• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.225-232
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• 2017

This study aimed to evaluate several biological activities of Pharbitis nil and to isolate an anticancer agent from its methanol extract. Pharbitis nil seeds were extracted with methanol (PNM). Then, PNM was fractionated into solvent layers such as ethyl acetate fraction (PNE), butanol fraction (PNB), and water fraction (PNW). The biological activities of the fractions were analyzed for tyrosinase inhibition, lipase inhibition, DPPH-free radical scavenging, and cell growth inhibition. PNM showed strong growth inhibition of prostate cancer PC-3 cells. PNM was subjected to Diaion HP-20 and eluted stepwise with 50%, 80%, and 100% methanol. Then, for activity-guided fraction, each fraction was analyzed for growth inhibition of prostate cancer PC-3 cells by using an MTT assay. Because the 100% fraction showed significantly strong inhibitory activity, the fraction was further separated in the reverse phase C18, which was eluted with 80% and 90% methanol. The 90% fraction was further subjected to Sephadex LH-20 using a mobile solvent of 100% methanol. Finally, the compound PN was partially purified for HPLC analysis. PN showed cell growth inhibitory activity and induced the apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of prostate cancer PC-3 cells, as measured by flow cytometry. The results together suggest that Pharbitis nil possesses various biological activities, especially the inhibitory activity for the proliferation of prostate cancer PC-3 cells, suggesting the possibility of its use as an anticancer agent.

• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.89-101
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to develop the elementary school science instructional material for nurturing students' creativity and to analyze the effects of this material on the changes of students' creativity. This material was composed of student's worksheet and a teacher's guidebook, in which are relevant to the elements of creativity and creative activities that can be applied to elementary science curriculum of 5th and 6th grades. Student's worksheets include various creative activities: imagination, guided imagery, experimental activity, mind mapping as wrap-up, and 'let's think' as an extended activity, game, puzzle, making a cartoon, to be, role playing, and so on. These materials were applied to 5th grade science class, 156 students. They were divided into two groups: the treatment group to which developed material was applied and the control group which was a traditional lecture-centered class. After this material had been applied for 3 months, students of both groups took a test of creativity. Interviews and observation were also carried out with three level groups (higher, medium and lower level) which were divided within the treatment group based on their creativity score. The results of this study were as follows: The treatment group showed higher score on creativity than that of control group(p<0.01). In the result of interviews and observation, the students of the higher and the medium level accomplished their tasks by themselves better than those on lower level.All of them took an interest in visual activity. In a wrapping-up step, the higher level students made mind map more systematically and the medium students improved as time goes on, but low level students feel constrained. In totally, they used various expression methods and were interested in making drawings and cartoons creatively.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 1999

Background : Airway infiltration by inflammatory cells, particularly of eosinophils, is one of the characteristic features of asthma. Several mechanisms for the recruitment of eosinophil is focused on the CD4+ T lymphocyte for the preferential production of Th2-c1erived cytokines. Interleukin-10(IL-10) is identified cytokine with potent antiinflammatory activity. This molecule has been shown to inhibit the release of cytokine from inflammatory cells including Th2 cell, and also to inhibit eosinophil survival. We therefore attempted to determine whether decreased synthesis of IL-10 in the lung of bronchial asthma may contribute to inflammation that is characteristics of this dease. Method: Subjects were patients with bronchial asthma(n=23) and normal controls(n=11). IL-10 produced from peripheral mononuclear cell(PBMC) and in bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid was measured by ELISA method. Degree of bronchial inflammation was assessed by total cell counts and eosinophil percents in BAL fluid, eosinophil infiltration on bronchial biopsy tissue and $PC_{20}$ for methacholine. Results: The IL-10 level produced by PBMC and in BAL fluid from patient with bronchial asthma were not different with normal controls(respectively, $901.6\pm220.4$ pg/ml, $810.9\pm290.8$ pg/ml for PBMC, $24.5\pm9.5$ pg/mL $30.5\pm13.5$ pg/ml for BAL fluid p>0.05). There were significant negative correlation between IL-10 in BAL fluid and eosinophil percents in BAL fluid or degree of eosinophil infiltration in bronchial biopsy (respectively r=-0.522, r=-0.4486 p<0.05). However there was no difference of IL-10 level according to $PC_{20}$ for methacholine. There were no correlation between IL-10 production by PBMC and peripheral blood eosinophil counts or serum eosinophilic cationic protein levels(respectively r=0.1146, r=0.0769 p>0.05). Conclusion: These observation suggest that IL-10 may participate but not acts the crucial role in regulation of the airway inflammation in bronchial asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.275-284
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• 2002

