• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.23 no.2 s.73
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• pp.153-160
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• 1995

As part of our search for less toxic antimicrobial agents from natural resources, the antimicrobial activity of Elfvingia applanata $(P_{ers.})\;K_{arst.}$ extract was examined alone and in combination with naringenin. 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 nineteen strains of bacteria and eleven strains of fungi by serial broth dilution method, and expressed by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Among nineteen strains of bacteria tested, the antimicrobial activity of EA was the most potent against Proteus vulgaris showing MIC of 1.125 mg/ml. EA also inhibited the growth of the selected fungi at higher concentrations ranging from 7.5 mg/ml to 15.0 mg/ml. To investigate the effect of antimicrobial combinations of EA with naringenin, the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was determined by checkerboard assay for each strain. The antimicrobial combinations of EA with naringenin resulted in partial synergism against Staphylococcus aureus only, and showed additive effect in two strains including Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhi. Antagonism was not found.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.375-380
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• 1986

Thirty-one strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were submitted to the synergistic activity test of amikacin(AK) and gentamicin(GM) combined with moxalactam(MX), ceftizoxime(CTZ) or cefoperazone(CFZ). The minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs) of each drug and drugs combined in various ratios were measured by checkerboard dilution method. The synergism was determined through analysing the MIC distribution curve on isobologram and calculating the fractional inhibitory concentration index(FICI). MICs of GM, AK, MX, CFZ and CTZ against the 31 tested strains were distributed from $12.5{\mu}g/ml$ to $800{\mu}g/ml$, from $0.8{\mu}g/ml$ to $25{\mu}g/ml$, from $3.1{\mu}g/ml$ to $50{\mu}g/ml$, from $3.1{\mu}g/ml$ to $400{\mu}g/ml$, and from $12.5{\mu}g/ml$ to $100{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The rate synergism of each drug combination by means of FICl was 45.5% in GM-MX, 36.4% in GM-CFZ, 63.6% in GM-CTZ, 48.6% in AK-MX, 35.3% in AK-CFZ, and 35.7% in AK-CTZ combination. Thus, it is suggested that Pseudomonas aeruginosa may effectively be inhibited by various aminoglycoside and cephalosporin combinations.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.699-703
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• 2016

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious clinical and an urgent problem worldwide. Few new drugs are available against MRSA, because MRSA has the ability to acquire resistance to most antibiotics, which consequently increases the cost of medication. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of Hydnocarpi Semen was investigated. The most effective method is to develop antibiotics from the natural products without having any toxic or side effects. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative antibacterial drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases. Five Clinical isolates (MRSA) were obtained from five different patients at Wonkwang University Hospital (Iksan, South Korea). The Other 2 strains were ATCC 33591 (Methicillin-resistant strain) and ATCC 25923 (Methicillin-susceptible strain). Antibacterial activity (Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations, MICs) was determined by broth dilution method, disk diffusion method, MTT test, and checkerboard dilution test. Antibacterial activity of n-hexane fraction was remarkable, and had a MICs ranging from $31.25-125{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. FICI values for HFH+AM and HFH+OX were 0.13-0.19 and 0.04-0.29, showing the increase of synergistic effect. When combined together, these antibacterial effects were dramatically increased.

• Mycobiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.11-14
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• 2001

A preparation of water soluble components(EA) was made from carpophores of Elfvingia applanata(Pers.) Karst and its in vitro antibacterial activity on a number of bacterial species was examined by macrobroth dilution assay. Among 16 species of bacteria tested, the most potent antibacterial activity was observed against Staphylococcus epiderrnidis and Proteus vulgaris, of which MICs were 1.25 mg/ml. To investigate the antibacterial effects in combinations of EA with quinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, lomefloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin, the fractional inhibitory concentrations(FICs) and the fractional inhibitory concentration indices(FICIs) for four bacterial strains were determined by macrobroth dilution checkerboard assay. Combinations of EA and quinolones exhibited either additive or indifferent effects of antibacterial activity in most instances. However, both synergistic and antagonistic effects were not observed in any cases.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.719-724
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• 2018

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for a number of infections in humans that are difficult to treat, and as a result, is a substantial contributor to morbidity and mortality. In the present study, in search of natural products capable of inhibiting this multidrug-resistant bacterium, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of Lysimachia clethroides Duby root. The antibacterial activities of EtOH extract of Lysimachia clethroides Duby root and its n-hexane, EtOAc, n-BuOH and water fractions were evaluated against 15 strains of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 1 standard methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strain by using the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) assay, colorimetric assay using MTT test, checkerboard dilution test. Antimicrobial activity of n-hexane fraction of Lysimachia clethroides Duby root was remarkable. Against the 16 strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were in the range of $31.25-62.5{\mu}g/ml$ and FICI values for n-hexane fraction of Lysimachia clethroides Duby root+AM and n-hexane fraction of Lysimachia clethroides Duby root+OX were checkerboard method performed using the MRSA, MSSA and one clinical isolate strains via MICI 0.12-1 and 0.25-0.75, showing the increase of synergistic effect. When combined together, these antibiotic effects were dramatically increased. These effective combinations could be new promising agents in the management of MRSA.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.125-129
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• 2019

