• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.124-128
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• 2008

Cell proliferation inhibitory effects of homoharringtonine (HHT), an active drug substance in Cephalotaxus koreana, against blood cancer cell line K562 were evaluated. In addition, in vivo chronic toxicity test with mouse was carried out. When K562 cell line was treated everyday for 9, 6, 3 days, $IC_{50}$ values of HHT were determined as 0.27, 0.37, and 1.10 mM respectively. The anticancer activity of HHT was comparable to adriamycin, a known anticancer drug compound for blood cancer treatment. in vivo chronic toxicity test of the HHT, the number of red blood cell (RBC) showed no significant difference. From the analysis of the liver-functional enzymes in blood, all of liver damage related enzymes such as glutamate-oxalate-transferase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate-transferase (GPT), cholesterol (Chol) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) showed no significant change. However, from the histologic test, a neutrophil of the band type in liver tissue was observed.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2013

Ginsenosides, one of the active ingredients of Panax ginseng, show various pharmacological and physiological effects, and they are converted into compound K (CK) or protopanaxatriol (M4) by intestinal microorganisms. CK is a metabolite derived from protopanaxadiol (PD) ginsenosides, whereas M4 is a metabolite derived from protopanaxatriol (PT) ginsenosides. The ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid $receptor_C$ ($GABA_C$) is primarily expressed in retinal bipolar cells and several regions of the brain. However, little is known of the effects of ginsenoside metabolites on $GABA_C$ receptor channel activity. In the present study, we examined the effects of CK and M4 on the activity of human recombinant $GABA_C$ receptor (${\rho}$ 1) channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes by using a 2-electrode voltage clamp technique. In oocytes expressing $GABA_C$ receptor cRNA, we found that CK or M4 alone had no effect in oocytes. However, co-application of either CK or M4 with GABA inhibited the GABA-induced inward peak current ($I_{GABA}$). Interestingly, pre-application of M4 inhibited $I_{GABA}$ more potently than CK in a dose- dependent and reversible manner. The half-inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) values of CK and M4 were $52.1{\pm}2.3$ and $45.7{\pm}3.9{\mu}M$, respectively. Inhibition of $I_{GABA}$ by CK and M4 was voltage-independent and non-competitive. This study implies that ginsenoside metabolites may regulate $GABA_C$ receptor channel activity in the brain, including in the eyes.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.239-245
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• 2016

This study was conducted to compare the functionality (antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-dementia activities) of the methanol extract of Allium hookeri root grown in Korea (KR) and Myanmar (MR). The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of KR and MR were 5.27 and 4.80 mg GAE/g, and 0.35 and 0.24 mg QE/g, respectively. KR contained significantly higher levels of total polyphenols and total flavonoids than those of MR (p<0.05). The IC50 values of KR and MR were 6.53 and 5.31 mg/mL, respectively, for DPPH radical scavenging activity. However, KR had a significantly higher ABTS radical scavenging activity, $Fe^{2+}$ chelating ability, and reducing power compared with those of MR (p<0.05). In the evaluation of anti-diabetic activity, KR showed significantly higher ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibition activity than acarbose and MR at whole concentrations (p<0.05). KR and MR had acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities that of 51.44% and 44.33%, respectively, at a 50 mg/mL concentration. These results suggested that roots of A. hookeri, especially KR, could be useful in improving diabetic and dementia disorders due to their high antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-dementia activities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8259-8263
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• 2016

Background: Nano-therapy has the potential to revolutionize cancer therapy. Chrysin, a natural flavonoid, was recently recognized as having important biological roles in chemical defenses and nitrogen fixation, with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects but the poor water solubility of flavonoids limitstheir bioavailability and biomedical applications. Objective: Chrysin loaded PLGA-PEG-PLGA was assessed for improvement of solubility, drug tolerance and adverse effects and accumulation in a gastric cancer cell line (AGS). Materials and Methods: Chrysin loaded PLGA-PEG copolymers were prepared using the double emulsion method (W/O/W). The morphology and size distributions of the prepared PLGA-PEG nanospheres were investigated by 1H NMR, FT-IR and SEM. The in vitro cytotoxicity of pure and nano-chrysin was tested by MTT assay and miR-34a was measured by real-time PCR. Results: 1H NMR, FT-IR and SEM confirmed the PLGA-PEG structure and chrysin loaded on nanoparticles. The MTT results for different concentrations of chrysin at different times for the treatment of AGS cell line showed IC50 values of 68.2, 56.2 and $42.3{\mu}M$ and 58.2, 44.2, $36.8{\mu}M$ after 24, 48, and 72 hours of treatment, respectively for chrysin itslef and chrysin-loaded nanoparticles. The results of real time PCR showed that expression of miR-34a was upregulated to a greater extent via nano chrysin rather than free chrysin. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates chrysin loaded PLGA-PEG promises a natural and efficient system for anticancer drug delivery to fight gastric cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.382-390
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• 2017

