• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2017

In the central nervous system, viral infection can induce inflammation by up-regulating pro-inflammatory mediators that contribute to enhanced infiltration of immune cells into the central nervous areas. Celastrol is known to exert various regulatory functions, including anti-microbial activities. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects and the mechanisms of action of celastrol against astrocytes activated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), a synthetic dsRNA, as a model of pro-inflammatory mediated responses. Celastrol significantly inhibited poly(I:C)-induced expression of adhesion molecules, such as ICAM-1/VCAM-1, and chemokines, such as CCL2, CXCL8, and CXCL10, in CRT-MG human astroglioma cells. In addition, celastrol significantly suppressed poly(I:C)-induced activation of JNK MAPK and STAT1 signaling pathways. Furthermore, celastrol significantly suppressed poly(I:C)-induced activation of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathway. These results suggest that celastrol may exert its regulatory activity by inhibiting poly(I:C)-induced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators by suppressing activation of JNK MAPK-STAT1/$NF-{\kappa}B$ in astrocytes.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.284-293
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• 2010

To reduce anti-nutritional factors in plant protein sources for fish meal replacement in fish feeds, cottonseed and soybean meal (CS) were fermented with Aspergillus oryzae. A feeding trial was conducted to verify the effects of fermented CS (FCS) with phytase supplementation on gossypol detoxification, phosphorus digestibility, antioxidant activity, and growth performance of juvenile olive flounder over 10 weeks. Four diets were formulated to replace 0, 30, or 40% fish meal protein with CS or FCS (designated as CS0, CS30, FCS30P, and FCS40P). Phytase (1,000 FTU/kg) was added to FCS30P and FCS40P. The microbial fermentation significantly increased dietary total polyphenols and consequently led to higher DPPH radical-scavenging activities in fish feed and fish tissue. Dietary and liver gossypol concentrations were dramatically decreased by the fermentation process. Phosphorus digestibility was significantly increased in fish fed the FCS40P diet. However, growth performance decreased in fish fed FCS diets. This study demonstrates that the fermentation process and phytase supplementation can improve the phosphorus availability of plant protein sources in fish. The fermentation of CS by A. oryzae could increase antioxidant activities in feed and fish and effectively degrade toxic gossypol in cottonseed meal.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.99-103
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• 2016

In perennial ginseng plantations, the effective control of various diseases is one of the most critical factors for increasing yields. Enhancing the resistance to disease through induced systemic resistance (ISR) and anti-microbial activity of beneficial soil bacteria, is currently considered to be a potential promising approach to integrate pathogen management for sustainable agriculture. However, the effective in vitro culture systems for testing ISR in ginseng plants have been rarely reported. In this study, I have successfully developed an in vitro germ-free culture system of Panax ginseng seedling for diverse purposes. With this useful system, we also tested BTH-induced priming effects against Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum panacicola. Compared to the drain method for enhancing ISR effects to ginseng seedlings, the direct method of spraying leaves somewhat increased the defense activity to these major fungal pathogens. Consistently, the expression of pathogen related PgPR10 and PgCAT were greatly and rapidly enhanced in the BTH-treated ginseng seedlings by treatment with C. panacicola. Our results revealed that the in vitro culture system can be used for developing eco-friendly and versatile bio-control agents for harmful diseases in ginseng cultivation.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2018

In this study, the quality characteristics of cheonggukjang with addition of different quinoa were investigated. We evaluated the quality and sensory characteristics of cheonggukjang, including the pH, amino nitrogen, slime contents, color value, and total aerobic bacteria. Moreover, The anti-oxidant activities were measured as total polyphenol content, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The pH and amino nitrogen content were noted to significantly increase during the fermentation period in all the samples. The slime content of cheonggukjang added with quinoa increased with increased fermentation time, but cheonggukjang with addition of 20% of quinoa was decreased. The L value and b value decreased significantly with increased fermentation time, but the a value increased significantly. The microbial tests of cheonggukjang with addition of quinoa showed that the aerobic micro-organisms count was 7.45~9.10 Log cfu/g. Total polyphenol contents increased in all groups during the fermentation period, and activity increased with an increased percentage of added quinoa. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and SOD-like activity of cheonggukjang (with addition of quinoa) were also significantly higher than those of the control. The sensory quality of quinoa 10% cheonggukjang was stronger in flavor, and taste, and demonstrated a higher level of overall acceptability, when compared to the other groups.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.18-22
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• 2017

Objectives: The current investigation was carried out to determine the cytotoxic and the antimicrobial activities of methanolic extracts of Plumbago zeylanica. Methods: The stems, leaves, and whole plants were air dried and extracted with methanol by using a Soxhlet extractor for 72 hours at $55-60^{\circ}C$. The antimicrobial activities were determined from the zones of inhibition, which were measured by using the agar well diffusion method, and the cytotoxicity assays were performed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay method. Results: The methanolic extracts of the stem and the leaves of Plumbago zeylanica were tested against six bacterial species and nine fungal species, and both extracts showed antimicrobial activity in a dose-dependent manner. The leaf extract of Plumbago zeylanica showed maximum antimicrobial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus sub sp aureus and Fusarium oxysporum. The stem extract was found to be more antimicrobial against the Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Penicillium expansum species. MTT assays were used to test the cytotoxicity of the whole plant extract in the HCT-116 and the K-562 cell lines, and that extract was shown to have weak cytotoxicity in both cell lines. Conclusion: In the present study, the methanolic stem extracts of Plumbago zeylanica were found to possess remarkable antibacterial activities against many human and agricultural pathogens. The extracts were also found to possess significant antifungal activities, but the antifungal activities were less than the antibacterial activities. Finally, the extracts were found to have weak cytotoxicities in the HCT-116 and the K-562 cell lines.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.320-324
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• 2017

