• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.123-123
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• 2019

Xanthone is a kind of polyphenolic compounds that contain a distinctive chemical structure with a tricyclic aromatic ring found in a few higher plant families e.g. gentian root. This compound had a variety of biological activity, for instance antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. However, the effect of xanthone on mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation and its associated mechanism have not been elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate the anti-allergic inflammatory effects and the underlying molecular mechanism of xanthone in PMACI-stimulated human mast cells-1 (HMC-1). In this result, xanthone treatment decreased the production of histamine, pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-${\alpha}$), IL-6, and IL-8 and expressions of TSLP in PMACI-stimulated HMC-cells. In addition, xanthone significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of MAPKs and the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ signal pathway in activated mast cells. Furthermore, xanthone inhibited the activation of caspase-1, an IL-$1{\beta}$ converting enzyme, in PMACI-stimulated HMC-1 cells. These findings provide evidence that xanthone could be a potential therapeutic agent for allergy-related inflammatory disorders.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.1168-1178
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• 2018

The present study aimed to characterise anti-oxidant peptides from water-soluble protein extracts of Hanwoo beef and evaluate their anti-proliferative effect on human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT116). Antioxidant peptides were purified from the low-molecular-weight fraction (<3 kDa) of Hanwoo beef extract. Antioxidant activity of peptide fractions was determined using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Purified peptide (P3) displayed higher ORAC activity than the low-molecular-weight fraction ($202.66{\mu}M\;TE/g$ vs $167.38{\mu}M\;TE/g$ of dry matter, respectively) (p<0.05). The peptide sequence of P3 was Cys-Cys-Cys-Cys-Ser-Val-Gln-Lys (888.30 Da). The novel peptide P3, at $250{\mu}g/mL$, also significantly inhibited HCT116 cell proliferation up to 25.24% through phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 kinase (p<0.05). Hence, antioxidant peptide P3 from Hanwoo beef extract can be used as an antioxidative and anticancer agent in the functional food industry.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.282-290
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) is the major bioactive ingredient of Panax ginseng and has many pharmacological effects, including antiadipogenic, antiviral, and anticancer effects. However, the effect of G-Rg3 on mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation has not been investigated. Method: The antiallergic effects of G-Rg3 on allergic inflammation were evaluated using the human and rat mast cell lines HMC-1 and RBL-2H3. Antiallergic effects of G-Rg3 were detected by measuring cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), detecting calcium influx, and using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and in vivo experiments. Results: G-Rg3 decreased histamine release from activated mast cells by enhancing cAMP levels and calcium influx. Proinflammatory cytokine production was suppressed by G-Rg3 treatment via regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases/nuclear factor-kappa B and receptor-interacting protein kinase 2 (RIP2)/caspase-1 signaling pathway in mast cells. Moreover, G-Rg3 protected mice against the IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock. Conclusion: G-Rg3 may serve as an alternative therapeutic agent for improving allergic inflammatory disorders.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.718-729
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• 2022

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common primary esophageal malignancy with poor prognosis. Here, due to the necessity for exploring potential therapies against ESCC, we obtained the gene expression data on ESCC from the TCGA and GEO databases. Venn diagram analysis was applied to identify common targets. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed by Cytoscape software, and the hub targets were extracted from the network via cytoHubba. The potential hub nodes as drug targets were found by pharmacophore-based virtual screening and molecular modeling, and the antitumor activity was evaluated through in vitro studies. A total of 364 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ESCC were identified. Pathway enrichment analyses suggested that most DEGs were mainly involved in the cell cycle. Three hub targets were retrieved, including CENPF, CCNA2 (cyclin A), and CCNB1 (cyclin B1), which were highly expressed in esophageal cancer and associated with prognosis. Moreover, amentoflavone, a promising drug candidate found by pharmacophore-based virtual screening, showed antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects and induced G1 in esophageal squamous carcinoma cells. Taken together, our findings suggested that amentoflavone could be a potential cell cycle inhibitor targeting cyclin B1, and is therefore expected to serve as a great therapeutic agent for treating esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2023

