• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.209-220
• /
• 2009

Octachlorostyrene(OCS) has been persisted in environment because it has not been decomposed easily. And, it has been known as highly toxic compounds to the environment and human as well as accumulated as high concentrations in a biota through a food chain. Therefore, OCS was monitored for water, soil and fish sampled from the areas where were able to be contaminated with OCS. The recoveries of octachlorostyrene were 93.1${\sim}$98.6% in water, 90.4${\sim}$94.8% in soil and 81.5${\sim}$90.2% in fish and detection limits were 0.0004 mg $L^{-1}$ for water, and 0.002 mg $kg^{-1}$ for soil and fish, respectively. OCS was not detected in water, sediment, soil and fish samples from Ulsan, Yeosu, Daejeon and Sihwa industrial complex and in soil sampled nearby incineration plants in all parts of the country. Accordingly, we estimated that there is no risk from exposure of OCS.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.638-645
• /
• 2019

Objectives: For the risk management of airborne fungal diseases, our aim was to evaluate airborne fungi and study the toxicity associated with fungal allergic diseases using fungal species native to Korea. Methods: Fungi were isolated from outdoor air samples collected from Seoul, Incheon, Cheonan, Gwangju, Ulsan, Busan, and Jeju and tested for their cytotoxicity potential and their ability to induce proliferation and secretion of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) in human mast cells (HMC-1). Results: More than 18 species of fungi were collected from outdoor air in Korea over one year, and the strains were identified and systematically analyzed. The results showed that the Cladosporium (59%) and Alternaria (22%) strains are the most common in outdoor air. Three of the collected strains (Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Penicillium) showed mild toxicity in cells involved in allergic inflammation, and twelve induced cell proliferation in HMC-1 cells. More importantly, many strains (Edgeworthia, Trametes, Emmia, Irpex, Talaromyces, Penicillium, Periconia, Epicocum, Bipolaris) induced the MDC protein in activated HMC-1 cells. Conclusion: Nineteen percent of the tested strains caused cytotoxicity in mast cell lines, whereas, most of the non-toxic strains contributed to cell activity. Among the tested strains, more than 80% increased the expression of MDC protein, which contributes to the severity of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and rhinitis. It is, in fact, one of the markers for these conditions. Therefore, airborne fungus could be considered as an important marker for environmental risk management for allergic diseases in Korea.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.454-459
• /
• 2004

Experimental hyperoxia represents a suitable in vitro model to study some pathogenic mechanisms related to oxidative stress. Moreover, it allows the investigation of the molecular pathophysiology underlying oxygen therapy and toxicity. In this study, a modified experimental set up was adopted to accomplish a model of moderate hyperoxia (50% $O_2$, 96 h culture) to induce oxidative stress in the human leukemia cell line, U-937. Spectrophotometric measurements of mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activities, NMR spectroscopy of culture media, determination of antioxidant enzyme activities, and cell proliferation and differentiation assays were performed. The data showed that moderate hyperoxia in this myeloid cell line causes: i) intriguing alterations in the mitochondrial activities at the levels of succinate dehydrogenase and succinate-cytochrome c reductase; ii) induction of metabolic compensatory adaptations, with significant shift to glycolysis; iii) induction of different antioxidant enzyme activities; iv) significant cell growth inhibition and v) no significant apoptosis. This work will permit better characterization the mitochondrial damage induced by hyperoxia. In particular, the data showed a large increase in the succinate cytochrome c reductase activity, which could be a fundamental pathogenic mechanism at the basis of oxygen toxicity.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.1466-1475
• /
• 2021

Compound K (20-O-β-(_D-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol) is an active ingredient of ginsenosides. Compound K has been known to produce from biotransformation by β-glucosidase action of human intestinal microbes after oral admistration of ginseng. We have investigated the cytotoxicity of compound K obtained from bio-converted ginseng extract. As a result, compound K showed no significant cytotoxicity in the concentration of 0.001 to 1 ㎍/mL and inhibited the production of TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6 and NO in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS inflamation. In the same concentration, HaCaT cells induced by inflammation with TNF-α and IFN-γ decreased IL-8 production due to compound K treatment. In the brine shrimp lethality assay, the LC₅₀ of compound K was 0.37 mg/mL indicating some toxicity, but the bioconverted product containing 35% compound K showed relatively low toxicity with an LC₅₀ of 0.87 mg/mL. These results suggest that the compound K enriched extract is a potential functional material for acne relief cosmetic products.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.74-82
• /
• 2023

