• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 1996

The characteristics of cell growth and poly-$\beta$-hydroxybutyrate biosynthesis of Alcaligenes latus ATCC 29713 were investigated. The PHB accumulation pattern of A. latus followed a growth-associated type where the cell growth and PHB accumulation were carried out simultaneously. Various intermediate compounds such as metabolites involved in the TCA cycle, amino acids, and saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were added to examine their effect on cell growth and PHB accumulation. Citrate, tyrosine, and palmitic acid showed the most significant increase both on cell growth and PHB accumulation. Maximum PHB concentrations were noticeably increased about 1.4 to 1.6 times higher than that of control, corresponding to 5.54, 6.45, and 6.45 g/l for citrate, tyrosine, and palmitic acid, respectively. The stimulatory effects of the supplemented metabolites were analyzed in terms of the increment of enzyme activities related to sugar catabolism and PHB biosynthesis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.399-402
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• 2012

Bufalin is a traditional oriental medicines which induces apoptosis in some lines of human tumor cells. It constitutes the major digoxin-like immunoreactive component of Chan Su, obtained from the skin and parotid venom glands of toads. Bufalin is cardioactive C-24 steroids that exhibits a variety of biological activities, such as cardiotonic, anaesthetic, blood pressure stimulatory, respiratory and antineoplastic effects. In terms of its anti-tumor activity, bufalin has been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of tumors, such as endometrial and ovarian cancers. This commentary introduces biologic and therapeutic effects of bufalin in treating some cancers. The compound is able to mediate inhibition of cell growth, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and expression of genes related to the malignant phenotype in human cancer cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.432-438
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• 2018

Worldwide, caffeine is among the most commonly used stimulatory substances. Unfortunately, significant caffeine consumption is associated with several adverse effects, ranging from sleep disturbances (including insomnia) to cardiovascular problems. This study investigates whether treatment with the Evodia rutaecarpa aqueous extract (ERAE) from berries and its major molecular component, evodiamine, can reduce the adverse caffeine-induced sleep-related and excitation effects. We combined measurements from the pentobarbital-induced sleep test, the open field test, and the locomotor activity test in mice that had been dosed with caffeine. We found that ERAE and evodiamine administration reduced the degree of caffeine-induced sleep disruption during the sleep test. Additionally, we found that evodiamine significantly inhibits caffeine-induced excitation during the open field test, as well as decreasing hyperlocomotion in the locomotor activity test. Additional in vitro experiments showed that caffeine administration decreased the expression of ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid $(GABA)_A$ receptor subunits in the mouse hypothalamus. However, evodiamine treatment significantly reversed this expression reduction. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ERAE and its major compound, evodiamine, provide an excellent candidate for the treatment or prevention of caffeine-induced sleep disturbances and excitatory states, and that the mechanism of these beneficial effects acts, at least in part, through the $GABA_A$-ergic system.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.227-232
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• 1985

Previously, we had reported that the electrical stimulation of peripheral nerve with stimlatory parameters of 20 V strength and 2 Hz frequency for 60 min resulted in reducing the pain reaction. The present study was performed to evaluate if the pain reaction was affected by the peripheral nerve stimulation with different stimulatory parameters in the decerebrated cat. The flexion reflex was used as an index of the pain reaction. The reflex was elicited by stimulating the sural nerve (stimulus strength of 20 $V\;\times\;0.5$msec) and recorded as a compound action potential from the motor nerve innervated to the posterior biceps femoris muscle. The common perneal nerve was selected as a peripheral nerve on which the electrical stimulation of various intensities and frequencies was applied. The results are summarized as follows : 1) The peripheral nerve stimulation with 100 mV strength, regardless of frequencies, did not affect the pain reaction induced by the sural nerve stimulation. 2) When the stimulus of 1V intensity and slow frequency (2 Hz) was applied to the peripheral nerve for 30 min or 60 min, the pain reaction was significantly reduced comparing to the control. However, this reduced pain reaction by the peripheral nerve stimulation was not reversed by the injection of naloxone (0.02 mg/kg) 3) High frequency stimulus (60 Hz) of 1V intensity for 30 or 60 min did not show any effects of affecting the pain reaction. These results suggest that the stimulus of relatively high intensity (at least 1V) and low frequency (2 Hz) is needed to elicite the analgesic effect by the peripheral nerve stimulation. By the 1V stimulus, $A\delta$ nerve fiber is activated. Therefore, an $A\delta$ or smaller nerve fibers must be activated for showing analgesia by the peripheral nerve stimulation. However, the mechanism of analgesia by the $A\delta$ nerve activation alone was not related to the endogeneous morphine system since the reduced pain reaction by the $A\delta$ fiber activation alone was not reversed by the treatment of naloxone.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.141-149
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• 2001

