• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.710-720
• /
• 2013

Radiotherapy is commonly used in treating many kinds of cancers which cannot be cured by other therapeutic strategies. However, radiotherapy also induces the damages on the normal tissues. Radiation-induced fibrosis is frequently observed in the patients undergoing radiotherapy, and becomes a major obstacle in the treatment of intrahepatic cancer. Hedgehog (Hh) that is an essential in the liver formation during embryogenesis is not detected in the healthy liver, but activated and modulates the repair process in damaged livers in adult. The expression of Hh increases with the degree of liver damage, regulating the proliferation of hepatic progenitors and hepatic stellate cells (HSC). In addition, Hh induces epithelial-to-mesencymal transition (EMT) and activation of myofibroblasts. In the irradiated livers, up-regulated expression of Hh signaling was associated with proliferation of progenitors, EMT induction, and increased fibrosis. Female-specific expression of Hh leaded to the expansion of progenitors and the accumulation of collagen in the irradiated livers of female mice, indicating that gender disparity in Hh expression may be related with radiation-susceptibility in female. Hence, Hh signaling becomes a novel object of studies for fibrogenesis induced by radiation. However, the absence of the established experimental animal models showing the similar physiopathology with human liver diseases and fibrosis-favorable microenvironment hamper the studies for the radiation-induced fibrosis, providing a few descriptive results. Therefore, further research on the association of Hh with radiation-induced fibrosis can identify the cell and tissue-specific effects of Hh and provides the basic knowledge for underlying mechanisms, contributing to developing therapies for preventing the radiation-induced fibrosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.35 no.10
• /
• pp.1304-1308
• /
• 2006

The present study describes the preliminary evaluation of the antioxidant activity and the cytotoxic effect of Ceramium kondoi. The antioxidant activities and cytotoxic effect of the water extracts were evaluated by total phenolic contents (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA), reducing power (RP), comet assay, and MTT reduction assay. TPC, DPPH RSA, and RP of the extract at the concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ was $659.2{\mu}M$, 86.0%, and 1.084, respectively, and those were concentration dependent. The $200{\mu}M\;H_2O_2-induced$DNA damage was inhibited by C. kondoi water extract in a dose dependent manner in human leukocytes. The inhibition was by 62.3, 39.8, 24.8% and 16.4% at the concentration of 5, 10, $25{\mu}g/mL$ and $50{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Cytotoxic activity on HT-29 cells and MCF-7 cells of the C. kondoi water extract at the concentration of $10{\mu}g/mL$ was 49% and 60%, respectively. These results strongly support the possibility of C. kondoi as a source of natural functional materials.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.26-35
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate the antioxidant activities of 50%, 70%, and 100% ethanol extracts of Lycium barbarum leaf and chlorophyll removal extract. Methods: The antioxidant activities were estimated by measuring total polyphenol content and by assays of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfate) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, DNA fragmentation, and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities of the extracts were measured in hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-stressed HepG2 cells. Results: The total polyphenol content, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, and FRAP value of the extracts increased in an ethanol concentration-dependent manner. The antioxidant activities of the chlorophyll-removal extracts were much higher than those of the chlorophyll-containing extracts. Cytotoxicity was not observed in HepG2 cells with extracts up to $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. All extracts inhibited ROS production in a concentration-dependent manner from $31.3{\mu}g/mL$ and inhibited DNA damage at $250{\mu}g/mL$. The SOD and catalase activities of cell lines treated with the extracts and $H_2O_2$ were similar to those of normal cells, indicating a strong protective effect. Conclusion: Lycium barbarum leaf extracts had high antioxidant activities and protected $H_2O_2$-stressed HepG2 cells. Since the chlorophyll-removal extract exhibited higher antioxidant activities than the chlorophyll-containing ones and the cytoprotective effect was similar, chlorophyll removal extract of Lycium barbarum leaf could be developed as ingredients of functional food and cosmetics.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.34 no.7
• /
• pp.485-492
• /
• 2024

