• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.163-168
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• 2009

To understand cytotoxic activity of Rubia cordifolia L. (Rubiaceae), which has been used as a traditional oriental medicine, the mechanism underlying cytotoxic effect of its extract on human acute Jurkat T cells was investigated. The methanol extract of roots (3 kg) of R. codifolia was evaporated, dissolved in water, and then extracted by dichloromethane. The substances in the chloroform extract showing the most cytotoxic activity were further purified by a series of preparative HPLC. The extracted active substance (65 mg) was designated as CCH1. When Jurkat T cells were treated with CCH1 at concentration ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 ${\mu}g$/ml, apoptotic phenomena of cells companying several subsequent biochemical reactions such as mitochondria cytochrome c release, activation of casapase-8, -9, and caspase- 3, degradation of PARP and DNA fragmentation occurred via mitochondria-dependent pathway. However, abrogation of apoptosis was observed in an ectopic expression of Bcl-xL, which is a suppressor for mitochondrial cytochrome c release. These results demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of CCH1 against Jurkat T cells is attributable to apoptosis mediated by mitochodria-dependent death-signaling regulated by Bcl-xL. In addition, the CCH1 is more potent to leukemia Jurkat T cell than to human peripheral blood monocyte cells (PBMC).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.851-857
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• 2011

Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate, isolated from glucoraphanin in broccoli and other cruciferaous vegetables. Recent studies have revealed that SFN induces anti-proliferation and apoptosis by cell cycle arrest in various cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of SFN induced apoptosis in chondrosarcoma HTB-94 cells. SFN caused suppression of proliferation and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner as determined by cell phenotype, MTT assay and FACS analysis in HTB-94 cells. Treatment of SFN led to caspase-3 activation and p53 accumulation as determined by Western blot analysis. Also, SFN significantly induced DNA fragmentation and nuclear degradation though activation of caspase-3, as detected by DNA electrophoresis and immunostaining, respectively. Our results indicate that SFN-induced apoptosis was regulated by p53 and caspase-3 dependent pathways. Furthermore, SFN may act as a potent anti-proliferation agent, and as a promising candidate for molecular-targeting chemotherapy against human chondrosarcoma cells.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.249-253
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate anti-inflammatory effects of mushroom, Cordyceps militaris. Anti-inflammatory effects analysis was followed by peroxynitrite inhibition activity. Cordyceps militaris mushrooms extracts were screened about inhibition effects of nitric oxide for Raw 264.7 cell treated by lipopolisaccharide(LPS) and inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) for inflammatory effects. In our result, Cordyceps militaris mushrooms were good resource for anti-inflammatory effects and to be followed more research about related anti-inflammatory effects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.769-776
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• 2014

Anisomycin, also known as flagecidin, is an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces griseolus that inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the ribosomal 28S subunit. The tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a protein that induces apoptotic cell death. TRAIL primarily causes apoptosis in tumor cells by binding to death receptors. Many human cancer cell lines are refractory to TRAIL-induced cell death. In this study, we investigated whether anisomycin could enhance TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant human hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells. Treatment with anisomycin and TRAIL alone did not reduce cell viability in Hep3B cells. However, in the presence of TRAIL, the anisomycin concentration dependently reduced the cell viability. Our results indicate that anisomycin sensitizes Hep3B cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and that this occurs, at least partly, via caspase activation. Interestingly, Bid knockdown by small interfering RNA significantly reduced the induction of apoptosis in combination with anisomycin and TRAIL, indicating that anisomycin effectively acts to lower the threshold at which TRAIL-mediated truncated Bid triggers the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis program in Hep3B cells. Therefore, the use of TRAIL in combination with anisomycin might provide an effective therapeutic strategy for the safe treatment of some TRAIL-resistant cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.662-670
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• 2021

