• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.496-502
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• 2010

The acidic saline animal model of pain has been suggested to mimic fibromyalgia (FM). Oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPC) from grape seeds are known to act as an antioxidant. We studied the effects of OPC on the pain threshold in the acidic saline animal model of pain. The left gastrocnemius muscle was injected with $100\;{\mu}l$ of saline at pH 4.0 under brief isoflurane anesthesia on days 0 and 5. Control rats (n=5) received identical injections of physiological saline (pH 7.2) on the same schedule. Rats (n=10) with acidic saline injection were separated into two study subgroups. After measurement of pre-drug pain thresholds, rats were injected intraperitoneally with either saline or OPC 300 mg/kg. Paw withdrawal thresholds to pressure were again measured 60 min after intraperitoneal injection. Nociceptive thresholds were measured with a Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer by applying an increasing pressure to right or left hind paw until the rat withdrew the paw. Compared to baseline (day 0), acid injections produced mechanical hyper-responsiveness on day 7 (pre-drug) in these rats [p<0.05]. A potent antihyperalgesic effect was observed when rats were injected intraperitoneally with OPC 300 mg/kg [injected paw, p=0.001; contralateral paw, p=0.002]. OPC treatment decreased the expression of acid sensing ion channel 3 in the brain motor cortex area on immunohistochemical staining when OPC 300 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally in the animal model of FM pain [p<0.05]. Further research is required to determine the efficacy of OPC treatments in FM pain in humans.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.272-277
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• 2006

This study was undertaken to determine whether the 9 herbal complex induces apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and adriamycin-resistant MCF7/adR cells. Ethanol extracts of Bojungbangamtang (BBTE) and acidic polysaccharide of Red Ginseng (GIN) induced cell death in both MCF-7 and MCF7/adR cells. Ethanol extracts of Bojungbangamtang and acidic polysaccharide of Red Ginseng also induced $G_2/M$ cell cycle arrest and increased TUNEL positive cells in MCF7/adR cells. In addition, flow cytometric analysis revealed the decreased expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in ethanol extracts of Bojungbangamtang and acidic polysaccharide of Red Ginseng treated MCF7/adR cells. Similarly, decreased protein levels of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance associated proteins-1 were also determined by immunocytometry in ethanol extracts of Bojungbangamtang treated MCF7/adR cells. Taken together these data indicate that ethanol extracts of Bojungbangamtang and acidic polysaccharide of Red Ginseng inhibit the function of ABC transporters such as multi drug resistance associated proteins (MRPs) and P-glycoprotein as well as induce apoptosis in MCF7/adR cells. Thus, these data suggest that ethanol extracts of Bojungbangamtang and polysaccharide of Red Ginseng can be candidates for the treatment of multidrug-resistant MCF7/adR cells.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.125-135
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• 2016

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacteria that is responsible for gastritis in human. Its spiral flagellated body helps in locomotion and colonization in the host environment. It is capable of living in the highly acidic environment of the stomach with the help of acid adaptive genes. The genome of H. pylori 26695 strain contains 1,555 coding genes that encode 1,445 proteins. Out of these, 340 proteins are characterized as hypothetical proteins (HP). This study involves extensive analysis of the HPs using an established pipeline which comprises various bioinformatics tools and databases to find out probable functions of the HPs and identification of virulence factors. After extensive analysis of all the 340 HPs, we found that 104 HPs are showing characteristic similarities with the proteins with known functions. Thus, on the basis of such similarities, we assigned probable functions to 104 HPs with high confidence and precision. All the predicted HPs contain representative members of diverse functional classes of proteins such as enzymes, transporters, binding proteins, regulatory proteins, proteins involved in cellular processes and other proteins with miscellaneous functions. Therefore, we classified 104 HPs into aforementioned functional groups. During the virulence factors analysis of the HPs, we found 11 HPs are showing significant virulence. The identification of virulence proteins with the help their predicted functions may pave the way for drug target estimation and development of effective drug to counter the activity of that protein.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2007

