• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.99-109
• /
• 2015

Insecticidal and antifeeding activities of 29 commercialized eco-friendly organic products for managing plant diseases and insect pests against Plutella xylostella larvae, Spodoptera exigua larvae, Frankliniella occidentalis adults, and Myzus persicae adults were tested using spraying and leaf dipping bioassays under laboratory conditions. Products containing 60% Sophora extract (EOIS) and mixtures (EOISm) with Sophora extract, Stemona japonica extract, Melia azedarach extract, and Nepeta cataria extract as well as mixtures (EOISc) with Sophora extract, Chenopodium ambrosioides extract, and Melia azedarach extract as active ingredients showed strong insecticidal activity at recommended concentration against P. xylostella larvae. At half concentration, their insecticidal activities were decreased under 50%. The EOIS gave good insecticidal activity against S. exigua larvae and also showed 85% and 95% insecticidal activity at 24 and 48 hours after treatment to F. occidentalis adults, respectively. For M. persicae adults, EOISm and mixtures (EOIR) containing rape seed extract, neem extract, and castar oil produced 93% and 68% insecticidal activity, but their activities did not be increased at double concentration. EOISm only showed 100% contact toxicity against M. persicae adults exposed to dipping leaves. Interestingly, the insecticidal activity of EOIR and EOICi (citronella oil and derris extract) against M. persicae adults was increased with exposed time and concentration. In addition, EOICe (cedar oil), EOIS, EOISm, EOISc, EOIM (microorganism), EOIR, EOIPe (plant extract), and EOIT (tea tree extract) gave strong antifeeding activity against S. exigua and P. xylostella larvae. EOIB, EOIBs, EOIM, EOICi, and EOIMc showed above 70% antifeeding activity to the lepidopteran larvae. These results indicate that mixtures containing 2 to 3 plant extracts with Sophora extract show good activities against insect pests, although the difference of insecticidal and antifeeding activities was produced depending on both a tested insect species and an active ingredient or concentration.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.192-198
• /
• 2003

Purpose: Current results of autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) suggest that this procedure may prolong disease free survival In patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Autologous SCT is increasingly used as treatment for AML in first remission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of autologous SCT for patients with AML in first remission treated by autologous SCT using cytarabine, melphalan and total body irradiation (TBI) as the conditioning regimen. Materials and Methods: Between January 1995 and December 1999, 29 patients with AML in first remission underwent autologous SCT. The median age of patients was 33 years (range, 16 to 47). The conditioning regimen consisted of cytarabine ($3.0\;gm/m^2$ for 3 days), melphalan ($100\;gm/m^2$ for 1 day) and TBI (total 1000 cGy in five fractions over 3 days). Results: The median follow up was 40 months with a range of 3 to 58 months. The 4-year cumulative probability of disease free survival was 69.0%, and median survival was 41.5 months. The 4-year relapse rate was 27.6%. The factor Influencing disease free survival and relapse rate was the French-American-British (FAB) classification ($M_3$ group vs. other groups; p=0.048, p=0.043). One patient died from treatment-related toxicity. Conclusion:: Although the small number of patients does not allow us to draw any firm conclusion, our results were encouraging and suggest that the association of cytarabine, melphalan and TBI as a conditioning regimen for autologous SCT for AML on first remission appears to be safe and effective.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.8
• /
• pp.902-908
• /
• 2017

In this study, the extracted phenolic compounds from 98 species of oriental herbal medicine were examined for biological activities to be used as functional resources. In particular, the anti-gout effect by xanthine oxidase (XOase) inhibition was determined using water and ethanol as extraction solvents because of their non-toxicity in the human body. The extracts of Chrysanthemum indicum L. (83.45%), Cuscuta chinensis (60.22%), Asiasarum sieboldi F. Maekawa (51.66%), Acorus gramineus (67.8%), Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum (75.23%), Thuja orientalis (47.27%), Polygonum aviculare (53.98%), Carthami semen (63.99%), and Syzygium aromaticum (40.22%) showed relatively high XOase inhibitory activity. Chrysanthemum indicum L. was selected for its high XOase inhibitory activity. The biological compounds in Chrysanthemum indicum L. were identified to contain phenolics included in extracts of solids. Ultra-fine grind technology showed a higher extraction yield than normal grind and fine grind technology. Ethanol extracts showed relatively higher XOase inhibitory activity than water extracts. XOase inhibitory activity increased in a dependent manner as phenolic concentration increased. Therefore, ultra-fine grind technology was confirmed for use in increasing the extraction yield of XOase inhibitory compounds from Chrysanthemum indicum L.. Extracts from Chrysanthemum indicum L. are expected to be a useful functional resource for the prevention or treatment of gout.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.568-576
• /
• 2017

