• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.26 no.4 s.87
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• pp.511-518
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• 1998

Anti-complementary assay for immuno-stimulating polysaccharide screening, human tumor colony-forming assay for discovering anti-tumor drugs, and toxic assay against mouse were performed to examine pharmacological activities of polysaccharides extracted from fruiting bodies of Jang-soo mushroom (Fomitella fraxinea). Hot water $(100^{\circ}C,\;FF-I)$, 1% ammonium oxalate solution $(80^{\circ}C,\;FF-II)$, and 5% sodium hydroxide solution $(80^{\circ}C,\;FF-III)$ were used for extraction of three polysaccharides from fruiting bodies of it. Anti-complementary activity of FF-I was more effective than the others. FF-I was further fractionated into three groups of polysaccharide by DEAE-Sephadex A25 column chromatography (FF-NP, FF-AP1, and FF-AP2). FF-AP1 showed not only the highest anti-complementary activity but also the growth-inhibitory activity against Snu-I (human stomach cancer cell) among 9 kinds of human tumor cell lines. But FF-AP2 exhibited its activity against Hep-2(larynx cancer) and KB(mouth epidermal cancer) cell lines at $500\;{\mu}g/ml$ although its anti-complementary activity was lower than it of FF-AP1. When FF-I was orally administrated to mice with dosage of 5000 mg/kg, no remarkable changes were observed in viewpoint of tissue-pathology.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.134-141
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• 2021

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) have a Janus face, regulating both cell apoptosis and survival. The present study focused on understanding the function of JNK in tumor development and the chemoresistance underlying JNK-mediated cancer cell survival. We identified an inhibitor of JNK1, an important regulator of cancer cell survival. Kinase assay data showed that JNK1-dependent c-Jun phosphorylation was inhibited by indirubin derivatives. In particular, indirubin-3-monoxime (I3M) directly inhibited the phosphorylation of c-Jun in vitro, with a half inhibition dose (IC₅₀) of 10 nM. I3M had a significant inhibitory effect on JNK1 activity. Furthermore, we carried out assays to determine the viability, migration, and proliferation of breast cancer cells. Our results demonstrated that cell growth, scratched wound healing, and colony forming abilities were inhibited by the JNK inhibitor SP600125 and I3M. The combination of SP600125 and I3M significantly decreased cancer cell proliferation, compared with either SP600125 or I3M alone. Our studies may provide further support for JNK1-targeting cancer therapy using the indirubin derivative I3M in breast cancer.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.66-70
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• 2018

Helminthostachys zeylanica is a rare plant grows in lightly shaded areas. The fern was traditionally used as antipyretic and antiphlogistic agents. This study was aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of H. zeylanica on foodborne Bacillus cereus. The chemical composition of its ethanolic extract was also determined. The plant samples were collected at Kampung Kebun Relong, Kedah, Malaysia. The ethanolic extract showed significant inhibitory activity on B. cereus with a sizeable clear zone detected on disc diffusion assay. On broth microdilution assay, the MIC of the extract on B. cereus was 6.25 mg/ml and the MBC was 12.5 mg/ml. The inhibitory activity of the extract on B. cereus was bactericidal. In the growth dynamic study, the antibacterial efficacy of the extract was concentration dependent, where a lower colony forming unit count was obtained with increased extract concentration. The SEM micrograph of extract treated B. cereus cells showed invaginations of cell wall. The bacterial cell structure collapsed after 24 h exposure to the extract. The GCMS analysis of the extract showed that the major constituents of the extract were phenol (36.26%) and quercetin (29.70%). This study is important as it shows the potential use of H. zeylanica as an effective agent to control B. cereus related infections.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2011

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to identify in vitro antimicrobial activity of the tissue conditioner containing silver nanoparticles on microbial strains, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Experimental disc samples ($20.0{\times}3.0$ mm) of tissue conditioner (GC Soft-Liner, GC cooperation, Tokyo, Japan) containing 0.1 - 3.0% silver nanoparticles (0%: control) were fabricated. Samples were placed on separate culture plate dish and microbial suspensions (100 ${\mu}L$) of tested strains were inoculated then incubated at $37^{\circ}C$. Microbial growth was verified at 24 hrs and 72 hrs and the antimicrobial effects of samples were evaluated as a percentage of viable cells in withdrawn suspension (100 ${\mu}L$). Data were recorded as the mean of three colony forming unit (CFU) numerations and the borderline of the antimicrobial effect was determined at 0.1% viable cells. RESULTS. A 0.1% silver nanoparticles combined to tissue conditioner displayed minimal bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans strains, a 0.5% for fungal strain. Control group did not show any microbial inhibitory effect and there were no statistical difference between 24 hrs and extended 72 hrs incubation time (P > .05). CONCLUSION. Within the limitation of this in vitro study, the results suggest that the tissue conditioner containing silver nanoparticles could be an antimicrobial dental material in denture plaque control. Further mechanical stability and toxicity studies are still required.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 1986

