• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.721-727
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• 2007

Scorpion (SCP) has been clinically used for the treatment of endogenous wind to relieve convulsion, clearing away toxins, resolving hard masses and removing obstruction in the collaterals to relieve pain. Recent studies showed that scorpion toxins that affect the activating mechanism of sodium channels and indian black scorpion venom induced anti-proliferative and apoptogenic activity against human leukemic cell lines U937 and K562. There is lack of studies regarding the effects of SCP on the immunological activities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of SCP on the regulatory effects of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) for the immunological activities in Raw 264.7 cells. After the treatment of SCP MeOH extract dissolved in media for 1 h prior to the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS: 1 ${\mu}$g/ml), cell viability was measured by MTT assay, NO production was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was determined by immunoblot analysis, and levels of cytokine were analyzed by sandwich immunoassays. As results, SCP inhibited the production of nitrite and nitrate (0.3 and 1.0 mg/ml), iNOS and p-$I_KB_{\alpha}$ protein, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (0.3 and 1.0 mg/ml), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (0.3 and 1.0 mg/ml) and interleukin-6 (1.0mg/ml) in Raw 264.7 cells activated with LPS. These findings suggest that SCP can produce anti-inflammatory effect, which may play a role in adjunctive therapy in Gram-negative bacterial infections.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.520-526
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• 2013

To determine the kimchi with the best quality and functional characteristics, we manufactured and compared recipes for Korean and Japanese kimchi made either Korean or Japanese baechu cabbages. All batches were fermented for 4 weeks at $5^{\circ}C$, and tested for pH, texture, microbial count, sensory evaluation, DPPH radical-scavenging activity, and cell proliferation (using the MTT assay on AGS human gastric cancer cells). By the third week of fermentation, Korean kimchi made with Korean baechu (KK) and Japanese kimchi made with Korean baechu (KJ) showed a higher acidity than Korean or Japanese kimchi made with Japanese baechu (JK and JJ, respectively). KK ranked highest in springiness, followed by KJ, JK, and JJ. Therefore, the texture of kimchi produced with Korean baechu was appears better than kimchi produced with Japanese baechu. This was confirmed in masticatory tests. Kimchi produced with Korean baechu (KK and KJ) showed lower total aerobic bacterial counts, while the total lactic acid bacterial counts were higher (p<0.05). In sensory evaluation test, KK received the highest overall acceptability score, while JJ earned the lowest score. In the DPPH assay for anti-oxidative activity, KK showed a 94% anti-oxidative effect, followed by KJ (92%), JK (91%), and JJ (88%) (p<0.05). In the MTT assay for analyzing the cell proliferation of AGS human gastric cancer cells, KK showed a 64% anticancer effect in vitro, followed by KJ (57%), JK (38%), and JJ (26%). Therefore, the anti-oxidative and anti-cancer functionalities of kimchi made with Korean baechu were higher than those made with Japanese baechu, regardless of the kimchi recipe applied. Overall, Korean baechu had important and superior effects on the quality and functionality of kimchi.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.886-895
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• 2020

The development of novel peptide antibiotics with potent antimicrobial activity and anti-inflammatory activity is urgently needed. In a previous work, we performed an in-silico analysis of the Papilio xuthus transcriptome to identify putative antimicrobial peptides and identified several candidates. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of papiliocin 3, which was selected bioinformatically based on its physicochemical properties against bacteria and mouse macrophage Raw264.7 cells. Papiliocin 3 showed antibacterial activities against E. coli and S. aureus without inducing hemolysis and decreased the nitric oxide production of the lipopolysaccharide-induced Raw264.7 cells. Moreover, ELISA and Western blot analysis revealed that papiliocin 3 reduced the expression levels of pro-inflammatory enzymes, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). In addition, we examined whether papiliocin 3 could inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β) in LPS-induced Raw264.7 cells. We found that papiliocin 3 markedly reduced the expression level of cytokines through the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. We also confirmed that papiliocin 3 binds to bacterial cell membranes via a specific interaction with lipopolysaccharides. Collectively, these findings suggest that papiliocin 3 could be a promising molecule for development as a novel peptide antibiotic.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.561-570
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• 2004

