• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1576-1581
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• 2009

The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has led to an urgent need for the discovery and development of new antibacterial agents. As part of an ongoing investigation into the antibacterial properties of natural products, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), isolated from the roots of Achyranthes japonica Nakai, was found to be active against MRSA, either alone or in combination with ampicillin (AM) or gentamicin (GM), via checkerboard assay. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of 20E, which exhibited poor antibacterial activity ($MIC=250-500\;{\mu}g/ml$) against MRSA tested. The combined activity of AM or GE plus 20E against MRSA resulted in fractional inhibitory concentractions (FICs) ranging from 4.00 to $0.031\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Meanwhile, the FIC index ranged from 0.16-4.50, indicating a marked synergistic relationship between AM, GE, and 20E against MRSA. Time-kill assays also showed a remarkable decrease between the combination and the more active compound. Therefore, this study demonstrated that AM, GE, and 20E can act synergistically in inhibiting MRSA in vitro.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.784-789
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• 2016

We evaluated the synergistic antibacterial effect in combination with the chitosan-ferulic acid conjugate (CFA) and β-lactam antibiotics, such as ampicillin, penicillin, and oxacillin, against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices. CFA clearly reversed the antibacterial activity of ampicillin, penicillin, and oxacillin against MRSA in the combination mode. Among these antibiotics, the combination of oxacillin-CFA resulted in a ΣFIC_min range of 0.250 and ΣFIC_max of 0.563, suggesting that the oxacillin-CFA combination resulted in an antibacterial synergy effect against MRSA. In addition, we determined that CFA inhibited the mRNA expression of gene mecA and the production of PBP2a, which is a key determinant for β-lactam antibiotic resistance, in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, the results obtained in this study supported the idea on the antibacterial action mechanism that oxacillin will restore the antibacterial activity against MRSA through the suppression of PBP2a production by CFA.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2010

Flavonoids are known to be effective scavengers of free radicals. In particular, proanthocyanidins are flavonoids that possess cardiovascular protection, antioxidative activities, and immunomodulatory activities. Here, we evaluated proanthocyanidin contents in the total polyphenolic compounds of pine needle extracts prepared by hot water, ethanol, hexane, hot water-hexane (HWH), and hot water-ethanol (HWE). Analysis of each extract indicated that the ethanol extract contained the highest proanthocyanidin concentration. The HWH and hexane extracts also contained relatively high concentrations of proanthocyanidin. On the other hand, proanthocyanidin content analyses out of the total polyphenolic compounds indicated that the HWH extract contained the highest content. These results suggest that HWH extraction is a suitable method to obtain an extract with a high level of pure proanthocyanidins and a relatively high yield. The HWH extract possessed superior activity in diverse antioxidative analyses such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferrous ion chelating (FIC), and ferric-ion reducing power (FRAP) assays. In addition, upon assessing the effects of the pine needle extracts on macrophages (Raw 264.7 cell), the HWH extract exhibited the highest activity. In this study, we discerned an efficient extraction method to achieve relatively pure proanthocyanidins from pine needles and evaluated the biological functions of the resulting extract, which could potentially be used for its efficacious components in functional food products.

• The Journal of Natural Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.19-24
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• 1992

To find out the extent of air pollution in Taejon city, we investigated the concents of heavy metals in barks of trees in principal roadside, the outer block of a roadside and Pomunsan Park. Among the road-side trees in these areas, Platanus orientalis, Ginkgo biloba and Liriodendron tulipifera have been chosen. And we analyzed the relationship between the content of heavy metal of the barks and the traffic volume expressed by cars passing through for an hour. The range of contents of the lead in barks of the trees in the roadside and Pomunsan Park were respectively 2-1109 ppm and 5-11 ppm. Generally the contents of lead of barks of the trees in roadside was much higher than that in Pomunsan Park. And there has been positive correlation between the traf-fic volume and the content of lead in the barks. The more cars passing through for an hour, the higher the maximum in contents of lead in the barks of roadside trees. By the way the contents of cadmium in barks of the roadside trees was slightly higher than that in Pomunsan Park and was little variable.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2010

