• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.313-322
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• 2013

Ultraviolet irradiation in the cells and skin produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induces the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) causing skin photoaging. Using the human dermal fibroblast (HDF), we investigated the antioxidative and anti-aging effects of the extracts from Talinum paniculatum. Talinum paniculatum leaf and stem extracts (LSE) showed free radical scavenging effect by 98.45% at 500 ${\mu}g/mL$ and superoxide radical scavenging effect by 97.01% at 500 ${\mu}g/mL$ in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. The photoprotective potential of LSE was tested in HDF exposed to ultraviolet irradiation. It was revealed that LSE had an inhibitory effect on MMP-1 expression in UVA-irradiated HDF without any significant cytotoxicity. The treatment of UVA-irradiated HDF with LSE resulted in dose-dependent decreases in the expression levels of MMP-1 mRNA and protein. Also, UVB-induced cytotoxicity and cell death were effectively suppressed by treatment of LSE. Additionally, the senescence-associated ${\beta}$- galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal) activity was decreased in the presence of LSE. These results suggest that Talinum paniculatum leaf and stem extracts (LSE) may have anti-aging effects and can be used as new functional materials against oxidative stress-mediated skin damages.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.538-544
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• 2012

Ethanol is known as being carcinogenic to humans. In addition, the anti-proliferative effects of ethanol have been described for a variety of tissues and cells. In this study, we investigated the anti-proliferative effects of ethanol on various cancer cells, particularly on oncogenic $ras$-transformed or-injected cells. Ethanol treatment inhibited the cell proliferation of normal control cells, but did not suppress the proliferation of various cancer cells and oncogenic $ras$-transformed cells. Furthermore, ethanol treatment did not interfere with DNA synthesis, which was induced by microinjecting the oncogenic $H-Ras^{V12}$ protein. The anti-proliferative effect of ethanol was rescued by antioxidants, such as $N$-acetylcysteine and 4-methlpyrazole. These results suggest that ethanol cytotoxicity is exerted through free radical formation, and that the anti-proliferative action site of ethanol cytotoxicity either lies upstream, or is independent of Ras.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.204-210
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• 2006

Ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyrate is a useful intermediate for the synthesis of Atorvastatin, a chiral drug to hypercholesterolemia. In this research, two 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyro-nitrile-degrading strains were isolated from soil sample. They were identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis strains by 16S rRNA analysis. The nitrile-degrading enzyme(s) were suggested to be nitrile hydratase and amidase rather than nitrilase from the result of thin layer chromatography analysis. The corresponding genes were obtained by PCR cloning method. The predicted protein sequences had identities more than 96% with nitrile hydratase ${\alpha}-subunit$, nitrile hydratase ${\beta}-subunit$, and amidase of R. erythropolis. The 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyronitrile-hydrolyzing activities in both strains were increased dramatically by ${\varepsilon}-caprolactam$ which was known as good inducer for nitrile hydratase. Both intact cells and cell-free extract could hydrolyze the nitrile compound. So, the intact cell and the enzymes could be used as potential biocatalyst for the production of 4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyric acid.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.243-250
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• 2009

