• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.2 s.95
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• pp.137-144
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• 2007

Yam, Prunella was stepwise extracted with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. Anti-microbial activity of each extract was investigated. Hexane extract was tested for anti-microbial effect on Streptocaccus mutans, one of causative factor of dental caries. Methanol extracts of 7 plants were investigated to anti-microbial effects on S. mutans KCTC 5316, P. gingivalis KCTC 5352, S. aureus KCTC 1927 by means of agar diffusion method. Methanol extract of Yam and Prunella revealed anti-microbial activity against S. mutans, P. gingivalis, and S. aureus. Also, hexane fraction of Yam revealed anti-microbial activity against S. mutans. In sequence of hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, butanol fraction by Prunelia acted as potent anti-microbial agent on P. gingivalis. The measured MIC of hexane fraction of Yam and Prunella on S. mutans KCTC 5316 strain was 0.25 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml and the MIC of hexane fraction of Prunella on S. aureus was 0.5 mg/ml. The hexane fraction of Yam and Prunella suppressed viable ceil counts(VCC) of S. mutans, especially after 24 hrs. The Prunella hexane fraction suppressed VCC of S. aureus, after 12 and 24 hrs. Tested concentrations were 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/ml. the results were compared with control (0 mg/ml). The pH of S. mutans media and GTase activity were determined to evaluate the anticariogenic activity of Yam, Prunella hexane fraction. The pH were increased from 5.6 to 7.0-7.2 in concentration of 2.0 mg/ml. Yam hexane extraction revealed 35% inhibition to GTase activity and Punella inhibited 25% of GTase. These results suggest that the hexane extracts of Yam and prunella have Antibacterial activities against S. mutans, P. gingivalis, S. aureus and have preventive effect on dental caries.

• CELLMED
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.23.1-23.6
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• 2016

With the rapid developments in nanotechnology, an increasing number of nanomaterials have been applied in various aspects of our lives. Recently, pharmaceutical nanotechnology with numerous advantages has growingly attracted the attention of many researchers. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are nanomaterials that are widely used in many fields including diagnostics, therapeutics, drug-delivery systems, electronics, cosmetics, sunscreens, coatings, ceramic products, paints, and food additives, due to their magnetic, catalytic, semiconducting, anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, ultraviolet-protective, and binding properties. The present review focused on the recent research works concerning role of ZnO-NP on inflammation. Several studies have reported that ZnO-NP induces inflammatory reaction through the generation of reactive oxygen species by oxidative stress and production of inflammatory cytokines by activation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$). Meanwhile, other researchers reported that ZnO-NP exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the up-regulation of inflammatory cytokines and the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$, caspase-1, $I{\kappa}B$ $kinase{\beta}$, receptor interacting protein2, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Previous studies reported that size and shape of nanoparticles, surfactants used for nanoparticles protection, medium, and experimental conditions can also affect cellular signal pathway. This review indicated that the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of ZnO-NP was determined by the nanoparticle size as well as various experimental conditions. Therefore, the author suggests that pharmaceutical therapy with the ZnO-NP is one of the possible strategies to overcome the inflammatory reactions. However, further studies should be performed to maximize the anti-inflammatory effect of ZnO-NP to apply as a potential agent in biomedical applications.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.400-407
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• 2008

The aim of the present study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of petroleum ether and ethanol extracts of Scutia myrtina (Family: Rhamnaceae). In anti-inflammatory activity carrageenan and histamine induced paw oedema and cotton pellet induced granuloma for acute and chronic inflammatory models were studied in Wister albino rats. Based on the results of the present study it can be concluded that petroleum ether and ethanol extract of Scutia myrtina at 400 mg/kg has potential anti-inflammatory effect and they act in a dose dependent manner. Both extracts of Scutia myrtina showed antimicrobial activity against all bacterial and fungal strains tested at the concentration of $100\;{\mu}g$/ml. From the result, it can be concluded that the Scutia myrtina contain antibacterial and antifungal principle. Further more, besides the confirmation of the popular use; the obtained results demonstrate this herbal drug to represent a new source of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.371-375
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• 2006

