• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.692-698
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• 2019

Background: Breast cancer is a severe disease and the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. To surmount this, various diagnosis and treatment options for breast cancer have been developed. One of the most effective strategies for cancer treatment is to induce apoptosis using naturally occurring compounds. Compound K (CK) is a ginseng saponin metabolite generated by human intestinal bacteria. CK has been studied for its cardioprotective, antiinflammatory, and liver-protective effects; however, the role of CK in breast cancer is not fully understood. Methods: To investigate the anticancer effects of CK in SKBR3 and MDA-MB-231 cells, cell viability assays and flow cytometry analysis were used. In addition, the direct targets of CK anticancer activity were identified using immunoblotting analysis and overexpression experiments. Invasion, migration, and clonogenic assays were carried out to determine the effects of CK on cancer metastasis. Results: CK-induced cell apoptosis in SKBR3 cells as determined through 3-(4-5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays, propidium iodide (PI) and annexin V staining, and morphological changes. CK increased the cleaved forms of caspase-7, caspase-8, and caspase-9, whereas the expression of Bcl-2 was reduced by CK. In assays probing the cell survival pathway, CK activated only AKT1 and not AKT2. Moreover, CK inhibited breast cancer cell invasion, migration, and colony formation. Through regulation of AKT1 activity, CK exerts anticancer effects by inducing apoptosis. Conclusion: Our results suggest that CK could be used as a therapeutic compound for breast cancer.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.167-176
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• 2023

Background: A breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide and among different types of breast cancers, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis. Methods: We investigated the potential of ginsenoside compound K (CK), an active ingredient in the bio-transformed ginsenoside, to be used as a therapeutic ingredient by examining the effects of CK on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cancer-related gene expressions in breast cancer cells. Results: From the results of treating MCF-7, an ER and PR-positive breast cancer cells, and MDA-MB-231 (TNBC) with CK at a concentration of 0-100 µM, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values for each cell were 52.17 µM and 29.88 µM, respectively. And also, it was confirmed that cell migration was inhibited above the IC50 concentration. In addition, fluorescence analysis of Apoptosis/Necrosis showed that CK induced apoptosis rather than necrosis of breast cancer cells. Through qPCR, it was confirmed that the expression of genes related to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest was increased in CK-treated breast cancer cells, and it acted more effectively on TNBC. However, the expression of genes related to tumor invasion and metastasis is also increased, so it is necessary to consider the timing of application of CK as a potential therapeutic anticancer compound. Conclusions: CK showed a stronger inhibitory effect in TNBC with poor prognosis but considering the high tumor invasion and metastasis-related gene expression, the timing of application of CK should be considered.

• 한국식품영양학회지
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• 제36권6호
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• pp.572-580
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• 2023

Hypertension is characterized by excessive renin-angiotensin system activity, leading to blood vessel constriction. Several synthetic compounds have been developed to inhibit renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). These drugs often have adverse side effects, driving the exploration of plant protein-derived peptides as alternative or supplementary treatments. This study assessed the phenolic compound and amino acid content and the antioxidant and antihypertensive activity of 5 South Korean staple crops. Sorghum had the highest phenolic compound content and exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. Millet grains, particularly finger millet (38.86%), showed higher antihypertensive activity than red beans (14.42%) and sorghum (17.16%). Finger millet was found to contain a large proportion of branched-chain, aromatic, and sulfur-containing amino acids, which are associated with ACE inhibition. In particular, cysteine content was positively correlated with ACE inhibition in the crops tested (r=0.696, p<0.01). This study confirmed that the amino acid composition was more correlated with the antihypertensive activity of grains than the phenolic compound content. Finger millet mainly contained amino acids, which have higher ACE inhibitory activity, resulting in the strongest antihypertensive activity. These findings underscore the antihypertensive potential of select crops as plant-based food ingredients, offering insight into their biological functions.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.71-74
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to analyze characteristics of the barrier function of excised porcine buccal mucosa to the test compounds, estradiol, propranolol HCI, melatonin, and mannitol with a wide range of partition coefficient values. The permeability of melatonin was measured through frozen, stored, and fresh porcine buccal mucosa to examine the impact of storage conditions on the permeability of porcine buccal mucosa. The results demonstrated that the ex vivo permeability of the porcine buccal mucosa was greater for more lipophilic solutes, which was consistent with a series of molecules transported by passive transepithelial diffusion. The melatonin permeation profiles through frozen, stored, and fresh mucosa illustrated that damage was incurred by the freezing process of the mucosal tissue, leading to loss of the barrier function and thereby an increased permeation coefficient. It can be observed that the influence of compound lipophilicity on the association of the compounds with buccal mucosa was clear. The relationship between permeation coefficient and Log P values for the four compounds investigated demonstrated a proportional relationship, further confirming the importance of the lipophilicity of a compound to permeate the buccal mucosa. These results showed that the ex vivo porcine buccal mucosa model is a suitable tool to screen oral mucosal permeability.

