The detection of many synthetic chemicals used in industry that may pose a genetic hazard in our environment is subject of great concern at present. In this respect, the genetic toxicity of fenpropathrin ((RS)-.alpha.-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-2,2,3,3-tetramethyl cyclopropane carboxylate, CAS No.:39514-41-8), a pyrethroid insecticide, was evaluated in bacterial gene mutation system, chromosome aberration in mammalian cell system and in vivo micronucleus assay with rodents. In bacterial gene mutation assay, no mutagenicity of fenpropathrin (62-$5000\mug/plate$) was observed in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98, 100, 1535 and 1537 both in the absence and in the presence of S-9 metabolic activaton system. In mammalian cell system using chinese hamster lung fibroblast, no clastogenicity of fenpropathrin was also observed both in the absence and in the presence of metabolic activation system in the concentration range of $7-28\mug/ml$. And also, in vivo micronucleus assay using mouse bone marrow cells, fenpropathrin also revealed no mutagenic potential in the dose range of 27-105 mg/kg body weight of fenpropathrin (i.p.). Consequently, no mutagenic potential of fenpropathrin was observed in vitro bacterial, mammalian mutagenicity systems and in vivo micronucleus assay in the dose ranges used in this experiment.

Palmatine, an protoberberine isoquinoline alkaloid, has been found to inhibit dopamine biosynthesis by reducing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity in PC12 cells (Lee and Kim, 1996). We have therefore investigated the effects of palmatine on bovine adrenal TH. Palmatine showed a mild inhibition on bovine adrenal TH (36.4% inhibition at concentration of $200\muM$). Bovine adrenal TH was inhibited competitively by palmatine with a substrate L-tyrosine. The Ki value was found to be 0.67 mM. This result suggests that the inhibition of TH activity by palmatine may be partially involved in the reduction of dopamine biosynthesis in PC12 cells.

SK-302B, an antibiotic purified from soil Streptomyces sp. 302, was structurally identified as echinomycin (C/sub 50/H/sub 66/N/sub 11/S/sub 2/). In the present experiment, the possibility of SK-302B as an anticolon cancer agent was investigated by using chemosensitivity system (MTT assay, clonogenic assay). Treatment of SK-302B on various colon cancer cell lines resulted in a significant cytotoxicity and tumor colony formation inhibition. These studies showed that SK-302B had a potent inhibition on colon cancer cells.

Panax-ginseng saponin has been known to exert various pharmacological effects on cellular metabolism. This study was performed to determine the effect of ginseng saponin on gap junction channel-mediated intercellular communication, using an established in vitro system of reconstituted gap junction channels. Gap junction channels are a specialized plasma membrane fraction, which are permeable to relatively large water-soluble molecules. The sucrose permeable property of reconstituted gap junction channels was completely inhibited with 0.1 % (w/v) of ginseng saponin. We also compared the effect of ginseng saponin with that of Triton X-100, a nonionic detergent, on the same system. Triton X-100 showed significantly different effect on sucrose-permeability of gap junction channel from that was affected by ginseng saponin. The structures of liposomes containing gap junction channels was significantly destroyed by Triton X-100.

The binding interactions between human serum albumin (HSA) and the edible food dyes amaranth, tartrazine and sunset yellow have been studied. Intrinsic association constants and the free energy changes associated with dye-protein binding at physiological pH for amaranth and tartrazine, and at two different pH values for sunset yellow have been calculated from ultrafiltration data. The temperature dependence $(20-40^{\circ}C)$ of the intrinsic association constants at pH 7.4 for amaranth-HSA and tartrazine-HSA mixtures have been measured, from which a plot of the van't Hoff isochore exhibits a marked change in slope around $30^{\circ}C$ indicating a possible change in protein conformation. The number of dye binding sites on HSA is reported for all the above conditions. HSA-ligand binding enthalpies have been used in conjunction with the N-B transitional binding enthalpy for HSA, to calculate the enthalpy for the N-B transition when ligands are bound with the protein.

