• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.55-55
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• 2003

P2X$_3$ receptor, a member of P2 purine receptors, is a ligand-gated ion channel activated by extracellular ATP as an endogenous ligand, and highly localized in peripheral and central sensory neurons. The activation of P2X3 receptor by ATP as the pronociceptive effect has been known to initiate the pain signaling involved in chronic inflammatory nociception and neuropathic pain by nerve injury, implicating the possibility of new drug development to control pains. In this study, we have developed a two electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) assay system to evaluate the inhibitory activity of several newly synthesized PPADS and a novel non-ionic antagonist against ATP activation of human P2X3 receptor. PPADS derivatives include several pyridoxine and pyridoxic acid analogs to study the effects of phosphate and aldehyde functional groups in PPADS. All new PPADS analogs were less potent than PPADS at human P2X$_3$ receptors, however, LDD130, a non-ionic analog showed potent antagonistic property with $IC_{50}$/ of 8.34 pM. In order to uncover the structure activity relationships of LDD130, and design new structural analogs, we synthesized and investigated a few structural variants of LDD130, and the results will be discussed in this presentation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.39-50
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• 1995

This study was designed to clarify the action of cyclic nucleotides, cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, on phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu)-induced contraction in rings isolated from rabbit carotid artery. Arterial rings, 2 mm in width, were myographied isometrically in an isolated organ bath. PDBu produced slowly developing, sustained contraction in rabbit carotid artery, in a dose dependent manner, which was independent of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ PDBu-induced contraction was relaxed by staurosporine, which suggests that PDBu-induced contraction is mediated by protein kinase C (PKC). $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake by rabbit carotid artery was increased by PDBu during depolarization, but not in control. Isoproterenol and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) relaxed phenylephrine-induced contraction. However, SNP but not isoproterenol relaxed the contraction induced by PDBu. Acetylcholine relaxed PDBu-induced contraction in the presence of the endothelium. 8-bromo-cyclic AMP, a permeable analogue of cyclic AMP, suppressed phenylephrine-induced contraction but not PDBu-induced contraction. 8-bromo cyclic GMP relaxed both of them with dose dependency. A large dose of forskolin relaxed PDBu-induced contraction. PDBu increased cyclic AMP without considerable change in the level of cyclic GMP. Based on these findings, PDBu-induced contraction of rabbit carotid artery was relaxed by cyclic GMP more effectively than cyclic AMP, and the action of cyclic AMP could be mediated by cyclic GMP dependent protein kinase. Therefore it is suggested that the antagonistic action between protein kinase C and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase plays a major role in the regulation of vascular tone.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.68-77
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• 2011

Fifty five species of medicinal plant materials were tested for their antifungal activity in vitro against Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-1 and Trichoderma harzianum to select plant species that can be used to improve the biocontrol efficacy of T. harzianum. Six species were effective against R. solani AG 2-1 but were also antagonistic to T. harzianum, except for Cinnamomum loureirii stem bark (CSB). CSB inhibited mycelial growth of R. solani AG 2-1 by 73.7% but showed an inhibitory effect on mycelial growth of T. harzianum by only 2.2%. Scanning electron microscophs showed that the CSB treatment resulted in deformed R. solani AG 2-1 hyphal cells, and transmission electron microscophs revealed degenerated cell structures such as degenerated cytoplasm and disentangled cell wall and the accumulation of electron-dense inclusions (asterisks) in the CSB treatment. The biocontrol efficacy of radish damping-off increased greatly following the combined treatments of T. harzianum and CSB and the combined treatment increased efficacy from 6.4-23.1% to 37.1-87.3% compared with either treatment alone. CSB did not affect T. harzianum population growth, as it was almost the same in rice-bran peat medium (culture) amended with 0.1% and 1.0% CSB powder as in non-amended medium. The formulation of T. harzianum in rice-bran peat medium amended with CSB powder reduced the severity of radish damping-off by 80.6%, suggesting that T. harzianum and CSB can be formulated as a biocontrol product for the control of R. solani AG 2-1.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1317-1323
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• 2005

In an attempt to examine the ability of benzisothiazole-based drugs to interact with $\beta$-adrenoceptors, a series of 1,2-benzisothiazole derivatives, which were substituted with various propanolamine or oxypropanolamine side chains in the 2 or 3 position, were synthesised and tested. The pharmacological activity of these compounds at the ,$\beta$-adrenoceptors was examined using isolated rat atria and small intestinal segments, which preferentially express the $\beta_{1}$- and $\beta_{3}$-adrenoceptor-mediated responses, respectively. None of these products showed any $\beta$-adrenoceptor agonistic activity. In contrast, the 2- and 3-substituted isopropyl, tert-butyl, benzyl, and piperonyl derivatives 2a-d and 3a-d elicited surmountable inhibition of the isoprena­line-induced chronotropic effects in the atria, suggesting competitive antagonism at the $\beta_{1}$­recognition site. The $pA_{2}$ values revealed tert-butyl 3b and the isopropyl substituted piperonyl derivatives 3a to be the most effective. Remarkably, many of the 2-substituted propanolamines were less active than the corresponding 3-substituted oxypropanolamines. With the exception of compound 3b, none of these drugs antagonised the muscle relaxant activity of isoprenaline in the intestine, suggesting no effect on the $\beta_{3}$-adrenoceptors. These results confirm the ability of the benzisothiazole ring to interact with the $\beta$-adrenoceptors, and demonstrate that 2-substitution with propanolamine or 3-substitution with oxypropanolamine groups yields compounds with preferential antagonistic activity at the cardiac $\beta_{1}$adrenoceptors. The degree of antagonism depends strongly on both the nature of the substituent and its position on the benzisothiazole ring.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.236-241
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• 2019

