• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.208-213
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• 2018

Activation of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF{\kappa}B$) leads to the inflammatory process. During this $NF{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammation process, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are expressed in the inflammatory cells. Our previous data indicated that a specific septapeptide (GVAWWMY) from the soybean extract fermented by Bacillus licheniformis B1 inhibited iNOS mRNA expression and NO production in cultured macrophage cells. Our further experiments revealed that treatment of same septapeptide resulted in inhibition of LPS-induced $NF{\kappa}B$ activation by reversing degradation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, an inhibitory protein for $NF{\kappa}B$. The molecular docking indicated that the septapeptide binds to $I{\kappa}B$ kinase ${\beta}$ ($IKK{\beta}$), and thus it can inhibit phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$. Supporting this, the binding site for the septapeptide has the highest affinity (-8.7 kcal/mol) and the site was located at the kinase domain (KD) of $IKK{\beta}$, which can significantly affect the kinase activity of $IKK{\beta}$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1432-1437
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• 2018

Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) plays an important role in protecting the lungs from inflammation. This research focuses on identifying the cis-element for binding the repressor of CCSP gene expression. A DNase I footprinting experiment revealed three protected regions between -812 and -768 bp (45 bp) of the mCCSP promoter. One motif (D3: GCCTGGGAA) was 100% conserved across rat, hamster, and human. The addition of excess amounts of the D3 motif exhibited high competition within that 45 bp range in an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. However, when mutated D3 ($G{\underline{AA}}TG{\underline{TT}}AA$) was used, the competition was significantly reduced. This demonstrates that the D3 motif within that 45 bp region of the mCCSP promoter is an important site for the protein-DNA interaction. Transient transfection assays with -756 Luc resulted in highly decreased expression of CCSP than those with -812 Luc, suggesting that the 45 bp could function as a binding site for the repressor. Co-transfection of KLF4 exhibited significant repression of the -812 Luc but not the -768 Luc which clearly shows that KLF4 might function as a repressor for the CCSP gene and also suggests that the D3 motif is strongly involved in the binding of KLF4. In addition, when anti-KLF4 antibody was added, super-shifted bands were observed. This result demonstrates that KLF4 could function as a repressor by binding to this 45 bp region of the CCSP promoter and that the D3 motif might be involved in the specific binding of KLF4.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2014

We investigated the role of central P2X receptors in inflammatory pain transmission in the orofacial area in rats. Experiments were carried out using male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 230-280g. Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA, $40{\mu}L$) was applied subcutaneously to the vibrissa pad to produce inflammatory pain. The intracisternal administration of iso-PPADS tetrasodium salt, a non-selective P2X receptor antagonist, A317491 sodium salt hydrate, a $P2X_{2/3}$ receptor antagonist, 5-BDBD, a $P2X_4$ receptor antagonist, or A438079 hydrochloride, a $P2X_7$ receptor antagonist, was performed 5 days after CFA injection. Subcutaneous injections of CFA produced increases in thermal hypersensitivity. Intracisternal injections of iso-PPADS ($25{\mu}g$) or A438079 (25 or $50{\mu}g$) produced significant anti-hyperalgesic effects against thermal stimuli compared to the vehicle group. A317491 or 5-BDBD did not affect the head withdrawal latency times in rats showing an inflammatory response. Subcutaneous injections of CFA resulted in the up-regulation of OX-42, a microglia marker, and GFAP, an astrocyte marker, in the medullary dorsal horn. The intracisternal administration of A438079 reduced the numbers of activated microglia and astrocytes in the medullary dorsal horn. These results suggest that a blockade of the central $P2X_7$ receptor produces antinociceptive effects, mediated by inhibition of glial cell function in the medullary dorsal horn. These data also indicate that central $P2X_7$ receptors are potential targets for future therapeutic approaches to inflammatory pain in the orofacial area.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.267-277
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• 2021

To evaluate hepatoprotective effects, the antioxidant capacities of matcha green tea extract (Camellia sinenesis) were compared to those of green leaf tea and the anti-inflammatory activities in HepG2 cells were investigated. Evaluation of the total phenolic and total flavonoid content, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation indicated that the aqueous extract of matcha green tea presented significant catechin content and antioxidant capacity compared to those of green leaf tea. In addition, the extract had considerable inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and advanced glycation end-products. The matcha green tea extract significantly increased cell viability and reduced reactive oxygen species in H₂O₂- and high-glucose-treated HepG2 cells. Furthermore, in response to oleic acid-induced HepG2 cell injury, treatment with matcha green tea aqueous extract inhibited lipid accumulation and regulated the expression of inflammatory proteins such as p-JNK, p-Akt, p-GSK-3β, caspase-3, COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-α. Matcha green tea could be used as a functional material to ameliorate hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.774-779
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• 2000

