• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.827-833
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• 2021

Dendropanax morbiferus leaves (DPL) has been used as a medicine since ancient times in various diseases such as inflammation, diabetes, and cancer. In particular, it has been found to have anticancer effects on several types of cancer cells, but the anticancer effect on breast cancer cells SK-BR-3 has not yet been revealed. Therefore, in this study, DPL caused proliferation inhibition in breast cancer cells SK-BR-3 and the anticancer effect by inducing apoptosis was confirmed, through an in vitro experiment. In order to examine the effect of DPL on cell viability, MTT assay was performed to confirm a significant decrease in the concentration of cell viability. DAPI staining was performed to examine the effect of DPL on cellular morphological changes and increase of apoptotic bodies. To supplement this, an increase in the apoptosis rate was also confirmed through flow cytometry after staining with annexin V/PI. Western blot was performed to confirm apoptosis-related proteins. DPL increased the expression of Cleaved-PARP, Bax whereas decreased the expression of Bcl-2. Changes in the expression levels of MAPK pathway proteins p-ERK1/2, p-JNK, and p-p38 were also confirmed, and a significant increase in p-p38 was observed. These results indicated that DPL induced apoptosis, through p-p38 MAPK signal pathway in SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.295-302
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• 2019

Liquiritigenin (LG) is a chiral flavonoid isolated from the roots of licorice. It exhibits multiple biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. In particular though, the anti-cancer activity of LG in oral squamous cell carcinoma has yet to be elucidated, and LG-induced apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma remains poorly understood. In the present study, we tested the role of LG in inducing apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. LG treatment of HN22 cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability as detected by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The induction of apoptosis in terms of Annexin V/7-Aminoactinomycin D staining, sub-G1 population, and multi-caspase activity were assessed with a $Muse^{TM}$ Cell Analyzer. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that LG treatment resulted in G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression and downregulation of cyclin B1 and CDC2 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. It also resulted in significant upregulation of p27. In addition, LG was seen to trigger the generation of reactive oxygen species and induce CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein and 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein in concentration-dependent upregulation. The LG treatment of HN22 cells led to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$); it also reduced the levels of anti-apoptotic protein and increased the expression of apoptotic protease activating factor-1, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose)polymerase and Bax. Overall, our results indicate that the pro-apoptotic effects of LG in HN22 cells depend on the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways. Thus, our results suggest that LG constitutes a natural compound with a potential role as an anti-tumor agent in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate suitable parts for callus induction and optimal concentrations of growth regulators, contained in the medium affecting shoot and rooting for in vitro mass production of Haworthia truncata. Leaves and flower bud showed 100% callus formation rate at NAA $1{\sim}2mgL^{-1}$ treatment, and NAA $1mgL^{-1}$ + TDZ $2mgL^{-1}$ treatment. The flower stalk showed 75% callus formation rate, at NAA $2mgL^{-1}$ + TDZ $2mgL^{-1}$ treatment in H. truncata. While the rate of callus formation was high in leaves and flower bud, leaves were the most efficient in obtaining most culture parts. Shoot induction rate from callus was highest, at NAA $0.1mgL^{-1}$ treatment in H. truncata. Additionally, the number of shoots formation was 66.3 shoots high, in NAA $1mgL^{-1}$ + BA $0.1mgL^{-1}$ treatment in H. truncata. In the case of acclimatization of regenerated plant, growth characteristics did not show significant difference (95%) shading with respect to the different ratio of substrate mixture, and it was determined that would be appropriate, considering plant height and appearance preference of H. truncata. It was established that optimization of culture condition, was responsible for mass propagation in vitro cultures of H. truncata.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.555-563
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• 2019

