• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2019

Recently, number of honeybees (Apis mellifera) has visibly decreased because they are vulnerable to some diseases like American foulbrood disease. American foulbrood disease, which is caused by Paenibacillus larvae, is emerged as great cause of decrease in number of honeybees. After antibiotic-resistant strain emerged, it is now more difficult to treat those pathogens successfully. Researches on finding alternative antibacterial compound are ongoing. In this study, we examined the antibacterial effect of honokiol on P. larvae. Honokiol showed great antibacterial effect with minimum inhibitory concentration of 12.5 ㎍/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration of 50 ㎍/mL. An agar diffusion test also confirmed the anti-Paenibacillus larvae activity of honokiol with an inhibitory zone of 9±0.5 mm. Since honokiol is known to interact membrane of some bacteria, we measured 260 nm absorbing particles, which could be induced by leakage of cells, and confirmed that the leakage of P. larvae occurred in dose-dependent manners. However, result of crystal violet assay suggested that honokiol has only mild anti-biofilm formation effect on P. larvae, which means honokiol controls the bacteria by inducing the bursting of membrane. Finally, an additive effect of honokiol with tetracycline and terramycin was found using a checkerboard assay with a fractional inhibitory concentration index value of 0.5.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.278-288
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• 2013

Objectives : Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has a cephalosporin and beta-lactam antibiotic-resistant strains. MRSA is one of the major pathogens causing hospital infection and the isolation ratio of MRSA has gradually increased. Consequently, increased resistance to antibiotics is causing serious problems in the world. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases. Methods : The antibacterial activities of Ipyo-san were evaluated against 2 strains of MRSA and 1 standard Methicillin-susceptible staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strain by using the disc diffusion method, minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) assay, colorimetric assay using MTT test, checkerboard dilution test and time-kill assay performed under dark. Results : The MIC of Ipyo-san water extract against S. aureus strains ranged from 1000 to $2,000{\mu}g/ml$, so we confirmed that it had a strong antibacterial effect. Also, the combinations of Ipyo-san water extract and conventional antibiotics exhibited improved inhibition of MRSA with synergy effect. We suggest that Ipyo-san water extract against MRSA has antibacterial activity so it has potential as alternatives to antibiotic agents. For the combination test, we used Triton X-100 (TX) and DCCD for measurement of membrane permeability and inhibitor of ATPase. As a result, antimicrobial activity of Ipyo-san water extract was affected by the cell membrane. Conclusions : We suggest that the Ipyo-san water extract lead the treatment of bacterial infection to solve the resistance and remaining side-effect problems that are the major weak points of traditional antibiotics.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.31-45
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• 2020

Objectives In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of a 70% ethanol extract of Maneung-hwan (MEH), which is prescribed by practitioners of oriental medicine for use against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods The antibacterial activity of MEH against MRSA strains was evaluated using the disc diffusion method, broth microdilution method (minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC), checkerboard dilution test, and time-kill test. The mechanism of action of MEH was investigated by bacteriolysis using detergents or ATPase inhibitors Additionally, mRNA and protein expression were investigated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay, respectively. Results The MIC of MEH was 25~1,600 ㎍/mL against all the tested bacterial strains. We showed that MEH extract exerts strong antibacterial activity. In the checkerboard dilution test, the fractional inhibitory concentration index of MEH in combination with antibiotics indicated synergism or partial synergism against S. aureus. The time-kill study indicated that the growth of the tested bacteria was considerably inhibited after a 24-h treatment with MEH and selected antibiotics. To measure the cell membrane permeability, MEH (3.9 ㎍/mL) was combined with Triton X-100 (TX) at various concentrations N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCCD) was also tested as an ATPase inhibitor. TX and DCCD cooperation against S. aureus exhibited synergistic action. Accordingly, the antimicrobial activity of MEH in the context of cell membrane rupture and ATPase inhibition was assessed. Additionally, the expression of genes and proteins associated with resistance was reduced after exposing MRSA to MEH. Conclusions These results suggest that MEH possesses antibacterial activity and acts as a potential natural antibiotic against MRSA.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are typical opportunistic pathogens. Moreover, these bacteria are known to possess multidrug-resistant (MDR) properties. This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of six fermented products, which have varying efficacies against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and S. aureus. To identify novel candidate genes, differential expression analysis was performed using an annealing control primer. In the disk diffusion method, Fig vinegar (FV) and Diospyros kaki Thunb vinegar (DTV) showed the greatest increase in inhibition compared to other fermented products, whereas fermented Korean traditional nature herb (FKTNH) had no antibacterial effect. This study identified down-regulation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 ompW gene for outer membrane protein W, whereas gene for synthetic construct Lao1 gene for L-amino acid oxidase were up-regulated in E. coli treated with 5% FV. Consuming fermented vinegar helps prevent bacterial infections. Especially, FV and DTV are potentially useful alternative natural products for multidrug resistance. Furthermore, both are expected to be used as effective natural antimicrobial agents, such as disinfectants.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.1299-1306
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• 2015

This study aims to investigate the mechanism of action of the cinnamon bark essential oil (CB), when used singly and also in combination with piperacillin, for its antimicrobial and synergistic activity against beta-lactamase TEM-1 plasmid-conferred Escherichia coli J53 R1. Viable count of bacteria for this combination of essential oil and antibiotic showed a complete killing profile at 20 h and further confirmed its synergistic effect by reducing the bacteria cell numbers. Analysis on the stability of treated cultures for cell membrane permeability by CB when tested against sodium dodecyl sulfate revealed that the bacterial cell membrane was disrupted by the essential oil. Scanning electron microscopy observation and bacterial surface charge measurement also revealed that CB causes irreversible membrane damage and reduces the bacterial surface charge. In addition, bioluminescence expression of Escherichia coli [pSB1075] and E. coli [pSB401] by CB showed reduction, indicating the possibility of the presence of quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors. Gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry of the essential oil of Cinnamomum verum showed that trans-cinnamaldehyde (72.81%), benzyl alcohol (12.5%), and eugenol (6.57%) were the major components in the essential oil. From this study, CB has the potential to reverse E. coli J53 R1 resistance to piperacillin through two pathways; modification in the permeability of the outer membrane or bacterial QS inhibition.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.1317-1322
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• 2014