In this paper, we consider particular exposure scenarios to evaluate human effects for inductive commercial wireless charging device operating at low frequency. The coil used in this study is the A10 model in Qi standard proposed by WPC(Wireless Power Consortium), and input power is 5 W to the operating frequency of 155 kHz. In perfectly aligned condition, the max leakage magnetic field is $257.58{\mu}T$ which is obtained at the side of the device, and it is exceeded about 7.4 times of the ICNIRP 1998 reference level. The SAR is evaluated with homogeneous phantom which has electric constants of wet skin. The max value of the SAR is $134.47{\mu}W/kg$ which is obtained at the side of the device also, and it is much lower than the international guidelines. Especially, it showed higher SAR values in case of misalignment condition, so we will need to consider the misalignment condition importantly when we evaluate human effects for wireless power transfer system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.94-101
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• 2011

Squid (Todarodes pacificus) is processed as dried or seasoned-dried products and its catch gradually increased from 270,298 M/T in 2005 to 367,940 M/T in 2008 in Korea. Squid processing by-product (viscera) was usually discarded as a waste resulting in environmental problem. In order to utilize squid viscera for more value-added products, a natural squid seasoning was developed by fermenting with Aspergillus oryzae koji. Squid viscera at 5, 10 and 15% salt concentrations with fixed levels of 5% koji and 30% water was fermented at room temperature. The quality properties of squid fermented products such as amino-N, TMA, VBN, total viable cell count, pH and total acidity were determined at different fermentation periods. The contents of amino-N, TMA, and VBN of squid seasoning at 5% salt concentration fermented for 14 days were the highest. Based on amino-N content, squid viscera at 5% koji fermented for 14 days was selected for further assays: the content of moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, crude ash, and carbohydrate were 5.98, 35.19, 33.08, 11.30, and 14.45%, respectively. The content of glutamate, alanine, leusine and lysine were 7.06, 12.34, 9.90 and 10.22%, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ values of DPPH scavenging and $\beta$-glucuronidase inhibitory activity were 12.89 and 12.58 mg/mL, respectively. A natural squid seasoning was manufactured by mixing fermented squid viscera and an ingredient. Based on the results of sensory evaluation, the fermented squid viscera seasoning was almost equal to other natural complex seasonings such as anchovy, cow meat, and fisheries seasoning.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.1231-1237
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• 2008

This study was conducted to investigate the functional biological effects of hot water and ethanol extracts from Taraxacum mongolicum (TM). Then, the hot water and ethanol extracts of TM were measured for total flavonoids content, total phenolics content, electron donating ability, nitrite-scavenging ability, SOD-like activity, tyrosinase inhibitory effect, and elastase inhibitory effect. Total flavonoids contents of hot water and ethanol extracts from TM were 7.80$\pm$0.97 mg/g and 9.12$\pm$0.51 mg/g, respectively, and total phenolics contents were estimated as 54.20$\pm$1.95 mg/g for water extract and 79.43$\pm$4.44 mg/g for ethanol extract. The $RC_{50}$ values for electron donating ability of hot water and ethanol extracts were 943.98 $\mu$g/mL and 309.41 $\mu$g/mL. SOD-like activity and nitrite-scavenging ability were dependent on concentration of hot water and ethanol extracts, and the activity of ethanol extract was higher than that of hot water extract. However, hot water and ethanol extracts from TM showed no inhibitory activities on the elastase and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Based on the above results, the ethanol extract of TM seems to be the most pertinent for use as functional food and cosmetic.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2018

