• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.370-379
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• 2020

Econazole, a potent broad-spectrum antifungal agent and a Ca²⁺ channel antagonist, induces cytotoxicity in leukemia cells and is used for the treatment of skin infections. However, little is known about its cytotoxic effects on solid tumor cells. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying econazole-induced toxicity in vitro and evaluated its regulatory effect on the metastasis of gastric cancer cells. Using the gastric cancer cell lines AGS and SNU1 expressing wild-type p53 we demonstrated that econazole could significantly reduce cell viability and colony-forming (tumorigenesis) ability. Econazole induced G0/G1 phase arrest, promoted apoptosis, and effectively blocked proliferation- and survival-related signal transduction pathways in gastric cancer cells. In addition, econazole inhibited the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase- 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, which degrade the extracellular matrix and basement membrane. Econazole also effectively inhibited the metastasis of gastric cancer cells, as confirmed from cell invasion and wound healing assays. The protein level of p53 was significantly elevated after econazole treatment of AGS and SNU1 cells. However, apoptosis was blocked in econazole-treated cells exposed to a p53-specific small-interfering RNA to eliminate p53 expression. These results provide evidence that econazole could be repurposed to induce gastric cancer cell death and inhibit cancer invasion.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2004

Sclerotinia sp. (isolate BWC98-105) causes stem blight and root rot in Leghum sp., and is presently being evaluated as a potential mycoherbicide for the control of Trifoliorium repens. Bioassays have shown that Sclerotinia sp. produces phytotoxic substance which is biologically active against T. repens. Two biologically active compounds, designated as compoundsI and II, were produced in vitro from the culture filtrate of BWC98-105 isolate Sclerotium sp. Compounds I and II were purified by means of liquid-liquid extraction and $C_{18}$ open column chromatography (300 ${\times}$ 30 mm, i.d). To determine the purity, the purified compounds were analyzed by RP-HPLC. The analytical RP-HPLC column was a TOSOH ODS-120T (150 ${\times}$ 4.6 mm i.d, Japan), of which the flow rate was set at 0.7 mL/min using the linear gradient solvent system initiated with 15 % methanol to 85 % methanol for 50 min with monitoring at 254 nm. Under these RP-HPLC conditions, compounds I and II eluted at 3.49 and 4.13 min, respectively. Compound II was found to be most potent and host specific. However, compound I had a unique antibiotic activity against phytopathogenic bacteria like bacterial leaf blight (Xanthomonas oryzae) on rice, where it played a less important role in producing toxicity on T. repens. No toxin activity was detected in the water fraction after partitioning with several organic solvents. However, toxin activity was detected in the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions. In the leaf bioassay using compound II, the disease first appeared within 4-5 h as water soaked rot, which subsequently developed into well-defined blight affecting the whole plant.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.108-113
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• 1998

Egasyn is accessory protein of ${\beta}$-glucuronidase(${\beta}$-G) in the liver microsomes. Liver microsomal ${\beta}$-G is stabilized within the luminal site of the microsomal vesicles by complexation with egasyn which is one of carboxylesterase isozymes. We investigated the effects of organophosphorus compounds(OPs) such as insecticides on the dissociation of egasyn-${\beta}$-glucuronidase(EG) complex. The EG complex was easily dissociated by administration of OPs, i.e., Fenitrothion, EPN, Phenthionate, and bis-p-nitrophenyl phosphate(BNPP), and resulting ${\beta}$-G dissociated was released into blood, leading to the rapid and transient increase of plasma ${\beta}$-G level with a concomitant decrease of liver microsomal ${\beta}$-G level. In a case of phenthionate treatment, less increase in plasma ${\beta}$-G level was observed, as compared with those of other OPs. This may be explained by a fact that phenthionate was easily hydrolyzed by carboxylesterase. Similarly, carbamate insecticides such as Carbaryl caused rapid increase of plasma ${\beta}$-G level. In contrast, no significant increase of plasma ${\beta}$-G level was observed when pyrethroid insecticides were administered to rats. This is due to a fact that pyrethroids such as Phenthrin and Allethrin were easily hydrolyzed by A-esterase as well as carboxylesterase. On the other hand, addition of OPs to the incubation mixture containing liver microsomes caused the release of ${\beta}$-G from microsomes to the medium. From these in vivo and in vitro data, it is concluded that increase of the plasma ${\beta}$-G level after OPs administration is much more sensitive biomarker than cholinesterase inhibition to acute intoxication of OPs and carbamates.