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of an ethanol extract of Elaeagnus umbellata leaves (EUL-EE) on skin-related biological activities. Previously, we have reported that gallic acid was the major phenolic compound in EUL-EE through quantitative analysis and that EUL-EE had an inhibitory effect against the proliferation of liver cancer HepG2 cells. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of EUL-EE on melanin production and tyrosinase activity in ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulated hormone-stimulated B16-F0 cells were determined to assess the effects of EUL-EE on skin whitening. The anti-wrinkle effect using UVB-irradiated CCD-986sk cells was examined by the expression of type I procollagen and metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 release. The EUL-EE significantly decreased intracellular melanin production (33.0% inhibition at $100{\mu}g/ml$) when compared with untreated B16-F0 cells. Tyrosinase activities in the stimulated B16-F0 cells were also decreased by EUL-EE (47.8% inhibition at $100{\mu}g/ml$). The EUL-EE also dose-dependently increased the production of type I procollagen (up to 1.74-fold at $250{\mu}g/ml$) in CCD-986sk cells when compared with UVB-irradiated controls. EUL-EE showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations up to $500{\mu}g/ml$. In addition, EUL-EE at $10-500{\mu}g/ml$ inhibited the release of MMP-1 to the medium from UVB-irradiated CCD-986sk cells. Taken together, these observations indicate that EUL-EE has high potential for use as inner beauty and cosmetic materials due to its whitening and anti-wrinkle effects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.298-304
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• 2021

The anti-aging and anti-inflammatory activities of hot-water (Ca-HW) and 70% ethanol (Ca-E70) whole-plant Calamagrostis arundinacea extracts, as well as their bioactive potentials, were investigated using cell-free and cell-mediated experimental systems. Use of the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical decolorization assay to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the Ca-HW and Ca-E70 extracts revealed DPPH radical scavenging activities of 27% and 48%, respectively. Neither extract caused significant cytotoxicity, and both showed cell proliferation and promotion effects using RAW 264.7, B16F10, and CCD986sk cells. B16F10 melanoma cells showed higher melanin synthesis when treated with 100 mg/ml Ca-HW or Ca-E70 than with arbutin, indicating a stronger inhibitory effect of arbutin on melanin synthesis. Ca-HW and Ca-E70 increased pro-collagen biosynthesis in the human fibroblast CCD986-SK cell line by 24.69% and 12.55%, respectively. Analysis of the anti-inflammatory effects of different concentrations of Ca-HW and Ca-E70 in RAW264.7 cells revealed that Ca-E70 appeared to inhibit the lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitric oxide and IL-6, a proinflammatory cytokine; therefore, Ca-E70 showed an anti-inflammatory effect. These results suggested that C. arundinacea extracts could have skin anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 2020

This study was conducted to cultivate new Lepista nuda varieties with shorter cultivation period and better fruiting body compared to that of wild strains, for mass production and commercial application. Eighteen genetic resources of L. nuda were collected and grown in boxes using rice straw-fermented growth medium. Four lines with fruiting bodies were formed and selected as cross-breeding lines. Although 657 combinations were crossed through monospore crossing, only 17 combinations were bred between the 'CBMLN-19' line and the 'CBMLN-30' line. Among them, 8 lines with fast mycelial growth and high density were selected. After inoculating the rice straw-fermented growth medium with 14 genetic resources and 8 cross-breeding lines, their incubation period was investigated. Six of the cross-breeding lines completed their incubation in 20 days, while 7 of the 14 genetic resources took more than 40 days to complete their incubation, reducing the incubation period by more than 20 days in most cross-breeding lines. After the incubations were completed, the clay loam soil was covered with for post-cultivation, and when the mycelial cultivation was complete, the formation of fruiting bodies was induced after scraping the mycelial bodies under these environmental conditions: 14℃, 95% relative humidity or higher, and 1,500 to 2,000 ppm CO2 concentration. The temperature was reduced to 6℃ at night, resulting in a low temperature shock. Thus, 4 lines of fruiting bodies occurred from two genetic resources 'CBMLN-31' and 'CBMLN-44' and two cross-bred lines 'CBMLN-96' and 'CBMLN-103'. After inoculation, the longest period for fruiting bodies to occur was 100 days for the control:, the genetic resource 'CBMLN-31', and the shortest period (45 days) was observed for the cross-breeding line 'CBMLN-103'. The result of the investigation of the fruiting body characteristics shows that the cross-bred line 'CBMLN-103' showed a small form with 1.9 g of individual weight and 123validstipes per box, which was the highest incidence among the four lines. Another cross-bred line, 'CBMLN-96', had an individual weight of 5.5 g, which is larger than that of 'CBMLN-103'; however, the number of valid stipes per box was 30 less than that of 'CBMLN-103'. Quantity analysis showed that the control, 'CBMLN-31', had the highest quantity of 783 g per box, followed by the cross-bred line, 'CBMLN-96' with 165 g per box, and then the 'CBMLN-103' with 232 g. The quantity of the two crossbred lines was lower than that of the control 'CBMLN-31'; however, the amount of fruiting bodies was higher, and the cultivation period was shortened by 32 to 33 days. Therefore, these two lines would be selected as superior lines.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2023

