• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.129-145
• /
• 2001

Objectives : To characterize the antitumorigenic potential of three representative bee venom components, Melittin, Apamin, and Phospholipase A2, their effects on cell proliferation and apotosis of the human melanoma cell line SK-MEL-2 were analyzed using molecular biological approaches. Methodes & Results : To determine the doses of the drugs that do not induce cytotoxic damage to this cell line, cell viability was examined by MTT assay. While SK-MEL-2 cells treated with 0.5 - 2.0㎍/㎖ of each drug showed no recognizable cytotoxic effect, marked reductions of cell viability were detected at concentrations over 5.0㎍/㎖. [3H]thymidine incorporation assay for cell proliferation demonstrated that DNA replication of SK-MEL-2 cells is inhibited by Apamin and Phospholipase A2 in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with this result, the cells were accumulated at the G1 phase of the cell cycle after treatment with Apamin and Phospholipase A2, whereas no detectable change in cell proliferation was identified by Melittin treatment. In addition, tryphan blue exclusion and flow cytometric analyses showed that all of these drugs can trigger apoptotic cell death of SK-MEL-2, suggesting that Melittin, Apamin, and Phospholipase A2 have antitumorigenic potential through the suppression of cell growth and/or induction of apoptosis. Qantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that Apamin and Phospholipase A2 inhibit expression of growth-promoting genes such as c-Jun, c-Fos, and Cyciin D1. Furthermore, Phospholipase A2 induced tumor suppressors p53 and p21/Wafl. In addition, all three drugs were found to activate expression of a representative apoptosis-inducing gene Bax while expression of apoptosis-suppressing Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL genes was not changed. Taken together, this study strongly suggests that Metittin, Apamin, and Phosphalipase A2 may have antitumorigenic activities, which are associated with its growth-inhibiting and/or apoptosis-inducing potentials.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.15
• /
• pp.6491-6499
• /
• 2015

Background: Red-fleshed sweet orange juice (ROJ) comes from a new variety of citrus cultivated in Brazil that contains high levels of ${\beta}$-carotene and lycopene, and similar amounts of hesperidin (HSP) and nutrients, equivalently to blond orange juice (BOJ). Such bioactive compounds are associated with chemopreventive actions in several cancer cell lines. The purpose of this study was to examine the cytotoxicity, cell cycle, apoptosis, and cytokine secretion after BOJ, ROJ, and HSP treatment of a novel T acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, Loucy. Materials and Methods: Loucy cells were incubated for 24-h with BOJ, ROJ, and HSP, and the viability was measured using trypan blue. Cell cycling and apoptosis were assessed by propidium iodide (PI) and annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry, respectively. Secretion of cytokines $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL1-{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, $IFN{\gamma}$, $TNF{\alpha}$, $TGF{\beta}$, $MIP{\alpha}$, and $MIP{\beta}$ was determined by ELISA array. Results: BOJ and ROJ treatments promoted Loucy cell cytotoxicity. Additionally, BOJ induced cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, and decreased the cell accumulation in the G2/M. ROJ decreased only the G0/G1 fraction, while HSP did not change the cell cycle. BOJ led to apoptosis in a different fashion of ROJ, while the first treatment induced apoptosis by increase of late apoptosis and primary necrotic fractions, the second increased early and late apoptosis, and primary necrotic fraction compared to positive controls. HSP had no effect on apoptosis. IL-6 and IL-10 were abrogated by all treatments. Conclusions: Taking together, these results suggest potential chemopreventive effects of BOJ and ROJ on Loucy cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.1551-1556
• /
• 2014

Background: Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), a principle membrane receptor involved in calcium ion influx and cell signal transduction, has been found to be up-regulated in some cancer types, including melanomas. Efficiency of menthol, an agonist of TRPM8, in killing melanoma cancer cells has been reported previously, but the mechanisms remain unclear. We here determined whether in vitro cytotoxic effects of menthol on A-375 human malignant melanoma cells might be related to TRPM8 transcript expression. Materials and Methods: The $PrestoBlue^{(R)}$ cell viability assay was used to assess the in vitro cytotoxic effect of menthol after 24h of treatment. RT-PCR was used to quantify TRPM8 transcript expression levels in normal and menthol-treated cells. Cell morphology was observed under inverted phase contrast light microscopy. Results: TRPM8 transcript expression was found at low levels in A-375 cells and down-regulated in a potentially dose-dependent manner by menthol. Menthol exerted in vitro cytotoxic effects on A-375 cells with an $IC_{50}$ value of 11.8 ${\mu}M$, which was at least as effective as 5-fluorouracil ($IC_{50}=120{\mu}M$), a commonly applied chemotherapeutic drug. Menthol showed no dose-dependent cytotoxicity on HeLa cells, a TRPM8 non-expressing cell line. Conclusions: The cytotoxic effects on A-375 cells caused by menthol might be related to reduction of the TRPM8 transcript level. This suggests that menthol might activate TRPM8 to increase cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ levels, which leads to cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ imbalance and triggers cell death.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.33 no.3 s.91
• /
• pp.304-310
• /
• 2000