Pseudomembranous colitis, although uncommon, is an important complication of antibiotics that is related to a variety of deleterious effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Rifampicin is one of the 1st line agents in the treatment of tuberculosis and a large number of patients are exposed to its potential adverse effects. We report upon a patient that had diarrhea due to pseudomembranous colitis after receiving antitubeculous medication, and which was probably caused by rifampicin. A 77-year-old man was admitted with diarrhea of three weeks duration. One month previously, he suffered from left pleuritic chest pain and left pleural effusion was noticed at chest X-ray. One week prior to the onset of diarrhea, he was started on empirically isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazynamide as antituberculous medication. On admission, he complained of diarrhea, left pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea and sputum. On physical examination, breathing sound was decreased in the left lower lung field and bowel sound increased. Pleural biopsy revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation, which was compatible with tuberculosis, Sigmoidoscopy showed whitish to yellowish pseudomembrane with intervening normal mucosa, and his stool was positive for C.difficle toxin. He was diagnosed as pseudomembranous colitis and treated with oral metronidazole and vancomycin. The diarrhea did not recur after reinstitution of the anti-tuberculous medication without rifampicin inpatients with severe diarrhea receiving anti-tuberculous medication, rifampicin induced pseudomembranous colitis should be excluded.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2024

Smilax china is known for its excellent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. As a foundational study for applying the functionality of Smilax china extracts to cosmetics, it is necessory to investigate the concentration-dependent skin permation characteristics of the flavonoids in the extract, namely quercetin, catechin, and naringenin. Therefore, it serves as a crucial method for conducting this basic research on the functional aspects fo Smilax china extracts for cosmetic applications. This investigation focused on examining the percutaneous permeability characteristics of flavonoids originating from Smilax china. Applying Marzulli's definition, the Kp value of quercetin was categorized as "fast" at 0.1 mg/mL and "moderate" at 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL. Notably, the permeation rate exhibited a decline with increasing concentration. For naringenin, Flux values were 0.69, 1.07, and 1.42 ㎍/hr/cm² at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding Kp values of 6.95, 5.34, and 3.56. Naringenin's Kp value fell into the "moderate" category across all concentrations, and as observed with quercetin, the permeation rate decreased with higher concentrations. Likewise, for catechin, Flux values were 0.75, 1.09, and 1.66 ㎍/hr/cm², and corresponding Kp values were 7.55, 5.46, and 4.16. Catechin's Kp value was consistently classified as "moderate" across all concentrations. The efficacy of quercetin, catechin, and naringenin, active ingredients in high-performance and anti-inflammatory Smilax china extracts, was found to exhibit skin penetration properties above the average. This confirms their suitability as excellent natural materials for use in functional cosmetics, given their outstanding capabilities in preventing acne and reducing inflammation.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2002

Purpose Acute pyelonephritis of growing kidneys may result in renal scarring. TGF-${\beta}1$, inflammatory cytokine, has been suggested to play an important role in promoting renal scarring through apoptosis, suppression of cellular proliferation and fibrosis. We observed the effects of a potent anti-inflammatory agent, methylprednisolone on apoptosis and renal scarring in experimentally induced acute pyelonephritic weaning rats. Materials and Methods: To induce ascending pyelonephritis a saline solution containing Escherichia coli type ATCC No. 25922, pili- form (107 bacteria/mL) was infused into the bladder through the 16-guage silicone cannula for 48 hours to 102 three-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats (50-60g). Experimental groups were divided into three groups according to the treatment protocols, group I (ceftriaxone only, n=3l), group II (methylprednisolone+ceftriaxone n=28), control group (n=43) was not treated. Histopathologic scores of inflammatory changes, fibrosis and tubular atrophy, the apoptosis index and TGF-${\beta}1$ expression score were observed at post-infection 1 and 3 week. Datas were analysed using ANOVA test and P value below 0.05 was interpreted as significant. Results: The mortality rate ($21.4\%$) of group II was not different to the control group ($41.9\%$) and group I ($32.3\%$). The inflammatory score of group II ($0.8{\pm}0.87$) at week 1 was significantly lower than those of the control group ($2.3{\pm}0.87$) and Group I ($1.7{\pm}0.79$) (P<0.05). Apoptosis index of group II ($2.9{\pm}2.15$) at week 1 was significantly lower than those of the control group ($10.0{\pm}1.95$) and group 1 ($8.3{\pm}2.53$) (P<0.05). TCF-${\beta}1$ expression score of group II ($0.8{\pm}0.72$) at week 1 was significantly lower than those of the control group ($1.9{\pm}0.68$) and group I ($1.8{\pm}0.60$) (P<0.05). The fibrosis score of group II ($1.1{\pm}1.10$) at week 3 was significantly lower than that of the group I ($1.8{\pm}0.83$) (P<0.05) Conclusion: Conclusion Combined treatment with methylprednisolone and ceftriaxone reduced inflammation, fibrosis, apoptosis and TGF-${\beta}1$ expression in acute pyelonephritic weaning rats, compared to ceftriaxone alone. Anti-inflammatory agent supplemented to antibiotics could prevent renal scarring more effectively. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2002 ; 6 : 75-84)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.333-341
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• 2016