Background: Thromboxane A2 ($TXA_2$) induces platelet aggregation and promotes thrombus formation. Although ginsenoside Ro (G-Ro) from Panax ginseng is known to exhibit a $Ca^{2+}-antagonistic$ antiplatelet effect, whether it inhibits $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_{2{\alpha}}$) activity to prevent the release of arachidonic acid (AA), a $TXA_2$ precursor, is unknown. In this study, we attempted to identify the mechanism underlying G-Ro-mediated $TXA_2$ inhibition. Methods: We investigated whether G-Ro attenuates $TXA_2$ production and its associated molecules, such as cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), $TXA_2$ synthase (TXAS), $cPLA_{2{\alpha}}$, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and AA. To assay COX-1 and TXAS, we used microsomal fraction of platelets. Results: G-Ro reduced $TXA_2$ production by inhibiting AA release. It acted by decreasing the phosphorylation of $cPLA_{2{\alpha}}$, p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase1, rather than by inhibiting COX-1 and TXAS in thrombin-activated human platelets. Conclusion: G-Ro inhibits AA release to attenuate $TXA_2$ production, which may counteract $TXA_2-associated$ thrombosis.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.600-613
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• 2023

Fusarium oxysporum is the main pathogen causing Fusarium basal rot in onion (Allium cepa L.), which incurs significant yield losses before and after harvest. Among management strategies, biological control is an environmentally safe and sustainable alternative to chemical control. In this study, we isolated and screened bacteria for antifungal activity against the basal rot pathogen F. oxysporum. Isolates 23-045, 23-046, 23-052, 23-055, and 23-056 significantly inhibited F. oxysporum mycelial growth and conidial germination. Isolates 23-045, 23-046, 23-052, and 23-056 suppressed the development of Fusarium basal rot in both onion seedlings and bulbs in pot and spray inoculation assays. Isolate 23-055 was effective in onion seedlings but exhibited weak inhibitory effect on onion bulbs. Based on analyses of the 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequences together with morphological analysis, isolates 23-045, 23-046, 23-052, and 23-055 were identified as Bacillus thuringiensis, and isolate 23-056 as Bacillus toyonensis. All five bacterial isolates exhibited cellulolytic, proteolytic, and phosphate-solubilizing activity, which may contribute to their antagonistic activity against onion basal rot disease. Taken together B. thuringiensis 23-045, 23-046, 23-052, and 23-055 and B. toyonensis 23-056 have potential for the biological control of Fusarium basal rot in onion.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.35-49
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• 2018

This study was initiated to quantitatively evaluate the effects of five heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni) on growth and P removal efficiencies of Pseudomonastaeanensis, known as the phosphorus accumulating microorganism. The heavy metals were added individually and with the binary mixture to the batch culturing system of Pseudomonastaeanensis. $IC_{50}$ and $EC_{50}$ were used to quantitatively evaluate their effects on the growth and phosphorus removal efficiency of Pseudomonas taeanensis in those treatments. Additionally, additive index value method was used to evaluate the interactive effects of heavy metals for Pseudomonas taeanensis in this study. As those heavy metals were singly added to Pseudomonastaeanensis, the greatest inhibitory effect on its growth and P removal efficiency was observed in Cd, whereas, the smallest effect was found in Ni. As the concentrations of all heavy metals added were gradually increased, its growth and P removal efficiency was correspondingly decreased. Specifically, $IC_{50}$ of Pseudomonas taeanensis for Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni were $0.44mg\;L^{-1}$, $5.12mg\;L^{-1}$, $7.46mg\;L^{-1}$, $8.37mg\;L^{-1}$ and $14.56mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. The P removal efficiency of Pseudomonas taeanensis was 81.1%. $EC_{50}$ values of Pseudomonas taeanensis for Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni were $0.44mg\;L^{-1}$, $4.08mg\;L^{-1}$, $7.17mg\;L^{-1}$, $8.90mg\;L^{-1}$ and $11.26mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively. In the binary treatments of heavy metals, the lowest $IC_{50}$ and $EC_{50}$ were found in the Cd + Cu treatment, whereas, the highest $IC_{50}$ and $EC_{50}$ were found in the Zn + Pb and Pb + Ni treatments, respectively. Most of the interactive effects for the binary mixture treatments of heavy metals were antagonistic. Based on the results obtained from this study, it appears that they could provide the basic information about the toxic effects of the respective individual and binary treatments of heavy metals on the growth and P removal efficiency of other phosphorus accumulating organisms.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.101-109
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• 1994