The effect of ginseng on gastric ulcer and gastric acid secretion was investigated in pylorus-ligated rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley strain rats were used after 24 hours fast. Pylorus-ligation was performed under light ether anaesthesia, then gastric mucosal damage was evoked in conscious pylorus-ligated rats by the administration of subcutaneous (s.c.) indomethancin (20mg/kg), s.c. histamine (150mg/kg) or by pylorus-ligation (Shay ulcer). Ginseng was given by intragastric (i.g.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) route simultaneously with the ulcerogens. Rats were killed after 3h (indomethacin) and histamine models) or after 18h (Shay ulcer), when the gastric secretory responses, the number and severity of gastric mucosal lesions and mucosal mucus content deetermined. the effect of i.p. ginseng on basal gastric acid secretion and on gastric acide secretion in indomethacin (20mg/kg, s.c.)-treated rats was also investigated in urethane anesthetized rats. Gastric acid secretion was measured by flushing of the gastric lumen with saline every 15min through an oesophageal cannula. Results: In conscious pylorus-ligated rats, i.g. ginseng(12.5-50mg/$m\ell$; 50-200mg/kg) protected against gastric mucosal lesions evoked by s.c. indomethacin or s.c. histanmine in the d3-h pylorus-lighted rat, withoutmodifying gastric acid secretory responses. Ginseng given i.p. (150 or 200mg/kg) did not reduce the gastric lesions produced by histamine or by ligating the pylorus (Shay ulcer) Ginseng given orally in 50mg/$m\ell$ (200mg/kg) increased gastric mucus secretion in saline- and indomethacin-treated conscious pylorus-ligated rats. In anaesthetized rats ginseng (50 or 200mg/kg) did not modify basal gastric acid secretion or gastric acid secretion in the indomethacin-treated rats. Conclusions: ginseng given orally exerts gastroprotective effects in the rat stomach. Such anti-ulcer effect does not involve changes in gastric acid secretory responses. In addition, ginseng possesses stimulatory effect on gastric mucus secretion, which could be one mechanism by which the compound exerts its antiulcer effect. Our data are in favor for a beneficial effect for topically applied ginseng on the gastric mucosa.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.168-174
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• 1986

The phenolic compounds contained in milled barley grains were seperated and identified by gas liquid chromatography and the effects of phenolic compounds extracted from milled barley grains and each authentic phenolic compound on the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were studied. Severn phenolic acids, namely cinnamic, protocatechuic, ferulic, sinapid, vanillic, syringic, gallic acids, were identified in milled barley grains by gas liquid chromatography. The contents of sinapic, ferulic, cinnamic, protocatechuic acids were larger than those of vanillic and gallic acids. Phenolic compounds, extracted from milled barley grains and supplemented in culture broth, were inhibitory to the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at levels above 100ppm to 24 hours but not inhibitory at all levels after 48 hours. Cinnamic, ferulic, vanillic acids at all levels were inhibitory to the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, among them cinnamic acid was most inhibitory. Syringic acid was inhibitory to the growth of the yeast at the initial stage of culture. But sinapic and protocatechuic acids were slightly stimulatory to the growth of the yeast and gallic acid was ineffective to the growth of the yeast.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.631-640
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• 1999

The present study investigated the stimulatory effects of iron (or ascorbate) on cyclosporine-induced kidney mitochondrial damage. Damaging effect of $50\;{\mu}M$ cyclosporine plus $20\;{\mu}M\;Fe^{2+}$ on mitochondrial lipids and proteins of rat kidney and hyaluronic acid was greater than the summation of oxidizing action of each compound alone, except sulfhydryl oxidation. Cyclosporine and $100\;{\mu}M$ ascorbate showed an enhanced damaging effect on lipids but not on proteins. The peroxidative action of cyclosporine on lipids was enhanced with increasing concentrations of $Fe^{2+}.$ Ferric ion $(20\;{\mu}M)$ also interacted with cyclosporine to stimulate lipid peroxidation. Damaging action of cyclosporine on mitochondrial lipids was enhanced by ascorbate $(100\;{\mu}M\;and\;1\;mM)$. Iron chelators, DTPA and EDTA, attenuated carbonyl formation induced by cyclosporine plus ascorbate. Cyclosporine $(100\;{\mu}M)$ and $50\;{\mu}M\;Fe^{2+}$ $(or\;100\;{\mu}M\;ascorbate)$ synergistically stimulated degradation of $2-{\alpha}$ deoxyribose. Cyclosporine $(1\;to\;100\;{\mu}M)$ reduced ferric ion in a dose dependent manner, which is much less than ascorbate action. Addition of $Fe^{2+}$ caused a change in absorbance spectrum of cyclosporine in $230{\sim}350$ nm of wavelengths. The results show that cyclosporine plus iron (or ascorbate) exerts an enhanced damaging effect on kidney mitochondria. Iron and ascorbate appear to promote the nephrotoxicity induced by cyclosporine.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.98-105
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• 2009

