• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.9.1-9.13
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• 2023

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a zinc and calcium-dependent proteolytic enzyme involved in extracellular matrix degradation. Overexpression of MMP-9 has been confirmed in several disorders, including cancers, Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and dental caries. Therefore, MMP-9 inhibition is recommended as a therapeutic strategy for combating various diseases. Cinnamic acid derivatives have shown therapeutic effects in different cancers, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular diseases, and dental caries. A computational drug discovery approach was performed to evaluate the binding affinity of selected cinnamic acid derivatives to the MMP-9 active site. The stability of docked poses for top-ranked compounds was also examined. Twelve herbal cinnamic acid derivatives were tested for possible MMP-9 inhibition using the AutoDock 4.0 tool. The stability of the docked poses for the most potent MMP-9 inhibitors was assessed by molecular dynamics (MD) in 10 nanosecond simulations. Interactions between the best MMP-9 inhibitors in this study and residues incorporated in the MMP-9 active site were studied before and after MD simulations. Cynarin, chlorogenic acid, and rosmarinic acid revealed a considerable binding affinity to the MMP-9 catalytic domain (ΔG_binding < -10 kcal/ mol). The inhibition constant value for cynarin and chlorogenic acid were calculated at the picomolar scale and assigned as the most potent MMP-9 inhibitor from the cinnamic acid derivatives. The root-mean-square deviations for cynarin and chlorogenic acid were below 2 Å in the 10 ns simulation. Cynarin, chlorogenic acid, and rosmarinic acid might be considered drug candidates for MMP-9 inhibition.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권10호
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• pp.627-636
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• 2023

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to the gradual destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth including gums, periodontal ligaments, alveolar bone, and root cementum. Recently, interests in alleviating symptoms of periodontitis (PD) using natural compounds is increasing. Avenanthramide-C (Avn-C) is a polyphenol found only in oats. It is known to exhibit various biological properties. To date, the effect of Avn-C on PD pathogenesis has not been confirmed. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the protective effects of Avn-C on periodontal inflammation and subsequent alveolar bone erosion in vitro and in vivo. Upregulated expression of catabolic factors, such as matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), MMP3, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and COX2 induced by lipopolysaccharide and proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), was dramatically decreased by Avn-C treatment in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells. Moreover, alveolar bone erosion in the ligature-induced PD mouse model was ameliorated by intra-gingival injection of Avn-C. Molecular mechanism studies revealed that the inhibitory effects of Avn-C on the upregulation of catabolic factors were mediated via ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and NF-κB pathway that was activated by IL-1β or p38 MAPK and JNK signaling that was activated by TNF-α, respectively. Based on this study, we recommend that Avn-C may be a new natural compound that can be applied to PD treatment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.59-67
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• 2024

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) has memory impairment associated with aggregation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Although anti-amyloid β (Aβ) protein antibody and chemical drugs can be prescribed in the clinic, they show adverse effects or low effectiveness. Therefore, the development of a new drug is necessarily needed. We focused on the cognitive function of Panax ginseng and tried to find active ingredient(s). We isolated panaxcerol D, a kind of glycosyl glyceride, from the non-saponin fraction of P. ginseng extract. Methods: We explored effects of acute or sub-chronic administration of panaxcerol D on cognitive function in scopolamine- or Aβ_25-35 peptide-treated mice measured by several behavioral tests. After behavioral tests, we tried to unveil the underlying mechanism of panaxcerol D on its cognitive function by Western blotting. Results: We found that pananxcerol D reversed short-term, long-term and object recognition memory impairments. The decreased extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) or Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in scopolamine-treated mice was normalized by acute administration of panaxcerol D. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), caspase 3, NF-kB p65, synaptophysin and brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression levels in Aβ_25-35 peptide-treated mice were modulated by sub-chronic administration of panaxcerol D. Conclusion: Pananxcerol D could improve memory impairments caused by cholinergic blockade or Aβ accumulation through increased phosphorylation level of ERK or its anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, panaxcerol D as one of non-saponin compounds could be used as an active ingredient of P. ginseng for improving cognitive function.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.442-450
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• 2024

