• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.15-23
• /
• 2010

The spice phenomenon therapy is to adhibit aromatic herbs or materials to the human body or clothing, for the purpose of preventing and treating diseases. Mankind found the fire, and found that some plants and trees give off smoke when they are burning. Then, they found that some of aromatic substances had certain actions after being absorbed through the respiratory organ, which was the beginning of the spice phenomenon therapy. The spice phenomenon therapy is effective to relieve the exterior syndrome, to eliminate dampness, to regulate Qi flow, and to induce resuscitation. It has two actions. One is that the aromas that permeated the body, refreshes the mind, stimulates the appetite, strengthens the spleen and the stomach, and makes a relaxing sleep. The other is that the aromatic substances, absorbed into the human body, have pharmacological actions. The volatile aromatic substances have various pharmacological actions such as stimulating cranial nerves, dilating cardiac blood vessels, promoting gastric secretion, relaxing and sleep-inducing. It has been proved that the spice phenomenon therapy is anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial and is effective to dilate cerebral blood vessels and to ease the pain. It is expected to be studied more aggressively.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.36 no.3 s.142
• /
• pp.195-200
• /
• 2005

Smilacis Chinae Radix is root of Smilax china L.. It has been known as a korean folk medicine for anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial diuresis, detoxification and relieving enteropathy as diarrhea. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) are continuously produced at a high rate as a by-product obtained in the aerobic metabolism. A major portion of living organisms has defense system as superoxide dismutase or catalase against damage produced by ROS. Several lines of evidence provided that ROS appears to cause to develop aging and various diseases. In this study, we have investigated the antioxidant activities of Smilacis Chinae Radix in order to screen the antioxidant substances from natural products. As a result, EtOAc extract of Smilacis Chinae Radix exhibited potent antioxidant effect on various antioxidant experiment. The major components of antioxidant activity were isolated from EtOAc extract of Smilacis Chinae Radix. Their structure of compounds were identified as quercetin and (-)-epicatechin by spectroscopic evidence, respectively.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.441-451
• /
• 2016

Squalene is a linear triterpene formed via the MVA or MEP biosynthetic pathway and is widely distributed in bacteria, fungi, algae, plants, and animals. Metabolically, squalene is used not only as a precursor in the synthesis of complex secondary metabolites such as sterols, hormones, and vitamins, but also as a carbon source in aerobic and anaerobic fermentation in microorganisms. Owing to the increasing roles of squalene as an antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory agent, the demand for this chemical is highly urgent. As a result, with the exception of traditional methods of the isolation of squalene from animals (shark liver oil) and plants, biotechnological methods using microorganisms as producers have afforded increased yield and productivity, but a reduction in progress. In this paper, we first review the biosynthetic routes of squalene and its typical derivatives, particularly the squalene synthase route. Second, typical biotechnological methods for the enhanced production of squalene using microbial cell factories are summarized and classified. Finally, the outline and discussion of the novel trend in the production of squalene with several updated events to 2015 are presented.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2014

