• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.83-96
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of natural degrading polymer film covering in rice paddies on the benthic macroinvertebrate community structure in Dangsu-dong, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do from May 2009 to September 2009. We compared 5 treatments: golden apple snail farming (GF), natural degrading polymer film + organic farming (NOF), natural degrading polymer film + chemical farming (NCF), conventional farming (CF), and no fertilization (NF) as the control. The total number of species was highest in NOF followed by GF, NF, NCF, and CF. The total number of individuals was highest in NOF followed by NCF, CF, NF, and GF. The Dominance index (DI) ranged from 0.43 to 0.95. The highest dominance index was in GF followed by NCF, NF=CF, and NOF. The species diversity index (H') for each experimental plot ranged from 0.49 to 2.93. The average species diversity index was highest in NOF followed by NF, GF, CF, and NCF. After the natural degrading polymer film covered the paddies, the benthic macroinvertebrates tended to recover, but leeches and aquatic beetles increased. Mollusca and Annelida, which are sensitive taxa, decreased in both species and individual numbers after the soil was covered with the natural degrading polymer film. The number of species tended to recover. However, the number of individuals continued to decrease.d, especially individuals. Since then, the number of species tended to recover. However, the number of individuals decreased.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.826-835
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• 2018

The aim of the study was to investigate the influences of sodium fluoride on the body weight, lipid metabolism functional improvement, blood glucose level, protein component in the sera of rats which fed experimental diets for 5 weeks. Body weight gain of rats was higher in the NF25 group, NF30 group and NF50 group showed a significant difference from the basal diet group (BD group). The changes of the liver and the heart of each argan weights were observed compared to the BD group tends to appear lower in the oral NaF groups (p<0.05). Organ weight of each group of the others showed no significant difference (p<0.05). Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, free cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), phospholipid (PL) and blood glucose were lower in BD group than basal diet plus sodium fluoride groups. Conversely depending on the concentration of sodium fluoride for the high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level, it showed lower results. Serum total protein was observed low showed a significant difference in the NF50 group, there was no significant difference in the other groups (p<0.05). globulin and albumin concentration levels also showed the lowest results in the NF50 group.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.475-482
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• 2009

Rifampicin is a macrocyclic antibiotic which is used extensively for treatment against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections. Recently, a number of studies have focused on the immune-regulatory effects of rifampicin. Therefore, we hypothesized that rifampicin may influence the TLR2 expression in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. In this study, we determined that rifampicin suppresses LPS-induced TLR2 mRNA expression. The down-regulation of TLR2 expression coincided with decreased production of TNF-$\alpha$ Since NF-${\kappa}B$ is a major transcription factor that regulates genes for TLR2 and TNF-$\alpha$, we examined the effect of rifampicin on the LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Rifampicin inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA-binding activity in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells, while it did not affect IKK$\alpha/\beta$ activity. However, rifampicin slightly inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65. In addition, rifampicin increased physical interaction between pregnane X receptor, a receptor for rifampicin, and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65, suggesting pregnane X receptor interferes with NF-${\kappa}B$ binding to DNA. Taken together, our results demonstrate that rifampicin inhibits LPS-induced TLR2 expression, at least in part, via the suppression of NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA-binding activity in RAW 264.7 cells. Thus, the present results suggest that the rifampicin-mediated inhibition of TLR2 via the suppression of NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA-binding activity may be a novel mechanism of the immune-suppressive effects of rifampicin.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2002.05b
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• pp.88.2-98
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• 2002

