• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.705-711
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• 2019

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common urogenital disorder in men, benign tumor and is a typical disease deteriorating the quality of old men's lives, and its prevalence increases with age. Though the molecular pathogenesis of BPH has not yet been clearly revealed, it is known that the variation and aging of the endocrine including sex hormone may cause BPH. Especially the hypertrophy of the prostate cell by the formation of the excessive dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is estimated to cause BPH. If testosterone exists excessively in blood, a lot of DHT is produced in prostate by $5{\alpha}-reductase$. Thus, in this study we tried to analyze haematological change and histopathological change by using the model rat with BPH caused by hypodermic injection of testosterone to prove the effect of Houttuynia cordata extracts on BPH. Rats were divided into four experimental groups: no treatment group (N), the testosterone injection and D.W treatment group (DO), the testosterone injection and Houttuynia cordata treatment group (HO) and testosterone injection and finasteride treatment group (FO). Prostate weight, volume and weight ratio in the HO and FO groups were significantly lower than the DO group. Testosterone and DHT levels in the HO group were significantly lower than the DO group. The HO and FO groups showed trophic symptoms and were lined by flattened epithelial cells, thus, the stromal proliferation is relatively low as compared to the DO group. These results suggest that Houttuynia cordata may control benign prostatic hyperplasia.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.430-438
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• 2019

This study is to investigate increase immunomodulatory activity of Chungkukjang added with Dendropanax morbifera extract. There are four groups divided that Control, Dendropanax morbifera extract group, Chungkookjang group and Chungkukjang added to Dendropanax morbifera extract group which of five mouses each group. Their immunological characteristics were compared with either general Chungkukjang or non treated group in the tested male ICR mice. There were no significant difference in body weight and organ weight. In the plaque forming cell assay, Dendropanax morbifera extract 250 and 500 mg/kg groups measured significant increase over the control group. The values of lymphocytes were significantly increased in the Dendropanax morbifera extract 500 mg/kg group campared with the control group. In the general Chungkukjang 400 mg/kg added with Dendropanax morbifera extract 500 mg/kg group, total serum immunoglobulin G concentration was significantly higher than the control group and their spleen tissues observed proliferation of white puls. These results demonstrated that Chungkukjang Added with Dendropanax morbifera extract was provided enhance of immunomodulatory activity and suggest that it can be used as various functional foods, based on foods promote immune system health.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.389-397
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• 2018

The starfish, Asterina pectinifera Muller and Troschel (Asterinidae) is an indigenous species commonly found in all coasts of Korea causes damages to shellfish farms. In order to exterminate A. pectinifera, they are dried and used as fertilizer. Although various studies have been conducted to create high added value from the retrieved A. pectinifera, their actual utilization is relatively low. Accordingly, this study aimed to find new practical uses of starfish by identifying useful ingredients for skin anti-aging. Two polyhydroxysteroids and one asterosaponin were isolated from the A. pectinifera. The structures of these compounds were identified as $5{\alpha}$-cholestane-$3{\beta},6{\alpha},7{\alpha},8,15{\alpha},16{\beta},26$-heptol, $5{\alpha}$-cholestane-$3{\beta},4{\beta},6{\alpha},7{\alpha},8,15{\beta},16{\beta},2$6-octol, and asterosaponin $P_1$ on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic analysis. Among these compounds, we have found that asterosaponin $P_1$ increased epidermal stem cell proliferation and the expression of hyaluronan synthase-2 and hyaluronan synthase-3 gene, which are enzymes that synthesize water-binding matrix hyaluronic acids in keratinocytes. In addition, asterosaponin $P_1$ increased synthesis of pro-collagen type I, a major dermal collagen in fibroblasts. As a result, asterosaponin $P_1$ isolated from A. pectinifera could be used as a useful cosmetic ingredient that improves skin symptoms accompanying skin aging.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the cytotoxicity of 3 calcium silicate-based materials (CSMs) on stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs). The powder of Retro $MTA^{(R)}$ (RM), $EZ-Seal^{TM}$ (EZ) and ENDOCEM $Zr^{(R)}$ (EN) was eluted with SHED culture media and then filtered. The SHEDs were cultured in the presence of the various concentrations of the eluate. To investigate the effect of the 3 CSMs on SHED proliferation, the MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay was performed. Flow cytometry analysis was also performed to identify any changes in the cellular phenotype. The absorbance values of the SHEDs cultured in the eluate of samples at a 10% concentration showed the following relation: RM > EN > EZ (p = 0.0439). However, the SHEDs maintained their mesenchymal phenotype regardless of product exposure. Although the 3 CSMs did not alter the SHED stem cell markers, EZ may be a less cytocompatible than RM and EN.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.164-174
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• 2021

