• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.1 s.65
• /
• pp.184-195
• /
• 2006

Objectives : Betula Platyphylla(BP) is a traditional analgesic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory herb used in Chinese 1medicine. However, no information is available to explain its action. In this study. we investigated the anti-inflammatory 1effects of BP to elutidate the molecular pharmacological activity in the ethanol extract of BP(BPE). Methods : We performed WTS assay in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages with BPE. Nitrite was measured by Griess assay, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in LPS induced RAW264.7 macrophages with BPE. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) were determined by Western blot. Activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB) was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results : BPE significantly suppressed production of nitric oxide (NO) and PGE2 in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal inhibition rate of NO and PGE2 production by BPE was ca. 88.8% and 93% at the concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$ (non-cytotoxic concentration), respectively. BPE also decreased iNOS protein and COX-2 protein in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. EMSA demonstrated that BPE inhibited the DNA binding activity of the NF-kB. Conclusions : These results suggest that BPE inhibits NF-${\kappa}B$-mediated gene expression and downregulates inflammatory mediator production in RAW264.7 macrophages.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.199-205
• /
• 2009

This study was designed to investigate direct effects of [D-$Pen^2$, D-$Pen^5$]-enkephalin, a $\delta$-opioid receptor agonist on the neuronal activity of medial vestibular nuclear (MVN) neurons by whole-cell configuration patch clamp experiments. The spike frequency of MVN neuron was increased to $9.50{\pm}0.55$ (P<0.05) and $10.56{\pm}0.66$ (P<0.05) by 5 and $10{\mu}M$ [D-$Pen^2$, D-$Pen^5$]-enkephalin from the control level of $8.05{\pm}0.55$ spikes/sec, respectively (n=18). The resting membrane potential of the neurons was increased to $-37.86{\pm}0.92$ and $-36.97{\pm}0.97$ (P<0.05) from $-38.74{\pm}1.13\;mV$ by 5 and $10{\mu}M$ [D-$Pen^2$, D-$Pen^5$]-enkephalin, respectively. The amplitude of afterhyperpolarization was decreased to $23.78{\pm}0.65$ and $21.67{\pm}0.89$ (P<0.05) from $23.73{\pm}0.53\;mV$ by 5 and $10{\mu}M$ [D-$Pen^2$, D-$Pen^5$]-enkephalin, respectively. The spike width was changed to $2.22{\pm}0.08$ and $2.24{\pm}0.07$ from $2.20{\pm}0.08\;mV$ by 5 and $10{\mu}M$ [D-$Pen^2$, D-$Pen^5$]-enkephalin, respectively. After pretreatment of naltrindole, a highly selective 8-opioid receptor antagonist, [D-$Pen^2$, D-$Pen^5$]-enkephalin did not change firing rate, resting membrane potential, afterhyperpolarization amplitude, and spike width of MVN neurons. The above experimental results suggest that [D-$Pen^2$, D-$Pen^5$]-enkephalin increases the neuronal activity of MVN neurons via inhibition of calcium-dependent potassium currents underlying the afterhyperpolarization.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.829-836
• /
• 2003

Seogakjihwang-tang (SJT) was widely used to treat patients suffering from cerebral infarction. But scientific investigation has been carried out very little. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of SJT on the production of various cytokines in the patients with cerebral infarction (CI). We investigated interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-1 in the sera of 27 patients with cerebral infarction under consciousness disorders and 10 normal controls using an originally devised sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that plasma levels of IL-4 were slightly elevated in patients with cerebral infarction, whereas plasma levels of IL-10 (P<0.001) and TGF-1 were reduced. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from the patient with CI were cultured for 24 h in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). The amount of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-1, in culture supernatant, was significantly increased in the LPS or PHA treated cells compared to unstimulated cells (P<0.05), We also show that increased cytokines IL-4, and IL-10 level was significantly inhibited by SJT in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition rate of IL-4 and IL-10 production by SJT was 45.63.3% and 614.7% for LPS-stimulated cell and 27.31.2% and 83.62% for PHA-stimulated cells, respectively (P<0.05). On the other hand, SJT significantly increased the LPS or PHA-induced TGF-1 production (P<0.05). These data suggest that SJT has a regulatory effect on the cytokines production, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of CI.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.110-115
• /
• 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of medicinal plants as oral health materials derived from natural products. Among the extracts from 200 medicinal plants grown in Nepal, Laos, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and China, stem extracts from Diospyros malabarica (1 mg/disc) showed the highest antibacterial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC33277 and Streptococcus mutans ATCC25175. The D. malabarica stem extracts showed antibacterial activity similar to chlorhexidine, sodium lauryl sulfate, and triclosan, which were used as a positive control, as well as higher antibacterial activity against S. mutans ATCC25175 than P. gingivalis ATCC33277. The D. malabarica stem extracts showed bactericidal action (MBC, 0.4 mg/ml) against P. gingivalis ATCC33277 and bacteriostatic action against S. mutans ATCC25175. The biofilm production rate of S. mutans ATCC25175 and the expression of the comX gene associated to biofilm formation in the cultures treated with 0.2-1.0 mg/ml of D. malabarica stem extracts were suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that D. malabarica stem extracts can be used as oral health material derived from natural materials, as demonstrated by the bacteriostatic action and inhibition of biofilm formation against S. mutans ATCC25175.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.23 no.4 s.32
• /
• pp.436-450
• /
• 1990