Autophagy is a process of eliminating damaged or unnecessary proteins and organelles, thereby maintaining intracellular homeostasis. Deregulation of autophagy is associated with several diseases including cancer. Contradictory dual roles of autophagy have been well established in cancer. Cytoprotective mechanism of autophagy has been extensively investigated for overcoming resistance to cancer therapies including radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. Selective autophagy inhibitors that directly target autophagic process have been developed for cancer treatment. Efficacies of autophagy inhibitors have been tested in various pre-clinical cancer animal models. Combination therapies of autophagy inhibitors with chemotherapeutics are being evaluated in clinal trials. In this review, we will focus on genetical and pharmacological perturbations of autophagy-related proteins in different steps of autophagic process and their therapeutic benefits. We will also summarize combination therapies of autophagy inhibitors with chemotherapies and their outcomes in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Understanding of current knowledge of development, progress, and application of cytoprotective autophagy inhibitors in combination therapies will open new possibilities for overcoming drug resistance and improving clinical outcomes.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2023

Discovery of new substance that can regulate platelet aggregation or suppress aggregation will aid in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Artesunate is a compound from plant roots of Artemisia or Scopolia, and its effects have shown to be promising in areas of anticancer and Alzheimer's disease. However, the role and mechanisms by which artesunate affects the aggregation of platelets, and the formation of a thrombus are currently not understood. This study examined the ways artesunate affects platelets activation and thrombus formation induced by collagen. As a result, cAMP and cGMP production were increased significantly by artesunate relative to the doses, as well as phosphorylated VASP and IP₃R, substrates to cAMP-dependent kinase and cGMP-dependent kinase, in a significant manner. The Ca²⁺ normally mobilized from the dense tubular system was inhibited due to IP₃R, phosphorylation from artesunate, and phosphorylated VASP aided in inhibiting platelet activity via αIIb/β₃ platelet membrane inactivation and inhibiting fibrinogen binding. Finally, artesunate inhibited thrombin-induced thrombus formation. Therefore, we suggest that artesunate has importance with cardiovascular diseases stemming from the abnormal platelets activation and thrombus formation by acting as an effective prophylactic and therapeutic agent.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.184-189
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• 2023

Normal activation of platelets and their aggregation are crucial during hemostasis process. It appears excessive or abnormal aggregation of platelets may bring about cardiovascular diseases like stroke, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. For this reason, finding a substance that can regulate platelet aggregation or suppress aggregation will aid in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Artemisinin, a compound derived from Artemisia or Scopolia plants, has shown potential in various areas such as anticancer and Alzheimer's disease research. However, the specific role and mechanisms by which artemisinin influences platelet activation and thrombus formation are not yet fully understood. This study investigated the effects of artemisinin on platelet activation and thrombus formation. This study examined the effect of artemisinin on regulation of U46619-induced platelet aggregation, granule secretion. In addition, the effects of artemisinin on phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathway involved in platelet aggregation was studied. As a result, artemisinin significantly downregulated of PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathway. In addition, artemisinin significantly reduced granule secretion, and platelet aggregation was inhibited by artemisinin. Therefore, we suggest that artemisinin is an anti-platelet substance that regulates PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathway and is valuable as a therapeutic and preventive agent for platelet-derived cardiovascular disease.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.35-55
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• 1993