Nepeta sibirica L. or Siberian catmint is a medicinal plant species used in Mongolian traditional medicine for curing human different disorders and veterinary practices. The previous study of the whole plant concentrated on the determination of its essential oil composition and reported that the major ones are sesquiterpenes, including nepetalactone. The aim of this study was to reveal a new biological activity of the above-ground parts of N. sibirica L. and compare the activity of different extracts correlating with the content of biologically active compounds and evaluate their toxicity. For this purpose, anti-oxidative and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of the above-ground parts of N. sibirica L. aqueous and ethanol (EtOH) (40%, 70%) extracts were assayed spectrophotometrically. The aqueous extract showed positive anti-oxidative activity by both tested DPPH and FRAP assays with IC₅₀ 134.24 ± 1.42 mg/mL and FRAP value 1385.15 ± 8.12 µmol/L at 200 ㎍/mL, in contrast to 40% and 70% EtOH extracts. The 70% EtOH extract presented the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 77.29 ± 0.38 mg/mL) followed by 40% EtOH extract (176.72 ± 0.35 mg/mL) and aqueous extract (275.41 ± 0.23 mg/mL). Total phenolics were found to be gallic acid equivalent, % 3.74 ± 0.05 (70% EtOH), 3.94 ± 0.04 (40% EtOH), and 3.79 ± 0.16 (aqueous), whereas the total flavonoids as a rutin equivalent, % as 2.01 ± 0.12, 1.44 ± 0.17 and 1.99 ± 0.02, each. The aqueous extract showed the best anti-oxidative and lowest activity against the acetylcholinesterase; however, the 70% EtOH extract showed the opposite effects than that of the aqueous. No mortality incidence was visible at various doses, indicating that the oral median lethal dose of aqueous and 70% EtOH extracts were considered greater than 5000 mg/kg. N. sibirica L. belongs to the non-toxic category of the OECD 423 classification.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.31-37
• /
• 2005

The inhibitory activity against bisphenol-A (BPA), one of well-known endocrine disrupters was examined with the water extracts prepared from the Stem Bark of Syringa velutina (SBS). In this study, we have investigated the effect of SBS on the toxicity caused by BPA in human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7 cells and immature Sprague-Dawley rats. In the estrogen receptor-mediated proliferation assay using MCF-7 cells, BPA (16 ng/ml) induced the cell proliferation, but the water extract of SBS inhibited BPA-induced cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. These results are associated with PARP degradation and specific cleavage of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 of apoptotic regulatory factors. Additionally, the BPA (400 mg/100 g) significantly induced the increase of the uterine and virginal weights, while SBS (50 mg/100 g) showed the inhibitory action against BPA, i.e. caused the increase of estrogen-related organ weights in immature rat uterotrophic assay. Taken together, the present data suggest that SBS may have anti-toxicity activities against BPA in vitro and in vivo systems. SBS may be capable of inhibiting adverse effects of BPA such as reproductive disorder.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.674-679
• /
• 2002

The toxicity and bioaccumulation of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) continues to be a focus of research in human and various species. The main human exposure is via the dietary route. This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of Cornu Cervi Parvum extract on clinical parameters and hepatotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley rat (SD rat) accutely exposured to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Male SD rats received single intraperitoneal (ip) injection of TCDD (40 ㎍/kg), and administered 10 or 20 mg/kg/day of the ethanol extract oral injection for 4 weeks from 1 week before TCDD treatment. The gain in body weight was less in group treated with TCDD than in CON group, while that of C/H+ TCDD group (Cornu Cervi Parvum extract 20 mg/kg/day) increased. The decrease in spleen and testis weight caused by TCDD was prevented by Cornu Cervi Parvum extract 20 mg/kg/day. The fluctuation in BUN content, WBC and platelet count by TCDD intoxication were significantly attenuated by the ethanol extract treatment (20 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks). Treatments of rats with the extract (10 or 20 mg/kg/day) were significantly reduced AST and ALT levels compared with TCDD-treated group. Moderate swelling of hepatocytes, hyperchromatism, acidophilic cytoplasm and cytoplasmic vacuolation were observed in TCDD-treated animals (TCDD group). The administration of EtOH extract 10 or 20 mg/kg along with TCDD significantly alleviated the liver histopathological alteration induced by TCDD. These results suggest that Cornu Cervi Parvum extract can be useful as a protective agent against TCDD, an endocrine disruptor.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.371-392
• /
• 2015