Background : Gemcitabine is a new anti-cancer agent for treating non-small cell lung cancer. Functioning as an antimetabolite, it induces anti-cancer effects by suppressing DNA synthesis after being incorporated into the DNA as a cytosine arabinoside analogue. When Gemcitabine is incorporated into the DNA, the p53 gene may be activated by induction of the DNA defect. However, there are a few studies on the molecular mechanisms of Gemcitabine-induced cell death. This study examined the role of p53 in Gemcitabine-induced cell death. Methods : A549 and NCl-H358 lung cancer cells were used in this study. The cell viability test was done using a MTT assay at Gemcitabine concentrations of 10nM, 100nM, 1uM, 10uM and 100uM. A FACScan analysis with propium iodide staining was used for the cell cycle analysis. Western blot analysis was done to investigate the extent of p53 activation. For the functional knock-out of p53, stable A549-E6 cells and H358-E6 cells were transfected pLXSN-16E6SD which is over expresses the human papilloma virus E6 protein that constantly degrades p53 protein. The functional knock out of p53 was confirmed by Western blot analysis after treatment with a DNA damaging agent, doxorubicine. Results : Gemcitabine exhibited cell toxicity in dose-dependent fashion. The cell cycle analysis resulted in an S phase arrest. Western blot analysis significant p53 activation in time-dependent manner. Gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity was reduced by 20-30% in the A549-E6 cells and the 30-40% in H358-E6 cells when compared with the A549-neo and H358-neo control cells. Conclusion : Gemcitabine induces an S phase arrest, as expected for the anti-metabolite, and activates the p53 gene, Furthermore, p53 might play an important role in Gemcitabine-induced cell death. Further investigation into the molecular mechanisms on how Gemcitabine activates the p53 gene and its signaling pathway are recommended.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.80-90
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• 2003

Background : Goblet cell hyperplasia is a critical pathological feature in hypersecretory diseases of the airways. A bacterial infection of the lung is also known to induce inflammatory responses, which can lead to the overproduction of mucus. Recently, mucin synthesis in the airways has been reported to be regulated by neutrophilic inflammation-induced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and activation. In addition, it was reported that migration of the activated neutrophils is dependent on the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-9. In this study, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hypersecretion by EGFR cascade, resulting from the MMPs-dependent neutrophilic inflammation were investigated in the rat airways. Methods : Pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were studied in vivo. Various concentrations of LPS were instilled into the trachea in $300{\mu}{\ell}$ PBS (LPS group). Sterile PBS ($300{\mu}{\ell}$) was instilled into the trachea of the control animals (control group). The airways were examined on different days after instilling LPS. For an examination of the relationship between the LPS-induced goblet cell hyperplasia and MMPs, the animals were pretreated 3 days prior to the LPS instillation and daily thereafter with the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPI; 20 mg/Kg/day of CMT-3; Collagenex Pharmaceuticals, USA). The neutrophilic infiltration was quantified as a number in five high power fields (HPF). The alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff (AB/PAS) stain were performed for the mucus glycoconjugates and the immunohistochemical stains were performed for MUC5AC, EGFR and MMP-9. Their expressions were quantified by an image analysis program and were expressed by the percentage of the total bronchial epithelial area. Results : The instillation of LPS induced AB/PAS and MUC5AC staining in the airway epithelium in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Treatment with the MMPI prevented the LPS-induced goblet cell hyperplasia significantly. The instillation of LPS into the trachea induced also EGFR expression in the airway epithelium. The control airway epithelium contained few leukocytes, but the intratracheal instillation of LPS resulted in a neutrophilic recruitment. A pretreatment with MMPI prevented neutrophilic recruitment, EGFR expression, and goblet cell hyperplasia in the LPS-instilled airway epithelium. Conclusion : Matrix metalloproteinase is involved in LPS-induced mucus hypersecretion, resulting from a neutrophilic inflammation and EGFR cascade. These results suggest a potential therapeutic role of MMPI in the treatment of mucus hypersecretion that were associated with a bacterial infection of the airways.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.161-170
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• 2008