• 폴리머
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.637-642
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• 2012

실리카로 충전된 SBR(styrene butadiene rubber)/BR(butadiene rubber) 합성고무 복합소재에 대해서 가공기기의 구조가 실리카 분산에 미치는 영향을 파악하기 위해 주사전자 현미경(SEM-scanning electron microscope)을 이용하여 컴파운드의 모폴로지를 관찰하였다. Internal mixer 내에서 intermeshing rotor와 tangential rotor에 의해 배합된 컴파운드를 비교한 결과, intermeshing rotor에 의해 가공되었을 경우 실리카 입자가 더 고르게 분산 및 분포되었음을 관찰하였다. Rotor의 geometry 차이에 의해 intermeshing rotor가 tangential rotor보다 더 큰 전단력(shear)을 컴파운드에 전달하여 실리카 입자를 효과적으로 분산 및 분배시킨 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국표면공학회지
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.408-416
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• 2022

In this study, the effect of Au-Sn alloy coating on reliability of electrical contacts was investigated via comparison with Au-Co alloy coating. The results show that Au-Sn alloy exhibited lower contact resistance and higher solder spreadability than those of Au-Co alloy after thermal aging. In the case of Au-Co alloy plating, the underlying Ni element diffused into Au-Co layer to form Ni oxides on surface during thermal aging, leading to increased contact resistance and decreased solder spreadability. Meanwhile, for Au-Sn alloy plating, Au-Ni-Sn metallic compound was formed at the interface between Au-Sn layer and underlying Ni layer. This compound acted as a diffusion barrier, thereby inhibiting the diffusion of Ni to Au-Sn layer during thermal aging. Consequently, Au-Sn alloy layer showed better contact reliability than that of Au-Co alloy layer.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.67-77
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• 2024

This study aims to assess the efficacies of exogenous enzymes, derived from invertebrate gut-associated microbes, as feed additives, in reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions using an in vitro pig intestine continuous fermentation system. An in vitro continuous fermentation model was used to simulate a comparable bionic digestion system by co-reacting feed, enzymatic additives (arazyme, mannanase, and xylanase, derived from the gut bacteria of Nephila clavata, Eisenia fetida, and Moechotypa diphysis, respectively), and gastrointestinal microbes, followed by an analysis of their correlations. A significant correlation was observed between exogenous enzyme supplementation and reduced VOC emissions in the fecal phase of continuous fermentation (p < 0.05). The concentration of VOCs decreased by 3.75 and 2.75 ppm in the treatment group following arazyme and multi-enzyme supplementation, respectively, compared to that in the control group (7.83 ppm). In addition, supplementation with arazyme and multiple enzymes significantly affected the microbial composition of each fermentation phase (p < 0.05). In particular, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus and Pediococcus pentosaceus, which changed in abundance according to arazyme or multi-enzyme supplementation, exhibited a positive relationship with VOC emissions. These results suggest that exogenous enzymes derived from invertebrate gut-associated bacteria can be efficiently applied as feed additives, leading to a reduction in VOC emissions.

