• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.223-229
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of polycan-calcium gluconate complex on the levels of immune and inflammatory mediators in gingival crevicular fluid and serum from patients with periodontitis. A total of 39 patients with periodontitis took placebo (placebo group) or polycan-calcium gluconate complex (treatment group) twice a day for 4 weeks. At baseline and 4 weeks, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and blood was collected from each subjects. The secretion level of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ in GCF was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot analysis was conducted to determine the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ in GCF. Serum samples were analysed for MMP-8 by ELISA and C-reactive protein (CRP) by turbidimetric immuno assay. MMP-8 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were significantly decreased in the treatment group at 4 weeks. The level of $IL-1{\beta}$ in the treatment group was significantly lower than those of the placebo group. No differences were observed in CRP levels. Taken together, these data indicate that taking of polycan-calcium gluconate complex led to reduction of inflammatory biomarkers in serum and GCF of periodontitis patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of green tea seed extract (GSE) against UVB-induced skin damage in human skin fibroblasts. GSE was first analyzed for antioxidant activity using 1,1-diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. Treatment of UV-irradiated fibroblast with GSE at 10~50 ${\mu}g/mL$ significantly increased DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities in a dose-dependent manner. GSE treatment inhibited matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9) expression and MMP-1 secretion caused by UVB irradiation. Moreover, treatment with GSE significantly increased type-1 collagen expression and production. We next examined levels of antioxidative enzymes (SOD, catalase, and GPx). Reduced antioxidative enzyme activities caused by UVB irradiation were recovered by treatment with GSE at 30 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 50 ${\mu}g/mL$. In conclusion, these results show that GSE has protective effects against UVB-induced skin damage in human skin fibroblasts by regulating antioxidative defense systems and MMP expression.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.283-293
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• 2005

Our previous study showed that a novel synthetic shikonin derivative, 6-(1-hydroxyimino-4-methylpentyl)5,8-dimethyoxy 1,4-naphthoquinone S-52 (DMNQ S-52) induced apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated its anti-metastatic activities as compared with shikonin because DMNQ S-52 was synthesized for overcoming weak points of shikonin such as high toxicity, low solubility and deleterious effects. DMNQ S-52 showed the weaker cytotoxicity $(IC_{50};\;12.3{\pm}1.6\;{\mu}M)$ against Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells than that of shikonin $(IC_{50};\;4.2{\pm}1.1\;{\mu}M)$. DMNQ S-52, at non-toxic concentrations $(less\;than\;10\;{\mu}M)$, significantly inhibited the invasion and migration of LLC cells. DMNQ S-52 also significantly inhibited the production of MMP-9, MTl-MMP and uPAR. Moreover, daily i.p. administration of DMNQ S-52 at dose of 5 mg/kg in mice resulted in a potent inhibition of the primary tumor size of LLC in the lung as well as the metastasis of lymph nodes. These findings suggest that the DMNQ S-52 has therapeutic potential to inhibit metastasis via inhibition of MMP family and uPA/plasminogen system.

• CELLMED
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.13.1-13.8
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• 2018

In the field of osteoporosis, there has been growing interest in anabolic agents that enhance bone formation. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of NNMBS 246 osteoblastic differentiation with associated signaling pathways. NNMBS 246 markedly increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium nodule formation. Stimulation with NNMBS 246 not only increased the differentiation markers (ALP, OPN, OCN) level and transcription markers (RUNX2, Osterix) mRNA expression but also upregulated the ECM molecules and OPG mRNA expression. Treatments of NNMBS 246 downregulated MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9), but RANKL mRNA expression. Furthermore, NNMBS 246 activated osteoblastic differentiation markers and formed calcium nodules in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) and cementoblast cells. NNMBS 246 induced phosphorylation of MAPKs, Akt, nuclear p65 and IkB-${\alpha}$. BMP-2/Smad and ${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathways were activated by NNMBS 246. Sirtinol (SIRT1 inhibitor) inhibited NNMBS 246-induced osteoblastic differentiation markers mRNA expression. These results suggested that NNMBS 246 has the potential to enhance osteoblastogenesis probably through the activation of BMP/Smad and ${\beta}$-catenin signal pathways, and SIRT1 plays as critical mediator in bone anabolic effect of NNMBS 246.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3967-3971
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• 2012

Aims: To explore the relationship between various molecular makers and liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Method: Using immunohistochemistry, protein expression of CEA, nm23, c-met, MMP2, COX-2, VEGF, EGFR, and CD44 was assessed in 80 CRC cases. The Chi-square test and logistic regression were performed to analyze the relationship between these indicators and CRC liver metastasis. Results: There were significant differences in expression of CEA, MMP2, CD44, VEGF and EGFR between the liver metastasis and non metastasis groups (P < 0.05); no significant differences were noted for nm23, c-met, and COX-2 expression. Logistic regression analysis showed that only CEA, VEGF, and EGFR entered into the regression equation, and had significant correlations with CRC liver metastasis (${\alpha}$ inclusion= 0.10, ${\alpha}$ elimination = 0.15, R2 = 0.718). Conclusions: Combination detection of CEA, VEGF, and EGFR may be an effective means to predict CRC liver metastasis. Nm23, c-met, MMP2, COX-2, and CD44, in contrast, are not suitable as prognostic markers.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.598-606
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• 2009