Recently irregular dark-colored patches were found on the Kentucky teeing ground in a golf course in Gyunggi providence. Interestingly, blue-green algae from the leaf tissue sample containing black spot-stained symptoms were largely observed through microscopic study. In general, algae present on the upper soil surface or in the upper layer of root zone form dark brown layers of scum or crust, which invoked harmful effects to turf growth such as poor drainage, inhibition of new root development. In this observation, unlike the algae were sometime found in senescing leaves on contacted soil in July and August, the blue-green algae were detected within black spot-stained Kentucky bluegrass leaf tissues including leaf blade, ligule, auriclea as well as leaf sheath. The blue-green algae were also detected on the leaf and stem tissue adjacent to the symptomatic leaf tissues. Two species of blue-green algae, Phomidium and Oscillatoria, were greatly observed. Oscillatoria species was more commonly notified in all samples. In addition, the two species were found on a putting green showing yellow spot disease at another golf course in Gyunggi providence. The data from chemical control assay revealed that chemicals such as propiconazole, iprodione, and azoxystrobin decreased blue-green algae population and leaf spots, which finally resulted in enhanced leaf quality. All taken together, we strongly suggested that the disease-like phenomenon by blue-green algae might be very closely mediated with infection/translocation process in relation with turfgrass. It indicates that blue-green algae in turf management may play an adverse role as a secondary barrier as well as a pathogenic agent. This report may be helpful for superintendents to recognize and understand the fact that algae control should be provided more cautiously and seriously than we did previously in upcoming golf course management.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1984.09a
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• pp.13-19
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• 1984

In the previous symposium, authors reported about anti-atherogenic action of Panax ginseng, saying that red-ginseng powder increased serum HDL-cholesterol, decreased total cholesterol, TG, NEFA, in addition, decreased platelet adhesiveness. Later, Toyama group including me. reported that ginsenosides esp. $Rb_2$ enhanced HDL and decreased LDL. Also Matsuyama group and Kinki Univ. group reported that ginsenosides $Rg_1,\;Rb_2,$ etc. inhibited platelet aggregation. This paper will be divided into two parts: Experimental and clinical Experimental study; Using a highcholesterol-cholic acid-fed rats, effects of red ginseng extract and several ginsenosides on serum apoprotein-lipoproteins in relation to prostaglandins. Rats received $2\%$ cholesterol 1-1$\%$ cholic acid diet, ginseng extract or ginsenosides 2.5mg/100g/day for 9 days. Red ginseng extract, ginsenosides $Rb_2,\;Rc,\;Rb_1,\;and\;Rg_1,\;esp.\;Rb_2,$ increased HDL, apo-AI, Aii and $PGI_2,$ while they decreased LDL, apo-B and $TXA_2$. Clinical study: Effect of red ginseng powder on hyperlipidemia was observed. Long term administration of red ginseng powder manufactured by Office of Monopoly, Republic of Korea and offered by Japan-Korea Korean Ginseng Co., Kobe, at the dose of 2.7 g/day, was performed in patients with hyperlipidemia up to 4 years. The significant increase in serum HDL-cholesterol and also the significant decrease in total cholesterol, atherogenic index, TG, NEFA and lipoperoxide was observed with 3-48 month administration of red ginseng. Conclusions: Red ginseng and ginsenosides improved hyperlipidemia in rats and in man, with the improvement of blood apoproteins, lipoproteins and prostaglandins in experimental hyperlipidemic animals.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.759-767
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• 2014