Pigment concentrates with violet-red color and sweet taste were obtained from purple-fleshed sweet potato(PFSP) using ethyl alcohol and water. Extract from general potato(GP) were used as a control. The relative stability of PFSP pigment concentrate(PFSPPC) in a storage test over 15 days was confirmed in the order of dark > fluorescence > sun-light irradiation. The relative stability of GP pigment concentrate(GPPC) in a storage test over 15 days was confirmed in the order of sun-light > fluorescence > dark storage. The RRP of PFSPPC was higher than that of GPPC, but the color strength of GPPC was 1/2 that of PFSPPC. Treatment of PFSPPC with aluminum potassium sulfate(0.2~0.3%, w/w) best improved its stability. The improved RRPs of PFSPPC were 45.16~47.31% in sun light irradiation, 55.91~60.22% in fluorescence irradiation, and 76.34~75.97% in dark storage conditions. In substituting aluminum potassium sulfate for chitosan, an amount of 0.2~0.3%(w/w) was suitable, giving similar results in improving pigment stability for all concentrates tested. Also, freeze-dried PFSPPC powder was manufactured as a substitute for dextrin, and also as a substitute for chitosan to the extent of 0.25%(w/w). The results of storage stabilite for freeze-dried PFSPPC and GPPC powder over 15 days, irradiation were, PRRs of 74.47~89.36% and 61.54~76.92%, respectively. The stability improving effect of freeze dried PFSPPC powder was confirmed by the results of storage experiments at various conditions. The use of freeze-dried PFSPPC powder was therefore confirmed to be an effective treatment for general foods.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.228-234
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• 1992

There has been general tendency to explain the traditional ginseng efficacy through the pharmacological and biochemical activities of ginsenosides. However, when we analyze the pharmacological and biological data on ginseng reported yet, we can easily arrive at the conclsion that most of the data on pharmacological and biological activities must have been obtained using impure ginsenoside samples, which should contain some non-saponin constituents as impurities. Based on the above back-ground, the non-saponin constituents of ginseng were studied in our laboratory. Phenolic substances including Maltol, Vanillic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Ferrulic Acid and Caffeic acid and impure ginsenoside samples were found to show strong antioxidant and anti-fatigue activities, while pure ginsenosides were devoid of the activities. Maltol, one of antioxidant components In Korean red ginseng drew a special interest due to its very low pro-oxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of ginseng may be considered as scientific basis for the antiageing activity which was described in traditional medicinal material book as "long-term medication of ginseng will improve bio-efficiency and extend life-span" The lignin components, another non-saponin consitutents, isolated from ginseng extract In our laboratory may eplain the hepato-protective activity of ginseng which has been repeatedly rtaimed as one of the efficacies of ginsenosides. The P-carboline alkaloids isolated in our laboratory as one of the non-saponin constituents of ginseng may play some pharmacological activities which should also be investigated. Present paper will include chemistry and biochemical aspects of the non-saponin constituents of ginseng with special interests for the explanation of traditional ginseng efficacy on modern scientific basis.fic basis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1848-1852
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• 2008

Salmonella remains a primary cause of food poisoning worldwide, and massive outbreaks have been witnessed in recent years. Therefore, this study investigated the antimicrobial activity of methyl gallate (MG), which exhibited good antibacterial activity ($MIC=3.9-125{\mu}g/ml$) against all the bacterial strains tested. In a checkerboard dilution test, MG markedly lowered the MICs of ciprofloxacin (CPFX) against Salmonella. The combined activity of CPFX and MG against Salmonella resulted in fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs) ranging from 0.0037 to 0.015 and from 0.24 to $7.8{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Meanwhile, the FIC index ranged from 0.31-0.37, indicating a marked synergistic relationship between CPFX and MG against Salmonella. Time-kill assays also showed a decrease in the CFU/ml between the combination and the more active compound. Therefore, this study demonstrated that MG and CPFX can act synergistically in inhibiting Salmonella in vitro.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 1994

