• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.312-318
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• 2010

Multilayer Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA)/ Poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) bone plates were fabricated using electrospinning and in vitro investigations were carried out for pre-clinical biocompatibility studies. The initial cellular cytotoxicity of the methacrylate (PMMA)/ Poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) bone plates was measured by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay using fibroblast-like L-929 cells. Cellular adhesion and differentiation studies were carried out using osteoblast-like MG-63 cells. As simulated body fluid (SBF) contains the same ionic concentration of body fluid and any bioactive material tends to deposit bone-like apatite on the samples surfaces into the SBF, in vitro bioactivity of the multilayer bone plates were investigated using SBF. We also studied the internal organization and tensile strength of the multilayer PMMA/PVA bone plates using micro-computed topography (${\mu}$-CT) and universal testing instrument (UTI, Korea) respectively. The cellular cytotoxicity study with MTT confirmed that the cellular viability was 78 to 90% which indicates good cyto-compatibility. Scanning electron microscopic findings revealed a good attachment and adhesion phenomenon of MG-63 cells onto the surfaces of the samples. Cellular differentiation studies also showed that osteogenic differentiation was switched on in a timely manner and affirmed along with that of the control group. Bone-like apatite formation on the surfaces was confirmed within 14 days of SBF incubation. Initial organizations of the multilayer PMMA/PVA bone plates were characterized as dense and uniform. The tensile strength of the post-pressing electronspun mat was higher than that of the pre-electronspun mat. These results suggest that a multilayer PMMA/PVA bone plate system is biocompatible, bioactive and a very good alternative bone plate system.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.446-458
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• 2008

Essential fatty acids (EFA) are fatty acids that must be obtained from the diet because they can not be biosynthesized by human or animals. Gamma fatty acids contain gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n-6) and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DHGLA, 20:3n-6) as intermediate metabolites of linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6), which is an EFA found in vegetable oils. GLA is an important essential fatty acid that is required by human and animals to function normally. Recently, studies have indicated that GLA may be an essential component of the cell membrane, as well as an active component of dietary supplements and medicine. GLA must beadministered through the diet because it is converted into DHGLA in the body quickly and completely. DHGLA is a key material involved in the metabolism of LA. GLA is biosysthesized by the rate limiting step of ${\Deltac}^6$-desaturase, which is an enzyme that desaturates LA, there by allowing it to be converted into DHGLA via chain elongation. In addition, DHGLA exerts bioactive effects via action as a precursor of eicosanoid series 1. Breast milk contains an abundant amount of GLA; however, GLA is also available directly in evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil, borage oil and hemp seed oil. In addition, GLA enriched animal and plant can be produced using biotechnology, and highly pure GLA can be extracted using supercritical fluids, such as supercritical carbon dioxide, which will allow economically feasible production of GLA for use in medicines.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 2010

Activator protein-1 can induce either cell survival or death, which is controlled by opposing effects of different Jun members. It is generally accepted that c-Jun is pro-apoptotic, but that JunD is anti-apoptotic in stress-exposed cells. Additionally, although there are reports suggesting that JunB plays a protective role, its role in stress-induced apoptosis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the role of JunB in $H_2O_2$-induced cell death using cells that over-expressed the protein or were transfected with si-JunB. Inhibition of JunB expression accelerated $H_2O_2$-mediated loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cytotoxicity. Conversely, over-expression of JunB protein led to significant inhibition of the MMP loss and cell death. The increase in JunB expression also attenuated nuclear relocation of apoptosis-inducing factor and mitochondrial Bcl-2 reduction that occurred following $H_2O_2$ exposure. These results suggest that JunB can signal survival against oxidant-mediated cell death by suppressing mitochondrial stress.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.328-333
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• 2013

Many bioactive molecules like recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) have been developed for mineralized bone grafts, for which proper scaffolds are necessary to successfully apply the bioactive molecules. In this study, we tested the osteogenic efficacy of rhBMP-2 produced in-house in combination with gelatin sponge as the scaffold carrier in a rabbit radial defect model. The efficacy of the rhBMP-2 was determined by alkaline phosphatase activity assay of C2C12 cells. Two groups of ten rabbits each were treated with rhBMP-2/gelatin sponge, or gelatin sponge only. At 4 weeks, rhBMP-2/gelatin sponge grafts showed more bone regeneration than gelatin sponge grafts, as determined by X-ray radiography, micro-computed tomography, and histological analyses. At 8 weeks, rhBMP-2/gelatin sponge grafts exerted much stronger osteogenic effects. The study demonstrates the improved osteogenic efficacy of the rhBMP-2/gelatin sponge grafts in a rabbit radial bone defect model acting as a bone-inductive material.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.16.1-16.7
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• 2018

