• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.19
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• 2024

TNF, a pleiotropic proinflammatory cytokine, is important for protective immunity and immunopathology during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, which causes tuberculosis (TB) in humans. TNF is produced primarily by phagocytes in the lungs during the early stages of Mtb infection and performs diverse physiological and pathological functions by binding to its receptors in a context-dependent manner. TNF is essential for granuloma formation, chronic infection prevention, and macrophage recruitment to and activation at the site of infection. In animal models, TNF, in cooperation with chemokines, contributes to the initiation, maintenance, and clearance of mycobacteria in granulomas. Although anti-TNF therapy is effective against immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, it carries the risk of reactivating TB. Furthermore, TNF-associated inflammation contributes to cachexia in patients with TB. This review focuses on the multifaceted role of TNF in the pathogenesis and prevention of TB and underscores the importance of investigating the functions of TNF and its receptors in the establishment of protective immunity against and in the pathology of TB. Such investigations will facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies that target TNF signaling, which makes beneficial and detrimental contributions to the pathogenesis of TB.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1207-1213
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• 2016

Schisandrae fructus (SF) and Mori folium (MF) have been used as traditional medicines for thousands of years in parts of Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan. Recent researches on SF and MF have documented a wide spectrum of therapeutic properties, including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenesis effects. However, the toxicity and safety of SF and MF, and their mixture (medicinal herber mixture, MHMIX) were not confirmed. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the acute toxicity and safety of SF, MF and MHMIX. SF, MF and MHMIX were orally administered at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg in ICR mice. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in the body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during the 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy. We also measured parameters of organ weight, clinical chemistry, and hematology. No dead and no clinical signs were found during the experiment period after administration of a single oral dose of SF, MF and MHMIX. There were no adverse effects on clinical signs, body weight, or organ weight and no gross pathological findings in any treatment group. Therefore, LD50 value of SF, MF and MHMIX may be over 5,000 mg/kg and it may have no side toxic effect to ICR mice. The results on the single-dose toxicity of SF, MF and MHMIX indicate that it is not possible to reach oral dose levels related to death or dose levels with any harmful side effects.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2018

In this study, cosmetic materials were developed using a new method of making juice through the fermentation of raw natural materials with microorganisms in order to supplement the advantages and disadvantages of an organic solvent extraction method and a microbial fermentation method. The natural products were selected from two colors (red, green) of paprika known to be rich in various colors and vitamins. The microorganisms used for fermentation were fermented by inoculating paprika with lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum) having sugar-hydrolyzed ability. First, we investigated the changes of physiologically active substances of two kinds of paprika juice and two kinds of fermented paprika juice. Total phenols content and total flavonoids content were higher in the fermented paprika juice than in the paprika juice, and especially in the fermented red paprika juice. Free radical scavenging effect and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect were also showed an excellent antioxidative effect on paprika fermented juice, among which the effect of red paprika fermentation juice was the highest. The expression of MMP-1 in fermented red paprika juice with high antioxidant activity was inhibited by concentration-dependent expression of MMP-1 mRNA and MMP-1 protein. In the glycation experiments with aging, the anti-glycation effect of fermented paprika juice was highly inhibited by the production of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which was closely related to the antioxidant effect. In addition, the activity of senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal), an indicator of cell senescence, was measured using human dermal fibroblast (HDF). The results showed that the cell senescence was inhibited when the cells were treated with fermented paprika juice. In conclusion, fermented paprika juice using lactic acid bacteria showed better antioxidative and anti-aging effects than paprika juice. Among them, fermented red paprika juice has the best antioxidant and anti-aging effect and can be applied as natural new material of antioxidant and anti-aging.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 2017

