• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.323-327
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• 2012

Acne, also known as Acne vulgaris, is a common disorder of human skin involving the sebaceous gland and Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). The purpose of this study was to demonstrate whether anti-acne herbal complex (AAHC), a functional extract from herbal complex can be used for acne treatment as a natural product. We first demonstrated anti-acne activity of AAHC in mouse acne model. Acne was induced by injecting P. acnes on the backside $2{\times}10^7$ CFUs in ICR mice and then the mice were treated with AAHC by dermal application once daily. ACFREE$^{(R)}$ (clindamicin phosphate) was used as a positive control. Treatment with AAHC decreased the P. acnes-induced skin swelling and inflammation. AAHC treatment significantly decreased serum DHT concentration in acne-induced mice. Especially, treatment of 20% AACH in mice was more effected than 40%. We next evaluated the antimicrobial property of AAHC against P. acnes, Staphylcococcus aureus (S.aureus), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Incubation of P. acnes, S. aureus, and E. coli with AAHC showed minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against the bacterial growth lower. Alamar blue method was also carried for the antibacterial activity. It was effectively MIC level at 6.25% of P. acnes. AAHC effectively inhibited the growth of S. aureus and E. coli at 0.097% on MIC level, respectively. Our results showed the potential of using AAHC as an alternative treatment for antibiotic therapy of acne and the application of AAHC as a herbal medicine for acne treatment.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.665-676
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to find the optimal freezing method and storage conditions for welsh onion. Methods: Cut welsh onions (0.3 cm) were packed in nylon/linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film bags, and frozen utilizing still-air freezing at -$20^{\circ}C$ (SAF20) and -$40^{\circ}C$ (SAF40), and immersed-liquid freezing at -$40^{\circ}C$ (ILF40); they were then stored at -$20^{\circ}C$ for 7 months. During storage, quality characteristics were measured monthly. Results: Drip loss was the lowest in the ILF40 packaging. Color difference in the stem (white part) did not differ significantly according to freezing conditions and storage time. Color difference in the leaf (green part) and stem was the lowest in SAF20. pH remained unchanged, while total aerobic bacterial count, pyruvic acid and moisture content decreased during storage. Pyruvic acid content of ILF40 was the highest among the freezing treatments. Fructose and glucose contents increased gradually during storage. Citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid and fumaric acid contents were unaffected, regardless of the freezing conditions. Conclusion: The optimal freezing method for welsh onions with the least quality changes was determined to be immersed liquid freezing, following by preservation up to 7 months by freeze-storing.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2012

Baicalin, a main constituent of the rhizome of Scutellaria baicalensis, is metabolized to baicalein and oroxylin A in the intestine before its absorption. To understand the role of intestinal microflora in the pharmacological activities of baicalin, we investigated its anti-inflammatory effect in mice treated with and without antibiotics. Orally administered baicalin showed the anti-inflammatory effect in mice than intraperitoneally treated one, apart from intraperitoneally administered its metabolites, baicalein and oroxylin A, which potently inhibited LPS-induced inflammation. Of these metabolites, oroxylin A showed more potent anti-inflammatory effect. However, treatment with the mixture of cefadroxil, oxytetracycline and erythromycin (COE) significantly attenuated the anti-inflammatory effect of orally administered baicalin in mice. Treatment with COE also reduced intestinal bacterial fecal ${\beta}$-glucuronidase activity. The metabolic activity of human stools is significantly different between individuals, but neither between ages nor between male and female. Baicalin was metabolized to baicalein and oroxylin A, with metabolic activities of $1.427{\pm}0.818$ and $1.025{\pm}0.603$ pmol/min/mg wet weight, respectively. Baicalin and its metabolites also inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$, and the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$B in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. Of them, oroxylin A showed the most potent inhibition. Based on these findings, baicalin may be metabolized to baicalein and oroxylin A by intestinal microflora, which enhance its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting NF-${\kappa}B$ activation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.56-59
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• 2011

