• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.11
• /
• pp.1269-1275
• /
• 2017

Tenebrio molitor samples were investigated as novel biomaterials and sources of food in several recent studies. However, the insects' effects on hair growth were not sufficiently researched. To develop novel and natural materials for preventing alopecia and promoting hair growth, this study investigated the antioxidant activities and hair-growth promotion effects of TMEs. To determine the antioxidant activities, the TMEs' DPPH radical- and nitrite-scavenging activities were examined. To determine hair-growth promotion effects, proliferations of human dermal papilla cells (DPCs) and the murine fibroblast cell line NIH3T3 were evaluated by using an MTS assay. In addition, estimations were made for cell viabilities against cell death induced by dihydrotesterone (DHT) in DPCs and inhibitory effects against potassium channel blocking induced by tolbutamide (TBM) in NIH3T3 cells. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was 81.17%, and the nitrite scavenging activity was 43.69%; the activities were similar to the activities of blueberry extracts. Moreover, the TMEs promoted the proliferation of human DPCs and NIH3T3 cells, which were concentrated dependently. The TMEs prevented not only DHT-induced DPC cytotoxicity but also TBM's action as a potassium channel blocker in NIH3T3 cells. The results suggested that TME could be used as a functional therapeutic alopecia reagent, to prevent hair loss and to promote hair growth.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2019

Objective: This study is aimed to investigate the anti-tumor metastasis by innate immunomodulating effects of crude polysaccharide isolated from Polygonati Rhizoma (CP-PR) on 4T1 breast cancer cells. Methods: CP-PR was isolated from Polygonati Rhizoma. Antimetastatic experiments were conducted in vivo mouse model by using 4T1 breast cancer cells. The cell viability of CP-PR was tested with normal spleen and 4T1 breast cancer cells. To observe the activation of macrophages with/without 4T1 breast cancer cells, production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10 and IL-12 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. In addition, the lysis of YAC-1 cells and the production of granzymes were measured to observe the activation of natural killer (NK) cell. Results: Intravenous administration of CP-PR significantly inhibited metastasis of 4T1 breast cancer cells. In an in vitro cytotoxicity analysis, CP-PR affected the growth of normal spleen and 4T1 breast cancer cells above specific concentration. The production of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 were significantly increased in macrophages with CP-PR. As compared with control, CP-PR showed significantly higher production of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-10 and IL-12 in macrophages co-cultured with 4T1 breast cancer cells. The lysis of YAC-1 cells and the production of granzymes were significantly up regulated by CP-PR. Conclusion: CP-PR appears to have considerable activity on the anti-metastasis by activation of innate immune system.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.48-57
• /
• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rh2 is well known for many pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, antidiabetes, antiinflammatory, and antiobesity properties. Glycosyltransferases (GTs) are ubiquitous enzymes present in nature and are widely used for the synthesis of oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, glycoconjugates, and novel derivatives. We aimed to synthesize new ginsenosides from Rh2 using the recombinant GT enzyme and investigate its cytotoxicity with diverse cell lines. Methods: We have used a GT gene with 1,224-bp gene sequence cloned from Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LRGT) and then expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant GT protein was purified and demonstrated to transform Rh2 into two novel ginsenosides, and they were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques and evaluated by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Results: Two novel ginsenosides with an additional glucopyranosyl (6→1) and two additional glucopyranosyl (6→1) linked with the C-3 position of the substrate Rh2 were synthesized, respectively. Cell viability assay in the lung cancer (A549) cell line showed that glucosyl ginsenoside Rh2 inhibited cell viability more potently than ginsenoside Rg3 and Rh2 at a concentration of 10 μM. Furthermore, glucosyl ginsenoside Rh2 did not exhibit any cytotoxic effect in murine macrophage cells (RAW264.7), mouse embryo fibroblasts cells (3T3-L1), and skin cells (B16BL6) at a concentration of 10 μM compared with ginsenoside Rh2 and Rg3. Conclusion: This is the first report on the synthesis of two novel ginsenosides, namely, glucosyl ginsenoside Rh2 and diglucosyl ginsenoside Rh2 from Rh2 by using recombinant GT isolated from L. rhamnosus. Moreover, diglucosyl ginsenoside Rh2 might be a new candidate for treatment of inflammation, obesity, and skin whiting, and especially for anticancer.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.139-150
• /
• 2016

