• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1235-1243
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• 2015

Hwangheuk-san (HHS) is a Korean multi-herb formula comprising four medicinal herbs. HHS, which was recorded in “Dongeuibogam,” has been used to treat patients with inflammation syndromes and digestive tract cancer for hundreds of years. However, little is known about its anti-tumor efficacy. The present study investigated the pro-apoptotic effect and mode of action of HHS against AGS human gastric carcinoma cells. HHS inhibited the cell growth of AGS cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation, and an accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. HHS-induced apoptotic cell death was associated with the up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax protein expression, down-regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein, and the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol. The treatment of AGS cells with HHS significantly elevated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, apoptosis-inducing concentrations of HHS induced the activation of both caspase-9 and -8, initiator caspases of the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic and death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathways, respectively, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase. However, ROS scavenger and pan-caspases inhibitor significantly blocked HHS-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis. Taken together, these findings suggest that HHS induces apoptosis through ROS- and caspase-dependent mechanisms and that HHS may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human gastric cancer.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.177-190
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• 2004

Background: Secretory phospholipase $A_2$ ($sPLA_2$) are a group of extracellular enzymes that release fatty acids at the sn-2 position of phospholipids. Group IIA $sPLA_2$ ($sPLA_2$-IIA) has been detected in the inflammatory fluids, and its plasma level increases in the inflammatory disease. This study examined the effect of $sPLA_2$-IIA on mouse macropahges in order to investigate the potential mechanism of $sPLA_2$-induced inflammation. Materials and Methods: Wild type $PLA_2$ and mutant H48Q $PLA_2$ were purified from HEK293 cells transfected with the corresponding plasmids, and the $PLA_2$ activities were measured using 1-palmitoyl-2-[1-$^{14}C$]linoleoyl-3-phosphatidylethanolamine as substrates. The TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 released in the supernatants were determined by ELISA. In addition, the TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 mRNA were analyzed by RT-PCR. Results: $sPLA_2$-IIA stimulated the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, the effect of $sPLA_2$-IIA on cytokine production from the macrophage was found to be associated with the accumulation of their specific mRNA. The mRNA levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 peaked at 2 and 6 hours in a time-dependent manner, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, the production of proinflammatory cytokine might be mediated by the binding of $sPLA_2$-IIA to the receptors.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.492-500
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• 2015

Our previous report demonstrated successful isolation of soil-borne bacteria that suppressed the potential of Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2 (IV) causing turfgrass large patch disease when applied to Korean lawngrass (Zoysia japonica). The current study aimed to uncover the mechanisms of this antagonism of Rhizoctonia solani and to define culture conditions for the isolated microbes. We found that two Bacillus isolates, I-009 and FRIN-001-1 strains, produced cellulase and siderophore, but not chitinase, while the Pseudomonas YPIN-022 strain was found to release only siderophore, implying that three antagonistic bacteria commonly interrupt Fe uptake by the large patch pathogen. The I-009 and FRIN-001-1 isolates grew best at 35 and $30^{\circ}C$ in growth medium of pH 5 to 8 for 32 and 28 h, respectively, while optimum growth for the YPIN-022 strain was found at $35^{\circ}C$ at pH 5 to 9 for 24 h. Good growth of I-009 and YPIN-022 over 24 h was obtained in M9 minimal medium supplemented with 1% sucrose, 0.5% yeast extract and 0.1% potassium chloride. FRIN-001-1 grew well in M9 medium with 1% mannitol, 0.5% yeast extract and 0.1% potassium phosphate dibasic.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.123-131
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• 2012

