• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.508-510
• /
• 2005

The crude extract of Quintinia acutifolia Kirk inhibited the growth of the Gram positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis ATCC 19659, (3 mm inhibition zone at $150\;{\mu}g/disc$) and the dermatophytic fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 28185, (3 mm inhibition zone at $150\;{\mu}g/disc$), and cytotoxic to P388 murine leukaemia cells ATCC CCL 46 P388D1, ($IC_{50}$ $50,000\;{\mu}g/mL$ at $150\;{\mu}g/disc$). However, Candida albicans (ATCC 14053) did not observed the antimicrobial activity and the cytotoxic activity to BSC monkey kidney cells ($({\alpha})$ 5 mg/mL, $150\;{\mu}g/disc$).

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.101-113
• /
• 2015

Application of herbal medicines as natural preservatives has been increased because of its low toxicity or side effect, compared to artificial preservatives. In this study, papers and patents researching anti-microbial activity of herbal medicine were collected and analyzed by the year of publishment, species of bacteria, fungi, or yeasts, and herbal medicines used. After early 2000's, the number of paper publishment has been decreased, while that of patent registration has been increased up to early 2010's. Most studied species were Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria, and Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger as fungi. The bark of Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl was most frequently studies herbal medicine, followed by the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Sophora flavescens Ait. This study demonstrates that herbal medicines can be used as natural preservatives against diverse species of bacteria, fungi, or yeasts with their wide-ranged anti-microbial activities.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.212-218
• /
• 2000

The recruitment of leukocytes to a site of inflammation is dependent on a complex interplay of a number of cytokines. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a potent chemoattractant for monocytes, whereas interleukin-8 (IL-8) has chemotactic activity for neutrophils, lymphocytes, and basophils. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of several microbes found in infected root canal systems on the production of inflammatoy cytokines, interleukin 8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Monocytes isolated from peripheral blood were stimulated by group A streptococci (GAS, ATCC 19615), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 10449), Streptococcus sanguis (clinical isolate), and Candida albicans (ATCC 90029) respectively. Each of these bacteria induced dose-dependent induction in IL-8 and MCP-1 determined by ELISA. IL-8 production by each bacteria was decreased in the range of the microbe-to-PBMC ratios of 0.1-1.0. Group A streptococci was the week inducer of MCP-1 production. These results suggest that different oral pathogens induce specific dose-dependent patterns of cytokine release. Such patterns may provide a means of control of the type of immune celles particularly with regard to inflammatory leukocyte recruitment.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.241-252
• /
• 2014

The goal of endodontic treatment is the prevention and control of pulpal and periradicular infections. Calcium hydroxide ($Ca(OH)_2$) has been widely used in endodontics as an intracanal medicament to eliminate the remaining microorganisms after chemomechanical preparation. The purpose of this article is to review the antimicrobial properties of $Ca(OH)_2$ as an intracanal medicament in root canal treatment. The first part of this review details the characteristics of $Ca(OH)_2$ and summarizes the results of in vitro studies related to its antimicrobial effect. The antimicrobial effect of $Ca(OH)_2$ results from the release of hydroxyl ions when it comes into contact with aqueous fluids. $Ca(OH)_2$ has a wide range of antimicrobial effects against common endodontic pathogens, but is less effective against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. The addition of vehicles or other agents might contribute to the antimicrobial effect of $Ca(OH)_2$.

• Journal of Menopausal Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.139-145
• /
• 2017

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and complicated vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) are frequently occurring vaginal infections in postmenopausal women, caused by an imbalance in vaginal microflora. Postmenopausal women suffer from decreased ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone. A normal, healthy vaginal microflora mainly comprises Lactobacillus species (spp.), which act beneficially as a bacterial barrier in the vagina, interfering with uropathogens. During premenopausal period, estrogen promotes vaginal colonization by lactobacilli that metabolizing glycogen and producing lactic acid, and maintains intravaginal health by lowering the intravaginal pH level. A lower vaginal pH inhibits uropathogen growth, preventing vaginal infections. Decreased estrogen secretion in postmenopausal women depletes lactobacilli and increases intravaginal pH, resulting in increased vaginal colonization by harmful microorganisms (e.g., Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, Candida, and Gardnerella). Probiotics positively effects on vaginal microflora composition by promoting the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms, alters the intravaginal microbiota composition, prevents vaginal infections in postmenopausal. Probiotics also reduce the symptoms of vaginal infections (e.g., vaginal discharge, odor, etc.), and are thus helpful for the treatment and prevention of BV and VVC. In this review article, we provide information on the intravaginal mechanism of postmenopausal vaginal infections, and describes the effectiveness of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of BV and VVC.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.143-150
• /
• 1999

