• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.401-411
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• 2015

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) has various biological functions, including anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and antioxidant activities. However, the development of foods using bitter melon (BM) is unexplored due to its bitter taste. In this study, BM pickle was prepared, and changes in quality characteristics and antioxidant activity during ageing were determined. After 4 weeks of ageing, pH levels, salinities, soluble solids, and reducing sugars of BM pickle decreased, whereas acidities increased. In addition, total viable, lactic acid bacteria, and yeast viable cell numbers greatly increased until 1 week, after which they slightly decreased. Levels of soluble phenolics increased during ageing, antioxidant activity increased accordingly. Crude protein, K, and P contents of pickles were lower than in raw material of BM, whereas crude fat and Na contents increased. Corn silk extracts were added to BM pickle during ageing in order to improve the bitter taste and flavor. The best sensory quality was obtained by adding 0.25% corn silk extracts.

• International Journal of Oncology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.368-378
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• 2020

Meridianin C is a marine natural product with anticancer activity. Several meridianin C derivatives (compounds 7a-j) were recently synthesized, and their inhibitory effects on pro-viral integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinases, as well as their antiproliferative effects on human leukemia cells, were reported. However, the anti-leukemic effects and mechanisms of action of meridianin C and its derivatives remain largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of meridianin C and its derivatives on MV4-11 human acute myeloid leukemia cell growth. The parent compound meridianin C did not markedly affect the viability and survival of MV4-11 cells. By contrast, MV4-11 cell viability and survival were reduced by meridianin C derivatives, with compound 7a achieving the most prominent reduction. Compound 7a notably inhibited the expression and activity of PIM kinases, as evidenced by reduced B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated death promoter phosphorylation at Ser112. However, meridianin C also suppressed PIM kinase expression and activity, and the pan-PIM kinase inhibitor AZD1208 only slightly suppressed the survival of MV4-11 cells. Thus, the anti-survival effect of compound 7a on MV4-11 cells was unrelated to PIM kinase inhibition. Moreover, compound 7a induced apoptosis, caspase-9 and -3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, but did not affect death receptor (DR)-4 or DR-5 expression in MV4-11 cells. Compound 7a also induced the generation of cleaved Bcl-2, and the downregulation of myeloid cell leukemia (Mcl)-1 and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) in MV4-11 cells. Furthermore, compound 7a increased eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)-2α phosphorylation and decreased S6 phosphorylation, whereas GRP-78 expression was unaffected. Importantly, treatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-fmk) significantly attenuated compound 7a-induced apoptosis, caspase-9 and -3 activation, PARP cleavage, generation of cleaved Bcl-2 and downregulation of Mcl-1 and XIAP in MV4-11 cells. Collectively, these findings demonstrated the strong anti-survival and pro-apoptotic effects of compound 7a on MV4-11 cells through regulation of caspase-9 and -3, Bcl-2, Mcl-1, XIAP, eIF-2α and S6 molecules.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.340-344
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• 2003

The group I intron from Tetrahymena thermophila has been demonstrated to employ splicing reactions with its substrate RNA in the trans configuration. Moreover, we have recently shown that the transsplicing group I ribozyme can replace HCV-specific transcripts with a new RNA that exerts anti-viral activity. In this study, we explored the potential use of RNA replacement for cancer treatment by developing trans-splicing group I ribozymes, which could replace tumor-associated RNAs with the RNA sequence attached to the 3' end of the ribozymes. Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) RNA was chosen as a target RNA because it is known as a valid cancer prognostic factor. By performing an RNA mapping strategy that is based on a trans-splicing ribozyme library, we first determined which regions of the TP RNA are accessible to ribozymes, and found that the leader sequences upstream of the AUG start codon appeared to be particularly accessible. Next, we assessed the ribozyme activities by comparing trans-splicing activities of several ribozymes that targeted different regions of the TP RNA. This assessment was performed to verify if the target site predicted to be accessible is truly the most accessible. The ribozyme that could target the most accessible site, identified by mapping studies, was the most active with high fidelity in vitro. Moreover, the specific trans-splicing ribozyme reacted with and altered the TP transcripts by transferring an intended 3' exon tag sequence onto the targeted TP RNA in mammalian cells with high fidelity. These results suggest that the Tetrahymena ribozyme can be utilized to replace TP RNAs in tumors with a new RNA harboring anti-cancer activity, which would revert the malignant phenotype.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.375-390
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• 2022