Objectives: Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) constitute the first line of defense against invading microbial pathogens. Early events in inflammation involve the recruitment of neutrophils to the site of injury or damage where changes in intracellular calcium can cause the activation of pro-inflammatory mediators from neutrophils including superoxide generation, degranulation and release of myeloperoxidase (MPO), productions of interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), and adhesion to the vascular endothelium. To address the anti-inflammatory role of flavonoids, in the present study, we investigated the effects of the flavonoids quercetin and vitexin on the stimulus-induced nitric oxide (NO), $TNF-{\alpha}$, and MPO productions in human neutrophils. Methods: Human peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated, and their viabilities were determined by using the Trypan Blue exclusion test. The polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) preparations contained more than 98% neutrophils as determined by morphological examination with Giemsa staining. The viabilities of cultured neutrophils with various concentrations of quercetin and vitexin ($1-100{\mu}M$) were studied using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Neutrophils were cultured in complete Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) medium, pre-incubated with or without quercetin and vitexin ($25{\mu}M$) for 45 min, and stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) ($10^{-7}M$). NO production was carried out through nitrite determination by using the Griess method. Also, the $TNF-{\alpha}$ and the MPO productions were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and MPO assay kits. Results: Neutrophil viability was not affected up to a concentration of $100{\mu}M$ of quercetin or vitexin. Both quercetin and vitexin significantly inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}$, NO, and MPO productions in human neutrophils (P < 0.001). Conclusion:The present study showed that both quercetin and vitexin had significant anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, treatment with either quercetin or vitexin may be considered as a therapeutic strategy for treating patients with neutrophil-mediated inflammatory diseases.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.396-402
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• 2012

The chemical composition, anti-porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) activity and antimicrobial activity of Artemisia dubia essential oil were evaluated in this study. Fifty eight compounds from A. dubia essential oil were identified through analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major constituents of the oil were camphor (17.18 %), germacrene-D (15.70%), trans (${\beta}-$) racaryophyllene (6.79%), ene thujones (6.57%), 1, 8-cineole (5.94%) and camphene (5.08%). The essential oil was evaluated for antiviral activity against PEDV in Vero cells using a cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction method. The oils actively inhibited PEDV replication with a 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) of 43.7 ${\mu}^3/mL$. The 50% cytotoxicity concentration ($CC_{50}$) of the oils was over 100 ${\mu}/mL$ and the derived therapeutic index was >2.3. Similar analysis of the ribavirin revealed that they have a relatively weaker efficacy when compared to the oils. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil against 5 microorganisms was evaluated by the disc diffusion method. The essential oil exhibited antimicrobial activity against 5 tested microorganisms with a clear zone of 8-22 mm. Among the tested microorganisms, Streptococcus pyogenes was the most sensitive and Candida albicans the least. Therefore, in can be concluded that essential oils of A. dubia may have interesting applications for microbial control or the control of PEDV-derived diseases.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2011

The Egr-1 gene is known to be a transcription factor for activating the expression of many tumor-repressing genes. In this study, three strains activating the promoter of the Egr-1 gene were selected, through the use of Egr-1 luciferase reporter assay and western blotting, from amongst approximately 3,800 oligotrophic bacteria isolated from the cultivated soils of various regions within Korea. These strains were identified as Pseudomonas koreensis on the basis of phylogenetic tree analysis of their 16S ribosomal DNA sequences and biochemical characteristics analyses using a variety of commercial kits (API 20NE, ID 32GN, API ZYM kits). In addition, we discovered that these strains produced anti-bacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.1 s.81
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• pp.137-142
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• 2007

For the production of natural pigments with microbe, the strains which produced monascus pigment were isolated, and then culture condition and extraction condition were investigated. These results are summarized as follows; The strain which ran produce monascus natural pigment was isolated from natural microbial sources and we made mutant of this strain with UV($235_{nm}$, 30 second) irradiation. The mutant was identified as Monascus sp. MK2-2. The optimal culture conditions were investigated optimal medium containing 0.3% rice powder, 0.2% yeast extract, 0.3% $NH_4H_2PO_4$ and $30^{\circ}C$ in a rotary shaker (120 rpm) for 5 days (initial pH 5.0), while the pigment production was determined at 24 hr intervals. The effective carbon sources were wheat flour > rice powder > fructose, and effective nitrogen sources were sodium nitrate > $KNO_3$ for production of the monascus natural pigment. The pigment capacity is good from 17 to 22 in C/N ratio. The production amount of monascus natural pigment was 0.38 g per 1 kg of rice. Also, extract of red yeast rice had anti-thrombosis activity like a degree of aspirin.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.241-251
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• 2020