A wide arry of naturally occurring substances particularly those present in dietary and medicinal plants, have been reported to possess substantial cancer chemopreventive properties. Certain phytochemicals retain strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties which appear to contribute to their chemopreventive or chemoprotective activities. Inducible cyclooxygenase(COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are important enzymes that mediate inflammatory processes. There is some evidence that expression of both COX-2 and iNOS is co-regulated by the eukaryotic transcription factor NF-$textsc{k}$B. Increased expression of COX-2 and/or iNOS has been associated with pathophysiology of certain types of human cancers as well as inflammatory diseases. Since inflammation is closely linked to tumor promotion, substances with potent anti-inflammatory activies are anticipated to exert chemopreventive effects on carcinogenesis, particularly in the promotion stage. An example is curcumin, a yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae), that strongly occurring diaryl heptanoids structurally related to curcumin have substantial anti-tumor promotional activities in two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis. Thus, yakuchinone A [1-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-7-phenyl-3heptanone] and yakuchinone B [1-(4'-hydroxy-3'methoxyphenyl)-7-phenylhept-1-en-3-one] present in Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel (Zingiberacease) attenuate phorbol ester-induced inflammation and papilloma formation in female ICR mice. These diarylheptanoids also suppressed phorbol ester-induced activation of epdermal ornithine decarboxylase and its mRNA expression when applied onto shaven backs of mice. Yakuchinone A and B as well as curcumin inhibited phorbol ester-induced expression of COX-2 and iNOS and their mRNA in mouse skin via inactivation of NF-$textsc{k}$B. Capsaicin, a major pungent ingredient of red pepper also attenuated phorbol ester-induced NF-$textsc{k}$B activation. Similar suppression of COX-2 and iNOS and down-regulation of NF-$textsc{k}$B activation for its DNA binding were observed with the ginsenosied Rg3 and the ethanol extract of Artemisia asiatica. We have also found that certain anti-inflammatory phytochemicals exert inhibitory effects on phorbol ester-induced COX-2 expression and NF-$textsc{k}$B activation in immortalized human breast epithelial (MCF-10A) cells in culture. One of the plausible mechanisms undelying inhibition by aforementioned phytochemicals of phorbol ester-induced NF-$textsc{k}$B activation involves interference with degragation of the inhibitory unit, I$textsc{k}$Ba, which blocks subsequent nuclear translocation of the functionally active p65 subunit of NF-$textsc{k}$B. the activation of epidermal NF-$textsc{k}$B by phorbol ester and subsequent induction of COX-2 hence appear to play an important role in intracellular signaling pathwasy leading to tumor promotion and targeted inhibition of NF-$textsc{k}$B may provide a new promising cancer chemopreventive strategy.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.336-343
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• 2008

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors have emerged as the accessory therapeutic agents for various human cancers, since they can block the activity of specific HDACs, restore the expression of some tumor suppressor genes and induce cell differentiation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we investigated that the effect of trichostatin A (TSA), an HDAC inhibitor, on the cell growth and apoptosis, and its effect on the nuclear factor-kappaB $(NF-{\kappa}B)$ activity in 267B1 human prostate epithelial cells. Exposure of 267B1 cells to TSA resulted in growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in and dose-dependent manners as measured by fluorescence microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry analysis. TSA treatment inhibited the levels of IAP family members such as c-IAP-1 and c-IAP-2 and induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9, which were associated with concomitant degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase, ${\beta}-catenin$ and laminin B proteins. The increase in apoptosis by TSA was connected with the translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ from cytosol to nucleus, increase of the DNA binding as well as promoter activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$, and degradation of cytosolic inhibitor of KappaB $(I{\kappa}B)-{\alpha}$ protein. We therefore concluded that TSA demonstrated anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects on 267B1 cells in vitro, and that the activation of caspases and $NF-{\kappa}B$ may play important roles in its mechanism of action. Although further studies are needed, these findings provided important insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of TSA.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2017

Purpose: Neuroinflammation is mediated by activation of microglia implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Inhibition of neuroinflammation may be an effective solution to treat these brain disorders. Petalonia binghamiae is known as a traditional food, based on multiple biological activities such as anti-oxidant and anti-obesity. In present study, the anti-neuroinflammatory potential of Petalonia binghamiae was investigated in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Methods: Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Production of nitric oxide (NO) was examined using Griess reagent. Expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was detected by Western blot analysis. Activation of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) signaling was examined by nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 subunit and phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$. Results: Extract of Petalonia binghamiae significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated NO production and iNOS/COX-2 protein expression in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. Pretreatment with Petalonia binghamiae suppressed LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$. Co-treatment with Petalonia binghamiae and pyrrolidine duthiocarbamate (PDTC), an $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor, reduced LPS-stimulated NO release compared to that in PB-treated or PDTC-treated cells. Conclusion: The present results indicate that extract of Petalonia binghamiae exerts anti-neuroinflammation activities, partly through inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling. These findings suggest that Petalonia binghamiae might have therapeutic potential in relation to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.35 no.1 s.136
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• pp.92-97
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• 2004

