• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.273-276
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• 2009

We investigated eight active natural antimicrobials for preservation of functional beverages that are usually degraded by yeasts rather than by bacteria due to a high sugar content and a low pH. Five strains of yeasts (S. cerevisiae, Z. bailii, P. membranaefaciens, C. albicans, and P Anomala) were tested with eight natural antimicrobial agents ($\varepsilon$-polylysine, yucca extract, vitamin $B_1$ derivative, scutellaria baicalensis extract, chitooligosaccharid, allyl isothiocyanate, sucrose-fatty acid ester, and oligosaccharide). The lowest minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were 10 ppm for oligosaccharide and sucrose-fatty acid ester against S. cerevisiae and Z. bailii, 10 ppm for allyl isothiocynate against P. membranaefaciens and C. albican, and 10 ppm for allyl isothiocynate and oligosaccharide against P. anomala. No growth were observed for five kinds of yeasts in functional beverages containing sodium benzonate at concentration of 0.015% or higher. The resistance of S. cerevisiae, Z. bailii, and P. Anomala against natural antimicrobial agents was lower than those of P. membranaefaciens and C. albican. Allyl isothiocyanate, oligosaccharide, and sucrose-fatty acid ester showed the highest antimicrobial activities among the eight tested antimicrobials. These results can be applied to develop new natural antimicrobial agents to improve microbial quality of functional beverages.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2009

Column chromatographic separation of the alcoholic extract from the roots of Berberis amurensis yielded eight phenolic constituents including six lignans, hanultarin (1), (-)-secoisolariciresinol (3), (+)-lyoniresinol (5), (+)-syringaresinol (6), (+)-syringaresinol-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside (7), liriodendrin (8), and two phenylpropanoids, 4-glucosyloxy-3-methoxyphenyl trans-propenoic ethyl ester (2), trans-ferulic acid (4). The structures were determined on the basis of NMR spectroscopic data. All isolated compounds(1-8) were reported for the first time from this source. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines in vitro using sulforhodamin B bioassay.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.60-60
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• 1995

새로운 혈소판 활성화인자 (PAF) 수용체 결합 저해활성 유효성분인 pinusolide ($IC_{50}$/=2.5$\times$$10^{-7}$M)와 arctigenin($IC_{50}$/=5.2$\times$$10^{-6}$M)을 측백엽(Biota orientalis)과 우방자(Arctium lappa)로부터 분리하여 이미 보고한 바 있다. PAF 수용체에 대한 구조활성 상관관계를 규명하고자 또한 용해도가 우수한 강력한 PAF 길항제를 개발하고자 이 길항제들의 유도체들을 다양한 유기화학반응을 이용하여 합성하였고 in vitro PAF receptor binding assay로 그 활성의 강도를 비교 검토하였다. 그 결과, lactone ring 부분은 unsaturated lactone이 saturated lactone보다 활성이 강하였고 ring이 개열되면 활성이 현저히 감소하였다. pinusolide 경우 exocylclic double bond 부분은 sp$^2$구조의 hydrophobic한 유도체가 활성이 강하였으며, methyl ester 부분은 hydrophobic한 유도체가 활성이 강하였다. Arctigenin의 경우 aromatic unit가 hydrophobic할수록 활성이 강하였다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.409-414
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• 2008

The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), a key player in cholesterol metabolism, has been shown to promote the transfer of triglycerides from very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) to high density lipoprotein (HDL) in exchange for cholesterol ester. Here we demonstrate that farnesoid X receptor ${\alpha}$ ($FXR{\alpha}$; NR1H4) down-regulates CETP expression in HepG2 cells. A $FXR{\alpha}$ ligand, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), suppressed basal mRNA levels of the CETP gene in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Using gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, we found that $FXR{\alpha}$ could bind to the liver X receptor ${\alpha}$ ( $LXR{\alpha}$; NR1H3) binding site (LXRE; DR4RE) located within the CETP 5' promoter region. $FXR{\alpha}$ suppressed $LXR{\alpha}$-induced DR4RE-luciferase activity and this effect was mediated by a binding competition between $FXR{\alpha}$ and $LXR{\alpha}$ for DR4RE. Furthermore, the addition of CDCA together with a $LXR{\alpha}$ ligand, GW3965, to HepG2 cells was shown to substantially decrease mRNA levels of hepatic CETP gene, which is typically induced by GW3965. Together, our data demonstrate that $FXR{\alpha}$ down-regulates CETP gene expression via binding to the DR4RE sequence within the CETP 5' promoter and this $FXR{\alpha}$ binding is essential for $FXR{\alpha}$ inhibition of $LXR{\alpha}$-induced CETP expression.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.706-708
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• 2003

A new 24-nor-lupaneglycoside was isolated from the leaves of Acanthopanax trifoliatus. Based on spectroscopic data its chemical structure was determined as 24-nor-11$\alpha$-hydroxy-3-oxo-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid 28-Ο-$\alpha$-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1$\rightarrow4)-\beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1\rightarrow6)-\beta$-D-glucopyranosyl ester.

• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.172-177
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• 2002

We previously reported that cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitory peptides (designated $P_{28}$ and $P_{10})$ have anti-atherogenic effects in hypercholesterolemic rabbits (Biochim. Biophys. Acta (1998) 1391, 133-144). To further investigate those effects, we studied rabbit plasma that was collected after 30 h of a $P_{28}$ or $P_{10}$ injection. We found that there is a strong correlation between the in vivo CETP inhibition effects and alterations of lipoprotein particle size distribution in rabbit plasma, as determined on an agarose gel electrophoresis and gel filtration column chromatography. In vivo effects of the peptide were observed again in C57BL/6 mice that expressed simian CETP. The $P_{28}$ or $P_{10}$ peptide ($7\;{\mu}g/g$ of body weight) that was dissolved in saline was injected subcutaneously into the mice. The $P_{28}$ injection caused the partial inhibition of plasma CETP activity up to 50%, decreasing the total plasma cholesterol concentration by 30%, and increasing the ratio of HD/total-cholesterol concentration by 150% in the CETP-transgenic (tg) mice. The CETP inhibition by the $P_{28}$ or $P_{10}$ made alterations that modulated the size re-distribution of the lipoproteins in the blood stream. Particle size of the very low (VLDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) from the peptide-injected group was highly decreased compared to the saline-injected group (determined on the gel filtration column chromatography). In contrast, The HDL particle size of the $P_{28}$-injected group increased compared to the control group (saline-injected). The expression level of the CETP mRNA of the $P_{28}$-injected CETP-tg mouse appeared lower than the saline-injected CETP-tg mouse. These results suggest that the injection of the CETP inhibitory peptide could affect the CETP expression level in the liver by influencing lipoprotein metabolism.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 1986

It was our working hypothesis that introduction of 11-keto groups to 12-oleanene/ursene series of triterpenoids should endow them with corticoid-like activities, since pharmacological actions of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) are known to be caused by inhibition on $corticoid-{\delta}^4-reductase$. 11-Keto-triterpenoids derived artificially in these studies, such as 11, 19-diketo-18, 19-secoursolic acid methyl ester(I), $11-keto-{\beta}-boswellic$ acid derivatives (IIa-IIc), 11-Keto-presenegenin dimethyl ester (III), II-keto-oleanolic acid derivatives (IVa-IVd) and 11-keto-hederagenin (V) possess the fundamental functions of ${\alpha},\;{\beta}-unsaturated$ ketone on C-11 and hydroxyl group on C-3, as like GA (VI). Additionally, they involve the carboxyl groups on rings A (II, III), D (I, III, IV, V) and E (VI), and the hydroxyl groups on rings A (III, V) and C (III). All the compounds competitively inhibited $corticoid-5{\beta}-reductase$, and the highest inhibitory potency appeared in I. All of them except $3,\;11-diketo-{\beta}-boswellic$ acid methyl ester (IIc) were more effective about five times to twice than GA. On carrageenin-induced edema test, compounds I and IVa-IVd showed anti-inflammatory activities, but III enhanced rather edema. Structure-activity relations were found in the aspects of hydrophilicity of ring A and hydrophobicity of rings C/D. The more they were hydrophilic in ring A and hydrophobic in rings C/D, the more they inhibited the enzyme. And the more they were hydrophobic in rings C/D, the more they exhibited antiiflammatory activities. However, the increased hydrophilicity in ring A resulted in increasing edema, probably due to a nonspecific inhibition on $aldosterone-5{\beta}-reductase$.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.233-237
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• 2015

Shikonin, a natural flavonoid found in the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has been shown to possess many biological functions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of shikonin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Shikonin significantly relaxed fluoride-, thromboxane $A_2$- or phorbol ester-induced vascular contraction suggesting as a possible anti-hypertensive on the agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis. Furthermore, shikonin significantly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels and phorbol ester-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism involving the inhibition of Rho-kinase activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1 and the inhibition of MEK activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of ERK1/2. This study provides evidence regarding the mechanism underlying the relaxation effect of shikonin on agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial function.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.100-105
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• 2014

Apigenin, a natural flavonoid found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, has been shown to possess many biological functions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of apigenin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Apigenin significantly relaxed fluoride-, thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic- or phorbol ester-induced vascular contraction, which suggests that apigenin could be an anti-hypertensive that reduces agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis. Furthermore, apigenin significantly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels and phorbol ester-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels, which suggests the mechanism involving the inhibition of Rho-kinase and MEK activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1 and ERK1/2. This study provides evidence regarding the mechanism underlying the relaxation effect of apigenin on agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial function.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 2016

Fisetin, a natural flavonoid found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, has been shown to possess many biological functions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of fisetin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Fisetin significantly relaxed fluoride-, thromboxane $A_2$- or phorbol ester-induced vascular contraction suggesting as a possible anti-hypertensive on the agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis. Furthermore, fisetin significantly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels and phorbol ester-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism involving the inhibition of Rho-kinase activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1 and MEK activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of ERK1/2. This study provides evidence regarding the mechanism underlying the relaxation effect of fisetin on agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial function.