• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.54-59
• /
• 2019

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of hepatocytes and liver tissue, and is mainly caused by viruses, alcohol, and drugs. Forsythiae Fructus has traditionally been used as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. Research on rengyolone, a bioactive substance extracted from Forsythiae Fructus, is rarely found in Korea and abroad. First, an acute animal toxicity test for rengyolone was conducted for the animal experiment. 4 week-old SD rats were injected intraperitoneally with acetaminophen for 2 weeks to induce chronic liver inflammation. Rengyolone was orally administered into two groups during 4 weeks: pre-inflammatory group and post-inflammatory group. Oral doses were also divided into 1 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg. Liver function tests (ALT, AST, ALP), western blot analysis of liver tissue, and level of inflammatory cytokine were performed to evaluate the improvement of hepatitis. Experimental results showed that rengyolone inhibited the development of acute inflammation and thus could reduce hepatitis symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.421-428
• /
• 2010

A foliage contact herbicidal substance was separated from ethyl ether fraction in n-hexane extract of Saussurea lappa roots and identified as dehydrocostus lactone [(3aS,6aR,9aR,9bS)-3,6,9-trimethylidene-3a,4,5,6a,7,8,9a,9b-octahydroazuleno[5,4-d]furan-2-one](DHCL). When DHCL at 4,000 ppm was foliage-applied to two grasses and two broadleaf plants, greater than 85% necrotic injury was obtained from large crabgrass, maize and soybean, whereas only about 40% necrotic injury appeared in black nightshade, indicating that DHCL has no gross morphological selectivity, but shows difference in contact response among the plant species tested. Conductivity in incubation medium of the leaf disks treated with DHCL increased as the incubation time continued. Relatively low contact injury in black nightshade as compared with the other three plant species tested was attributed to decrease in absorption of DHCL due to relatively high amount of cuticle. DHCL did not require light in the herbicidal action and there were no inhibitory effects on seed germination and cell elongation. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity was inhibited by 30% and 58% at $100\;{\mu}M$ and $1000\;{\mu}M$ DHCL, respectively. These results suggested that the herbicidal action of DHCL was related with inhibition of fatty acid synthesis which in turn caused to weaken cell membrane integrity.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.382-393
• /
• 2017

In this study, it studies about Phytosphingosine (PhS) and Phytosphingosine-1-phosphate(PhS1P), and it tries to confirm the effect through anti-inflammatory, anti-melanin, MMP-1 revelation inhibition, and Western blot analysis experiment after grasping toxicity about 3 cells by using B16F10 melanin cell, RAW264.7 macrophage, and HDF fibroblast in order to find out whether it is possible to use as cosmetic material or not by studying biological activity in terns of skin care. As a result of this experiment, it confirmed that toxicity about B16F10, RAW264.7, HDF cell is low, and PhS1P appeared stronger inhibition activity than PhS in anti-inflammatory NO inhibitory activity experiment. MMP-1 revelation was greater in PhS1P, and it confirmed that the mechanism is due to reduction in ERK activity. On the other hands, melanin generation inhibitory activity is better than arbutin, and it confirmed that the mechanism is due to inhibition of revelation of MTF and Tyrosinase. In a nutshell, PhS and PhS1P that are bioactive substance may confirm the possibility to be used as functional cosmetic for wrinkle and skin improvement of whitening cosmetic.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.301-310
• /
• 1994

This experiment was conducted to test the fungicidal activity of extracts from 50 medicinal plants to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fulinginea) and identify the bioactive substances. Among the medicinal plants tested, the water extract of Rheum undulatum was the most effective in spore germination inhibition, which inhibited by 100% at 200-fold dilution. Also, 50-fold dilution of water extract, 100-fold dilution of alcohol extract, 500-fold dilution of crude extract from Rheum undulatum and even 1000-fold dilution of reference chemical inhibited powdery mildew of cucumber more than 60%. 500-fold dilution of crude extract inhibited powdery mildew of cucumber 100% by twice spray treatment. There was phytotoxcity at the 100-fold dilution, but was not recognized this injury at the 500-fold dilution of crude extract. From our research to identify bioactive substance using HPLC, GLC and Mass spectrum analysis, it indicated that Rheum undulatum extract contained tentatively 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-9,10-anthracenedione and 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthracenedione.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.224-228
• /
• 2010

