• Title/Summary/Keyword: Bio-Pharmaceutical

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Immune-enhancing effects of a traditional herbal prescription, Kyung-Ok-Ko (전통적인 한방 처방 경옥고의 면역 증강 효과)

  • Roh, Seong-Soo;Lee, Wonhwa;Kim, Kyung-Min;Na, MinKyun;Bae, Jong-Sup
    • The Korea Journal of Herbology
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    • v.34 no.2
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    • pp.41-47
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    • 2019
  • Objectives : A traditional herbal prescription, Kyung-Ok-Ko (KOK), has long been used in oriental medicine as an invigorant for age-related diseases, such as amnesia and stroke. However, the beneficial value of KOK for immune responses is largely unknown. Based on the above mentioned effects of KOK, other previous reports, and its use in traditional medicine, we hypothesized that KOK displays beneficial effects against methotrexate (MTX)-induced immune suppression. Methods : We investigated the effects of KOK (0.6 g/kg/day, oral (p.o.)) on deteriorated immunity caused by MTX (2 mg/kg/day, p.o.) in an immune suppression mouse model. MTX was fed to mice once a day for 7 days. After the immune responses of the mice deteriorated by MTX treatment, KOK in water was fed to the mice once a day for 14 days. We then measured the expression levels of various cytokines, such as T helper cell (Th1, Th2) cytokines, and the number of immune cells, such as spleen T cells, B cells, and macrophages. Results : The data showed that MTX decreased Th1 profiles (interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12) and the number of immune cells, and increased Th2 profiles (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), which were normalized significantly by post-administration of KOK. However, there was no significant difference in body-weight gain between MTX- and KOK-treated mice. Conclusion : These results indicate that KOK has immune-enhancing functions and reduces immunotoxicity of MTX, suggesting that supplementation with KOK will improve immune responses clinically and be useful for the prevention of immune-related diseases.

Antioxidant Properties of Peptides Extracted from Tenebrio molitor Larvae (갈색거저리 유충에서 추출한 펩타이드의 항산화 특성)

  • Sam Woong Kim;Sang Wan Gal;Won-Jae Chi;Woo Young Bang;So Jeong Park;Tae Wan Kim;Kyu Ho Bang
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.33 no.5
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    • pp.383-390
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    • 2023
  • The goal of this study was to identify new bioactive peptides in extracts derived from Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor) larvae for the development of functional foods. After extraction from freeze-dried T. molitor larvae with various solvents on time course, the extracts showed the highest 2,2,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity at 5 and 10 hr per total protein and solid contents, respectively. When the water extract was fractionated, a high methanol concentration led to a reduced level of high-molecular-weight proteins in the centrifugal supernatant, whereas increased DPPH activity in the supernatants suggests low-molecular-weight peptides may mediate antioxidant activity in the supernatant. Most of the organic solvent partitions, excluding butanol, showed similar activities in the water phases, and the organic solvent partition fraction exhibited a 28~44% decrease in activity following heat treatment, implying that some components in the fraction become unstable in the presence of heat. The addition of proteinase K to the water extract increased DPPH activity by 10~20%, suggesting that peptides, when released from total proteins, partially increase antioxidant activity. Therefore, we suggest that the antioxidants in T. molitor larval extracts make them a potential source of functional animal food.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects of a mixture of Syzygium aromaticum and Coptis japonica (정향과 황련 혼합물의 항균 및 항염증 활성 연구)