This study examined the effect of Momordica charantia L. (bitter melon: BM) on lipid and hepatic antioxidative enzyme levels in diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by injection of streptozotocin (STZ), and rats were fed for 4 weeks with experimental groups divided into four groups: a normal control group, STZ-control and STZ-BM 5% & STZ-BM 10% treated groups. Levels of free fatty acids (FFA), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-chol), triglycerides (TG) in plasma and malondialdehyde (MDA) & protein in liver, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and xanthine oxidase (XOD) were measured in liver cytosol. Level of HDL-chol significantly increased in the STZ-BM 5% diabetic group. TG & FFA levels were significantly higher in all diabetic groups compared to the control group. MDA and protein levels were significantly higher in the STZ-BM 5% group compared to all other experimental group. CAT level was higher in the supplementary group with BM compared to the STZ-control group, although the difference was not significantly different. SOD level was not significant in any experimental groups. GST level was significantly higher in the BM-treated groups compared to the STZ-control group. XOD level was significantly lower in the BM 5% group and significantly decreased in all experimental groups. These results show that supplementation of BM fruit powder may have beneficial effects on diabetic complications and damage caused by oxidative stress.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2012

The antimicrobial activities of $Smilax$ $china$ L. against spoilage bacteria isolated from $Mang-gae$ rice cake were investigated and the storage stability of the $Mang-gae$ rice cake was enhanced. Spoilage bacteria, which cause $Mang-gae$ rice cake to rot, were isolated from commercial $Mang-gae$ rice cake, and most of the isolated strains were identified as $Bacillus$ sp. After the leaves, roots, shoots, and stalks of the $Smilax$ $china$ L. were extracted using 50% ethanol as the solvent, their antimicrobial activities were investigated using the paper disc method by treating them with 50 ${\mu}L$ of $Bacillus$ $cereus$, which is known as a major pathogenic micro-organism in foods that contain starch, as the test organism. The antimicrobial activities of the extracts were compared according to the size of the clear zones around the paper discs. The root extract showed significant antimicrobial activities. When red beans, which are used as stuffing for $Mang-gae$ rice cake, were treated with the root extract of the $Smilax$ $china$ L., the viable cell count of the $Mang-gae$ rice cake was 5.04 Log CFU/g after 48-hr storage, and the cake showed significantly slower growth of bacteria than with commercial products. These results show that treatment of red beans with $Smilax$ $china$ root extract could improve the storage stability of $Mang-gae$ rice cake.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.747-756
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of vitamin C on the formation of aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$)-DNA adduct and $AFB_1$-induing cellular oxidative damage in rat livers treated with radiation and $AFB_1$. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: the control group, the $AFB_1$-treated group, the group treated with $AFB_1$ and vitamin C, the group treated with X-ray and $AFB_1$, and the group treated with X-ray and $AFB_1$ with vitamin C. On the first day of the experiment, only one dose of X-rays was exposed to the entire liver at 1,500 cGy. Next, vitamin C was injected at 10 mg/kg body weight via intraperitoneal injection, followed an hour later by the administration of 0.4 mg/kg of $AFB_1$ via intraperitoneal injection. These treatments were administered every three days for 15 days. On the 16th day, the animals were sacrificed. The $AFB_1$ contents of the rat sera were determined via indirect competitive ELISA. In the quantitative analysis of $AFB_1$ in the rat sera via ELISA, $5.17{\pm}0.34ng/mL$ of $AFB_1$ was detected in the $AFB_1$-treated groups, but the amount decreased more significantly to $3.23{\pm}0.76ng/mL$ in the groups treated with $AFB_1$ and vitamin C (p<0.01) than in the $AFB_1$-treated groups. The effect of vitamin C on $AFB_1$-DNA adduct formation was determined via ELISA. The values of $AFB_1$-DNA adduct formation were $9.38{\pm}0.41ng/mL$ in the $AFB_1$-treated groups, but the amount decreased more significantly to $5.28{\pm}0.32ng/mL$ in the groups treated with $AFB_1$ and vitamin C (p<0.01) than in the $AFB_1$-treated groups. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the accumulation of the $AFB_1$ was not observed in the normal liver tissue (G1). The $AFB_1$-positive materials were observed in the central vein and the portal vein of the liver tissue from the $AFB_1$(G2) treatment or the X-ray and $AFB_1$(G4) co-treatment, but the $AFB_1$-positive materials were observed weakly in the group treated with vitamin C (G3 and G5). These results indicate that vitamin C had ameliorating effects on the $AFB_1$ accumulation of liver tissue.