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are linked with several complications such as metastasis of cancer progression, oxidative stress, and hepatic fibrosis. Brown seaweeds are being extensively studied for their bioactive molecule content against cancer progression. In this context, Sargassum horneri was reported to possess various bioactivities including antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory partly due to its phenolic compound content. Methods: In this study, potential of S. horneri was evaluated through anti-MMP effect in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells. S. horneri crude extract was fractionated with organic solvents, namely, water ($H_2O$), n-buthanol (n-BuOH), 85% aqueous methanol (85% aq. MeOH), and n-hexane. The non-toxicity of fraction samples (Sargassum horneri solvent-partitioned extracts (SHEs)) was confirmed by cell-viability assay. SHEs were tested for their ability to inhibit MMP enzymatic activity through gelatin digestion evaluation and cell migration assay. Expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMPs) were evaluated by reverse transcription and Western blotting. Results: All fractions inhibited the enzymatic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 according to gelatin zymography. Except $H_2O$ fraction, fractions hindered the cell migration significantly. All tested fractions suppressed both mRNA and protein levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. Conclusion: Overall, current results suggested that S. horneri has potential to be a good source for anti-MMP agents, and further investigations are underway for better understanding of the action mechanism and isolation and elucidation of the bioactive molecules.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.42-49
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determine the nutritional value of domestic cherry tomato varieties (Summerking, Qutiquti, and Minichal). The levels of amino acids, amino acid derivatives, and ${\gamma}-aminobutyric-acid$ (GABA) were analyzed using ion chromatography. In domestic cherry tomatoes, eighteen free amino acids were found including L-glutamic acid (L-Glu), L-glutamine (L-Gln), and L-aspartic acid (L-Asp). L-Glu was the most abundant amino acid, ranging from 1,533.17 mg/100 g to 1,920.65 mg/100 g (dry weight). The next abundant amino acids were L-Gln, ranging from 784.68 mg/100 g to 1,164.36 mg/100 g and L-Asp, ranging from 320.73 mg/100 g to 387.22 mg/100 g. Domestic cherry tomatoes contained eight essential amino acids except tryptophan and the total essential amino acid content was 297.30~432.43 mg/100 g (dry weight), which was 8.92~10.61% of total free amino acid. Several amino acid derivatives were found: L-carnitine (L-Car), hydroxylysine (Hyl), o-phosphoethanolamine (o-Pea), phosphoserine (p-Ser), ${\beta}-alanine$ (${\beta}-Ala$), N-methyl-histidine (Me-His), ethanolamine ($EtNH_2$), and L-citrulline (L-Cit). L-Car, transporting long-chain fatty acid into mitocondrial matrix, was the most abundant amino acid derivative in all domestic cherry tomatoes. A high level of GABA (313.18~638.57 mg/100 g), known as a neurotransmitter, was also found in all three domestic cherry tomatoes. These results revealed that domestic cherry tomatoes have a good balance of nutrient and bioactive compounds. Therefore, cherry tomatoes can be used as a functional food material.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.246-252
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to obtain a natural antibiotic from Phenol-rich compounds; for the dressing and the treatment of chronic wounds. Methods: The Phenol-rich compound sweet gel was prepared by blending four natural herbal extracts, Acacia catechu (L.F.), Momia (Shilajit), Castanea sativa, and Ephedra sinica stapf, with combination of a sweet gel medium, including honey, maple saps, Phoenix dactylifera L. (date), pomegranate extract and Azadirachta indica gum as a stabilizer. The combinations were screened by using a well-diffusion assay with cloxacillin as a control. Pseudomonas spp. was tested with our novel antimicrobial compound. The zones of inhibition in agar culture were measured for each individual component and for the compound, and the results were compared with those of the control group which had been treated with cloxacillin. Data were expressed as means ${\pm}$ standard deviations. Quantitative analyses were performed using the paired t-test. Results: The antibiotic effect of the Phenol-rich compound sweet gel was statistically shown to be more significant than that of cloxacillin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our novel approach to fighting the antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonas proved to be successful. The Phenol-rich compound sweet gel was found to be suitable for use as an alternative medicine and bioactive dressing material, for the treatment of patients with various types of wounds, including burns, venous leg ulcers, ulcers of various etiologies, leg ulcers on the feet of diabetic, unhealed graft sampling sites, abscesses, boils, surgical wounds, necrotic process, post-operative and neonatal wound infection, and should be considered as an alternative to the usual methods of cure.

