• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.106-110
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• 2004

The objective of this study was carried out to investigate nutritional characteristics and biological activities effects of Korean leaf of Rosa davurica Pall. in vitro. They were extracted with methanol and then further fractionated to n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl-acetate, n-butanol and water from methanol extracts. Methods of the antigenotoxic used in this experiment were UVA/UVB absorption property and DPPH radical scavenge. The proximate compositions of leaves of Rosa dauvrica Pall were 67.5％ of crude Moisture, 0.7％ of crude fat, 6.8％ of crude protein, 6.1％ of crude ash, and 20.8％ of crude fiber. The major minerals were K (1637.2 mg％), Ca (219.5 mg％), P (182.1 mg％), and Mg (135.1 mg％). Most of the fractions of methanol extract which leaves of Rosa dauvrica Pall. have strong absorbency at UVB region (308 nm) and UV A region (350nm). These fractions have a good absorbency property as synthetic filter and could be served as substitutes for synthetic UV sunscreen agents. All fractions (n-hexane, ethyl-acetate, n-butanol and water) from methanol extracts except chloroform fraction exhibited DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC$\_$50/ of 35.3, 6.0, 14.0, and 18.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.862-872
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• 2021

Recent studies on synthesis of metallic nanomaterials such as silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), cerium (Ce), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) nanoparticles (NPs) using plants and microbes are attracted researchers for their wide range of applications in the field of biomedical sciences. The plant contains abundant of bioactive contents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, steroids tannins and nutritionals components. Similarly, microbes produce bioactive metabolites, proteins and secretes valuable chemicals such as color pigments, antibiotics, and acids. Recently reported, biogenic synthesis of NPs in non-hazardous way and are promising candidates for biomedical applications such as antibacterial, antifungal, anti-cell proliferative and anti-plasmodia activity. All those activities are dose dependent, along with their shape and size also matters on potential of NPs. Microbes and plants are great source of metabolites, those useful in biomedical field, such metabolites or chemicals involved in synthesis of NPs in an ecofriendly way. NPs synthesized using microbes or plant materials are reveals more non-toxic, facile, and cost-effective compare to chemically synthesized NPs. In present review we are focusing on NPs synthesis using biological agents such as microbes (bacteria, fungi and algae) and plant, characterization using different techniques and their antibacterial applications on pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.712-723
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• 2019

Chemically synthesized compounds are widely used in oral hygiene products. However, excessively long-term use of these chemicals can cause undesirable side effects such as bacterial tolerance, allergy, and tooth discoloration. To solve these issues, significant effort is put into the search for natural antibacterial agents. The aim of this study was to assess the extracts of foreign native plants that inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans. Among the 300 foreign plant extracts used in this study, Chesneya nubigena (D. Don) Ali extract had the highest antimicrobial activity relatively against S. mutans with a clear zone of 9 mm when compared to others. This plant extract also showed anti-biofilm activity and bacteriostatic effect (minimal bactericidal concentration [MBC], 1.5 mg/ml). In addition, the plant extracts of 19 species decreased the ability of S. mutans to form biofilm at least a 6-fold in proportion to the tested concentrations. Of particular note, C. nubigena (D. Don) Ali extract was found to inhibit biofilm formation at the lowest concentration tested effectively. Therefore, our results reveal that C. nubigena (D. Don) Ali extract is a potential candidate for the development of antimicrobial substitutes, which might be effective for caries control as well, as demonstrated by its inhibitory effect on the persistence and pathogenesis of S. mutans.

• Korean Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.674-680
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• 2018

Background and Objectives The representative mucin genes in the human airway are MUC5AC and MUC5B, which are regulated by several inflammatory and anti-inflammatory substances. Triptolide (TPL), udenafil, betulinic acid, changkil saponin, and glucosteroid are some of the many anti-inflammatory substances that exist. TPL is a diterpenoid compound from the thunder god vine, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of immune inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, nephritis and asthma. However, the effects of TPL on mucin expression of human airway epithelial cells have yet to be reported. Hence, this study investigated the effect of TPL on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression in human airway epithelial cells. Subjects and Method The NCI-H292 cells and the primary cultures of human nasal epithelial cells were used to investigate the effects of TPL on LPS-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme immunoassay, and Western blot. Results TPL significantly decreased the LPS-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B mRNA expression and protein production. TPL also significantly decreased the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) phosphorylation. Conclusion These results suggest that TPL down regulates MUC5AC and MUC5B expression via inhibition of NF-kB activation in human airway epithelial cells. This study may provide important information about the biological role of triptolide on mucus-secretion in airway inflammatory diseases and the development of novel therapeutic agents for controlling such diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.785-791
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the biological antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Chamaecyparis obtusa (C. obtuse) extracts by measuring DPPH radical scavenging and ABTS radical scavenging, and SOD-like activities. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were increased in a dose-dependent manner, with maximum activities of 78% and 62% at an extract concentration of $50{\mu}l/ml$. The C. obtusa extracts also showed high SOD-like activity, with a maximum activity of 92.85% at a concentration of $50{\mu}l/ml$. The antibacterial activities of C. obtusa extracts were measured against six types of bacteria known to cause food poisoning and disease. Antibacterial activity was investigated against three gram-positive and three gram-negative bacteria using the paper disc agar diffusion method. The C. obtusa extracts showed antibacterial activities against B. cereus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, S. typhi and V. parahaemolyticus, among which the activity against B. cereus was greatest. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of C. obtusa extracts were $30-40{\mu}l/ml$ for the 6 strains that showed an antimicrobial response by the paper disc agar diffusion method. These results suggest that C. obtusa extracts could serve as potential antibacterial agents to inhibit the growth of pathogens responsible for food poisoning and disease.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.27-33
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• 2021