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are the pacemaking cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) muscles that generate the rhythmic oscillation in membrane potentials known as slow waves. In the present study, we investigated the effects of mirtazapine, a noradrenergic and serotonergic antidepressant, on pacemaking potential in cultured ICCs from the murine small intestine. The whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potential in cultured ICCs. Mirtazapine induced pacemaker potential depolarizations in a concentration-dependent manner in the current clamp mode. Y25130 (a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist), RS39604 (a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist), and SB269970 (a 5-HT7 receptor antagonist) had no effects on mirtazapine-induced pacemaker potential depolarizations. Also, methoctramine, a muscarinic M₂ receptor antagonist, had no effect on mirtazapine-induced pacemaker potential depolarizations, whereas 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine methiodide (4-DAMP), a muscarinic M₃ receptor antagonist, inhibited the depolarizations. When guanosine 5'-[β-thio] diphosphate (GDP-β-S; 1 mM) was in the pipette solution, mirtazapine-induced pacemaker potential depolarization was blocked. When an external Ca²⁺ free solution or thapsigargin, a Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum, was applied, the generation of pacemaker potentials disappeared, and under these conditions, mirtazapine induced pacemaker potential depolarizations. In addition, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, calphostin C, and chelerythrine inhibited mirtazapine-induced pacemaker potential depolarizations. These results suggest that mirtazapine regulates pacemaker potentials through muscarinic M₃ receptor activation via a G protein-dependent and an external or internal Ca²⁺-independent PKC pathway in the ICCs. Therefore, mirtazapine can control GI motility through ICCs.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2009

In this study, the antioxidative effects, inhibitory effects on tyrosinase, elastase of Persicaria perfoliata extracts were investigated. The deglycosylated fraction of extract ($12.38{\mu}g$/mL) showed the most prominent free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of P. perfoliata extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The ethyl acetate fraction of extract ($0.35{\mu}g$/mL) showed the most prominent ROS scavenging activity. The protective effects of P. perfoliata extract/fractions on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The P. perfoliata extracts suppressed photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner ($1{\sim}50{\mu}g$/mL) except the deglycosylated fraction of extract. The inhibitory effect of P. perfoliata extracts on tyrosinase was investigated to assess their whitening efficacy. Inhibitory effects ($IC_{50}$) on tyrosinase were determined with ethyl acetate fraction of P. perfoliata extract ($136.00{\mu}g$/mL) and deglycosylated fraction of extract ($68.10{\mu}g$/mL). Finally, their anti-elastase activities were measured to predict the anti-wrinkle efficacy in the human skin. Inhibitory effects ($IC_{50}$) on elastase were determined with ethyl acetate fraction of P. perfoliata extract ($67.20{\mu}g$/mL) and deglycosylated fraction of extract ($43.50{\mu}g$/mL). These results indicate that extract/fractions of P. perfoliata can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against ROS. Extract/fractions of P. perfoliata can be applicable to new functional cosmetics for antioxidant, antiaging.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.316-320
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• 2008

This study examined the combined plant extracts (FGF271) of Estromon in ovariectomized (OVX) rats to determine whether Estromon's significant clinical improvement effects on menopausal symptoms are predominantly due to the phytoestrogenic action of the combined extracts. The results showed that all three FGF271-treated groups had significantly improved serum osteocalcin levels as compared to the control group (p<0.05). In addition, all FGF271- and Estromon-treated groups had increases in femoral bone mineral density (FBMD) (p<0.05), and the increase in the FGF271 group was dose-dependent. A pairwise comparison of the FGF271- and Estromon-treated groups receiving the same dosage of FGF271 indicated that there was no significant difference between the groups. Therefore, the FBMD increases that occurred in the Estromon groups were solely attributable to the phytoestrogenic effects of FGF271. It was conclude that the phytoestrogenic effects of Estromon, as shown in clinical studies, are predominantly caused by FGF271, the mixed extracts of Cynanchum wilfordii, Phlomis umbrosa, and Angelica gigas.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.175-187
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• 2017

