• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 2021

Using the Caenorhabditis elegans model system, the antioxidant activity of methanol extract of the guzeunggupoprocessed Liriope platyphylla F. T. Wang (Liliaceae) tuber was calculated. Between the methanol extracts of guzeunggupo-processed and non-processed L. platyphylla tuber, the processed L. platyphylla tuber showed higher DPPH radical scavenging effect than the non-processed one. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanol extract of the guzeunggupo-processed L. platyphylla tuber showed the best DPPH radical scavenging activity. The ethyl acetate fraction of the processed sample was measured for the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and oxidative stress tolerance by using C. elegans along with reactive oxygen species level. In addition, to verify the regulation of the stress response gene is responsible for the increased stress tolerance of C. elegans treated by the ethyl acetate fraction of the processed sample, SOD-3 expression was measured using a transgenic strain (CF1553). Consequently, the ethyl acetate fraction of the processed sample, increased SOD and catalase activities, and decreased ROS accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate fraction of the processed sample-treated CF1553 worm showed higher SOD-3::GFP intensity than the control worm.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2019

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are widely generated in biological processes such as normal metabolism and response to xenobiotic exposure. While ROS can be beneficial or harmful to cells and tissues, generation of ROS by diverse anti-cancer drugs or phytochemicals plays an important role in the induction of apoptosis. We recently identified a derivative of naphthalene, MS-5, that induces apoptosis of an ovarian cell, CAOV-3. Interestingly, MS-5 induced apoptosis by down-regulating the ROS. Cell viability was evaluated by water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. Intracellular ROS ($H_2O_2$), mitochondrial superoxide, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and effect on cycle were determined by flow cytometry. Protein expression was assessed by western blotting. The level of ATP was measured using ATP Colorimetric/Fluorometric Assay kit. MS-5 inhibited growth of ovarian cancer cell lines, CAOV-3, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. MS-5 also induced G1 cell cycle arrest in CAOV-3 cells, while MS-5 decreased intracellular ROS generation. In addition, cells treated with MS-5 showed the decrease in MMP and ATP production. In this study, we found that treatment with MS-5 in CAOV-3 cells induced apoptosis but decreased ROS level. We suspect that MS-5 might interfere with the minimum requirements of ROS for survival. These perturbations appear to be concentration-dependent, suggesting that MS-5 may induce apoptosis by interfering with ROS generation. We propose that MS-5 may be a potent therapeutic agent for inducing apoptosis in ovarian cancer cell through regulation of ROS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.572-579
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• 2019

Background: Panax ginseng has been used in traditional medicine to strengthen the body and mental well-being of humans for thousands of years. Many elite ginseng cultivars have been developed, and ginseng cultivation has become well established during the last century. However, heat stress poses an important threat to the growth and sustainable production of ginseng. Efforts have been made to study the effects of high temperature on ginseng physiology, but knowledge of the molecular responses to heat stress is still limited. Methods: We sequenced the transcriptomes (RNA-Seq) of two ginseng cultivars, Chunpoong (CP) and Yunpoong (YP), which are sensitive and resistant to heat stress, respectively, after 1- and 3-week heat treatments. Differential gene expression and gene ontology enrichment along with profiled chlorophyll contents were performed. Results: CP is more sensitive to heat stress than YP and exhibited a lower chlorophyll content than YP. Moreover, heat stress reduced the chlorophyll content more rapidly in CP than in YP. A total of 329 heat-responsive genes were identified. Intriguingly, genes encoding chlorophyll a/b-binding proteins, WRKY transcription factors, and fatty acid desaturase were predominantly responsive during heat stress and appeared to regulate photosynthesis. In addition, a genome-wide scan of photosynthetic and sugar metabolic genes revealed reduced transcription levels for ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase under heat stress, especially in CP, possibly attributable to elevated levels of soluble sugars. Conclusion: Our comprehensive genomic analysis reveals candidate loci/gene targets for breeding and functional studies related to developing high temperature-tolerant ginseng varieties.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.192-201
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• 2021

