• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.217-228
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• 2019

There have been no published studies concerning the anti-inflammatory effects of corn silk on colon cancer cells. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of corn silk extract containing high levels of maysin on inflammation and its mechanism of action in colon cancer cells. SW 480 human colon cancer cells were treated with $1{\mu}g/mL$ of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation, and next they were treated with different concentrations of corn silk extract (0, 5, 10 and $15{\mu}g/mL$). The concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) were determined. The mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-1beta ($IL-1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were determined. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expressions of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and mitogen-activated protein kinases, and the latter consists of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase (p38). The concentration of NO and the mRNA expression of iNOS were significantly and dose-dependently decreased in the corn silk-treated groups (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were significantly increased in the LPS-treated group (P<0.05), but these expressions were significantly and dose-dependently decreased in the corn silk treated groups (P<0.05). The protein expressions of $NF-{\kappa}B$ (in a dose-dependent fashion), ERK (at 10 and $15{\mu}g/mL$), JNK (at $15{\mu}g/mL$) and p38 (at 10 and $15{\mu}g/mL$) were significantly decreased with corn silk treatments (P<0.05). In conclusion, corn silk extract containing high levels of maysin seems to inhibit the LPS-induced inflammatory responses in SW480 colon cancer cells via the $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.116-127
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• 2021

Predicting carbon distribution of soil aggregates is difficult due to complexity in organo-mineral formation. This limits global warming mitigation through soil carbon sequestration. Therefore, knowledge of land use effect on carbon stabilization requires quantification of soil mineral cations. The study was conducted to quantify carbon and base cations on soil mineral fractions in Natural Forest, Plantation Forest and Farm Land. Five 0.09 ha were demarcated alternately along 500 m long transect with an interval of 50 m in Natural Forest (NF), Plantation Forest (PF) and Farm Land (FL). Soil samples were collected with soil cores at 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm depths in each plot. Soil core samples were oven-dried at 105℃ and soil bulk densities were computed. Sample (100 g) of each soil core was separated into >2.0, 2.0-1.0, 1.0-0.5, 0.5-0.05 and <0.05 mm aggregates using dry sieve procedure and proportion determined. Carbon concentration of soil aggregates was determined using Loss-on-ignition method. Mineral fractions of soil depths were obtained using dispersion, sequential extraction and sedimentation methods of composite soil samples and sieved into <0.05 and >0.05 mm fractions. Cation exchange capacity of two mineral fractions was measured using spectrophotometry method. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and ANOVA at α_0.05. Silt and sand particle size decreased while clay increased with increase in soil depth in NF and PF. Subsoil depth contained highest carbon stock in the PF. Carbon concentration increased with decrease in aggregate size in soil depths of NF and FL. Micro- (1-0.5, 0.5-0.05 and <0.05 mm) and macro-aggregates (>2.0 and 2-1.0 mm) were saturated with soil carbon in NF and FL, respectively. Cation exchange capacity of <0.05 mm was higher than >0.05 mm in soil depths of PF and FL. Fine silt (<0.05 mm) determine the cation exchange capacity in soil depths. Land use and mineral size influence the carbon and cation exchange capacity of Gambari Forest Reserve.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2019

Objectives : While inducing inflammatory response due to LPS it will investigate mechanism associated with anti-inflammatory effects from macrophages and provide basic data for the possible use as anti-inflammatory materials. Methods : We investigated cell viability, NO, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 by ELISA and expressions of iNOS, COX-2, MAPKs and $NF-{\kappa}B$ were measured in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS. Results : The cell viability of Parthenocissus tricuspidata extracts(PTE) identified in macrophages showed that cell viability rate was more than 99% at the concentration of 8, 40, and $200{\mu}g/mL$. NO generated amounts revealed that it relied on concentration and was significantly reduced compared to the control. The expression of iNOS was restrained by the control at the concentration of 200 and $400{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, the expression of COX-2 was found to be significantly reduced to the untreated control at the concentration of $400{\mu}g/mL$. $TNF-{\alpha}$ relied on concentration and showed a significant decreased compared to the control. In contrast, IL-6 relied on concentration, reduced compared to the control. Phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 mediated by LPS were restrained by relying on concentration. Phosphorylation and decomposition of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ as well as p65 nuclear transmission of $NF-{\kappa}B$ subunit were restrained. Conclusions : By restraining the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$, anti-inflammatory effects were revealed by reducing phosphorylative activation of MAPKs, restraining the expression of iNOS and COX-2 and restraining the creation of NO, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Therefore, it can be assumed that they can be used as a variety of anti-inflammatory materials.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.335-342
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• 2018

