• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.101-108
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• 2012

Interruption or prolonged reduction and subsequent restoration of blood flow into the kidney triggers the generation of a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to injury in the tubular epithelial cells. In this study, we determined whether methanol extract of goat's-beard (Aruncus dioicus) (extract) could prevent this ischemia/reperfusion injury. When in vitro radical scavenging activity of the extract was measured using a DPPH radical quenching assay, the extract displayed slightly lower activity than ascorbic acid. One hour after administration of the extract (400 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection in rats, renal ischemia/reperfusion injury was generated by clamping the left renal artery for forty minutes, followed by 24 hr restoration of blood circulation. Prior to clamping the left renal artery, the right renal artery was removed. Compared with the vehicle-treated group, pretreatment with the extract significantly reduced the tubular epithelial cell injury by 37% in the outer medulla region, and consequently reduced serum creatinine concentration by 39%. Reduction in the cell injury was mediated by attenuation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, inhibition of caspase-3 activation from procaspase-3, and subsequent reduction in the number of apoptotic cells. Thus, goat's-beard (Aruncus dioicus) might be developed as a prophylactic agent to prevent acute kidney injury.

• 한국토양비료학회지
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.223-231
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• 2002

인산가용 미생물인 Enterobacter intermedium 60-2G의 식물생장촉진 능력과 흑성병균인 Cladosporium cucumerinum에 대한 유도전신저항성 능력을 오이와 오이 흑성병균을 모델로 확인하였다. E. intermedium 을 처리한 오이는 물을 처리한 control에 비해 C. cucumerinum에 의한 흑성병의 병징이 현저히 감소하였다. 또한 E. intermedium를 처리한 오이는 식물 생장촉진효과도 보였다. Strain 60-2G은 Fusarium oxysporum와 Magnaporthe grisea을 포함한 여러 식물 병원 곰팡이에 대해 강한 항균활성을 나타내었다. 본 연구는 인산가용능력을 가진 E. intermedium 60-2G는 식물의 생육을 증진시키는데 관여하는 여러가지 유익한 형질을 가진 아주 유용한 생물적 방제균임을 밝혔다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.345-349
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• 2015

Betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Jujube tree (Zizyphus jujuba Mill), has been known for a wide range of biological and medicinal properties such as antibacterial, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antihelmintic, antinociceptive, and anticancer activities. In the study, we investigated the antiviral activity on influenza A/PR/8 virus infected A549 human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line and C57BL/6 mice. Betulinic acid showed the anti-influenza viral activity at a concentration of $50{\mu}M$ without a significant cytotoxicity in influenza A/PR/8 virus infected A549 cells. Also, betulinic acid significantly attenuated pulmonary pathology including increased necrosis, numbers of inflammatory cells and pulmonary edema induced by influenza A/PR/8 virus infection compared with vehicle- or oseltamivir-treated mice in vivo model. The down-regulation of IFN-${\gamma}$ level, which is critical for innate and adaptive immunity in viral infection, after treating of betulinic acid in mouse lung. Based on the obtained results, it is suggested that betulinic acid can be the potential therapeutic agent for virus infection via anti-inflammatory activity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.350-356
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• 2015

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a prevalent idiopathic upper gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by diverse symptomatology including epigastric pain or discomfort, postprandial fullness, and early satiety. Although its pathophysiological mechanisms have not yet been fully established, the available studies suggest that the etiology of FD is invariably multifactorial. Benachio-F$^{(R)}$ (BF) is a proprietary liquid formulation of 7 herbal extracts that has been proposed to address this multifactorial etiology using multi-drug phytotherapy. The pharmacological effects of BF, in comparison with those of two other herbal products (Whalmyungsu$^{(R)}$; WM and Iberogast$^{(R)}$; IB) were evaluated in rats. In a laparotomy-induced rat model of delayed GI transit, BF significantly accelerated the delayed gastric emptying caused by morphine, apomorphine, and cisplatin, and also significantly increased mean gastric transit, as compared to the control animals. BF markedly increased gastric accommodation in rats and produced higher gastric volume values than did the control treatment. The effects of BF were generally comparable or superior to those of WM and IB in these models. Furthermore, BF significantly stimulated biliary flow, as compared to the control treatment. These results indicated that BF might have great potential as an effective phytotherapeutic agent capable of reducing GI symptoms and increasing quality of life in FD patients.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.308-314
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• 2017