The encapsulation of bacteria may be used to harness them for longer periods of time in order to make them viable, whereas antibiotic treatment would result in controlled release of therapeutic molecules. Encapsulated Escherichia coli GFP (green fluorescent protein) (E. coli GFP) was used here as a model for therapeutic substance - GFP fragments release (model of bioactive substances). Our aim was to evaluate the performance of bacteria encapsulated in hollow fibers (HFs) treated with antibiotic for induction of cell death. The polypropylene-surface-modified HFs were applied for E. coli encapsulation. The encapsulated bacteria were treated with tetracycline in vitro or in vivo during subcutaneous implantation into mice. The HF content was evaluated in a flow cytometer, to assess the bacteria cell membrane permeability changes induced by tetracycline treatment. It was observed that the applied membranes prevented release of bacteria through the HF wall. The E. coli GFP culture encapsulated in HF in vitro proved the tetracycline impact on bacteria viability and allows the recognition of the sequence of events within the process of bacteria death. Treatment of the SCID mice with tetracycline for 8 h proved the tetracycline impact on bacteria viability in vivo, raising the necrotic bacteria-releasing GFP fragments. It was concluded that the bacteria may be safely enclosed within the HF at the site of implantation, and when the animal is treated with antibiotic, bacteria may act as a local source of fragments of proteins expressed in the bacteria, a hypothetical bioactive factor for the host eukaryotic organism.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.574-583
• /
• 2003

There have been a lot of research efforts on development of active food packaging structures and materials in the form of plastic films and containers, along with investigating novel polymers and bioactive compounds for packaging purpose, in order to improve storage stability and safety of foods during distribution and sale. Recently, great interests focus on antimicrobial package films, as an active packaging system, made from synthetic plastic polymer% and natural biopolymers containing various antimicrobial substances for food packaging applications. In this active system, substances are slowly released onto the food surface. However, antimicrobial activity as well as physical properties of the films can be significantly influenced by several factors such as polymer matrix, antimicrobial compounds, and interactions between polymers and compounds. Thus, this study reviews present status of antimicrobial food packaging films in overall performance aspects including types of polymers and active substances, test for antimicrobial activity, and changes in mechanical and antimicrobial properties by preparation method.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.631-640
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Coffee is a complex chemical mixture, with caffeine being the most well-known bioactive substance. The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of coffee and caffeine impact health in various aspects, including the respiratory system. The objective is to investigate the effects of coffee and caffeine on airway hyperresponsiveness and allergic reactions, as well as to analyze and compare associated cytokine profiles. MATERIALS/METHODS: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and given OVA inhalation to induce airway hypersensitivity. Two weeks after sensitization, they were intragastrically gavaged with coffee or caffeine, both containing 0.3125 mg caffeine, daily for 4 weeks. Control mice were fed with double-distilled water. Serum OVA-specific antibody levels were measured beforehand and 5 weeks after the first gavage. Airway hyperresponsiveness was detected by whole body plethysmography after gavage. Cytokine levels of bronchoalveolar lavage and cultured splenocytes were analyzed. RESULTS: Coffee effectively suppressed T helper 2-mediated specific antibody response. Airway responsiveness was reduced in mice treated with either coffee or caffeine. Compared to the control, coffee significantly reduced OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgG1 and IgE antibody responses (P < 0.05). Caffeine also attenuated specific IgG and IgG1 levels, though IgE level was unaffected. Coffee significantly reduced interleukin (IL)-4 and increased IL-10 concentration in spleen cells and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Coffee effectively attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness and systemic allergic responses induced by OVA food allergen in mice. As a complex composition of bioactive substances, coffee displayed enhanced immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects than caffeine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.800-808
• /
• 2015