Sea cucumbers contain more than 50% protein in their solid content, and they also possess various bioactive substances such as saponins and mucopolysaccharides. This study analyzed the activities of various enzymes derived from Bacillus and lactic acid bacteria and determined to degrade the components of sea cucumbers. Among the analyzed strains, B. subtilis K26 showed the highest activities in protease and xylanase and relatively high activity in cellulase. Accordingly, samples of sea cucumber and water were mixed in equal proportions, sterilized, and then fermented by inoculating them with B. subtilis K26. Following this, a higher amino acid content was observed between 1.5 and 7.5 hr, a lower residual solid content in this time, and a lesser fermentation odor. The saponin content in fermented sea cucumber powder extracted with butanol was measured to be 1.12 mg/g. The chondroitin sulfate content was evaluated to be 5.11 mg/g in raw sea cucumber. The total polyphenol content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities were 6.95 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, 3.69 mg quercetin equivalent/g, and 3.69 mg quercetin equivalent/g in raw sea cucumber, respectively. Moreover, the DNA damage protective effect of fermented sea cucumber extract was found to be concentration-dependent, with a very strong effect at very low concentrations. Overall, we suggest that sea cucumber fermented with B. subtilis K26 has a high potential as a food for inhibiting oxidation, enhancing immunity, and improving muscle function in the human body thanks to its high free amino acid content.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.9
• /
• pp.1109-1117
• /
• 2013

Induction of G1 Arrest by Methanol Extract of Lycopus lucidus in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells Lycopus lucidus, a herbaceous perennial, is used as a traditional remedy in East Asia, including China and Korea. It has been reported that L. lucidus has anti-allergic effects, inhibitory effects on cholesterol acyltransferase in high glucose-induced vascular inflammation, and anti-proliferative effects in human breast cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer effects of L. lucidus have not yet been fully determined. In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer effect and the mechanism of action of L. lucidus in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells using methanol extracts of L. lucidus (MELL). MELL treatment showed cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner and induced G1 arrest in A549 cells. The induction of G1 arrest by MELL was associated with the up-regulation of phospho-CHK2 and the down-regulation of Cdc25A phosphatase. In addition, MELL treatment induced decreased expression of G1/S transition-related proteins, including CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1 and cyclin E. MELL also regulated the mRNA expression of CDK2 and cyclin E. On the other hand, the expression of p53 and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 was not induced by MELL. Collectively, these results suggest that MELL may exert an anti-cancer effect by cell cycle arrest at G1 phase through the ATM/CHK2/Cdc25A/CDK2 pathway in A549 cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.739-744
• /
• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidative activity and to identify the active components of hot-water extract of Paeoniajaponica (PJ), which was a main ingredient of a herb mixture preparation recently established as a potent candidate of radioprotector in our laboratory. The water extract was fractionated with CHCl$_3$, EtOAc and n-BuOH. The extract and its fractions showed very low activity in hydroxyl radical scavenging test. In lipid peroxidation test, the extract, EtOAc and water fractions showed moderate inhibition with the ratio above 50%. In DPPH radical scavenging test, the extract, EtOAc and water fraction showed high activity with the ratio above 80%, especially. EtOAc fraction scavenged the radicals as much as synthetic antioxidant (BHA), even at low concentration. It is suggested that mai or partition for antioxidative activity of Paeonia japonica was EtOAc fraction. Subsequently, two active compounds (PJE021-1 and JE024-1) from EtOAc fraction were isolated by using MCI gel and silica gel column chromatography The two compounds inhibited remarkedly the $H_2O$$_2$-induced DNA damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, measured by single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). PJE021-1 protected the cells to almost negative control level, dose-dependently. PJE024-1 exhibited a potent inhibition with the ratio of 71% at even low concentration (0.5 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$). Finally, their chemical structures were identified as gallic acid (PJE021-1) and (＋)-catechin (PJE024-1), respectively, on the basis of the speculation of spectral and physical data.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.950-955
• /
• 2010

