• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2023

Objectives: The most prominent microorganisms that cause hospital infections and acquire antibiotic resistance are Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The present study aimed to compare the phenolic and flavonoid compounds of various Allium ampeloprasum and Allium porrum extracts and evaluate the antibacterial effects of these extracts against these two microorganisms. Methods: The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the acetone, methanol, aqueous, and hexane leeks extracts from A. ampeloprasum and A. porrum were measured. The antibacterial activity of these extracts against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was tested using the disk diffusion method for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Further, the minimum inhibitory concentrations and the minimum bactericidal concentrations of these extracts for these two bacteria were evaluated and compared with those of common antibiotics. Results: The aqueous extracts showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents and at concentrations of 35 and 40 mg per disk, showed the most antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa; P. aeruginosa showed more sensitivity to the aqueous extracts than S. aureus. Conclusion: Aqueous A. ampeloprasum and A. porrum extracts may prevent the growth of hospital pathogens, especially P. aeruginosa; our findings will aid the discovery of new antimicrobial substances against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.539-553
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• 2010

Objectives : The object of this study was to obtain accurate information (single oral dose toxicity) of Lonicerae Flos (LF; Dried flower bud parts of Lonicera japonica Thunb (Caprifoliaceae)), which has traditionally been used in Korean medicine for treating various inflammatory diseases. Methods : In order to observe the 50% lethal dose (LD 50), approximate lethal dosage (ALD) and target organs, test articles were once orally administered to female and male ICR mice at dose levels of 2,000, 1,000, 500 and 0 (control) mg/kg (body weight.). The mortality and changes on body weight, clinical signs and gross observation were monitored for 14 days after single oral treatment of LF aqueous extracts with organ weights and histopathological observations of 12 types of principle organs. Results : 1. After single oral treatment of LF aqueous extracts, we could not find any mortality and toxicological evidences up to 2,000 mg/kg treated group, the limited dosages in rodents at body and organ weights, clinical signs, gross and histopathological observations. 2. Slight diarrhea was detected in most mice treated with 2,000 mg/kg of LF aqueous extracts and male mice of LF aqueous extracts 1,000 mg/kg within 2 days after end of treatment, respectively. Conclusion : The results obtained in this study suggest that the LD 50 and ALD of LF aqueous extracts in both female and male mice after single oral treatment were considered as over 2,000 mg/kg because no mortalities were detected up to 2000 mg/kg, the highest dose recommended by KFDA and OECD. However, we also observed the possibility of digestive disorders like diarrhea when over 1,000 mg/kg of LF aqueous extracts were administered in the present study.

• Plant Resources
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2005

Compositae plants are known to contain biologically active substances that are allelopathic to agricultural crops as well as weed species. Aqueous or methanol extracts and plant residues from leaves of Xanthium occidentale were assayed against alfalfa (Medicago sativa) to determine its allelopathic effects, and the results showed that the extracts applied onto filter paper significantly inhibited seed germination as well as root growth of alfalfa. Aqueous leaf extracts of $40g\;L^{-1}$ were completely inhibitory on root growth of alfalfa, while root growths of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) were less sensitive. Leaf residue incorporation at $100g\;kg^{-1}$ into soil on seedling growth of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli Beauv. var. oryzicola Ohwi) inhibited both shoot and root fresh weights of barnyard grass by 94 and $96\%$, respectively. Methanol extracts from BuOn and EtOAc fractions of X. occidentale reduced alfalfa root growth more than did those from hexane and water fractions. The results based on bioassay of extracts and residues show that X. occidentale had potent an allelopathic activity against other plant species.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2001

The allelochemicals from aqueous extracts of A. artemisiifolia var. elatior leaves and roots were analyzed and 60 compounds in the leaf and 53 compounds in the roots were inspected. The main compounds were acids,. especially phenolic acids and some non-acids. The total amount of compounds in the aqueous extracts of A. artemisiifolia var. elatior leaves was higher than in the roots. The aqueous extracts had much high inhibiting effects on the germination and seedling elongation of selected plants. In both cases, the inhibiting effects were very different with different selected plants and increased significantly as the concentration of aqueous extracts increased. Capsicum annum, Achyranthes japonica, and Oenothera odorta plants were suffered more significant inhibition effects than Raphnus sativus, Cucumis sativus, Brassica camperstris plants. Aqueous extracts from leaves had slightly higher inhibition effects than the aqueous extracts from the roots.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

