followed by Buxtonella sulcata. Others were very few. After acupuncture, infection rates of Coccidia and B sulcata started to decrease at 1 day after acupuncture(DAA) and reduced to 5.3% and 0% at 7 and 21 DAA, respectively. In comparison between treated and control groups, due to small sample number, statistical evaluation was impossible. But diarrhea of treated group was slightly decreased, while, haemoparasites infection rate is decreased in control group. To gain the confident result of acupuncture effect, the more investigation is needed.

• 한국어병학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.117-123
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• 2015

우리나라 멍게 양식의 발전으로 생산량이 점점 증가하였으나 최근 물렁증 (soft tunic syndrome)으로 멍게가 대량 폐사하여 경제적으로 많은 손실을 입고 있다. 이런 물렁증을 일으키는 원인체가 Azumiobodo hoyamushi라고 보고되었다. 하지만 이 원인충을 박멸할 수 있는 치료제 연구는 미비한 실정이다. 저자들에 의한 이전의 연구에서 기존의 산화제, 환원제, 소독제 등에서 물렁증에 대한 치료효과가 있다고 보고하였다. 본 연구에서는 기존의 약제보다 좀 더 친환경적인 유기산을 활용하여 in vitro 및 in vivo 시험을 통하여 연구하였다. In vitro 시험에서 12종의 유기산 중 8종이 $300{\mu}g/ml$에서 100% 원충에 대한 살충효과를 발휘하였다. In vivo에서의 유기산 침투효과를 평가하기 위해 pH의 변화를 측정한 결과, 유기산 처리 후 멍게 피막내 pH는 in vitro 에서 보다는 0.5~1 정도 높고 무처리 피막보다는 2.0 정도가 낮아 부분적으로는 침투가 일어남을 확인하였다. 본 연구를 토대로 친환경적인 유기산을 이용하여 물렁증의 치료에 활용할 수 있을 것이다.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.687-703
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• 2019

A survey we conducted suggests that the ingestion of veterinary drug residues in edible animal parts constitutes a potential health hazard for its consumers, including, specifically, the possibility of developing multidrug resistance, carcinogenicity, and disruption of intestinal normal microflora. The survey results indicated that antibiotics, parasitic drugs, anticoccidial, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are broadly used, and this use in livestock is associated with the appearance of residues in various animal products such as milk, meat, and eggs. We observed that different cooking procedures, heating temperatures, storage times, fermentation, and pH have the potential to decrease drug residues in animal products. Several studies have reported the use of thermal treatments and sterilization to decrease the quantity of antibiotics such as tetracycline, oxytetracycline, macrolides, and sulfonamides, in animal products. Fermentation treatments also decreased levels of penicillin and pesticides such as dimethoate, malathion, Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, and lindane. pH, known to influence decreases in cloxacillin and oxacillin levels, reportedly enhanced the dissolution of antimicrobial drug residues. Pressure cooking also reduced aldrin, dieldrin, and endosulfan in animal products. Therefore, this review provides updated information on the control of drug residues in animal products, which is of significance to veterinarians, livestock producers, and consumer health.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.63-69
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• 2016

Objectives : The aerial parts of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb (Agrimoniae Herba; AH) has been traditionally used as a Korean medicine to treatment of abdominal pain, sore throat, headaches, bloody discharge, parasitic infections and eczema. In this study, we investigated the effect of AH ethanol extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophage cells.Methods : AH was extracted by 30% ethanol (AH-E). Raw264.7 cells were treated with AH-E extract at different concentrations for 30 min and then stimulated with LPS (1㎍/㎖) or without for indicated times. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess assay. The expression of inflammatory mediators, iNOS and COX-2 and inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was detected by RT-PCR, and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK MAP kinases (MAPKs) was analyzed by Western blot. Also, the expression of NF-κB in nuclear and cytosol was detected by Western blot.Results : AH-E extract significantly decreased LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells. AH-E extract inhibited the mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated cells with a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and JNK MAPKs was also inhibited by AH-E extract. AP-E extract inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB in LPS-stimulated cells.Conclusions : Our results suggest that AH-E extract has an anti-inflammatory activity in macrophages-mediated inflammation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제58권2호
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• pp.173-179
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• 2020

Leishmaniasis is a prevalent cause of death and animal morbidity in underdeveloped countries of endemic area. However, there is few vaccine and effective drugs. Antimicrobial peptides are involved in the innate immune response in many organisms and are being developed as novel drugs against parasitic infections. In the present study, we synthesized a 5-amino acid peptide REDLK, which mutated the C-terminus of Pseudomonas exotoxin, to identify its effect on the Leishmania tarentolae. Promastigotes were incubated with different concentration of REDLK peptide, and the viability of parasite was assessed using MTT and Trypan blue dye. Morphologic damage of Leishmania was analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Cellular apoptosis was observed using the annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit, mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit and flow cytometry. Our results showed that Leishmania tarentolae was susceptible to REDLK in a dose-dependent manner, disrupt the surface membrane integrity and caused parasite apoptosis. In our study, we demonstrated the leishmanicidal activity of an antimicrobial peptide REDLK from Pseudomonas aeruginosa against Leishmania tarentolae in vitro and present a foundation for further research of anti-leishmanial drugs.