• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2012

Flavonoids, which form a major component in Houttuynia cordata Thunb., display a wide range of pharmacological activities. The expression of plant flavonoids is partly regulated by fermentation. Therefore, we studied the effects of fermentation on H. cordata in order to identify the strains present during the fermentation process, and to determine whether fermented H. cordata could be used as a probiotic. Our results showed that all 6 of the bacterial strains isolated from fermented H. cordata (FHC) belonged to the genus Bacillus. As expected, fermenting H cordata also increased the flavonoid content as increases were observed in the levels of rutin, quercitrin, and quercetin. To test the effects of fermentation, we treated LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with non-fermented H. cordata extracts (HCE) or FHC extracts (FHCE). Compared to the HCE-treated cells, the FHCE-treated cells showed increased viability. No cytotoxic effects were detected in the FHCE-treated groups in the 2 cell lines used in the study, namely, RAW264.7 and RBL-2H3. FHCE-treated HepG2 cells showed decreased growth, compared to HCE-treated HepG2 cells. These results indicate that the fermented H. cordata predominantly contained Bacillus strains. Furthermore, FHCE are able to prevent LPS-induced inflammatory effects and inhibit the growth of HepG2 cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.101-108
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• 2020

Infections by herpes simplex viruses have an immense impact on humans, ranging from self-limiting, benign illness to serious, life-threatening diseases. While nucleoside analog drugs are available, resistance has been increasing and currently no vaccine exists. Ginsenosides derived from Panax ginseng have been documented to inhibit several viruses and bolster immune defenses. This study evaluated 12 of the most relevant ginsenosides from P. ginseng for toxicities and inhibition of herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2 in Vero cells. The effects of test compounds and virus infection were determined using a PrestoBlue cell viability assay. Time course studies were also conducted to better understand at what points the virus life cycle was affected. Non-toxic concentrations of the ginsenosides were determined and ranged from 12.5 μM to greater than 100 μM. Ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 demonstrated the greatest inhibitory effect and was active against both HSV-1 and HSV-2 with an IC₅₀ of approximately 35 μM. The most dramatic inhibition-over 100% compared to controls-occurred when the virus was exposed to 20(S)-Rg3 for 4 h prior to being added to cells. 20(S)-Rg3 holds promise as a potential chemotherapeutic agent against herpes simplex viruses and, when used together with valacyclovir, may prevent increased resistance to drugs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.473-477
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• 2011

A number of health benefits have been claimed for probiotic bacteria such as Bifidobacterium (B) spp. Lactobacillus(L) acidophilus, and Lactococcus(Lc) cremoris. Viability of probiotic bacteria is important in order to provide health benefits. Only a limited culture media for the test purpose of probiotic bacteria are commercially available (MRS broth), but the media for large-scale propagation of viable cells which are able to be used as food additive are not available. The manufacture of a low priced and preferred novel medium for probiotic bacteria was therefore, attempted using whey protein concentrate(WPC) and Makgeolli sludge as a starting material. The effect of WPC and Makgeolli sludge on the growth of four strains (B. bifidum 15696, B. longum 15707, L. acidophilus CH-2, and Lc. cremoris 20076) was investigated. Medium prepared such as WPC, Makgeolli sludge, and WPC+Makgeolli sludge(WPCMs). It was observed that the growth of 4 strains (B. bifidum 15696, B. longum 15707, L. acidophilus CH-2, and Lc. cremoris 20076) was stimulated by Makgeolli sludge, WPC, WPCMs. Especially, Viable cell number of 4 strains in the WPCMs were higher than that of the single media. These result suggest the possibility that Makgeolli and WPC, acts as a growth factor for the growth of probiotic bacteria.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.154-161
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• 2017

An antimicrobial peptides-producing Bacillus strain CBS73 was isolated from fermented food (kimchi) that produces low-molecular-weight proteins with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Our goal was to explore the therapeutic potential of antimicrobial substances produced by Bacillus species. Peptide CBS73 was purified from Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis with identity of 99.79%. It was found to be stable at pH 4.0-10.0 and temp $20-60^{\circ}C$. A protein band around 5.2 kDa was detected in tricine-SDS-PAGE and band was confirmed by MALDI-TOF test. Peptide CBS73 showed antimicrobial activity against MDR bacteria. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of peptide CBS73 for vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Salmonella typhimurium ranged from $10-40{\mu}g/mL$. The antioxidant activity of peptide CBS73 was measured by DPPH scavenging, reducing power activity and total phenolic content. Cell viability and NO production result showed less cytotoxic effect upto $12{\mu}g/mL$. Peptide CBS73 could be a promising antimicrobial agent for clinical application.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 2015