As interest in functionality and environmentally friendly cosmetics is growing in recent years, materials that use safe and effective plant extracts have been developed. Therefore, this study also attempted to check the possibility of the graviola extract, which is known to have various efficacy mainly as a health functional material as a functional cosmetic material. In order to find out the antioxidant activity of graviola, we measured total polyphenol, total flavonoid content and DPPH radical scavenging activity and measured the ROS activity inhibition effect and cytoprotective effect on oxidative stress by treating HDF with hydrogen peroxide cells at an appropriate concentration after checking cytotoxicity in HDF cells. Based on the results of this experiment, the graviola extract was found to contain as high as 26.6 mg(CA)/100g, 14.3 mg(Q)/100g of total polyphenol and flavonoid, which are the antioxidant indexes and to have the high radical scavenging activity. The cell survival rate of the HDF cells was measured, and as a result, no significant cytotoxicity was observed at all concentrations and the experiment was carried out at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$ afterwards. Inhibition of ROS activity in HDF cells induced by hydrogen peroxide was measured and the concentration-dependent inhibition of ROS activity was found and the cell protection effect of graviola was measured after hydrogen peroxide was treated for 4, 24 and 48 hours. As a result, the cell protection effect as high as 89.92% was confirmed at a $25{\mu}g/mL$ concentration up to 24 hours. As these results show that the graviola extract has excellent antioxidant activity, almost no toxicity to HDF cells, an effective activity inhibitory effect on active oxygen generated by hydrogen peroxide and excellent cytoprotective effect, the possibility as various functional materials with antioxidant and cytoprotective effects was confirmed.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.218-228
• /
• 2010

Components of dental resin-based restorative materials are reported to leach from the filling materials even after polymerization. Hydroquinone (HQ) is one of the major monomers used in the dental resin and is known as a carcinogen. Thus, carcinogenic risk of HQ leaching from the dental resin becomes a public health concern. The present study attempted to examine the carcinogenic potentials of HQ on the human epithelial cell, which is the target cell origin of the most of oral cancers. Cytotoxicity of HQ was observed above 50${\mu}M$ as measured by LDH assay, indicating a relatively low toxicity of this substance in human epithelial cells. The parameters of neoplastic cellular transformation such as cell saturation density, soft agar colony formation and cell aggregation were analyzed to examine the carcinogenic potential of HQ. The study showed that 2-week exposure of HQ showed the tendency of increase in the saturation density and the significant enhancement of soft agar colony formation at the highest dose, 50 ${\mu}M$ only. It is suggested that HQ has a weak potential of carcinogenicity. When cells were treated with HQ and TPA, a well-known tumor promoter, the parameters of neoplastic cellular transformation was significantly increased. This result indicates that the potential risk of carcinogenicity from HQ is largely dependent upon the presence of promoter. Exposure of 50 ${\mu}M$ HQ increased the time-dependent apoptosis as measured by the ELISA kit. This concentration coincides with a dose of neoplastic transformation, indicating a possible link between apoptosis and HQ-induced cellular transformation. Hydroquinone generated Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) which was evidenced by the treatment of antioxidants such as trolox and N-acetyl cysteine and the GSH depleting agent, BSO. Antioxidants blocked the generation of ROS and the GSH depleting agent, BSO dramatically increased the ROS production. Since HQ is known to increase ROS production thru activation of transcriptional factor such as c-Myb and Pim-1, it is speculated that ROS generation by HQ plays a role in the activation of oncogene, which may lead to neoplastic transformation. In addition, ROS is involved in the alteration of signal transduction, which regulates the apoptosis in many cellular systems. Thus, ROS-mediated apoptosis may be involved in the HQ-induced carcinogenic processes. Protein kinase C (PKC) is known to play pivotal roles in neoplastic transformation of cells and its high expression is often found in a variety of types of tumors including oral cancer. PKC translocation of PKC-${\alpha}$ was observed following HQ exposure. Altered signaling system may also play a role in the transformation process. Taken together, HQ leached from the dental resin does not pose a significant threat as a cancer causing agent, but its carcinogenic potential can be significantly elevated in the presence of promoter. The mechanism of HQ-induced carcinogenesis involved ROS generation, apoptosis and altered signaling pathway. The present study will provide a valuable data to estimate the potential risk of HQ as a carcinogen and understand mechanism of HQ-induced carcinogenesis in human epithelial cells.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.171-182
• /
• 2018