Tne present studies were camied out to ~nvestigate the allele frequency variations of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in natural populat~ons of Drosophiio melonogoster and the correlations of iwo ADH alleles between fitness and ethanol. ADH alleles were found to be polymorphic in natural populations of D. rnelanogaster. The frequencies of FF, FS and SS genotypes were 47.66, 42 18, and 10.16%. respectively, therefore the F gene frequency (68.75) was shown to be hlgher than the S gene (31.25 %). The FF genotype was slightly superior to the SS genotype in both fecundiiy and eclaslon. The frequency of AdhF allele in the small alt>fic~apl opulaliow originated from natural populations was increased for 20 generations on normal media at 25$^{\circ}$C In resistance to ethanol, the FF genotype was supenor to the SS genotype, too. It meant that ethanol as environmental factor might be the selective factor on ADH locus in natural populat~ons of D meionogoster.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.716-728
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• 1999

Whole oil and ketonic fraction (KF) of Leptospermum scoparium have been tested for their antimicrobial activity and combination effect with several antibiotics against various bacterial strains and fungi by using microbiological assay methods. Antibacterial activities of KF against a number of test strains were 2-3 fold stronger than those of whole oil. MICs of the KF were $65~125{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}}/ml$ against seven gram positive bacterial strains, $65~250{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}}/ml$ against 19 methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus strains, and $65~50{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}}/ml$ against 14 quinolone resistance strains. However, KF showed little or no activity against gram negative bacteria. MICs of the KF were $16~250{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}}/ml$ against more than 50% of the anaerobic bacterial strains tested. KF showed the higher antibacterial activity than bacitracin against 10 strains of Bacteroids thetaiotaomicron, or three strains of Bacteroides ovatus, and the more active than ciprofloxacin against one strain of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and three strains of Bacteroids ovatus. The MICs of KF was 63 and $250{\;}{\mu\textrm{g}}/ml$ against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans, respectively. Antibacterial activities of KF in combination with 19 antibiotics against 14 strains and with four antifungal agents against one fungal strain were determined by paper strip diffusion method. While most of combination showed additivity, KF showed synergism with bacitracin, exfadroxil, cephradin, and meropenem for 29~57% of the strains tested. However, ofloxacin, enoxacin, sparfloxacin showed antagonism with KF for 43~71% of the strains. KF alone and in combination with bacitracin, gentamycin, neomycin, itraconazole, fluconazole, terfinafine and ketoconazole against five bacterial strains or one fungus strain synergistic effect was demonstrated against 33% of strains examined with FIC index value below 0.5 by checkerboard study. Synergistic effect of KF with gentamicin against Staphylococcus epidermidis 329 (QRS) was found by time-kill study.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.288-295
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the synergistic antibacterial effect of xylitol and ursolic acid (UA) against oral biofilms in vitro. Materials and Methods: S. mutans UA 159 (wild type), S. mutans KCOM 1207, KCOM 1128 and S. sobrinus ATCC 33478 were used. The susceptibility of S. mutans to UA and xylitol was evaluated using a broth microdilution method. Based on the results, combined susceptibility was evaluated using optimal inhibitory combinations (OIC), optimal bactericidal combinations (OBC), and fractional inhibitory concentrations (FIC). The anti-biofilm activity of xylitol and UA on Streptococcus spp. was evaluated by growing cells in 24-well polystyrene microtiter plates for the biofilm assay. Significant mean differences among experimental groups were determined by Fisher's Least Significant Difference (p < 0.05). Results: The synergistic interactions between xylitol and UA were observed against all tested strains, showing the FICs < 1. The combined treatment of xylitol and UA inhibited the biofilm formation significantly and also prevented pH decline to critical value of 5.5 effectively. The biofilm disassembly was substantially influenced by different age of biofilm when exposed to the combined treatment of xylitol and UA. Comparing to the single strain, relatively higher concentration of xylitol and UA was needed for inhibiting and disassembling biofilm formed by a mixed culture of S. mutans 159 and S. sobrinus 33478. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that xylitol and UA, synergistic inhibitors, can be a potential agent for enhancing the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm efficacy against S. mutans and S. sobrinus in the oral environment.