• Development and Reproduction
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2018

Patients with type II diabetes mellitus are more susceptible to colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence than non-diabetics. The anti-diabetic drug metformin is most commonly prescribed for the treatment of this disease and has recently shown antitumor effect in preclinical studies. The aberrant mutational activation in the components of RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is very frequently observed in CRC. We previously reported that metformin inhibits the phosphorylation of ERK and BEZ235, a dual inhibitor of PI3K and mTOR, has anti-tumor activity against HCT15 CRC cells harboring mutations of KRAS and PIK3CA. Therefore, we hypothesized that simultaneous inhibition of two pathways by combining metformin with BEZ235 could be more effective in the suppression of proliferation than single agent treatment in HCT15 CRC cells. Here, we investigated the combinatory effect of metformin and BEZ235 on the cell survival in HCT15 CRC cells. Our study shows that both of the two signaling pathways can be blocked by this combinational strategy: metformin suppressed both pathways by inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK, 4E-BP1 and S6, and BEZ235 suppressed PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway by reducing the phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and S6. This combination treatment synergistically reduced cell viability. The combination index (CI) values ranged from 0.44 to 0.88, indicating synergism for the combination. These results offer a preclinical rationale for the potential therapeutic option for the treatment of CRC.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2020

This study was performed to find anti-inflammatory or antitumor compounds from the polar fraction obtained from the extract of Clinopodium chinense var. shibetchense (H. Lev) Koidz (Labiatae). Chromatography of the BuOH fraction yielded two flavonoid glycosides (compounds 1 and 2) and two saponins (compounds 3 and 4). On the basis of spectroscopic data, compounds 1 and 2 were identified to be ponciretin 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-α-D-glucopyranoside (neoponcirin) and naringenin 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-α-D-glucopyranoside (isonaringin). Compounds 3 and 4 were identified to be 3-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-fucopyranosyl}-saikogenin F (buddlejasaponin IV) and 3-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-fucopyranosyl}-21β-hydroxysaikogenin F (clinoposaponin XV). In addition, ursolic acid (5) was isolated and identified from the CHCl₃ fraction. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) assay and sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay were performed to lead a potential anti-inflammatory or anti-tumor compounds from C. chinense var. shibetchense. Of the four compounds (1 - 4), compound 3 considerably inhibited cancer cell growth and NO production (IC₅₀s, 5.59 μM in iNOS assay and 6.62 - 14.88 μM in SRB assay).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1345-1355
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• 2014

The interruption of angiogenesis using herbal extracts is now recognized as a useful approach for treating many solid tumors. To date, the best-validated antitumor approach is to target the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenic pathway. In the present study, we first identified the antiangiogenic activity of a hot-water extract of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCMHE) in vitro and ex vivo. This extract suppressed VEGF-induced angiogenesis, the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), p38 and the activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). RCMHE also inhibited the VEGF-responsive phosphorylation of VEGFR2. These results clearly show that RCMHE may have potential therapeutic value for angiogenesis-associated human diseases through the suppression of angiogenesis and the interruption of the phosphorylation of VEGFR2.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.986-990
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• 2004

The immunomodulatory effect of Codonopsis lanceolata based on the production of cytokines and the activation of macrophage was studied. The mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was gradually induced after 24 hr treatment of Codonopsis lanceolata, and NO production was a maximum after 24 hr treatment with 1 mg/mL. RAW 264.7 cell on in vitro treatment with Codonopsis lanceolata induced mRNA of cytokines such as interleukin-1(IL-1)${\beta}$, interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis $factor(TNF)-{\alpha}\;and\;interferon(IFN)-{\gamma}$; $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 mRNA were gradually induced up to 24 hr, $TNF-{\alpha}\;mRNA$ was regularly induced up to 24 hr, and $IFN-{\gamma}\;mRNA$ level was a maximum within 1 hr. These results suggest that Codonopsis lanceolata exerts as an effective immunomodulator and enhances antitumor activity of macrophages.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.232-237
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• 2005

Lactoferrin is a member of the transferrin family of iron-binding glycoproteins. It is originally found in milk. In addition to its antibacterial and antiviral activities, lactoferrin has many other biological functions include anti-inflammatory properties, antitumor, cell growth-promoting activity as well as antioxidant effect In the present study, we report the production of recombinant bovine lactoferrin and lactoferrin N-lobe in the Rhodococcus erythropolis (R erythropolis) using pTip vector. The expression level was investigated in various range of temperature, and we could successfully expressed the bovine lactoferrin and lactoferrin N-lobe in R erythropolis at low temperature. The recombinant proteins were purified by Nickel-Nitrolotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA). The purified proteins were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, which indicating that the recombinant proteins have a molecular weight of 80kDa and 43kDa for bovine lactoferrin and lactoferrin N-lobe, respectively.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2017