Dangguisu-san (DGSS) is widely known traditional herbal medicinal formula in Korea for treatment of traumatic injury by traffic accident, ecchymosis, abdominal distension and anti-thrombosis of blood. This study was conducted to develop the simultaneous analyze method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and examine the effect of anti-inflammatory activity of DGSS-dry extract (DGSS-DE) and DGSS-mix extract powder (DGSS-MEP). Physicochemical characteristics of DGSS-DE and DGSS-MEP showed that there is no significant difference in pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solid content and browning degree except for color value (L, a, b). 15 functional constituents of DGSS were identified and the correlation coefficient values of DGSS-DE and DGSS-MEP were conformed 0.950. Also, DGSS-DE and DGSS-MEP significantly decreased the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) through inhibited expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. From these result, DGSS-MEP showed similar chemical composition and anti-inflammatory effect to DGSS-DE. Therefore, DGSS-DE and DGSS-MEP may be useful as potential source of drug to prevent inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.325-331
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• 2020

Through Caenorhabditis elegans model system, the antioxidant activity of methanol extract of the guzeunggupo-processed Platycodon grandiflorum A. De Candolle (Campanulaceae) roots was calculated. Between the methanol extracts of guzeunggupo-processed and non-processed P. grandiflorum roots, the processed P. grandiflorum root showed higher DPPH radical scavenging effect than the non-processed one. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanol extract of the guzeunggupo-processed P. grandiflorum showed the best DPPH radical scavenging activity. The ethyl acetate fraction of the processed sample was measured for the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and oxidative stress tolerance by using C. elegans along with reactive oxygen species level. In addition, to confirm the regulation of the stress response gene is responsible for the increased stress tolerance of C. elegans treated by the ethyl acetate fraction of the processed sample, SOD-3 expression was measured using a transgenic strain (CF1553). Consequently, the ethyl acetate fraction of the processed sample, increased SOD and catalase activities, and decreased ROS accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate fraction of the processed sample-treated CF1553 worm showed higher SOD-3::GFP intensity than the control worm.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.346-358
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• 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacies of selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in inducing immunoglobulin A (IgA) secretion. Twenty-five different LAB isolated from traditional fermented Korean foods were characterized for their probiotic properties and screened to identify those that could stimulate lamina propria cells (LPCs) from Peyer's patch to secret IgA in vitro. Among them, four strains (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CJW55-10, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus CJW18-6, L. pentosus CJW56-11, and Pediococcus acidilactici CJN2696) were found to be strong IgA inducers. The number of IgA positive B cells and soluble IgA level were increased when LPCs were co-cultured with these LAB. Expression levels of toll-like receptor (TLR) such as TLR2 and TLR4 and secretion of interleuckin-6 were augmented in LPCs treated with these LAB. Further, we determined whether oral intake of these LAB enhanced IgA production in vivo. After one-week of daily oral administration, these LAB feed mice increased mucosal IgA and serum IgA. In conclusion, selected strains of LAB could induce systemic IgA secretion by activating lamina propria B cells in Peyer's patch and oral intake of selected strains of LAB can enhance systemic immunity by inducing mucosal IgA secretion.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2009

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a thrombolytic agent important in fibirn clot lysis. T-PA causes fibirn-specific plasminogen activation. Six binary vectors harboring t-PA and its derivative genes were cloned and expressed in transgenic alfalfa plants. The insertion of the t-PA and its derivative genes in genomic DNA of alfalfa plants was confirmed by PCR. The presence of the t-PA and its derivative transcripts in total RNAs of the transgenic alfalfa leaves was verified by RT-PCR. ELISA experiments demonstrated that the highest level of recombinant t-PA expression was $75.1{\mu}g$/ total soluble protein (mg) in alfalfa plants. The amount of recombinant t-PA and its derivative proteins in transgenic plants was estimated to range from 9.7 to $39.5{\mu}g$/ total soluble proteins (mg). Western blot analysis of the transformed alfalfa leaves revealed bands of approximately 68-kDa recombinant t-PA and its derivative proteins. The fibrinolysis of recombinant t-PA and its derivative proteins was confirmed by a fibrin plate assay (range from 3.2 to 8.1 cm). The results presented provide information for the development of an additional production of recombinant human proteins having pharmaceutical applications using transgenic plants.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of water-soluble mulberry leaf extract (ME) on hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed rats via the regulation of hepatic microRNA (miR)-221/222 and inflammation. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 weeks old) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 7 each) and fed with 10 kcal% low-fat diet (LF), 45 kcal% high-fat diet (HF), or HF + 0.8% ME for 14 weeks. Lipid profiles and cytokine levels of the liver and serum were measured using commercial enzymatic colorimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and miR levels in liver tissue were assayed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Supplementation of ME reduces body weight and improves the liver and serum lipid profiles as compared to the HF group. The mRNA levels of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, and fatty acid translocase, which are genes involved in lipid metabolism, were significantly downregulated in the ME group compared to the HF group. In contrast, the mRNA level of hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (involved in fatty acid oxidation) was upregulated by ME supplementation. Furthermore, administration of ME significantly downregulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators such as hepatic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide were also significantly reduced in ME group compared to the HF group. Expression of hepatic miR-221 and miR-222, which increase in the inflammatory state of the liver, were also significantly inhibited in the ME group compared to the HF group. Conclusion: These results indicate that ME has the potential to improve hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed rats via modulation of inflammatory mediators and hepatic miR-221/222 expressions.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.156-163
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• 2004