To study the functional roles of dopamine receptors, we decided to raise antibodies against these proteins. To make antigen, we expressed the whole 3rd cytoplasmic loop of dopamine receptors in a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (GST). $For D_2\; and\; D_3$ receptors, it was successful to express and purify fusion proteins for the whole 3rd cytoplasmic loops. However, we could not express the fusion protein for the whole 3rd cytoplasmic loop of $D_4$ dopamine receptor in the bacteria. To study the causes that prevent the bacterial expression of the GST-fusion protein of the 3rd cytoplasmic loop of $D_4$ dopamine receptor, we conducted more detailed studies on $D_4$ dopamine receptor. To locate the region which prevents bacterial expression, we made sequential constructs in the 3rd cytoplasmic loop decreasing the size step by step, and confirmed their expressions in the SDS PAGE. It was found that certain regions of 3rd cytoplasmic loop of $D_4$ dopamine receptor, located in N-terminal side of the 3rd cytoplasmic loop of $D_4$ dopamine receptor suppress the bacterial expression of fusion protein.

The sustained release dosage form which delivers melatonin (MT) in a circadian fashion over 8 h is of clinical value for those who have disordered circadian rhythms because of its short halflife. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gelling properties and release characteristics of alginate beads varying multivalent cationic species $(Al^{+++}, \; Ba^{++}, \; Ca^{++}, \; Mg^{++}, \; Fe^{+++}, \; Zn^{++})$. The surface morphologies of Ca- and Ba-alginate beads were also studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). MT, an indole amide pineal hormone was used as a model drug. The $Ca^{++}, \; Ba^{++}, \; Zn^{++}, \; Al^{++}\; and\; Fe^{+++}\; ions\; except\; Mg^{++}$ induced gelling of sodium alginate. The strength of multivalent cationic alginate beads was as follows: $Al^{+++}\llFe^{+++} the induced hydrogel beads were very fragile and less spherical. Fe-alginate beads were also fragile but stronger compared to Al-alginate beads. Ba-alginate beads had a similar gelling strength but was less spherical when compared to Ca-alginate beads. Zn-alginate beads were weaker than Ca- and Ba-alginate beads. Very crude and rough crystals of Ba- and Ca-alginate beads at higher magnifications were observed. However, the type and shape of rough crystals of Ba- and Ca-alginate beads were quite different. No significant differences in release profiles from MT-loaded multivalent cationic alginate beads were observed in the gastric fluid. Most drugs were continuously released upto 80% for 5 h, mainly governed by the passive diffusion without swelling and disintegrating the alginate beads. In the intestinal fluid, there was a significant difference iq the release profiles of MT-loaded multivalent cationic alginate beads. The release rate of Ca-alginate beads was faster when compared to other multivalent cationic alginate beads and was completed for 3 h. Ba-alginate beads had a very long lag time (7 h) and then rapidly released thereafter. MT was continuously released from Feand Zn-alginate beads with initial burstout release. It is assumed that the different release rofiles of multivalent cationic alginate beads resulted from forces of swelling and disintegration of alginate beads in addition to passive diffusion, depending on types of multivalent ions, gelling strength and drug solubility. It was estimated that 0.2M $CaCl_2$ concentration was optimal in terms of trapping efficiency of MT and gelling strength of Ca-alginate beads. In the gastric fluid, Ca-alginate beads gelled at 0.2 M $CaCl_2$ concentration had higher bead strength, resulting in the most retarded release when compared to other concentrations. In the intestinal fluid, the decreased release of Ca-alginate beads prepared at 0.2 M $CaCl_2$ concentration was also observed. However, release profiles of Ca-alginate beads were quite similar regardless of $CaCl_2$ concentration. Either too low or high $CaCl_2$ concentrations may not be useful for gelling and curing of alginate beads. Optimal $CaCl_2$ concentrations must be decided in terms of trapping efficiency and release and profiles of drug followed by curing time and gelling strength of alginate beads.