Membrane disruption by an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) was investigated by measuring the $^2H$ solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of 1-palmitoyl-$d_{31}$-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (POPC_$d_{31}$) in mixtures of POPC_$d_{31}$/cholesterol and either magainin 2 or aurein 3.3 deposited on thin cover-glass plates. The line shapes of the experimental $^2H$ solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectra were best simulated by assuming the coexistence of a mosaic spread of bilayers containing pore structures and a fasttumbling isotropic phase or a hexagonal phase. Within a few days of incubation in a hydration chamber, an isotropic phase and a pore structure were induced by magainin 2, while in case of aurein 3.3 only an isotopic phase was induced in the presence of a bilayer phase. After an incubation period of over 100 days, alignment of the bilayers increased and the amount of the pore structure decreased in case of magainin 2. In contrast with magainin 2, aurein 3.3 induced a hexagonal phase at the peptide-to-lipid ratio of 1/20 and, interestingly, cholesterol was not found in the hexagonal phase induced by aurein 3.3. The experimental results indicate that magainin 2 is more effective in disrupting lipid bilayers containing cholesterol than aurein 3.3.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.54-60
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• 2015

Papiliocin, from the swallowtail butterfly, Papilio xuthus, shows high bacterial cell selectivity against Gram-negative bacteria. Recently, we designed a 22mer analog with N-terminal helix from $Lys^3$ to $Ala^{22}$, PapN. It shows outstanding antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria with low toxicity against mammalian cells. In this study, we determined the 3-D structure of PapN in 300 mM DPC micelle using NMR spectroscopy and investigated the interactions between PapN and DPC micelles. The results showed that PapN has an amphipathic ${\alpha}$-helical structure from $Lys^3$ to $Lys^{21}$. STD-NMR and DOSY experiment showed that this helix is important in binding to the bacterial cell membrane. Furthermore, we tested antibacterial activities of PapN in the presence of salt for therapeutic application. PapN was calcium- and magnesium-resistant in a physiological condition, especially against Gram-negative bacteria, implying that it can be a potent candidate as peptide antibiotics.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1771-1781
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• 2018

The emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms, as well as fungal infectious diseases that further threaten health, especially in immunodeficient populations, is a major global problem. The development of new antifungal agents in clinical trials is inferior to the incidence of drug resistance, and the available antifungal agents are restricted. Their mechanisms aim at certain characteristics of the fungus in order to avoid biological similarities with the host. Synthesis of the cell wall and ergosterol are mainly targeted in clinical use. The need for new approaches to antifungal therapeutic agents or development alternatives has increased. This review explores new perspectives on mechanisms to effectively combat fungal infections and effective antifungal activity. The clinical drug have a common feature that ultimately causes caspase-dependent cell death. The drugs-induced cell death pathway is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, including mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cytochrome c release. This mechanism of action also reveals antimicrobial peptides, the primary effector molecules of innate systems, to highlight new alternatives. Furthermore, drug combination therapy is suggested as another strategy to combat fungal infection. The proposal for a new approach to antifungal agents is not only important from a basic scientific point of view, but will also assist in the selection of molecules for combination therapy.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.191-198
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• 1994

The major purpose of the present study is to syrvey vegetables, meats, seafoods, processed foods and imported foods for the presence of Listeria spp. and to prevent listeriosis caused by the contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria spp. was not found in vegetables and processed foods. The optimum growth condition of isolates indentified as Listeria monocytogenes was pH 7.0 and 37$^{\circ}C$. the antimicrobial effect of grapefruit seed extract(GFSE) was observed in the level of more than 100ppm by disk method. When 1ml(2.5$\times$106 CFU/ml) of Listeria monocytogenes was inoculated and incubated for 3 days at 3$0^{\circ}C$, the total cell number of the organism was 4.5$\times$109 in the control, 7.2$\times$103 in 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of GFSE medium, and 3.5 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of GFSE medium. Direct visualization of microbial cells by using both transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope showed microbial cell membrane the function of which was destroyed by treating with the dilute solutions of GFSE. It could be confirmed that GFSE completely inhibited the growth of the test strain of Listeria monocytogenes.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.263-270
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• 1995

In order to promote the prevention of microbial and enzymatic spoilage and to retain the freshiness, sweet persimmons harvested in Gyeongsangnam-do were treated with graperfruit seed extract(GFSE)-CaCO3 mixture and stored in the proper packaging conditions. A low concentration of GFSE showed effective growth inhibition of plant pathological bacteria and fungi, Enterobacter pyrinus and Fusarium sp., which were involved in the decay of fruits and vegetables. GFSE was stable to heat treatment; its antimicrobial activity was not changed by heat treatment upto 10$0^{\circ}C$. However, when the temperature was raised to 12$0^{\circ}C$, about 90% of total activity was retained within 30 min. GFSE was also highly stable to broad pH changes; its activity was not changed in the range of pH 2.0 to pH 12.0. The physiological function of cell membrane in the spores of Bacillus cereus and the hyphae of Fusarium sp. was destroyed by treating with GFSE. It was observed that treating sweet persimmons with GFSE minxture and storing them in strech-wrapped packages could prolong the greshness of sweet persimmons and reduce quality deterioration.