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory, relapsing, chronic skin disease and lesions in AD are frequently colonized with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Activation of T cells and IgE production by staphylococcal enterotoxins B (SEB) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AD. Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is a nonpathogenic bacterium and produces the probiotic products that have been shown to have inhibitory effects on inflammatory responses. In present study, we carried out to assess the anti-inflammatory role of lyzed E. faecalis against the damaging effects of SEB on AD related immune responses. Furthermore, we attempted to determine whether the co-cultured lyzed E. faecalis can influence the colonization of S. aureus. As a result, we identified the effect of E. faecalis lysate as a potent therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis (AD). E. faecalis lysate reduces the productions of total IgE and cytokines of AD-related immune cells in response to SEB stimulation. The proliferation of S. aureus was also inhibited by E. faecalis lysate. In conclusions, E. faecalis lysate may improve the skin-defense system disturbed by atopic condition, and may prevent subsequent secondary infection of S. aureus and development of AD.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.104-125
• /
• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-microbial of various herbal extracts on six types of bacteria related to skin diseases and effects of Saussurea lappa extract on dermatitis and acne. The results are followed ; 1. In the experiment on P. acnes using paper disk methods, Eugenia caryophyllata extract made 19mm clear zone, Saussurea lappa extract and Morus alba extract made 13mm and MIC of Morus alba extract and Eugenia caryophyllata extract was below 0.01$\%$. 2. In the experiment on S. aureus, extract of Eugenia caryophyllata, Poncirus trifoliata and Rubus coreanus made 9-10mm clear zone. 3. In the experiment on C. xerosis, Sesamum indicum extract made 16mm clear zone and MIC of that was 0.3$\%$. 4. In the experiment on C. albicans, extract of Cinnamomum cassia, Eugenia caryophyllata and Asparagus cochinchinensis made 9-10mm clear zone. 5. In the experiment on P. ovale, Cinnamomum cassia extract made 25mm clear one, MIC of that was 0.05$\%$. 6. In the experiment on T. mentagrophytes, Cinnamomum cassia extract made 26mm clear zone, extract of Eugenia caryophyllata, Rhizoma kaempferiae, Piper longum, Saussurea lappa and Zingiber officinale made 18-22mm clear zone, MIC of all extracts was below 0.02$\%$. 7. Saussurea lappa extract inhibited 85$\%$ and 28$\%$ of NO production at 50㎍／㎖ and 5 ㎍／㎖ 8. Saussurea lappa extract inhibited activity of COX Ⅱ over 50$\%$ at 10㎍／㎖ 9. Saussurea lappa extract had not radical scavenging activity and Saussurea lappa extract didn't inhibit manifestation of IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$, and activity of 50- reductase I.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.50-57
• /
• 2014

NF-${\kappa}B$ is a transcriptional factor which is involved in many biological processes including immunity, inflammation, and cell survival. Many investigators studied on the mechanism involved in activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ signalling pathway via ubiquitination and degradation of $I{\kappa}B$ regarding skin disease. Some specific molecules including Akt, MEK, p38 MAP Kinase, Stat3, et al. represent convergence points and key regulatory proteins in signaling pathways controlling cellular events such as growth and differentiation, energy homeostasis, and the response to stress and inflammation. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has many adverse effects on skin, including inflammation, alteration in the extracellular matrix, cellular senescence, apoptosis and skin cancer. Prunus mume, a naturally derived plant extract, has beneficial biological activities as blood fluidity improvement, anti-fatigue action, antioxidative and free radical scavenging activities, inhibiting the motility of Helicobacter pyolri. Previous reports on various beneficial function prompted us to investigate UVB-induced or other immunostimulated biological marker regarding P. mume extract. P. mume extract suppresses UVB-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in mouse skin epidermal JB6 P+ cells. The activation of activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ induced by UVB was dose-dependently inhibited by P. mume extract treatment. This results suggest that P. mume extracts might be used as a potential agents for protection of inflammation or UVB induced skin damage.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.29-41
• /
• 2005

Objectives : The use of natural products with therapeutic properties is as ancient as human civilisation and, for a long time, mineral, plant and animal products were the main sources of drugs. Catalposide, the major iridoid glycoside isolated from the stem bark of Catalpa ovata G. Don (Bignoniceae) has been shown to possess anti-microbial and anti-tumoral properties. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress response protein and is known to play a protective role against the oxidative injury. In this study, we examined whether catalposide could protect Neuro 2A cells, a kind of neuronal cell lines, from oxidative damage through the induction of HO-1 protein expression and HO activity. We also examined the effects of catalposide on the productions of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$ and nitric oxide (NO) on RAW 264.7 macrophages activated with the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide. Methods : HO-1 expression in Neuro 2A cells was measured by Western blotting analysis. NO and $TNF--{\alpha}$ produced by RAW 264.7 macrophage were measured by Griess reagent and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results : The treatment of the cells with catalposide resulted in dose- and time-dependent up-regulations of both HO-1 protein expression and HO activity. Catalposide protected the cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death. The protective effect of catalposide on hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death was abrogated by zinc protoporphyrin IX, a HO inhibitor. Additional experiments revealed the involvement of CO in the cytoprotective effect of catalposide-induced HO-1. In addition, catalposide inhibited the productions of $TNF--{\alpha}$ and NO with significant decreases in mRNA levels of $TNF--{\alpha}$ and inducible NO synthase. Conclusions : Our results indicate that catalposide is a potent inducer of HO-1 and HO-1 induction is responsible for the catalposide-mediated cytoprotection against oxidative damage and that catalposide may have therapeutic potential in the control of inflammatory disorders.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.345-356
• /
• 2004