The purpose of the study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract of Coptidis rhizome against the type strains of cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, and the periodontopathogens, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. The antimicrobial activities of the crude extract and the methanol extract fractions of Coptidis rhizome separated by silica gel chromatography were evaluated by determining the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values, using the microdilution method. The cell viability test of the extracts of Coptidis rhizome on the KB cells was also studied by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Our results showed that the 11th fraction (F11) of the methanol extract had the greatest antimicrobial activity against the tested bacteria, with no associated cytotoxicity on the KB cells, upto a concentration of $50{\mu}g/ml$. These results suggest that the silica gel chromatography fraction F11 of the methanol extract of Coptidis rhizome, could be useful in the development of oral hygiene products as an antimicrobial agent for the prevention of dental caries and periodontal diseases.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.515-519
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• 2009

Biodegradable poly((R)-3-hydroxy butyrate) and poly(ethylene glycol) was conjugated to make amphiphilic di-block copolymer. Folate was conjugated at di-block copolymer to target the cancer cells. Copolymer was ready to form the self-assembled micelle whose size was 125~156 nm in aqueous solution. Griseofulvin as a hydrophobic drug was loaded in nanoparticles. Their loading efficiencies were 35~56%. Hydrophobic drug was continuously released for 24 h. Cell viability test showed that folate attached particles were 10% more efficient than the particles without targeting ligands.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.135-143
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• 2016

Background: Fraxetin (7,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy coumarin), a coumarin derivative, has been reported to possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. A number of recent observations suggest that the induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibits inflammation and tumorigenesis. In the present study, we determined the effect of fraxetin on HO-1 expression in HaCaT human keratinocytes and investigated its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Reverse transcriptase-PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to detect HO-1 mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Cell viability was measured by the MTS test. The induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by fraxetin was evaluated by 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate staining. Results: Fraxetin upregulated mRNA and protein expression of HO-1. Incubation with fraxetin induced the localization of nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) in the nucleus and increased the antioxidant response element-reporter gene activity. Fraxetin also induced the phosphorylation of Akt and AMP-activated protein kinase $(AMPK){\alpha}$ and diminished the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog, a negative regulator of Akt. Pharmacological inhibition of Akt and $AMPK{\alpha}$ abrogated fraxetin-induced expression of HO-1 and nuclear localization of Nrf2. Furthermore, fraxetin generated ROS in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions: Fraxetin induces HO-1 expression through activation of Akt/Nrf2 or $AMPK{\alpha}/Nrf2$ pathway in HaCaT cells.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2023

Objectives : Raphani Semen (Raphanus sativus L.) is known for the various beneficial effects in Korean medicine. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Raphani Semen extract (RSE) against arachidonic acid (AA)+iron-induced oxidative stress in cells. Methods : Ingredients, their target information, oxidative stress liver injury-related proteins was obtained from various network pharmacology databases and software. A hypergeometric test and enrichment analysis were conducted to evaluate associations between protein targets of RSE. The cell viability was assessed by MTT assay, and immunoblot analysis was used to confirm the molecular mechanisms. Results : A compound-target network of RSE was constructed, which consisted of 336 edges between 18 ingredients and 123 protein targets. PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, and AMPK signaling pathway was significantly associated with protein targets of RSE. RSE protected HepG2 cells against AA+iron-induced oxidative stress as mediated with AMPK signaling. Conclusion : RSE was found to protect the cells against oxidative stress via the AMPK signaling pathway.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 2023

Various skin diseases are occurring due to external factors such as urbanization and increase in environmental pollution and wearing masks due to COVID-19. Accordingly, various functional cosmetics are being released, but as some side effects are reported, research on functional cosmetics materials using natural plants is necessary. Therefore, in this study, the antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of Phyllanthus emblica, Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), and Commiphora myrrha mixed extracts (PGC) that pharmacological efficacy has been verified were analyzed and their potential as functional cosmetics raw materials was examined. Four extracts (PGC-1~4) were prepared according to the extraction method. ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity experiments were conducted for the antioxidant efficacy of the extracts. In addition, paper disc experiments and LPS inflammation-inducing cytokine experiments were conducted to examine the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, a cell viability test was performed to confirm cytotoxicity. As results of the study, all extracts showed antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects without cytotoxicity, and in particular, PGC-4, a fermentation and ultrasonic extract, showed the best efficacy. This means that the extraction yield of useful components varies depending on the extraction method.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.138-143
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• 2012

The anti-obesity activity of the $Cucubita$ $moschata$ Duch. extracts was investigated. The inhibitory effect on triglyceride accumulation was shown in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte. The lipid accumulation of the ethanol extract in 5 mg/mL concentration was shown to be 75.4%, where as that of water extract was shown to be 85.2%. The survival rate of the cell in the viability test was shown to be 86.5% in the 0.5-5 mg/mL concentration. Total polyphenol content was highest in the water extract($46.54{\pm}0.02$ mg). These results suggest that $Cucubita$ $moschata$ Duch. extracts have a potential as anti-obesity material by reducing the lipid accumulation.