melatonin (MLT), N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is mainly secreted by the pineal gland. The ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR) and 1H-NMR spectra of irradiated and non-irradiated MLT were measured, and phototoxicity tests of MLT, anthracence (positive control) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, negative control) were performed. The methods employed include both in vitro test such as MTS assay using the human fibroblast cell and yeast growth inhibition assay using Candida albicans and in vivo method using the skin of guinea pig. UV absorption spectra and 1H-NMR spectra of MLT were changed by UVA (365 nm, 15 J/$\textrm{cm}^2$), but IR spectra of MLT were not changed. The fifty percent inhibitory concentration (IC50) ratio (UV-/UV+) of MLT was 10. The inhibition zone of irradiated-paper disks treated with MLT was not observed. According to the results of histophathological examination, no pathologic lesion was observed in the non-irradiated group, but slight degeneration of keratinocytes in the epidermis, homorrhage and vasodilation in dermis were observed in the irradiated group. These results indicated that the molecular structure of MLT is altered by UVA to unidentified photoproducts and a moderate phototoxicity of MLT is predicted.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.29 no.7
• /
• pp.535-540
• /
• 2006

Several novel 1-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl) ethyl]-1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazoles (3a-h) have been synthesized by the condensation of 1-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-ethyl]-1H-benzotriazole (2) and appropriate acid chlorides. 1-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-ethyl]-1H-benzotriazole (2) was synthesized by reacting 3-(1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-1-yl)propanenitrile with sodium azide and ammonium chloride in the presence of dimethylformamide. The synthesized compounds were characterized by IR and PMR analysis. The titled compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity by the cup plate method and anticonvulsant activity evaluated by the maximal electroshock induced convulsion method in mice. All synthesized compounds exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and moderate antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Compounds 5-(2-(1 H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazo-1-yl)ethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl)(4-aminophenyl)methanone 3d and 5-(2-(1 H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazo-1-yl)ethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl)(2-aminophenyl)methanone 3e elicited excellent anticonvulsant activity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.64 no.4
• /
• pp.172-179
• /
• 2021

Background: Evidence shows that fluconazole prophylaxis is an effective treatment against invasive fungal infections in preterm neonates, however, the most efficient schedule of fluconazole prophylaxis for the colonization and mortality of invasive candidiasis (IC) is unknown. Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficiency of different prophylactic fluconazole schedules in controlling IC colonization, infection, and mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants in neonatal intensive care units. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases using the keywords "candida," "invasive candidiasis," "IC," "fluconazole prophylaxis," "preterm infants," "very low birth weight infants," "VLBW," "extremely low birth weight," and "ELBW." Results: Mortality was significantly decreased in a meta-analysis of studies using different fluconazole prophylaxis regimens. The meta-analysis also indicated a significant decrease in the incidence of IC-associated mortality in ELBW infants using the same fluconazole prophylaxis schedules. Conclusion: Future studies should explore the effectiveness of other different fluconazole prophylaxis schedules on IC colonization, infection, and mortality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.201-207
• /
• 2019

This review summarizes the studies on a wide variety of yeast found in kimchi and the effects of yeast on kimchi fermentation, and discusses the direction for further research. Yeast belongs to the genera Trichosporon, Saccharomyces, Sporisorium, Pichia, Lodderomyces, Kluyveromyces, Candida, Debaryomyces, Geotrichum, Kazachstania, Brassica, Yarrowia, Hanseniaspora, Brettanomyces, Citeromyces, Rhodotorula, and Torulopsis have been identified using culture-dependent methods and metagenomics analysis. The application of yeast as a starter into kimchi has resulted in an extension of shelf life and improvement of sensory characteristics due to a decrease in the amount of lactic acid. On the other hand, some yeast cause kimchi spoilage, which typically appears as an off-odor, texture-softening, and white-colony or white-film formation on the surface of kimchi. In contrast to lactic acid bacteria, there are limited reports on yeast isolated from kimchi. In addition, it is unclear how yeast affects the fermentation of kimchi and the mechanism by which white colony forming yeast predominate in the later stage of kimchi fermentation. Therefore, more research will be needed to solve these issues.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.312-316
• /
• 2018

BACKGROUND: Yeast biotechnology finds applications in various industries. Hence, we sought to explore the yeasts associated with the flower of Aster spathulifolius Maxim. This study aimed to isolate yeasts from the flower of the plant and screen for biosurfactant-producing yeasts. METHODS AND RESULTS: We collected flowers of Aster spathulifolius Maxim. and performed pure isolation using four types of media. In total, 117 strains belonging to 4 genera, namely, Cryptococcus (75 strains), Aureobasidium pullulans (30 strains), Candida (11 strains), and Rhodotorula (1 strain), were isolated and identified by ITS sequencing. Upon in-depth analysis, Cryptococcus, the most dominant genus (75 strains) was categorized into the 'Unknown group'. Upon in-depth analysis of A. pullulans, we discovered the 'Unknown group I' (27 strains) and the 'Unknown group II' (2 strains), which have not been reported previously. Two A. pullulans isolates with potent surfactant activity were selected via the screening procedure. CONCLUSION: In this study, a total of 117 strains were isolated from the flower of Aster spathulifolius Maxim. In addition, two biosurfactant-producing yeasts were identified from among the isolated yeasts.