• 셀메드
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.27.1-27.6
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• 2020

Cancer is one of the leading cause of mortality in India as well as worldwide. The management of cancer by conventional therapy has shown life threatening adverse effects. The researchers are now exploring the natural way of treatment. Unani system of medicine have rich literature for cancer and many compound formulations have been described in this system. Unani system of medicine is based on holistic approach and treat human being as a unit with natural herbs, mineral and animal origin drugs. An important compound Unani formulation (CUF) from the literature has been chosen to explore the Unani claim of its anticancer activity. The phytochemical constituents were assessed using standard phytochemical screening method. Antioxidant property of this formulation was assessed by DPPH assay. The DPPH free radical scavenging assay was carried out by colorimetric method and ascorbic acid was taken as a positive control. Three different extracts of CUF on different concentrations were used to screening on human breast cancer (BCC) MCF-7 cell line. For the estimation of in-vitro cytotoxic potency of the investigated extracts was assessed on MTT assay by using trypan blue method and paclitaxel was used as the standard. Hydro-ethanolic (HE) extract showed highest free radical scavenging activity among all extracts. DPPH Assay showed substantial antioxidant activity of these extracts in hydro-ethanol extract at 1㎍ concentration of CUF. The CUF showed antioxidant and anticancer activity. The claim made by Unani physician has been proved.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.444-453
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• 2022

Background: Compound K (CK) is among the protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenoside group, which produces multiple pharmacological effects. Herein, we examined the effects of CK on muscle atrophy under hyperlipidemic conditions along with its pro-myogenic effects. Further, the molecular pathways underlying the effects of CK on skeletal muscle have been justified. Methods: C2C12 myotubes were treated with palmitate and CK. C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated using CK for 4-5 days. For the in vivo experiments, CK was administered to mice fed on a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. The protein expression levels were analyzed using western blotting analysis. Target protein suppression was performed using small interfering (si) RNA transfection. Histological examination was performed using Jenner-Giemsa and H&E staining techniques. Results: CK treatment attenuated ER stress markers, such as eIF2a phosphorylation and CHOP expression and impaired myotube formation in palmitate-treated C2C12 myotubes and skeletal muscle of mice fed on HFD. CK treatment augmented AMPK along with autophagy markers in skeletal muscle cells in vitro and in vivo experiments. AMPK siRNA or 3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor, abrogated the impacts of CK in C2C12 myotubes. CK treatment augmented p38 and Akt phosphorylation, leading to an enhancement of C2C12 myogenesis. However, AMPK siRNA abolished the effects of CK in C2C12 myoblasts. Conclusion: These findings denote that CK prevents lipid-induced skeletal muscle apoptosis via AMPK/autophagy-mediated attenuation of ER stress and induction of myoblast differentiation. Therefore, we may suggest the use of CK as a potential therapeutic approach for treating muscle-wasting conditions associated with obesity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제52권6호
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• pp.696-700
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• 2009

목 적 : Artemisinin은 인체에 대한 부작용이 적고 항말라리아 효능 뿐 아니라 강력한 항암효과가 있음이 알려져 있다. 저자들은 오까야마 약학대학에서 합성 된 350여개의 endoperoxide ring구조를 가진 artemisinin 유도체를 선별검사 하여 HL-60세포 주에 강력한 세포독성을 보여 준 c-127의 세포고사 유도 여부와 그 분자유전학적 기전을 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법 : HL-60세포는 RPMI 1640배지로 배양하였고 세포 생존율은 MTT분석으로 측정하였다. 세포고사 여부는 DNA추출과 전기영동법으로 확인하였으며 세포고사 유도 기전은 western blotting을 시행하여 알아보았다. 결 과 : C-127이 세포고사를 유도하여 HL-60세포의 세포 생존력을 농도 의존적으로 감소시켰다. C-127의 이런 항암효과의 분자 유전학적 기전으로는 caspase-8,3 활성화, Bcl-2 family인 Bid분절, JNK 인산화와 c-Jun 발현이 관여하였다. 결 론 : C-127이 HL-60 세포에서 세포고사를 유도하여 강력한 항암효과를 발현하였고, 그 기전으로 caspase cascade, Bcl-2 family, JNK인산화와 c-Jun활성화가 관여하였다.