Influenza viruses are zoonotic respiratory pathogens, and influenza infections have caused a substantial burden on public health systems and the livestock industry. Although currently approved seasonal influenza vaccines have shown potent protection efficacy against antigenically well-matched strains, there are considerable unmet needs for the efficient control of viral infections. Enormous efforts have been made to develop broadly protective universal influenza vaccines to tackle the huge levels of genetic diversity and variability of influenza viruses. In addition, antiviral drugs have been considered important interventions for the treatment of viral infections. The viral neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir is the most widely used antiviral medication to treat influenza A and influenza B viruses. However, unsatisfactory clinical outcomes resulting from side effects and the emergence of resistant variants have led to greater attention being paid to plants as a natural resource for anti-influenza drugs. In particular, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has underpinned the need for safe and effective antiviral drugs with a broad spectrum of antiviral activity to prevent the rapid spread of viruses among humans. This review outlines the results of the antiviral activities of various natural products isolated from plants against influenza viruses. Special focus is paid to the virucidal effects and the immune-enhancing effects of antiviral natural products, since the products have broad applications as inactivating agents for the preparation of inactivated vaccines and vaccine adjuvants.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.684-692
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• 2016

Acute respiratory virus infectious diseases are a growing health problem, particularly among children and the elderly. Much effort has been made to develop probiotics that prevent influenza virus infections by enhancing innate immunity in the respiratory tract until vaccines are available. Lactobacillus plantarum GB-LP2, isolated from a traditional Korean fermented vegetable, has exhibited preventive effects on influenza virus infection in mice. To identify the molecular basis of this strain, we conducted a whole-genome assembly study. The single circular DNA chromosome of 3,284,304 bp was completely assembled and 3,250 protein-encoding genes were predicted. Evolutionarily accelerated genes related to the phenotypic trait of anti-infective activities for influenza virus were identified. These genes encode three integral membrane proteins, a teichoic acid export ATP-binding protein and a glucosamine - fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase involved in host innate immunity, the nonspecific DNA-binding protein Dps, which protects bacteria from oxidative damage, and the response regulator of the three-component quorum-sensing regulatory system, which is related to the capacity of adhesion to the surface of the respiratory tract and competition with pathogens. This is the first study to identify the genetic backgrounds of the antiviral activity in L. plantarum strains. These findings provide insight into the anti-infective activities of L. plantarum and the development of preventive probiotics.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.96-103
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• 2016

The influenza A (H1N1) virus, also known as swine flu is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality since 2009. There is a need to explore novel anti-viral drugs for overcoming the epidemics. Traditionally, different plant extracts of garlic, ginger, kalmegh, ajwain, green tea, turmeric, menthe, tulsi, etc. have been used as hopeful source of prevention and treatment of human influenza. The H1N1 virus contains an important glycoprotein, known as neuraminidase (NA) that is mainly responsible for initiation of viral infection and is essential for the life cycle of H1N1. It is responsible for sialic acid cleavage from glycans of the infected cell. We employed amino acid sequence of H1N1 NA to predict the tertiary structure using Phyre2 server and validated using ProCheck, ProSA, ProQ, and ERRAT server. Further, the modelled structure was docked with thirteen natural compounds of plant origin using AutoDock4.2. Most of the natural compounds showed effective inhibitory activity against H1N1 NA in binding condition. This study also highlights interaction of these natural inhibitors with amino residues of NA protein. Furthermore, among 13 natural compounds, theaflavin, found in green tea, was observed to inhibit H1N1 NA proteins strongly supported by lowest docking energy. Hence, it may be of interest to consider theaflavin for further in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.104-111
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• 2016

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito borne pathogen, belongs to Flaviviridae family having a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome, currently known for causing large epidemics in Brazil. Its infection can cause microcephaly, a serious birth defect during pregnancy. The recent outbreak of ZIKV in February 2016 in Brazil realized it as a major health risk, demands an enhanced surveillance and a need to develop novel drugs against ZIKV. Amodiaquine, prochlorperazine, quinacrine, and berberine are few promising drugs approved by Food and Drug Administration against dengue virus which also belong to Flaviviridae family. In this study, we performed molecular docking analysis of these drugs against nonstructural 3 (NS3) protein of ZIKV. The protease activity of NS3 is necessary for viral replication and its prohibition could be considered as a strategy for treatment of ZIKV infection. Amongst these four drugs, berberine has shown highest binding affinity of -5.8 kcal/mol and it is binding around the active site region of the receptor. Based on the properties of berberine, more similar compounds were retrieved from ZINC database and a structure-based virtual screening was carried out by AutoDock Vina in PyRx 0.8. Best 10 novel drug-like compounds were identified and amongst them ZINC53047591 (2-(benzylsulfanyl)-3-cyclohexyl-3H-spiro[benzo[h]quinazoline-5,1'-cyclopentan]-4(6H)-one) was found to interact with NS3 protein with binding energy of -7.1 kcal/mol and formed H-bonds with Ser135 and Asn152 amino acid residues. Observations made in this study may extend an assuring platform for developing anti-viral competitive inhibitors against ZIKV infection.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.37-45
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• 2011