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the crops widely planted in tropical and subtropical areas. The papaya fruit has low calories and are plentiful in vitamins A and C and in minerals. A major problem in papaya production is a plant disease caused by the papaya ringspot virus (PRSV). The first PRSV-resistant GM papaya expressing a PRSV coat protein gene was developed by USA scientists in 1992. The first commercial GM papaya cultivars derived from the event was approved by the US government in 1997. Development of transgenic papayas has been focused on vaccine production and limited agricultural traits, including insect and pathogen resistance, long shelf life, and aluminum and herbicide tolerance. Approximately 17 countries, including the USA and China, produced transgenic papayas and/or commercialized them, which provoked studies on biosafety assessment and development of GM-detection technologies. For the biosafety assessment of potential effects on human health, effects of long-term feeding to model animals have been studied in terms of toxicity and allergenicity. Studies on environmental safety assessment include influence on soil-microbial biodiversity and transfer to soil bacteria of GM selection markers. Many countries, such as Korea, the European Union, and Japan, that have strict regulations for GM crops have serious concerns about unintended introduction of GM cultivars and food commodities using unauthorized GM crops. Transgene- and/or GM event-specific molecular markers and technologies for genomics-based detection of unauthorized GM papaya have been developed and have resulted in the robust detection of GM papayas.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.31 no.2 s.61
• /
• pp.275-284
• /
• 1998

Activities of enzymes involved in the metabolism of various carcinogenic xenobiotics is one of the most important host factors for cancer occurrence. N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) are enzymes which .educe the toxicity of activated carcinogenic metabolites. Slow N-acetylation and lack of GST mu (GSTMI) were reported as risk factors of bladder cancer. GST theta (GSTT1), which is another type of GST, was reported to be deleted at higher proportion among Koreans. Since cause of bladder cancer is not fully explained by single risk factor, many kinds of enzymes would be involved in the metabolism of carcinogens excreted in urine. This study was performed to investigate whether the polymorphisms of NAT2, GSTM1 and GSTT1 are risk factors of bladder cancer and to evaluate the effects of their interaction on bladder cancer development. Sixty-seven bladder cancer and 67 age- and sex-matched non-cancer patients hospitalized in Chungbuk National University Hospital from March to December 1996, are the subjects of this case-control study. Questionnaire interview was done and the genotypes of NAT2, GSTM1 and GSTT1 were identified using PCR methods with DNA extracted from venous blood. The effects of the polymorphism of NAT2 and GSTM1 and their interaction on bladder cancer were statistically tested after controlling the other risk factors. The frequencies of slow, intermediate, and rapid acetylators were 3.0%, 38.8%, and 58.2% to. the cases, and 7.6%, 40.9%, and 51.5% for the controls, respectively. The risk of bladder cancer was not associated with the increase of NAT2 activity($\chi^2_{trend}=1.18$, P-value>0.05). GSTM1 was deleted in 68.7% of the cases and 49.3% of the controls ($\chi^2=5.21$, P-value<0.05), and the odds ratio (95% CI) was 2.23 (1.12 - 4.56). GSTT1 deletion, the .ate of which were 26.9% for the bladder cancer patients and 43.3% for the controls, was a significant protective factor against bladder cancer. Smoking history turned out to be insignificant as a risk factor of bladder cancer (OR=1.85, 95% CI: 0.85 - 4.03), and occupation could not be tested because of the extremely small number of occupational history related to the increase of bladder cancer. In multiple logistic analysis controlling the effects of other risk factors, GSTM1 deletion was the only significant risk factor for bladder cancer (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.22-5.36, P-value<0.05), but slow acetylation and GSTT1 deletion were not. These results suggest that GSTM1 deletion may be a significant risk factor of bladder cancer. Since there have been much debates on causal relationship between slow acetylation and GSTT1 deletion, and bladder cancer, further studies are needed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.27 no.1 s.45
• /
• pp.11-24
• /
• 1994

