• KSBB Journal
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 1993

For an anti-plaque agent, two flavan-3-ols isolated from Theobroma cacao bean husk showed positive reactions with $H_2SO_4$-anisaldehyde solution, $FeCl_3$, and were identified as monomeric, dimeric flavan-3-ots in TLC. They were (-)-epicatechin and procyanidin B-2(epicatechin-(4$\beta$$\rightarrow$8)-epicatechin). The structures were established by spectroscopic and chemical methods. (-)-Epicatechin had moderate inhibitory activity on GTase at concentration of 1.0mM while procyanidin B-2 showed complete inhibition activity at the same concentration. The hydroxyl group of flavan-3-ol was supposed to be the essential element for inhibition on GTase.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.321-325
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• 2010

Among endogenous oral microflora, Streptococcus mutans plays a critical role in dental plaque formation, which mainly contributes to the development of caries and periodontal disease. Phytochemicals are plant-derived chemical compounds that have been studied as beneficial nutrients to human health. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of phytochemicals against S. mutans. Among them, oleanolic acid (OA) and 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural (HF) from Thomson seedless raisins were tested for anti-microbial effects against various clinically important bacteria. OA inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, but not Gram-negative bacteria. However, HF did not display any antibacterial effect against any of the strains tested. OA also exhibited inhibitory effects in surface adherence and biofilm formation of S. mutans. The results suggest that OA can be utilized as a potential anti-plaque and anti-caries agent by controlling the physiological characteristics of S. mutans on teeth.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of dentifrice containing Horseradish (Armoracia rustica) root extracts on improvement of oral hygiene. The clinical evaluation was done participated by 80 adults volunteers who provided a informed consent for their participation. The participants were divided into two groups ; control group (using toothpaste without Horseradish extracts) and experimental group (using toothpaste containing Horseradish extracts). The checklist of the experiment includes the plaque index, gingival index and anti-caries activity. The anti-caries activity was measured by cultivating Streptococcus mutans for 48 hours then estimating the number of increased bacteria using Dentocult SM. The double-blind method was used in this study. The results of this study can be summarized as follows; 1. The plaque formation decreased 28% in control group, 58% in experimental group using dentifrice with Horseradish extracts compared to baseline data. 2. For gingival index, control group and experimental group showed 26% and 40% decrease compared to baseline data, respectively. 3. The score of caries activity test decreased by 4% for control group and 69% for experimental group compared to baseline data. According to the results, a dentifrice containing Horseradish extracts can improve oral hygiene.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.360-367
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• 1991

Effect of Mylabris sidae(MS) and Epicauta gorhami(EG) polysaccharide fractions on the inflammation and immune responses were studied in vivo. MS and EG contained cantharidin about 0.61 and 0.65%, respectively. It was shown that MS and EG polysaccharide fractions at a oral dose of 100 mg/kg have the significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity; They inhibited significantly the carrageenin-induced inflammation and acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome. They accelerated significantly the carbon clearance and the phagocytosis of colloidal carbons by Kupffer cells in liver, but they at a oral dose of 100 mg/kg suppressed significantly the Arthus reaction in the sheep red blood cell(S-RBC)-sensitized mice in accordance with the inhibition of haemaglutinin titer, haemolysin titer and plaque-forming cells. On the other hand, they at a oral dose of 200 mg/kg accelerated slightly the oxazolone-induced dermatitis in rats and delayed hypersensitivity in the S-RBC-challenzed mice in consistent with the increase of rosette forming cells. As the above results, it exhibited that MS and EG polysaccharide fractions inhibited the humoral immune responses, but they accelerated the function of macrophages and cellular immune responses. EG polysaccharide fraction had more active than MS polysaccharide fraction.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.208-218
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• 1998

To clarify the activating effects of Buthus martensi Karsch on immunological function, its effect on primary and secondary antibodies production in mice of various ages was investigated. Buthus martensi Karsch increased the number of both antibody producing cells(anti-IgM and anti-IgG producing plaque forming cells, PFC) and phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage. Futhermore, these phenomena were significantly increased with aging in mice. Buthus martensi Karsch also increased natural killer cell activity concerning to cancer immunology. These results suggest that Buthus martensi Karsch markedly increases the reduced activity in the elderly and activates the immune response in senescence mice.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.477-487
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• 1998

To clarify the activating effects of Scolopendrae corpus on immunological function, its effect on primary and secondary antibodies production in mice of various ages was investigated. Scolopendrae corpus increased the number of both antibody producing cells(anti-IgM and anti-IgG producing plaque forming cells, PFC) and phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage. Futhermore, these phenomena were significantly increased with aging in mice. Scolopendrae corpus also increased natural killer cell activity concerning to cancer immunology. These results suggest that Scolopendrae corpus markedly increases the reduced activity in the elderly and activates the immune response in senescence mice.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.13.1-13.8
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• 2018

