• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2002

Background: Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM), a traditional oriental medicine, has been reported to have anti-tumor properties, but its exact mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated several of the molecular events that occur in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells and human pulmonary adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Methods: For this purpose, we evaluated the growth-inhibitory effect of SM in association with the expressions of p53, p21, cyclin D1, and pRb, which are known to be involved in cell cycle arrest. The extent of thymidine incorporation was also examined to assess G1/S phase cell cycle arrest in both cells by $^3H$-thymidine incorporation. Results: Our results show that SM inhibits the growth and the proliferation of MCF-7 and A549 cells. Furthermore, we also observed increased expression of p21 via a p53-dependent pathway in both cell lines after treating with SM. In addition, treatment with SM for 24 hours caused the suppression of hyperphosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (pRb) expression and the dephosphorylation of pRb. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the growth inhibitory and the anti-proliferation effects of SM on MCF-7 cells and A549 cells are mediated via the decreased expression and dephosphorylation of pRB by p21 up-regulation in a p53-dependent manner. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report upon the molecular mechanisms involved in SM-induced tumor cell growth inhibition.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.1315-1323
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• 1999

The antimicrobial effects of ethanol and organic acids(acetic, citric, lactic. propionic, tartaric acid), either alone or in combination against four foodborne microorganisms (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7) in tryptic soy broth were determined. Area under the growth curve, minimum generation time, maximum growth rate, and detection time were measured by using automated turbidometer Bioscreen(Labsystem, Finland), for 24 hr at $30^{\circ}C$. All microorganisms were not grown at 7% ethanol in the media. The 0.1% propionic acid showed the strongest inhibitory effects against S. aureus, L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157 : H7 compared with other organic acids, whereas 0.01% organic acids did not show significant inhibitory effect against microorganisms tested (p > 0.01) except S. aureus. The combination of 1% ethanol and 0.01% organic acids were significantly more effective than alone on growth of S. aureus and L. monocytogenes(p < 0.01).

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.27-39
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• 2012

Objectives: Recently Ciprofloxacin, used in the treatment of mastitis, showed many serious side effects. The object of this study was to recognize whether TNS and KWT can be used in the treatment of mastitis by observing the in vitro antibacterial effects of TNS and KWT aqueous herbal extracts against S. aureus. Methods: Antibacterial activities of TNS and KWT aqueous extracts against S. aureus ATCC 25923 were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the bacterial growth curve were monitored at MIC and $MIC{\times}2$ levels. The effects on the intracellular killing and bacterial invasion of individual test materials were also observed using Raw 264.6 and MCF-7. The results were compared with Ciprofloxacin, a second generation of quinolone antibiotics in the present study. Results: MIC of aqueous extracts of TNS and KWT against S. aureus were detected as ($0.313{\pm}0.107$) and ($0.137{\pm}0.053$) mg/ml, respectively. MIC of Ciprofloxacin was detected as ($0.469{\pm}0.297$) ${\mu}g/ml$ at same conditions. In addition, TNS, KWT aqueous herbal extracts and Ciprofloxacin were also showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth, and dramatical inhibitions on the both intracellular killing assays and bacterial invasion using Raw 264.6 and MCF-7 cells were detected. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that TNS and KWT aqueous herbal extracts showed antibacterial effects against S. aureus, and they also showed dosage-dependent inhibitory effects on the bacterial growth. And they showed the significant intracellular killing and bacterial invasion effects. It means, KWT and TNS may show more potent anti-infectious effects against S. aureus in vivo.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2015

Prodigiosin, a member of natural red pigment family, is produced by Serratia marcescens, and characterized by a common pyrrolylpyrromethane skeleton. This pigment has been reported with the effects of anticancer, immunosuppressant, antifungal, and algicidal activities. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of hospital infections. In this study, anti-MRSA properties of prodigiosin isolated from Serratia sp. PDGS 120915 were investigated. We identified and purified prodigiosin using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and evaluated anti-MRSA activity. Purified prodigiosin inhibited the growth of MRSA. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of prodigiosin were determined to $32{\mu}g/ml$ against the MRSA strains. Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices of ampicillin and penicillin were indicated synergistic effects of prodigiosin on MRSA.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.941-946
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• 2001