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of the ethanol extract from Chrysanthemum cornarium L. var. spatiosum(CSE) against alloxan-induced oxidative stress in pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells, HIT-T15. In this study, the antidiabetic effect of CSE was examined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliu bromide(MTT) cell proliferation assay, lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release assay, $NAD^+$/NADH ratio and insulin secretion. To further investigate whether CSE is involved in the antioxidant activity of alloxan-damaged HIT-T15 cells, its antioxidant effect against alloxan-induced oxidative stress was measured in HIT-T15 cells by determining the levels of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione S-transferase(GST), glutathione reductase(GR) and glutathione peroxidase(GPx). The results of this analysis showed that alloxan significantly decreased cell viability, increased LDH leakage, and lowered $NAD^+$/NADH ratio and insulin secretion in HIT-T15 cells. However, CSE significantly increased the viability of alloxan-treated cells and lowered LDH leakage. The intracellular NAD+/NADH ratio and insulin secretion were also significantly increased by 1.7-fold and 1.3-fold, respectively, after treatment with 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ CSE. The HIT-T15 cells treated with alloxan showed significant decreases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, while CSE significantly elevated the levels of antioxidant enzymes. These findings suggest that CSE could have a protective effect against cytotoxicity and dysfunction of pancreatic cells in the presence of alloxan-induced oxidative stress.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.1126-1131
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• 2010

The antiobesity effect of soymilks fermented with Bacillus subtilis KC-3 (KCCM 42923) from cheonggukjang was compared with other sources of B. subtilis KCCM 11316 and B. subtilis MYCO. The antiobesity effect was investigated by measuring the release of leptin, Oil red O staining, glycerol secretions and adipogenic transcription factor by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Fermented soymilk with B. subtilis KC-3 (F-KC) led to decrease levels of leptin secretion and increase levels of glycerol secretion in the cells. In addition, F-KC reduced contents of Oil red O dye in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Also, mRNA expression levels of both SREBP-1c (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1-c) and PPAR-$\gamma$ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-$\gamma$), which are adipogenic transcription factor, in cells treated with F-KC were markedly down regulated. These results demonstrate that the Bacillus subtillis fermented soymilk (F-KC) decreased lipid content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by inhibiting lipogenesis. All B. subtilis fermented soymilks had shown antiobesity activities, however, F-KC exhibited the strongest antiobesity effect in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our study suggests that especially F-KC increased the potential of antiobesity effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.1027-1034
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• 2017

The immune system is a complex process within the body that protects against disease. Recently, many studies have attempted to discover immunomodulative compounds from natural sources. Pinus koraiensis (PK) cone shell is a by-product of PK. One of the major compounds of PK cone shell is dehydroabietic acid, which has bioactivity, including antiulcer and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, this study was performed to examine the immunomodulative effects of PK cone shell. The immunomodulatory effects of PK cone shell extracted with 20% ethanol (EtOH) in vivo were examined initially by measuring the natural killer (NK) cell activity, phagocytic activity, Th1/Th2 cytokines release, serum immunoglobulin, and T/B cell proliferation. The NK cell activity and phagocytic activity were increased significantly by a treatment with a 20% EtOH extract of PK cone shell. Th1 type cytokine and T cell proliferation increased and Th2 type cytokine, B cell proliferation and serum immunoglobulin A, G, and E decreased after a treatment with PK cone shell extract. The 20% EtOH extract of the PK cone shell normalized the unbalanced production of Th1/Th2 type cytokine. This suggests that a 20% EtOH extract of PK cone shell has great potential as a health food.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.835-842
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• 2016

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cancer occurrence by promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of a PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, on the chemosensitivity of gastric cancer cells to cordycepin, a predominant functional component of the fungus Cordyceps militaris, in AGS human gastric cancer cells and investigated possible underlying cellular mechanisms. Our results revealed that cordycepin inhibited viability of AGS cells in a concentration-dependent manner and induced apoptosis, as determined by apoptotic cell morphologies and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis associated with attenuated activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Treatment with cordycepin in combination with a subtoxic concentration of LY294002 enhanced cordycepin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptotic potentials in AGS cells. Sensitization of LY294002 to cordycepin-induced apoptosis was accompanied by activation of caspases (caspases-3, -8, and -9) and was concomitant with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Moreover, LY294002 up-regulated pro-apoptotic Bax and enhanced truncation of Bid in cordycepin-treated AGS cells, which was connected with increased loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol. Taken together, these results indicate that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway could augment cordycepin-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells by up-regulating caspase activity through mitochondrial dysfunction.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.235-243
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• 2007

Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (AR) is used in traditional oriental medicine for various medicinal purposes. However, the exact mechanism that accounts for the anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects of the AR is still not fully understood. The aim of The present study is to elucidate whether and how AR modulates the allergic reactions in vivo, and inflammatory reaction in vitro. In this study, we showed that AR significantly decreased compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis, paw oedema, and histamine release from preparation of rat peritoneal mast cells. Also, AR inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokine in PMA plus A23187-stimulated human mast cells (HMC-1). In addition, we showed that anti-inflammatory mechanism of AR is through suppression of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ activation $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$degradation. These results provided new insight into the pharmacological actions of AR as a potential molecule for therapy of inflammatory allergic diseases.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.489-500
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to evaluate newly fabricated tricalcium phosphate(TCP)/chitosan microgranuls as bone substitutes. TCP/chitosan microgranules were fabricated by dropping TCP-chitosan suspension into the NaOH/ethanol solution. The size of microgranules could be controllable via airflow rate. PDGF-BB was loaded into the fabricated granules via freeze-drying methods(300 ng/20 mg). To evaluate cell proliferation, cultured osteoblasts cell lines(MC3T3-El) was dropped on the BioOss(R), chitosan microgranules, TCP/chitosan microgranules and cultured for 1, 7 , 14, and 28 days. Scanning electron microscopic observation was done after 7 days of culture and light microscopic examination was done after 28 days of culture. PDGF-BB release from the microgranules was tested. Rabbit calvarial defects(8 mm in diameter) were formed and chitosan, TCP/chitosan, PDGF-TCP/chitosan microgranules, and BioGran(R) were grafted to test the ability of new bone formation. At SEM view, the size of prepared microgranules was 250-1000 um and TCP powders were observed at the surface of TCP/chitosan microgranules. TCP powders gave roughness to the granules and this might help the attachment of osteoblasts. The pores formed between microgranules might be able to allow new bone ingrowth and vascularization. There were no significant differences in cell number among BioOss(R) and two microgranules at 28 day. Light and scanning electron microscopic examination showed that seeded osteoblastic cells were well attached to TCP/chitosan microgranules and proliferated in a multi-layer. PDGF-BB released from TCP/chitosan microgranules was at therapeutic concentration for at least 1 week. In rabbit calvarial defect models, PDGF-TCP/chitosan microgranules grafted sites showed thicker bone trabeculae pattern and faster bone maturation than others. These results suggested that the TCP/chitosan microgranules showed the potential as bone substitutes.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.666-684
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• 2019

The horizontal distributions of eggs and larvae of chub mackerel Scomber japonicus were extensively surveyed in the vicinity of Korean waters between 31°75'N and 36°50'N during May and June in 2016 and 2017 (total of four surveys). We used a coupled bio-physical model (DisMELS) that combines an individual-based model (IBM) incorporating vertical migration of larvae and temperature-dependent survival to understand transport processes in the early life stage. Using the distributions of eggs and larvae from surveys, the potential spawning grounds were estimated at the northwest and southeast of Jeju Island and the central East China Sea in May, and at the southwestern East Sea and southern West Sea in June by running the model backward in time. In forward experiments within 30 days from the backward results, most larvae were transported to both the Korean and Japanese sides of the East Sea through the Korea Strait. However, the larvae released in the central East China Sea were transported to the Japanese side only, while those released in the southern West Sea were retained within that region. The survival rates at 30 days after release based on the simulation incorporating temperature-dependent survival throughout May and June were 29.7% in 2016 and 28.8% in 2017.