Honey bees are important pollinators in agriculture, but are threatened by the pathogen Ascosphaera apis, which causes chalkbrood. Despite attempts to control this fungus using synthetic fungicides, none of them have been proven to be completely effective. Among 640 natural compounds that we tested, 4-hydroxyderricin (MIC=3.125, 6.25 mg/L after 24 h and 48 h growth, respectively) exhibited the strongest anti- Ascosphaera apis activity, followed by acetylshikonin (MIC=12.5 mg/L for 24 h and 48 h growth). 4-Hydroxyderricin showed selective growth inhibition of Ascosphaera apis and Rhizopus oryzae among tested fungus strains. Treatment 4-hydroxyderricin with miconazole revealed a synergistic effect (FICI=0.65±0.13 at 48 h incubation). These findings suggest that 4-hydroxyderricin, which has antifungal activity against Ascosphaera apis but few other fungal species, can effectively control infectious fungal diseases. Combined treatment of bees with 4-hydroxyderricin and miconazole could reduce cytotoxicity and improve the cost effectiveness of treatment.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.185-254
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• 2024

Sixteen species of Asterocheres collected from the southern and eastern coasts of Korea are recorded. Two species are redescriptions-Asterocheres aesthetes Ho, 1984 and A. siphonatus Giesbrecht, 1897. The remaining 14 new species described are A. geminus n. sp., A. processus n. sp., A. culicis n. sp., A. eurychelatus n. sp., A. scutellatus n. sp., A. spiniventer n. sp., A. fici n. sp., A. serratus n. sp., A. tridentatus n. sp., A. nodulosus n. sp., A. tetraodontis n. sp., A. dokdoicus n. sp., A. exilis n. sp., and A. zodius n. sp. These new species are compared with other known species of the genus mainly based on the character states of 17 selected characters. These characters include the length/width ratios of the caudal ramus and genital double-somite, the number of postgenital lateral setules or spinules on the genital double-somite of the female, the number of segments of the antennule of both sexes, the position of aesthetasc on antennular segments in the female, the relative length of terminal claw of the antenna, the relative length of the oral siphon, the number of segments and the relative length of the mandibular palp, the presence or absence of inner coxal seta on legs 1 and 4, the relative lengths of setae on the exopod of female leg 5, the presence or absence of sexual dimorphisms of swimming legs, and the presence or absence of a secondary aesthetasc on the male antennule. A key to 22 species of Asterocheres known in Korea waters is provided.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.15-21
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• 2015

Objectives : Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is a human pathogen. New antibacterial agents are needed to treat MRSA-related infections. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of EtOH 70% extracts ofTonghyeonipal-dan(THD) which prescription is composed of oriental medicine against MRSA.Methods : The antibacterial activity of THD was evaluated against MRSA strains by using the Disc diffusion method, broth microdilution method, Checkerboard dilution test, and Time-kill test; its mechanism of action was investigated by bacteriolysis, detergent or ATPase inhibitors were used.Results : The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of THD is 1,000~2,000 μg/mL against MRSA. In the checkerboard dilution test, fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of THD in combination with antibiotics indicated synergy or partial synergism againstS. aureus. Furthermore, a time-kill assay showed that the growth of the tasted bacteria was considerably inhibited after 24 h of treatment with the combination of THD with selected antibiotics. For measurement of cell membrane permeability, THD 500 μg/mL along with concentration of Triton X-100 (TX) and Tris-(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (TRIS) were used. In the other hand, N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCCD) and Sodium azide (NaN3) were used as an inhibitor of ATPase. TX, TRIS, DCCD and NaN3 cooperation againstS. aureusshowed synergistic action.Conclusions : Accordingly, antimicrobial activity of THD was affected by cell membrane and inhibitor of ATPase were assessed. These results suggest that THD has antibacterial activity, and that THD extract offers great potential as a natural antibiotic against MRSA.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.504-509
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• 2014

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a substantial contributor to morbidity and mortality. In search of a natural products capable of inhibiting this multidrug resistant bacteria, we have investigated the antimicrobial activity of brazilein (BRZ) isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. (Leguminosae) against 8 different strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). New antimicrobial activity was found using the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), broth dilution as well as checkerboard method. Against the 8 strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of BRZ were in the range of $62.5-500{\mu}g/mL$. From those results we performed the checkerboard test to determine the synergism of BRZ in combination with Hygromycin-b (HgB) against 4 strains. The combined activity of BRZ and HgB against 4 strains resulted in a fractional inhibitory concentrations index (FICI) ranging from 0.18-0.5. The effect of BRZ with HgB was found to be synergistic. We found that BRZ reduced the MICs of HgB. BRZ and HgB could lead to the development of new combination antibiotics against MRSA infection.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.278-288
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• 2013

Objectives : Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has a cephalosporin and beta-lactam antibiotic-resistant strains. MRSA is one of the major pathogens causing hospital infection and the isolation ratio of MRSA has gradually increased. Consequently, increased resistance to antibiotics is causing serious problems in the world. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases. Methods : The antibacterial activities of Ipyo-san were evaluated against 2 strains of MRSA and 1 standard Methicillin-susceptible staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strain by using the disc diffusion method, minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) assay, colorimetric assay using MTT test, checkerboard dilution test and time-kill assay performed under dark. Results : The MIC of Ipyo-san water extract against S. aureus strains ranged from 1000 to $2,000{\mu}g/ml$, so we confirmed that it had a strong antibacterial effect. Also, the combinations of Ipyo-san water extract and conventional antibiotics exhibited improved inhibition of MRSA with synergy effect. We suggest that Ipyo-san water extract against MRSA has antibacterial activity so it has potential as alternatives to antibiotic agents. For the combination test, we used Triton X-100 (TX) and DCCD for measurement of membrane permeability and inhibitor of ATPase. As a result, antimicrobial activity of Ipyo-san water extract was affected by the cell membrane. Conclusions : We suggest that the Ipyo-san water extract lead the treatment of bacterial infection to solve the resistance and remaining side-effect problems that are the major weak points of traditional antibiotics.