This study was designed to investigate the mar factors affecting selection of delivery facilities by pregnant women. Five hundred women hospitalized at 23 Seoul-area delivery facilities, such as university hospitals, general hospitals, hospitals, and clinics were selected and given questionnaires from April 24 to May 7, 1990. A total of 350 questionnaires were collected and analysed for the study. The results are as follows ; 1. In general, variables which significantly affected the choice of delivery facilities included the age of women, their educational level, the educational level of their husbands, monthly average incomes and residential areas. 2. In analyzing the obstetrical characteristics of the women, those variables significantly affecting the choice of delivery facilities were the gestational period, the facilities for prenatal care, the frequency of prenatal care, the type of delivery, the frequency of miscarriage, previous delivery experiences and the awareness on prenatal care. 3. In comparing the motivation factors for selecting the delivery facilities, all the factors except convenience and need for hospitalization differed significantly among delivery facilities. 4. The factor analysis was assessed for twenty possible factors motivating the choice of delivery facilities. Six factors including personal service, scale of the facility, reputation, urgency, convenience, and experience were noted explaining by 57.7%. 5. In the discriminant analysis used to clarify the major factors affecting the selection of delivery facilities, the 16 significant variables were regarded as independent variables, and the type of delivery facilities was considered a dependent variable. The stepwise method was applied to the analysis. Detected discriminant variables were the facilities for prenatal care, scale factor, personal service factor, urgency factor, convenience factor, reputation factor, experience factor, gestational period, types of delivery, frequency of miscarriage, age and income. These 12 discriminant variables were tested, with reference to discriminant prediction, on their importance in the choice of the delivery facility, by the discriminant functional formula. The test showed a hit-rate of 67.7%. The results suggest that general characteristics, obstetrical characteristics, and motivations for selecting the delivery facilities differ significantly according to the types of the delivery facilities. This study implies that all types of delivery facilities should attempt to acommodate characteristics and motivations of pregnant women. The facilities should be prepared to increase their patients satisfaction with required medical conditions by improving service and responding to the pregnant women's preferences.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.821-828
• /
• 2004

The increasing apparent photosynthetic rate per leaf area may improve seed yield in soybean. Leaf area, length and width are related to the photosynthetic capability of the plant. In this study, two populations derived from the cross of Keunolkong, Shinpaldalkong and Iksanl0 were evaluated with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to identify length, width and length/width ratio of leaf. Leaf length/width ratio were significantly negative correlation with leaf width in K/S and K/I populations. In the K/S population, two minor QTLs for leaf length (LL) were found on LG Dlb+W and 1. Two QTLs on LG J and L were related to LL in K/I population. Two and three minor QTLs were identified in leaf width with total phenotypic variation of 13% and 18.04 in K/S and K/I populations, respectively. The leaf length/width ratio, two QTLs on LG I and L, and three QTLs on LG Cl, E and L were related to K/S and K/I populations, respectively. Thus it is assumed that the leaf traits are very much dependent on the genotype used and different breeding approach should be considered for the selection of favorite leaf traits in soybean breeding programs.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.87-91
• /
• 2012