Few studies have been reported that horse-bone extract(HBE) can prevent and treatment of bone diseases. However, HBE' therapeutic activities are still not fully understood. This study determined whether HBE up-regulates hemeoxygenase 1(HO-1) and this mediates its anti-inflammatory effect in murine macrophages.Nitric oxide(NO) assay, MTT assay and DPPH assay were performed. In addition, Western blotting and real time PCR were used to determine protein expression, and gene expression, respectively. HBE significantly inhibited NO production without observable cytotoxicity. In addition, HBE attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and phospho (p)-ERK protein expressions in LPS(0.1㎍/ml) stimulated RAW264.7 cells. On the other hand, HBE alone up-regulated HO-1 and Nrf-2 expressions, which mediated HBE's anti-inflammatory effect in RAW264.7 cells. Finally, HBE up-regulated HO-1 and impaired ERK1/2 signaling pathways, and thus it may provide protection against cellular oxidation and inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.439-445
• /
• 2016

Soybean leaves, a Korean edible plant material, have been reported to prevent the development of osteoporosis and breast cancer. Based on this rational, soybean fallen leaves ethanolic extract (SBFL) was used for the experiment of cell invasion related to metastasis and antioxidant activity. The effect of SBFL on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in human fibrosarcoma cells, HT1080 as well as its anti-oxidant activity was investigated in this study. The effect of SBFL on scavenging activity of reactive oxygen species was evaluated in vitro using lipid peroxidation assay,DPPH radical and reducing power assay. SBFL showed the positive effects on antioxidant activity, compared with vitamin C and vitamin E used as positive controls. Furthermore, SBFL showed cytotoxicity above 16 µg/ml in MTT assay. In particular, it was found that SBFL decreased the activation of MMP-9 stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetae (PMA) and phenazine methosulfate (PMS). SBFL treatment increased the expression levels of p-FoxO-1 and SOD-1. Moreover, SBFL inhibited cell invasion stimulated by vascular endothelial growth Factor (VEGF). These results indicate that SBFL could inhibit cell invasion related to the activation of MMP-9 and oxidative stress, suggesting that it could be available as a main ingredient for prevention of metastasis.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.51 no.11
• /
• pp.572-577
• /
• 2018

Recent studies showed that the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockade is a dramatic therapy for melanoma by enhancing antitumor immune activity. Currently, major strategies for the PD-1/PD-L1 blockade have mainly focused on the use of antibodies and compounds. Seeking an alternative approach, others employ endogenous proteins as blocking agents. The extracellular domain of PD-1 (ePD1) includes the binding site with PD-L1. Accordingly, we constructed a PD-1-based recombinantly tailored fusion protein (dFv-ePD1) that consists of bivalent variable fragments (dFv) of an MMP-2/9-targeted antibody and ePD1. The melanoma-binding intensity and antitumor activity were also investigated. We found the intense and selective binding capability of the protein dFv-ePD1 to human melanoma specimens was confirmed by a tissue microarray. In addition, dFv-ePD1 significantly suppressed the migration and invasion of mouse melanoma B16-F1 cells, and displayed cytotoxicity to cancer cells in vitro. Notably, dFv-ePD1 significantly inhibited the growth of mouse melanoma B16-F1 tumor cells in mice and in vivo fluorescence imaging showed that dFv-ePD was gradually accumulated into the B16-F1 tumor. Also the B16-F1 tumor fluorescence intensity at the tumor site was stronger than that of dFv. This study indicates that the recombinant protein dFv-ePD1 has an intensive melanoma-binding capability and exerts potent therapeutic efficacy against melanoma. The novel format of the PD-L1-blocked agent may play an active role in antitumor immunotherapy.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.11-19
• /
• 2020