In this study, the antioxidant effect and component analysis for extract and fractions of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaf were investigated. All experiments were performed with 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction obtained from dried C. halicacabum leaf. The yields of extract and fractions were 16.4, 0.9 and 0.3% per dried powder, respectively. DPPH (1,1-phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) of ethyl acetate fraction ($92.5{\mu}g/mL$) was the greatest radical scavenging activity, but lower than (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol ($8.9{\mu}g/mL$). In reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity (total antioxidant capacity, $OSC_{50}$) on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system, aglycone fraction ($4.2{\mu}g/mL$) was the highest total antioxidant capacity and similar to L-ascorbic acid ($1.5{\mu}g/mL$). The cellular protective effects of C. halicacabum leaf extract and fractions on the $^1O_2$-induced cellular damage of human erythrocytes were exhibited at all concentration-dependent ($5.0-25.0{\mu}g/mL$). Especially, aglycone fraction (${\tau}_{50}$, 76.4 min) in $25.0{\mu}g/mL$ showed the most protective effect among extracts. Components of the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from C. halicacabum extracts were analyzed by TLC, HPLC chromatogram and LC/ESI-MS. Results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction contained some flavonoids, such as apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, apigenin-7-glucosdie and quercitrin hydrate. These results suggest that the extracts and fractions of C. halicacabum leaf may be applied as antioxidant functional cosmetic raw materials.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1384-1392
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• 2015

Sagantang (SGT), a Korean multiherb formula comprising six medicinal herbs, Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC, Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, Poria cocos Wolf, Cimicifuga heracleifolia Komarov, and Artractylodes japonica Koidzumi, was recorded in “Dongeuibogam.” The present study investigated the anticancer potential of SGT in AGS human gastric carcinoma cells. The results indicated that SGT treatment significantly inhibited the growth and viability of AGS cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, in addition to chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, and the accumulation of annexin-V positive cells. The induction of apoptotic cell death by the SGT treatment was associated with up-regulation of Fas protein expression, truncation of Bid, and down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. The SGT treatment also effectively induced the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which was associated with the activation of caspases (caspase-3, -8, and -9) and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. However, a pan-caspase inhibitor significantly blocked the SGT-induced apoptosis and growth suppression in AGS cells. This study suggests that SGT induces caspase-dependent apoptosis through an extrinsic pathway by upregulating Fas, as well as through an intrinsic pathway by modulating Bcl-2 family members in AGS cells. The results suggest that SGT may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human gastric cancer cells. However, further studies will be needed to confirm the potential of SGT in cancer prevention and therapy in an in vivo model and to identify biological active compounds of SGT.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.145-152
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• 2007

In this study, the antioxidative effects of Sueada asparagoides and Salicornia herbacea extracts were investigated. The free radical(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity($FSC_{50}$) of extract/fractions of Sueada asparagoides was in the order: 100 % ethanol extract(329.33 ${\mu}g/mL$) < 50 % ethanol extract(40.73) < ethylacetate fraction(13.87) < deglycosylated aglycone fraction (7.80). In case of Salicornia herbacea, the free radical scavenging activities of ethylacetate fraction and aglycone fraction were 13.87 and 7.80 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) scavenging activities($OSC_{50}$) of Sueada asparagoides and Solicornia herbacea extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The order of ROS scavenging activity of Sueada asparagoides extracts was 50 % ethanol extract($OSC_{50}$, $0.99{\mu}g/mL$) < ethylacetate fraction (0.05) < aglycone fraction (0.03). Aglycone fraction showed the most prominent scavenging activity. In case of Salicornia herbacea, the ROS scavenging activities of ethylacetate fraction and aglycone fraction were 0.10 and 0.20 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The protective effects of extract/fractions of Sueada asparagoides and Salicornia herbacea on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethanol extract(100%) of Sueada asparagoides diminished photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner($1{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$). Particularly deglycosylated aglycone fraction exhibited the most prominent celluar protective effect($\tau_{50}$, 310 min at 50 ${\mu}g/mL$). In case of Salicornia herbacea, ethylacetate fraction exhibited more potent protective effect. These results indicate that extract/fractions of Sueada asparagoides can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against ROS.