To develop a new natural whitening agent for cosmetics, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Poria cocos Bark extracts (PCBE) and its active compound on melanogenesis. PCBE showed ROS scavenging activities in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and xanthine/xanthine oxidase system with the $IC_{50}$ values of $19.4{\pm}2.21{\mu}g$/mL and $IC_{50}=103{\pm}3.33{\mu}g$/mL, respectively. PCBE reduced intracellular tyrosinase activity about 34 % at concentration of $50{\mu}g$/mL. And PCBE reduced melanin contents of B16 melanoma cells about 51 % at concentration of $50{\mu}g$/mL without cell cytotoxicity (below $100{\mu}g$/mL). We purified one active compound from PCBE and identified its structure. It was identified as 3-$\beta$-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-4-oic acid, triterpene family, by $^1H$-NMR, $^{13}C$-NMR and Mass analysis. 3-$\beta$-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-4-oic acid showed ROS scavenging activities in DPPH radical and xanthine/xanthine oxidase system with the $IC_{50}$ values of $4.3{\pm}0.15{\mu}g$/mL and $54{\pm}1.67{\mu}g$/mL, respectively. Also, it was shown that 3-$\beta$-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-4-oic acid reduced intracellular tyrosinase activity about 43 % at concentration of $10{\mu}g$/mL. And it inhibited melanin synthesis in a dose dependent manner ($IC_{50}=3.6{\mu}g$/mL) without cell cytotoxicity (below $100{\mu}g$/mL). 3-$\beta$-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-4-oic acid inhibited tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 expression at protein level. These results suggest that PCBE and 3-$\beta$-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-4-oic acid reduced melanin formation by the inhibition of tyrosinase activity and expression in B16 melanoma cells. Therefore, we suggest that PCBE could be used as a useful whitening agent.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2009

To develop a new natural whitening agent for cosmetics, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Pogostemon cablin Bentham extracts (PCE) and its active component on melanogenesis. PCE showed ROS scavenging activities in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and xanthine/xanthine oxidase system with the $IC_{50}$ values of $24.2{\pm}2.85{\mu}g/mL$ and $IC_{50}=118{\pm}0.43{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. PCE reduced melanin contents of B16 melanoma cells in a dose-dependant manner and decreased to about 23 % at a concentration of $20{\mu}g/mL$ without cell cytotoxicity (below $100{\mu}g/mL$). And the PCE reduced intracellular tyrosinase activity about 18 % at concentration of $50{\mu}g/mL$. We purified one active compound from PCE and identified its structure. It was identified as patchouli alcohol, sesquiterpene family, by 1H-NMR, $13_C$-NMR, and Mass analysis. Patchouli alcohol also inhibited ROS scavenging activities in DPPH radical and xanthine/xanthine oxidase system with the $IC_{50}$ values of $3.14{\pm}0.12{\mu}g/mL$ and $49{\pm}3.24{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Patchouli alcohol inhibited melanin synthesis in a dose dependent manner ($IC_{50}=3.9{\mu}g/mL$). And the patchouli alcohol reduced intracellular tyrosinase activity about 40 % at concentration of $10{\mu}g/mL$. Patchouli alcohol inhibited tyrosinase and TRP-2 expression at protein level. These results suggest that PCE and patchouli alcohol reduced melanin formation by the inhibited of tyrosinase activity and expression in B16 melanoma cells. Therefore, we suggest that PCE could be used as a useful whitening agent.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.210-220
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• 1996

Background : Neutrophils or monocytes separated in vitro by the adherence to plastic surface are known to be activated by surface adherence itself and subsequent experimental data might be altered by surface adherence. In the process of surface adherence, adhesion molecules have a clear role in intracellular signal pathway of cellular activation. Human alveolar macrophages(HAM) are frequently purified by the adherence procedure after bronchoalveolar lavage. But the experimental data of many reports about alveolar macrophages have ignored the possibility of adhesion-induced cellular activation. Method : Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in the person whose lung of either side was confirmed to be normal by chest CT. With the measurement of hydrogen peroxide release from adherent HAM to plastic surface and non-adherent HAM with or without additional stimulation of phorbol myristate acetate(PMA) or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), we observed the effect of the adherence to plastic surface. We also evaluated the effect of various biological surfaces on adhesion-induced activation of HAM. Then, to define the intracellular pathway of signal transduction, pretreatment with cycloheximide, pertussis toxin and anti-CD11/CD18 monoclonal antibody was done and we measured hydrogen peroxide in the culture supernatant of HAM. Results : 1) The adherence itself to plastic surface directly stimulated hydrogen peroxide release from human alveolar macrophages and chemical stimuli such as phorbol myristate acetate(PMA) or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine(fMLP) colud not increase hydrogen peroxide release in these adherent macrophages which is already activated. 2) PMA activated human alveolar macrophages irrespective of the state of adhesion. However, fMLP stimulated the release of hydrogen peroxide from the adherent macrophages, but not from the non-adherent macrophages. 3) HAM adherent to A549 cell(type II alveolar epithelium-like human cell line) monolayer released more hydrogen peroxide in response to both PMA and fMLP. This adherence-dependent effect of fMLP was blocked by pretreatment of macrophages with cycloheximide, pertussis toxin and anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody, Conclusion : These results suggest that the stimulatory effect of PMA and fMLP can not be found in adherent macrophage because of the activation of human alveolar macrophage by the adherence to plastic surface and the cells adhered to biologic surface such as alveolar epithelial cells are appropriately responsive to these stimuli. It is also likely that the effect of fMLP on the adherent macrophage requires new protein synthesis via G protein pathway and is dependent on the adhesion between alveolar macrophages and alveolar epithelial cells by virtue of CD11/CD18 adhesion molecules.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.187-208
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• 2000

