• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 2010

Curcumin content of butanol fraction from C. longa was found to be 22.4942% of the highest content. However, in DPPH radical scavenging ability and antibacterial activity against methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA, CCARM3696), ethylacetate fraction contained 2.5791% of curcumin was exhibited highest activity. In comparison of enhancing antibiotic(ampicillin) effect against MRSA, ethanol extract contained 1.7838% of curcumin showed more strong activity. This indicates that the ethanol extract and some fractions from C. longa can have antibacterial activity and enhancing antibiotic effect possibly without curcumin. Appropriate use of antimicrobial agent was important point prior to the development of new antibiotics. And in that sence, extract and fractions of C. longa were worth using as synergist of antibiotics and natural antimicrobial agent.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.375-380
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• 2017

Background: The objective of this study were to determine the antibacterial activity and antibiotic activity-enhancing effect of 70% ethanol extract of the root of Rumex japonicus Houtt. and its fractions when used in combination with gentamicin against aerobic skin flora. Methods and Results: The antibacterial activity and antibiotic (gentamicin) activity enhancing effect against aerobic skin flora were determined using the disc diffusion assay. Chloroform fraction (CF) and ethyl acetate fraction (EF) showed higher activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis than those shown by other fractions. Regarding the antibiotic (gentamicin) activity-enhancing effect against aerobic skin flora, the n-hexane fraction (HF) and CF showed strong activity. The combination of HF and CF with gentamicin was evaluated using the broth dilution assay to determine the inhibitory effect on the growth of aerobic skin flora. The combination of CF with gentamicin exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus and S. epdermidis. MTT assay performed to determine the viability of L929 cells revealed that EF treatment resulted in viability of 33.96 - 116.76% at the tested concentration. The combination of 70% ethanol extract and its other fractions with gentamicin showed low cell toxicity. Conclusions: Appropriate use of antimicrobial agents is important prior to the development of new antibiotics. The 70% ethanol extract of the root of R. japonicus Houtt. and its fractions showed significant synergism with gentamicin when used in combination against S. aureus and S. epdermidis. Thus, R. japonicus Houtt. could be used as a functional materials in antimicrobial-related fields.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2024

Unlike resistant cells, persister cells resist antibiotics due to a decreased cellular metabolic rate and can transition back to normal susceptible cells when the antibiotic is removed. These persister cells contribute to the chronic symptoms of infectious diseases and promote the emergence of resistant strains with continuous antibiotic exposure. Therefore, eliminating persister cells represents a promising approach to significantly enhance antibiotic efficacy. Here, we found that Coicis Semen extract reduced Staphylococcus aureus persister cells at a concentration of 0.5 g/L. Linoleic acid and oleic acid, the major components of Coicis Semen extract, exhibited a comparable reduction in persister cells when combined with three antibiotics: ciprofloxacin, oxacillin, and tobramycin. Conversely, these effects were nullified in the presence of the surfactant Tween 80 (1%), suggesting that the hydrophobic characteristics of linoleic acid and oleic acids play a pivotal role in reducing the number of S. aureus persister cells. Considering the concentration-dependent effects of linoleic acid and oleic acid, the persister-reducing activity of Coicis Semen extract was primarily attributed to these fatty acids. Moreover, Coicis Semen extract, linoleic acid, and oleic acid increased the cell membrane permeability of S. aureus. Interestingly, this effect was counteracted by 1% Tween 80, indicating a close association between the reduction of persister cells and the increase in cell membrane permeability. The identified compounds could thus be used to eliminate persister cells, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy and shortening treatment duration. When used in conjunction with antibiotics, they may also mitigate chronic symptoms and significantly reduce the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.174-185
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• 2010

Full-length cDNAs are essential for the correct annotation of genomic sequences and for the functional analysis of genes and their products. To elucidate the functions of a large population of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) genes and to search efficiently for agriculturally useful genes, we have been taking advantage of the full-length cDNA Over-eXpresser (FOX) gene hunting system. With oligo dT column it purify the each mRNA from the flower organs, leaf and stem tissue. And about 120,000 cDNAs from the library were transformed into $\lambda$-pFLCIII-F vector. Of which 115,000 cDNAs from the library were transformed into T-DNA binary vector, pBigs for transformation study. We used normalized full-length cDNA and introduced each cDNA into Arabidopsis by in planta transformation. Full-length Chinese cabbage cDNAs were expressed independently under the CaMV 35S promoter in Arabidopsis. Selfed seeds were harvested from transgenic Arabidopsis. We had selected 2,500 transgenic plants by hygromycin antibiotic tolerant test, and obtained a number of transgenic mutants. Each transgenic Arabidopsis was investigated in morphological changes, fertility and leaf colour. As a result, 285 possible morphological mutants were identified. Introduced cDNA was isolated by PCR amplification of the genomic DNA from the transgenic mutants. Sequencing result and BLAST analysis showed that most of the introduced cDNA were complete cDNAs and functional genes. Also, we examined the effect of Bromelain on enhancing resistance to soft rot in transgenic Chinese cabbage 'Osome'. The bromelain gene identified from FOX hunting system was transformed into Chinese cabbage using Agrobacterium methods. Transformants were screened by PCR, then RT-PCR and real time PCR were performed to analyze gene expression of cysteine protease in the T1 and T2 generations. The anti-bacterial activity of bromelain was tested in Chinese cabbages infected with soft rot bacteria. The results showed that the over-expressed bromelain gene from pineapple conferred enhanced resistance to soft rot in Chinese cabbage.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1082-1094
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of Leuconostoc spp. isolated from radish kimchi and to investigate the potential for the use of functional ingredients by evaluating enzymatic characteristics, safety, and immune-enhancing effects among the isolates, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC53103 (LGG) as a control strain. All test strains exhibited β-glucosidase enzyme activity that releases β-1,4 sugar chain bonds. In addition, as a result of antibiotic resistance assay among the isolates, MIC values on 8 antibiotics were below compared to the EFSA standard, and hemolytic experiments confirmed that all showed gamma hemolysis without hemolytic ability. As a result of the antibacterial activity experiment, the Leu. mesenteroides K2-4 strain showed a higher activity than LGG against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, the activity of the NF-kB/AP-1 transcription factor increased when the isolates were treated in macrophage RAW cells. These results were related to increasing the high mRNA expression levels on TNF-α and IL-6 by Leu. mesenteroides K2-4 strain to be treated at low concentration. Consequently, we suggest that it will be useful as a candidate for functional food ingredients.