• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2021

Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc is widely distributed in East Asia (Korea, Japan, and China), and its fruit is often used as a medication and food material. However, because most previous studies have only investigated the state of Prunus mume fruit extract, studies on the various ways of processing this extract are still needed to increase its utilization. In this study, we evaluated the physicochemical properties and physiological activities of spray-dried Prunus mume vinegar powder (SPP). The sugar content, pH, total acidity, and moisture content of the SPP were 8.90 °Brix, 3.19, 1.05%, and 3.07%, respectively. The SPP exhibited significantly high antioxidant activity in terms of DPPH radical scavenging activity (65.55%), reducing power (1.48), and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity (48.07%). In addition, the SPP remarkably decreased the cell viability of human breast MDA-MB-231 and human skin cancer SK-MEL-28 in a dose-dependent manner. The morphological results of the treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells with SPP were distorted, shrunken cell masses. Furthermore, apoptotic bodies and nuclear condensation formed in the SPP-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of the SPP were 59.58 ㎍/g (gallic acid equivalent) and 57.56 ㎍/g (quercetin equivalent). The results of this study indicate that SPP, which has antioxidant activity and anticancer effects, can be useful in the development of natural medicines and functional food ingredients.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.674-691
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils extracted from the wood of Chamaecyparis obtusa, Pinus densiflora, Pinus koraiensis, and Larix kaempferi. Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation, and their chemical components were determined by GC/MS. Major chemical components of these essential oils were ${\alpha}$-cadinol (19.25%), ${\tau}$-muurolol (14.20%), and ${\alpha}$-pinene (13.74%) in C. obtusa; ${\alpha}$-pinene (47.16%), longifolene (14.31%), ${\beta}$-phellandrene (11.78%), and ${\beta}$-pinene (11.02%) in P. densiflora; ${\alpha}$-pinene (13.49%) and longifolene (10.79%) in P. koraiensis, and geranyl linalool (23.58%) and ${\alpha}$-pinene (18.57%) in L. kaempferi. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RBL-2H3 mast cells were treated with these essential oils; then, the changes in the mRNA expression level of the cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 were examined. Further, degranulation was evaluated by measuring ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release. After LPS-induced RBL-2H3 mast cells were exposed to $10^{-7}%$ of all types of essential oils, the gene expression levels of IL-4 and IL-13 within the cells remarkably decreased. The relative mRNA expression level of IL-4 was 69.6% in P. densiflora, 63.2% in P. koraiensis, 55.1% in C. obtusa, and 45.8% in L. kaempferi compared with that in the group treated with LPS. The mRNA expression level of L-13 should a similar trend. The inhibitory rate of IL-13 mRNA expression of P. densiflora, P. koraiensis, C. obtusa, and L. kaempferi was 57.8%, 57.1%, 51.1%, and 34.5%, respectively. ${\beta}$-Hexosaminidase release significantly decreased following the treatment with the four types of essential oils. The rate of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release were 38.1% C. obtusa; 33.0% P. densiflora; 27.4% P. koraiensis; and 9.1% L. kaempferi. Among all types of essential oils, that extracted from P. densiflora wood showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity. These results show that the tested essential oils exert an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of degranulation and expression of cytokines.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 1974

Thirty one culture filtrates of Penicillium app. isolated from foodstuffs were submitted for toxicity by use of HeLa cell and ICR-mice. Nine strains among the 31 of Penicillia were cytotoxic to the HeLa cell cultures. Seven strains among the 31 of Penicillia were toxic to the ICR-mice and the pathological findings were the liver injury featured by parenchymal cell necrosis and degeneration. As a mass screening, cytotoxicity test using HeLa cells is feasible method to detect the mycotoxin-producing fungi.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2010