In this study, gastritis inhibitory substance was ethanol-extracted from Saururus chinensis in order to examine the effect as a part of natural bioactive substance research. In an oral administration experiment, S. chinensis was administered at doses of 0.25 g/kg B.W. to 2 g/kg B.W., resulting in stabilization at 1.5 g/kg B.W. and an $LD_{50}$ of 1.81 g/kg B.W. In a chronic toxicity experiment, 0.5 g/kg B.W. of S. chinensis was administered for 13 weeks, but toxicity was not observed. S. chinensis ethanol-extracts were administered at a concentration of 250 or 500 mg/kg B.W. before induction of gastritis. Gastrorrhagia, stomach edema, cytokine production, and cell damage were reduced in a concentration-dependent manner. Therefore, S. chinensis ethanol extracts inhibit cell damage by stress-induced hemorrhagic gastritis in a concentration-dependent manner via inhibition of cytokine expression.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2016.05a
• /
• pp.13-13
• /
• 2016

Insects constitute the largest and most diverse group of animals in the world. They also serve as the hosts or nutrient sources for an immense assemblage of pathogens, parasites, and predators. More than 700 fungal species from 100 genera have adopted an entomopathogenic lifestyle. Although entomopathogenic fungi were studied as only biocontrol agents against a variety of pests in various countries, it has been recently focused their additional roles in nature. They are antagonists to/against plant pathogens, endophytes, and possibly even plant growth promoting agents. The potential antimicrobial effect against fungal plant pathogens by an isolate of entomopathogenic fungi including Beauveria bassiana, Lecanicillium spp., and Isaria fumosorosea have been reported since late 1990s, but wasn't reported pathogenicity of the isolate against pests. Later, a Canadian Lecanicillium sp. isolate and L. longisporium isolated from Vertalec$^{(R)}$ showed simultaneous control effect against both aphid and cucumber powder mildew. Therefore, the antimicrobial activities of 342 fungi isolates collected from various regions and conditions in Korea were evaluated against plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea using dual culture technique on agar plate. As a result, 186 isolates (54.4%) shown the antifungal activity against B. cinerea. The culture filtrates of selected fungi completely suppressed the growth of the microorganisms, indicating that suppression was due to the presence of antimicrobial substances in the culture filtrate. Mode of action of these fungi against insect involves the attachment of conidia to the insect cuticle, followed by germination, cuticle penetration, and internal dissemination throughout the insect. During infection process, secreted enzymes, proteinous toxins, and/or secondary metabolites secreted by entomopathogenic fungi can be used to overcome the host immune system, modify host behavior, and defend host resources. Recently, secondary metabolites isolated from entomopathogenic fungi have been reported as potential bioactive substances. Generally, most of bioactive substances produced by entomopathogenic fungi have reported low molecular weight (lower than 1,000 g/mol) as peptide and, in contrast the high molecular weight fungal bioactive substances are rare. Most substances based on entomopathogenic fungi were shown antimicrobial activity with narrow control ranges. In our study we analyzed the antimicrobial substances having antagonistic effects to B. cinerea. Antimicrobial substances in our fungal culture filtrates showed high thermostability, high stability to proteolytic enzymes, and hydrophilicity and their molecular weights were differed from substance. In conclusion, entomopathogenic fungi showed pathogenicity against insect pests and culture filtrate of the fungi also shown to antimicrobial activity. In the future, we can use the entomopathogenic fungi and its secondary metabolites to control both insect pest control and plant pathogenic fungi simultaneously.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.95-102
• /
• 2005

The term pharmacognosy as applied to a constituent scientific discipline of Korean Medical Food (KMF) has been in use for nearly several years, and it refers to studies on the pharmacological properties of natural products foods. During the last half of the 20th century, pharmacognosy for KMF evolved from being a descriptive botanical subject to one having a more chemical and biological focus. At the beginning of the 21st century, teaching pharmacognosy for KMF teaching in academic culinary arts and natural healing institutions has been given new relevance as a result of the explosive growth in the use of herbal foods (health foods) in modern KMF practice. In turn, pharmacognosy for KMF research areas are continuing to expand, and now include aspects of cellular and molecular biology in relation to natural products, ethnobotany and phytotherapy, in addition to the more traditional analytical method development and phytochemistry. Examples are provided in this review of promising bioactive compounds obtained in two multidisciplinary natural product KMF development and discovery projects, aimed at the elucidation of new plant-derived cancer chemotherapeutic agents and novel cancer chemopreventives, respectively. The systematic study of KMF offers pharmacognosy groups an attractive new area of research, ranging from investigating the biologically active principles of KMF and their mode of action and potential active substance interactions, to sanitary and quality control, and involvement in clinical trials.