• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.269-278
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• 2019

Objectives: Naesohwangryeon-tang (NHT) is a type of traditional herbal formula, however, little is known about its antitumor activity. In this study, the antitumor properties of NHT was evaluated in human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Methods: To check the inhibitory effect of NHT, MTT assay was performed. Cell cycle analysis and detection of ROS production were conducted by flow cytometry. To evaluate the signaling pathway, Western blotting was conducted. Results: Our results showed that the decrease of cell proliferation by NHT stimulation occurred more significantly in A549 cells than in NCI-H460 cells. In addition, NHT-induced apoptosis was associated with the activation of caspases and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). NHT-induced apoptosis was attenuated after pretreatments with z-VAD-fmk or N-acetylcysteine, suggesting that NHT-induced apoptosis was caspaseand ROS-dependent. Interestingly, NHT treatment led to the development of autophagic vesicular organelles and upregulation of several autophagy-related genes. The pretreatment of bafilomycin A1 decreased apoptosis slightly but increased cell viability in the presence of NHT. Conclusion: These findings indicated that NHT induces both apoptosis and cell-protective autophagy in human lung cancer cells. This data suggests that NHT might be a novel herbal drug for lung cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.149-165
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• 2006

Objectives: This study was done to evaluate the effects of Saengkankunbi-tang on cell-viability, proliferation, cell-cycle, apoptosis and DNA replication on HepG2 cell and to find out by which molecular-biological mechanism by which Saengkankunbi-tang operates. Methods : The MTT assay, cell counting assay, [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay, flow cytometric analysis, tryphan blue exclusion assay, western blot analysis, quantative RT-PCR were taken. Results : Saengkankunbi-tang had no effect on proliferation, cell-cycle and DNA replications of HepG2 cells, while it improved cell viability and reduced apoptosis, and it activated Akt and NFKB. But, it did not produce an effect on cell viability and apoptosis when P13K/Akt pathway was blocked by LY294002 nor when $NF{\kapa}B$ activation was blocked by DN-$I{\kapa}B$. Conclusion : These results suggests that Saengkankunbi-tang improves cell viability and reduces apoptosis of HepG2 cells, by activating $NF{\kapa}B$ through PI3K/Akt pathway.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.4 s.147
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• pp.278-282
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• 2006

In this study, we analyzed and quantified the contents of magnolol (1), honokiol (2), and obovatol (3) in the leaves of Magnolia species by HPLC. HPLC methods were developed and validated by ICH guide lines comparing the linearity, intraday precision, inter-day precision. The optimal conditions were as follows; wavelength: 288 nm, column: Zorbax Eclipse XDBC18 $(2.1\times150\;mm,\;5{\mu}m)$, mobile phase: Acetonitril - 0.1 % $H_3PO_4$ (45:55, v/v) buffer, flow rate: 0.5 ml/min. The contents of magnolol, honokiol and obovatol were 1.08%, 2.37%, and 0.57% in the leaves of M. officinalis, 0.50%, 0.03%, and 1.54% in the leaves of M. biloba, 0.37%, 0.03%, and 0.76% in the leaves of M. obovata. The contents of effective ingredients in the leaves of M. officinalis and M biloba were higher than that of M. obovata. Especially, the content of obovatol in the leaves of M. biloba was remarkably high. This result showed that the shapes of leaves have a certain relationship with the content of obovatol.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.288-293
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• 2014

The present study was conducted to evaluate the hair growth-promoting effect of Clitocybin A from mushroom Clitocybe aurantiaca with dermal papilla cells (DPCs), which play important roles in the regulation of hair cycle. Clitocybin A significantly increased the proliferation of immortalized rat vibrissa DPCs. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that Clitocybin A promoted cell-cycle progression through G0/G1 to S phase in immortalized rat vibrissa DPCs. In addition, Clitocybin A increased the level of cell cycle proteins such as cyclin D1, phospho-pRB, and phospho-CDK2. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Clitocybin A on the proliferation of DPCs, we examined the activation of wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling which is known to regulate hair follicle development, differentiation and hair growth. Clitocybin A activated wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling via the increase of phospho(ser552)-${\beta}$-catenin, phospho(ser675)-${\beta}$-catenin and phospho(ser9)-$GSK3{\beta}$. Furthermore, Clitocybin A markedly increased the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). These results suggest that the Clitocybin A may induce hair growth by proliferation of DPCs via cell-cycle progression as well as the activation of Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling and ERK pathway.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.144-149
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• 2008