By the activation of ovary hormone, many morphological changes occur in the epithelial cell lines and muscle cells in rat uterus. These two cells in uterus are important to the implantation of embryo, maintaining pregnancy and starting parturition. One important change associated with the morphological change of these two cells in uterus is the change on prostaglandin(PG) metabolism. Its presence and synthesis in endometriurn and myometrium in uterus affects estrous cycle and the start of embryo implantation in uterus. It also performs as an important modulator in parturition. So the abnormally weak expression of PG causes difficulty during labor and over-expression causes pre-term labor. PG biosynthesis starts from either free or liberated arachidonic acids from membrane phospholipid by phospholipase. Such arachidonic acids are converted into PG catalyzed by Cyclooxygenase. Under normal physiological condition, Cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1) having 602 units of amino acids controls the synthesis of PG. It acts as a local hormone regulating vasomodulation of blood flow, flexible muscle movement, increasing the blood permeability and contributing the protective role in preserving integrity of the stomach lining and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is induced by the inflammation, pregnancy and increased its expression until parturition. Lipid metabolite like PG is located in uterine and expression of COX-2 increased with pregnancy. Increased expression of COX proteins in epithelial cells and myometrial cells are told to increase the muscle contractility in uterus but decreased right after the labor in rat. It is a good sign indicating that COX proteins are deeply related to the start of labor. Currently, Several studies report the use of PG and COX-2 inhibitor as medication for controlled abortion or to prevent pre-term labor but they entail various side-effects. Our study proposed to suggest use of acupuncture as an another mediator to control abortion or pre-term labor without causing unnecessary side-effects by those medicines. Two acupuncture sites, LI-4 & SP-6 were selected due to their known efficacy. From the immunohistochemical staining of COX-2, normal expression of COX-2 protein in nonpregnant SD rat's uterus revealed that COX-2 protein was primarily detected in the lumina epithelial lining and in the epithelial cell lining contacting the stromal cells. High resolution optical microscopic scanning revealed distinguishable staining in the myometrial mucosa. LI-4 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed strong expression for COX-2 in endometrium contacted with lumina epithelial lining of rat uterus and in myometrial mucosa. Stromal cells showed more staining than untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus and stronger staining in stromal cells contacting myometrial layer compared to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus. SP-6 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed weak expression for COX-2 in myometrial layers and stromal cells but no staining was visible in lumina epitheliai and glandular epithelial cells. Few stromal cells and myometrial mucosa were positively stained for COX-2. Pregnant SD rat's uterus was also immunostained for COX-2 expression after 18 days of pregnancy. Unlike to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus, luminal epithelial cells were not positively stained for COX-2 but stronger staining for COX-2 was revealed in stromal cells. LI-4 acupunctured SD rat's uterus had very strong expression of COX-2 in luminal epithelial lining. Few stromal cells showed stronger positive COX-2 staining and myometrial layers also showed more expression than untreated pregnant rat. SP-6 acupuncture administered pregnant SD rat's uterus showed positive expression of COX-2 in epithelial cells of luminal mucosa layer but weaker than that of LI-4 acupuncture treatment's case. However, strong positive staining was revealed in stromal mucosa and myometrial layers. Virgin SD rat's uterus motility index during LI-4 acupuncture was 66.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0197) compared to its motility before the acupuncture treatment but the motility index was slighdy elevated up to 79.58 % (Prob〉T = 0.1175) after the acupuncture. During the SP-6 acupuncture treatment for 30 minutes, uterus motility index was 90.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.1832) showing lesser decrement but consequently reached similar motility index decreasal to 79.95 % (Prob〉T = 0.0215) after the acupuncture treatment as LI-4 showed. LI-4 acupuncture tend to be a quick treatment to reducing the uterus motility in a virgin rat but eventually both two acupuncture administration created very similar reduction of uterus motility seeing the index after the both acupunctures. The uterus movement monitored during the LI-4 acupuncture administered for 30 minutes, Pregnant SD rat showed decreased motility down to 77.90 % (Prob〉 T = 0.0076) compared to uterus motility before the acupuncture and it continuously decreased down to 71.81 %(Prob〉T = 0.0214) after the removal of needle. The statistical analysis using paired t-test showed significance difference for both two motility indexs at =0.05. SP-6 acupuncture administered to pregnant SD rat also had similar pattern of decreasing uterus motility index down to 74.70 % (Prob〉T = 0.1730) during the initial 30 minutes acupuncture administration and it was continuously lowered to 71.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0155) after the acupuncture. The paired t-test resuit for SP-6 suggest prompt response of uterus motility index to the SP-6 acupuncture treatment but consequently reached same level of inducing the motility reduction as LI-4 at =0.05 level.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.846-860
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• 1998