Objectives : This study focused on Schisandrae Fructus (SF) and Perilae Folium (PF), traditional medicine herbs and health functional food in Korea, Japan and China. We investigated various pharmacological activities that include a potential source of free radical scavenging, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory activities. Methods : We conducted an investigation of total contents of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in these single herbal extraction with/without combined to mixture. We also measured antioxidant activities such as DPPH free radical scavenging, SOD-like scavenging, nitrite scavenging and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, xanthine oxidase inhibition, linoleic acid peroxidation inhibition, and reducing power. Results : As the results, contents of total phenoilc compounds and flavonoids were higher in those of PF than those of SF. Those of SF+PF mixture showed the synergy effects compared with those of SF and PF single extractions. Activities of DPPH free radical and SOD-like scavenging in 1 mg/mL concentration increased in dose dependent manners. That of SF increased compared with that of PF. That of SF and PF mixture also increased compared with that of BHA as a positive control. The other antioxident activities also showed similar to patten of activity of DPPH free radical scavenging. When combined to SF and PF extractions, there was showed synergic effect compared with those of BHA, excepted activities of xanthine oxidase inhibition and reducing power. Taken together, SF and PF have high phenolic and flavonoid compounds content furthermore, antioxidant activities in SF and PF mixture showed more synergy effect compared with those of BHA. Conclusions : Therefore, these findings suggest that SF and PF mixture may offer functional materials potential for development of functional beverage. But further studies are needed for the identification of the active compounds.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.123-132
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• 2023

Background: Pseudotyped virus systems that incorporate viral proteins have been widely employed for the rapid determination of the effectiveness and neutralizing activity of drug and vaccine candidates in biosafety level 2 facilities. We report an efficient method for producing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pseudovirus with dual luciferase and fluorescent protein reporters. Moreover, using the established method, we also aimed to investigate whether Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), a valuable Korean herbal medicine, can attenuate infectivity of the pseudotyped virus. Methods: A pseudovirus of SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-2pv) was constructed and efficiently produced using lentivirus vector systems available in the public domain by the introduction of critical mutations in the cytoplasmic tail of the spike protein. KRG extract was dose-dependently treated to Calu-3 cells during SARS2-pv treatment to evaluate the protective activity against SARS-CoV-2. Results: The use of Calu-3 cells or the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in HEK293T cells enabled SARS-2pv infection of host cells. Coexpression of transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2), which is the activator of spike protein, with ACE2 dramatically elevated luciferase activity, confirming the importance of the TMPRSS2-mediated pathway during SARS-CoV-2 entry. Our pseudovirus assay also revealed that KRG elicited resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung cells, suggesting its beneficial health effect. Conclusion: The method demonstrated the production of SARS-2pv for the analysis of vaccine or drug candidates. When KRG was assessed by the method, it protected host cells from coronavirus infection. Further studies will be followed for demonstrating this potential benefit.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.238-254
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• 1994

Cyclosporine A is an immunosuppressant commonly used for patients receiving organ transplants. Gingival overgrowth is an adverse side-effect seen in about 8-26% of patients taking cyclosporine A which have been shown to increase the DNA synthesis of gingival fibroblast at the concentration of $10^{-9}g/ml$ in vitro. Glycyrrhetinic acid is the active pharmacological ingredients of licorice which exerts steroid-like action and anti-viral activity. Oleanolic acid, which were isolated from Glechoma hederacea, has been shown to act as inhibitors of tumor promotion in vivo and to be less cytotoxic retinoic acid. This study has been performed to evaluate the effects of glycyrrhetinic acid and oleanolic acid on cyclosporine A induced cell activity in vitro. Human gingival fibroblasts were isolated from explant cultures of healthy gingiva of orthodontic patients. Gingival fibroblasts were trypsinized and transferred to the walls of microtest plates. Fibroblasts were cultured in growth medium added $10^{-9}g/ml$ cyclosporineA and $50{\mu}l/ml$ lipopolysaccharides. Cells between the 4th and 6th transfer in culture were used for this study. The morphology of gingival fibroblst were examined by inverted microscope. The effects of cyclosporine A on the time course of DNA sythesis by human gingival fibroblasts were assessed by $[^3H]-thymidine$ uptake assays. Cyclosporine A was found to stimulate DNA synthesis of human gingival fibroblast at a concentration of $10^{-9}g/ml$. In the presence of lipopolysaccharide derived from Fusobacterium nucleatum, addition of cyclosporine A results in reversal of inhibition at the concentration which normally inhibits gingival fibroblast proliferation. The cell acitivities in the presence of glycyrrhetinic acid and oleanolic acid were decreased, and increased cell acitivities by cyclosporine A were decreased by glycyrrhetinic acid and oleanolic acid at the concentration of $200{\mu}g/ml$. These results suggested that the increased cell activities by cyclosporine A modulated by glycyrrhetinic acid and oleanolic acid.