Despite versatile activity (cancericidal, antimicrobial, hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) inhibition, immune deactivation of DNA bis-intercalation agent, echinomycin, its specific mechanism has been elusive. Of these novel mechanisms, we reported that using human colon cancer cells (HT-29), apoptotic machinery induced by echinomycin might be dependent of caspase-3 pathway. Despite a partial enlightenment of prototypic signal path triggered by echinomycin, the role of Bcl-2 in this signaling pathway is unclear. To address this issue, we explored whether or not echinomycin would overcome the anti-apoptotic impact of Bcl-2 in HT-29 cells by the controlled Bcl-2 overexpression. Prior to this proof, we confirmed that echinomycin induces mitochondrial depolarization, then triggering the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis with an involvement of upstream cas-pases-3. Transiently transfection with inactive Bax-DNA failed to prevent echinomycin-induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells. To dissect the role of Bcl-2 in echinomycin-induced apoptosis, HT-29 cells were transiently transfected with Bcl-2 DNA for overexpression and then treated with echinomycin for 24h. Combined analyses of DNA fragmentation and flow cytometric analysis clearly verified that echinomycin-induced apoptosis was drastically attenuated by Bcl-2 overexpression, whereas a control vector rarely affected echinomycin-induced apoptosis. Collectively, these data verify that Bcl-2 regulates echinomycin-induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells. To my knowledge, this is the first evidence that of diverse, structured minor groove binders (MGB), the prototypic echinomycin might control the apoptotic signaling via Bcl-2-mitochondrial pathway.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.167-177
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• 2016

This work investigated the decomposition of aqueous anatoxin-a originated from cyanobacteria using an underwater dielectric barrier discharge plasma system based on a porous ceramic tube and an alternating current (AC) high voltage. Plasmatic gas generated inside the porous ceramic tube was uniformly dispersed in the form of numerous bubbles into the aqueous solution through the micro-pores of the ceramic tube, which allowed an effective contact between the plasmatic gas and the aqueous anatoxin-a solution. Effect of applied voltage, treatment time and the coexistence of nutrients such as $NO_3{^-}$, $H_2PO_4{^-}$ and glucose on the decomposition of anatoxin-a was examined. Chemical analyses of the plasma-treated anatoxin-a solution using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and ion chromatography (IC) were performed to elucidate the mineralization mechanisms. Increasing the voltage improved the anatoxin-a decomposition efficiency due to the increased discharge power, but the energy required to remove a given amount of anatoxin-a was similar, regardless of the voltage. At an applied voltage of 17.2 kV (oxygen flow rate: $1.0L\;min^{-1}$), anatoxin-a at an initial concentration of $1mg\;L^{-1}$ (volume: 0.5 L) was successfully treated within 3 min. The chemical analyses using LC-MS and IC suggested that the intermediates with molecular weights of 123~161 produced by the attack of plasma-induced reactive species on anatoxin-a molecule were further oxidized to stable compounds such as acetic acid, formic acid and oxalic acid.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Combustion
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.36-44
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• 2002

Carbon molecules with closed-cage structures are called fullerenes $(C_{60},\;C_{70})$, whose applications include super-conductors, sensors, catalysts, optical and electronic device, polymer composites, and biological and medical materials. The synthesis of fullerenes has been recently studied with low-pressure benzene/argon/oxygen flames. The formation of fullerene is known as molecular weight growth processes of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon). This study presents results of PAHs and fullerene measurements performed in a low-pressure benzene/argon/oxygen normal co-flow laminar diffusion flame. Through the central tube of the burner, benzene vapors carried by argon are injected. The benzene vapors are made in a temperature-controlled bubbler. The burner is located in a chamber, equipped with a sampling system for direct collection of condensable species from the flame, and exhausted to a vacuum pump. Samples of the condensable are analyzed by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) to determine the yields of PAHs and fullerene. Also, we computed mole fraction of fullerene and PAHs in a nearly sooting low pressure premixed, one-dimensional benzene/argon/oxygen flame (equivalence ratio ${\Phi}=2.4$, pressure=5.33kPa). The object of computation was to investigate the formation mechanism of fullerenes and PAHs. The computations were performed with CHEMKIN/PREMIX. As a result of this study, fullerenes were synthesized in a low pressure (20torr) $C_6H_6/Ar/O_2$ flames and the highest concentration of fullerene was detected just above the visible surface of a flame.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.537-551
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• 2017