Enclosure experiments to reduce the growth of Cyanophyceae were carried out using plants in Kyongan stream. Wet plants put into the enclosure at a rate of 2.5 g wet wt/l and at that time, the average concentration of chlorophyll a was ranged from 30 to $50\;{\mu}g/l$. The dominant species was Microcystis aeruginosa. Ginkgo, big cone pine and pine needles significantly inhibited the growth of Microcystis from the early days to the stages of log-Phase. Waterchestnut was the most inhibitory to the growth of Microcystis. Pine needles inhibited in 85% of the algal growth: ginkgo in 80%; big cone pine in 75%; waterchestnut in 78%; wildrice in 59%; and iris in 30%. At the treatment with 0.25 g dried plants/l, algae was declined at a rate of 90% by waterchestnut: 53% by pine needles. Phenolic compounds were purifled from decomposing big cone pine and waterchestnut.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.1 s.37
• /
• pp.91-105
• /
• 1999

The effects of Yinjin and Yinjinsaryongsangagambang on a DNA damaging agent, etoposide-induced apoptosis, cell viability, cell cycle progression, and mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes of human hepatocyte cell line HepG2 were investigated using tryphan blue exclusion assay, MTT assay, flow cytometry, immunocytometric analysis of PCNA, and quantitative RT-PCR analysis. MTT assay showed that Yinjin and Yinjinsaryongsangagambang increases cellular viability of HepG2 cells in a dosage-dependent manner. Stimulation of cell cycle progression by Yinjin or Yinjinsaryongsangagambang was detected by flow cytometric analysis of the DNA content and immunocytometric analysis of PCNA expression. A significant reduction of a DNA-damaging agent, etoposide-induced apoptosis were found in both Yinjin and Yinjinsaryongsangagambang-treated cells in dosage-dependent manner. In overall, 3-fold reduction of apoptosis was recognized in $10.0\;{\mu}g/ml$ of Yinjin or Yinjinsaryongsangagambang-treated cells compared to untreated cells. Although the difference is not significant, Yinjinsaryongsangagambang showed slightly higher effect on the inhibition of apoptosis than Yinjin. From flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis, while 39.9% of untreated cells showed etoposide-induced apoptotic cell death, only 19.6% or 17.4% of Yinjin or Yinjinsaryongsangagambang-treated cells were fond at apoptotic sub G1 phase, respectively. Interestingly, strong induction of Gadd45-mRNA was observed from Yinjin or Yinjinsaryongsangagambang-treated cells. However, no changes in expression levels of p53 and Waf1 were detected, demonstrating that induction of Gadd45 mRNA expression by Yinjin or Yinjinsaryongsangagambang occurs by p53-independent mechanism. Marked mRNA inductions of two apoptosis-inhibiting genes, Bcl-2 and Bcl- XL, were found in both Yinjin or Yinjinsaryongsangagambang-treated HepG2 cells while no changes was detected in expression levels of an apoptosis-promoting gene, Bax.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.80-90
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of pulsed ultrasound on wound healing and observe during the wound healing process the distribution of mast cells according to histopathologic findings. Eighty Sprague Dawley rats which were divided into 4 groups received full thickness skin wounds on the back. Each of the 5 animals was sacrificed immediately and then sacrificed again 1, 3, 6, and 12 days after injury. Specimens from the wounds were removed during healing and routinely processed with a hematoxylin-eosin stain and a toluidine blue stain. The authors then observed the distribution of mast cells under a light microscope. The results of this study were as follows: The rate of wound healing and the length of the wounds of the pulsed ultrasound group II was significantly faster than group I on day 6 and day 12 (p<.001). Group III showed the most significant effect after12 days (p<.001). Group IV also showed a significant effect at 12 days (p<.01). A low-intensity ultrasound .5 $W/cm^2$ resulted in a fast healing rate. During the wound healing process mast cells had a tendency to decrease in the acute inflammatory phase. During the wound healing process mast cells were thought to contribute to the healing of the wound.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.20 no.10
• /
• pp.535-542
• /
• 2010

In this study, we used coal-based activated carbons and charcoal as startingmaterials, phenolic resin (PR) as a binder, and TOS as a titanium source to prepare $TiO_2$ combining spherical shaped activated carbon photocatalysts. The textural properties of the activated carbon photocatalysts (SACP) were characterized by specific surface area (BET), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), iodine adsorption, strength intensity, and pressure drop. The photocatalytic activities of the SACPs were characterized by degradation of the organic dyes Methylene Blue (MB), Methylene Orange (MO), and Rhodamine B (Rh. B) and a chemical oxygen demand (COD) experiment. The surface properties are shown by SEM. The XRD patterns of the composites showed that the SACP composite contained a typical single, clear anatase phase. The EDX spectro for the elemental indentification showed the presence of C and O with Ti peaks. According to the results, the spherical activated carbon photocatalysts sample of AOP prepared with activated carbon formed the best spherical shape, a high BET surface area, iodine adsorption capability and strength value, and the lowest pressure drop, and the photocatalytic activity was better than samples prepared with charcoal. We compared the degradation effects among three kinds of dyes. MB solution degraded with the SACP is better than any other dye solutions.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.313-323
• /
• 2014