Micelle-Enhanced Ultrafiltration (MEUF) is a membrane separation processes that improving ultrafiltration process with the formation of micelles of the surface active agents. Surface active agents are widely used to improve membrane processes due to the ability to trap organic compounds and metals in the treatment of industrial waste water. In this study, surface active agents are used to improve micelle-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) to reduce chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solid (TDS), turbidity and clogging the membrane in dairy wastewater treatment. Three important operational factors (anionic surface active agent concentration, pressure and pH) and these interactions were investigated by using response surface methodology (RSM) and Box-Behnken design. Results show that due to the concentration polarization layer and increase the number of Micelles; the anionic surface active agent concentration has a negative effect on the flux and has a positive effect on the elimination of contamination indices. pH, and the pressure have the greatest effect on flux. On the other hand, it could be stated that these percentages of separation are in the percentages range of Nano-filtration (NF). While MEUF process has higher flux than NF process. The results have been achieved at lower pressure while NF process needs high pressure, thus making MEUF is the replacement for the NF process.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.206-213
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• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of mangiferin isolated from the rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, a natural polyphenol, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Mangiferin dose-dependently inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ productions in RAW 264.7 macrophages and peritoneal macrophages isolated from C57BL/6 mice. Consistent with these data, mangiferin suppressed the LPS-induced expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at the protein and mRNA levels in a concentration-dependent manner, as determined by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. In addition, the release of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the mRNA expression levels of these cytokines were reduced by mangiferin in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, mangiferin effectively inhibited the transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-kappa B $(NF-{\kappa}B)$. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of mangiferin are caused by iNOS, COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-6 down-regulation due to $(NF-{\kappa}B)$ inhibition in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.95.1-95
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• 2003

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae) has a wide array of pharmacologic effects. Our previous studies have demonstrated that [6]-gingerol, a major pungent ingredient of ginger, inhibits mouse skin tumor promotion and anchorage-independent growth of cultured mouse epidermal cells stimulated with epidermal growth factor. In this study, we have investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive effects of [6]-gingerol on mouse skin carcinogenesis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a key enzyme in the formation of prostaglandins, has been recognized as a molecular target of many chemopreventive as well as anti-inflammatory agents. The murine COX-2 promoter contains several transcriptional elements, particularly those involved in regulating inflammatory processes. One of the essential transcription factors responsible for COX-2 induction is NF-kappa B. Topical application of [6]-gingerol inhibited the COX-2 expression through suppression of NF-kappa B activation in phorbol ester-treated mouse skin. [6]-Gingerol, through down-regulation of p38 MAPK, abrogated the DNA binding activity of NF-kappa B by blocking phosphorylation of p65/RelA at the Ser 536 residue. These findings suggest that [6]-gingerol exerts an anti-tumor promotional activity through inhibition of the p38 MAPK-NF-kappa B siganling cascade in mouse skin.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.579-586
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• 2010