Inflammatory pseudotumor is characterized by the presence of a mass that may mimic malignancy and is composed of spindle cells mixed with variable amounts of extracellular collagen, lymphocytes, and plasma cells It is benign tumor commonly involves lung and orbit and rarely that occurs in the head and neck The cause and pathogenesis of inflammatory pseudotumor still remain controversial. Some bacterial infection or chronic irritation may have prompted some speculation that an initially reactive process can change into an overt neoplastic disease. It tends to affect children and young adults than old ages. We present a case of inflammatory pseudotumor involving the tongue base, in a 73-year-old patient with repeated oral bleeding that aggravated over a few days. Clinical examination showed angiomatous polyp like findings in oropharynx that easy bleeding tendency. CT images showed well defined soft tissue mass with focal enhancement. After surgery, tumor was finally diagnosed inflammatory pseudotumor by histopathologic examinations showed plasma cells and inflammatory cells in variable fibrotic tissues.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.163-171
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical and biological properties of orthodontic bonding agents containing silver- or zinc-doped bioactive glass (BAG) and determine the antibacterial and remineralization effects of these agents. Methods: BAG was synthesized using the alkali-mediated solgel method. Orthodontic bonding agents containing BAG were prepared by mixing BAG with flowable resin. $Transbond^{TM}$ XT (TXT) and $Charmfil^{TM}$ Flow (CF) were used as controls. Ion release, cytotoxicity, antibacterial properties, the shear bond strength, and the adhesive remnant index were evaluated. To assess the remineralization properties of BAG, micro-computed tomography was performed after pH cycling. Results: The BAG-containing bonding agents showed no noticeable cytotoxicity and suppressed bacterial growth. When these bonding agents were used, demineralization after pH cycling began approximately 200 to $300{\mu}m$ away from the bracket. On the other hand, when CF and TXT were used, all surfaces that were not covered by the adhesive were demineralized after pH cycling. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that orthodontic bonding agents containing silver- or zinc-doped BAG have stronger antibacterial and remineralization effects compared with conventional orthodontic adhesives; thus, they are suitable for use in orthodontic practice.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 1981

Effect of environmental factors and host on the growth and outbreak of various ginseng diseases was reviewed Environmental lectors included hydrogen ion concentration, moisture content, temperature, nutrition, and microbiol populations. Age of the ginseng plants in relation to several ginseng disease occurrence was also included in order to formulate the effective control measure for ginseng diseases. Damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia, Pythium, and Phytophthora, greymold by Botrytis, sclerotinia by Scleretinia, and phytophthora blight caused by Phytophthora were usually prevalent during the early growing season of ginseng when temperature is below 20$^{\circ}C$, while anthrac se caused by Colletotrichum, alternaria blight by Alternaria, and bacterial soft rot by Erwinia were so during the latter growing season when temperature is above 25$^{\circ}C$. However, the root rot incited by Fnarium and Cylindrocarpon caused severe damages throughout the growing season. Growth range of the temperature for a pathogen was highly related to the corresponding disease outbreak. Hydrogen ion concentration was highly related to the outbreak of sclerotinia, root rot, and red rot. Most severe outbreak of those diseases where the soil acidity was pH 4.7, pH 6.5- 7.5, and pH6.0-6.5, respectively. Nitrogen content in the soil was also related to outbreak of root rot and red rot. More red rot occurred where NH,-nitrogen is above 30 ppm and more root rot obtained when excessive nitrogen fertilizer applied. Yellow necrosis apparently was related to magnesium especially its ratio with potassium or calcium content in a soil. Fusarium Population showed significant .relations to missing rate of ginseng Plants in a Implanting ginseng field, while that of total bacteria showed similar relations in all ginseng field, However, in six year old ginseng fields, the more the Streptomyces population was, the less the Fusarium obtained. Consequently, less missing rate observed in a field where Streptomyces population was high. Damping-off, root rot, Rhytophthor a blight were mose severe on the nursery and on 2-3 years old ginseng plants, whereas sclerotinia, and grey cod, alteraria blight, anthracnose were severe on 4-6 years old ginseng plants. Root rot caused by Fusarium and Erwinia, however, was also severe regardless of the age of the plants when the roots were injured. Therefore, for the effective control of ginseng root rot most careful control of the disease during the early year should be rendered.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.398-401
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• 2005

The bacterial enzyme UDP-N-acetylglucosamine enolpyruvyl transferase catalyzes the first committed step of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, i.e., transfer of enolpyruvate from phosphoenolpyruvate to UDP-N-acetyl-glucosamine. We have overexpressed the enzyme from Haemophilus influenzae in Escherichia coli and crystallized it in the apo-form, as well as in a complex with UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and fosfomycin using ammonium sulfate as the precipitant. X-ray diffraction data from a crystal of the apo-form were collected to $2.8{\AA}$ resolution at 293 K. The crystal quality was improved by co-crystallization with UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and fosfomycin. X-ray data to $2.2{\AA}$ have been collected at 100 K from a flash-frozen crystal of the complex. The complex crystals belong to the orthorhombic space group I222 (or $I2_12_12_1$) with unit-cell parameters of a = 63.7, b = 124.5, and $c=126.3{\AA}$. Assuming a monomer of the recombinant enzyme in the crystallographic asymmetric unit, the calculated Matthews parameter ($V_M$) is $2.71{\AA}^3Da^{-1}$ and solvent content is 54.6%.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.113-119
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• 2007