The underlying action of policosanol in lowering cholesterol level has not yet been clearly elucidated. Several recent studies have suggested that sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1c play a role in the regulation of cholesterol synthesis via the fatty acid synthesis pathway. To date, no study has evaluated the effects of policosanol on SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid synthesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether the SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid biosynthetic pathway is associated with the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol. Seven-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=7 per group) and treated for 8 weeks as follows: 1) normal diet (normal control), 2) high-fat diet (HFD), 3) HFD+ethanol (Pol-0), 4) HFD+policosanol 1 mg/kg (Pol-1), 5) HFD+policosanol 2 mg/kg (Pol-2), 6) HFD+policosanol 4 mg/kg (Pol-4), and 7) HFD+simvastatin 50 ㎍/kg (positive control). Policosanol and simvastatin were administered at the same time every day while maintaining the HFD. Body weight and food intake were measured weekly for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, serum cholesterol levels were measured, histological analysis was carried out, and the expressions of SREBP-1c and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the liver tissues were examined. Policosanol reduced body weight and the amount of food intake in a dose-dependent manner. Serum cholesterol levels were significantly lowered in the Pol-1 and Pol-4 groups. The expression of SREBP-1c and FAS was also significantly decreased in the Pol-4 group. These results suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol can occur due to the inhibition of the expression of SREBP-1c and FAS.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.486-498
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• 2024

This study examined the effects of a soybean sprouts mixture containing 1.5% Hovenia dulcis Thunb. fruit concentrate (SHM) on relieving hangovers and improving liver function in chronically alcohol-treated rats. The ampelopsin and L-asparagine contents in the SHM were 10.52, 35.19 ppm. When chronic alcohol-induced rats were treated with SHM, the body weight increased and the liver weight decreased. The serum alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations were lowest in the SHM group, and the hepatic ADH and ALDH activities were highest in the SHM group. Chronic alcohol induction increased the activity of liver function indicator enzymes such as ALT, AST, and GGT, but the activity was decreased significantly with the SHM treatment. The triglyceride content in hepatic and serum blood samples was lowest in the SHM group. The serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol contents decreased in the SHM group, and the HDL cholesterol content increased. The color of the hepatic observed morphologically in the SHM group was reddish brown, and the size and number of lipid droplets in the hepatic observed pathologically decreased. The hepatic and serum lipid peroxidation content of the SHM group decreased. The hepatic and serum GSH content increased in the SHM group. Therefore, SHM can be a functional food that can help hangovers and improve liver function.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 1970