TS-DP2 is a recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) manufactured by TS Corporation. We conducted a four-week study of TS-DP2 (test article) in repeated intravenous doses in male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Lenograstim was used as a reference article and was administered intravenously at a dose of $1000{\mu}g/kg/day$. Rats received TS-DP2 intravenously at doses of 250, 500, and $1000{\mu}g/kg/day$ once daily for 4 weeks, and evaluated following a 2-week recovery period. Edema in the hind limbs and loss of mean body weight and body weight gain were observed in both the highest dose group of TS-DP2 and the lenograstim group in male rats. Fibro-osseous lesions were observed in the lenograstim group in both sexes, and at all groups of TS-DP2 in males, and at doses of TS-DP2 $500{\mu}g/kg/day$ and higher in females. The lesion was considered a toxicological change. Therefore, bone is the primary toxicological target of TS-DP2. The lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) in males was $250{\mu}g/kg/day$, and no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) in females was $250{\mu}g/kg/day$ in this study. In the toxicokinetic study, the serum concentrations of G-CSF were maintained until 8 hr after administration. The systemic exposures ($AUC_{0-24h}$ and $C_0$) were not markedly different between male and female rats, between the administration periods, or between TS-DP2 and lenograstim. In conclusion, TS-DP2 shows toxicological similarity to lenograstim over 4-weeks of repeated doses in rats.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.7
• /
• pp.1249-1256
• /
• 2017

In our search for new sources of bioactive secondary metabolites from Streptomyces sp., the ethyl acetate extracts from endophytic Streptomyces SUK 25 afforded five active diketopiperazine (DKP) compounds. The aim of this study was to characterize the bioactive compounds isolated from endophytic Streptomyces SUK 25 and evaluate their bioactivity against multiple drug resistance (MDR) bacteria such as Enterococcus raffinosus, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp., and their cytotoxic activities against the human hepatoma (HepaRG) cell line. The production of secondary metabolites by this strain was optimized through Thornton's medium. Isolation, purification, and identification of the bioactive compounds were carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography, high-resolution mass liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance, and cryopreserved HepaRG cells were selected to test the cytotoxicity. The results showed that endophytic Streptomyces SUK 25 produces four active DKP compounds and an acetamide derivative, which were elucidated as $cyclo-({\text\tiny{L}}-Val-{\text\tiny{L}}-Pro)$, $cyclo-({\text\tiny{L}}-Leu-{\text\tiny{L}}-Pro)$, $cyclo-({\text\tiny{L}}-Phe-{\text\tiny{L}}-Pro)$, $cyclo-({\text\tiny{L}}-Val-{\text\tiny{L}}-Phe)$, and N-(7-hydroxy-6-methyl-octyl)-acetamide. These active compounds exhibited activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus ATCC 43300 and Enterococcus raffinosus, with low toxicity against human hepatoma HepaRG cells. Endophytic Streptomyces SUK 25 has the ability to produce DKP derivatives biologically active against some MDR bacteria with relatively low toxicity against HepaRG cells line.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.88-94
• /
• 2009

The process of atherosclerosis begins through secretion of inflammatory cytokine or adhesion of leukocyte from damage in blood vessels and transmigration. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of delphinidin chloride (DC) in the initial process of atherosclerosis on the expression of ICAM-1 (Intracellular Adhesion Molecule-1) and VCAM-1 (Vascular Adhesion Molecule-1) related to adhesion of leukocyte at the HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cell line. As a result, cell growth inhibition rate at 50 ${\mu}M$ was respectively 4, 3 and 5% without cell toxicity. As a result of morphological observation monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion assay and optical microscope carried out to measure attachment of mononuclear cells to endothelial cells induced by Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) at concentrations without cell toxicity, DC concentration-dependently suppressed attachment. When effects on the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, cell adhesion molecules induced from endothelial cells by TNF-$\alpha$, were comparatively analyzed using western blot analysis and RT-PCR methods, protein of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 and expression at the level of mRNA were concentration-dependently reduced. Taken together, the results of this studies provide evidence that DC possess an anti-metastatic activity.