• 약학회지
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.323-329
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• 2005

Antimicrobial peptides are evolutionary ancient weapons for animal and plant species to depend themselves against infectious microbes. In the present study, we investigated if an antimicrobial peptide was produced from Coptidis Rhizoma. For the determination, protein substance from the medicinal plant was isolated by various preparations. Among the preparations, the protein portion dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline solution (CRP-DS) that contained the most amount of protein $(90\%)$ resulted in maximal inhibition of Candida albicans which causes local and systemic infections. Analyses by gel-electrophoresis and gel-permeation chromatography showed the CRP-DS formed a single band of approximately 11.8 KDa as molecular size. Antifungal activity of the CRP-DS was almost equivalent to antifungal activity by fluconazole, resulting in MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) of approximately $50{\mu}g/ml$. The antifungal activity was a dose-dependent. The antifungal activity appeared to be inactivated by heat-treatment and ionic strength, respectively. In a murine model, the CRP-DS enhanced resistance of mice against disseminated candidiasis. The HPLC analysis demonstrated maximum $4\%$ of berberine as residual content in the CRP-DS preparation resulted in no influence on the antifungal activity. In addition, protein portion isolated from Phellodendri Cortex producing the alkaloid component like Coptidis Rhizoma had no such anticandidal effect. These results indicate that the protein substance from Coptidis Rhizoma was responsible for the antifungal activity.

• 약학회지
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• 제49권5호
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• pp.422-427
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• 2005

Our previous data showed the protein isolated from Coptidis Rhizoma (CRP) had antifungal activity. In present study, we examined mode of action of the CRP and its activity against subcutaneous candidiasis due to C. albicans yeast cells. Results showed that the CRP blocked hyphal production from yeast form of C. albicans. The CRP also activated RAW 264.7 monocyte/macrophage cell line, which resulted in nitiric oxide (NO) production from the cells. This activation seemed to increase macrophage phagocytosis to destroy the invaders. Like other antimicrobial peptides, CRP was influenced by ionic strength, thus resulting in a decrease of antifungal activity. In murine model of a subcutaneous candidiasis, the sizes of infected areas of the nude mice given the CRP after subcutaneous injection of C. albicans yeast cells to the dorsal skin were $90\%$ less than those of the nude mice groups that received DPBS instead of the CRP. All data indicate that the CRP, which appeared to act like an antimicrobial peptide and to inhibit the morphological transition from blastoconidia, was effec­tive against the subcutaneous disease.

• 약학회지
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.227-233
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• 2011

We previously reported the protein isolated from Coptidis Rhizoma (CRP), which has antifungal activity against a fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. In the current study, we investigated what portion in the CRP is responsible for the antifungal activity. For the investigation, the CRP was fractionated on a Shepadex G-50 column. Data resulting from the fractionation, seven fractions were obtained. Fractions (Fr.) I, II, and III eluted initially from the column showed no inhibitory effect on the growth of C. albicans, whereas Fr. IV, V, and VI eluted later revealed inhibition of the growth, and Fr. IV and VI showed potent antifungal activity by broth susceptibility analysis. However, Fr. VI was contained in the CRP more than Fr. IV, which led us to select the VI for the following experiments. In a murine model of a subcutaneous candidiasis caused by C. albicans, the Fr. VI displayed a therapeutic effect on nude mice pretreated with anti-neutrophil monoclonal antibody (RB68C5) and then infected subcutaneously with live C. albicans. At day 16, these mice were healed almost up to 78% of the infected area when compared to infected area of control nude mice that received diluent (Dulbecco's Phosphate-Buffered Saline; DPBS), instead of the Fr. VI (P<0.01). The Fr. VI blocked hyphal formation from blastoconidial form of C. albicans (P<0.01), which might prevent penetration of hyphae to the deeper site of skin and thus helps the healing. In the ionic strength test, the effect of Fr. was influenced by $Ca^{2+}$ ion just like other known antimicrobial peptides, but the influence was affected at an extremely high concentration such as 500 mM. Thus, such ion-concentration is considered to be meaningless in the clinical situation. Considering all data together, Coptidis Rhizoma is appeared to produce an antimicrobial peptide that has therapeutic effect on subcutaneous infection caused by C. albicans.

• 공업화학
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.52-57
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• 2006

천연 항진균 물질인 황련(Coptidis Rhizoma)은 감염성 피부염을 유발시키는 주 원인균인 Cadida albicans에 항세균 작용이 있다고 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 황련유래 단백질(Proteins derived from Coptidis Rhizoma, CRP)의 유효 성분을 추출하여 안정성 도모 및 피부 세포 내에 안정하게 흡수시키는 물질 전달체로서 리포좀을 제조하였다. 황련유래 단백질을 함유한 리포좀 입자의 평균 크기는 187 nm, 표면전하는 3.337 mV이며 포집효율은 33%이었다. 온도, 저장시간에 따른 CRP의 방출 거동을 확인하였으며, 리포좀의 안정성을 증가시키기 위하여 리포좀을 poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)로 코팅하였다. 코팅된 리포좀은 코팅 안된 리포좀에 비하여 낮은 방출율을 나타내었다. 또한, 리포좀에 함유된 CRP의 항캔디다 효과는 $50^{\circ}C$ 또는 자외선(UV)으로 24 h 처리한 후에도 지속됨을 확인하였다.