• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.804-813
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• 2008

Cordyceps militaris, the Chinese medicinal fungal genus Cordyceps, is reported to possess many pharmacological activities including immunological stimulating, anti-cancer, anti-virus and anti-infection activities. However, the molecular mechanisms of C. militaris on biochemical actions in cancer have not been clearly elucidated yet. In the present study, we investigated the anti-proliferative activity of the water extract of C. militaris (WECM) in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. It was found that WECM could inhibit the cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with morphological changes and apoptotic cell death such as formation of apoptotic bodies and increased populations of apoptotic sub-G1 phase. Apoptotic cell death of HepG2 cells by WECM was connected with a up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax expression, tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 (WAF1/CIP1). In addition, WECM treatment induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and a concomitant degradation and/or inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), ${\beta}-catenin$ and phospholipase $(PLC)-{\gamma}1$ protein. Furthermore, caspase-3 inhibitor, z-DEVD-fmk, significantly inhibited WECM-induced apoptosis demonstrating the important role of caspase-3 in the observed cytotoxic effect. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of C. militaris.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.1001-1007
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• 2004

Chloroform layer from methanol extract of Corni fructus (Cornaceae) showed strong antiproliferation effect on human cancer cell lines by SRB assay. Anticarcinogenic-active compound was isolated and purified by silica gel column and thin layer chromatograpies, and identified as ursolic acid ($3{\beta}$-hydroxyrus-12-ene-28-oic acid, MW:456) by mass and IR spectrophotometries, and $^1H-and\;^{13}C-NMRs$. The compound inhibited proliferation of A549 (human lung cancer cell line) and MCF-7 (human breast cancer cell line) cells in dose-dependant manner when treated for 48 hr. Inhibition rates of both cells were over 40% and 90% compared with control cells at the $30\;{\mu}g/mL\;and\;100\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Morphology of cells treated with the compound for 15 hr at $10\;{\mu}g/mL$ was distorted with shrinked cell mass, and cell number was lower than that of control cells. Cell cycle analysis showed sub-G1 phase arrest in both cell lines following 15 hr exposure to the compound; % of cell phase increased to 11.7 and 11.2% compared to the control of 4.0% and 2.1% in A549 and MCP-7 cells, respectively.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.270-275
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• 2006

[ $2{\beta},\;3{\alpha}$ ], 23-trihydroxyrus-12-ene-28-oic acid was isolated from Trapa pseudoincisa S. et Z. It has a common structure of pentacyclic triterpenes and belongs to the amyrin ursolic acid group. The cytotoxic effect of this compound was investigated in human hepatoma cell line HepG2. $2{\beta},\;3{\alpha}$, 23-trihydroxyrus-12-ene-28-oic acid showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. Confocal microscopy data showed that green fluorescence was increased in $2{\beta},\;3{\alpha}$, 23-trihydroxyrus-12-ene-28-oic acid treated-HepG2 cells in a time-dependent manner. $2{\beta},\;3{\alpha}$, 23-trihydroxyrus-12-ene-28-oic acid also increased the sub-G1 cell population of HepG2 cells as well as ladder-like DNA fragmentation. Taken together, our results indicate that $2{\beta},\;3{\alpha}$, 23-trihydroxyrus-12-ene-28-oic acid induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2016