Silkworm pupae, a by-product of the silk industry are known to be valuable resource of nutrients for humans as well as animals besides encompassing diverse bioactive constituents. However, there is a paucity of knowledge on their role in amelioration of oxidative stress and anti-skin aging properties. In the present study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of aqueous as well as ethanolic (30% and 70%) extracts from distinct stages of male and female silkworm pupae belonging to two silkworm varieties on skin aging-related enzymes. The activities of collagenase, elastase and tyrosinase were effectively inhibited by 70% ethanolic silkworm pupal extracts (SPE), followed by 30% with aqueous extracts exhibiting meager inhibitory potential. SPE were also investigated for their antioxidant activity in oxidative-stressed murine fibroblasts (L929). The intracellular ROS and lipid peroxidation induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) in fibroblasts was better attenuated by pre treatment with ethanolic (30%) and aqueous extracts, respectively. The safety of the extracts was determined by studying their effect on fibroblast cell viability and it was found that none of the extracts were cytotoxic. Our findings indicate the potential utility of SPE as anti-aging components in cosmeceuticals.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.771-777
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• 1998

Aqueous extracts of Pinus rigida changed the electrophoretic patterns of total proteins and of hydrolytic enzymes such as peroxidase, esterase and amylase during the germination of radish (Raphanus sativus var. hortensis for. acanthiformis). When the extract treatment was finished, at the late stage of radish germination, aqueous extracts of P. rigida had suppressed the expression of 24 KD and 60 KD proteins. the extract induced new isozyme bands, indicating concomitant activity of peroxidases, esterase activities were stimulated in the cathodic region. The activity of amylase was enhanced by the extract.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.27-39
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• 2012

Objectives: Recently Ciprofloxacin, used in the treatment of mastitis, showed many serious side effects. The object of this study was to recognize whether TNS and KWT can be used in the treatment of mastitis by observing the in vitro antibacterial effects of TNS and KWT aqueous herbal extracts against S. aureus. Methods: Antibacterial activities of TNS and KWT aqueous extracts against S. aureus ATCC 25923 were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the bacterial growth curve were monitored at MIC and $MIC{\times}2$ levels. The effects on the intracellular killing and bacterial invasion of individual test materials were also observed using Raw 264.6 and MCF-7. The results were compared with Ciprofloxacin, a second generation of quinolone antibiotics in the present study. Results: MIC of aqueous extracts of TNS and KWT against S. aureus were detected as ($0.313{\pm}0.107$) and ($0.137{\pm}0.053$) mg/ml, respectively. MIC of Ciprofloxacin was detected as ($0.469{\pm}0.297$) ${\mu}g/ml$ at same conditions. In addition, TNS, KWT aqueous herbal extracts and Ciprofloxacin were also showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth, and dramatical inhibitions on the both intracellular killing assays and bacterial invasion using Raw 264.6 and MCF-7 cells were detected. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that TNS and KWT aqueous herbal extracts showed antibacterial effects against S. aureus, and they also showed dosage-dependent inhibitory effects on the bacterial growth. And they showed the significant intracellular killing and bacterial invasion effects. It means, KWT and TNS may show more potent anti-infectious effects against S. aureus in vivo.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.885-892
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• 2020

Chemotherapy regimens for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have various adverse effects on the human body. For this reason, probiotics have received attention regarding their potential value as a safe and natural complementary strategy for cancer prevention. This study analyzed the anticancer effects of aqueous extracts of probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB), Bifidobacterium longum (BL), Bifidobacterium lactis (BLA), Bifidobacterium infantis 1 (BI1), and Bifidobacterium infantis 2 (BI2) on NSCLC cell lines. When the aqueous extracts of probiotic Bifidobacterium species were applied to the NSCLC cell lines A549, H1299, and HCC827, cell death increased considerably; in particular, the aqueous extracts from BB and BLA markedly reduced cell proliferation. p38 phosphorylation induced by BB aqueous extract increased the expression of cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), consequently inducing the apoptosis of A549 and H1299 cells. When the p38 inhibitor SB203580 was applied, phosphorylation of p38 decreased, and the expression of cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved PARP was also inhibited, resulting in a reduction of cell death. In addition, BB aqueous extracts reduced the secretion of MMP-9, leading to inhibition of cancer cell invasion. By contrast, after transfection of short hairpin RNA shMMP-9 (for a knockdown of MMP-9) into cancer cells, BB aqueous extracts treatment failed to suppress the cancer cell invasiveness. According to our results about their anticancer effects on NSCLC, probiotics consisting of Bifidobacterium species may be useful as adjunctive anticancer treatment in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.25-40
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• 2013

