• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.96-104
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• 2003

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is traditionally used as appetite enhancer, improver of the digestive system, antithusive, anti-cold, antipyretic, analgesic, and antiinflammation. In vitro evaluation using human lymphocyte cultures showed almost similar indication with those in in vivo mouse study, NK cell lysing activity was improved significantly. Proliferation activity of B and T cells, and CD3$^{＋}$ and CD3$^{＋}$CD4$^{＋}$T cell subset were better observed using oleoresin or gingerol and shogaol fractions. Although there were higher activities in gingerol, the improvement was almost equal to that by oleoresin. Shogaol did not show better improvement except at higher concentration. It could be concluded that treatment with single bioactive compound, such as gingerol, did not show significant effects compared to oleoresin, the crude extract. In human study, involving healthy male adult, the improvement of NK cell lysing activity was again demonstrated and even more apparent. The mechanism involved in the protection seemed to be through the antioxidant activity of gingerol. However, other mechanism underlying the improvement of NK cell lysing activity must be involved since this improvement seemed to be specifically toward NK cell activity. Since NK cells ave specific for the elimination of virus-infected cell and mutated cells, this positive effect on the immune system are very interesting. This work has also scientifically proved that the traditional beliefs that ginger had preventive effects on common cold appeared to be reasonable.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1856-1862
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• 2015

In order to improve the stability of endoglucanase under thermal and acidic conditions, the endoglucanase gene was fused to the N-terminus of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae pir gene, encoding the cell wall protein PIR. The fusion gene was transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 for expression. A resulting strain with high expression and high activity was identified by examining resistance to Geneticin 418, Congo red staining, and quantitative analysis of enzyme activity. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the endoglucanase was successfully displayed on the yeast cell surface. The displayed endoglucanase (DEG) showed maximum activity towards sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose at approximately 275 IU/g cell dry weight. DEG exhibited greater than 60% residual activity in the pH range 2.5-8.5, higher than free endoglucanase (FEG), which had 40% residual activity at the same pH range. The highest tolerated temperature for DEG was 70℃, much higher than that of FEG, which was approximately 50℃. Moreover, DEG showed 91.1% activity at 65℃ for 120 min, while FEG only kept 77.8% residual activity over the same period. The half-life of DEG was 270 min at 65℃, compared with only 150 min for FEG. DEG could be used repeatedly at least three times. These results suggest that the DEG has broad applications as a yeast whole-cell biocatalyst, due to its novel properties of high catalytic efficiency, acid-thermal stabilities, and reusability.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7995-8001
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• 2014

Interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) has been used to treat various malignant tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the direct anti-proliferative activity of IFN-${\gamma}$ are poorly understood. In the present study, we examined the in vitro antitumor activity of IFN-${\gamma}$ on two human non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines, H322M and H226. Our findings indicated that IFN-${\gamma}$ treatment caused a time-dependent reduction in cell viability and induced apoptosis through a FADD-mediated caspase-8/tBid/mitochondria-dependent pathway in both cell lines. Notably, we also postulated that IFN-${\gamma}$ increased indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression and enzymatic activity in H322M and H226 cells. In addition, inhibition of IDO activity by the IDO inhibitor 1-MT or tryptophan significantly reduced IFN-${\gamma}$-induced apoptosis and death receptor 5 (DR5) expression, which suggests that IDO enzymatic activity plays an important role in the anti-NSCLC cancer effect of IFN-${\gamma}$. These results provide new mechanistic insights into interferon-${\gamma}$ antitumor activity and further support IFN-${\gamma}$ as a potential therapeutic adjuvant for the treatment of NCSLC.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.12 no.1_2
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• pp.15-23
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• 1978

The action of ascorbic acid on the sodium Plus potassium activated ATPase activity in the rabbit red cell membrane has been investigated and the experiments were also designed to determine the mechanism of action if ascorbic acid on the ATPase activity The following results were observed. 1. The activity of the NaK ATPase from red cell membrane is stimulated by ascorbic acid and the concentration of ascorbic acid for maximal activity is about 8 mM. 2. The activating effect of ascorbic acid on the ATPase activaty, with a given concentration of sodium in the medium, is increased by raisins the potassium concentration but activity ratio is decreased. 3. The activating effect of ascorbic acid on the ATPase activity, with a given concentration of potassium in the medium, is increased by raising the sodium concentration but activity ratio is decreased. 4. The action of ascorbic acid on the ATPase activity is stimulated by calcium ions and activity ratio is increased by raising the calcium concentration. 5. The activating effect of ascorbic acid on the ATPase activity was not related to the sulfhydryl group of cysteine or the hydroxyl group of threonine. 6. The activating effect of ascorbic acid on the ATPase activity is due to amino group and carboxyl group of the enzyme of NaK ATPase.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.19-30
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• 2006