The aerial part of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. (Cucurbitaceae), has long been used in traditional Korean and Chinese medicines for the treatment of heatstroke. We isolated and identified three flavones, luteolin-7-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside(1), luteolin-4'-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside(2), luteolin(3) from its methanolic extract. In the present study, we found that luteolin attenuates the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammation in BV2 microglial cells. Luteolin significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide(NO) and prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ in BV2 microglia in a concentration-dependent manner without cytotoxic effect. Luteolin dose-dependently suppressed the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2). In addition, luteolin also showed significant induction of heme oxygenase(HO)-1. These results suggest that both the aerial part of T. kirilowii and luteolin may be good candidates to regulate LPS-induced inflammatory response.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.483-487
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether gold nanoparticles had radiosensitization when combined with gamma and x ray beam. Cytotoxicity was mearsured with comparing survival fraction after incubated time 6,12,18 and 24 hours. Clonogenic assay was employed to assess survival fraction of cells with and without gold nanoparticles treatment following gamma ray irradiation. The most of gold nanoparticles were distributed in the cytoplasm. And the toxicity of gold nanoparticles used this study were found to be non-cytotoxic. And we also observed enhancement by about 40% in RBE value for gamma ray irradiation of cells treated with gold nanoparticles. Dose reduction of about half for gamma ray irradiation is demonstrated for gold nanoparticles treated cells as compared to untreated cells. In cells with exposed to gamma ray, DNA damage was increased when compared to only radiation exposed cells. The study revealed a significant reduction in radiation dose for killing the cells with internalized gold nanoparticles as compared to the cells without gold nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticles treatment resulted in enhancement of radiation effect as evident from increase in relative biological effectiveness values for photon irradiated cells.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 1997

The molecular weight 30 kDa membrane protein of Toxoplusma Sondii (Toxoplasma 30 kDa) apparently conserved in most strains of T. gondii and sera of infected hosts. The present study aimed to elucidate Toxoplasmc 30 kDa as a useful diagnotic antigen for serodiagnisis of toxoplasmosis by ELISA and for induction of protective immunity. Murine spleen cells immunized with the membrane antigen of T. gondii were fused with mouse Sp2/0-Ag 14 myeloma cells. Out of 8 clones selected, five were IgG2b, the others belonged to IgG 1 and IgG2a. The 30 kDa antigen was distributed mainly on the surface membrane of tachyzoites by indirect fluorescence method. Murine peritoneal macrophages which were activated by 30 kDa antigen produced more amounts of NO2 compared with crude antigen-treated group, however there were no significant differences in toxoplamacidal activity between the two groups. Higher specificity of Toxoplosma 30 kDa antigen was recognized for serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis than the crude antigen. From these results, ToxopLasmo 30 kDa antigen enhances the cytotoxic effect of macrophages as well as a more reliable means for the serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis by ELISA. Key words: Toxoplosma gondii, 30 kDa antigen (p30), mouse, serodiagnosis, macrophage, cytotoxicity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.287-299
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• 1994

Plasma protein which has been known as one of nonspecific immunostimulators was added to feedstuff to examine its effect on the enhancement of cellular immune response in porcine immune system. A total of 40 piglets, 20 male and 20 female each, were fed for 30 days with or without plasma protein. The peripheral blood were collected and analyzed for the investigation of leukocyte subpopulations and their activities by using a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific to porcine leukocyte differentiation antigens and flow cytometry. The results obtained as follows. 1. Subpopulations expressing major histocompatibility complex(MHC) class I antigen were $96.2{\pm}3.1%$ and $86.6{\pm}3.8%$ in piglets fed with plasma protein and in piglets fed without plasma protein, respectively. 2. Proportion of leukocyte subpopulation expressing MHC class II antigens were significantly higher in the piglets fed with plasma protein than ones without plasma protein. The proportion was $27.6{\pm}3.6%$ and $16.6{\pm}2.2%$ in MHC class II DQ antigen, and $28.1{\pm}2.0%$ and $20.0{\pm}0.3%$ in MHC class II DR antigen, respectively. 3. A significant increase in the proportion of cells expressing poCD2 was not found in piglets fed plasma protein. 4. Proportion of subpopulation expressed porcine(Po) CD4 antigens which specific to helper T lymphocytes were not increased (18.3-19.1% vs. 25.6-28.8%), rather slightly decreased, in plasma protein-treated group. 5. The most important increase of proportion in plasma protein-treated group was the leukocyte subpopulation specific to $poCD8^+$ T cytotoxic/suppressor lymphocytes. The expression level was significantly higher up to 45.9-47.1% in plasma protein-treated group in comparing with 29.7-33.0% in non-plasma protein-treated group. 6. Lymphoblastogenetic responses using different concentrations of Con A mitogen and plasma protein has found that the responses of lymphocyte from piglets fed plasma protein was significantly activated (p<0.01). The activities measured by 3[H]-thymidine incorporation showed 3-6 times stronger in plasma protein-treated group than those in non-plasma protein-treated group. The study has concluded that plasma protein, which has known as a nonspecific immunostimulator, may have an immunoenhancing activities in porcine lymphoid system by increase the activated cell proportions and their blastogenetic properties which is critical to host immune responses.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.156-168
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• 2015