This study confirmed the potential of Punica granatum L. extract for functional activity verification and cosmetic development. The electron-donating ability of Punica granatum L. extract was shown 60.6% at a 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. Its ABTS+ radical scavenging ability was shown 93.9% at a 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. Additionally, the inhibitive effects of elastase and collagenase inhibition effects were measured as 30% and 47.2%, respectively, at a 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. To determine the effect of Punica granatum L. extract on the proliferation of fibroblasts (CCD-986sk), cell viability was measured using a 3-[4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. As a result, survival rates of 130% or higher at a 500 ㎍/ml concentration or less were confirmed. According to the results of Western blot with Punica granatum L. extract, the expression inhibition rates of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) were decreased by 23.2%, 81.9%, and 69.2%, respectively, at a 100 ㎍/ml concentration. Based on the results above, O/W liquid crystal cream with 0.1% Punica granatum L. extract was prepared. The stabilities were tested at 4, 25, 45, and 50℃. By checking the pH, change over time, and stability by temperature, it was confirmed that all were stable for one month. Thus, Punica granatum L. extract shows potential as a natural material for cosmetics.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1070-1077
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• 2020

Treatment with anticancer drugs changes the expression of multiple genes related to cell proliferation, migration, and drug resistance. These changes in gene expression may be connected to regulatory networks for each other. This study showed that doxorubicin treatment induces the expression of oncogenic FosB and decreases the expression of oncogenic SETDB1 in A549 and H1299 human lung cancer cells, which are different in tumor suppressor p53 status. However, a small difference was detected in the quantitative expression of those proteins in the two kinds of cells. To examine the potential regulation of SETDB1 and FosB by p53, we predicted putative p53 binding sites on the genomic DNA of SETDB1 and FosB using a TF motif binding search program. These putative p53 binding sites were identified as 18 sites in the promoter regions of SETDB1 and 21 sites in the genomic DNA of FosB. A luciferase assay confirmed that p53 negatively regulated the promoter activities of SETDB1 and FosB. Furthermore, the results of RT-PCR, western blot, qPCR, and immunostaining experiments indicated that the transfection of exogenous p53 decreases the expression of SETDB1 and FosB in H1299 cells. This indicates that p53 negatively regulates the expression of SETDB1 and FosB at the transcriptional level. Collectively, the downregulation of SETDB1 and FosB by p53 may provide functional networks for apoptosis and for the survival of cancer cells during anticancer drug treatment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.678-690
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• 2020