To screen the effective materials for hair loss treatment, the Gamissanghwa-tang extracts were tested. As a result we found that the Gamissanghwa-tang extracts have the hair growth promoting effect. After topical application of each test materials to the back of CS7BL/6 mice, the earlier conversion of telogen-to-anagen phase was induced. In the experiments of 5α-reductase type II inhibition assay, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Semen Cuscutae showed effective potential to inhibit the activity of 5α-reductase type II. And hair growth index of the Gamissanghwa-tang extracts ranked as 1.2, especially the hair growth index of Fructus Rubi is highest as 1.8. But there were no plant extracts which have effect on the DNA proliferation of hair dermal papilla cell measured by [³H]thymidine incorporation, the expression of growth factors such as IGF-I, KGF, HGF estimated by RT-PCR and protein synthesis of vibrissae hair follicle measured by [/sup 35/S] cysteine incorporation. Cortex Cinnamomi showed anti-bacterial effect on P. ovale, Radix Paeoniae Alba has the highest radical scavening activity and Radix Glycyrrhizae has the highest effects of NO synthesis. These results suggest that Gamissanghwa-tang can be used as a potent treatment agent for helping hair growth stimulation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1635-1643
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to provide new insight into the mechanism whereby the housekeeping enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) locates to cell walls of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v. After purification, cytosolic and cell wall GAPDH (cw-GAPDH) forms were characterized and shown to be identical homotetrameric active enzymes. GAPDH concentration on cell walls was growth-time dependent. Free GAPDH was not observed on the culture supernatant at any time during growth, and provoked cell lysis was not concomitant with any reassociation of GAPDH onto the cell surface. Hence, with the possibility of cw-GAPDH resulting from autolysis being unlikely, entrapment of intracellular GAPDH on the cell wall after a passive efflux through altered plasma membrane was investigated. Flow cytometry was used to assess L. plantarum 299v membrane permeabilization after labeling with propidium iodide (PI). By combining PI uptake and cw-GAPDH activity measurements, we demonstrate here that the increase in cw-GAPDH concentration from the early exponential phase to the late stationary phase is closely related to an increase in plasma membrane permeability during growth. Moreover, we observed that increases in both plasma membrane permeability and cw-GAPDH activity were delayed when glucose was added during L. plantarum 299v growth. Using a double labeling of L. plantarum 299v cells with anti-GAPDH antibodies and propidium iodide, we established unambiguously that cells with impaired membrane manifest five times more cw-GAPDH than unaltered cells. Our results show that plasma membrane permeability appears to be closely related to the efflux of GAPDH on the bacterial cell surface, offering new insight into the understanding of the cell wall location of this enzyme.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.469-475
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• 2014

This study's goal was to obtain basic data about the functional gowns of health care providers. 828 health care providers, including 150 doctors, 224 dentists, 202 nurses, 61 physical therapists and 191 medical technicians, living in Seoul and Daejeon areas, participated in this survey. A questionnaire was created using 15 items about the current health care providers' gowns. 15 items were consisted of 3 parts; satisfaction rate and activity (part 1), preference the details of medical gown (part 2), and personal information (part 3). In this study, "wearer activity" was the main concern for them and the majority of respondents, regardless of their age and type of work, preferred the V neckline, short gown length (waist line), loose sleeves and anti-bacterial textiles. Only the doctors preferred the full sleeves, whereas, the others preferred short sleeves. The younger health care providers showed a slightly higher preference for the slim type gown, while the older providers preferred the straight type. In this study, most health care providers were not satisfied with their current gowns, except dentists. Physical therapist answered the highest score of dissatisfied for current wearing medical gown among the all health care professionals. The 20's answered the highest score of dissatisfaction among the all generation.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1213-1222
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• 2011