  • Eunhong Lee;Eun-mi Jung;Hyun-Ji Kwon;Jihye Lee;BongHyun Woo;Sungmin Park;Jinhan Park;Ji Wook Jung
    • Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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    • v.40 no.6
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    • pp.1547-1556
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    • 2023
  • This study was conducted to check the anti-bacterial ability against Malassezia furfur by mixing Szygium aromaticum and Coptis japonica extracts and to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ability by creating an optimal mixture. Szygium aromaticum and Coptis japonica were extracted with 70% ethanol, 100% methanol, and water to evaluate the antibacterial ability, and it was confirmed that 100% methanol extract of Szygium aromaticum and Coptis japonica water extract had the highest anti-bacterial ability. In addition, when the two extracts were mixed and the anti-bacterial ability was evaluated by ratio, the ratio of 9:1 showed the best activity, and it was confirmed that the antioxidant activity of the mixture was excellent. In Raw 264.7 cells, LPS was used to induce inflammatory responses and confirmed anti-inflammatory activity at 1, 10, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL that did not affect survival, and it was confirmed that NO-production inhibition and IL-6 expression inhibition and COX2 and iNOS protein expression inhibition activity were excellent at 10, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL. Through this study, it is thought that the mixture of Szygium aromaticum100% methanol extract and Coptis japonica water extract can be used as a natural ingredient in functional cosmetics because of its excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Experiment to Improve Bioavailability and Oral Absorption of Solubilized Curcumin Using Beta-cyclodextrin and Lysine (Beta-cyclodextrin과 Lysine을 이용한 가용화 커큐민 생체 이용률 및 경구 흡수율 개선 확인 실험)

  • Ye Jin Hwang;Hyeon Woo Kim;Seo Kyung Lee;Ji Hoon Park;Sang Yoon Lee;Jae Seon Kang
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.34 no.8
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    • pp.548-557
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    • 2024
  • Curcumin, the primary active compound in Curcumae Radix of the ginger family, exhibits a range of therapeutic effects, including blood sugar regulation, immunoregulation, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. However, its poor water solubility and chemical instability result in suboptimal pharmacokinetics with low oral absorption (0.18%) and bioavailability, thus limiting its efficacy. To overcome these limitations, this study aimed to enhance the oral absorption and bioavailability of curcumin by incorporating lysine and β-cyclodextrin. Following oral administration of solubilized cur- cumin, blood samples were collected to assess the oral absorption rate. Solubilized curcumin showed an approximately 1.55-fold increase in absorption at 120 min compared to its non-solubilized form. Furthermore, intravenous administration followed by blood analysis showed a 25-fold increase in bio- availability at 61 min for the solubilized curcumin compared to the non-solubilized variant. In conclusion, employing lysine for dispersion and stabilization, combined with β-cyclodextrin to enhance solubility, significantly improves curcumin's oral absorption and bioavailability. The results of this experiment are expected to lead to the development of herbal medicines and pharmaceuticals that amplify curcumin's anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and blood-sugar-regulation effects.

Development of a Molecular Selection Marker for Bacillus licheniformis K12 (Bacillus licheniformis K12 균주 분자 선발 마커 개발)

  • Young Jin Kim;Sam Woong Kim;Tae Wok Lee;Won-Jae Chi;Woo Young Bang;Ki Hwan Moon;Tae Wan Kim;Kyu Ho Bang;Sang Wan Gal
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.33 no.10
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    • pp.808-819
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    • 2023
  • This study was conducted to develop a selection marker for the identification of the Bacillus licheniformis K12 strain in microbial communities. The strain not only demonstrates good growth at moderate temperatures but also contains enzymes that catalyze the decomposition of various polymer materials, such as proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases, and xylanases. To identify molecular markers appropriate for use in a microbial community, a search was conducted to identify variable gene regions that show considerable genetic mutations, such as recombinase, integration, and transposase sites, as well as phase-related genes. As a result, five areas were identified that have potential as selection markers. The candidate markers were two recombinase sites (BLK1 and BLK2), two integration sites (BLK3 and BLK4), and one phase-related site (BLK5). A PCR analysis performed with different Bacillus species (e.g., B. licheniformis, Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus cereus) confirmed that PCR products appeared at specific locations in B. licheniformis: BLK1 in recombinase, BLK2 in recombinase family protein, and BLK3 and BLK4 as site-specific integrations. In addition, BLK1 and BLK3 were identified as good candidate markers via a PCR analysis performed on subspecies of standard B. licheniformis strains. Therefore, the findings suggest that BLK1 can be used as a selection marker for B. licheniformis species and subspecies in the microbiome.