Objectives : Jinnoe-san (JNS) is a novel herbal formula consisting of five oriental medicinal herbs including Polygalae Radix, Prunellae Spica, Perillae Herba, Betulae Cortex, and Lonicerae Flos. In this study, we investigated the effects and molecular mechanism of JNS on Parkinson's disease in vitro model. Methods : The effects of JNS on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ($MPP^+$)-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells were evaluated with a cell viability assay, flow cytometry, and western blots analysis. The effects of JNS on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia were determined with a nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, and western blots analysis. Result : $MPP^+$-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells was significantly reduced by JNS pre-treatment in a dose-dependent manner. JNS inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondria dysfunction, and apoptosis induced by $MPP^+$ in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, JNS significantly activated Akt and ERK in SH-SY5Y cells and the ability of JNS to prevent mitochondria dysfunction by $MPP^+$ was antagonized by pre-treatment of LY294002 and PD98059, an Akt and ERK inhibitor, respectively. In addition, JNS inhibited LPS-induced NO and $PGE_2$ production as well as iNOS expression and secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$, pro-inflammatory cytokines without affecting the cell viability. JNS also suppressed LPS-induced ERK activation. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that JNS has a protective effect on the dopaminergic neurons against $MPP^+$-induced neurotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effect on the LPS-stimulated microglia. These findings provide evidences for JNS to be considered as a new prescription for treating Parkinson's disease.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.153-165
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• 2018

Development of an effective vaccine is critically needed for the prevention of malaria. One of the key antigens for malaria vaccines is the apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the surface protein for erythrocyte invasion of the parasite. The gene encoding AMA-1 has been sequenced from populations of P. falciparum worldwide, but the haplotype diversity of the gene in P. falciparum populations in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), including Thailand, remains to be characterized. In the present study, the AMA-1 gene was PCR amplified and sequenced from the genomic DNA of 65 P. falciparum isolates from 5 endemic areas in Thailand. The nearly full-length 1,848 nucleotide sequence of AMA-1 was subjected to molecular analyses, including nucleotide sequence diversity, haplotype diversity and deduced amino acid sequence diversity and neutrality tests. Phylogenetic analysis and pair-wise population differentiation ($F_{st}$ indices) were performed to infer the population structure. The analyses identified 60 single nucleotide polymorphic loci, predominately located in domain I of AMA-1. A total of 31 unique AMA-1 haplotypes were identified, which included 11 novel ones. The phylogenetic tree of the AMA-1 haplotypes revealed multiple clades of AMA-1, each of which contained parasites of multiple geographical origins, consistent with the $F_{st}$ indices indicating genetic homogeneity or gene flow among geographically distinct populations of P. falciparum in Thailand's borders with Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. In summary, the study revealed novel haplotypes and population structure needed for the further advancement of AMA-1-based malaria vaccines in the GMS.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.616-621
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• 2014

Consumption of the fuel on the satellite operating in low earth orbit, is increased due to the air resistance and the amount of increase makes the satellite lifetime decrease or the satellite mass risen. Therefore the prediction of drag force of the satellite is important. In the paper, drag force and drag coefficient analysis of the parabolic antenna satellite in low earth orbit using direct simulation monte carlo method (DSMC) is conducted according to the mission altitude and angle of attack. To verify the DSMC simulated rarefied air movement, Starshine satellite drag coefficient according to the altitude and gas-surface interaction are compared with the flight data. Finally, from the analysis results, it leads to appropriate satellite drag coefficient for orbit lifetime calculation.