In this study, the histological changes of Zacco platypus exposed to discharge from a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP), which is a point source, for a long time (2 to 3 years) were compared to the same species at a reference site (Ref.). Overall, tissues displayed various lesions in samples obtained at the point where discharge water from the point source was mixed. In the skin tissue, mucus cells from the epithelial layer expanded to the multilayered epithelium, indicating the immune system was activated. Epithelial cell detachment and proliferation were most prominent in the gills, which may have adversely affected circulation and respiration. Our data suggest immune system collapse was due to stimulation by aquatic substances. Both the fish phase analysis and the water quality analysis demonstrated depreciated conditions at the point source as compared to the reference stream, supporting the histological health evaluation results. These data together suggest a histological approach can also be used to assess water quality, and to an even higher degree when combined with other existing methods. Given the presented evaluation, improvement in the water quality of water discharged from WTP's is required.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated the biological functions of Grateloupia elliptica (G. elliptica) fermented with Aureobasidium pullulans (A. pullulans). Total phenolic contents (TPC) of the hot-water extract of the fermented G. elliptica increased 2.7 folds than that of the non-fermented G. elliptica. Furthermore, total flavonoid contents of both the hot-water extract and the ethanol extract increased maximum 2.4 folds amounts than non-fermented G. elliptica extracts.HaCaT cells were induced inflammation treated with LPS (1 ㎍/mL) or H₂O₂ (1mM) and examined with 100 ㎍/mL of G. elliptica extracts. The extraction of the fermented G. elliptica increased HaCaT cell proliferation in the maximum 10% than non-fermented G. elliptica extraction. Furthermore, investigating changes in protein expression associated with inflammation resulted in a significant reduction in the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and 70 kDa heat shock proetin. Conclusively, the extracts of G. elliptica fermented with A. pullulans have bioactive functions both anti-oxidant to protect environmental stresses and anti-inflammation activity. Hence, G. elliptica fermented with A. pullulans would be a good natural resource as bioactive ingredients for cosmetics. Therefore, G. elliptica fermented with A. pullulans is useful as a astringent material with anti-inflammatory skin.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.274-283
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• 2022

KRAS activating mutations, which are present in more than 90% of pancreatic cancers, drive tumor dependency on the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathways. Therefore, combined targeting of RAS/MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways may be required for optimal therapeutic effect in pancreatic cancer. However, the therapeutic efficacy of combined MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling target inhibitors is unsatisfactory in pancreatic cancer treatment, because it is often accompanied by MAPK pathway reactivation by PI3K/AKT inhibitor. Therefore, we developed an inRas37 antibody, which directly targets the intra-cellularly activated GTP-bound form of oncogenic RAS mutation and investigated its synergistic effect in the presence of the PI3K inhibitor BEZ-235 in pancreatic cancer. In this study, inRas37 remarkably increased the drug response of BEZ-235 to pancreatic cancer cells by inhibiting MAPK reactivation. Moreover, the co-treatment synergistically inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and exhibited synergistic anticancer activity by inhibiting the MAPK and PI3K pathways. The combined administration of inRas37and BEZ-235 significantly inhibited tumor growth in mouse models. Our results demonstrated that inRas37 synergistically increased the antitumor activity of BEZ-235 by inhibiting MAPK reactivation, suggesting that inRas37 and BEZ-235 co-treatment could be a potential treatment approach for pancreatic cancer patients with KRAS mutations.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.27-35
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• 2004

Recalcitrant 4-t-Octylphenol used as a surfactant was subjected to the biodegradation with wood rot fungi, Basidioradulum molare and Schizopora paradoxa. Two fungi were grown in the culture medium containing various concentrations of 4-t-Octylphenol in order to investigate their resistance against 4-t-octylphenol Schizopora paradoxa was reached to the full growth within 14 incubation days in the concentration of more than 200 ppm of 4-t-Octylphenol, while Basidioradulum molare showed the inhibitory mycelium growth as the concentration was increased Schizopora paradoxa and Basidioradulum molare biodegraded 95% and 36% of initial concentration of 4-t-Octylphenol at first incubation day, respectively. However, the biodegradation capability reached to more than 95% after 3 incubation days. During the biodegradation of 4-t-Octylphenol, the activity of manganese dependent peroxidase was induced by the addition of 4-t-Octylphenol in the culture medium of Schizopora paradoxa, but that of laccase was maximal before the addition. The reduction of estrogenecity was assayed by MCF-7 cell proliferation test and measurement of pS2 mRNA expression. The level of pS2 mRNA was decreased down to the level of baseline at first incubation day. Also, estrogenecity of 4-t-Ocrylphenol completely disappeared after treatment with supernatant by Schizopora paradoxa and Basidioradulum molare from first incubation day of culture down to the levels of vehicle.