The experiment was conducted at the salt concentration of 0.5% and 1% end of April, respectively, in low and high-salty and the non-salty areas of silt loam with the Nongkwang, rice variety. The factorial design with confounding blocks of 3 levels each of 10, 15 and 20 kg of N, 8, 12 and 16kg of phosphate and potash, respectively, per 10a was applied. 1. N applications increased by 1.5 and 2 times with the fixed amount of $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$ (8kg/10a each) increased the proportion absorbed to the applications of N in both non salty and low-salty areas. It was observed that the absorption of Ca and Si was inhibited by either an increased treatment of N alone or combination with the other nutrients in the salty area. 2. In the non-salty area, an increased applications of standard amount of N, $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$ respectively did not increased the yields. Doubling the application of $K_2O$ resulted in a decreased yield. 3. Applications of additional of 1.5 and 2 times the 10 kg of N per 10a increased the rice yields 12% and 21% respectively, in the low-salty area. An increased application of $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$ failed to bring about an increased yield. 4. Increasing the application of N gave a significant increased in the yield of rice grain and 1.5 times of N applications were seemed profitable on the high-salty area. Although an increased applications $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$ seemed to increase the yields of grain, no significant increase was observed. 5. An increased application of N increased the number of panicles up to 1.5 times the standard amount in the non-salty area, but no further increase resulted by doubling the application. The number of panicles was increased in proportion to the increased application of N in both low and high-salty areas. An increased application of $P_2O_5$ increase the number of panicles per unit area in each experimental plot while that of $K_2O$ had no effect but rather decreased the number. 6. The effect of an increased application of N decreased the weight of panicle in the non-salty area, but when the application was increased to 1.5 times or more an increased weight of panicle resulted in both salty areas. Doubling the application had approximately the same effect as 1.5 times the application. Increasing the applications of $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$ had no effect on the panicle weight in the experimental plots. Increasing the applications of N, $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$ did not effect the weight of 1,000 grains produced in the non-salty and salty areas. Increasing the application of N decreased the number of grains per panicle in the non-salty area but increased the number of grains per panicle in either salty areas. 7. The ratio of matured grains was highest in the low-salty area and the lowest in the high-salty area. An increased N applications decreased the ratio of matured grains in the non-salty area. No effect was observed in both low and high-salty areas. Increased the $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$ application showed no effect on the ratio of matured grains in the experimental plots. 8. Increased applications of N, $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$ was observed not to change the percentage of milling recovery in any experimental plots. Broken rice was increased equally by an increased application of N in the non-salty and salty areas but more remarkably so in the former. 9. Increased applications of N increased the straw production equally in the non-salty, low and high-salty areas. However, no increased production was observed from heavier applications of $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$. Additional N applications reduced the rate of rough grain weight v.s. straw weight in the non-salty area but increased the ratios in both low and high-salty areas. Additional $P_2O_5$ and $K_2O$ had no effect with the ratio.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 1986

This experiment was carried out to determine the optimum freezing and thawing rates of the hamster embryos. The female hamsters were induced to superovulate by intraperitoneal injections of 30 i.u. PMSG and mated with males of the same strain of 4 days the PMSG injection. They were killed and embryos were flushed from the oviduct and uterine horn on 3 days after mating. Embryos were flushed with a modified Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline and equilibrated with 1.5 M-dimethylsulphoxide by a 3-step procedure. The freezing rates of the samples were $1^{\circ}C/min$ from room temperature to $-6^{\circ}C$ and the samples were seeded at $-6^{\circ}C$. After being held for 3 min at the seeding temperature, the rates were $0.3^{\circ}C/min$ from $-6^{\circ}C$ to $-35^{\circ}C$. From $-35^{\circ}C$ to $-70^{\circ}C$, the rates were divided into $0.1^{\circ}C/min$, $1^{\circ}C/min$ and $10^{\circ}C/min$, respectively. At $-70^{\circ}C$ the samples were plunged directly into liquid nitrogen. The samples were thawed at $4^{\circ}C/min$ and $12^{\circ}C/min$ from $-196^{\circ}C$ to $37^{\circ}C$, and for 2 min in $37^{\circ}C$ water bath, respectively. The average numbers of ovulation points and embryos recovered were 35.1 and 27.0 appearing 77.0% recovery rates. Eight cell embryos in the embryos recovered were 24.8. The survival rates of embryos according to the freezing rates were 55.5~67.7% at $0.1^{\circ}C/min$, 58.8~64.9% at $1^{\circ}C/min$ and 40.5~44.7% at $10^{\circ}C/min$, respectively. The survival rates at $10^{\circ}C/min$ were significantly low. The survival rates of embryos according to the thawing rates were 53.5% at $4^{\circ}C/min$, 53.7% at $12^{\circ}C/min$ and 59.1% in $37^{\circ}C$ water bath. The survival rates, in $37^{\circ}C$ water bath were slightly higher, but we did not find any differences among them. In conclusion, the best freezing rates of hamster embryos were $1^{\circ}C/min$ from the room temperature to $-6^{\circ}C/min$, $0.3^{\circ}C/min$ from $-6^{\circ}C/min$ to $-35^{\circ}C$ and $-0.1^{\circ}C/min$ or $1^{\circ}C/min$ from $-35^{\circ}C$ to $-70^{\circ}C$. The hamster embryos thawed for 2 min in $37^{\circ}C$ water bath showed the best survival rates.