We secured the high dispersion spectra of the symbiotic star CI Cyg. The HI, HeI, and HeII line profiles were analyzed using the relatively long exposure data including 1800 sec (Sep. 12, 1998, phase=0.90), 3600 sec (Aug. 12, 2002, ${\phi}=0.47$), and 1800 sec (Oct. 21, 2009, ${\phi}=0.54$). Although a minor outburst was reported in 2008, our three observation periods were generally known to be quiescent in earlier photometric studies. With the help of hydrodynamic simulations, we identified the two emission zones responsible for the blue- and red-shifted line components: (a) an accretion disk around a hot white dwarf star which consists of the outer cool HeI emission zone and the inner hot HeII emission part, and (b) a high density zone near the inner Lagrangian point responsible for the HeI line flux variation and the broadening of its line profile. The HeII line fluxes indicate that the HeII emission zone of the accretion disk is relatively stable, implying a constant gas inflow from the giant star throughout the quiescent period. The 2002 HeI data showed that the notable mass flow activity through the inner Lagrangian point occurred during this period and its flux intensity became strongest, whereas the HeII line width in the same period indicates that its flow activity forced the accretion disk to expand. The [OIII] lines were observed in 1998 but not detected in 2002 and 2009, implying the disappearance of the low density zone. Based on our kinematical studies upon the line profiles, we conclude that CI Cyg was stable in 1998 among the three observation periods selected in this research.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.22-26
• /
• 2013

PTCR ceramics of $(Ba_{0.998}Sm_{0.002})TiO_3+0.001MnCO_3+xSiO_2$ (x=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 mol%) were fabricated by solid state method. Disk samples of diameter 5 mm and thickness about 1mm were sintered at $1,290^{\circ}C$ for 2 h in reduced atmosphere of $5%H_2-95%N_2$ followed by re-oxidation at $600^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. in $20%O_2-80%N_2$.and their microstructures and electrical properties were investigated with SEM and Multimeter. The color of sintered samples was strongly dependent on $SiO_2$ content showing that the color of samples with $SiO_2$ of 1~2 mol% was gray but that of samples with $SiO_2$ of 4~6 mol% was changed from gray to blue, which seems to be related with the reduction of samples due to the oxygen vacancies created during the sintering in reduced atmosphere. $SiO_2$ content had a great influence on the microstructure and the electrical properties. With increasing $SiO_2$ content, the grain size of samples increased and the resistivity as well as the resistivity jump ($R_{285}/R_{min}$) decreased, which is considered to be attributed to the resistivity change at grain interior and grain boundary due to the fast mass transfer through $SiO_2$ liquide phase during the sintering. Samples with 2 mol% $SiO_2$ has the resistivity of $202{\Omega}cm$ and the resistivity jump of 3.28. It is expected that $SiO_2$ doped $BaTiO_3$ based PTC ceramics can be used for multilayered PTC thermistor due to the resistance to the sintering in reduced atmosphere.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.143-150
• /
• 2002

Fluorescent probes bound to DNA typically display nanosecond decay times and reveal only nanosecond motions. We extend the time range of measurable DNA dynamics using $[Ru(pby)_2(dppz)]^{2+}$ (bpy=2.2'-bipyridine, dppz=dipyrido[3,2-a2',3'-c]phenazine) (RuBD) which displays a mean lifetime near 90 ns. To test the usefulness of RuBD as a probe for diffusive processes in calf thymus DNA, we compared the efficiencies of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) using three donors which display lifetimes near 5 ns for acridine orange (AO), 22 ns for ethidum bromide (EB) and 92 ns for RuBD, with nile blue (NB) as the acceptor. The F rster distances for AO-NB, EB-NB and RuBD-NB donor-acceptor pairs were 42.3, 52.3, and $30.6{\;}{\AA}$, respectively. All three donors showed dramatic decreases in fluorescence intensities and more rapid intensity decays with increasing NB concentrations. The intensity decays of AO and EB in the presence of varying concentrations of NB were satisfactorily described by the one-dimensional FRET model without diffusion (Blumen and Manz, 1979). In the case of the long-lifetime donor RuBD, the experimental phase and modulation somewhat deviated from the recovered values computed from this model. The recovered NB concentrations and FRET efficiencies from the model were slightly larger than the expected values, however, the recovered and expected values did not show a significant difference. Thus, it is suggested that the lifetime of RuBD is too short to measure diffusive processes in calf thymus DNA.