• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.91-108
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• 2010

Background & Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of P. radix on the inflammatory related gene expression in IL-$1{\beta}$-stimulated primary human gingival fibroblast using Whole Transcript Sense Target (WT-ST). Method: Human gingival fibroblast was incubated with P. radix [100 or $200\;{\mu}g/ml$], and IL-$1{\beta}$ [$1ng/m{\ell}$] added an hour later. After 24h, total RNA was extracted using RNeasy Mini Kit and the whole gene expression patterns were performed using WT-ST Labeling $Assay^{(R)}$. Result: In the DEG results, 782 genes were up-regulated in the IL-$1{\beta}$-treated group as compared to control and among those, 43 genes were associated with inflammation. 981 genes were down-regulated after treatment with IL-$1{\beta}$ and of those 7 genes were associated with inflammation. 1439 genes were up-regulated after treatment with P. radix plus IL-$1{\beta}$-treated when compared to IL-$1{\beta}$-treated alone group and 1225 genes were down-regulated in the same condition. Among the down-regulated genes, 5 were associated with inflammation- and inhibitor genes such as GDF15 and LIF. In the analysis of the P. radix plus IL-$1{\beta}$-treated group, the most significant pathways were the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, toll-like receptor signaling, JAK-STAT signaling and tyrosine metabolism. The gene expression patterns in the P. radix $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ plus IL-$1{\beta}$-treated group appear to be more involved in the metabolism-related pathways than in the $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ plus IL-$1{\beta}$-treated group. Conclusion & Discussion: By microarray analysis of gene expression data, we are able to identify gene expression patterns associated with not only anti-inflammation effect but also transcription function of P. radix.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2017

Prolonged exposure to solar ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation has been known to cause premature skin aging (photo-aging). UVA radiation generates ROS thereby induce degenerative changes of skin such as degradation of dermal collagen, elastic fibers. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), the proteolytic enzymes have been implicated as a major player in the development of UVA-induced photo-aging. Many studies have been conducted to block the harmful effects of UV radiation on the skin. Recently, we are interested in the availability of fermented red ginseng (FRG) as natural matrix metalloproteinases inhibitors (MMPIs). The efficacy difference between red ginseng and FRG has been compared. Both RG and FRG have no cytotoxic effects below the concentration of $300{\mu}g/ml$. Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) were pretreated with FRG or RG for 24h, followed by irradiation of UVA. Then, we measured the intracellular ROS production and the expression of MMP, $IL-1{\beta}$ at the mRNA level. We also examined the intracellular localization of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MMP-9 on the FRG or RG treated and UVA-irradiated HDFs. FRG decreased the intracellular ROS production elicited by UVA. In addition, FRG decreased the mRNA expression of MMP-3, MMP-9, and $IL-1{\beta}$ more efficiently than RG. Furthermore, FRG suppressed the nuclear localization of $NF-{\kappa}B$, and the expression of MMP-9. Taken together, our results suggest that FRG is promising agents to prevent UVA-induced photo-aging by suppressing MMP expression and inflammation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6491-6499
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• 2015

Background: Red-fleshed sweet orange juice (ROJ) comes from a new variety of citrus cultivated in Brazil that contains high levels of ${\beta}$-carotene and lycopene, and similar amounts of hesperidin (HSP) and nutrients, equivalently to blond orange juice (BOJ). Such bioactive compounds are associated with chemopreventive actions in several cancer cell lines. The purpose of this study was to examine the cytotoxicity, cell cycle, apoptosis, and cytokine secretion after BOJ, ROJ, and HSP treatment of a novel T acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, Loucy. Materials and Methods: Loucy cells were incubated for 24-h with BOJ, ROJ, and HSP, and the viability was measured using trypan blue. Cell cycling and apoptosis were assessed by propidium iodide (PI) and annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry, respectively. Secretion of cytokines $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL1-{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, $IFN{\gamma}$, $TNF{\alpha}$, $TGF{\beta}$, $MIP{\alpha}$, and $MIP{\beta}$ was determined by ELISA array. Results: BOJ and ROJ treatments promoted Loucy cell cytotoxicity. Additionally, BOJ induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, and decreased the cell accumulation in the G2/M. ROJ decreased only the G0/G1 fraction, while HSP did not change the cell cycle. BOJ led to apoptosis in a different fashion of ROJ, while the first treatment induced apoptosis by increase of late apoptosis and primary necrotic fractions, the second increased early and late apoptosis, and primary necrotic fraction compared to positive controls. HSP had no effect on apoptosis. IL-6 and IL-10 were abrogated by all treatments. Conclusions: Taking together, these results suggest potential chemopreventive effects of BOJ and ROJ on Loucy cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7919-7923
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• 2014