Urotensin II (UII) is a mitogenic and hypertrophic agent that can induce the proliferation of vascular cells. UII inhibition has been considered as beneficial strategy for atherosclerosis and restenosis. However, currently there is no therapeutics clinically available for atherosclerosis or restenosis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a newly synthesized UII receptor (UT) antagonist, KR-36996, on the proliferation of SMCs in vitro and neointima formation in vivo in comparison with GSK-1440115, a known potent UT antagonist. In primary human aortic SMCs (HASMCs), UII (50 nM) induced proliferation was significantly inhibited by KR-36996 at 1, 10, and 100 nM which showed greater potency ($IC_{50}$: 3.5 nM) than GSK-1440115 ($IC_{50}$: 82.3 nM). UII-induced proliferation of HASMC cells was inhibited by U0126, an ERK1/2 inhibitor, but not by SP600125 (inhibitor of JNK) or SB202190 (inhibitor of p38 MAPK). UII increased the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2. Such increase was significantly inhibited by KR-36996. UII-induced proliferation was also inhibited by trolox, a scavenger for reactive oxygen species (ROS). UII-induced ROS generation was also decreased by KR-36996 treatment. In a carotid artery ligation mouse model, intimal thickening was dramatically suppressed by oral treatment with KR-36996 (30 mg/kg) which showed better efficacy than GSK-1440115. These results suggest that KR-36996 is a better candidate than GSK-1440115 in preventing vascular proliferation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.98-103
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• 2020

Marfan syndrome (MFS), a connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in the fibrillin-1 (Fbn1) gene, has vascular manifestations including aortic aneurysm, dissection, and rupture. Its vascular pathogenesis is assumed to be attributed to increased transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling and blockade of excessive TGFβ signaling has been thought to prevent dissection and aneurysm formation. Here, we investigated whether galunisertib, a potent small-molecule inhibitor of TGFβ receptor I (TβRI), attenuates aneurysmal disease in a murine model of MFS (Fbn1^C1039G/+) and compared the impact of galuninsertib on the MFS-related vascular pathogenesis with that of losartan, a prophylactic agent routinely used for patients with MFS. Fbn1^C1039G/+ mice were administered galunisertib or losartan for 8 weeks, and their ascending aortas were assessed for histopathological changes and phosphorylation of Smad2 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2). Mice treated with galunisertib or losartan barely exhibited phosphorylated Smad2, suggesting that both drugs effectively blocked overactivated canonical TGFβ signaling in Fbn1^C1039G/+ mice. However, galunisertib treatment did not attenuate disrupted medial wall architecture and only partially decreased Erk1/2 phosphorylation, whereas losartan significantly inhibited MFS-associated aortopathy and markedly decreased Erk1/2 phosphorylation in Fbn1^C1039G/+ mice. These data unexpectedly revealed that galunisertib, a TβRI inhibitor, showed no benefits in aneurysmal disease in MFS mice although it completely blocked Smad2 phosphorylation. The significant losartan-induced inhibition of both aortic vascular pathogenesis and Smad2 phosphorylation implied that canonical TGFβ signaling might not prominently drive aneurysmal diseases in MFS mice.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.575-580
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• 2014

겔화제의 종류에 따른 겔상식품의 특성을 알아보고자 대조군인 한천첨가 양갱과 다양한 겔화제를 혼합 사용한 양갱을 제조하고 그 특성을 비교하였다. 첨가되는 겔화제의 특성은 최종 제품의 수분손실량, 색, 조직감 등의 물리적 특성에 크게 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 덜 조밀하고 가장 불규칙적인 단면특성을 보이는 gellan 첨가 양갱은 수분 손실이 가장 크고, 가장 부드러우면서도 입에 들러붙는 부착성이 큰 특성을 보였다. 반면, LBG+carrageenan 겔의 혼합은 두 겔의 상호작용으로 단단한 겔을 만들기 때문에 이를 첨가한 양갱 역시 가장 단단한 경도를 보였다. 본 연구결과 고령자들은 너무 단단하지 않으면서도 응집성이 높고 탄력성이 있어 씹을 수 있는, 그러나 입에 들러붙는 부착성이 낮은 겔상 식품을 선호하는 것으로 나타났다. 두 종류의 겔을 혼합하여 적절한 농도로 겔을 제조하면 경도, 부착성, 및 응집성 등의 조직감 특성을 다양화 할 수 있으므로 적절한 겔화제의 선택, 농도조절 등으로 고령자의 저작능력에 맞는 다양한 물성을 갖는 식품제조가 가능할 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제36권10호
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 2003