Background: It has been recently noticed that type 2 diabetes (T2D), one of the most common metabolic diseases, causes a chronic low-grade inflammation and activation of the innate immune system that are closely involved in the pathogenesis of T2D. Cordyceps militaris, a traditional medicinal mushroom, produces a component compound, cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine). Cordycepin has been known to have many pharmacological activities including immunological stimulating, anti-cancer, and anti-infection activities. The molecular mechanisms of cordycepin in T2D are not clear. In the present study, we tested the role of cordycepin on the anti-diabetic effect and anti-inflammatory cascades in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: We confirmed the levels of diabetes regulating genes mRNA and protein of cytokines through RT-PCR and western blot analysis and followed by FACS analysis for the surface molecules. Results: Cordycepin inhibited the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in LPS-activated macrophages via suppressing protein expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. T2D regulating genes such as $11{\beta}$-HSD1 and PPAR${\gamma}$ were decreased as well as expression of co-stimulatory molecules such as ICAM-1 and B7-1/-2 were also decreased with the increment of its concentration. In accordance with suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production lead to inhibition of diabetic regulating genes in activated macrophages. Cordycepin suppressed NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in LPS-activated macrophages. Conclusion: Based on these observations, cordycepin suppressed T2D regulating genes through the inactivation of NF-${\kappa}B$ dependent inflammatory responses and suggesting that cordycepin will provide potential use as an immunomodulatory agent for treating immunological diseases.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1327-1331
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• 2008

In order to determine whether peach contains compounds to regulate adipocyte differentiation, extracts of flesh/pericarp of yellow/white peach were prepared in water, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), or n-butanol solvent and determined for effects on adipocyte differentiation in C3H10T1/2 or 3T3-L1 cells. Interestingly, none of peach extracts has statistically significant stimulatory effect on the adipocyte differentiation in C3H10T1/2. Furthermore, the presence of EtOAc extract of white peach pericarp (WPP) was found to inhibit lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells both by microscopic examination of Oil Red O-stained lipid droplets and by spectrophotometric quantification of extracted stain, indicating a significant inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation. The inhibition of lipid accumulation was accompanied by a significant decrease in the expression levels of adipocyte molecular markers-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $\gamma$, CAAT enhancer binding protein $\alpha$, and fatty acid-binding protein. Thus, this study determined that WPP EtOAc extract contains the inhibitory compound(s) on adipogenesis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.259-272
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• 1988

Type I allergic reaction and it's related clinical manifestations are known to occur by the effects of various chemical mediators. These chemical mediators are released from circulating basophils and tissue mast cells, which become 'sensitized' through the binding of antigens and antibodies of the IgE type to their cell surface receptors. Efforts to elucidate the mechanism of the release of these mediators, especially that of histamine, have been persued for years. The mechanism is not yet clarified at the present time. Recent reports of hyaluronidase, an enzyme known to be involved in the tissue inflammatory process, as possible participant in type I allergic reaction, initiated this study. Relationships between the hyaluronidase activity and histamine release from the sensitized rat peritoneal mast cells were investigated. Also anti-allergic agents, tranilast and disodium cromoglycate, along with known histamine releasers, morphine and compound 48/80, were used to observe the inhibitory and stimulatory effects of these substances on the hyaluronidase activity as well as histamine release from the rat mast cells. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1) Hyaluronidase activity and histamine release from sensitiaed rat peritoneal mast cells started to increase on the 4th day of postsensitization. Hyaluronidase activity reached it's peak value on the 7th day of postsensitization and that of histamine release on the 14th day of postsensitization. 2) Hyaluronidase activity and histamine release from sensitized rat peritoneal mast cells, pre-treated with tranilast revealed significant decrease in comparison with those of non-treated cells. 3) Hyaluronidase activity and histamine release from sensitized rat peritoneal mast cells, pre-treated with tranilast, followed by morphine injection, revealed significant increase in comparison with those of tranilast treated cells. 4) In vitro study of hyaluronidase activity and histamine release from un-sensitized rat peritoneal mast cells, using morphine and compound 48/80 as activators, revealed significant increase compared to those of non-activator used cells. 5) In vitro study of hyaluronidase activity and histamine release from un-sensitized rat peritoneal mast cells, pre-treated with tranilast and disodium cromoglycate, using confound 48/80 and morphine as activators revealed significant decrease in comparison with those of tranilast and disodium cromoglycate treated cells. From above results, participation of enzyme hyaluronidase in the process of histamine release from sensitized rat pertioneal mast cells, could be suggested. It was also quite evident that the clinically used anti-allergic agents, tranilast and disodium cromoglycate, have significant inhibitory function on the hyaluronidase activity and histamine release from sensitized rat peritoneal mast cells, while morphine significantly increased the hyaluronidase activity and histamine release from sensitized rat peritoneal mast cells.