20(S)-Protopanaxadiol (PPD), a ginsenoside isolated from Pananx quinquefolium L., has been shown to inhibit growth and proliferation in several cancer cell lines. The aim of this study was to evaluate its anticancer activity in human breast cancer cells. MCF-7 cells were incubated with different concentrations of 20(S)-PPD and cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Occurrence of apoptosis was detected by DAPI and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured with Rhodamine 123. The Bcl-2 and Bax expression were determined by Western blot analysis. Caspase activity was measured by colorimetric assay. 20(S)-PPD dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation in MCF-7 cells, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $33.3{\mu}M$ at 24h. MCF-7 cells treated with 20(S)-PPD presented typical apoptosis, as observed by morphological analysis in cell stained with DAPI. The percentages of annexin V-FITC positive cells were 8.92%, 17.8%, 24.5% and 30.5% in MCF-7 cells treated with 0, 15, 30 and $60{\mu}M$ of 20(S)-PPD, respectively. Moreover, 20(S)-PPD could induce mitochondrial membrane potential loss, up-regulate Bax expression and down-regulate Bcl-2 expression. These events paralleled activation of caspase-9, -3 and PARP cleavage. Apoptosis induced by 20(S)-PPD was blocked by z-VAD-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor, suggesting induction of caspase-mediated apoptotic cell death. In conclusion, the 20(S)-PPD investigated is able to inhibit cell proliferation and to induce cancer cell death by a caspase-mediated apoptosis pathway.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.560-574
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• 1997

The present study was undertaken to investigate the crystal growth onto human enamel mineral and synthetic hydroxyapatite(HA) seeds in media resembling the enamel fluid composition. Effects of fluoride at high concentrations on the precipitation were also examined in a bench-top crystal growth model adopting a miniaturized reaction column. The Ca, P and F concentrations and pH values of the inlet and outlet solutions were determined. The recovered solid samples were weighed to assess the amount of minerals precipitated during the experimental period, and finally viewed under a scanning electron microscope. Remarkable findings were that 1) both biological and synthetic seeds with the same total surface areas yielded similar amounts of crystal growth, 2) the amount of crystal growth was accelerated in a manner depending on fluoride concentrations in the media, 3) SEM observations disclosed that without the addition of fluoride, precipitation of thin, plate-like OCP crystals became prominent, but by increasing the fluoride concentration(beyond 1ppm F), rod-like crystals having a pointed edge were most frequently observed, without any evidence for precipitation of the plate-like crystals. Furthermore, the dimension of rod-like crystals was increased in proportion to fluoride concentrations, 4) there was no difference in the morphological feature of precipitated mineral phase upon seeding between human enamel seed and synthetic HA seed. The overall results support the view that the seeded crystal growth model is of value to gain insight into the mechanism of enamel crystal growth under fluoride regimens.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.296-306
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• 2021

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the distribution of the usual dietary intake of foods with respect to the probability of consumption derived from the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) of the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: The intake quantity and frequency of 63 food items were assessed from the 2009 KNHANES which was completed by 7,708 participants. The participants completed one or two 24-h dietary recalls and one FFQ. The usual intake distribution was estimated using the multiple source method (MSM), and the proportion of non-consumers was calculated through the usual intake distribution. This was then compared with the proportion of non-consumers from the 24-hour recall method. Results: The difference in the proportion of non-consumers ranged from 2% to 82.9%, indicating that there is a very large difference based on food groups. The food groups in which the proportion of non-consumers did not differ was composed of foods consumed daily, such as 'rice', 'cereal and barley', and 'Chinese cabbage and kimchi', or foods with distinct palatability such as 'coffee' and 'alcohol'. On the other hand, in the case of the food groups with a high difference in the proportion of non-consumers, most comprised fruits that emphasized seasonality. Conclusions: In the case of foods or food groups that are occasionally consumed, it is desirable to use 2 recalls with additional FFQ data by combining the consumption frequency and the quantity consumed.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.91-102
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• 1992

In $Ca^{++}$ containing media, arachidonic acid markedly stimulated superoxide and $H_2O_2$ generation and activated NADPH oxidase. In $Ca^{++}$ free media, stimulatory action of arachidonic acid on NADPH oxidase was not detected. Arachidonic acid-stimulated respiratory burst was inhibited by EGTA, TMB-8, verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine, dibucaine, lidocaine, CCCP, 2,4-dinitrophenol, sodium arsenate, chlorpromazine, theophylline, $HgCl_2$, PCMB and PCMBSA but not affected by tetrodotoxin, tetraethylammonium chloride and procaine. EGTA almost completely inhibited release of ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ by arachidonic acid and verapamil, CCCP and theophylline slightly inhibited it, whereas dibucaine did not show any significant effect. Arachidonic acid induced $Ca^{++}$ release from intact neutrophils and it was decreased by TMB-8. Arachidonic acid-induced elevation of intracellular free $Ca^{++}$ level was inhibited by EGTA and CCCP and slightly inhibited by TMB-8. Amount of intracellular free $Ca^{++}$ increased by either arachidonic acid plus verapamil or arachidonic acid plus dibucaine was greater than that by arachidonic acid alone. These results suggest that various changes of biochemical events may be implicated in the functional expression in neutrophils activated by arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid appears to elevate cytosolic free $Ca^{++}$ level by stimulating $Ca^{++}$ release from intracellular $Ca^{++}$ storage sites. During activation of neutrophils, $Ca^{++}$ influx and efflux may be accomplished, simultaneously.