In this study, an analytical method was optimized for detecting dioxin-like PCBs in fish and shellfish. Here, homogenized samples were extracted using an accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) system with 33 mL cell size. Multilayer column chromatography, which consisted of acidic, basic and neutral silica gels, was used for the clean up of the extracts. The instrumental analysis was executed by HRGC/HRMS to a resolution of 10,000 using 4 window multiple ion detection (MID) mode. For the results, the average recoveries ranged from 94.1 to 104.1% (${\pm}8.4$) and the limit of detection was approximately 0.1 pg/g at S/N ratio >3. Finally, the detected concentrations of dioxin-like PCBs for fish and shellfish were in the range of 0.030-1.836 pg TEQ/g.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2014

Background: Hydrogels are a class of polymers that can absorb water or biological fluids and swell to several times their dry volume, dependent on changes in the external environment. In recent years, hydrogels and hydrogel nanocomposites have found a variety of biomedical applications, including drug delivery and cancer treatment. The incorporation of nanoparticulates into a hydrogel matrix can result in unique material characteristics such as enhanced mechanical properties, swelling response, and capability of remote controlled actuation. Materials and Methods: In this work, synthesis of hydrogel nanocomposites containing magnetic nanoparticles are studied. At first, magnetic nanoparticles ($Fe_3O_4$) with an average size 10 nm were prepared. At second approach, thermo and pH-sensitive poly (N-isopropylacrylamide -co-methacrylic acid-co-vinyl pyrrolidone) (NIPAAm-MAA-VP) were prepared. Swelling behavior of co-polymer was studied in buffer solutions with different pH values (pH=5.8, pH=7.4) at $37^{\circ}C$. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles ($Fe_3O_4$) and doxorubicin were incorporated into copolymer and drug loading was studied. The release of drug, carried out at different pH and temperatures. Finally, chemical composition, magnetic properties and morphology of doxorubicin-loaded magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites were analyzed by FT- IR, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The results indicated that drug loading efficiency was increased by increasing the drug ratio to polymer. Doxorubicin was released more at $40^{\circ}C$ and in acidic pH compared to that $37^{\circ}C$ and basic pH. Conclusions: This study suggested that the poly (NIPAAm-MAA-VP) magnetic hydrogel nanocomposite could be an effective carrier for targeting drug delivery systems of anti-cancer drugs due to its temperature sensitive properties.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.139-150
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• 2017

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drug with relatively minor side effect. Substantial evidence has suggested that metformin is associated with decreased cancer risk and anticancer activity against diverse cancer cells. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib has shown powerful activity for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and also induces growth arrest and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. In this study, we tested the combination of imatinib and metformin against HCT15 colorectal cancer cells for effects on cell viability, cell cycle and autophagy. Our data show that metformin synergistically enhances the imatinib cytotoxicity in HCT15 cells as indicated by combination and drug reduction indices. We also demonstrate that the combination causes synergistic down-regulation of pERK, cell cycle arrest in S and $G_2/M$ phases via reduction of cyclin B1 level. Moreover, the combination resulted in autophagy induction as revealed by increased acidic vesicular organelles and cleaved form of LC3-II. Inhibition of autophagic process by chloroquine led to decreased cell viability, suggesting that induction of autophagy seems to play a cell protective role that may act against anticancer effects. In conclusion, our present data suggest that metformin in combination with imatinib might be a promising therapeutic option in colorectal cancer.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.224-230
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• 1995