The type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB₁R) is a potential therapeutic target in several pathological conditions, including neuropsychological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Owing to their structural diversity, it is not easy to derive general structure-activity relationships (SARs) for CB₁R ligands. In this study, CB₁R ligands were classified into six structural families, and the corresponding SAR was determined for their affinities for CB₁R. In addition, we determined their functional activities for the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs). Among derivatives of indol-3-yl-methanone, the highest ligand affinity was observed when a pentyl and a naphthalenyl group were attached to the N1 position of the indole ring and the carbon site of the methanone moiety, respectively. In the case of adamantane indazole-3-carboxamide derivatives, the presence of fluorine in the pentyl group, the substituent at the N1 position of the indazole ring, strongly increased the affinity for CB₁R. For (naphthalen-1-yl) methanone derivatives, the presence of 4-alkoxynaphthalene in the methanone moiety was more beneficial for the affinity to CB₁R than that of a heterocyclic ring. The functional activities of the tested compounds, evaluated through ERK assay, were correlated with their affinity for CB₁R, suggesting their agonistic nature. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insight for designing novel ligands for CB₁R, which can be used to control psychiatric disorders and drug abuse.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.438-452
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Brain senescence causes cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. It has also been demonstrated that curcumin (Cur) and hesperetin (Hes), both antioxidant polyphenolic compounds, mediate anti-aging and neuroprotective effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether Cur, Hes, and/or their combination exert anti-aging effects in D-galactose (Dg)-induced aged neuronal cells and rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: SH-SY5Y cells differentiated in response to retinoic acid were treated with Cur (1 μM), Hes (1 μM), or a combination of both, followed by 300 mM Dg. Neuronal loss was subsequently evaluated by measuring average neurite length and analyzing expression of β-tubulin III, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases, and neurofilament heavy polypeptide. Cellular senescence and related proteins, p16 and p21, were also investigated, including their regulation of antioxidant enzymes. In vivo, brain aging was induced by injecting 250 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) Dg. The effects of supplementing this model with 50 mg/kg b.w. Cur, 50 mg/kg b.w. Hes, or a combination of both for 3 months were subsequently evaluated. Brain aging was examined with a step-through passive avoidance test and apoptosis markers were analyzed in brain cortex tissues. RESULTS: Cur, Hes, and their combination improved neuron length and cellular senescence by decreasing the number of β-gal stained cells, down-regulated expression of p16 and p21, and up-regulated expression of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase 1, glutathione peroxidase 1, and catalase. Administration of Cur, Hes, or their combination also tended to ameliorate cognitive impairment and suppress apoptosis in the cerebral cortex by down-regulating Bax and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase expression and increasing Bcl-2 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Cur and Hes appear to attenuate Dg-induced brain aging via regulation of antioxidant enzymes and apoptosis. These results suggest that Cur and Hes may mediate neuroprotective effects in the aging process, and further study of these antioxidant polyphenolic compounds is warranted.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.554-560
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• 2011