This research evaluated antibacterial and growth inhibition effects on three kinds of lactic acid bacteria and five kinds of food poisoning bacteria using Backryencho powder, hot water, 70% ethanol, and 95% ethanol extracts. Antibacterial activity was shown against Leu. mensenteroides for 8 and 10 mg/disc of the 95% ethanol extract solution and strong proliferation inhibition effects were displayed against B. subtilis, Stap. aureus, E. coli, and S. typhimurium. High antibacterial activity according to certain clear zone formations was shown especially for the 10 mg/disc. A 3% concentration of the 95% ethanol extract showed high growth inhibition effects against lactic acid bacteria, L. brevis, L. plantarum, and Leu. mesenteroids. The measurement of viable cell counts of S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis, and S. typhimurium indicated suppression effects by the 3% concentration of the 95% ethanol extract, at 49.60%, 41.54%, 35.95%, 28.82%, and 26.60% respectively. The antibacterial activities of the hot water, 70% ethanol, 95% ethanol extract of Backryencho against food poisoning bacteria and Kimchi fermentation lactic acid bacteria were confirmed through various methods of antibiotic measurement. Based on these results, Backryencho extract is considered a good source for a range of applications as a natural anti-bacterial agent for the storage ability of Kimchi and as a possible food preservative.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2017

Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in the dental field. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the most important bacteria in the formation of dental plaque and dental caries. In a previous study, we confirmed that the essential oil of Chrysanthemum boreale has antibacterial activity against S. mutans. Alpha-pinene is one of the major chemical components of Chrysanthemum boreale essential oil. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ${\alpha}-pinene$ on cariogenic properties such as growth, acid production, biofilm formation, and bactericidal activity on S. mutans. Alpha-pinene at a concentration range of 0.25-0.5 mg/mL significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and acid production of S. mutans. Biofilm formation was significantly inhibited at > 0.0625 mg/mL ${\alpha}-pinene$, similar to the data from scanning electronic microscopy. Under confocal laser scanning microscopy, the bacterial viability was decreased by ${\alpha}-pinene$ in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that ${\alpha}-pinene$ may be a useful agent for inhibiting the cariogenic properties of S. mutans.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.725-734
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• 2024

CYP102A1 from Bacillus megaterium is an important enzyme in biotechnology, because engineered CYP102A1 enzymes can react with diverse substrates and produce human cytochrome P450-like metabolites. Therefore, CYP102A1 can be applied to drug metabolite production. Terpinen-4-ol is a cyclic monoterpene and the primary component of essential tea tree oil. Terpinen-4-ol was known for therapeutic effects, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. Because terpenes are natural compounds, examining novel terpenes and investigating the therapeutic effects of terpenes represent responses to social demands for eco-friendly compounds. In this study, we investigated the catalytic activity of engineered CYP102A1 on terpinen-4-ol. Among CYP102A1 mutants tested here, the R47L/F81I/F87V/E143G/L188Q/N213S/E267V mutant showed the highest activity to terpinen-4-ol. Two major metabolites of terpinen-4-ol were generated by engineered CYP102A1. Characterization of major metabolites was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), gas chromatography-MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Based on the LC-MS results, the difference in mass-to-charge ratio of an ion (m/z) between terpinen-4-ol and its major metabolites was 16. One major metabolite was defined as 1,4-dihydroxyp-menth-2-ene by NMR. Given these results, we speculate that another major metabolite is also a mono-hydroxylated product. Taken together, we suggest that CYP102A1 can be applied to make novel terpene derivatives.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.137-147
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• 2017

The human skin is an ecosystem that provides habitat to various microorganisms. These comprise the skin microbiome and provide numerous benefits in addition to maintaining a symbiotic relation with the host. Various metabolites generated by the skin microbiome exert beneficial effects such as strengthening the skin barrier, and anti-aging and anti-inflammatory functions. In this study, we isolated a novel bacterium, designated Sporichthyacae strain K-07, from the human skin. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the newly found bacterium shares 93.4% homology with the genus Sporichthya, thus corroborating the discovery of a novel genus. We further analyzed the effect of the novel strain in vitro, by treating HaCaT cells with bacterial metabolite products. Treatment resulted in changes in the mRNA expression levels of filaggrin, claudin1, claudin4, SMase, CERS3, HAS3, aquaporin3, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, TSLP, and TARC. Specifically, the levels of filaggrin, claudin1, claudin4, SMase, CERS3, HAS3, and aquaporin3 were higher in strain K-07 metabolite product-treated cells than in control cells. These results showed that metabolite products of the novel strain K-07 enhanced the skin barrier and exert anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, these metabolite products could be potentially used for treatment of skin conditions.