Purpose: While E-cadherin in normal cells induces calciumdependent cell-cell adhesion, in malignant cell, it plays a role in invasion and metastasis with a reduction of adhesion. Serum soluble E-cadherin is a result of the reduction of the cellular E-cadherin molecule and is found in the circulation of normal individuals, but it is particularly known to be increased in patients with malignancies. Accordingly, through checking the level of serum soluble E-cadherin in patients with gastric cancer and analyzing it in the view of clinicopathology, we investigated whether serum soluble E-cadherin could be translated into a clinicopathologic esult and used as a tumor marker. Materials and Methods: The investigation targeted 88 patients who had been diagnosed as having gastric cancer by the Department of Surgery, St. Mary's Hospital, from October 1, 2002, to July 30, 2003, and who had under gone performed surgery. We measured the level of preoperative serum E-cadherin in the 88 patients by unsing ELISA. Among them, we collected gastric cancer tissues from 54 patients and executed immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin. The samples were compared with normal tissues in terms of both serum E-cadherin level and immunohistochemistry level, as well as with other clinicopathologic factors. Result: The mean serum E-cadherin level of the 88 patients was 4368.7 ng/ml and was significantly higher than the level in 12 normal control patients, 3335.5 ng/ml (P=0.016). In terms of clinicopathology, the serum level of E-cadherin was significantly correlated with increasing age (P=0.0006) and was higher in positive venous invasion patients (P=0.0005). When the E-cadherin immunohistochemical stain was compared with the serum E-cadherin level in 54 patients, no significant statistically meaningful result was obtained (P=0.2881). However, 4 patients with serum E-cadherin levels about 6000 ng/ml were classified into the lower expression group ($<80\%$ of E-cadherin immunohistochemicals stain. In the analysis for 36 patients who were early gastric cancer patients, the serum E-cadherin level in lymph-node-metastatic patients was higher than it was in the other patients (P=0.0442). Conclusion: The serum E-cadherin level in gastric cancer patients was higher than the level in normal control patients. In advanced gastric cancer patients, that the difference was increased. Also, since the E-cadherin level correlated with the serum E-cadherin level with venous invasion, it can be used as an effective tumor marker for gastric cancer. Particularly, in that the serum E-cadherin level correlated with lymph node metastasis in early gastic cancer, it can be used when a therapeutic method for early gastric cancer is selected.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2010

This study evaluated treatability of soluble Mn(II) using multifunctional sand media simultaneously coated with iron and manganese. In the preparation of IMCS(Iron and Manganese Coated Sand), 0.05 M Mn(II) solution and Fe(III) solution was mixed with sand at pH 7. The mineral type of IMCS was identified as the mixture of ${\gamma}-MnO_2$, goethite and magnetite($F_{e3}O_4$). The contents of Mn and Fe coated onto sand were 826 and 1676 mg/kg, respectively. The $pH_{pzc}$ of IMCS was measured as 6.40. The removal of soluble Mn(II) using IMCS and oxidants such as NaOCl and $KMnO_4$ was investigated with variation of the solution pH, reaction time and Mn(II) concentration in a batch test. The removal of Mn(II) on IMCS was 34% at pH 7.4 and the removals of Mn(II) on IMCS in the presence of NaOCl(13.6 mg/L) at pH 7 and $KMnO_4$(4.8 mg/L) at pH 7.6 were 96% and 89%, respectively. The removal of Mn(II) using IMCS and oxidants followed a typical cationic type, showing a gradual increase of removal as the solution pH increased. The removal of Mn(II) was rapid in the first 6 hrs and then a constant removal was observed. The maximum removed amount of Mn(II) on IMCS-alone and IMCS in the presence of oxidants such as NaOCl(13.6 mg/L) and $KMnO_4$(4.8mg/L) were 833.3, 1428.6 and 1666.7 mg/kg, respectively. Mn(II) removal onto the IMCS in the presence of oxidants was well described by second-order reaction and Langmuir isotherm expression.