제지폐수의 효율적인 생물학적 처리와 폐수특성에 적합한 미생물제제의 개발을 위하여 토양 및 산업폐수로부터 방향족 화합물에 분해활성이 높은 KN11, KN13 및 KN27 균주와 세포 외 섬유소 가수분해효소 생산 균주 GT21 등의 균주를 분리하였다. 형태학적, 생리학적 및 생화학적 분류를 통해 이들 분리주 KN11, KN13, KN27 및 GT21 등은 Acinetobacter sp., Neisseria sp., Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp.와 유사한 것으로 판명되어 최종적으로 각각 Acinetobacter sp. KN11, Neisseria sp. KN13, Bacillus sp. KN27, Pseudomonas sp. GT21로 명명하였다. 제지폐수 중 난분해성 물질과 COD 증가원인 물질을 분석하고자 GC/MS를 이용하여 방향족 화합물 및 그 유도체들을 검출하였다. 분리균주 Acinetobacter sp. KN11, Neisseria sp. KN13, Bacillus sp. KN27 및 Pseudomonas sp. GT21의 균체로 구성된 미생물제제 J30을 제조하여 제지폐수의 효율적 처리를 위한 연구에 사용하였다. 미생물제제 J30의 제지폐수에서 COD 제거를 위한 최적온도와 pH는 각각 $30^{\circ}C$와 7.5였으며 배양 60시간에서 최대의 COD 제거효율을 나타내었다. 실험실 규모의 pilot plant에서 미생물제제 J30의 COD 제거효율은 87%의 높은 제거효율을 나타내었다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.129-134
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• 2019

이전 연구에서 전통주 주박 ethyl acetate 분획물로부터 11개의 순수물질을 분리 동정하였다. 11개의 순수물질은 caffeic acid, coumaric acid, D-mannitol, ferulic acid, hesperetin, hesperidin, naringenin, naringin, sinapic acid, syringic acid, 그리고 vanilic acid로 동정되었다. 이번 연구에서는 그들의 항염증 활성을 연구하기 위하여 LPS로 활성화된 RAW 264.7 세포에서 nitric oxide (NO) 생산을 측정하였다. 11개의 순수물질 중 hesperetin과 naringenin이 가장 높은 NO 생성 억제를 보여주었다. 또한, hesperetin은 세포 생존율에 영향 없이 농도의존적으로 NO 생산을 저해하였다. 그리고, hesperetin은 농도의존적으로 염증유전자인 iNOS의 발현을 농도의존적으로 억제한 반면, COX-2 단백질의 발현에는 영향을 주지 않았다. 게다가, hesperetin은 p38 MAPK와 ERK1/2의 인산화를 억제한 반면 JNK의 인산화에는 영향을 주지 못했다. 이러한 결과는 hesperetin은 항염증 활성을 가지며, 이러한 항염증 활성은 p38 MAPK와 ERK1/2 경로를 억제함으로써 일어난다는 것을 나타낸다.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.97-102
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• 2005

수분 보유력이 우수한 hyaluronan (HA)은 피부 보습에 관여하는 여러 물질들 중 하나로 피부의 extracellular matrix를 구성하는 주요 성분 중 하나이다. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)의 구성 성분의 하나로 과거에는 진피에서 유래하는 것으로 알려져 왔으나 최근 연구들을 통해 표피에서 합성되는 것이 확인되었다. Polyphenolic compound의 일종인 kaempferol과 quercetin은 채소류 같은 식물성 음식에 많이 존재하는 것으로 알려져 있으며, kaempferol은 인체 표피세포에서 glutathione 합성을 증가시키고 quercetin은 lipoxygenase inhibitor로 PPAR (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor) - mediated 표피세포 분화를 억제하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서 우리는 표피 세포주에서 이들 flavonoids -kaempferol, quercetin -의 HA 합성에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 물질 처리에 따른 HA 합성 효소인 hyaluronan synthase 1, 2, 3 (HAS1, 2, 3) 유전자 발현의 변화를 semi-quantitative RT-PCR을 통해 살펴보았다. 이들 flavonoid들에 의해 24 h 후 HAS2, 3 mRNA 발현이 증가되는 것을 발견하였다. 또한 HA 합성량의 변화를 알아보기 위해 ELISA를 수행하였다. 24 h 물질 처리 후 배지를 수거하여 HA 합성량을 살펴본 결과 이들 물질에 의해 합성이 유의하게 증가함을 알 수 있었다. 비록 합성 촉진에서의 효과가 retinoic acid에는 못 미치지만 kaempferol과 quercetin은 표피 세포주에서 농도 의존적으로 HA 합성을 증가시켰다. 위의 결과를 통해 flavonoid류인 kaempferol과 quercetin이 피부에서 HA 생산을 촉진시킴을 알 수 있었고 이를 통해 피부 보습과 잔주름 개선에 효과를 볼 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• 대한환경공학회지
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.246-254
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• 2017