In this study, we prepared CheonJeongKiBo-Dan(7 oriental medicinal plants, 7OMP: Astragalus Membranaceus root, Panax Ginseng root, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (licorice) root, Schizandra Chinensis fruit, Polygonatum Odoratum, Rehmannia Glutinosa root, Paeonia Albiflora root) by extracting them in one reactor and studied its efficacies on skin. UV irradiation has been suggested as a major cause of photoaging in skin. In order to investigate protective effects against UV-B induced cellular damage, 7OMP was extracted with 70% ethanol and dissolved in DMSO. The protective effect was detected by MTT assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, phosphorylation of ATR and p53 in human dermal fibroblast cell system after UV-B irradiation. 7OMP reduced UV-B-induced cellular damage in HDFs cells, and inhibited ROS generation. UV-B-induced toxicity accompanying ROS production and the resultant DNA damage are responsible for activation of ATR, p53 and Bad. In this study, 7OMP hampered phosphorylations of ATR and p53 in human dermal fibroblasts. Therefore, 7OMP may be protective against UV-induced skin photoaging.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.87-102
• /
• 2019

Most chronic wounds persist in the inflammatory phase during wound healing due to the biofilm. Biofilms are resistant to antibiotics, weakening penetration, resistance to biocides and weakening local immune responses. The biofilm is firmly attached to the surrounding tissues and is very difficult to remove. Therefore, strategies to remove hard biofilms without damaging surrounding tissue are very important. One of possible strategies is dispersal. So many studies have been done to develop new strategies using dispersal mechanisms. In this review paper, especially chemotaxis, phage therapy, polysaccharides, various enzymes (glycosidases, proteases, and deoxyribonucleases), surfactants, dispersion signals, autoinducers, inhibitors were introduced. Combination therapies with other therapies such as antibiotic therapy were also introduced. It is expected that the possibility of treatment of chronic wound infection using the knowledge of the biofilm dispersal mechanisms presented in this paper will be higher.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 2016

This research examined the effects of Compositae extract on the inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis in human breast and human gastric cancer cells. Compositae extracts which is used in the experiment are Taraxacum coreanum (TC), Youngia sonchifolia (YS) and Ixeris dentata (ID). The proliferation of SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231 and AGS cells were investigated by MTT assay. ID and YS extracts inhibited proliferation of SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231 and AGS cells in a dose-dependent manner, but TC have barely affected. In addition, the most effective extract was ID. To assess the apoptosis of ID extract, the nuclei of human cancer cells were stained with DAPI solution respectively. Chromatin condensation, indicated apoptosis, was increased in a dose-dependent manner. We investigated change of ID extract-induced apoptosis proteins on human cancer cells by western blot analysis. The level of Bcl-2 decreased, whereas the level of Bax, cleaved-PARP increased in dose-dependent manner compared with non-treatment. Also Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, which is used in clinical indicator of apoptosis, was increased at ID extract treatment group compared with non-treatment. Moreover the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio of MDA-MB-231 cell was significantly increased as against SK-BR-3, AGS cells. These results indicated that ID extract have anti-proliferation effect better than YS or TC, and induced apoptosis in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell better than human breast cancer SK-BR-3 cell, human gastric cancer. Even if further research is needed, ID can be developed as a chemopreventive or therapeutic agent of breast cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.683-693
• /
• 2009

This study was designed to investigate the effect of dandelion juice supplementation on attenuation of oxidative stress and hangover after drinking alcohol in healthy college male students. This human trial was conducted by two phase cross over design with two weeks wash out period. The subjects (age $24{\sim}28$ years) were volunteers who had more than 72 g of ethanol drinking capacity. Dandelion group was given dandelion juice 220 mL daily for 7 days. Biochemical markers were determined in blood samples taken at 0 and 150 minutes after administration 72 g of alcohol. The levels of plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin, the indicators of liver cell damage, were not significantly different between groups. No significant differences in lymphocyte DNA damage level between groups was observed. However, plasma acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly (p<0.01) increased in dandelion supplemented group compared to that of control group. Furthermore, activities and protein expressions of glutathione-reductase and catalase of erythrocytes were significantly elevated in dandelion supplemented group compared to that of control group. From the above results, it is concluded that dandelion juice supplementation can reduce oxidative stress and hangover syndrome through the elevation of ALDH and antioxidative enzyme system in healthy male adults.