• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.326-333
• /
• 2018

In this study, we identified methods to improve heat stability and skin permeability of functional protein biopolymers, such as growth factors, enzymes, and peptides. The biopolymers participate in cellular activation and catalytic functions in vivo. Therefore, when applied to cosmetics, their efficacies are expected to be helpful for skin care. However, they have disadvantages that include instability to heat and low skin permeability due to their high molecular weight. To overcome these problems, we searched for a composition that increases heat stability. Stability was improved using a polymeric humectant having a long polyethylene glycol length, compared with a mono-molecular structure humectant. Next, to enhance skin permeation, a permeation enhancing peptide was selected from a phage library. The permeation enhancing peptide can be commonly used to promote the permeation of growth factors, enzymes, and peptides. Screening was performed on the polymeric humectant formulation. One dominant peptide from the modified-screening method was identified. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the permeability of the peptide was better than that of the peptide developed through a screening system based on phosphate-buffered saline. The data indicate that the polymeric humectant formulation will be helpful for increasing the heat stability of protein ingredients and that skin permeability could be increased by a formulation-specific, penetration-enhancing peptide.

• Journal of Mushroom
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.152-161
• /
• 2019

Phallus impudicus var. impudicus L. is an edible mushroom that has long been used as folk medicine in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-cholinesterase, and inflammation inhibitory activities of a methanol extract of fruiting bodies of P. impudicus var. impudicus L. The extract exhibited good 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity, excellent ferrous ion chelating activity, and moderate hydroxyl radical scavenging activity compared with BHT at 2.0 mg/ml. However, the reducing power of the extract was significantly lower than that the BHT positive control. Although the inhibitory activities of methanol extract on acetylcholinesterase and butyryl cholinesterase were significantly lower than the galanthamine positive control at the concentration tested, the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and butyryl cholinesterase was 52.83% and 55.17%, respectively, at 1.0 mg/ml. The methanol extract also demonstrated excellent inhibition of inflammation-related activities, such as production of nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and acute edema induced by administration of carrageenan on the hind paw of rats. The collective results suggest that the fruiting body of P. impudicus var. impudicus L. might be a good source of antioxidant, anti-cholinesterase, and anti-inflammation compounds.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.263-271
• /
• 2019

In this study, we examined the immunostimulating characteristics of a hot water extract (RCW) and crude polysaccharides (RCP) of red cabbage. RCW and RCP did not show any cytotoxicity in B16BL6 cells and macrophages. Although the sugar compositions of RCW and RCP were similar, the uronic acid content of RCP was higher than that of RCW RCP significantly increased the production of various cytokines and NO, whereas RCW did not affect the production of cytokines and NO. In an ex vivo assay of natural killer (NK) cell activity, intravenous (i.v.) administration of RCP significantly augmented NK cytotoxicity against Yac-1 tumor cells at 3 days after RCP treatment. In an experimental lung metastasis model using B16BL6 melanoma cells, i.v. administration of RCP at a dose of $1,000{\mu}g$ per mouse significantly inhibited 47.3% of lung metastasis. These results suggest that crude polysaccharide isolated from red cabbage is a promising food ingredient for the prevention of tumor metastasis.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.331-337
• /
• 2022

Raman spectroscopy is an optical technique that can identify molecules in a label-free manner, and is therefore heavily investigated in various areas ranging from biomedical engineering to materials science. Probe-based Raman spectroscopy can perform minimally invasive chemical analysis, and thus has potential as a real-time diagnostic tool during surgery. In this study, Raman experimentation was calibrated by examining the Raman shifts with respect to the concentrations of chemical substances. Raman signal characteristics, targeted for normal mice and cerebral tissues of the 5xFAD dementia mutant model with accumulated amyloid beta plaques, were measured and analyzed to explore the possibility of diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The application to the diagnosis of dementia was cross-validated by measuring Raman signals of amyloid beta. The results suggest the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool that may be useful in various areas of application.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.228-235
• /
• 2021