Background: Endotoxin (LPS : lipopolysaccharide), a potent activator of immune system, can induce acute and chronic inflammation through the production of cytokines by a variety of cells, such as monocytes, endothelial cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and fibroblasts. LPS stimulate the mononucelar cells by two different pathway, the CD14 dependent and independent way, of which the former has been well documented, but not the latter. LPS binds to the LPS-binding protein (LBP), in serum, to make the LPS-LBP complex which interacts with CD14 molecules on the mononuclear cell surface in peripheral blood or is transported to the tissues. In case of high concentration of LPS, LPS can stimulate directly the macrophages without LBP. We investigated to detect the generation of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ and fibrogenic cytokine, TGF-$\beta$, by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after LPS stimulation under serum-free conditions, which lacks LBPs. Methods : PBMC were obtained by centrifugation on Ficoll Hypaque solution of peripheral venous bloods from healthy normal subjects, then stimulated in the presence of LPS (0.1 ${\mu}g/mL$ to 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ ). The activities of IL-1, IL-6, TNF, and TGF-$\beta$ were measured by bioassaies using cytokines - dependent proliferating or inhibiting cell lines. The cellular sources producing the cytokines was investigated by immunohistochemical stains and in situ hybridization. Results : PBMC started to produce IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ in 1 hr, 4 hrs and 8hrs, respectively, after LPS stimulation. The production of IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ continuously increased 96 hrs after stimulation of LPS. The amount of production was 19.8 ng/ml of IL-6 by $10^5$ PBMC, 4.1 ng/mL of TNF by $10^6$ PBMC and 34.4 pg/mL of TGF-$\beta$ by $2{\times}10^6$ PBMC. The immunoreactivity to IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ were detected on monocytes in LPS-stimulated PBMC. Some of lymphocytes showed positive immunoreactivity to TGF-$\beta$. Double immunohistochemical stain showed that IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ expression was not associated with CD14 postivity on monocytes. IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$mRNA expression were same as observed in immunoreactivity for each cytokines. Conclusion: When monocytes are stimulated with LPS under serum-free conditions, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ are secreted in early stage of inflammation. In contrast, the secretion of TGF-$\beta$ arise in the late stages and that is maintained after 96 hrs. The main cells releasing IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ are monocytes, but also lymphocytes can secret TGF-$\beta$.