Anemia, the condition of the diminished concentration of hemoglobin per erythrocyte is common in patients with cancer and is a frequent complication of myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Cham-Dang-Gui (Angelicae Gigantis Radix) has been used in traditional Korean medicine to treat hematologic deficiencies. In this study, Cyclophosphamide (CYP), an alkylating agent that has a broad spectrum of anti-cancer activities, was intraperitoneally injected into the experimental animals to suppress the bone marrow thereafter, causing anemia. The hemopoietic effects of Cham-Dang-Gui were examined using anemic rat model. Rats were divided into five groups: CON (control group), ANS (CYP-injected + normal diet), AND (CYP-injected + normal diet + Cham-Dang-Gui), ALS (CYP-injected + low iron diet), and ALD (CYP-injected + low iron diet + Cham- Dang-Gui) groups. CYP (30 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected to rats for 3 days to induce anemic condition. Saline or Cham-Dang-Gui was administrated orally during the entire experimental period. CYP injection decreased body weight gain and food consumption in comparison with CON group. Oral administration of Cham-Dang-Gui extract with normal iron diet significantly prevented the lower body weight gain. The blood level of hemoglobin, iron status (serum iron, transferrin, ferritin and TIBC) and blood level of vitamin B-12 in Cham-Dang-Gui treated groups were significantly higher than those of Cham-Dang-Gui untreated groups regardless of amount of iron in the diet. Taken together, it could be concluded that the Cham-Dang-Gui extract could improve anemic condition induced by CYP injection by improving hematological value, iron status and vitamin B12 status in rats.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.249-255
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• 2013

In this study, the protective effects of EGCG on L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)-induced oxidative cell death in catecholaminergic PC12 cells, the in vitro model of Parkinson's disease, were investigated. Treatment with L-DOPA at concentrations higher than $150{\mu}M$ caused cytotoxicity in PC12 cells, as determined using the 3-(4,5-dimetylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry detection. The apoptotic ratio was similar in cells treated with $100{\mu}M$ EGCG plus $150{\mu}M$ L-DOPA (5.02%) and the control (0.96%) (P > 0.05), and was lower than that of cells treated with L-DOPA only (32.24%, P < 0.05). The generation level of ROS (% of control) in cells treated with EGCG plus L-DOPA was lower than that in cells treated with L-DOPA only (123.90% vs 272.32%, P < 0.05). The optical density in production of TBARS in cells treated with L-DOPA only was higher than that in the control ($0.27{\pm}0.05$ vs $0.08{\pm}0.04$, P < 0.05), and in cells treated with EGCG only ($0.14{\pm}0.02$, P < 0.05), and EGCG plus L-DOPA ($0.13{\pm}0.02$, P < 0.05). The intracellular level of GSH in cells treated with EGCG plus L-DOPA was higher than that in cells treated with L-DOPA only ($233.25{\pm}16.44$ vs $119.23{\pm}10.25$, P < 0.05). These results suggest that EGCG protects against L-DOPA-induced oxidative apoptosis in PC12 cells, and might be a potent neuroprotective agent.

• Advances in environmental research
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.135-150
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• 2020

Many industries, such as textiles, chemical refineries, leather, plastics and paper, use different dyes in various process steps. At the same time, these industrial sectors are responsible for discharging contaminants that are harmful and toxic to humans and microorganisms by introducing synthetic dyes into wastewater. Of these dyes, methylene blue dye, which is classified as basic dyes, is accepted as a model dye. For this reason, methylene blue dye was selected in the study and its removal from the water was studied. In this study, two efficient biosorbents were developed from chitosan and sunflower waste, an agro-industrial waste and modified using iron nanoparticles. The biosorption efficiency was evaluated for methylene blue (MB) dye removal from aqueous solution under various parameters such as treating agent, solution pH, biosorbent dosage, contact time, initial dye concentration and temperature. We investigated the kinetic properties of dye removal from water for Chitosan-Sunflower (CS), Chitosan-Sunflower-Nanoiron (CSN). When the wavelength of MB dye was spectrophotometrically scanned, the maximum absorbance was determined as 660 nm. For the core shell biosorbents we obtained, we found that the optimum time for removal of MB from wastewater was 60 min. The pH of the best pH was determined as 5 in the studied pH. The most suitable temperature for the experiment was determined as 30℃. SEM-EDAX, TEM, XRD, and FTIR techniques were used to characterize biosorbents produced and modified in the experimental stage and to monitor the change of biosorbent after dye removal. The interactions of the paint with the surface used for removal were explained by these techniques. It was calculated that 80% of CS and 88% of CSN removed MB in optimum conditions. Also, the absorption of MB dye onto the surface was investigated by Langmiur and Frendlinch isotherms and it was determined from the results that the removal was more compatible with Langmiur isotherm.