Backgroud: Ginsenoside compound K (GK) is a major metabolite of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides and has remarkable anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo. This work used an ionic cross-linking method to entrap GK within O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMC) nanoparticles (Nps) to form GK-loaded OCMC Nps (GK-OCMC Nps), which enhance the aqueous solubility and stability of GK. Methods: The GK-OCMC Nps were characterized using several physicochemical techniques, including x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential analysis, and particle size analysis via dynamic light scattering. GK was released from GK-OCMC Nps and was conducted using the dialysis bag diffusion method. The effects of GK and GK-OCMC Nps on PC3 cell viability were measured by using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Fluorescent technology based on Cy5.5-labeled probes was used to explore the cellular uptake of GK-OCMC Nps. Results: The GK-OCMC NPs had a suitable particle size and zeta potential; they were spherical with good dispersion. In vitro drug release from GK-OCMC NPs was pH dependent. Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxicity study and cellular uptake assays indicated that the GK-OCMC Nps significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of GK toward the PC3 cells. GK-OCMC Nps also significantly promoted the activities of both caspase-3 and caspase-9. Conclusion: GK-OCMC Nps are potential nanocarriers for delivering hydrophobic drugs, thereby enhancing water solubility and permeability and improving the antiproliferative effects of GK.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.255-265
• /
• 2022

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1, a bioactive component isolated from the Panax ginseng, acts as a remedy to prevent myocardial injury. However, it is obscure whether the cardioprotective functions of Rb1 are related to the regulation of endogenous metabolites, and its potential molecular mechanism still needs further clarification, especially from a comprehensive metabolomics profiling perspective. Methods: The mice model of acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) and oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced cardiomyocytes injury were applied to explore the protective effect and mechanism of Rb1. Meanwhile, the comprehensive metabolomics profiling was conducted by high-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q/TOF-MS) and a tandem liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results: Rb1 treatment profoundly reduced the infarct size and attenuated myocardial injury. The metabolic network map of 65 differential endogenous metabolites was constructed and provided a new inspiration for the treatment of AMI by Rb1, which was mainly associated with mitophagy. In vivo and in vitro experiments, Rb1 was found to improve mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial function and promote mitophagy. Interestingly, the mitophagy inhibitor partly attenuated the cardioprotective effect of Rb1. Additionally, Rb1 markedly facilitated the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα), and AMPK inhibition partially weakened the role of Rb1 in promoting mitophagy. Conclusions: Ginsenoside Rb1 protects acute myocardial ischemia injury through promoting mitophagy via AMPKα phosphorylation, which might lay the foundation for the further application of Rb1 in cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.119-125
• /
• 2021

⁸²Sr for ⁸²Rb generator was produced through the irradiation of the proton beam on the ^nat.RbCI target at the target irradiation facility installed at the end of the Rl-dedicated beamline of the 100 MeV proton linear accelerator of KOMAC (Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex). The average current of the proton beam was 1.2 µA for irradiation time of 150 min. For the separation and purification of the ⁸²Sr from ^nat.RbCI irradiated, Chelex-100 resin was used. The activities of ⁸²Sr in the irradiated ^nat.RbCI target solution and after purification were 45.29 µCi and 43.4 µCi, respectively. The separation and purification yield was 95.8%. As an adsorbent to be filled in the generator for ⁸²Sr adsorption hydrous tin oxide was selected. The adsorption yield of ⁸²Sr into the generator adsorbent was > 99 %, and the total amount of ⁸²Sr adsorbed to the generator was 21.6 µCi as of the day of the ⁸²Rb elution experiment. When the elution amount was 22 mL, the maximum⁸²Rb elution yield was 93.3%, and the elution yield increased as the flow rate increased. After the eluted ⁸²Rb was filled in the correction phantom of the small PET for animals, a PET image was taken. The image scan time was set to 5 min, and the phantom PET image was successfully obtained. As results of impurity analysis on eluted ⁸²Rb using ICP-MS, ^nat.Rb stable isotopes that compete in vivo of ⁸²Rb were identified as undetected levels and were determined to be No-Carrier-Added (NCA).