Eruca sativa is a rocket plant and a member of the Brassicaceae, which is considered to be an important chemo-preventive plant family. Although Eruca sativa has positive biological effects, the effect of Eruca sativa extract (ES) on improvement of skin barrier function has not been reported. In this study, we investigated the applicability of functional materials by examining a variety of physiological activities of Eruca sativa extract. ES showed anti-microbial activities against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. In particular, antimicrobial activities of ES against B. subtilis was the highest. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis of protein marker related to keratinocyte differentiation was determined. The treatment by ES (50 mg/L) showed a significant increase of involucrin expression compared with treatment by 0.1% DMSO as a control in skin equivalents, the ES-treated group showed similar level in the expression of involucrin compared to the group treated with the same concentration of WY14643 in $EpiDerm^{TM}$, a three-dimensional model of skin equivalents. These results indicate that ES promotes the expression of protein related to barrier properties of the skin. Therefore, ES may be an effective ingredient for skin barrier improvement.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2013

The effect of additives on the quality of ssamjang was investigated during storage. The L-, a- and b-values of ssamjang decreased gradually during storage, and the total color difference (${\Delta}E$) increased in the control group. The gas production of ssamjang was reduced in K-sorbate, alcohol and mustard added groups. The number of yeast increased rapidly up to 6 weeks of storage, then decreased in the mustard, alcohol, and K-sorbate added groups. The oxidation-reduction potential and water activity decreased until 6 weeks and 12 weeks, respectively, and then increased gradually. Titratable acidity increased with concomitant decrease in pH, however, it increased slightly in the K-sorbate and ethanol added groups. Reducing sugar content increased until 9 weeks of storage, except the turmeric added group. Alcohol content increased until 15 weeks in the Japanese apricot juice, and turmeric added group. The sensory test result for the taste, flavor and overall acceptability showed that mustard added ssamjang was more acceptable than other groups.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.338-344
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• 1998

New type of chitosan derivatives, chitosan-g-MAP, were synthesized by graft copolymerization of mono (2-methacryloyl oxyethyl) acid phosphate (MAP) into chitosan, in order to solubilize chitosan in water. Ceric ammonium nitrate was used as an initiator for graft copolymerization. The optimal conditions for graft copolymerization were determined on the basis of reaction temperature, time, and the concentration of initiator and monomer. The reaction conditions for the highest percentage of grafting were as follows: an initiator concentration, 3.5${\times}$10$\^$-3/ M; monomer concentration, 0.19 M; and reaction temperature, 40$^{\circ}C$ The reaction rate reached the maximum value after 4 hrs of reaction. Antifungal activity was tested against Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton violaceum by using chitosan-g-MAP and two other chitosan samples which have degree of deacetylation of 70% (DA-7) and 90% (DA-90). Their antifungal activities were investigated in weak acidic range. Maximum antifungal activity of them was observed at pH 5.75. Chitosan-g-MAP inhibited thoroughly the growth of Candida albicans and Trichophyton violaceum. Howerver, DA-70 and DA-90 showed higher antifungal activities on Trichophyton rubrum than that of chitosan-g-MAP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.338-342
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• 2002

Antimicrobial activity of yellow pigment produced by Monascus anka Y7 (Y7) was studied. The crude yellow pigment of Y7 showed antimicrobial activity against some bacteria and yeasts. The diameter of inhibition zone against gram-positive bacteria was a little smaller t]fan that of gram-negative bacteria to the crude yellow pigment. Especially, E2 fraction obtained from the crude yellow pigment by TLC method showed high anti-microbial activity against E. coli.. The fraction had bright yellow pigment, showing fluorescent light and having the maximum absorption at 373 nm. Citrinin, a mycotoxin which had been characterized as an antimicrobial substance from a Monascus strain, was not detected in the E2 fraction and in the crude yellow pigment by the results of TLC and HPLC. This indicates that the antimicrobial activity of Y7 pigments did not any relationship with citrinin. Yellow degree (b/a of Hunters color value) of Y7 pigment was much higher than that of other natural colorants such as annatto, gardenia yellow and carthamus yellow. But the colors of all of the yellow pigments were similar by panels. Thus, the yellow pigment of Y7 could be used as a useful alternative colorant for food industry, having the advantage of antimicrobial activity.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.272-276
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• 2011

Paeonia japonica has been widely used as a folk remedy for a long time. This study was performed to investigate antimicrobial substance of P. japonica extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethylacetate, methanol or hot water. The antimicrobial activities of the P. japonica extracts were determined using a paper disc method and liquid culture. The methanol fraction at a concentration of 10 mg/mL showed the strongest antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhimurim KCCM 11862. The ethylacetate fraction (5 mg/mL) showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Staphyloccoccus aureus KCCM 11593. In a study using liquid culture, the ethylacetate fraction from P. japonica showed the highest anti-microbial activity against S. aureus KCCM 11593 in a concentration range of 5~10 mg/mL. All fractions prepared from P. japonica inhibited the growth of S. aureus KCCM 11593 under our culture conditions.