This study examined the beauty food activities of water and ethanol extracts from Tetragonia tetragonioides. Content of phenolic compounds extracted with water and 50% ethanol extracts were 3.29 mg/g and 4.14 mg/g, respectively. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activities of water and ethanol extracts were 98.45% and 91.20%, respectively, at $200{\mu}g/mL$ of phenolics. 2,2'-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical decolorization activity was 97.28% for water extracts and 97.83% for ethanol extracts at $100{\mu}g/mL$ of phenolics. Antioxidant protection factor (PF) was 1.77 PF for water and ethanol extracts at $200{\mu}g/mL$ of phenolics. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances of water and ethanol extracts were 94.77% and 95.64%, respectively, at $100{\mu}g/mL$ of phenolics. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity, which is related to skin-whitening, was confirmed to be 34.96% for ethanol extracts at $200{\mu}g/mL$ of phenolics. Elastase inhibitory activity and anti-wrinkle effect of 50% ethanol extracts were 78.9% at $200{\mu}g/mL$ of phenolics. Collagenase inhibitory activity of ethanol extracts was 61.29% at $200{\mu}g/mL$ of phenolics. Astringent effect was not detected in water extracts but was 7.82% for 50% ethanol extracts at $200{\mu}g/mL$ of phenolics. Hyaluronidase inhibitory activity as a measure of anti-inflammation was confirmed to be 81.04% for water extracts at $200{\mu}g/mL$ of phenolics. Based on these results, Tetragonia tetragonioides extracts can be used as a functional material and functional beauty food with antioxidant effects.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.297-304
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• 2018

Coptis chinensis is used in oriental medicine for soothing, anti-inflammation, antimicrobial and antipyretic properties, and its main ingredient berberine is known to have strong antibacterial activity. In this study, we investigated the anti-microbial effect of hot water extract of Coptis chinensis (CW) on skin related microorganism and the airborne microbe, the antifungal effects of fungi, which are frequently detected in residential environments. CW showed antibacterial effect against Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, against the airborne microbe, which was collected in four different places. At the concentration of 100 mg/mL, the antimicrobial activity continued for 42 days, showed heat stability without change in the antimicrobial activity even after heat treatment. The MIC and MBC of CW against S. aureus was 0.03, 0.05 mg/mL, against S. epidermidis was 0.50, 0.75 mg/mL and against P. acne was 0.10, 0.15 mg/mL. As a result of measuring the MIC of four kinds of fungi with high detection frequency in the surrounding environment, Gliocladium virens was 65 mg/mL by determined as MIC which can inhibit one hundred percent of mycelial growth. The concentration 90 mg/mL was determined as MIC against Aureobasidium pullulans and 100 mg/mL against Penicilium pinophilum and Chaetomium globosum. CW was considered a safe extract that showed no irritation even in the ocular mucous membrane irritation evaluation test, a patch test. Therefore, these results suggest that Coptis chinensis has antimicrobial, antifungal and safety on human body and can be applied to the development of materials for cosmetic and residential environment industries.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.198-204
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• 2014

Ultraviolet B (UV-B) irradiation is a negative factor that induces skin damage, inflammation, and aging. UVB irradiation induces the inflammatory response through interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 expression in keratinocytes. In addition, it induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), which plays an important role in collagen 1 degradation in the extracellular matrix. We investigated the antiaging effects of five kinds of berry in human skin keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells using juice of black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis), blueberry wild (Vacciniun angustifolium) and cultivar (Vacciniun corymbosum), black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott), and mulberry (Morus abla). HaCaT cells irradiated with UV-B exhibited increased ROS generation, as well as IL-6, IL-8, and MMP-1 gene expression, when compared to the control cells that were not irradiated with UV-B. However, pre-treatment of berry juice before UV-B irradiation significantly down-regulated the UV-B-induced ROS generation and inflammatory cytokine and MMP-1 expression. The results suggest that all berries have anti-aging effects including lowering inflammatory cytokine levels, ROS generation, and MMP-1 expression in HaCaT cells during UV-B irradiation.