The triclosan was shown to have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effect with inhibition of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$. The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether and how $PGE_2$ could be inhibited by triclosan in human gingival fibroblast. Human gingival fibroblast-1 cells (ATCC CRL2014) were pre-treated for 1 hour with triclosan (0.001 ${\mu}/ml{\sim}10$ ${\mu}/ml$) and then stimulated with $TNF-{\alpha}$ (1.0 ng/ml). $PGE_2$ synthesis was evaluated by ELISA and gene expression of COX-1 and COX-2 was evaluated by RT-PCR after $TNF-{\alpha}$, triclosan, and NS-398 (COX-2 inhibitor, 5, ${\mu}M$) and/ or cycloheximide (protein synthesis inhibitor, 2 ${\mu}g/ml$). Triclosan was cytotoxic to human gingival fibroblasts in the concentration higher than 1.0 ${\mu}g/ml$ for longer than 24 hours in tissue culture. The $PGE_2$ synthesis was inhibited by triclosan in dose-dependent manner. Greater COX-2 mRNA suppression was observed with triclosan (0.1 ${\mu}g/ml$) than with $TNF-{\alpha}$ alone, without change in COX-1 gene expression. Inhibitory effects of triclosan on $PGE_2$ synthesis disappeared in presence of cycloheximide. This study suggests that triclosan inhibit prostaglandin $E_2$ at the level of COX-2 gene regulation and require de novo protein synthesis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.193-199
• /
• 2013

We investigated the antioxidative and antimicrobial activities of the methanol extracts from Korean folk plants (MKs) in Chungcheong Province. Among 30 MKs, 16 plants at $100{\mu}g/ml$ showed over 90% scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) and 30 plants exerted the hydroxyl radical scavenging effect over 55%. Fourteen plants at the concentration $50{\mu}g/30{\mu}l$ showed strong microbial inhibition activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with clear zone greater than 11 mm in disc assays. Furthermore, the protective effect against anti-inflammatory system using RAW 264.7 macrophage cell was also studied. The treatment of LPS & INF-${\gamma}$ to RAW 264.7 cell induced nitric oxide (NO), however inhibit the formation of NO less than 50% of 5 plants. The present result indicates that the 30 species of MKs exerts protective effect of oxidative stress, antimicrobial activities and anti-inflammatory. In particular, Rhus javanica and Cornus controversa showed stronger effect on not only radical scavenging activity and inhibits growth of S. aureus but also highest protective effects from inflammation.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.51-55
• /
• 2011

To develop a health-aid preparation of Dioscorea batatas (DB), lactic acid fermentation was attempted using a mixed starter comprising of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium longum. The anaerobic fermentation of a 10% DB flour suspension gave a uniform suspension of pH 3.65, containing $8{\times}10^6$ CFU/mL lactic acid bacteria. During the administration of the lactic acid fermented DB (FDB) and DB to trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis mouse model, histological lesions, morphological damage, and myeloperoxidase acitivity were significantly reduced at a dosage of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day. Dose-response (200 and 400 mg/kg/day) studies revealed that FDB pre-treatment of mice significantly ameliorated the appearance of diarrhoea and the disruption of colonic architecture. In FDB-pretreated mice, there was a significant reduction in the degree of both neutrophil infiltration (measured as decrease in myeloperoxidase activity) and weight loss rates. Theses findings suggest that FDB exerts beneficial effects in experimental colitis and may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.