• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.143-152
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• 2001

Korean-style fermented soybean paste (KFSP), Doenjang, is a traditional food that is consumed as a protein source in Korea. Recently, efforts to identify biolgocial response modifiers (BRMs) have been focused on food products. Accordingly, this study which isolated abiologically active substance form KFSP, named KFSP-BRM, ws defined to be aheat-stable carbohydrate with a molecular weight of 2,000 kDa. The biological activity of KFSP-BRM was not inactivated by treatment with an anti-LPS antibody. The oral as well as intraperitoneal treatment of mice with KFSP-BRM significantly enhanced the number of B cells expressing surface significantly enhanced the number of B cells expressing surface immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG). Subsequently, an increased level of immunoglobulins in the sera was also observed. In vitro. KFSP-BRM was found to upregulate the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 by mactro phages and B cells but not the production of IL-2 by T cells. In conclusion, these data demonstrate the presence of a BRM in KFSP, which may provide an additional benefit to those consuming it is a food. KFSP-BRM is a novel B cellmitogen distinct from fresh soybean lectin or B cell mitogens, such as LPS and Streptococcus protein A. The major biological effects of KFSP-BRM would appear to be anincreased production of IL-1 and IL-6 by macrophages and B cells, thereby enhancing the function of mature B cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.152-152
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• 2003

As utilization of radiation in medicine, industry and biochemical research increases, the protection against radiation damage has become an important issue. Natural products such as herbal medicines are beginning to receive attention as modifiers on the radiation response. In the present study, the protective effect of a herb, Menthae Herba, against radiation-induced DNA damage was evaluated using alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE; comet assay) in the mouse peripheral blood Iymphocytes and the micronucleus formation test in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The tail moment, which was a marker of DNA damage in the SCGE, and the frequency of micronuclei was decreased in groups treated with Mentae Herba extract before exposure to 200 cGy of gamma-ray. We also confirmed its activities to scavenge DPPH and hydroxyl radicals. These experiments demonstrated that Menthae Herba was effective at reducing the radiation-induced damage of DNA and scavenging free radicals. It is plausible that scavenging of free radicals by Menthae Herba may have played an important role in providing the protection against the radiation-induced damage to the DNA. These results indicated that Menthae Herba might be a useful radioprotector and that radical scavenging appears to be one of the mechanisms of radiation protection.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2018

Metal-organic frameworks have recently been considered very promising modifiers in electrochemical analysis due to their unique characteristics among which tunable pore sizes, crystalline ordered structures, large surface areas and chemical tenability are worth noting. In the present research, $Cu(btec)_{0.5}DMF$ was electrodeposited on the surface of glassy carbon electrode at room temperature under cathodic potential and was initially used as the active materials for the detection of $H_2O_2$. The cyclic voltammogram of $Cu(btec)_{0.5}DMF$ modified GC electrode shows distinct redox peaks potentials at +0.002 and +0.212 V in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.5) corresponding to $Cu^{(II)}/Cu^{(I)}$ in $Cu(btec)_{0.5}DMF$. Acting as the electrode materials of a non-enzymatic $H_2O_2$ biosensor, the $Cu(btec)_{0.5}DMF$ brings about a promising electrocatalytic performance. The high electrocatalytic activity of the $Cu(btec)_{0.5}DMF$ modified GC electrode is demonstrated by the amperometric response towards $H_2O_2$ reduction with a wide linear range from $5{\mu}M$ to $8000{\mu}M$, a low detection limit of $0.865{\mu}M$, good stability and high selectivity at an applied potential of -0.2 V, which was higher than some $H_2O_2$ biosensors.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.96-105
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• 2022

Background: Pyrethroid insecticides account for more than 30% of the global insecticide market and are frequently used in agricultural settings and residential and public pest control among the general population. While several animal studies have suggested that exposure to pyrethroids can alter glucose homeostasis, there is only limited evidence of the association between environmental pyrethroid exposure and diabetes in humans. Objectives: This study aimed to report environmental 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) concentrations in urine and evaluate its association with the risk of diabetes in Korean adults. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 2 (2012~2014) and Cycle 3 (2015~2017). A total of 10,123 participants aged ≥19 years were included. Multiple logistic regressions were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) for diabetes according to log-transformed urinary 3-PBA levels. We also evaluated age, sex, education, monthly income, marital status, alcohol drinking, physical activity, urinary cotinine, body mass index, and sampling season as potential effect modifiers of these associations. Results: After adjusting for all the covariates, we found significant dose-response relationships between urinary 3-PBA as quartile and the prevalence of diabetes in pooled data of KoNEHS Cycles 2 and 3. In subgroup analyses, the adverse effects of pyrethroid exposure on diabetes were significantly stronger among those aged 19~39 years (p-interaction<0.001) and those who consumed high levels of cotinine (p-interaction=0.020). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the potential diabetes risk of environmental exposure to pyrethroids and should be confirmed in large prospective studies in different populations in the future.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.6774-6781
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• 2014