Phenolic compounds are prevalent as toxins or environmental pollutants, but they are also widely used as drugs for various purpose including anticancer agent. A novel biphenolic compound, bis(2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methylphenyl)methane (GERI-BPO02-A) was isolated from the fermentation broth of Aspergillus fumigatus F93 previously, and it has revealed cytotoxicity against human solid tumor cells. Its effective doses that cause 50% inhibition of cell growth in vitro against non-small cell lung cancer cell A549, ovarian cancer cell SK-OV-3, skin cancer cell SK-MEL-2 and central nerve system cancer cell XF498 were 8.24, 10.60, 8.83, $9.85\mug/ml$ respectively. GERI-BPO02-A has also revealed cytotoxicity against P-glycoproteinexpressed human colon cancer cell HCT15 and its multidrug-resistant subline HCT15/CL02, and its cytotoxicity was not affected by P-glycoprotein. We have also tested cytotoxicities of structurally related compounds of GERI-BPO02-A such as diphenylmethane, 1,1-bis(3,4dimethylphenyl)ethane, 2,2-diphenylpropane, 2-benzylpyridine, 3-benzylpyridine, $4,4^I-di-tert-butylphenyl$, bibenzyl, $2,2^I-dimethylbibenzyl$, cis-stilbene, trans-stilbene, 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyisulfide, sulfadiazine and sulfisomidine for studying of structure and activity relationship, and from these data we could suppose that hydroxyl group of GERI-BPO02A conducted important role in its cytotoxicity.

By human intestinal bacteria, glycyrrhizin (18${\beta}$-glycyrrhetic acid ${beta}$-D-glucuronyl.${\alpha}$-D-glucuronic acid, GL) and baicalin (baicalein ${\beta}$-D-glucuronic acid) were metabolized to glycyrrhetinic acid and baicalin, respectively. However, .${\alpha}$-glucuronidase of Bacteroides JY-6 isolated from human intestinal bacteria hydrolyzed GL or 18.${\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid ..${\alpha}$-D-glucuronic acid to 18${\beta}$-glycyrrhetic acid but did not baicalin. However, E. coli ${\beta}$-glucironidase from human intestinal bacteria hydrolyzed baicalin to baicalein, but did not GL.${\beta}$-Glucuronidase of mammalian tissues hydrolyzed both GL and baicalin.

Plasma profile of niflumic acid following oral administration of talniflumate tablets (Somalgen) was compared to that of niflumic acid tablets in man. Plasma niflumic acid was assayed by HPLC method. Plasma niflumic acid profile from the tainiflumate tablets was similar to that from the niflumic acid tablets resulting in no differences in $AUC, C_max, t_max$ and MRT. It demonstrates that talniflumate is a prodrug of niflumic acid, and undergoes extensive first-pass biotransformation to niflumic acid. However, plasma niflumic acid concentration at 30 min after tainiflumate dosing was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of niflumic acid dosing. The more potent analgesic activity of talniflumate than niflumic acid might be related to this higher plasma drug concentration at the earlier phase. Considering that tainiflumate is less irritant to gastrointestinal mucosa than niflumic acid, talniflumate seems to be advantageous over niflumic acid in terms of activity and side effects.

The $^1H- and^{13}C-NMR$ spectra of alaternin, aurantio-obtusin, chryso-obtusin, obtusin and 2-glucosyl obtusifolin isolated from the seeds of Cassia tora have been assigned based on HMBC, long-range HETCOR, fully $^1H-coupled {13}^C-NMR$, deuterium isotope experiment, and by comparison with the model compounds.

The activity of fucosidase shows different value depending on disease, eg) fucosidosis and I cell disease are characterized by the absence or deficiences of .alpha.-fucosidase, and sera of ovarian cancer patients exhibited a statistically significant deficiency of .alpha.-L-fucosidase activity (Zielke et al., 1972; Kress et al., 1980; Barlow et al., 1981). For the purpose of diagnosis of these disease easily, the manual of test can be developed by preparing kits of hydrophobic-binding substrate of fucosidase that bind C18-column.

