• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.899-904
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• 2002

Aloe and propolis are extensively used in folk medicine. Ethanol extracts of Aloe vera (AE), ethanol extract of propolis (PE) and waxfree extract of propolis (PW) were prepared to test antimicrobial activities against five oral microorganisms (Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, Enteococcus hirae, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans). Antimicrobial activities were tested by serial broth dilution method and expressed by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The AE showed relatively weak antimicrobial activities, while both of PE and PW greatly inhibited all microorganisms tested. To investigate the antimicrobial effects of the combined extracts of aloe with propolis, the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was determined by checkerboard assay for each strain. The combination of AE with PE or PW resulted in Synergistic effect against oral microorganisms tested (FICI=0.375) except Escherichia coli (FICI=1.0 for PE, FICI=0.75 for PW).

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aims to determine the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) of combinations of Melastoma malabathricum leaf fraction with ciprofloxacin or gentamicin against pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus, isolated from Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) patients. Methods: We tested concentrations of 45%, 55%, 65%, and 75% of gentamicin and ciprofloxacin using dilution and agar diffusion methods. The combination of M. malabathricum leaf extract with these antibiotics was tested in vitro against all three bacteria. Results: The combination of M. malabathricum leaf extract and ciprofloxacin gave a FICI value of 0.5, indicating synergistic antibacterial activity against the test bacteria. Conclusion: The results show that the antibacterial effect of a combination of high doses of the leaf extract with either antibiotic is greater than that of the leaf extract and the antibiotics in single use.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.438-442
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• 1994

Antimicrobial activity of GL (the aqueous extract from the carpophores of Ganoderma lucidum ($F_RK_{KARST}$) was tested in vitro aginst Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria by serial broth dilution method, and the antimicrobial activity was expressed by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Among fifteeen species of bacteria tested, the natimicrobial activity of GL was of antimicrobial combinations of GL with four kinds of antibiotics (ampicilin, cefazolin, oxytet-racycline and chloramphenicol), the fractional inhibitory concentraction index (FICI) was determined by checkerboard assy for each stain. The antimicrobial combinations of GL with four antibiotics resulted in additive effect in most instances, synergism in two instances, and antagonism in two instances. Synergism was obversed when GL was combined with cefazolin against Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella oxytoca.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.539-545
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• 2021

A cercosporoid fungus associated with angular leaf spots on the leaves of common fig (Ficus carica) in Korea is known to be morphologically similar to Passalora, but phylogenetically similar to Pseudocercospora. To clarify the ambiguity, six fig samples with angular leaf spots were collected and examined using a microscope, and two representative isolates were sequenced for multiple genes. The morphological characteristics were consistent with previous descriptions of Passalora bolleana. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit ribosomal DNA (rDNA) regions showed that the Korean isolates, as well as previously published Korean and Romanian isolates, formed a well-supported group in the clade of Pseudocercospora species. Consequently, the current Korean isolates should be correctly described as Pseudocercospora bolleana. Additionally, Pseudocercospora fici-caricae, a cercosporoid fungus previously described as a leaf pathogen on common fig in Taiwan and Korea, was also compared and discussed.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.742-748
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• 1994

As part of our search for less toxic antimicrobial agents from natural resources, the carpophores of Elfvingia applanata$(P_{ers}.)K_{ARST}.$ was extracted with hot water. EA, the aqueous extract from the carpophores of E. applanata, was lyophilized and a dark brownish powder was obtained. Antimicrobial activity of EA was tested in vitro against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria by serial broth dilution method, and the antimicrobial activity was expressed by minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC). Among fourteen species of bacteria tested, the antimicrobial activity of EA was the most potent against Proteus vulgaris showing MIC of 1.250 mg/ml. To investigate the effect of antimicrobial combinations of EA with four kinds of antibiotics(ampicillin, cefazolin, oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol), the fractional inhibitory concentration index(FICI) was determined by checkerboard assay for each strain. The antimicrobial combinations of EA with four kinds of antibiotics resulted in synergism in four instances, but no antagonism was observed. Four instances of synergism were observed when EA was combined with ampicillin against Micrococcus luteus, with cefazolin against Bacillus subtilis, with cefazolin against Micrococcus luteus and with oxytetracycline against Staphylococcus aureus.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.653-658
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• 1996