Oral Delivery of Probiotics in Poultry Using pH-Sensitive Tablets

  • Jiang, Tao;Li, Hui-Shan;Han, Geon Goo;Singh, Bijay;Kang, Sang-Kee;Bok, Jin-Duck;Kim, Dae-Duk;Hong, Zhong-Shan;Choi, Yun-Jaie;Cho, Chong-Su
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.27 no.4
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    • pp.739-746
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    • 2017
  • As alternatives to antibiotics in livestocks, probiotics have been used, although most of them in the form of liquid or semisolid formulations, which show low cell viability after oral administration. Therefore, suitable dry dosage forms should be developed for livestocks to protect probiotics against the low pH in the stomach such that the products have higher probiotics survivability. Here, in order to develop a dry dosage forms of probiotics for poultry, we used hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate 55 (HPMCP 55) as a tablet-forming matrix to develop probiotics in a tablet form for poultry. Here, we made three different kinds of probiotics-loaded tablet under different compression forces and investigated their characteristics based on their survivability, morphology, disintegration time, and kinetics in simulated gastrointestinal fluid. The results indicated that the probiotics formulated in the tablets displayed higher survival rates in acidic gastric conditions than probiotics in solution. Rapid release of the probiotics from the tablets occurred in simulated intestinal fluid because of fast swelling of the tablets in neutral pH. As a matrix of tablet, HPMCP 55 provided good viability of probiotics after 6 months under refrigeration. Moreover, after oral administration of probiotics-loaded tablets to chicken, more viable probiotics were observed, than with solution type, through several digestive areas of chicken by the tablets.

Study on Cosmeceutical Activities and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Magnolia biondii Extracts (신이화(辛夷花, Magnoliae Flos)추출물의 화장품약리활성 및 항염증효과에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Young-Hun;Sung, Ji-Yeon;Seo, Kyo-Seong;Shin, Jae-Cheon;Kim, Byung-So;Yeum, Jeong-Hyun;Lee, Jin-Tae
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.22 no.6
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    • pp.730-735
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    • 2012
  • Existing pharmaceutical studies show that Magnolia biondii is effective in treating rhinitis and in reducing cholesterol, given its endogenous, volatile ingredients. The study herein seeks to assess the cosmeceutical activities and anti-inflammatory activities of Magnolia biondii extracts for possible application as cosmetic ingredients. The cosmeceutical and anti-inflammatory activities were investigated using hydroxyl radical scavenging, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition, cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) inhibition, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression by Western blotting. Magnolia biondii extracts were identified to have antioxidant activities in hydroxyl free radical scavenging, SOD-like activity, and XO inhibition. In testing the anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts, NO production was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, in a dose-dependent manner, the Magnolia biondii extracts were able to suppress iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. From these results, Magnolia biondii showed adequate potential for application in cosmetic production and related industries as well as a functional material.

Gene Transfer Optimization via E. coli-driven Conjugation in Nocardiopsis Strain Isolated via Genome Screening (유전체 스크리닝으로 선별된 Nocardiopsis 균주의 대장균 접합을 통한 유전자 도입전략 최적화)

  • Jeon, Ho-Geun;Lee, Mi-Jin;Kim, Hyun-Bum;Han, Kyu-Boem;Kim, Eung-Soo
    • Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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    • v.39 no.2
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    • pp.104-110
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    • 2011
  • Actinomycetes, Gram positive soil bacteria, are valuable microorganisms which produce useful secondary metabolites including antibiotics, antiparasitic substances, anti-cancer drugs, and immunosuppressants. Although a major family of actinomycetes, known as streptomycetes, has been intensively investigated at the molecular level for several decades, a potentially valuable and only recently isolated non-streptomycetes rare actinomycetes (NSRA) family has been poorly characterized due to lack of proper genetic manipulation systems. Here we report that a PCR-based genome screening strategy was performed with approximately 180 independently isolated actinomycetes strains to isolate potentially valuable NSRA strains. Thanks to this simple PCR-based genome screening strategy we were able to identify only seven NSRA strains, followed by 16S rRNA sequencing for confirmation. Through further bioassays, one potentially valuable NSRA strain (tentatively named Nocardiopsis species MMBL010) was identified which possessed both antifungal and antibacterial activities, along with the presence of polyketide synthase and non-ribosomal peptide synthase genes. Moreover, Nocardiopsis species MMBL010, which was intrinsically recalcitrant to genetic manipulation, was successfully transformed via E. coli-driven conjugation. These results suggest that PCR-based genome screening, followed by the establishment of an E. coli-driven conjugation system, is an efficient strategy to maximize potentially valuable compounds and their biosynthetic genes from NSRA strains isolated from various environments.