CO I gene sequence analysis was applied to earthworms that had been used as test animals in toxicity test in Institute of Kyeongbook Agrochemicals and earthworms used as vermicomposting agents in the farm of Youngdong province to identify their species names. In terms of molecular species, the former was identified as Eisenia fetida and the latter was Eisenia andrei. Cocoons produced from Eisenia fetida was more than those from Eisenia andrei. And No. of adults developed from eggs of Eisenia fetida was more or less higher than those developed from eggs of Eisenia andrei. These results were contradictory to previous reports on two Eisenia spp.. When Eisenia fetida was crossed with Eisenia andrei, hybridized eggs were produced and adults were developed from those eggs, but cocoons and adults were much less than those from non-crossed Eisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei. This indicated that two Eisenia spp. were not distinctly different biological species because there was no complete 'reproductive isolation' between Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei. However, this also meant that Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei had already been on the tract of speciation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.260-267
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• 2023

Helicobacter pylori infects the mucosa, induces chronic inflammation and ulcers, and is known as a biological carcinogen. Antibiotics are used as therapeutic agents for H. pylori, but there are problems such as resistance. Thus, research is being conducted on the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as an alternative therapeutic agent. There have been many studies on LAB related to kimchi. However, studies related to Gajami Sikhae, a traditional fermented seafood in Korea, are insufficient. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of LAB isolated from Gajami Sikhae on H. pylori and its use as a probiotic. Forty species of LAB isolated from Gajami Sikhae were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and Weisella paramesenteroides, and 10 strains of 40 species were selected through liquid inhibition assay of H. pylori. The selected LAB supernatant at 1%, 5%, and 10% had a growth inhibitory effect on H. pylori 52, 51, e-53, and 309. The adjusted pH of 7.0 was used for the LAB culture supernatant, in reference to a study that the growth of H. pylori is affected by acid. All 10 strains of LAB at 5% and 10% concentration suppressed the growth of H. pylori 52, and 7 strains of LAB at 10% concentration suppressed the growth of H. pylori e-53. LAB also had the effect of suppressing the activity of urease. Finally, LAB isolated from Gajami Sikhae is expected to be useful for eradicating and preventing H. pylori.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 2019

Candida vertebral osteomyelitis (CVO) is a rare disease that is a complication of intravenous drug use, but recently it has been recognized as mostly an opportunistic infection. Because CVO appears to mimic pyogenic spondylodiscitis in terms of the clinical and radiologic presentations, it is often neglected in a usual clinical setting. The clinical, radiological, and biological characteristics of CVO are often used to make a differential diagnosis with vertebral osteomyelitis from other etiologies. Once an initial proper diagnosis was performed, the treatment relies on the prompt initiation of appropriate pharmacotherapy and serial monitoring of the clinical progress. This paper report late-onset CVO in two young patients who underwent a heart transplant surgery and had postoperative systemic candidiasis. These two cases are a good reminder of the potential of CVO in immunosuppressive patients treated with anti-fungal agents. This paper presents these two cases with a review of the relevant literature.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.273-282
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• 2023

Hypochaeris radicata, native to Europe and Eurasia, is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family. In Korea, H. radicata was reported in 1992, mainly in Jeju Island, and gradually spreading to the inland. It overwinters in the form of a rosette and blooms yellow flowers from May to June. H. radicata propagates by seeds and rhizomes. The germination temperature of the seed is 15/20℃ (day/night), and the rhizome forms a new plant at a depth of 2-3cm in the soil. The roots of H. radicata secrete allelochemicals that inhibit the development of other plants. Some use it as a salad or forage substitute but to a limited extent. However, extensive research on ampicillin contained in H. radicata has been conducted, and its anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects have been recognized. There are only a few methods to manage H. radicata both culturally and physically. In orchards, soil treatments such as oxyfluorfen and diclobenil, or nonselective foliar treatments such as glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate are used. Notably, there are no known biological control agents.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.104-114
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• 2024

Licochalcone C (LCC; PubChem CID:9840805), a chalcone compound originating from the root of Glycyrrhiza inflata, has shown anticancer activity against skin cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, the therapeutic potential of LCC in treating colorectal cancer (CRC) and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Chemotherapy for CRC is challenging because of the development of drug resistance. In this study, we examined the antiproliferative activity of LCC in human colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells, oxaliplatin (Ox) sensitive and Ox-resistant HCT116 cells (HCT116-OxR). LCC significantly and selectively inhibited the growth of HCT116 and HCT116-OxR cells. An in vitro kinase assay showed that LCC inhibited the kinase activities of EGFR and AKT. Molecular docking simulations using AutoDock Vina indicated that LCC could be in ATP-binding pockets. Decreased phosphorylation of EGFR and AKT was observed in the LCC-treated cells. In addition, LCC induced cell cycle arrest by modulating the expression of cell cycle regulators p21, p27, cyclin B1, and cdc2. LCC treatment induced ROS generation in CRC cells, and the ROS induction was accompanied by the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 kinases. Moreover, LCC dysregulated mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the disruption of MMP resulted in the release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm and activation of caspases to execute apoptosis. Overall, LCC showed anticancer activity against both Ox-sensitive and Ox-resistant CRC cells by targeting EGFR and AKT, inducing ROS generation and disrupting MMP. Thus, LCC may be potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of Ox-resistant CRC cells.