• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.136-153
• /
• 2019

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of skin care foods on the synthesis of pro-collagen type I C peptide and suppression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 secretion through an in vitro study using fibroblasts (Hs68 cells) and keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Among the three skin care foods developed in this study, three beans cookie and avocado yoghurt influenced the production of pro-collagen type I C peptide and suppressed MMP-1 secretion; however, tiger nut Galsu drink did not exhibit these effects. All skin care foods, including three beans cookie and plain yoghurt ($50{\mu}g/mL$, p<0.001) influenced the suppression of MMP-1 in addition to other commercially available breast milk production support foods examined, such as Heath Heather ($50{\mu}g/mL$, p<0.001), Happy Mama ($50{\mu}g/mL$, p<0.01), BioLys ($50{\mu}g/mL$, p<0.001), Enfamama ($25{\mu}g/mL$, p<0.0001), and Pregnagen ($25{\mu}g/mL$, p<0.001). Avocado fruit yoghurt ($25{\mu}g/mL$, p<0.05), avocado fruit jam yoghurt ($50{\mu}g/mL$, p<0.01), Enfamama ($100{\mu}g/mL$, p<0.05), and Pregnagen ($100{\mu}g/mL$, p<0.05) influenced the production of pro-collagen type I C peptide and suppressed MMP-1 secretion. This result indicates that only avocado jam yoghurt significantly influenced both the prevention of skin keratinization and acceleration of recovery of skin fibrous structure. Therefore, avocado is a favorable ingredient for nutrition-balanced dietary foods or an essential ingredient in products for revitalization of human skin.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.413-424
• /
• 2022

Suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 4 is a pluripotent signaling mediator that regulates myriad cellular functions, including cell growth, cell division, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell invasion, and metastasis, through transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-dependent and -independent pathways. SMAD4 is a critical modulator in signal transduction and functions primarily as a transcription factor or cofactor. Apart from being a DNA-binding factor, the additional SMAD4 mechanisms in tumor suppression remain elusive. We previously identified methyl malonyl aciduria cobalamin deficiency B type (MMAB) as a critical SMAD4 binding protein using a proto array analysis. This study confirmed the interaction between SMAD4 and MMAB using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay, proximity ligation assay (PLA), and conventional immunoprecipitation. We found that transient SMAD4 overexpression down-regulates MMAB expression via a proteasome-dependent pathway. SMAD4-MMAB interaction was independent of TGF-β signaling. Finally, we determined the effect of MMAB downregulation on cancer cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of MMAB affected cancer cell metabolism in HeLa cells by decreasing ATP production and glucose consumption as well as inducing apoptosis. These findings suggest that SMAD4 controls cancer cell metabolism by regulating MMAB.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.47-59
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The development and study of hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine candidates' individualized responses are of great importance. Here we report on an HCV DNA vaccine candidate based on selected envelope (E1/E2) epitopes. Besides, we assessed its expression and processing in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in vivo cellular response in mice. Materials and Methods: HCV E1/E2 DNA construct (EC) was designed. The antigen expression of EC was assayed in PBMCs of five HCV-uninfected donors via a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Serum samples from 20 HCV antibody-positive patients were used to detect each individual PBMCs expressed antigens via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Two groups, five Swiss albino mice each, were immunized with the EC or a control construct. The absolute count of lymph nodes' CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes was assessed. Results: Donors' PBMCs showed different levels of EC expression, ranging between 0.83-2.61-fold in four donors, while donor-3 showed 34.53-fold expression. The antigens expressed in PBMCs were significantly reactive to the 20 HCV antibody repertoire (all p=0.0001). All showed comparable reactivity except for donor-3 showing the lowest reactivity level. The absolute count % of the CD4⁺ T-cell significantly increased in four of the five EC-immunized mice compared to the control group (p=0.03). No significant difference in CD8⁺ T-cells % was observed (p=0.89). Conclusion: The inter-individual variation in antigen expression and processing dominance was evident, showing independence in individuals' antigen expression and reactivity levels to antibodies. The described vaccine candidate might result in a promising natural immune response with a possibility of CD4⁺ T-cell early priming.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.400-405
• /
• 2020