Amyloid plaque, also called senile plaque, the product of aggregation of ${\beta}$-amyloid peptides ($A{\beta}$), is observed in brains of the patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is one of the key factors in etiology of the disease. In this study, hydrolysates obtained from the sea hare (Aplysia kurodai) were investigated for ${\beta}$-secretase inhibitory peptide. The sea hare's muscle protein was hydrolyzed using six enzymes in a batch reactor. Trypsin hydrolysate had highest ${\beta}$-secretase inhibitory activity compared to the other hydrolysates. ${\beta}$-secretase inhibitory peptide was separated using Sephadex G-25 column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography on a C18 column. ${\beta}$-secretase inhibitory peptide was identified as eight amino acid residues of Val-Ala-Ala-Leu-Met-Leu-Phe-Asn by N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. $IC_{50}$ value of purified ${\beta}$-secretase inhibitory peptide was $74.25{\mu}M$, and Lineweaver-Burk plots suggested that the peptide purified from sea hare muscle protein acts as a competitive inhibitor against ${\beta}$-secretase. Results of this study suggest that peptides derived from sea hare muscle may be beneficial as anti-dementia compounds in functional foods or as pharmaceuticals.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2004

Background: LIGHT (TNFSF14) is a member of tumor necrosis factor superfamily and is the ligand for TR2 (TNFRSF14/HVEM). LIGHT is known to have proinflammatory roles in atherosclerosis. Methods: To find out the expression pattern of LIGHT in atherosclerotic plaques, immunohistochemical analysis was performed on human carotid atherosclerotic plaque specimens. LIGHT induced atherogenic events using human monocytic cell line THP-1 were also investigated. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed expression of LIGHT and TR2 in foam cell rich regions in the atherosclerotic plaques. Double immunohistochemical analysis further confirmed the expression of LIGHT in foam cells. Stimulation of THP-1 cells, which express TR2, with either recombinant LIGHT or immobilized anti-TR2 monoclonal antibody induced interleukin-8 and matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-9. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that LIGHT induces nuclear localization of transcription factor, nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$. LIGHT induced activation of MMP-9 is mediated by $NF-{\kappa}B$, since treatment of THP-1 cells with the $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor PDTC (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) completely blocked the activation of MMP-9. Conclusion: These data indicate that LIGHT is expressed in foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques and is involved in atherogenesis through activation of pro-atherogenic cytokine IL-8 and destabilization of plaque by inducing matrix degrading enzyme.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.373-383
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• 2021

Atherosclerosis is the deposition of plaque in the main arteries. It is an inflammatory condition involving the accumulation of macrophages and various lipids (low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, ceramide, S1P). Moreover, endothelial cells, macrophages, leukocytes, and smooth muscle cells are the major players in the atherogenic process. Sphingolipids are now emerging as important regulators in various pathophysiological processes, including the atherogenic process. Various sphingolipids exist, such as the ceramides, ceramide-1-phosphate, sphingosine, sphinganine, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), sphingomyelin, and hundreds of glycosphingolipids. Among these, ceramides, glycosphingolipids, and S1P play important roles in the atherogenic processes. The atherosclerotic plaque consists of higher amounts of ceramide, glycosphingolipids, and sphingomyelin. The inhibition of the de novo ceramide biosynthesis reduces the development of atherosclerosis. S1P regulates atherogenesis via binding to the S1P receptor (S1PR). Among the five S1PRs (S1PR1-5), S1PR1 and S1PR3 mainly exert anti-atherosclerotic properties. This review mainly focuses on the effects of ceramide and S1P via the S1PR in the development of atherosclerosis. Moreover, it discusses the recent findings and potential therapeutic implications in atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1242-1248
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• 2017

Several medicinal plants are ethnomedically used in Korea as agents for treating infection, anti-inflammation, and pain relief. However, beyond typical inhibitory effects on cell growth, little is known about the potential anti-biofilm activity of these herbs, which may help to prevent cavities and maintain good oral health. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of the methanol extracts of 37 Korean medicinal plants against dental pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, which synergize their virulence so as to induce the formation of plaque biofilms in the oral cavity. The antimicrobial activities were investigated by broth dilution and disk diffusion assay. The anti-biofilm and antioxidant activities were evaluated based on the inhibitory effect against glucosyltransferase (GTase) and the DPPH assay, respectively. Among 37 herbs, eight plant extracts presented growth and biofilm inhibitory activities against both etiologic bacteria. Among them, the methanol extracts (1.0 mg/ml) from Camellia japonica and Thuja orientalis significantly inhibited the growth of both bacteria by over 76% and over 83% in liquid media, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of these methanol extracts were determined to be 0.5 mg/ml using a disk diffusion assay on solid agar media. Biofilm formation was inhibited by more than 92.4% and 98.0%, respectively, using the same concentration of each extract. The present results demonstrate that the medicinal plants C. japonica and T. orientalis are potentially useful as antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents in preventing dental diseases.