cis-Dichlorodiammineplatinum (II) (cis-Platin), a metallic compound, has widely been used as an effective anticancer chemotherapeutic agent. The precise mechanism of action of this agent is still unknown, but it is postulated that cis-Platin may act on the cancer cell like bifunctional alkylating agents. Although this agent is very beneficial to the patients with cervical cancer, germinoma of testis, neuroblastoma and others, it may also damage to the normal cell so that many side effects; severe hemorrhagic enterocolitis, bone marrow depression, renal damage and liver damage will develope. This experiment has been undertaken to pursue the cytotoxic effects of the cis-Platin on the ultrastructures of the interalveolar septum in the mouse lung. A total of 55 healthy male mice of ICR strain were used as experimental animals and divided into 5 mice of normal control group and 50 mice of cis-Platin treated group. The mice of cis-Platin treated group were sacrificed by carotid exsanguination at 6, 12, 24 hours, 3 days and 7 days after intraperitoneal injection of 6.0 mg of cis-Platin ($Abiplatin^R$ Abic Co. Ltd.) per kg of mouse body weight. The specimen obtained from the lower lobe of left lung were sliced into $1mm^3$ and prefixed with 2% glutaraldehyde -2.5% paraformaldehyde solution prepared with Millonig's phosphatae buffer solution (pH 7.4) at $4^{\circ}C$ for 3-4 hours. After postfixation with 1% osmium tetroxide solution all specimens were embedded in Epon 812. Ultrathin sections about $600-800{\AA}$ in thickness were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and observed with Hitachi-600 electron microscope. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Local swellings with increase of electron density and number of pinocytic vesicles in the cytoplasms of the type I pneumocyte and endothelial cell of the blood air barrier in interalveolar septum of cis-platin treated mice were observed. 2. Cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum were dilated and sacculated in association with detachment of membrane bound ribosomes of the type II pneumocyte in interalveolar septum of cis-Platin treated mice. 3. Swollon mitochondria with uneven electron density of their matrix were observed in the type II pneumocyte of interalveolar septum in the cis-Platin treated mice. 4. The lamellae of lammelar bodies in type II pneumocyte of interalveolar septum in cis-Platin treated mice were devoided or transformed into homogeneous electron dense material. It is consequently suggested that cis-Platin would induce the cellular edema of type I pneumocyte and endothelial cell, and degenerative changes of cytoplasmic organelles of the type II pneumocyte in the interalveolar septum of the mouse lung.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1001-1005
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• 2014

Ginsenoside Rg3 is one of the active ingredients extracted from red ginseng, and it is an effective chemical component of the human body and well known in herbal medicine as a restorative agent. Several studies have shown that Rg3 has a potent anti-tumor effect on various cancer cell lines. However, Rg3-induced apoptosis in B16F10 melanoma cancer cells is not well understood. In the present study, we tested whether ginsenoside Rg3 could induce apoptosis in B16F10 melanoma cells. We found that Rg3 could inhibit B16F10 melanoma cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, but not normal cells, such as EA.hy.926 and NIH3T3 cells. We also found that Rg3 could induce apoptosis in B16F10 melanoma cells using tunnel-staining assay in a dose-dependent manner. Rg3 treatment induces the phosphorylation of p38 and the expression of Bax, but it inhibits the expressions of the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase Bcl2 and pro-caspase3. Taken together, our data suggest that Rg3 could be useful as an anti-cancer agent in B16F10 melanoma cells.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.691-700
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• 2002

Interstitial therapy using biodegradable polymeric device loaded with anticancer agent can deliver the drug to the tumor site at high concentration, resulting in an increase of therapeutic efficacy. 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU, carmustine) is most commonly used as chemotherapeutic agent for brain tumors. The design of implantable device is regarded as an important factor lot the efficient delivery of antitumor agent to targeting site. In order to control the release profile of drug, the release pattern of BCNU with the changes of various dimension and additives was investigated. The PLGA wafers containing 3.85, 10, 20 and 30% of BCNU were prepared in various shape (diameter of 3, 5 and 10 mm, thickness of 0.5, 1 and 2 mm) by direct compression method. In vitro drug release profile of BCNU-loaded PLGA wafers could be controlled by changing the dimension of wafers such as initial drug content, weight, diameter, thickness, volume and surface area of wafers, as well as PLGA molecular weight and additives. Drug release from BCNU-loaded PLGA wafers was facilitated with an increase of BCNU-loading amount or presence of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)(PVP) or sodium chloride (NaCl). The effects of various geometric factors and additives on the BCNU release pattern were confirmed by the investigation of mass loss and morphology of BCNU-loaded PLGA wafers.