The objective of this study is to investigate the anti-Helicobacter pylori and anti-cancer activities of the live cells (LC), cell-free culture supernatants (CFCS), and bacteriocin solution (BS) obtained from Lactobacillus acidophilus BK13 and Lactobacillus paracasei BK57 strains. After incubation for 30 h in MRS broth, the concentration of lactic acid produced by L. paracasei BK57 ($155.9{\pm}10.2mM$) was higher than in MRS broth using L. acidophilus BK13 ($126.8{\pm}7.9mM$). Maximum bacteriocin activity (128 AU/ml) of BK13 strain was observed after 30 h of cultivation at $37^{\circ}C$, however its magnitude was significantly lower than that of BK57 strain (256 AU/ml). The LC of L. acidophilus BK13 and L. paracasei BK57 were able to inhibit the growth of H. pylori ATCC 43504 at different incubation times, depending on the initial inoculum of the LAB. These CFCS and BS obtained from BK13 and BK57 strains dramatically inhibited the growth, adhesive ability, and enzymatic activity of H. pylori. Meanwhile, the anti-cancer effect of the lactic acid from L. acidophilus BK13 and L. paracasei BK57 strains on AGS cells had significant differences with the control group. Therefore, these antagonistic substances-producing strains are potentially useful as new potential antimicrobial agents for the management and prevention of H. pylori infections.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.84-94
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• 2013

The cytotoxicity of coffee-like green tea (CLGT) was determined in a human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7; a human prostate cancer cell clone, PC-3; a human neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-SH; and a rat cardiomyoblast cell line, H9c2, with reference to green tea leaves (GTL). The CLGT was prepared by roasting the GTL for 60 min at $240^{\circ}C$ in a temperature-controlled frying pan. The CLGT preparation imitated the flavor and taste characteristics of coffee fairly well according to sensory analysis. The CLGT preparation had no adverse cytotoxic effects on the cancer cells or the normal cells compared to GTL. No significant change in the antioxidant activity was seen in the CLGT preparation compared to that of GTL. The amount of total protein, sugar, and phenolic compounds was reduced in the preparation relative to those in GTL, a fact that might explain the coffee-like flavor and/or taste characteristics of the CLGT preparation. These results suggest that CLGT prepared by roasting GTL for 60 min at $240^{\circ}C$ does not show any adverse effects on cancer cells and normal cells compared to GTL. They imply that CLGT could be safe for human consumption.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.834-839
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• 2017

Propolis is a natural product collected from plants by honey bees product used extensively in traditional medicine for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-cancer effects. Propolis exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities because it is a complex mixture of natural substances. Ovarian cancer is the second most common newly diagnosed cancer from all cancers among women in Korea and the leading cause of death from gynecological malignancies. While most ovarian cancer patients initially respond to surgical debulking and chemotherapy, patients later succumb to the disease. Thus, there is an urgent need to test novel therapeutic agents to counteract the high mortality rate associated with ovarian cancer. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer properties and the active mechanism of Australian propolis in human epithelial ovarian cancer A2780 cells. Our data revealed that propolis showed a cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis for cell cycle arrest and apoptosis using propidium iodide staning and annexin V-FITC indicated that propolis could induce cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner on human epithelial ovarian cancer cells. These results suggest that the Australian propolis is potential alternative agent on ovarian cancer prevention and treatment.