• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.788-798
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• 2009

Objective : This study was undertaken to investigate effects of Opuntia ficus-indica (OP)extract on an asthma murine model. Methods : The total number of cells and eosinophils in BALF and the infiltration of inflammatory cells into lung tissues were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results : The number of OVA-induced total cells and eosinophils, a phenomenon of asthma, were decreased by treatment of the animals with OP extract (200 mg/kg) (respectively, p < 0.001 and p<0.01). Furthermore, we showed that OP extract reduced the increased immune cell infiltration induced by ovalbumin (p < 0.01). The levels of interleukin (IL)-4 in BAL fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, because the eosinophilia is associated with a T helper (Th) 2 response including IL-4. The level of OVA-induced IL-4 was decreased by OP extract in BAL fluid (p < 0.05). We investigated whether OP extract reduced nitrite (NO) production on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 sells, because asthma is an inflammatory disease. The level of LPS-induced NO production was decreased by OP extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/ml) on RAW 264.7 cells (respectively, p < 0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.05). Conclusions : Our results indicate that OP extract has an inhibitory effect on lung eosinophilia of asthma and suggest that OP extract is a therapeutic candidate in the treatment of inflammatory disease, including asthma.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1213-1222
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• 2011

This research evaluated antibacterial and growth inhibition effects on three kinds of lactic acid bacteria and five kinds of food poisoning bacteria using Backryencho powder, hot water, 70% ethanol, and 95% ethanol extracts. Antibacterial activity was shown against Leu. mensenteroides for 8 and 10 mg/disc of the 95% ethanol extract solution and strong proliferation inhibition effects were displayed against B. subtilis, Stap. aureus, E. coli, and S. typhimurium. High antibacterial activity according to certain clear zone formations was shown especially for the 10 mg/disc. A 3% concentration of the 95% ethanol extract showed high growth inhibition effects against lactic acid bacteria, L. brevis, L. plantarum, and Leu. mesenteroids. The measurement of viable cell counts of S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis, and S. typhimurium indicated suppression effects by the 3% concentration of the 95% ethanol extract, at 49.60%, 41.54%, 35.95%, 28.82%, and 26.60% respectively. The antibacterial activities of the hot water, 70% ethanol, 95% ethanol extract of Backryencho against food poisoning bacteria and Kimchi fermentation lactic acid bacteria were confirmed through various methods of antibiotic measurement. Based on these results, Backryencho extract is considered a good source for a range of applications as a natural anti-bacterial agent for the storage ability of Kimchi and as a possible food preservative.