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a known tumor-promoting phorbol ester, activates the signal transduction enzyme protein kinase C (PKC) in animal cells. We investigated the effect of PMA on the regulation of gravitropism via ethylene production in primary roots of maize. PMA stimulated root growth and the gravitropic response in a concentration-dependent manner at $10^{-6}$ M and $10^{-4}$ M over 8 hrs. These effects were prevented by treatment with staurosporine (STA), a potent inhibitor of PKC. These results support the possibility that the gravitropic response might be regulated through protein kinases that are involved in the signal transduction system. Ethylene is known to play a role in the regulation of root growth and gravitropism. Ethylene production was increased by about 26% and 37% of the control rate in response to $10^{-6}$ M and $10^{-4}$ M PMA, respectively. PMA also stimulated the activity of ACC synthase (ACS), which converts the S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) in the ethylene production pathway. These effects on ethylene production were also prevented by STA treatment. These results suggest that the root gravitropic response in maize is regulated through protein kinases via ethylene production.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.627-633
• /
• 2012

$Microbulbifer$ sp. AJ-3 was used to acquire the degrading products from $Capsosiphon$ $fulvescens$ (DPCF), which were investigated to determine its physiological activities. A crude enzyme extract from $Microbulbifer$ sp. AJ-3 hydrolyzes polysaccharide substrates such as agar, agarose, alginic acid, fucoidan, laminaran, starch, and chitin. Among them, agarose, laminaran, and alginic acid showed higher activities, especially alginic acid. The antioxidant activity of DPCF was measured by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities and were about 32% and 93% at 2 mg/ml, respectively. In addition, the nitrite-scavenging activity of DPCF was about 82%, 53%, and 12% at pH levels of 1.2, 3.0, and 6.0, respectively. To determine the influence of DPCF on alcohol metabolism, the generating activity of reduced-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) was measured. The facilitating rate of ADH activity by DPCF was 130% at 2 mg/ml. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity of DPCF was slightly increased in a dose-dependent manner and was about 28% at 2 mg/ml. These results indicated that the enzymatic products from DPCF have a strong antioxidant, nitrite scavenging, and alcohol metabolizing activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 1993

Extruded defatted soy flour (DSF) with twin screw extruder was compared with steam treated DSF for soy sauce fermentation. Independent variables of response surface methodology (RSM) for extrusion were barrel temperature $(145{\sim}165^{\circ}C)$, feed moisture content $(25{\sim}35%)$, and feed rate $(20{\sim}30\;kg/hr)$. Extrusion conditions for production of the extrudates having highest water absorption capacity, lowest bulk density and highest expansion ratio were obtained by regression analysis of each dependent variable. Electron photomicrographs revealed significant increase of porosity inside the koji made from extruded DSF. Therefore, growth of fungi inside the koji made from extrudates of DSF was accelerated to achieve higher activities of protease, ${\alpha}-amylase$, and glucoamylase compared to the koji made from steamed DSF. Although amino acid composition of soy sauces prepared from two different DSF did not show any significant difference, the content of free amino acids in soluble nitrogen compounds was higher $(13%{\pm}2)$ in soy sauce made from extruded SDF. During the whole period of fermentation color of soy sauce made from extrudates of DSF was darker. Sensory evaluation did not reveal any serious off-odor and off-taste in the soy sauce fermented from extruded DSF.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.1711-1714
• /
• 2014

Objective: To explore the effect of Withaferin A on A549 cellular proliferation and apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: NSCLC cell line A549 was selected to explore the effect of Withaferin A on A549 cellular proliferation, apoptosis and the PI3K/Akt signal pathway capable of regulating tumor biological behavior by assessment of cellular proliferation, cellular apoptotic rates and cellular cycling as well as by immuno-blotting. Results: Withaferin A could inhibit A549 cellular proliferation and the control rate was dosage-dependent (P<0.05), which also increased time-dependently with the same dosage of Withaferin A (P<0.05). The apoptotic indexes in A549 cells treated with 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ Withaferin A for 48 h were significantly different (P<0.05). In addition, the apoptotic rates of each group in both early and advanced stages were higher than those in 0 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ (P<0.05), which were evidently higher after 48 h than those after 24 h (P<0.05). A549 cells treated by Withaferin A for 48 h were markedly lower in Bcl-2 level and obviously higher in Bax and cleaved caspase-3 levels than those treated by 0 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ Withaferin A (P<0.05), and there were significant differences among 5, 10 and 20 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ Withaferin A (P<0.05). The ratios of A549 cells treated by Withaferin A for 48 h in G0/G1 stage were higher than those in 0 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$, while those in S and G2/M stages were obviously lower than those in G2/M stage, and there were significant differences in 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 ${\mu}mol{\cdot}L^{-1}$ Withaferin A (P<0.05). Additionally, p-Akt/Akt values were in reverse association with dosage, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Withaferin A can inhibit the proliferation and apoptosis of A549 cells by suppressing activation of the PI3K/Akt pathways.