• CELLMED
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.9.1-9.4
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• 2019

Ayurveda is one of the ancient systems of traditional medicine in India, however, there is a lack of proper scientific research and controlled studies on efficacy and toxicity of several Ayurvedic formulations using the methods of modern science, which hinders the proper development of Ayurveda, both in India and abroad. The present study was undertaken to further corroborate the efficacy of some popular anthelmintic Ayurvedic medicines, as evident by the pharmacological effects of Ayurvedic formulations on body surface of a cestode parasite. This study employed a common intestinal cestode of domestic fowl, Raillietina sp., as a model parasite, that was exposed in vitro to different concentrations of three common Indian Ayurvedic anthelmintic drugs, namely Krimimudgar Ras, Kriminol and Vidangasava, and also to a modern anthelmintic drug, praziquantel (PZQ). After the paralysis of parasites, the specimens from the highest drug-treated concentration (50 mg/ml), praziquantel (1 mg/ml), and control groups, were collected and processed for scanning electron microscopic studies to document the effects of drugs on the body surface of parasite. In this study, maximum degree of alterations on parasite body surface was observed in the worms exposed to Krimimudgar Ras, indicating this drug to be highly efficacious against intestinal worms and brings out a transtegumental mode of action on parasite. In conclusion, the findings of present study suggest that of the three Ayurvedic formulations tested, Krimimudgar Ras possesses significant anthelmintic effects, which are mediated through parasite's body surface. Therefore, Krimimudgar Ras may be considered as a reliable anthelmintic Ayurvedic formulation, as validated through this study.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.430-445
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• 2019

Natural edible waxes mixed with plant oils, containing high levels of unsaturated fatty acids (FAs), are known as oleogels. Oleogels are used for replacing saturated FAs in animal-derived food with unsaturated FAs. However, the health effects of edible waxes are not yet clearly defined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of FAs and natural waxes on the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated and treated with FAs and waxes. These FAs [Palmitic acid (PA), Stearic acid (SA), Oleic acid (OA), Linoleic acid (LA), and Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)] and waxes [beeswax (BW) and carnauba wax (CW)] were prepared at varying concentrations, and cell toxicity, triglyceride accumulation, lipid droplets size, and distribution inside of cells were determined. Adipogenic gene expression including $PPAR{\gamma}$, FASN, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, SREBP-1, and CPT-1 was determined. Results showed that increasing the concentration of FAs and waxes led to a decrease in the adipocyte cells viability and metabolic performance. SA showed the highest level of triglyceride accumulation (p<0.05), whereas ALA showed the lowest (p<0.05). Both BW and CW at 3.0 ppm showed significantly higher lipid accumulation than in the control and other groups (p<0.05). ALA had significantly downregulated adipogenic gene expression levels, excluding those of CPT-1, compared to the other treatment groups (p<0.05). Moreover, BW demonstrated similar adipogenic gene expression levels as ALA compared to CW. Consequently, ALA and BW may have health benefits by reducing adipogenesis and can be used in processed meat.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.838-845
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• 2024

Excessive alcohol consumption can have serious negative consequences on health, including addiction, liver damage, and other long-term effects. The causes of hangovers include dehydration, alcohol and alcohol metabolite toxicity, and nutrient deficiency due to absorption disorders. Additionally, alcohol consumption can slow reaction times, making it more difficult to rapidly respond to situations that require quick thinking. Exposure to a large amount of ethanol can also negatively affect a person's righting reflex and balance. In this study, we evaluated the potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to alleviate alcohol-induced effects and behavioral responses. Two LAB strains isolated from kimchi, Levilactobacillus brevis WiKim0168 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim0172, were selected for their ethanol tolerance and potential to alleviate hangover symptoms. Enzyme activity assays for alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were then conducted to evaluate the role of these bacteria in alcohol metabolism. Through in vitro and in vivo studies, these strains were assessed for their ability to reduce blood alcohol concentrations and protect against alcohol-induced liver damage. The results indicated that these LAB strains possess significant ethanol tolerance and elevate ADH and ALDH activities. LAB administration remarkably reduced blood alcohol levels in rats after excessive alcohol consumption. Moreover, the LAB strains showed hepatoprotective effects and enhanced behavioral outcomes, highlighting their potential as probiotics for counteracting the adverse effects of alcohol consumption. These findings support the development of functional foods incorporating LAB strains that can mediate behavioral improvements following alcohol intake.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-54
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• 2006

Ekongsan (EKS) was expected to have inhibitory effects on angiogenesis, considering the fact that its constituents such as Ginseng Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix and Citri Pericarpium were reported to inhibit angiogenesis. Moreover, recently several metabolites transformed by the human intestinal microflora were reported to enhance effectiveness compared to their crude drugs. Based on these data, this study was designed to confirm whether the EKS metabolites (EKS-M) can significantly exert the anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic activites. Hence, with EKS and EKS-M, viability assay, proliferation assay, in vitro tube formation assay, gelatin zymogram assay, in vitro invasion assay were carried out. EKS showed less toxicity in ECV304 and HT1080 cells than EKS-M. EKS-M inhibited the proliferation of HT1080 cells by 30% at 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and 42% at 400 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ respectively. Also, EKS-M degraded the tube network at 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$. EKS and EKS-M inhibited the expression of MMP-9 at 200 and 400 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$in HT1080 cells. EKS reduced the invasive activity of HT1080 cells through matrigel coated transfilter at the concentration of 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ more effectively than EKS-M. These data suggest that EKS and EKS-M has anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic activities.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.263-263
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• 2006