As part of our search for less toxic antimicrobial agents from natural resources. rutin was isolated from Sophora japonica and then hydrolyzed to quercetin. Antimicrobial activity of quercetin was tested in vitro against five kinds of gram positive and ten kinds of gram negative bacteria by serial broth dilution method. Among fifteen kinds of bacteria tested, the antimicrobial activity of quercetin was the most potent against Proteus vulgaris showing minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) of 125 ${\mu}$g/ml. To investigate the effect of antimicrobial combinations of quercetin with four kinds of antibiotics (ampicillin, cefazolin, oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol). the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was determined by checkerboard assay for each strain. The antimicrobial combinations of quercetin with four kinds of antibiotics resulted in synergism in one instance, additive effect in four instances, but no antagonism was observed.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.312-318
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• 2016

Objectives: Bacterial resistant infections have become a global health challenge and threaten the society's health. Thus, an urgent need exists to find ways to combat resistant pathogens. One promising approach to overcoming bacterial resistance is the use of herbal products. Green tea catechins, the major green tea polyphenols, show antimicrobial activity against resistant pathogens. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of catechins, green tea extract, and methylxanthines in combination with gentamicin against standard and clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and the standard strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of different agents against bacterial strains were determined. The interactions of green tea extract, epigallate catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, two types of methylxanthine, caffeine, and theophylline with gentamicin were studied in vitro by using a checkerboard method and calculating the fraction inhibitory concentration index (FICI). Results: The MICs of gentamicin against bacterial strains were in the range of $0.312-320{\mu}g/mL$. The MIC values of both types of catechins were $62.5-250{\mu}g/mL$. Green tea extract showed insufficient antibacterial activity when used alone. Methylxanthines had no intrinsic inhibitory activity against any of the bacterial strains tested. When green tea extract and catechins were combined with gentamicin, the MIC values of gentamicin against the standard strains and a clinical isolate were reduced, and synergistic activities were observed (FICI < 1). A combination of caffeine with gentamicin did not alter the MIC values of gentamicin. Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that green tea extract and catechins potentiated the antimicrobial action of gentamicin against some clinical isolates of S. aureus and standard P. aeruginosa strains. Therefore, combinations of gentamicin with these natural compounds might be a promising approach to combat microbial resistance.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.405-413
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• 2010

Fig (Ficus carica L.) belongs to the mulberry tree (Moraceae) which is one of the oldest fruits in the world. It has been used as a digestion promoter and a cure for ulcerative inflammation and eruption in Korea. The present study investigated the antimicrobial activity of methanol (MeOH) extract of fig leaves against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated in clinic. The MeOH extract (MICs, 2.5 to 20 mg/mL; MBCs, 5 to 20 mg/mL) was demonstrated as antibacterial activity in isolates MRSA 1-20. The administration of the MeOH extract in combination with oxacillin or ampicillin induced a reduction of ${\geq}$4-8-fold in all tested bacteria, which was considered to be synergistic based on a FICI of ${\leq}$0.375-0.5. Furthermore, time-kill study was found that a combination of MeOH extract with oxacillin or ampicillin produced a more rapid decrease in the concentration of bacteria CFU/mL than MeOH extract alone. The results suggest that fig leaves could be employed as a natural antibacterial agent in MRSA infection care products.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.295-299
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• 2004

The antifungal activities of the essential oil from Agastache rugosa and its main component, estragole, combined with ketoconazole, one of the azole antibiotics commonly used to treat infections caused by Trichophyton species, were evaluated in this study. The combined effects were measured by the checkerboard microtiter and the disk diffusion tests, against T. erinacei, T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. schoenleinii and T. soudanense. Susceptibility of the five Trichophyton species to the oil alone, or ketoconazole alone, differed distinctly. The fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICI) of ketoconazole combined with estragole or A. rugosa essential oil, against the tested Trichophyton species, were between 0.05 and 0.27, indicating synergistic effects. These drug combinations exhibited the most significant synergism against T. mentagrophytes, with FICIs of 0.05 and 0.09 for estragole and the essential oil fraction from A. rugosa, respectively. Isobolograms based on the data from checkerboard titer tests also indicated significant synergism between ketoconazole and the Agastache oil fraction or estragole, against the Trichophyton species evaluated. Trichophyton susceptibility to ketoconazole was significantly improved by combination with the Agastache rugosa oil fraction or its main component, estragole.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.411-416
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• 1999

A new kind of differential flow induced chemical wave is introduced by theoretical calculation. A differential flow between the counter acting species of a dynamical activator-inhibitor system may destabilize its homogeneous reference state and cause the medium to self-organize into a pattern of travelling waves through the differential flow instability (DIFI). In a chemical system, also, the differential bulk flow may change the dynamics of the system, thus it has been refered to as the differential flow induced chemical instability (DIFICI). For DlFICI experiments, one directional flow has been commonly employed, resulting in periodic wave patterns generally. In this study, we considered two directional flow for the DIFICI wave by exchanging artificially the flow direction at some period.