The studies reported here were undertaken to investigate the effects of mercury chloride on immune system of Balb/c mouse employing a flexible tier of in vitro and in vivo assays. Mercury chloride inhibited the proliferative responses of spleen cells to lipopolysaccharide, pokeweed mitogen, and phytohemagglutinin as a dose-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect was observed not only when $HgCl_2$ was added 2nd or 3rd day of 3 days culture period but also when spleen cells was pretreated with $HgCl_2$ for 2 hours. Mercury chloride, however, potentiated the production of IgM and IgG from spleen cells. During the $HgCl_2$ administration by drinking for 3 weeks, the weight gain of mice was significantly blunted than that o control group mice, while no overt signs related to mercury toxicity were noted in any mice of experimental group. There was no change in thymus and spleen weights, and in histological findings of kidney, bone marrow of femur, thymus, spleen, and popliteal lymph node after 3 weeks of mercury exposure. However, $HgCl_2$ induced a significant increase of total serum IgM, IgG including $IgG_1,\;IgG_{2a}\;and\;IgG_{2b}$, and IgE in Balb/c mice. Treatment in vivo with anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody significantly abrogated the $HgCl_2$-induced increase in total serum IgG1 and IgE. Whereas $HgCl_2$ potentiated total serum IgM and IgG, there was no difference in total serum hemagglutinin to SRBC (Sheep Red Blood Cell) between experimental and control group mice when these mice were immunized with SRBC. All these findings observed in Balb/c mice suggest that mercury perturbates well-orchestrated regulation of immune responses before developing histopathological changes in lymphoid tissues.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.282-289
• /
• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Makgeolli and Makgeolli precipitate on hepatotoxity and the serum lipid content in rats. First, we investigated the effect of Makgeolli and ethanol on the progress of alcoholic fatty liver. The effect of Makgeolli precipitate on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity in the rats was then studied. Indicators of the health status of the experimental period, the body weight gain in ethanol-treated group tended to be lower than those in the control and the Makgeolli-treated groups. The weight of the liver tissue decreased significantly following the administration of ethanol. However, this was not seen following the administration of Makgeolli. The activities of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were decreased in the Makgeolli group compared to the ethanol group. Serum cholesterol concentrations increased in the ethanol group, but decreased in the Makgeolli-treated group to an equal volume of the ethanol-treated group. The serum HDL-cholesterol content was significantly higher in the Makgeolli group than in the ethanol group. Analysis of the impact of the Makgeolli precipitate on toxicity induced by $CCl_4$ in the liver showed that the $CCl_4$ treatment significantly increased the activities of serum ALT and AST. However, the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in serum were decreased. The $CCl_4$ treatment increased the activities of AST and ALT. However, the raw Makgeolli precipitate decreased their activities. Moreover, raw Makgeolli precipitate significantly reduced the $CCl_4$-induced elevation of serum lipids more than heated Makgeolli precipitate. These results suggest that raw Makgeolli precipitate may exert a protective effect against $CCl_4$-induced liver injury by preventing lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.54 no.6
• /
• pp.618-630
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale) is widely cultivated as a spice for its aromatic and pungent components. One of its constituents, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is usually thought to cross the cell membrane through dopamine uptake transporters, and induce inhibition of mitochondrial respiration and the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study examines the neuroprotective effect and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of fermented ginger extracts (FGEs) on 6-OHDA induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Methods: Ginger was fermented using 2 species of Bacillus subtilis, with or without enzyme pretreatment. Each sample was extracted with 70% ethanol. Neurotoxicity was assessed by applying the EZ-Cytox cell viability assay and by measuring lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Morphological changes of apoptotic cell nuclei were observed by Hoechst staining. Cell growth and apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells were determined by Western blotting and enzyme activity analysis of caspase-3, and AChE enzymatic activity was determined by the colorimetric assay. Results: In terms of cell viability and LDH release, exposure to FGE showed neuroprotective activities against 6-OHDA stimulated stress in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, FGE reduced the 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis, as determined by Hoechst staining. The occurrence of apoptosis in 6-OHDA treated cells was confirmed by determining the caspase-3 activity. Exposure to 6-OHDA resulted in increased caspase-3 activity of SH-SY5Y cells, as compared to the unexposed group. However, pre-treatment with FGE inhibited the activity of caspase-3. The neuroprotective effects of FGE were also found to be caspase-dependent, based on reduction of caspase-3 activity. Exposure to FGE also inhibited the activity of AChE induced by 6-OHDA, in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Taken together, our results show that FGE exhibits a neuroprotective effect in 6-OHDA treated SH-SY5Y cells, thereby making it a potential novel agent for the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative disease.