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the in vitro antibacterial effects of five single(Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix) aqueous herbal extracts, traditionally used for treating various gynecological diseases including mastitis in Korea, against Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: Antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus of aqueous extracts of Pulsatillae Radix, PatrinaeRadix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the bacterial growth curve were also monitored at Minimal Incubation Concentration(MIC) and $MIC{\times}2$ levels. The effects on the intracellular killing and bacterial invasion of individual test materials were also observed using murine macrophage(Raw 264.7) and human mammary gland carcinoma cell(MCF-7). Results: MIC of aqueous extracts of Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix, Sophorae Flos, and Sophorae Radix against Staphylococcus aureus were detected as $0.215{\pm}0.107$ mg/ml, $0.273{\pm}0.107$ mg/ml, $0.469{\pm}0.297$ mg/ml, $11.850{\pm}8.406$ mg/ml, and $0.664{\pm}0.546$ mg/ml, respectively. MIC of Ciprofloxacin was detected as $0.469{\pm}0.297{\mu}g/ml$ at same conditions. In addition, all five single aqueous herbal extracts were also showed marked dosage-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth. The effects of intracellular killing with Raw 264.7 and inhibition of bacterial invasion with MCF-7 cells were detected, in the order of Sophorae Flos, Pulsatillae Radix, Patrinae Radix, Sanguisorbae Radix and Sophorae Radix aqueous extracts in the present study. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study suggest that all five single aqueous herbal extracts showed antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and they also showed dosage-dependent inhibitory effects on the bacterial growth. They showed the significant intracellular killing and inhibition of bacterial invasion effects. It means, all five single aqueous herbal extracts may show potent anti-infectious effects against Staphylococcus aureus for mastitis.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.41-58
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• 2013

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the in vitro anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of three single aqueous herbal extracts(Trichosanthes Semen, Gardeniae Fructus, and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), traditionally used for treating various gynecological diseases including mastitis in Korea, against Staphylococcus aureus and lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-activated Raw 264.7 cells. Methods: Anti-bacterial activities of three single aqueous herbal extracts against S. aureus were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the cell viability, $PGE_2$, NO, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 productions of LPS activated Raw 264.7 cells. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects were compared with lincomycin and piroxicam, respectively in the present study. Results: MIC of three single aqueous herbal extracts against S. aureus were detected as over 25, $4.063{\pm}2.096$ and $1.641{\pm}0.972$ mg/ml, respectively. MIC of lincomycin was detected as $0.469{\pm}0.297{\mu}g/ml$ at same conditions. In addition, $ED_{50}$ against LPS-induced cell viabilities and cytokine releases of three single aqueous herbal extracts were as follows - cell viability: 7.635, 13.761, 6.986 mg/ml, NO production : 4.808, 22.015, 2.949 mg/ml, $PGE_2$ production : 3.040, 4.312, 0.821 mg/ml, TNF-${\alpha}$ production : 9.563, 54.931, 1.240 mg/ml, IL-$1{\beta}$ production : 1.362, 1.801, 0.534 mg/ml, IL-6 production : 0.371, 0.797, 0.202 mg/ml, respectively. $ED_{50}$ of piroxicam against LPS-induced cell viabilities, NO, $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were detected as 35.179, 6.552, 1.162, 7.273, 7.101 and 5.044 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively at same conditions. Conclusions: The results of the study showed anti-bacterial effects against S. aureus in the order of Gardeniae Fructus and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix aqueous extracts, except for Trichosanthes Semen. They also showed anti-inflammatory effects against LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells in the order of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Trichosanthes Semen, and Gardeniae Fructus aqueous extracts. These three herbs are expected to be great substitutes to reduce side-effect of lincomycin and piroxicam, if the amount of those three single aqueous herbal extracts is adjusted appropriately.