Developmental disability shows life-long behavioral abnormality with no significant physical malformation. This study was undertaken to develop an animal model for developmental disability by using two-factor approach. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial toxin, and NAN-190, a $5-HT_{1A}$ receptor antagonist, were administered to Sprague-Dawley rats on postnatal day (PND) 5 to induce inflammation and an altered 5-HT system, respectively. Long-term alteration of behavior occurred in the drug-treated groups. The LPS-treated group showed impaired motor coordination in the Rota-rod test. The LPS- treated or both LPS and NAN-190-treated groups showed impaired fore-paw muscle power in the wire maneuver test. These groups also showed decreased white matter volume and increased serotonergic fibers. The LPS and NAN-190-treated group also exhibited neurologic deficit in the placing reaction test and impaired equilibrium function in the tilt table test. The results showed that a variety of altered behaviors can be generated by two factor model, and suggested that combination of important etiologic factors and possible underlying defects is a promising strategy of establishing an animal model for developmental disabilities.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.838-848
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• 2012

Orally administered herbal glycosides are metabolized to their hydrophobic compounds by intestinal microflora in the intestine of animals and human, not liver enzymes, and absorbed from the intestine to the blood. Of these metabolites, some, such as quercetin and kaempherol, are mutagenic. The fecal bacterial enzyme fraction (fecalase) of human or animals has been used for measuring the mutagenicity of dietary glycosides. However, the fecalase activity between individuals is significantly different and its preparation is laborious and odious. Therefore, we developed a fecal microbial enzyme mix (FM) usable in the Ames test to remediate the fluctuated reaction system activating natural glycosides to mutagens. We selected, cultured, and mixed 4 bacteria highly producing glycosidase activities based on a cell-free extract of feces (fecalase) from 100 healthy Korean volunteers. When the mutagenicities of rutin and methanol extract of the flos of Sophora japonica L. (SFME), of which the major constituent is rutin, towards Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98, 100, 102, 1,535, and 1,537 were tested using FM and/or S9 mix, these agents were potently mutagenic. These mutagenicities using FM were not significantly different compared with those using Korean fecalase. SFME and rutin were potently mutagenic in the test when these were treated with fecalase or FM in the presence of S9 mix, followed by those treated with S9 mix alone and those with fecalase or FM. Freeze-dried FM was more stable in storage than fecalase. Based on these findings, FM could be usable instead of human fecalase in the Ames test.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1640-1650
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• 2020

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the leading cause of common malignant neoplasm worldwide. Many studies have analyzed compositions of gut microbiota associated with various diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colon cancer. One of the most representative bacteria involved in CRC is enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), a species belonging to phylum Bacteroidetes. We used ETBF colonized mice with azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) and zerumbone, a compound with anti-bacterial effect, to determine whether zerumbone could restore intestinal microbiota composition. Four experimental groups of mice were used: sham, ETBF colonized AOM/DSS group, ETBF colonized AOM/DSS group zerumbone 60 mg kg-1 (ETBF/AOM/DSS + Z (60)), and only zerumbone (60 mg kg^-1)-treated group. We performed reversible dye terminators-based analysis of 16S rRNA gene region V3-V4 for group comparison. Microbiota compositions of ETBF/AOM/DSS + Z (60) group and ETBF colonized AOM/DSS group not given zerumbone were significantly different. There were more Bacteroides in ETBF/AOM/DSS + Z (60) group than those in ETBF colonized AOM/DSS group, suggesting that B. fragilis could be a normal flora activated by zerumbone. In addition, based on linear discriminant analysis of effect size (LEfSe) analysis, microbial diversity decreased significantly in the ETBF colonized AOM/DSS group. However, after given zerumbone, the taxonomic relative abundance was increased. These findings suggest that zerumbone not only influenced the microbial diversity and richness, but also could be helpful for enhancing the balance of gut microbial composition. In this work, we demonstrate that zerumbone could restore the composition of intestinal microbiota.