Neomycin coupled to a polymer matrix via a metal linker was prepared and evaluated for prolonging antibacterial activity. Microcrystallized cellulose was chemically modified to cellulose xanthate(MCX) to afford metal binding sites. MCX was treated with Cu(II), Fe(III) or Zn(II) followed by reaction with neomycin (Ne). The release of Ne from MCX-Zn(II)-Ne was investigated and its activity duration was measured by ditch plate method. The amount of metal bound to MCX was 0.36 mmol/g matrix, 0.26 mmol/g matrix and 0.56 mmol/g matrix for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III), respectively. Ne bound to MCX-metal chelates was 0.006 mmol, 0.07 mmol and 0.01 mmol per g MCX for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III), respectively. The Ne release from MCX-Zn(II)-Ne was sustained even after seven washes, whereas Ne from MC/Zn(II)/Ne mixture was almost completely released in two washes. Antibacterial activity was prolonged with MCX-Zn(II)-Ne and MCX-Fe(III)-Ne, but not with MCX-Cu(II)-Ne when compared with that of free Ne. Taken together, these results suggest that neomycin coupled to MCX via a proper metal linker has a potential as a polymeric antibacterial agent with sustained activity.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.189-203
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• 2015

Membrane biofouling impedes wide application of membrane bioreactor (MBR) for wastewater treatment. Recently, quorum sensing (QS) mechanisms are accounted for one of major mechanisms in biofouling of MBRs. In this study, vanillin was applied to investigate reduction of biofouling in MBRs. MBR sludge was analyzed to contain QS signal molecules by cross-feeding biosensor assay and HPLC. In addition, the inhibitory activity of vanillin against bacterial quorum sensing was verified using an indicator strain CV026. The vanillin doses greater than 125 mg/L to 100 mL of MBR sludge showed 25% reduction of biofilm formed on the membrane surfaces. Two MBRs, i.e., a typical MBR as a control and an MBR with vanillin, were operated. The TMP increases of the control MBR were more rapid compared to those of the MBR with the vanillin dose of 250 mg/L. The treatment efficiencies of the two MBRs on organic removal and MLSS were maintained relatively constant. Extracellular polymeric substance concentrations measured at the end of the MBR operation were 173 mg/g biocake for the control MBR and 119 mg/g biocake for the MBR with vanillin. Vanillin shows great potential as an anti-biofouling agent for MBRs without any interference on microbial activity for wastewater treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.329-338
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• 2023

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is a foodborne pathogen that produces attaching and effacing lesions on the large intestine and causes hemorrhagic colitis. It is primarily transmitted through the consumption of contaminated meat or fresh produce. Similar to other bacterial pathogens, antibiotic resistance is of concern for EHEC. Furthermore, since the production of Shiga toxin by this pathogen is enhanced after antibiotic treatment, alternative agents that control EHEC are necessary. This study aimed to discover alternative treatments that target virulence factors and reduce EHEC toxicity. The locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) is essential for EHEC attachment to host cells and virulence, and most of the LEE genes are positively regulated by the transcriptional regulator, Ler. GrlA protein, a transcriptional activator of ler, is thus a potential target for virulence inhibitors of EHEC. To identify the GrlA inhibitors, an in vivo high-throughput screening (HTS) system consisting of a GrlA-expressing plasmid and a reporter plasmid was constructed. Since the reporter luminescence gene was fused to the ler promoter, the bioluminescence would decrease if inhibitors affected the GrlA. By screening 8,201 compounds from the Korea Chemical Bank, we identified a novel GrlA inhibitor named Grlactin [3-[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]-4-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-one], which suppresses the expression of LEE genes. Grlactin significantly diminished the adhesion of EHEC strain EDL933 to human epithelial cells without inhibiting bacterial growth. These findings suggest that the developed screening system was effective at identifying GrlA inhibitors, and Grlactin has potential for use as a novel anti-adhesion agent for EHEC while reducing the incidence of resistance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1617-1622
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• 2006

Long-term storage of feeds or feedstuffs in high temperature and humid conditions can be difficult because of microbial contamination. Essential oil isolated from industrial waste citrus peel could be used as a preservative because it is likely to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity. Our objective was to determine whether different levels (0.028, 0.056 and 0.112 g/kg) of citrus essential oil (CEO) would provide anti-microbial activity and enhance preservation of animal feed without influencing rumen fermentation. At 0.112 g/kg, CEO inhibited growth of Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Salmonela enteritidis (IFO 3313). Growth of E. coli recovered after 24 h of incubation, but S. enteritidis continued to be inhibited for 72 h. Preservation of antibiotic-free diets for swine was assessed by observing anti-aflatoxin activity. Aflatoxin was detected in control feed samples on days 16 (8 ppb) and 21 (8 ppb) and in anti-fungal agent (AA) treated samples on days 16 (2 ppb) and 21 (4 ppb). However, aflatoxin was not detected in feed samples treated with CEO. Treatment with CEO and AA did not influence ruminal pH, dry matter digestibility (DMD) or organic matter digestibility (OMD) over 48 h of incubation in rumen fluid. Acetate and propionate were slightly higher with CEO treatment (p<0.05), but total concentration of volatile fatty acid (VFA) was not significantly affected by treatment. Ammonia-N concentration was slightly higher for the control treatment (p<0.05). This study showed that treating feed with CEO enhances preservation of animal feed without influencing in vitro rumen fermentation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.303-313
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• 2009