Oxidative stress by free radicals is a major cause of neuronal cell death. Excitotoxicity in hypoxia/ischemia causes an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), resulting in dysfunction of the mitochondria and cell death. Pinelliae Rhizoma (PR) is a traditional medicine for incipient stroke. We investigated the effects of PR Water-Extract on the modulation of ROS and MMP in a hypoxic model using cultured rat cortical cells. PR Water-Extract was added to the culture medium at various concentrations (0.25${\sim}$5, 5.0 ${\mu}g/ml$) on day in vitro 12(DIV12), given a hypoxic shock (2% $O_2$/5% $CO_2$, $37^{\circ}C$, 3 hr), and cell viability was assessed on DIV15 by Lactate Dehydrogenase Assay (LDH assays). PR Water-Extract showed a statistically significant effect on neuroprotection (10${\sim}$15% increase in viability; p<0.01) at 1.0 and 2.5 ${\mu}g/ml$ in normoxia and hypoxia. Measurement of ROS production by $H_2DCF-DA$ stainings showed that PR Water-Extract efficiently reduced the number and intensity of ROS-producing neurons, especially at 1 hr post shock and DIV15. When MMP was measured by JC-1 stainings, PR Water-Extract efficiently maintained high-energy charged mitochondria. These results indicate that PR Water-Extract protects neurons in hypoxia by preventing ROS production and preserving the cellular energy level.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.106-114
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• 2014

Objective : UV irradiatiion causes skin-aging involving coarse wrinkles, thickning, dyspigmentation, and rough skin surface. This study was aimed to elucidate the anti-winkle activity of complex diet of Korean red ginseng (RG) and fish oil (FO) on UV-induced Photoaging. Methods : To investigated photo-protective effects of Korean red ginseng and fish oil on UV-induced damaged skins, SKH hairless female mice were randomly divided into six groups [control, UV, UV/RG, UV/FO, UV/RG/FO(low), UV/RG/FO(high)]and orally administered three times a week respectively. UV radiation was applied to the backs of the mice three times a week for 8 weeks. Expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-13 and tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in skin were measured by immunohistochemical staining. Results : In this study, UVB-induced epidermal hypertropy was diminished by RG group or FO group or complex group of RG and FO. Expression levels of MMP-3 and MMP-13 were reduced and expression level of TIMP-1 was increased by RG group or FO group or complex group of RG and FO. Especially MMP-3 and MMP-13 were markedly reduced by diet of FO and complex diet of RG and FO compared with untreated group. Conclusions : This results suggest that complex diet of RG and FO have a anti-wrinkle activity on UV-induced photo-aging and intrinsic aging.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.134-138
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• 2017

The white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, is commercially the fifth most important edible mushroom, accounting for the production of 9,732 tons of mushrooms in Korea in 2015. The genus Agaricus has been known for its potential to degrade lignocellulosic materials. Chemical analyses carried out during the cultivation of A. bisporus indicated that the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin fractions were changed preferentially for both vegetative growth and sexual reproduction. We screened A. bisporus strains for effective biodegradation through extracellular enzyme activity using cellulase, xylanase, and ligninolytic enzymes. The enzyme biodegradations were conducted as follows: mycelia of collected strains were incubated in 0.5% CMC-MMP (malt-mops-peptone), 0.5 Xylan-MMP, and 0.5% lignin-MMP media for 14 days. Incubated mycelia were stained with 0.2% trypan blue. Eighteen strains were divided into 8 groups based on different extracellular enzyme activity in MMP media. These strains were then incubated in sterilized compost and compost media for 20 days to identify correlations between mycelial growth in compost media and extracellular enzyme activity. In this study, the coefficient of determination was the highest between mycelial growth in compost media and ligninolytic enzyme activity. It is suggested that comparison with ligninolytic enzyme activity of the tested strains is a simple method of screening for rapid mycelial growth in compost to select good mother strains for the breeding of A. bisporus.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.521-525
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Artemisinin (AT), an active compound in Arternisia annua, is well known as an anti-malaria drug. It is also known to have several effects including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer activities. To date, the effect of AT on vascular disorders has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of AT on the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). MATERIALS/METHODS: Aortic smooth muscle cells were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats. PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC migration was measured by the scratch wound healing assay and the Boyden chamber assay. Cell viability was determined by using an EZ-Cytox Cell Viability Assay Kit. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC was measured through $H_2DCF$-DA staining. We also determined the expression levels of signal proteins relevant to ROS, including measures of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 measured by western blot analysis and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: AT ($10{\mu}M$ and $30{\mu}M$) significantly reduced the proliferation and migration of PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC in a dose-dependent manner. The production of ROS, normally induced by PDGF-BB, is reduced by treatment with AT at both concentrations. PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC treated with AT ($10{\mu}M$ and $30{\mu}M$) have reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and inhibited MMP9 expression compared to untreated PDGF-BB stimulated VSMC. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest, based on these results, that AT may exert an anti-atherosclerotic effect on PDGF-BB stimulated VSMCs by inhibiting their proliferation and migration through down-regulation of ERK1/2 and MMP9 phosphorylation.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.295-301
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• 2010

To develop wrinkle care cosmetic ingredients, various species of plant extracts were investigated. Accordingly, Ligustrum japonicum was selected as a candidate for developing cosmetic ingredient. By high performance liquid chromatography, 31.06 % of oleanolic acid and 8.92 % of ursolic acid which are well-known for anti-wrinkle effect were analyzed. The possibility of Ligustrum japonicum fruits extract (LJE) as a cosmetic ingredient was investigated using several biomarkers related to anti-aging, including anti-wrinkle, moisturizing and anti-inflammation. Procollagen type I and hyaluronan synthase-3 gene expression were increased by LJE in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas elastase activity and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-2 and cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression were inhibited. As the results LJE is applicable for a potential cosmetic ingredient focused on anti-aging effect.