• Progress in Superconductivity
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2007

We have installed a 61-channel magnetocardiography (MCG) system inside a magnetically shielded room (MSR) with a size of $2.4\;m\;{\times}2.4\;m\;{\times}2.4\;m$. The MCG system consists of 1st-order axial gradiometers containing double relaxation oscillation SQUIDs (DROSs) with pick-up coils of a base line of 70 mm. The MSR holds a shielding factor of 50 at 0.1 Hz and 10000 at 100 Hz, when its door in the middle on a front wall is closed. On opening the MSR door, we have obtained the characteristics of the MCG system with a 2.9 Hz noise generated from an air conditioning unit at 13 m distance off the MSR. In an open-door MSR ($140^{\circ}$ opening), a noise at the center channel increases up to $700\;fT/Hz^{l/2}$ at 2.9 Hz and $1.7\;pT/Hz^{1/2}$ at 60 Hz. MCG signals for a healthy human do not show distortion until the door opens to $45^{\circ}$, but show the effect of noise when the door opens further at $90^{\circ}$ and $140^{\circ}$. With the door opens to $45^{\circ}$, MCG measurement can be performed with ease of door operation and without creating claustrophobia for the patient.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.105-110
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• 1996

Mugwort has been known as a traditional substitutive foodstuff and as showing a physiologically beneficial function to a human being. Therefore, effect of mugwort extract in terms of mutagenicity and desmutagenicity was investigated to berify its function. Ethanol extract from mugwort did not exhibit any mutagenicity. On the contrary, inhibitory effects of the ethanol extract were observed on mutagenicity induced by aflatoxin $B_{1}(AFB_1)$, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole(Trp-P-1), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole(Trp-P-2) and 2-nitroflourene(2NF) using Salmonella typhimurium reversion assay. On direct-acting mutagen(2NF, 3${\mu}$g/plate), ethanol extract showed a slight inhibitory effect of 19.7~22.9%, however on indirect-acting mutagen such as AFB1(2${\mu}$g/plate), Trp-P-1(1${\mu}$g/plate) and Trp-P-2(1${\mu}$g/plate), we observed higher inhibitory effect of 47.9~61.2%, 64.1~70.7%, 67.4~78.7%, respectively. Step-wise fractionation of the ethanol extract was done by using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and water to obtain effective fraction. Among them, hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions showed high inhibition of 63.0~80.0%, 77.5~82.1%, and 68.5~83.1%, respectively on the mutagenicity of $AFB_1$ in Sal. typhimurium TA98. Consequently, these results indicated that mugwort extract contains some compound(s) which may show desmutagenicity.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.246-255
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• 2023

Genus Penicillium comprising the most important and extensively studied fungi has been well-known as a rich source of secondary metabolites. Our study aimed to analyze and investigate biological activities, including in vitro anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties, of metabolites from a marine-derived fungus belonging to P. levitum. The chemical compounds in the culture broth of P. levitum strain N33.2 were extracted with ethyl acetate. Followingly, chemical analysis of the extract leaded to the isolation of three ergostane-type steroid components, namely cerevisterol (1), ergosterol peroxide (2), and (3β,5α,22E)-ergosta-6,8(14),22-triene-3,5-diol (3). Among these, (3) was the most potent cytotoxic against human cancer cell lines Hep-G2, A549 and MCF-7 with IC₅₀ values of 2.89, 18.51, and 16.47 ㎍/mL, respectively, while the compound (1) showed no significant effect against tested cancer cells. Anti-inflammatory properties of purified compounds were evaluated based on NO-production in LPS-induced murine RAW264.7 macrophages. As a result, tested compounds performed diverse inhibitory effects on NO production by the macrophages, with the most significant inhibition rate of 81.37±1.35% at 25 ㎍/mL by the compound (2). Interestingly, compounds (2) and (3) exhibited inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase enzymes in vitro assays. Our study brought out new data concerning the chemical properties and biological activities of isolated steroids from a P. levitum fungus.