• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5635-5641
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• 2015

Background: Cirrhosis is regarded as a possible end stage of many liver diseases, including viral infection. It occurs when healthy liver tissue becomes damaged and is replaced by scar tissue and finally may lead to hepatocellular carcinoma. Interferons (IFNs)are two general categories, type I and II. Type I includes one beta interferon and over 20 different alpha interferons. Alpha interferons are very similar in how they work, interacting with other proteins on cells like receptors. The main objective of this study was to compare Mx gene productivity post different cell line treatment with imported and Egyptian biosimilar locally produced IFNs, as well as the efficacy of those tested IFNs. Also, an assessment was made of sensitivity of different cell lines as alternatives to that recommended for evaluation of antiviral activity. Materials and Methods: Different cell lines (Vero, MDBK and Wish) were employed to evaluate cytotoxicity using the MTT assay. Antiviral activity was evaluated compared with standard IFN against VSV, Indiana strain -156, on tested rh-IFNs (imported; innovated and Egyptian biosimilar locally produced IFNs) in the pre-treated cell lines previously mentioned. The virus was propagated in the Wish cell line as recommended. Finally we estimated up-regulation of the Mx gene as a biomarker. Results: Data recorded revealed that test IFNs were safe in test cell lines. Viability was around 100%. Locally tested interferon did not realize the international potency limits, while the imported one was accepted compared with the standard IFN. These results were the same either using infectivity titer reduction assay or crystal violet staining of residual non- infected cells. Mx protein production was cell type related and confirmed by the detected Mx gene expressed in imported and locally produced IFN pre-treated cell lines. The expression of the gene was arranged in the order of Vero> wish > MDBK for the imported IFN, while for the Egyptian biosimillar locally produced one it was MDBK> Vero> wish. With regard to the antiviral activity there was a significant difference of imported IFN potency compared with the locally produced IFN (P<0.05), the IFN potential (antiviral activity) was not cell line related and showed non-significant difference for each separate product. Conclusions: Vero cells can be used as an alternative cell line for evaluation of IFN potency in case of unavailable USP recommended cell lines. Alternative potency evaluation assay could be used and proved significant difference in IFN potency in case of local and imported agents. Evaluation of antiviral activity could be used in parallel to viral infectivity reduction assay for better accuracy. Mx gene can be used as a marker for IFN potential.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1304-1308
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• 2006

The present study describes the preliminary evaluation of the antioxidant activity and the cytotoxic effect of Ceramium kondoi. The antioxidant activities and cytotoxic effect of the water extracts were evaluated by total phenolic contents (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA), reducing power (RP), comet assay, and MTT reduction assay. TPC, DPPH RSA, and RP of the extract at the concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ was $659.2{\mu}M$, 86.0%, and 1.084, respectively, and those were concentration dependent. The $200{\mu}M\;H_2O_2-induced$DNA damage was inhibited by C. kondoi water extract in a dose dependent manner in human leukocytes. The inhibition was by 62.3, 39.8, 24.8% and 16.4% at the concentration of 5, 10, $25{\mu}g/mL$ and $50{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Cytotoxic activity on HT-29 cells and MCF-7 cells of the C. kondoi water extract at the concentration of $10{\mu}g/mL$ was 49% and 60%, respectively. These results strongly support the possibility of C. kondoi as a source of natural functional materials.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.67-74
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• 2012

Objectives : The present study was designed to investigate effects of Ssanghwa-tang (Shu$\bar{a}$nghu$\bar{a}$-g$\bar{e}$ng) on oxidation/reduction reaction-related and aging-related enzymes $in$ $vitro$. Methods : We performed MTT assay, collagenase inhibition assay, elastase inhibition assay, tyrosinase inhibition assay, DPPH free radical scavenging assay, SOD-like activity and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition assay. Results : The 50% ethanol (EtOH) extract of Ssanghwa-tang (SHT) showed 55% inhibition of collagenase activity, and 42% inhibition of elastase activity at 1 mg/ml concentration. Also it's treatment showed 18% inhibition of tyrosinase activity, to relate whitening effect, at the same dose of 50% ethanol extract of SHT. Antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH radical scavenging, XO inhibiting activity and SOD-like activity. These scavenging, XO-inhibiting and SOD-like activities were measured in 80%, 75%, and 28% inhibitions, respectively, at a 1 mg/ml treated dose, compared to those of control. The inhibitory effects of 50% EtOH extract on aging and oxidation-related enzyme activities were higher than those of water extract and 95% EtOH extract. Conclusions : Taken together, our findings suggest that the SHT has potential and applicable benefits for development of cosmetics to have anti-aging (anti-wrinkle and whitening) and anti-oxidation functions.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2011