Effect of AGI $({\alpha}-Glucosidase\;Inhibitor)-1120$, pine (Pinus densiflora) bark extract and Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) - and Chaga mushroom mycelium extracts on cellular $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation in malignant human keratinocytes (SCC-13) were evaluated to elucidate the possible correlation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ with antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activities of these natural products were examined in three different evaluation methods, i.e., lipid peroxidation value (POV) evaluation test, and 1,1diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging test. In a cell-based $NF-{\kappa}B$ monitoring assay systern, all samples revealed the downregulatory profiles on the cellular $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity. AGI -1120 (1, 2 mg) and Chaga mushroom extract (0.05, 0.1 mg) downregulated the $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity in a dose-dependent manner. Chaga mushroom mycelium extract (5 mg) significantly inhibited the $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity (p<0.05). Although AGI-1120 and Chaga mushroom mycelium extract exhibited no antioxidant activities evaluated in pay, Chaga mushroom extract showed antioxidant in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of $0.05{\sim}1$ mg. While AGI-1120 and Chaga mushroom extract possessed a relatively potential DPPH radical scavenging activity, the NO scavenging activity of Chaga mushroom extract $(SC_{50}:47\;{mu}g)$ was higher than the known antioxidant, vitamin C $(SC_{50}:77\;{mu}g)$. These results suggest that AGI-1120 and Chaga mushroom- and Chaga mushroom mycelium extracts may serve as an useful radical scavenging antioxidant agents with $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitory effect in human skin.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2387-2391
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• 2013

Resistance to apoptosis is a major obstacle preventing effective therapy for malignancies. Bcl-2 plays a significant role in inhibiting apoptosis. We reconstructed a stable human Bcl-2 transfected cell line, BIU87-Bcl-2, that was derived from the transfection of human bladder carcinoma cell line BIU87 with a plasmid vector containing recombinant Bcl-2 [pcDNA3.1(+)-Bcl-2]. A cell line transfected with the plasmid alone [pcDNA3.1(+)-neo] was also established as a control. BIU87 and BIU87-neo proved sensitive to adriamycin induced apoptosis, while BIU87-Bcl-2 was more resistant. In view of the growing evidence that NF-${\kappa}B$ may play an important role in regulating apoptosis, we determined whether Bcl-2 could modulate the activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ in bladder carcinoma cells. Stimulation of BIU87, BIU87-neo and BIU87-Bcl-2 with ADR resulted in an increase expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ (p<0.001). The expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in BIU87-Bcl-2 was higher than in the other two cases, with a concomitant reduction in the $I{\kappa}B{\kappa}$ protein level. These results suggest that the overexpression of Bcl-2 renders human bladder carcinoma cells resistant to adriamycin-induced cytotoxicity and there is a link between Bcl-2 and the NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway in the suppression of apoptosis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.311-320
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• 2016

Kava (Piper methysticum, P. methysticum) is used as traditional herbal medicine for urogenital diseases, rheumatisms, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory irritations, and pulmonary pains. We identified a flavokavain C (FKC) from P. methysticum, which showed anti-inflammatory activity on nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$)-dependent nitric oxide (NO) production and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. FKC inhibited accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide, and was able to dose-dependently reduce the LPS-induced NO production and the expression of various inflammation-associated genes (iNOS, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6) through inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs (ERK and JNK). In conclusion, these results indicate that FKC may have the potential to prevent inflammation process including NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs pathways, and it could be applicable to functional cosmetics for anti-inflammation and antioxidant properties.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.353-358
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• 2010

This study demonstrates the ability of magnolol, a hydroxylated biphenyl compound isolated from Magnolia officinalis, to inhibit LPS-induced expression of iNOS gene and activation of NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel in RAW 264.7 cells. Immunohisto-chemical staining of iNOS and Western blot analysis showed magnolol to inhibit iNOS gene expression. Reporter gene assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that magnolol inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel transcriptional activation and DNA binding, respectively. Since p38 is important in the regulation of iNOS gene expression, we investigated the possibility that magnolol to target p38 for its anti-inflammatory effects. A molecular modeling study proposed a binding position for magnolol that targets the ATP binding site of p38 kinase (3GC7). Direct interaction of magnolol and p38 was further confirmed by pull down assay using magnolol conjugated to Sepharose 4B beads. The specific p38 inhibitor SB203580 abrogated the LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel activation, whereas the selective MEK-1 inhibitor PD98059 did not affect the NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel. Collectively, the results of the series of experiments indicate that magnolol inhibits iNOS gene expression by blocking NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel and p38 kinase signaling.