A series of N-Cbz${alpha}$-aminosucinimides (1), combining common moieties of various anticonvulsants such as N-CO-C-N and cyclic imide in a single molecule, were synthesized from the corresponding (R)- and (S)-N-Cbz-aspartic acid (2). And their in vivo anticonvulsant evaluations in MES and PTZ test were investigated. And also the rotorod test for neurotoxicity was investigated. All the tested compounds (1), except 1c and 1f, showed significant anticonvulsant activities in both MES and PTZ test. And the most active compound among them in MES test was (R)-N-Cbz-${alpha}$-amino-N-methylsuccinimide (1b) $(ED_50/=52.5 mg/kg)$ and (S)-N-Cbz-aminosuccinimide((1d) was most active in PTZ test $(ED_50/=78.1 mg/kg)$. And the $TD_50$ values of the tested compounds were above 117.5 mg/kg. These pharmacological data were comparable to those of currently available anticonvulsants. And also we found that the pharmacological effects were dependent on their N-substituted alkyl chains and their stereochemistry.

The time-kill curves of LB20304, a novel fluoroquinolone that has potent antibacterial activity against gram-positve and gram-negative bacteria, were calculated at the concentrations of 1/4-, 1/2-, 1-, 2- and 4-times the MIC against Staphylococcus aureus 77, Escherichia coli 3739E, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1912E. The bactericidal activity of LB20304 for these strains was very rapid and comparable to that of ciprofloxacin. LB20304 produced a decrease in the $log_10$ CFU per milliliter of${\geq}$3 within 2 h at 4-times the MIC for all strains and consitently prevented regrowth of bacteria after 24 h of incubation. The MBCs (Minimal Bactericidal Concentration) of LB20304 against test organisms were equal to or at most four-times higher than the MICs.

Aiming at the development of anticancer agents by modification of phenolic benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid, additional hydroxyl group was put on C10 position of fagaridine (1) by a biomimetic synthetic procedure to afford 10-hydroxyfagaridine (12). All of the synthetic intermediates were also screened in vitro antitumor activities against five different cell lines as well as 12. Among them the representative cytotoxic results are shown as follows; P-quinone (11) $[ED_50;(A549=0.22; {\mu}g/ml)$, $(HCT;15=0.21 {\mu}g/ml)$, fagaridine (1) $(HCT;15=0.41 {\mu}g/ml)$, olefin (6) $(HCT; 15=0.06 {\mu}g/ml)$, acetal (7) $(SKMEL-2=0.07 {\mu}g/ml)$, dihydrofagaridne (10) $(A549=0.38 {\mu}g/ml)$, 10-hydroxyfagaridine (12) $(A 549=0.45{\mu}g/mi)$. From these observation three main remarks can be drawn; (i) the iminium part of benzo[c]phenanthridine is not essential for showing acitvities, (ii) the additional hydroxyl group did not contribute to enhance the cytotoxicity, (iii) the 3-arylisoquinolin-1(2H)-one derivatives were found to display significant in vitro antitumor activity.

We investigated the optimum conditions for conversion of water-insoluble components of basidiocarps of Ganoderma lucidum to water-soluble components by hydrolyzing with chitinase. We also tried it with Ganoderma luciclum residue remaining after extracting hot water-soluble components of Ganoderma lucidum. After hydrolyzing under optimum conditions (20 ppm chitinase, 2% Ganoderma lucidum or 6% Ganoderma lucidum residue, at pH 3 and at $ 35^{\circ}C$), the contents of total water-soluble components (polysaccharide or protein) were measured, and it was found that the contents of water-soluble components increased to 1.5-2.7 fold. Michaelis constant, $K_m$ and maximum rate, $V_max$ calculated by Lineweaver-Burk plot for hydrolysis of Ganoderma lucidum were 1.75% and 0.02%/min respectively and those for hydrolysis of Ganoderma lucidum residue were 53.15% and 0.53%/min respectively The protein-bound polysaccharide was isolated after hydrolysis and molecular weights were measured by Sepharose CL-4B gel filtration and compared with the molecular weights of polysaccharide before hydrolysis.