The anti-cancer effects of Angelica keiskei ethanol extract were evaluated in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. The concentrations of extract were 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mg/mL. Dose-dependent reductions in the number of cells with altered cell shape and pyknotic nuclei were observed at 48 h after treatments. MTT assay also exhibited a similar dose-dependent reduction in mitochondrial reductase activity (p<0.05), in particular, with a rapid reduction in the activity of the 5 mg/mL group. Analysis of cell death with propidium iodide (PI) staining revealed only a slight increase in cell death in the 5 mg/mL group. Analysis of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporations also showed a dose-dependent reduction in cell proliferation (p<0.05). Finally, increases in total radical oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in cells, as revealed by DCF-DA staining, were observed in the treated groups in a similar dose-dependent fashion (p<0.05). These results indicate that Angelica keiskei ethanol extract exhibiting anti-cancer effects in MDA-MB-231 cells causes multiple changes in cell shape, enzyme activity, and ROS accumulation, thereby inducing cell death.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.337-340
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• 2017

Leishmaniasis is a neglected and endemic disease that affects poorest population mainly in developing countries. A lack of adequate and definitive chemotherapeutic agents to fight against this infection has led to the investigation of numerous compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro activity of boldine against Leishmania amazonensis murine cell infection. Boldine ((S)-2,9-dihydroxy-1,10-dimethoxy-aporphine) is an aporphine alkaloid found abundantly in the leaves/bark of boldo (Peumus boldus Molina), a widely distributed tree native to Chile. The in vitro system consisted of murine macrophage infection with amastigotes of L. amazonensis treated with different concentrations from 50 to $600{\mu}g/ml$ of boldine for 24 hr. Intracellular parasite destruction was assessed by morphological examination and boldine cytotoxicity to macrophages was tested by the MTT viability assay. When cells were treated with $100{\mu}g/ml$ of boldine the reduction of parasite infection was 81% compared with untreated cultures cells. Interestingly, boldine-treatment caused a concentration-dependent decrease of macrophage infection that culminated with 96% of reduction when cells were submitted to $600{\mu}g/ml$ of boldine. Cell cultures exposed to $100{\mu}g/ml$ of boldine and $300{\mu}g/ml$ of $Glucantime^{(R)}$ during 24 hr showed a significant reduction of 50% in parasitized cells compared with cell cultures exposed just to $Glucantime^{(R)}$. The study showed that treatment with boldine produces a better effect than treatment with the reference antimonial drug, glucantime, in L. amazonensis infected macrophage. Our results suggest that boldine is a potentially useful agent for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.21-42
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• 2009

Objectives : This Study was performed to assess the antioxidant and neuroprotective effect of Chunghyul-dan(Qingxuedan) in PC12 cells and primary rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Methods : The anioxidant effect was investigated using the DPPH radical and ABTS cation scavenging assays and total polyphenol amout of Chunghyul-dan(Qingxuedan). The neuroprotective effect of Chunghyul-dan(Qingxuedan) in PC12 cells was evaluated using MTT assay. The scavenging activity of Chunghyul-dan(Qingxuedan) on ROS production induced by 6-OHDA(6-hydroxydopamine) in PC12 cells was evaluated, as well as the attenuating effect on GSH reduction. Finally, we examined the neuroprotective effect of Chunghyul-dan(Qingxuedan) against 6-0HDA-induced toxicity in the primary culture of rat mesencephalic doperminergic neurons. Results : Chunghyul-dan(Qingxuedan) showed concentration-dependent scavenging activities in DPPH radical and ABTS cation scavenging assays and it was not cytotoxic to PC12 cells. In postand co-treatment, Chunghyul-dan(Qingxuedan) protected PC12 cells from the 6-OHDA induced toxicity at 50 and 100 ${\mu}$g/mL significantly. And Chunghyu!-dan(Qingxuedan) decreased the 6-OHDA induced ROS production at a dose dependent manner, while increaing the 6-OHDA induced GSH reduction at 50 and 100 ${\mu}$g/mL significantly. Finally, Chunghyul-dan(Qingxuedan) showed signicant protection of rat mescencephalic dopaminergic neurons from 6-OHDA at 1 ${\mu}$g/mL. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that Chunghyul-dan(Qingxuedan) has the antioxidant and neuroprotective effect against 6-0HDA induced cytotoxicity through decreasing ROS production and increasing GSH reduction.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.146-152
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• 2005