This study examined the efficacy and the mechanism of action of biological response modifiers, ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 isolated from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer on human keratinocytes HaCaT cell lines. A non-significant cytotoxic response was obtained in the HaCaT cell lines on treatment with various concentrations of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 for different time durations. Furthermore, the global changes in the mRNA profile of HaCaT cells were investigated using DNA microarrays after stimulation with the ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 strongly increased FGF2 in HaCaT cells, and were found to be a candidate gene for antioxidant activity and elasticity. Other key candidate genes for antioxidant activity, such as FANCD2, LEPR, and FAS, also show enhanced regulation in HaCaT cells treated with ginsenoside Rb1. This study will be useful for understanding the regulatory genes involved in skin elasticity and signal transduction pathway stimulated by the ginsenoside Rb1. This paper currently focuses on the key factors regulating the interaction of anti-aging principles and skin elasticity.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.408-419
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• 2016

Background: In recent years, adjuvants have received increasing attention owing to the development of purified subunit and synthetic vaccines which are poor immunogens and require additional adjuvants to evoke an immune response. Therefore, immunologic adjuvants have been developed and tested. Plant polysaccharides have been recognized as effective biological response modifiers with low toxicity. Methods and Results: In this study, the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge containing immunomodulating arabino-3,6-galactan was evaluated for its hemolytic activity and adjuvant potential in the specific cellular and humoral immune responses to ovalbumin. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge was co-immunized with the purified Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi vaccine in mice. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge did not induce any hemolytic activity or side effects at doses up to $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The concanavalin A-, lipopolysaccharide-, and ovalbumin-induced splenocyte proliferation and serum ovalbumin-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2b antibody titers in immunized mice were significantly enhanced by AMA. Pharmacological data revealed that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge increased antigen-specific antibody levels in immunized mice. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge-adjuvanted purified Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi vaccine improved the proliferation of splenocytes and macrophages as well as stimulated cytokine production. Conclusions: These results suggest that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge-adjuvanted vaccines enhanced humoral and cellular immunity and that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge is a safe and efficacious adjuvant candidate suitable for use in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2008

Phellinus linteus (Sang Hwang mushroom; P. linteusis) has been widely used for a traditional medicine in Japan, Korea and China. In traditional oriental applications, P. linteus and their extracts have been exclusively used to treat various diseases like insomnia, neurasthenia, gastric ulcers, arthritis, nephritis, stress, asthma, bronchitis, neuromuscular disorders, hypertension and also as an immune system stimulator in cancer therapy. In a number of articles, it is indicated how tremendous their therapeutic values are. According to these studies, P. linteus and their extracts show immunomodulatory activities like enhancing immune system function including anti-tumor activity and inhibiting the growth of existing tumors. P. linteus and their extracts have been being studied for use as immunotherapy agents and biological response modifiers (BRMs) for the possible treatment of cancer without side effects. Recently, the cultured mycelium product of P. linteus has been developed and approved as a medicine in Korea. This review shows not only the current status of methods of developmental technology like artificial culture and various biological applications of P. linteus but also recent market trends of functional foods made from P. linteus.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.393-401
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• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the antioxidant activity of Korean ginseng using an ORAC(Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) assay. Four fractions each (80% ethanol, ethyl acetate, water saturated 1-butanol, and water) were obtained from different ginseng samples (White Ginseng: ; 6 yrs-., 5 yrs-., ; Cork Ginseng: ; 5 yrs-., 4 yrs-.). The saponin content of each fraction was quantified by LC/MS, and the antioxidant capacity of the ginseng was measured by the ORAC assay. The ORAC method, which was recently validated using automatic liquid handling systems, has been adapted for manual handling with the use of a conventional fluorescence microplate reader. Furthermore, the ORAC assay provides a direct measure of hydrophilic chain-breaking antioxidant capacity against peroxy radical, which is the exiting and emission of 2,2'-Azobis (2-methylpropionamidine)-dihychloride (AAPH). As a result of our experiments, ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 were the two major saponins found in the ginseng samples, and Rc, Rb2, Re, Rd, Rg3, and Rh1 were detected in a small quantities. For the antioxidant capacities of the fractions (80% ethanol, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water), we found that the organic solvent fraction had similar antioxidant capacities, and were higher than the capacity of the water fraction. When determining the similarities in each fraction, only the ethyl acetate fraction showed similarity compared to other fractions (p>0.05). The antioxidant capacity of ginseng may come from phenolic compounds and some nonpolar saponins. However, based on the results of this study, we hypothesize that some acidic polysaccharides and other biological components may contribute to its antioxidant capacity. Additional research is required to determine other possible biological response modifiers that contribute to the antioxidant capacity of ginseng.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 1995

The presence of biological response modifiers (BRMI-like effect was confirmed in peritoneal exudate (PE) of ToxopLnsmo gondii-infected ICR mice which inhibited Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced peritoneal Iymphocyte (PL) proliferation. During 5 days of PL incubation with $10{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ Con A with or without PE, 3H-thymidine uptake was measured for the last 24 hrs. Compared to uninduced control, PL proliferated by 7.3-fold with Con A induction_ When PE of infected mice was added, PL proliferation was inhibited by $74.0{\;}{\pm}{\;}11.9%$ whereas inhibition by PE of normal mice was $16.4{\;}{\pm}8.3%$. Inhibitory effect of PE increased exponentially from 3 days up to 4-5 days of survival after the infection. Inhibitory activity of PE was decreased concentration-dependently. Also the inhibition was diminished when the PE was treated with heat of $95^{\circ}C$ for 10 min orprecipitated with 10% trichloroacetic acid (TCA). In SDS-PAGE of PE, many minor bands appeared newly. Heat-labile protein molecule in PE exerted inhibitory activity to Con A- induced Iymphocyte proliferation.