Objective : The genus Glycyrrhiza has been used in food and traditional herbal medicine. Glycyrrhiza new varieties Wongam and Sinwongam have been developed by Korea Rural Development Administration and investigated to register on Korean Pharmacopoeia of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The aim of this study is to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of Wongam and Sinwongam comparing with listed Glycyrrhiza species (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer and G. glabra Linne) for evaluations about pharmacological effect of Glycyrrhiza new varieties. Methods : We studied the immunomodulatory effect of Wongam and Sinwongam compared with G. uralensis and G. glabra using THP-1 cell in vitro model. The cells were treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for differentiation and stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to induce immune activation. We analyzed and compared the effects Glycyrrhiza new varieties and listed Glycyrrhiza species using nitric oxide (NO) assay, western blot, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. 1) Results : Wongam and Sinwongam showed no cytotoxicity in THP-1 cells. Wongam and Sinwongam, and listed Glycyrrhiza species increased NO production, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression with or without LPS in differentiated THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, Wongam and Sinwongam and listed Glycyrrhiza species upregulated the mRNA expressions of T helper type 1 (Th 1)-associated cytokines in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages. Conclusion : These results indicated that Wongam and Sinwongam would have effect of enhancing immune response through the increase of NO and COX-2 expression, and activate Th1-associated cytokines. The findings of this study suggest the wide applicability of Glycyrrhiza new varieties.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.307-312
• /
• 2005

We investigated the growth inhibitory effects of Atrina pecitinata (AP) on the proliferation in human cancer cell lines in vitro. AP was extracted with methanol which was further fractionated into four different types: methanol (APMM), haxane (APMH), butanol (APMB), and aquous layers (APMA). Among various partition layers, the APMM showed the strongest cytotoxic effects on all cancer cell lines which we used. In the MTT assay of AP fractions, the growth inhibitory effects was increased in proportion to its concentration. We observed quinone reductase (QR) induced effects in all fraction layers of AP on HepG2 cells. The QR induced effects of APMM on HepG2 cell at 80 $\mu$g/mL concentration indicated 2.0 with a control value of 1.0.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.33-42
• /
• 1992

Naegleria fowleri, a free-living amoeba commonly found in moist soil and fresh water, enters the body via the nasal mucosa and migrates along the olfactory nerve to t he brain, where it causes acute amoebic meningoencephalitis. In the present study 7 clones secreting monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) against N. fowleri were produced and the effector function of them was investigated. Their isotopes were IgGl (Nf 1, Nf 154), 19G3 (Nf 137) and 19A (Nf 1, Nf 2, Nf 256, Nf 279). Five McAbs (McAb Nf 2, Nf 279, Nf 27, Nf 154, Nf 137) were specific for N. fowleri by ELISA and recognized the antigenic determinants located on the trophoBoite surface by IFAT and immunoperoxidase stain. These aye McAbs had capacity to agglutinate N. fowleri trophozoites and inhibited the growth of the amoeba in culture medium. McAb Nf 2 inhibited proliferation of trophozoites in vitro significantly. Also the cytotoxicity of JV. fowleri against CHO cell was reduced in the presence of McAb Nf 2 and McAb Nf 154. From these results McAb Nf 2 was confirmed to weaken the virulence of the amoeba among 7 screened McAbs.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.560-564
• /
• 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-Bacillus cereus activity of actinonin. Actinonin inhibited the growth of B. cereus in a dose dependent manner. The growth-inhibitory activity of actinonin was evaluated using a broth micro-dilution method, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and agar disk diffusion tests. B. cereus showed high susceptibility to actinonin in a concentration-dependent manner and MIC was determined to be $0.192{\mu}g/mL$. Additionally, 1 and 2 mM actinonin induced formation of B. cereus inhibition zones. In addition, as compared to B. cereus alone, B. cereus added with $10{\mu}M$ actinonin showed a lower level of cytotoxicity in HeLa cells in vitro. Thus, this study revealed that actinonin could be a potential source of a natural antimicrobial agent or a pharmaceutical component against B. cereus.