Objective : Allelic losses or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at many chromosomal loci have been found in the cells of meningiomas. The objective of this study was to evaluate LOH at several loci of different chromosomes (1p32, 17p13, 7q21, 7q31, and 22q13) in different grades of meningiomas. Methods : Forty surgical specimens were obtained and classified as benign, atypical, and anaplastic meningiomas. After DNA extraction, ten polymorphic microsatellite markers were used to detect LOH. Medical and surgical records, as well as pathologic findings, were reviewed retrospectively. Results : LOH at 1p32 was detected in 24%, 60%, and 60% in benign, atypical, and anaplastic meningiomas, respectively. Whereas LOH at 7q21 was found in only one atypical meningioma. LOH at 7q31 was found in one benign meningioma and one atypical meningioma. LOH at 17p13 was detected in 4%, 40%, and 80% in benign, atypical, and anaplastic meningiomas, respectively. LOH at 22q13 was seen in 48%, 60%, and 60% in benign, atypical, and anaplastic meningiomas, respectively. LOH results at 1p32 and 17p13 showed statistically significant differences between benign and non-benign meningiomas. Conclusion : LOH at 1p32 and 17p13 showed a strong correlation with tumor progression. On the other hand, LOH at 7q21 and 7q31 may not contribute to the development of the meningiomas.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.396-403
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• 2008

The first ORF of the ARV S1133 S1 segment encodes the nonstructural protein p10, which is responsible for the induction of cell syncytium formation. However, p10-dependent signaling during syncytium formation is fully unknown. Here, we show that dominant negative RhoA, Rho inhibitor C3 exoenzyme, ROCK/Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 and Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 inhibit p10-mediated cell fusion. p10 over-expression is concomitant with activation and membrane translocation of RhoA and Rac1, but not cdc42. RhoA and Rac1 downstream events, including JNK phosphorylation and transcription factor AP-1 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation, as well as MLC expression and phosphorylation are simultaneously activated by p10. p10 point mutant T13M possessed 20% fusion-inducing ability and four p10 fusion-deficient mutants V15M, V19M, C21S and L32A reduced or lost their ability to activate RhoA and Rac1 signaling. We conclude that p10-mediated syncytium formation proceeds by utilizing RhoA and Rac1-dependent signaling.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1-16
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of Kamibojoongikkitang (KBT) on the immune cells in C57BL/6 mice. Methods : KBT (500mg/kg) was administerd p.o. once a day for 7 days. Results : KBT decreased the cell viability of thymocytes in vivo and in vitro system and decreased the cell viability of splenocytes in vivo, but increased the viability of splenocytes in vitro system. In addition, KBT did not affect the population of helper T (Th) cells and cytotoxic T (Tc) cells in thymocytes and decreased the population of T- and B-lymphocytes and the population of Th and Tc cells in splenocytes. Furthermore, KBT did not affect the production of ${\gamma}%-interferon and interleukin-4 in splenocytes. KBT increased the production of nitric oxide in vivo but decreased the production of nitric oxide in vitro system. KBT enhanced the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages in vivo, but decreased the phagocytic activity in vitro. Conclusion : KBT has an inhibitory action on the specific immune response via decrease of the cell viability of thymocytes and splenocytes and has a potent action on the non-specific immunity via increase of phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.266-269
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• 2013

Hox genes encode transcription factors important for anterior-posterior body patterning at early stages of embryonic development. However, the precise mechanisms by which signal pathways are stimulated to regulate Hox gene expression are not clear. In the previous study, protein kinase B alpha (Akt1) has been identified as a putative upstream regulator of Hox genes, and Akt1 has shown to regulate Gcn5, a prototypical histone acetyltransferase (HAT), in a negative way in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells. Since the activity of HAT such as the CBP/p300, and PCAF (a Gcn5 homolog), was down-regulated by Akt through a phosphorylation at the Akt consensus substrate motif (RXRXXS/T), the amino acid sequence of Gcn5 protein was analyzed. Mouse Gcn5 contains an Akt consensus substrate motif as RQRSQS sequence while human Gcn5 does not have it. In order to see whether Akt1 directly binds to Gcn5, immunoprecipitation with anti-Akt1 antibody was carried out in wild-type (WT) mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells, and then western blot analysis was performed with anti-Akt1 and anti-Gcn5 antibodies. Gcn5 protein was detected in the Akt1 immunoprecipitated samples of MEFs. This result demonstrates that Akt1 directly binds to Gcn5, which might have contributed the down regulation of the 5' Hoxc gene expressions in wild type MEF cells.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 1999