It is well known that glucocorticoid may induce osteoporosis as its side effect in long-term therapy. The inhibition of osteoblast by glucocorticoid is also recognized as its action mechanism of decreased bone formation. In this study, the effect of DSG, Danchisoyosangamibang, on the differentiation and function of osteoblastic cells was investigated. The osteoblastic cells were isolated from rat calvariae using collagenase treatment. The cell counting, enzyme activity assay, MTT assay, collagen content assay were done to determine the cell proliferation, intracellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, bone martrix production, and cell apoptosis. DSG enhanced the cell proliferation after the culture for 10 days. ALP activity and total protein synthesis, and intracelluar collagen synthesis were increased time dependently when the cells were treated with DSG in the presence of dexamethasone. And, DSG restored calvarial cell function decreased by dexamethasone.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2004

Curcumin, a natural compound extracted from rhizomes of Curcuma longa, has been shown to possess potent anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity. The mechanism by which curcumin initiates apoptosis remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of curcumin on caspase-3 activity and protein expression of procaspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, total Akt and phosphorylated Akt in SW480 human colon cancer cell. We cultured SW480 cells in the presence of various concentrations (0, 10, 20 or 30 uM) of curcumin. Curcumin inhibited colon cancer cell growth in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Caspase-3 activity was significantly increased dose-dependently in cells treated with curcumin (p < 0.05), concisely procaspase-3 expression was significantly decreased. Bcl-2 levels were decreased dose-dependently in cells treated with curcumin (p < 0.05), but Ben remained unchanged. In addition, phosphorylated Akt levels and total Akt levels were markedly lower in cells treated with 20 uM of curcumin treatment (p < 0.05), In conclusion, we have shown that curcumin inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in SW480 human colon cancer cell lines via Akt signal pathway.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.197-206
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• 2008

The inhibition of osteoblast by glucocorticoid is recognized as its action mechanism of decreased bone formation. In this study, the effect of JY, Jahyulyangkeuntang, on the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblastic cells was investigated in the presence of dexamethasone. The cell counting, enzyme activity assay, MTT assay, collagen content assay were done to determine the cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity, bone martrix production, and cell apoptosis. JY enhanced the cell proliferation after the culture for 10 days. ALP activity and total protein synthesis, and intracellular collagen synthesis were increased when the cells were treated with JY. And JY restored calvarial cell function decreased by dexamethasone.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 2007

Four anthocyanins were isolated from the acidic alcoholic extract of Syzygium cumini fruits growing in Egypt: Pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside, pelargonidin-3,5-O-diglucoside, cyanidin-3-O-malonyl glucoside, and delphenidin-3-O-glucoside. They were identified by the chromatographic, TLC and PC, and spectral analyses, UV, $^1$H-NMR and FAB/MS. The fruits were found to contain 0.03 gm % anthocyanins calculated on fresh weight basis calculated by spectrophotometric assay. Cytotoxic activity of total alcoholic extract of the fruits was performed against several types of tumor cell lines using the SRB assay. The tested extract exhibited significant cytotoxic activity for MCF7 (breast carcinoma cell line) (IC$_{50}$= 5.9 ${\mu}$g/mL), while the IC$_{50}$ was > 10 ${\mu}$g/mL for both Hela (Cervix carcinoma cell line), HEPG2 (liver carcinoma cell line), H460 (Lung carcinoma cell line) and U251 (Brain carcinoma cell line).

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.162-167
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• 2009

Various fermented foods were screened in search of food-grade bacteria that produce bacteriocins active against Gram-negative pathogens. An isolate from a mold-ripened cheese presented antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The most active isolate was identified as Lactobacillus casei by a biochemical method, ribotyping, and membrane lipid analysis, and was designated as OSY-LB6A. The cell extracts of the isolate showed inhibition against Escherichia coli p220, E. coli O157, Salmonella enerica serovar Enteritidis, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes. The antibacterial nature of the cell extract from the isolate was confirmed by eliminating the inhibitory effects of acid, hydrogen peroxide, and lytic bacteriophages. The culture supernatant and cell extract retained antibacterial activity after heating at $60{\sim}100^{\circ}C$ for $10{\sim}20$ min. The activity of the cell extract from Lb. casei was eliminated by pronase and lipase. Finally, the cell extract showed a bactericidal mode of action against E. coli in phosphate buffer solution, but it was bacteriostatic in broth medium and food extracts.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.414-421
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• 1999

Helicobacter pylori were found to be resistant to azide but sensitive to vanadate, suggesting that defect in the P-type ATPase activity rather than F-type ATPase would be lethal to cell survival or growth. To elucidate the relationship between this enzyme inhibition and H. pylori death, we determined the effect of omeprazole (OMP) plus vanadate on enzyme activity and cell growth. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; ca. 0.8$\mu$mol/disk) of vanadate for H. pylori growth was lowered over l0-fold with the aid of OMP, whereby its inhibitory potential toward the P-type ATPase activity was diametrically increased. Alternatively, we found that this enzyme activity was essential for active transport in H. pylori. From these observations, we strongly suggest that the immediate cause of the growth inhibition of H. pylori cells with OMP and/or vanadate might be defective in the cell's active transport due to the lack of P-type ATPase activity. From the spectral data with circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, we found that activated OMP (OAS) at concentration below MIC did not disrupt helical structures of membrane proteins. Separately, we determined the cytopathic effect of OAS by SDS-PAGE, indicating the change in the production of cytoplasmic protein but not cell membrane.