The objective of present study was to investigate the effect of onion extracts on mercuryinduced cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in primary monolayer cultures of rat hepatocytes. Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were incubated for 6 hr in the presence of various concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 30 or 50 ppm) of $HgCl_2$. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were determined by measuring glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) activity, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) value. Lipid peroxidation w as evaluated using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. Effects of onion extract on antioxidant system were determined by measuring catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd) activities as well as DPPH free radical scavenging activity. $HgCl_2$ at the concentration of 10 ppm increased GOT activity and TBARS concentration but decreased %MTT reduction, whereas $HgCl_2$ at the concentration of 30 ppm increased LDH activity, representing that $HgCl_2$ caused cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation in dose-dependent manner, $HgCl_2$ at the concentration of 30 ppm significantly decreased catalase, GSH-Px and GSH-Rd activities. When primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were incubated with various concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 or 0.3 mg/ml) of onion extract for 6 hr in the presence of 30 ppm of $HgCl_2$, onion extracts at the concentration of 0.05 mg/ml decreased GOT activity, but increased %MTT reduction by 30 ppm of $HgCl_2$. $HgCl_2-induced$ LDH activity and TBARS concentration were decreased by onion extract at the concentration of 0.01 mg/ml. Taken together, onion extract prevented H$HgCl_2-induced$ hepatocyte injury and lipid peroxidation. Onion extracts at the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml almost or completely inhibited $HgCl_2-induced$ catalase and GSB-Px activities. GSH-Rd activity, however, was not affected by onion extract. Free radical scavengjing activity was increased as concentration of onion extract increased. Onion extract at the concentrion of 5 mg/ml possesed mote than 93% scavenging activity comparing to 100% radical scavenging activity by pyrogallol solution as a reference. These results demonstrate that onion extracts suppressed mercury-induced cytoctoxicity and lipid peroxidation by scavenging free radical and increasing catalase and GSH-Px activities.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.483-489
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• 1997

Sulforhodamine B (SRB) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, RNA dot blot and Northern hybridization analysis were performed to screen microorganisms for the production of anticancer agent. Among microorganisms tested, strain YP-1 was selected for its cytotoxicity and ability to reduce the level of c-myc RNA. Strain YP-1 was identified as Streptomyces endus. The anticancer material produced by Streptomyces endus YP-1 was sequentially purified by solvent extraction, silica gel column chromatograpby, preparative TLC and preparative HPLC. The cancer material identified as azalomycin B by the instrumental analyses such as $^{1}$H-NMR, $^{13}$C-NMR, Mass, IR and UV absorption. It was colorless amorphous powder and its molecular weight was 1025.278. Azalomycin B, produced by Streptomyces endus YP-1, showed anticancer activity against several human cancer cell lines and reduction of c-Myc protein level in Colo320 DM cells which was determined by Western blot analysis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.731-737
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• 2003

Mucinase complex from V. parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802 was purified 6-fold with 0.4% yield by two sequential steps of Q-Sepharose and Superdex 200HR column chromatographies. Partially purified mucinase complex showed at least 8 times higher mucin-degrading activity than the culture filtrates. The mucinase complex also showed gelatin-and-casein-hydrolyzing activities, which demonstrates that the protein is a complex compound containing several proteases. The optimum pH and temperature of partially purified mucinase complex for mucin degradation was 8.0 and $35^{\circ}C$, respectively. The partially purified mucinase complex showed high cytotoxic activity on vero cells when examined by MTT assay and microscopic observations. Cytotoxicity was significantly increased in proportion to the concentration of the mucinase complex. Mouse experiments revealed that the jejunum, ileum. and large intestinal tissues were damaged by the injection of the mucinase complex. In particular, the reduction of the goblet cells in the large intestine was remarkable. Collectively, these data suggest that the mucinase complex partially purified from V. parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802 contributes to the adhesion and invasion of V. parahaemolyticus into the host intestinal tract.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.312-316
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• 2006

Crude extract of young dangyuja (Citrus grandis Osbeck) fruit was investigated for its antioxidant activity as measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity. Among the samples, including 4 Citrus species and various solvent-extracted-fractions of young dangyuja fruit, the water-extracted fraction (WF) and butanol-extracted fraction (BF) showed the greatest DPPH free radical scavenging activity. WF and BF were further examined for their antioxidant activities by three different in vitro assays. The cell viability tests using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay showed that both fractions significantly reduced $H_2O_2$-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells dose-dependently. Generation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also reduced in cells pretreated with both fractions. In addition, BF showed a higher level of lipid peroxidation inhibitory capacity than WF in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 cells. Taken together, these results indicate that young dangyuja fruit can be used as an easily accessible source of natural antioxidants.