The antifungal activities of amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, and ketoconazole in combination of amphotericin B/ketoconazole and 5-fluorocytosine/ketoconazole were determined against 42 strains of Candida spp. isolated from oral cavity. Among 42 strains of Candida species, 36 strains of Candida albicans, 2 strains of Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis 1 strain of Candida krusei and Candida stellatoidea were identified. The minimum inhibitory concentrations(MICs) of amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine and ketoconazole for these strains were ranged from 0.05-1.56 mcg/ml, 12.5->100.0 mcg/ml and 0.2-50.0 mcg/ml. In all of the experimental strains, amphotericin B had the greatest antifungal activity on a dilution basis. When a microtiter checkerboard technique was used 5-fluorocytosine acted synergistically with ketoconazole against all strains, whereas amphotericin B has a reduced effect. The killing curve experiments with on strain of Candida albicans WMC-85024 demonstrated that the combination of amphotericin B/ketoconazole and 5-fluorocytosine/ketoconazole produced a decrease in number of colony forming unit of >3 logs in 72 hours.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.136-145
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• 2014

Background: This study aimed to develop a biocontrol system for ginseng root rot caused by Fusarium cf. incarnatum. Methods: In total, 392 bacteria isolated from ginseng roots and various soils were screened for their antifungal activity against the fungal pathogen, and a bacterial isolate (B2-5) was selected as a promising candidate for the biocontrol because of the strong antagonistic activity of the bacterial cell suspension and culture filtrate against pathogen. Results: The bacterial isolate B2-5 displayed an enhanced inhibitory activity against the pathogen mycelial growth with a temperature increase to $25^{\circ}C$, produced no pectinase (related to root rotting) an no critical rot symptoms at low [$10^6$ colony-forming units (CFU)/mL] and high ($10^8CFU/mL$) inoculum concentrations. In pot experiments, pretreatment with the bacterial isolate in the presumed optimal time for disease control reduced disease severity significantly with a higher control efficacy at an inoculum concentration of $10^6CFU/mL$ than at $10^8CFU/mL$. The establishment and colonization ability of the bacterial isolates on the ginseng rhizosphere appeared to be higher when both the bacterial isolate and the pathogen were coinoculated than when the bacterial isolate was inoculated alone, suggesting its target-oriented biocontrol activity against the pathogen. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the pathogen hyphae were twisted and shriveled by the bacterial treatment, which may be a symptom of direct damage by antifungal substances. Conclusion: All of these results suggest that the bacterial isolate has good potential as a microbial agent for the biocontrol of the ginseng root rot caused by F. cf. incarnatum.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.435-443
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• 1987

A total of 30 strains of Candida albicans were examined for susceptibility to amphotericin B and ketoconazole using Sabouraud's dextrose broth, Kimmig broth and Supplemented yeast nitrogen base broth media. Furthermore, the growth curve and colony forming units were checked for use of stationary-phase cells and 2-hour incubation cells in the absence of atifungal agents. The viable counts were determined periodically during incubation by standard plate count techniques. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of amphotericin B for use of stationary phase cells were as follows: SDB, $0.09{\sim}0.97mcg/ml$(0.39mcg/ml); Kimmig broth, $0.19{\sim}0.39mcg/ml$(0.42 mcg/ml) and SYNB, $0.19{\sim}0.39mcg/ml$mcg/ml(0.23mcg/ml). In ketoconazole, MICs were value SDB, $3.12{\sim}25.0mcg/ml$(12.5mcg/ml); Kimmig broth, $12.5{\sim}25.0mcg/ml$ (22.5mcg/ml) and SYNB, $3.12{\sim}12.5mcg/ml$(6.71mcg/ml). The MICs of amphotericin B(0.2mcg/ml cone.) for use of 2-hour incubation cells in absence of AMB were, SDB, $0.04{\sim}0.39mcg/ml$(0.11mcg/ml); Kimmig broth, $0.09{\sim}0.39mcg/ml$(0.18mcg/ml) and SYNB, $0.09{\sim}0.19mcg/ml$(0.14mcg/ml) and in KTZ, the value of MICs were SDB, $3.12{\sim}25.0mcg/ml$(12.22mcg/ml); Kimmig broth, $0.78{\sim}25.0mcg/ml$(11.01mcg/ml) and SYNB, $1.56{\sim}12.5mcg/ml$(3.90mcg/ml). The two-log reductions in CFU per milliliter observed when 2 hour preincubation cells were treated with 0.2mcg/concentrations of AMB and 25.0mcg/ml of KTZ. However, AMB treated cells were restored to growth activity, it suggested that the AMB has no active antifungal activity.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2021