Evodiae Fructus is the dried unripe fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa, and has traditionally been used for treating stomachache and diarrhea. Evodiamine and rutaecarpine, the major biologically active compounds of Evodiae Fructus, are reported to have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as inhibit proliferation and metastasis of various cancer cells. The current study investigates the anti-oxidative and anti-cancer effects of the Evodiae Fructus extract, considering varying concentrations of methanol extraction (40, 80, and 95%). High contents of total phenolic compounds were determined in the order of extracts 80, 95, and 40%. Evaluating contents of the 95, 80, and 40% extracts revealed 36.77, 7.29, and 1.86 ㎍/mg evodiamine, respectively, and 53.02, 17.16, and 3.79 ㎍/mg rutaecarpine, respectively, with the highest content of both compounds obtained in the 95% extract. DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed to be inversely proportional to the contents of total phenolic compounds, with decreasing SC₅₀ values obtained in the order 80, 95, and 40% extract. The 95 and 80% extracts exerted toxicity to AGS gastric cancer cells, but the 40% extract was non-toxic. Evodiamine is a known anti-cancer agent, and could be responsible for the observed toxicity. Cleavage of PARP, and Caspase-3, -7, -8 and -9 was observed in the 95% extract-treated AGS cells, indicating that cell toxicity exerted by the 95% extract could be attributed to apoptosis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bio-Environment Control Conference
• /
• 1996.05a
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 1996

Factory-style plant production systems of various kinds are the final goal of greenhouse production systems. These systems facilitate planning for constant productivity per unit area and labor under various outside weather conditions, although energy consumption is intensive. Physical environmental control in combination with biological control can replace the use of agricultural chemicals such as insecticides, herbicides and hormones to regulate plants. In this way, closed systems which do not use such agricultural chemicals are ideal for environmental conservation for the future. Nutrient components in plants can be regulafied by physical environmental control including nutrient solution control in hydroponics. Therefore, specific contents of nutrients for particular plants can be listed on the container and be used as the basis of customer choice in the future. Plant production systems can be classified into three types based on the type of lighting: natural lighting, supplemental lighting and completely artificial lighting (Plant Factory). The amount of energy consumption increases in this order, although the degree of weather effects is in the reverse order. In the addition to lighting, factory-style plant production systems consist of mechanized and automated systems for transplanting, environmental control, hydroponics, transporting within the facility, and harvesting. Space farming and development of pharmaceutical in bio-reactors are other applications of these types of plant production systems. Various kinds of state-of-art factory-style plant production systems are discussed in the present paper. These systems are, in general, rather sophisticated and mechaized, and energy consumption is intensive. Factory-style plant production is the final goal of greenhouse production systems and the possibilities for the future are infinte but not clear.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.34 no.11
• /
• pp.3429-3443
• /
• 2013

Chemokine receptor (CCR2) is a G protein-coupled receptor that contains seven transmembrane helices. Recent pharmaceutical research has focused on the antagonism of CCR2 and candidate drugs are currently undergoing clinical studies for the treatment of diseases like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we analyzed the time dependent behavior of CCR2 docked with a potent 4-azetidinyl-1-aryl-cyclohexane (4AAC) derivative using molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) for 20 nanoseconds (ns). Homology modeling of CCR2 was performed and the 4AAC derivative was docked into this binding site. The docked model of selected conformations was then utilized to study the dynamic behavior of the 4AAC enzyme complexes inside lipid membrane. MDS of CCR2-16b of 4AAC complexes allowed us to refine the system since binding of an inhibitor to a receptor is a dynamic process and identify stable structures and better binding modes. Structure activity relationships (SAR) for 4AAC derivatives were investigated and reasons for the activities were determined. Probable binding pose for some CCR2 antagonists were determined from the perspectives of binding site. Initial modeling showed that Tyr49, Trp98, Ser101, Glu291, and additional residues are crucial for 4AAC binding, but MDS analysis showed that Ser101 may not be vital. 4AAC moved away from Ser101 and the hydrogen bonding between 4AAC and Ser101 vanished. The results of this study provide useful information regarding the structure-based drug design of CCR2 antagonists and additionally suggest key residues for further study by mutagenesis.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2020