D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a secondary messenger in insulin signal transduction. It is produced in vivo from myo-inositol via action of epimerase. In this study, we evaluated antitumor activity of DCI against human breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. In order to determine the inhibitory effects of DCI on growth of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), two different assessment methods were implemented: MTT assay and mouse xenograft assay. MTT assay demonstrated downturn in cell proliferation by DCI treatment (1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mM) groups by 18.3% (p < 0.05), 17.2% (p < 0.05), 17.5% (p < 0.05), 18.4% (p < 0.05), and 24.9% (p < 0.01), respectively. Also, inhibition of tumor growth was investigated in mouse xenograft model. DCI was administered orally at the dose of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight to treat nude mouse for 45 consecutive days. On the 45th day, tumor growth of DCI (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) groups was suppressed by 22.1% and 67.6% as mean tumor volumes were $9313.8{\pm}474.1mm^3$ and $3879.1{\pm}1044.1mm^3$, respectively. Furthermore, breast cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype ($CD44^+/C24^-$) was measured using flow cytometry. On the 46th day, CSC ratios of DCI (500 mg/kg) and co-treatment with doxorubicin (4 mg/kg) and DCI (500 mg/kg) group decreased by 24.7% and 53.9% (p < 0.01), respectively. Finally, from tumor recurrence assay, delay of 5 days in the co-treatment group compared to doxorubicin (4 mg/kg) alone group was observed. Based on these findings, we propose that DCI holds potential as an anti-cancer drug for treatment of breast cancer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.945-949
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• 2005

The objective of this study is to investigate the inhibitor effects of an traditional oriental herb, Sophora flavescens on the pancreatic & cardiac side effects of chemotherapy were studied by using Bl6-BL6 melanoma-injected C57BL6 mouse tumor model. In this study, the effects of an traditional oriental herb, Sophora flavescens, on the side effects of chemotherapy were studied using B16 melanoma-injected C57BL6 mouse tumor model. Anticancer drugs widely used in clinical situation. Sophora flavescen has significant effect on the reduction of the side effects of chemotherapy. Water extract of Sophora flavescens significantly inhibited cisplatin-induced increase of amylase (AMY) which is a good indicator of pancreatic toxicity. Sophora flavescens extract does not decrease the anti-tumor activity of cisplatin showing that it can selectively inhibit side effects of anticancer drugs preserving beneficial effect. Theses results suggest a possibility that Sophora flavescens extract can be used for cancer patients for the reduction of the side effects and improving the quality of life during chemotherapy of cancer patients.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 1997

General pharmacological effects of SB-31$^{R}$, the extracts of Pulsatilla koreana, were investigated in mice, rats and guinea-pigs. Intravenous injection of SB-31 (3 and 6 ml/kg) produced almost no effect on central nervous system no effects on the general symptom and behaviors of mice, spontaneous locomotor activity, pentobarbital- induced sleeping time , rotared performance , electroshock and pentylenetertrazole -induced seizures, acetic acid-induced writhing and normal body temperature in mice. SB-31 showed little effects on the spontaneous movement of the isolated ileum and contraction induced by agonists in isolated ileum, suggesting no influence on autonomic nervous system. Administration of SB-31 also did not show any effect on blood pressure in conscious rats. However, a slight decrease in heart rate was observed at high doses (6 and 10 ml/kg) of SB-31 in conscious rats. Similarly, a slight increase in respiratory rate was observed at 6 m1/kg of SB-31 in anesthetized rats. SB-31 did not produce any effect at the dose of 3 ml/kg, but showed a tendency to increase the urinary volume at 6 ml/kg, and produced a decrease in urinary excretions of N $a_{+}$and $K_{+}$at 6 ml/kg. However, transport capacity within the gastrointestinal tract and the secretion of the gastric juice were not influenced by 6 ml/kg of SB-31. In conclusion, these results suggest that SB-31 did not pro-duce any acute effects on the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, respiratory and circulatory systems, digestive system and kidney function at the dose of below 3 ml/kg.ml/kg.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.175-177
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• 2009

Cancer is the main cause of death in developed countries. However, in underdeveloped countries infections and parasitic diseases are the main causes of death. There are raising scientific evidences indicating that parasitic infections induce antitumor activity against certain types of cancers. In this study, the effects of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis egg antigens in comparison with Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) (known to have anticancer distinctive) on WEHI-164 fibosarcoma transplanted to BALB/c mice was investigated. Groups of 6 male BALB/c mice injected with T. gondii antigen, BCG, or T. canis egg antigen as case groups and alum alone as control groups. All mice were then challenged with WEHI-164 fibrosarcoma cells. The mice were examined for growth of the solid tumor and the tumor sizes were measured every other day up to 4wk. The mean tumor area in T. gondii, BCG, or alum alone injected mice in 4 different days of measurements was $25\;mm^2$, $23\;mm^2$, and $186\;mm^2$ respectively, Also the mean tumor area in T. canis injected mice in 4 different days was $25.5\;mm^2$ compared to the control group (alum treated) which was $155\;mm^2$. T. gondii parasites and T. canis egg antigens induced inhibition of the tumor growth in the fibrosarcoma mouse model. We need further study to clarify the mechanisms of anti-cancer effects.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.1096-1104
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• 1996

In order to synthesize a new antibacterial and antitumor agents, we have prepared new analogues pteroic acid(13a, 13b), which means C-9 position of pteroic acid has been replaced by norfloxacin(8) or ciprofloxacin(9) and amino group of C-2 position by $CH_3$. These derivatives were synthesized coupling at N-4 piperazine of norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin with 2-amino-3-cyano-5-chloromethylpyrazine(20) provided 1-alkyl(ethyl, cyclopropyl)-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-[[4-N-(2-amino-3-cyanopyrazin-5-yl)methyl]piperazin-1-yl]-3-quinoline-carboxylic acid(12a, 12b). It was then cyclized with acetamidine. HCI to obtain new analogues of C-2 desaminomethylpteroic acid(13a, 13b) in yield of 76.2% and 82.8 % respectively. These compounds were tested in vitro on antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC9027. In general, these synthesized compounds(13a, 13b) showed less potent activities than those of norfloxacin.