A genomic DNA fragment encoding a putative maltooligosyltrehalose synthase (NfMTS) for trehalose biosynthesis was cloned by the degenerate primer-PCR from cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme. The ORF of NfMTS was 2,799 bp in length and encoded 933 amino acid residues constituting a 106.6 kDa protein. The deduced amino acid sequence of NfMTS contained 4 regions highly conserved for MTSs. By expression of NfMTS in E. coli, it was demonstrated that the recombinant protein catalyzed the conversion of maltohexaose to maltooligosyl trehalose. The $K_m$ of the recombinant enzyme for maltohexaose was 1.87 mM and the optimal temperature and pH of the recombinant enzyme was at $50^{\circ}C$ and 7.0, respectively. The expression of MTS of N. flagelliforme was upregulated, and both trehalose and sucrose contents increased significantly in N. flagelliforme during drought stress. However, trehalose accumulated in small quantities (about 0.36 mg/g DW), whereas sucrose accumulated in high quantities (about 0.90 mg/g DW), indicating both trehalose and sucrose were involved in dehydration stress response in N. flagelliforme and sucrose might act as a chemical chaperone rather than trehalose did during dehydration stress.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.157-163
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• 2011

Purpose: Curcumin is known to exert numerous biological effects including anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of curcumin on the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by murine macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Prevotella intermedia, a major cause of inflammatory periodontal disease, and sought to determine the underlying mechanisms of action. Methods: LPS was prepared from lyophilized P. intermedia ATCC 25611 cells by the standard hot phenol-water method. Culture supernatants were collected and assayed for IL-6. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect IL-6 mRNA expression. $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation, nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ subunits, and STAT1 phosphorylation were characterized via immunoblotting. DNA-binding of NF-${\kappa}B$ was also analyzed. Results: Curcumin strongly suppressed the production of IL-6 at both gene transcription and translation levels in P. intermedia LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Curcumin did not inhibit the degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ induced by P. intermedia LPS. Curcumin blocked NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling through the inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p50 subunit. Curcumin also attenuated DNA binding activity of p50 and p65 subunits and suppressed STAT1 phosphorylation. Conclusions: Although further study is required to explore the detailed mechanism of action, curcumin may contribute to blockade of the host-destructive processes mediated by IL-6 and appears to have potential therapeutic values in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal disease.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.173-187
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• 2015

The goal of present work is the preparation of a novel positively charged nanofiltration (NF) membrane and its development for the cation removal of aqueous solutions. This NF membrane was fabricated by the surface modification of polysulfone (PSf) ultrafiltration support. The active top-layer was formed by interfacial cross-linking polymerization of poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) with p-xylylene dichloride (XDC) and then quaternized with methyl iodide to form a perpetually positively charged layer. In order to improve the efficiency of nanofiltration membrane, the concentration of PEI, XDC and methyl iodide solutions, PEI coating and cross-linking time have been optimized. As a result, a high water flux and high $CaCl_2$ rejection (1,000 ppm) was obtained for the composite membrane with values of $18.29L/m^2.h$ and 93.62% at 4 bar and $25^{\circ}C$, respectively. The rejections of NF membrane for different salt solutions followed the order of $Na_2SO_4$ < $MgSO_4$ < NaCl < $CaCl_2$. Molecular weight of cut off (MWCO) was calculated via retaining of PEG solutions with different molecular weights that finally, it revealed the Stokes and hydrodynamic radius of 1.457 and 2.507 nm on the membrane selective layer, respectively. The most efficient positively charged nanofiltration membrane exhibited a $Ni^{2+}$ rejection of 96.26% for industrial wastewater from Shamse Hadaf Co. (Kashan, Iran).

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.628-636
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• 2019

Altered genetic features in cancer cells lead to a high rate of aerobic glycolysis and metabolic reprogramming that is essential for increased cancer cell viability and rapid proliferation. Pyruvate kinase muscle (PKM) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the final step of glycolysis. Herein, we report that PKM is a potential therapeutic target in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. We found that PKM1 or PKM2 is highly expressed in TNBC tissues or cells. Knockdown of PKM significantly suppressed cell proliferation and migration, and strongly reduced S phase and induced G2 phase cell cycle arrest by reducing phosphorylation of the CDC2 protein in TNBC cells. Additionally, knockdown of PKM significantly suppressed $NF-{\kappa}B$ (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) activity by reducing the phosphorylation of p65 at serine 536, and also decreased the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ target genes. Taken together, PKM is a potential target that may have therapeutic implications for TNBC cells.