Total polyphenol content and biological activities of water and methanol extract from Aronia melanocarpa berry, leaf, stem and twig were analyzed to investigate the potential for a bio-functional material. The polyphenol content of leaf and twig extracts were higher than those of berry and stem extracts. DPPH radical and ABTS radical scavenging activities of both extracts, were measured in order of twig, leaf, berry and stem. Tyrosinase inhibitory activities of water extract were measured in order of berry, leaf, twig and stem. Those of methanol extract were measured in order of twig, leaf, berry and stem. The nitrite-scavenging ability of water and methanol extract were measured in order of berry, leaf, twig and stem. Consequently it was shown that the non-edible parts of aronia, leaf and twig, had antioxidant activities and nitric oxide scavenging activities. It is expected that these materials could be used as functional bio-materials in bio-health care products including cosmetic products.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2014

Objectives : This experimental study was performed in order to investigate the antibacterial effect of bio-fermented Galla Rhois extract. Methods : The Galla Rhois extract was fermented by Streptococcus thermophilus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus delbrueckii, and their products was tested for antibacterial activity against six pathogenic microorganisms namely, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium by paper disc diffusion method. Results : The Galla Rhois fermented extract by Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae showed more effective antibacterial activity than not fermented extract against Bacillus subtilis and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Antibacterial activity of fermented extract using especially Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was proved that it was good with even 2 percents concentration. Antibacterial activity of Galla Rhois extract within pH 3 to pH 7 had been safe regardless of pH but low over pH 9. The growth of Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus had a tendency to decrease depend on the increasing concentration of the extract. EtOEt, EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions of the Galla Rhois extract had a high level of antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, respectively. Surprisingly, EtOAc fractions of the Galla Rhois extract showed higher antibacterial activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus alone. And antibacterial activity against six pathogenic microorganisms had a tendency to increase depend on the increasing concentration of the fractions of the Galla Rhois extract. Conclusions : Bio-fermented Galla Rhois extract, efficiently inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.324-331
• /
• 2013

Channels formed by the co-assembly of the KCNQ1 subunit and the mink (KCNE1) subunit underline the slowly activating delayed rectifier $K^+$ channels ($I_{Ks}$) in the heart. This $K^+$ channel is one of the main pharmacological targets for the development of drugs against cardiovascular disease. Panax ginseng has been shown to exhibit beneficial cardiovascular effects. In a previous study, we showed that ginsenoside Rg3 activates human KCNQ1 $K^+$ channel currents through interactions with the K318 and V319 residues. However, little is known about the effects of ginsenoside metabolites on KCNQ1 $K^+$ alone or the KCNQ1 + KCNE1 $K^+$ ($I_{Ks}$) channels. In the present study, we examined the effect of protopanaxatriol (PPT) and compound K (CK) on KCNQ1 $K^+$ and $I_{Ks}$ channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes. PPT more strongly inhibited the $I_{Ks}$ channel currents than the currents of KCNQ1 $K^+$ alone in concentration- and voltage-dependent manners. The $IC_{50}$ values on $I_{Ks}$ and KCNQ1 alone currents for PPT were $5.18{\pm}0.13$ and $10.04{\pm}0.17{\mu}M$, respectively. PPT caused a leftward shift in the activation curve of $I_{Ks}$ channel activity, but minimally affected KCNQ1 alone. CK exhibited slight inhibition on $I_{Ks}$ and KCNQ1 alone $K^+$ channel currents. These results indicate that ginsenoside metabolites show limited effects on $I_{Ks}$ channel activity, depending on the structure of the ginsenoside metabolites.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.216-219
• /
• 2012

Structure-based drug design possibly benefit from in silico methods that precisely predict the binding affinity of small molecules to target macromolecules. There are many limitations arise from the difficulty of predicting the binding affinity of a small molecule to a biological target with the current scoring functions. There is thus a strong interest in novel methodologies based on MD simulations that claim predictions of greater accuracy than current scoring functions, helpful for a regular use designed for drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry. Herein, we report a short review on free energy calculations using MMPBSA method a useful method in structure based drug discovery.