The effects of various concentrations of saturated fatty acids (SFA; caprylic, capric and stearic acids) on the growth of the anaerobic fungus, Neocallimastix frontalis C5-1 isolated from the rumen of a Korean native goat were investigated. At higher concentrations of fatty acids (0.1%, w/v), the addition of SFA strongly decreased filter paper (FP) cellulose digestion and polysaccharide-degrading enzyme activity. The sensitivity of the rumen anaerobic fungus to the added fatty acids increased in the following order: caprylic ($C_{8:0}$)>capric($C_{10:0}$)>stearic($C_{18:0}$) acid, although stearic acid had no significant (p<0.05) inhibitory effects at any of the concentrations tested. However, the addition of SFA at lower concentrations (0.01 and 0.001% levels), did not inhibit FP cellulose degradation and enzyme activity. Furthermore, although these parameters were slightly stimulated by the addition of SFA, they were not statistically different from control values. This is the first report examining the effects of fatty acids on anaerobic gut fungi. We found that the lower levels of fatty acids used in this experiment were able to stimulate the growth and specific enzyme activities of rumen anaerobic fungi, whereas the higher levels of fatty acids were inhibitory with respect to fungal cellulolysis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Objectives : We investigated the synergistic effects of bee venom (BV) and natural killer (NK) cells on B16F10 melanoma cell apoptosis mediated by IL-4. Methods : We performed a cell viability assay to determine whether BV can enhance the inhibitory effect of NK-92MI cells on the growth of B16F10 melanoma cells, and western blot analysis to detect changes in the expression of IL-4, $IL-4R{\alpha}$, and other apoptosis-related proteins. EMSA was performed to observe the activity of STAT6. To confirm that the inhibitory effect of BV and NK cells was mediated by IL-4, the above tests were repeated after IL-4 silencing by siRNA (50 nM). Results : B16F10 melanoma cells co-cultured with NK-92MI cells and simultaneously treated by BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$) showed a higher degree of proliferation inhibition than when treated by BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$) alone or co-cultured with NK-92MI cells alone. Expression of IL-4, $IL-4R{\alpha}$, and that of other pro-apoptotic proteins was also enhanced after co-culture with NK-92MI cells and simultaneous treatment with BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$). Furthermore, the expression of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 decreased, and the activity of STAT6, as well as the expression of STAT6 and p-STAT6 were enhanced. IL-4 silencing siRNA (50 nM) in B16F10 cells, the effects of BV treatment and NK-92MI co-culture were reversed. Conclusion : These results suggest that BV could be an effective alternative therapy for malignant melanoma by enhancing the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of NK cells through an IL-4-mediated pathway.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.103-107
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• 2009

Three traditional Chinese medicines, Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb, Grifola umbellata (pers.) Pilat, and Gambogia, are combined to form a compound extract, AGC. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of AGC on human gastric carcinoma MGC-803 cells were demonstrated, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are investigated. Our results indicate that AGC inhibited MGC-803 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner as measured by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, with an $IC_{50}$ of about $6.045{\pm}0.69{\mu}g/mL$. In vivo, AGC inhibited growth of human gastric carcinoma in xenograft tumors in nude mice, and the inhibitory rate reached 55.2% at 300 mg/kg. The pro-apoptotic activity of AGC was attributed to its ability to decrease the expression of Bcl-2 and Pro-caspase3 and increase the expression of Bax. These results demonstrate that AGC can effectively induce programmed cell death and may be a promising anti-tumor drug in human gastric carcinoma.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.721-725
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• 2001

Physiological activity in different parts of Dolsan leaf mustard (DLM) was investigated. To determine the physiological activity, DLM was crushed filtered centrifuged and then the supernatant was used as a sample. of 1%, 3% and 6%. By adding of improved root juice(20th day) with the concentration of 6% the cytotoxicity against HepG2 was the highest about 78.2%. And antioxidative effects in different parts of DLM was measured by using the DPPH method. Antioxidative effects was higher in all leaves than other parts. In particular antioxidative effects was the highest in leaves of traditional DLM at the 20th day of growth about 80.4%. In leaves of improved DLM at the 60th growth angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitory effect was the highest about 94.0%. Consequently there was not significant difference of physiological activity between improved and traditional DLM. However the cytotoxicity against HepG2 was the highest in roots of DLM. And the antioxidative and the ACE inhibitory effect in leaves of DLM were higher than those of other parts.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.10
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• 2019

Objectives: Biofilm formation is critical to dental caries initiation and development. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nicotine exposure on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm formation concomitantly with the inhibitory effects of sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl) and potassium iodide (KI) salts. This study examined bacterial growth with varying concentrations of NaCl, KCl, and KI salts and nicotine levels consistent with primary levels of nicotine exposure. Materials and Methods: A preliminary screening experiment was performed to investigate the appropriate concentrations of NaCl, KCl, and KI to use with nicotine. With the data, a S. mutans biofilm growth assay was conducted using nicotine (0-32 mg/mL) in Tryptic Soy broth supplemented with 1% sucrose with and without 0.45 M of NaCl, 0.23 M of KCl, and 0.113 M of KI. The biofilm was stained with crystal violet dye and the absorbance measured to determine biofilm formation. Results: The presence of 0.45 M of NaCl, 0.23 M of KCl, and 0.113 M of KI significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) nicotine-induced S. mutans biofilm formation by 52%, 79.7%, and 64.1%, respectively. Conclusions: The results provide additional evidence regarding the biofilm-enhancing effects of nicotine and demonstrate the inhibitory influence of these salts in reducing the nicotine-induced biofilm formation. A short-term exposure to these salts may inhibit S. mutans biofilm formation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.633-638
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• 2009

We investigated the inhibitory effects of solvent extracts from dried tuna on the growth of cancer cell lines (HT1080 human fibrosarcoma and HT-29 human colon cancer cells) and $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress. Inhibitory effects of acetone with methylene chloride (A+M) and methanol (MeOH) extracts on the growth of HT1080 and HT-29 cancer cells increased in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05). The inhibitory effect was more significant on the growth of HT1080 cells, and A+M extracts had a higher inhibitory effect compared to MeOH extracts. The treatments of hexane, 85% aq. methanol, butanol and water fractions significantly inhibited the growth of both cancer cells (p<0.05). Among the fractions, hexane and 85% aq. methanol fractions showed higher inhibitory effects. In order to determine the protective effect on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress, a DCHF-DA (dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate) assay was conducted. All fractions, including crude extracts of dried tuna, appeared to significantly reduce the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) with dose responses (p<0.05). Among the fractions, BuOH and 85% methanol fractions showed a higher protective effect on the production of lipid peroxides. These results indicate that the consumption of tuna may be recommended as a potent functional food for preventing cellular oxidation and cancer.