호소, 하천 등에 다량의 영양염류의 유입과 수문학적, 지리학적, 생물학적 요소 등으로 인해 남조류가 대량 발생하게 되며 대표적 독성물질인 마이크로시스틴-LR(MC-LR)이 증가한다. MC-LR이 포함된 지표수를 적절하게 처리하기 위하여 정수처리공정에서는 고도산화공정을 적용하고 있다. 다양한 고도산화공정 중 특히 UV, $UV/H_2O_2$, $UV/O_3$, $UV/TiO_2$ 등에 대한 연구는 꾸준히 되어왔다. 기존의 UV램프의 짧은 교체주기, 수은 폐기물 발생, 큰 열 손실 등의 단점을 보완한 UV-LED를 MC-LR제거에 적용하였다. MC-LR 초기농도 $100{\mu}g/L$을 280 nm의 파장인 LED-L ($0.024mW/cm^2$)와 LED-H ($2.18mW/cm^2$)를 이용하여 산화시켰을 때 각각 최대 약 30%, 95.9%의 MC-LR 제거율을 나타냈다. LED-H를 조사 시 자연유기물 변화는 휴믹물질, UVD, SUVA가 감소하는 경향을 보였고 방향족 유기물이 지방족 유기물로 분해되어 저분자 물질이 되었다. $LED-H/H_2O_2$($H_2O_2$: 1, 2, 5, 10 mg/L)산화반응에 의한 MC-LR제거율은 LED-H 단독에 의한 MC-LR 제거율과 유사하였다. 남조류가 발생한 낙동강 원수를 대상으로 LED-L산화를 적용하여 수질분석을 통하여 특성변화를 확인하였다. DOC 및 TOC의 변화는 거의 없었으나 SUVA와 $UV_{254}$의 감소로 인하여 유기물의 분해되었으며 조류유래물질인 용존 및 총 MC-LR, geosmin, 2-MIB농도가 시간이 지남에 따라 서서히 감소하였다.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.41-49
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-atopic dermatitis effects of persimmon leaf extract obtained from Cheongdo-gun, where more than 60% of Korean persimmon is produced. Methods : Anti-oxidative effects of the crude persimmon leaf extract harvested monthly between May and November were determined by in vitro assay using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like reaction. Anti-atopic dermatitis effects of the crude persimmon leaf extract were determined by using collagenase type I inhibition assay and by quantitative assays including serum histamine, prostaglandin E metabolite and leukotriene $B_4$ levels in animal model of atopic dermatitis using Balb/c mice. Results : Persimmon leaf extract harvested in May had higher levels of total phenolic compounds (182.24 mg/g) and flavonoids (23.05 mg/g) than the ones of different month extract. Also, persimmon leaf extract harvested in May showed the most effective extract scavenging activities of DPPH free radical ($13.39{\pm}0.21\;{\mu}g/ml$) and superoxide anion radical ($40.52{\pm}2.32\;{\mu}g/ml$), leading to use the persimmon leaf extract harvested in May for the experiments hereafter. Persimmon leaf extract showed $326.71{\pm}4.6\;{\mu}g/ml$ of 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) for collagenase type I which is responsible for the degradation of extracellular matrix. In addition, persimmon leaf extract application group could decrease serum levels of histamine, prostaglandin E metabolite and leukotriene $B_4$ compared to the negative control in animal model of atopic dermatitis. Especially, persimmon leaf extract showed a significantly decreased serum leukotriene $B_4$ level relative to the levels of histamine and prostaglandin E metabolite. Conclusions : Persimmon leaf extract showed anti-oxidative and anti-atopic dermatitis effects in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that persimmon leaf extract may have immunoregulatory function for alleviating atopic dermatitis by decreasing collagenase activity and mast cell activation.