Effect of Environmental Conditions and Chemical Treatments on Seed Germination of Astilbe koreana (Kom.) Nakai (자생 숙은노루오줌의 종자발아에 미치는 환경조건과 화학적 처리의 영향)

  • Jang, Bo Kook;Cho, Ju Sung;Lee, Cheol Hee
    • Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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    • v.29 no.2
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    • pp.235-240
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    • 2016
  • Factors affecting germination of seeds in the forms of various environment and chemical compounds. The present study was aim to produced effective seed propagation method of Astilbe koreana (Kom.) Nakai which had expected high value for the cut flower, ornamental and pharmaceutical material. Seed width and length ranged 0.62, 2.22 ㎜, respectively, and weight of thousand seeds was 40.5 ㎎. As result of imbibition test, showed moisture content of fresh seed (2.57%) increased rapidly by water-soaking treatment under 24 hours, recording to maximum value of 29.8%, and expansion of the seed coat was observed. Seed germination was the best at 15℃ and light conditions (40.8%) among temperature and light conditions treated. Percent germination of seeds was improved under the low (15, 20℃) than high temperature (25, 30℃). In addition, the seed was not germinated at dark condition regardless of temperature. Seeds of A. koreana thus seemed that it had low temperature germinability conditions. To improve germination rate, seeds were submerged in various concentrations of growth regulators such as GA3 and kinetin, and minerals as KNO3 and KCl. As a results, KNO3 treatment, regardless of concentrations, promoted germination compared to control. Especially, percent of germination (77.8%), germination energy (96.1%), mean germination time (11.3 days) and T50 (6.5 days) were effectively improved by treatment of KNO3 20 mM.

Effect of Phosphorus Removal by Oyster Shell on Longevity of Constructed Wetlands (굴패각에 의한 인 처리가 인공습지의 수명에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Seong-Heon;Kim, Hong-Chul;Park, Jong-Hwan;Ryu, Seong-Ki;Kang, Se-Won;Cho, Ju-Sik;Seo, Dong-Cheol
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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    • v.37 no.1
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    • pp.66-72
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    • 2018
  • BACKGROUND: Constructed wetlands are low-cost alternatives for treating domestics sewage. However, previous study has reported that the removal of phosphorus in constructed wetlands was limited. Therefore, a new alternative was needed to extend the life of the constructed wetlands. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of total phosphorus removal by oyster shell on longevity of constructed wetlands for treating domestic sewage. METHODS AND RESULTS: The changes of total phosphorus concentration and treatment efficiency in two constructed wetlands (CWs) classified as system A (coarse sand 100%) and system B (coarse sand 90%+oyster shell 10%) were investigated for 6 years. The actual saturation time of total phosphorus in the systems A and B was estimated to be longer than that of theoretical saturation by adsorption isotherm experiment. In particular, the saturation pattern of phosphorus in system A was maintained at a certain concentration level in the initial stage of operation, and finally saturation was reached as the saturation gradually progressed from the breaking point. In system B, the saturation period of phosphorus was prolonged as compared with system A due to the addition of oyster shells. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the longevity of the constructed wetlands can be extended due to the phosphorus saturation by adding the oyster shells to the coarse sands in constructed wetlands.