• CELLMED
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.13
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• 2019

Background: Contents of bioactive substances extractable from different parts of terrestrial plants vary enormously. Aim: To ascertain that parts of Withania somnifera other than its roots can also be used for prevention and cure of unavoidable stress triggered central hypersensitivity to pain. Material and Methods: Groups of male or female mice treated either with Withania somnifera extracts or with metformin, aspirin, imipramine, diazepam and niacin for 11 consecutive days were subjected to "foot-shock stress-induced hyperthermia" and "hot plate" tests on the 1st, 5th, 7th, and 10th days of the experiments. On the 11th day, they were subjected to tail suspension test and on 12th day pentobarbital hypnosis test. Results: Except for diazepam and imipramine, protective effects of all other tested drugs as well as of the Withania somnifera extracts against stress-induced central hypersensitivity to pain were accompanied by their preventive effects against foot-shock stress-induced body weight losses. All observed stress response suppressing effects of all test agents increased with increasing numbers of treatment days. However, mean duration of pentobarbital-induced sleep was shorter in the extracts treated groups and longer in the diazepam treated ones only. Conclusions: Reported observations reveal that pharmacological activity profile of Withania somnifera extracts in male and female mice are almost identical, and are not like those of several drugs currently often prescribed for the treatment of diabetes-associated comorbidities. Withanolides are not the only extractable bioactive constituents of Withania somnifera. The described bioassay system is well suited for pharmacological standardization of diverse types of Withania somnifera extracts.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.41.1-41.16
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• 2022

The human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 has chemotactic and modulatory activities in various immune cells, including dendritic cells. Because of its characteristics, LL-37 can be considered an adjuvant for vaccine development. In this study, we confirmed the possible adjuvant activity of LL-37 in mucosal vaccine development against Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) by means of intranasal immunization in C57BL/6 and human dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (hDPP4)-transgenic (hDPP4-Tg) mice. Intranasal immunization using the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of MERS-CoV spike protein (S-RBD) recombined with LL-37 (S-RBD-LL-37) induced an efficient mucosal IgA and systemic IgG response with virus-neutralizing activity, compared with S-RBD. Ag-specific CTL stimulation was also efficiently induced in the lungs of mice that had been intranasally immunized with S-RBD-LL-37, compared with S-RBD. Importantly, intranasal immunization of hDPP4-Tg mice with S-RBD-LL-37 led to reduced immune cell infiltration into the lungs after infection with MERS-CoV. Finally, intranasal immunization of hDPP4-Tg mice with S-RBD-LL-37 led to enhanced protective efficacy, with increased survival and reduced body weight loss after challenge infection with MERS-CoV. Collectively, these results suggest that S-RBD-LL-37 is an effective intranasal vaccine candidate molecule against MERS-CoV infection.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.330-339
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• 2024

Corn cobs were fermented with Aspergillus niger to produce soluble dietary fiber (SDF) of high quality and excellent food safety. In this work, the fermentation process was optimized by single-factor test and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal fermentation conditions were determined to be a material-liquid ratio of 1:30, an inoculum concentration of 11%, a temperature of 32℃, a time of 6 days, and a shaking speed of 200 r/min. Under these conditions, the SDF yield of corn cob increased from 2.34% to 11.92%, and the ratio of soluble dietary fiber to total dietary fiber (SDF/TDF) reached 19.08%, meeting the requirements for high-quality dietary fiber (SDF/TDF of more than 10%). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis revealed that the fermentation effectively degraded part of cellulose and hemicellulose, resulting in the formation of a loose and porous structure. After fermentation the water swelling capacity, water-holding capacity, and oil-holding capacity of the corn cob SDF were significantly improved and the adsorption capacity of glucose, cholesterol, and nitrite ions all increased by more than 20%. Moreover, the total phenolic content increased by 20.96%, which correlated with the higher antioxidant activity of SDF. Overall, the fermentation of corn cobs by A. niger increased the yield and enhanced the functional properties of dietary fiber (DF) as well.