Traditionally, Cham dang-gui (Angelica gigas Nakai) is one of the most popular herbal medicines in Asian countries including Korea. A. gigas has been used as a functional food product for treatment anemia, women's health care, a sedative, an anodyne or a tonic agent. Decursin and decursinol angelate isolated from the roots of A. gigas are pyranocoumarin compounds. Recently, as the global herbal medication market is increasing, investigations about pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate are rapidly increasing. We summarized previous studies about pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate, and reviewed relation with pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate on human disorder, focused on the approach for new drug development. Pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate were classified as anti-tumor activity, anti-bacterial activity, improvements of the circulating system, inhibition of cytochrome P-450 activity, anti-inflammation activity, anti-oxidant activity and cognitive-enhancing activites. The activity of A. gigas with improvement of the circulating system may have wide therapeutic potential for circulatory diseases, including diabetes, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Also, anti-inflammation activity A. gigas may be beneficial for the treatment and prevention of asthma, atopic dermatitis and rheumatism arthritis. This relation could potentially lead to the development of herbal new drugs. In order to development a new drug containing decursin and decursinol angelate, it is also necessary to consider the safety profile, and the information in this review would contribute to development a new drug from herbal medicine.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.25-36
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• 1994

It is weal known that bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates prostaglandin synthesis in various experimental system via enhancing the expression of cylooxygenase-2 (COX-2). This study was designed to characterize U)5-induced prostaglandin synthesis in mouse peritoneal macrophages LPS-stimulated prostaglandin synthesis in macrophages with short term exposure was not so much prominent, but there was a burst in prostaglandin synthesis 8 hours after the LPS treatment and this u·as accompanied with the increase of cyclooxygenase activity, Dexamethasone markedly inhibited prostaglandin synthesis in this system. Metabolic label ins data supported above observations and thus, it could be concluded that LPS induces the do novo synthesis of COX-2 by which it stimulates the prostaglandin synthesis in mouse peritoneal macrophages, These data suggested that this experimental model system could be used for the screening procedure of COX-2 selective inhibitors. Ketoprofen, a non steroidal anti inflammatory agent, appeared to inhibit COX-1 relatively more selectively than COX-2.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 2005

Objectives : Polygalae Radix (PR) from Polygalae tenuifolia (Polygalaceae) has been clinically used as a sedative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial agent. To extend pharmacological effects of PR in the central nervous system (CNS) on the basis of its CNS protective effect, the present study was conducted to identify the effect of PR, whether it shows the neuroprotective action against excitatory neurotoxicity. Methods : To identify the protective effect of PR to excitatory neuro-toxic agent, the present study was focused on the PR effect on cell death, that was caused by applying NMDA to nerve cell, elevation of $(Ca^{2+})_i$, releasement of glutamate, and ROS generation. Result : 1. PR methanol extract, at the concentration range of 0.05 to 5 g/ml, significantly inhibited NMDA (1 mM)-induced neuronal cell death as well as MK-801 (non competitive NMDA antagonist). 2. PR methanol extract $(0.5\;{\mu}g/ml)$ inhibited NMDA (1 mM)-induced elevation of cytosolic calcium concentration $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. NMDA application in the presence of MK-801 $(10\;{\mu}M)$ failed to produce the increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ through all the measurement time. 3. PR methanol extract $(0.5\;{\mu}g/ml)$ inhibited the NMDA-induced elevation of glutamate release. Also, MK-801 showed similar protective effects. 4. PR methanol extract $(0.5\;{\mu}g/ml)$ inhibited the NMDA-induced elevation of ROS generation. Also, MK-801 showed similar protective effects. Conclusion : The present study provides the availability of PR to exert its protective effect on the neuronal cell death in various neurodegenerative pathophysiological conditions.