This study was performed to develop the cosmetics containing extract of U.davidiana, which has been confirmed as a functional ingredient of anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, and also to evaluate the improvement effects of dry and sensitive skin such as atopic dermatitis. Toxicity tests of the Ulmus davidiana supercritical fluid residue 60% EtOH extracts(USCFR), Ulmus davidiana supercritical fluid extracts(USCF) and preliminary formulations, DKBP-1903(gel), containing the USCFR and USCF were determined to be 'Non-toxic'. Based on this, the stability test of the lotion, cream, gel formulation was conducted and the results showed that cream and gel formulation were stable. A 48-hour moisturizing sustainability test and the improvement test on the pruritus caused by dryness were selected for the cosmetic efficacy test to evaluate the improvement of atopic dermatitis and as a result both cream and gel have been found to be relatively safe moisturizers that can help dry and sensitive skin.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 2019

The leave of Polygonum tinctorium (LPT) have been used for centuries as a traditional medicine and as a food ingredient and natural dye. The aim of the current study was to develop high-value added products using LPT. Hot water extract (HWE) and ethanol extract (EE) of LPT were prepared, respectively, and their bioactivity was evaluated. The extraction ratio for the HWE was 27.6%, which was two-fold higher than that of the EE. The contents of total polyphenol in the HWE and total sugar in the EE were 51.2 mg/g and 297.8 mg/g, respectively. The total flavonoid and reducing sugar contents were similar in the extracts, irrespective of the extraction solvent. The HWE did not show antimicrobial activity in a disc-diffusion assay, but the EE showed strong growth inhibition against gram-positive bacteria. The EE exhibited stronger DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and reducing power than those of the HWE. The HWE was particularly effective as a scavenger of nitrite ($RC_{50}$ of $6.0{\mu}g/ml$). In an antithrombosis activity assay, the EE showed significant anticoagulation activity as determined by an extended blood coagulation time (thrombin time, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time), in addition to platelet aggregation activity. The HWE also showed platelet aggregation inhibitory activity. This report provides the first evidence of antithrombosis activities of LPT. Our results suggest that LPT has potential as a new antioxidant and antithrombosis agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2017

In this study, for the efficient use of the byproduct of the omija (Schizandra chinensis Baillon: SC) processing industry, the ethanol extracts of the fruit (F), seed (S), and pomace (P) of SC were prepared, and their useful bioactivities were evaluated. For F-SC, S-SC, and P-SC, the extraction yields were 28.3%, 22.1%, and 7.2%, respectively, and the polyphenol contents were 8.81, 37.22, and 9.20 mg/g, respectively. The total flavonoid content in P-SC (4.31 mg/g) was 3.5-fold higher than that in F-SC (0.76 mg/g). In an antioxidation activity assay, P-SC showed stronger radical scavenging activities against DPPH anion, ABTS cation, and nitrite and stronger reducing power activities than the other extracts. The calculated concentration required for 50% radical scavenging activity, $RC_{50}s$, of P-SC for DPPH anion, ABTS cation, and nitrite was 226.2, 192.5, and $92.5{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In an antimicrobial activity assay, F-SC, S-SC, and P-SC showed similarly strong growth inhibitions against Bacillus subtilis and P. vulgaris at a concentration of 0.5 mg/disc. F-SC and P-SC showed 15-fold extended time in thrombin, prothrombin, and activated partial thromboplastin time assays at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. The anticoagulation activity of P-SC (2.5 mg/ml) was comparable to that of aspirin (1.5 mg/ml). Furthermore, F-SC and S-SC showed very good platelet aggregation inhibitory activities. F-SC, S-SC, and P-SC did not show significant hemolysis against human red blood cell up to a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. These results suggest that S-SC and P-SC, both of which are byproducts of the omija processing industry, show strong potential as novel antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antithrombosis agents.