PURPOSE. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate, for the first time, the effects of addition of titania nanotubes ($n-TiO_2$) to poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) on mechanical properties of PMMA denture base. MATERIALS AND METHODS. $TiO_2$ nanotubes were prepared using alkaline hydrothermal process. Obtained nanotubes were assessed using FESEM-EDX, XRD, and FT-IR. For 3 experiments of this study (fracture toughness, three-point bending flexural strength, and Vickers microhardness), 135 specimens were prepared according to ISO 20795-1:2013 (n of each experiment=45). For each experiment, PMMA was mixed with 0% (control), 2.5 wt%, and 5 wt% nanotubes. From each $TiO_2$:PMMA ratio, 15 specimens were fabricated for each experiment. Effects of $n-TiO_2$ addition on 3 mechanical properties were assessed using Pearson, ANOVA, and Tukey tests. RESULTS. SEM images of $n-TiO_2$ exhibited the presence of elongated tubular structures. The XRD pattern of synthesized $n-TiO_2$ represented the anatase crystal phase of $TiO_2$. Moderate to very strong significant positive correlations were observed between the concentration of $n-TiO_2$ and each of the 3 physicomechanical properties of PMMA (Pearson's P value ${\leq}.001$, correlation coefficient ranging between 0.5 and 0.9). Flexural strength and hardness values of specimens modified with both 2.5 and 5 wt% $n-TiO_2$ were significantly higher than those of control ($P{\leq}.001$). Fracture toughness of samples reinforced with 5 wt% $n-TiO_2$ (but not those of 2.5% $n-TiO_2$) was higher than control (P=.002). CONCLUSION. Titania nanotubes were successfully introduced for the first time as a means of enhancing the hardness, flexural strength, and fracture toughness of denture base PMMA.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.98-98
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• 2003

${\beta}$-(1,3)-D-Glucans have been known to exhibit antitumor and antimicrobial activities. The presence of dectin-1,${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$-glucan receptor of dendritic cell, on macrophage has been controvertial. RT-PCR analysis led to the detection of dectin-1${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ in murine macrophage Raw264.7 cell line. Among the various organs of mouse, dectin-1${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ were detected in the thymus, lung, spleen, stomach and intestine. To analyze gene expression modulated by ${\beta}$-glucan treated murine Raw264.7 macrophage, total mRNA was applied to cDNA microarray to interrogate the expression of 7,000 known genes. cDNA chip analysis showed that ${\beta}$-glucan of P. osteatus increased gene expressions of immunomodulating genes, membrane antigenic proteins, chemokine ligands, complements, cytokines, various kinases, lectin associated genes and oncogenes in Raw 264.7 cell line. When treated with ${\beta}$-glucan of P. osteatus and LPS, induction of gene expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-R1 was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. Induction of TNF-R type II expression was confirmed by FACS analysis. IL-6 expression was abolished by EDTA in ${\beta}$-glucan and LPS treated Raw264.7 cell line, indicating that ${\beta}$-glucan binds to dectin-l in a Ca$\^$＋＋/ -dependent manner. To increase antitumor efficacy of ${\beta}$-glucan, ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) was co-treated with ${\beta}$-glucan in vivo and in vitro tests. IC$\sub$50/ values of GRh2 were 20 and 25 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ in SNU-1 and B16 melanoma F10 cell line, respectively. Co-treatment with ${\beta}$-glucan and GRh2 showed synergistic antitumor activity with cisplatin and mitomycin C both in vitro and in vivo. Single or co-treatment with ${\beta}$-glucan and GRh2 increased tumor bearing mouse life span. Co-treatment with ${\beta}$-glucan and GRh2 showed more increased life span with mitomycin C than that with cisplatin. Antitumor activities were 67% and 72 % by co-injection with ${\beta}$-glucan and GRh2 in the absence or presence of mitomycin C, respectively.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.347-354
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• 2014

Larrea nitida is a plant that belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family and is widely used in South America to treat inflammatory diseases, tumors and menstrual pain. However, its pharmacological activity remains unclear. In this study we evaluated the property of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) of Larrea nitida extracts (LNE) as a phytoestrogen that can mimic, modulate or disrupt the actions of endogenous estrogens, depending on the tissue and relative amount of other SERMs. To investigate the property of SERM of LNE, we performed MCF-7 cell proliferation assays, estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase reporter gene assay, human estrogen receptor (hER) binding assays and in vivo uterotrophic assay. To gain insight into the active principles, we performed a bioassay-guided analysis of LNE employing solvents of various polarities and using classical column chromatography, which yielded 16 fractions (LNs). LNE showed high binding affinities for $hER{\alpha}$ and $hER{\beta}$ with $IC_{50}$ values of $1.20{\times}10^{-7}$ g/ml and $1.00{\times}10^{-7}$ g/ml, respectively. LNE induced $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2)-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation, however, it reduced the proliferation in the presence of E2. Furthermore, LNE had an atrophic effect in the uterus of immature rats through reducing the expression level of progesterone receptor (PR) proteins. LN08 and LN10 had more potent affinities for binding on $hER{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ than other fractions. Our results indicate that LNE had higher binding affinities for $hER{\beta}$ than $hER{\alpha}$, and showed SERM properties in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the rat uterus. LNE may be useful for the treatment of estrogen-related conditions, such as female cancers and menopause.