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.355-364
• /
• 2023

Lips have a unique desquamation process and moisturizing properties that are structurally different from ordinary skin. In particular, the turnover cycle of the stratum corneum is fast and the outermost stratum corneum is thin, so the amount of keratin is relatively high, and there are no skin appendages, so it is very vulnerable to maintaining moisture. In this study, we set three targets for lip care : stratum corneum, moisture, and barrier, and aimed to identify the potential of three target-specific ingredients for lips improvement. We confirmed the exfoliating, moisturizing, and barrier improvement efficacy of three target-specific ingredients which also have mild exfoliating effect. Specifically, we verified that Bacillus clausii extract improved skin exfoliation, gluconolactone improved skin moisture retention, and serine reinforced skin barrier function. To test the in vivo efficacy of the complex composed of three target-specific ingredients on the human lips, the lip balm manufactured with non-irritating range of concentration was applied, and we confirmed that it was effective in improving lip exfoliation·moisturizing·elasticity·wrinkles. Consequently, it was confirmed that the beauty and health indicators of the lips could be improved through the exfoliation-moisturization-barrier care of the lips and these ingredients were applied to LG H&H LIPCERIN products.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.116-125
• /
• 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic is not over despite the emergency use authorization as can see recent COVID-19 daily confirmed cases. The viruses are not only difficult to diagnose and treat due to random mutations, but also pose threat human being because they have the potential to be exploited as biochemical weapons by genetic manipulation. Therefore, it is inevitable to the rapid antibody-based therapeutic platform to quickly respond to future pandemics by new/re-emerging viruses. Although numerous researches have been conducted for the fast development of antibody-based therapeutics, it is sometimes hard to respond rapidly to new viruses because of complicated expression or purification processes for antibody production. In this study, a novel rapid antibody-based therapeutic platform using single B cell sorting method and mRNA-antibody. High immunogenicity was caused to produce antibodies in vivo through mRNA-antigen inoculation. Subsequently, antigen-specific antibody candidates were selected and obtained using isolation of B cells containing antibody at the single cell level. Using the antibody-based therapeutic platform system in this study, it was confirmed that novel antigen-specific antibodies could be obtained in about 40 days, and suggested that the possibility of rapid response to new variant viruses.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.662-670
• /
• 2019

Objective: A developmental venous anomaly (DVA) is a vascular malformation of ambiguous clinical significance. We aimed to quantify the susceptibility of draining veins (χ_vein) in DVA and determine its significance with respect to oxygen metabolism using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). Materials and Methods: Brain magnetic resonance imaging of 27 consecutive patients with incidentally detected DVAs were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the presence of abnormal hyperintensity on T2-weighted images (T2WI) in the brain parenchyma adjacent to DVA, the patients were grouped into edema (E+, n = 9) and non-edema (E-, n = 18) groups. A 3T MR scanner was used to obtain fully flow-compensated gradient echo images for susceptibility-weighted imaging with source images used for QSM processing. The χ_vein was measured semi-automatically using QSM. The normalized χ_vein was also estimated. Clinical and MR measurements were compared between the E+ and E- groups using Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Correlations between the χ_vein and area of hyperintensity on T2WI and between χ_vein and diameter of the collecting veins were assessed. The correlation coefficient was also calculated using normalized veins. Results: The DVAs of the E+ group had significantly higher χ_vein (196.5 ± 27.9 vs. 167.7 ± 33.6, p = 0.036) and larger diameter of the draining veins (p = 0.006), and patients were older (p = 0.006) than those in the E- group. The χ_vein was also linearly correlated with the hyperintense area on T2WI (r = 0.633, 95% confidence interval 0.333-0.817, p < 0.001). Conclusion: DVAs with abnormal hyperintensity on T2WI have higher susceptibility values for draining veins, indicating an increased oxygen extraction fraction that might be associated with venous congestion.