Recently, many attempts have been made to use hydrogels of various polymers as delivery systems of various drugs and bioactive materials to prolong and control their phamacological activities. In this study, we have evaluated the physico-chemical properties of methacrylic acid-methyacrylic acid methyl ester copolymer 9Eudispert mv)m a acrylic resin hydorgel, and its application to transdermal delivery system. In the dissolution tests, the release rate of salicylic acid (SA) and sodium salicylate (SOd. SA) were faster than lidocain (LD) and lidocain-HCl(LD-HCl). As the concentration of Eudispert mv polymer increased, the extensibility of Eudispert mu hydrogel decreased, whereas the swelling ratio increased. The more NaOH and polymer concentration increased, the more osmotic pressure linearly increased. The skin permeation of Sod. SA, an acidic model drug, was remarkably enhanced by Eudispert mv hydrogel. All fatty acids, except for Sod. glycolate, dramatically increased the skin permeation flux in Eudispert mu hydrogel containing LD-Hcl, a basic model drug. Consequently, it is suggested that Eudispert mv hydrogel may be used as potential transdermal delivery vehicle.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.180-187
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• 2023

The skin is a dynamic ecosystem on which diverse microbes reside. The interkingdom interaction between microbial species in the skin microbiota is thought to influence the health and disease of the skin although the roles of the intra- and interkingdom interactions remain to be elucidated. In this context, the interactions between Malassezia and Staphylococcus, the most dominant microorganisms in the skin microbiota, have gained attention. This study investigated how the interaction between Malassezia and Staphylococcus affected the antifungal susceptibility of the fungus to the azole antifungal drug ketoconazole. The susceptibility was significantly decreased when Malassezia was co-cultured with Staphylococcus. We found that acidification of the environment by organic acids produced by Staphylococcus influenced the decrease of the ketoconazole susceptibility of M. restricta in the co-culturing condition. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that the significant increased ergosterol content and cell membrane and wall thickness of the M. restricta cells grown in the acidic environment may be the main cause of the altered azole susceptibility of the fungus. Overall, our study suggests that the interaction between Malassezia and Staphylococcus influences the antifungal susceptibility of the fungus and that pH has a critical role in the polymicrobial interaction in the skin environment.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 1996

The study was carried out for the preparation and evaluation of a buoyant hydrogel matrix (BHM), which is buoyant in a neutral or in pH 2.0 buffer solution, by the aspects of buoyancy, swelling, and drug release. Physical mixtures of HPC and CP in various molar ratio were employed as a mucoadhesive polymer which swells and controls the rate of drug release. Anhydrous citric acid and sodium bicarbonate in the molar ratio of 1:3 were employed as effervescing agents which provide a buoyancy for the mucoadhesive polymeric matrix. The buoyancy in vitro was expressed as both floating time$(T_{fl})$ and surfing time$(T_{sf})$, which are the time required for floating from the bottom to the surface of the medium and the time to keep the floated state at the surface of medium during release studies, respectively. A close relationship was observed between the buoyancy and the amount of effervescing agent added. $T_{fl}$ of the buoyant hydrogel matrices were decreased to about 10 seconds linearly with increasing the amount of effervescing agent in the range of 5 to 15%. $T_{sf}$ of the buoyant hydrogel matrices were varied from 1 to 3 hr depending on the amount of effervescing agent. The swelling was observed by changes in diameter of the buoyant hydrogel matrices in distilled water or acidic buffer solution, resulted in dependences on pH and the amount of effervescing agents. The release of hydrochlorothiazide from the buoyant hydrogel matrices were followed by apparent zero-order kinetics, while the buoyant hydrogel matrices were floated at the surface and maintaining their swollen shapes.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.1135-1142
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• 2010

A series of N(2)-benzothiazolyl substituted tetrahydroindazoles has been synthesized via cyclic ${\beta}$ keto esters. Optimum reaction condition was found as acidic toluene and effect of higher acidity towards substituted hydrazines in situ was described. Synthesized compounds have been achieved as single isomer and characterized by using 1D and 2D NMR spectral reports. Antimicrobial screening was carried out for the synthesized compounds along with a series of N(2)-pyridyl tetrahydroindazoles.1 The results of the in vitro antimicrobial screening studies revealed that compounds 13, 16 against Staphylococcus aureus, 11 against Escherichia coli, 10-12, 16 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 12 against Klebsiella pneumoniae recorded almost two-fold better activity compared to the standard drug used.