ALP (alkaline phosphatase) is a membrane-bound metalloenzyme that is expressed in osteoblasts, hepatocytes, lung, kidney, endothelial cells, leukocytes and other cells. Normal soft tissue and skin show little tissue nonspecific ALP (TN-AP), However, scar tissue contains high levels of TN-AP activity, and in fact, TN-AP is expressed intensely in regenerating connective tissue after the wounding. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of ALP expression in hypertrophic scar model in rabbits and the effect of triamcinonolone on ALP expression. Adult male New Zealand white rabbits, weighing about 2.5 kg, were used. After full-thickeness wounding over the ventral surface of each ear, either saline (control ear) or triamcinolone (contralateral ear) was injected on day 16. Rabbits were sacrificed on day 3, 7, 15, 17, 19, 23, and the specimens were retrieved en bloc. Histologic and immunohistochemical examinations of tissue samples were done. The results obtained were as follows: On day 3, ALP reaction was observed on fibroblasts and inflammatory cells in wound margin. On day 7, ALP reaction was more intense than day p in capillaries, inflammtory cells, and fibroblasts behind newly formed epithelium. On day 15, ALP reaction was lessened in both groups and appeared mainly in subepidermal capillary network, Since day 17, ALP reaction was lessened in both groups and weaker in triamcinolone-injected group than in saline-injected group. These results suggest that ALP reaction isn't increased in triamcinolone-injected scar and triamcinolone reduces scar not by increasing TN-AP expression but other mechanism.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2022

In this study, in order to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of sargassum horneri extract, the effects of the extract on lipase activity and preadipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells were investigated. S. horneri extract between 0.0 and 1.0 mg/mL showed no cytotoxicity and inhibited lipase activity by 68.1%. When S. horneri extract was utilized at levels of 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/mL in 3T3-L1 cells, preadipocytes differentiation decreased by 11.4, 19.7, and 25.6%, respectively, showing anti-obesity effects. In addition, after treatment with 1.0 mg/mL S. horneri extract, the mRNA expression levels of sterol regulatory element binding proteins-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT enhancer binding protein-α (CEBP-α), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase1 (SCD1) in 3T3-L1 cells were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) by 65.2, 54.9, 50.0, 33.8, and 33.8% respectively. These results showed that S. horneri extract suppresses lipase activity and prophylactic preadipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1, and thus can be used as an anti-obesity agent in functional foods and medicines.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.835-842
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• 2014

Haloperoxidase (HPO, E.C.1.11.1.7) is a metal-containing enzyme oxidizing halonium species, which can be used in the synthesis of halogenated organic compounds, for instance in the production of antimicrobial agents, cosmetics, etc., in the presence of halides and $H_2O_2$. To isolate and evaluate a novel non-metal HPO using a culture-independent method, a cassette PCR library was constructed from marine seawater in Japan. We first isolated a novel HPO gene from Pseudomonas putida ATCC11172 by PCR for constructing the chimeric HPO library (HPO11172). HPO11172 showed each single open-reading frame of 828 base pairs coding for 276 amino acids, respectively, and showed 87% similarity with P. putida IF-3 sequences. Approximately 600 transformants screened for chimeric genes between P. putida ATCC11173 and HPO central fragments were able to identify 113 active clones. Among them, we finally isolated 20 novel HPO genes. Sequence analyses of the obtained 20 clones showed higher homology genes with P. putida or Sinorhizobium or Streptomyces strains. Although the HPO A9 clone showed the lowest homology with HPO11172, clones in group B, including CS19, showed a relatively higher homology of 80%, with 70% identy. E. coli cells expressing these HPO chimeric genes were able to successfully bioconvert chlorodimedone with KBr or KCl as substrate.