Pharmacological characterization of GS 283, a tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative has been elucidated using rat thoracic aorta, guinea pig tenea coli and rabbit mesentery artery in vitro. GS 283 showed calcium antagonistic action in vascular smooth muscle, since high $K^+-induced$ contraction was concentration dependently inhibited. GS 283 also inhibited the contraction induced by ${\alpha}_1$ receptor activation. Vasodilating action of GS 283 was not modified by the propranolol, indicating that GS 283 has no ${\beta}$ receptor stimulatory action. Simultaneous measurement of intracellular calcium change and muscle tension indicated that the inhibitory effect of GS 283 was accompanied by the increase in tissue fluorescence. This increment was not due to fura 2 fluorescence but to endogenous pyridine nucleotide, suggesting that GS 283 has an effect to inhibit mitochondrial function. GS 283 had an inhibitory action on cyclic AMP and GMP-dependent phosphodiesterases from rat brain with Ki values of 2.5 and 6.7 mM. From these findings we concluded that GS 283 has multiple action such as the inhibition of cyclic nucleotide-dependent phosphodiesterases, blocking of calcium channel as well as inhibition of mitochondrial function which are responsible for vasodilatation.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.9-20
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• 2020

Background: Although a number of Panax ginseng cultivars have been developed by Korean researchers in recent years, there has been insufficient analysis of their beneficial properties. In this study, we sought to identify useful ginseng varieties as functional materials. Methods and Results: We evaluated effects of root extracts of 10 ginseng cultivars (Cheongsun; CS, Chunpoong; CP, Gopoong; GP, Gumpoong; GMP, K1, Sunhyang; SH, Sunone; SO, Sunpoong; SP, Sunun; SU and Yunpoong; YP) against the inhibitory effects of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in mouse brain microglial BV2 cells, as well as the binding of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), a marker related to memory. Ginsenosides, such as 20 (S)-protopanaxadiols (PPDs), including ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2, -Rb3, -Rc, -Rd, and - Rg3 and 20 (S)-protopanaxatriols (PPTs) including -Re, -Rg1, and -Rg2 were analyzed by HPLC. We observed that the cultivar GMP showed the highest inhibitory effect (60.8%) against NO production at 20 ㎍/㎖. Those cultivars showing the significantly highest inhibition effects against ROS at 20 ㎍/㎖ were K1 (57.3%), SP (54.5%), YP (53.1%), CP (51.7%), CS (50.9%) and SH (49.6%). At 50 ㎍/㎖, K1 showed the most potent inhibitory effect (51.2%) on NMDAR binding. The total phenol content of SH (1.89 mg/g) and K1 (1.73 mg/g) were higher than those of the other cultivars, whereas in terms of PD/PT ratios, the values of CP (0.98), K1 (1.05) and SO (1.05) were lower than those of the other cultivars. On the basis of correlation coefficient (0.7064) between NMDAR inhibition and ONOO^- scavenging activity. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that the cultivars K1 and SH could be useful ginseng resources as functional materials with favorable cognition-improving and antioxidative properties.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3651-3657
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• 2014

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a relatively higher incidence in many countries of Asia. Globally, HCC has a high fatality rate and short survival. Epirubicin, a doxorubicin analogue, may be administered alone or in combination with other agents to treat primary liver cancer and metastatic diseases. However, the toxic effects of epirubicin to normal tissues and cells have been one of the major obstacles to successful cancer chemotherapy. Here, we investigated the effects of epirubicin in combination with kappa-selenocarrageenan on mice with H22 implanted tumors and HepG-2 cell proliferation, immune organ index, morphology, cell cycle and related protein expressions in vivo and in vitro with sequential drug exposure. The inhibitory rate of tumor growth in vivo was calculated. Drug sensitivity was measured by MTT assay, and the King's principle was used to evaluate the interaction of drug combination. Morphological changes were observed by fluorescent microscopy. Cell cycle changes were analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression of cyclin A, Cdc25A and Cdk2 were detected by Western blotting. In vivo results demonstrated that the inhibitory rate of EPI combined with KSC was higher than that of KSC or EPI alone, and the Q value indicated an additive effect. In addition, KSC could significantly raise the thymus and spleen indices of mice with H22 implanted tumors. In the drug sensitivity assay in vitro, exposure to KSC and EPI simultaneously was more effective than exposure sequentially in HepG-2 cells, while exposure to KSC prior to EPI was more effective than exposure to EPI prior to KSC. Q values showed an additive effect in the simultaneous group and antagonistic effects in the sequential groups. Morphological analysis showed similar results to the drug sensitivity assay. Cell cycle analysis revealed that exposure to KSC or EPI alone arrested the cells in S phase in HepG-2 cells, exposure to KSC and EPI simultaneously caused accumulation in the S phase, an effect caused by either KSC or EPI. Expression of cyclin A, Cdc25A and Cdk2 protein was down-regulated following exposure to KSC and EPI alone or in combination, exposure to KSC and EPI simultaneously resulting in the lowest values. Taken together, our findings suggest that KSC in combination with EPI might have potential as a new therapeutic regimen against HCC.