Poly (ethylene glycol)(PEG) - Poly (${\varepsilon}-caprolactone(CL)$) - Poly (D,L lactide(LA) (PCLA-PEG-PCLA) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization to form temperature sensitive hydrogel triblock copolymer. The triblock copolymer was acrylated by acryloyl chloride. ${\beta}-amino$ ester was used as a pH sensitive moiety, in this study ${\beta}$- amino ester obtained from 1,4-butandiol diacrylate, and 4, 4' trimethylene dipiperidine, it have pKb around 6.6. pH/temperature sensitive penta-block copolymer (PAE-PCL-PEG-PCL-PAE) was synthesized by addition polymerization from acrylated triblock copolymer, 1,4-butandiol diacrylate, and 4, 4' trimethylene dipiperidine. Their physicochemical properties of triblock and penta-block copolymers were characterized by $^1H-NMR$ spectroscopy and gel permeation spectroscopy. Sol-gel phase transition behavior of PAE-PCL-PEG-PCL-PAE block copolymers were investigated by remains stable method. Aqueous media of the penta-block copolymer (at 20 wt%) changed from a sol phase at pH 6.4 and $10^{\circ}C$ to a gel phase at pH 7.4 and $37^{\circ}C$. The sol-gel transition properties of these block copolymers are influenced by the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance of the copolymers, block length, hydrophobicity, stereo-regularity of the hydrophobic of the block copolymer, and the ionization of the pH function groups in the copolymer depended on the changing of environmental pH, respectively. The degradation and the stabilization at pH 7.4 and $37^{\circ}C$, and the stabilization at pH 6.4 and $10^{\circ}C,\;5^{\circ}C,\;0^{\circ}C$, of the gel were determined. The results of toxicity experiment show that the penta block copolymer can be used for injection drug delivery system. The sol?gel transition of this block copolymer also study by in vitro test ($200{\mu}l$ aqueous solution at 20wt% polymer was injected to mouse). Insulin loading and releasing by in vitro test was investigated, the results showed that insulin can loading easily into polymer matrix and release time is around 14-16days. The PAE-PCL-PEG-PCL-PAE can be used as biomaterial for drug, protein, gene loading and delivery.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 1973

The author studied the applicability of Furazolidone to the silkworm rearing industry as a useful remedy for certain silkworm diseases, at the silkworm rearing house of the college of agriculture, Seoul national university, during both the spring and the autumn silkworm rearing season of 1972. Discovering the fact that Furazolidone, when put on the mulberry leaves in a powdered form, is eaten along with the leaves by silkworms and thus the systematic administration of Furazolidone to silkworms is possible, the experimenter carried on a series of experiments (1. determining the in vitro antibacterial activity of Furazolidone to four pathogens of silkworm diseases-Bacillus thuringiensis, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus flavus, and Isaria farinosa, 2. observing the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of Furazolidone against the experimental flacherie caused by inoculation of B. thuringiensis, and 3. examining the toxicity of Furazolidone to silkworm larvae). As the results of the experiments the investigator found out the fundamental fact that Furazolidone exerts a good prophylactic and therapeutic effect against flacherie which is the most common and important silkworm disease: Furazolidone, in in vitro test, inhibited completely the growth of B. thuringiensis, the pathogen of bacterial flacherie, at the concentration of 1 ${\mu}$g/mι. with the tube method and at the concentration of 5 ${\mu}$g/mι. with the plate method, and the drug showed an excellent prophylactic effect and a considerably good therapeutic effect, depending on the time of administration, on the 5th instar silkworms inoculated B. thuringiensis, at the tentative dose of 150mg. per 10 silkworms administered once a day for 2 days. For the practical administration of Furazolidone against flacherie, the dose, the time and duration of administration, and the form of preparation, will be investigated more closely.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.339-355
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• 2024

The pulmonary system is a highly complex system that can only be understood by integrating its functional and structural aspects. Hence, in vivo animal models are generally used for pathological studies of pulmonary diseases and the evaluation of inhalation toxicity. However, to reduce the number of animals used in experimentation and with the consideration of animal welfare, alternative methods have been extensively developed. Notably, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have agreed to prohibit animal testing after 2030. Therefore, the latest advances in biotechnology are revolutionizing the approach to developing in vitro inhalation models. For example, lung organ-on-a-chip (OoC) and organoid models have been intensively studied alongside advancements in three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting and microfluidic systems. These modeling systems can more precisely imitate the complex biological environment compared to traditional in vivo animal experiments. This review paper addresses multiple aspects of the recent in vitro modeling systems of lung OoC and organoids. It includes discussions on the use of endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts composed of lung alveoli generated from pluripotent stem cells or cancer cells. Moreover, it covers lung air-liquid interface (ALI) systems, transwell membrane materials, and in silico models using artificial intelligence (AI) for the establishment and evaluation of in vitro pulmonary systems.