Background: Dental caries is mainly composed of various cellular components and is deposited around the tooth surface and gums, causing a number of periodontal diseases. Streptococcus mutans is commonly found in the human oral cavity and is a significant contributor to tooth decay. The use of antibacterial ingredients in oral hygiene products has demonstrated usefulness in the management of dental caries. This study investigated the anticaries effect of the ethanol extract of Terminalia chebula (EETC) against S. mutans and their cytotoxicity to gingival epithelial cells. Methods: The EETC was prepared from T. chebula fruit using ethanol extraction. Disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and colony forming unit (CFU) were analyzed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the EETC. Glucan formation was measured using the filtrate of the bacterial culture medium and sucrose. Gene expression was analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cytotoxicity was analyzed via the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Results: The antibacterial activity of the EETC was explored using disc diffusion and CFU measurements. The MIC and MBC of the EETC were 10 and 20 ㎍/ml, respectively. EETC treatment decreased insoluble glucan formation by S. mutans enzymes and also resulted in reduced glycosyltransferase B (gtf B), gtf C, gtf D, and fructosyltransferase (ftf), expressions on RT-PCR. In addition, at effective antibacterial concentrations, EETC treatment was not cytotoxic to gingival epithelial cells. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the EETC is an effective anticaries ingredient with low cytotoxicity to gingival epithelial cells. The EETC may be useful in antibacterial oral hygiene products for the management of dental caries.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5071-5076
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• 2014

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is one of the aggressive cancers with a very poor prognosis. Several efforts have been made to identify and develop new agents for prevention and treatment of this deadly disease. In the present study, we examined the anticancer effect of luteolin on human CCA, KKU-M156 cells. Sulforhodamine B assays showed that luteolin had potent cytotoxicity on CCA cells with IC50 values of $10.5{\pm}5.0$ and $8.7{\pm}3.5{\mu}M$ at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Treatment with luteolin also caused a concentration-dependent decline in colony forming ability. Consistent with growth inhibitory effects, luteolin arrested cell cycle progression at the G2/M phase in a dose-dependent manner as assessed by flow cytometry analysis. Protein expression of cyclin A and Cdc25A was down-regulated after luteolin treatment, supporting the arrest of cells at the G2/M boundary. Besides evident G2/M arrest, luteolin induced apoptosis of KKU-M156 cells, demonstrated by a distinct sub-G1 apoptotic peak and fluorescent dye staining. A decrease in the level of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein was implicated in luteolin-induced apoptosis. We further investigated the effect of luteolin on JAK/STAT3, which is an important pathway involved in the development of CCA. The results showed that interleukin-6 (IL-6)-induced JAK/STAT3 activation in KKU-M156 cells was suppressed by treatment with luteolin. Treatment with a specific JAK inhibitor, AG490, and luteolin diminished IL-6-stimulated CCA cell migration as assessed by wound healing assay. These data revealed anticancer activity of luteolin against CCA so the agent might have potential for CCA prevention and therapy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.399-405
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• 2001

Urushiol, a natural pro-electrophilic quinone compound, has potential structural characteristics as antitumor chemotherapeutic agents. However, urushiol's use as an antitumor drug has some problems, because it is hardly miscible with an aqueous solution. Purified urushiol is highly viscous and soluble only in strong solvents. for this study, we prepared an urushiol-ethanol micro-emulsion with a unimodal size distribution by high-speed homogenization. This generated effective delivery of urushiol to its action wites, so that we could investigate its cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. Using a colony-forming assay, we were able to show that urushiol selectively inhibited the growth of the ovarian cancer cells PA-1 and 2774 at a concentration of $10^{-6}$, whereas it had only a negligible effect on normal CHO cells at the same concentration. The data suggest that urushiol may have potential as an effective antitumor agent in the treatment of ovarian cancer. In addition, we addressed the question of whether the specific cytotoxic effect of urushiol is linked to apoptosis, by DNA fragmentation and DAPI staining assays. The inhibitory effects of urushiol on the growth of ovarian cancer cells was found to be associated with DNA fragmentation and the fragmented nuclei formation, both of which represent markers for the induction of apoptosis. Therefore, the results suggested that urushiol affected its profound cytotoxicity by triggering apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells.