Suppression of NF-κB by dieckol extracted from Ecklonia cava negatively regulates LPS induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene.

Dieckol, extracted from brown algae, Ecklonia cava, is suggested to elicit anti-inflammatory or anti-tumorigenic activities. However, dieckol-mediated regulatory mechanism for inflammatory response still remains elusive. Here, we show that dieckol suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in mouse leukemic macrophage Raw264.7 cells. Also, dieckol decreased LPS-induced both nitric oxide (NO) production and iNOS promoter-driven transcriptional activity in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, LPS-mediated NF-κB activity was inhibited by dieckol treatment. Moreover, results revealed that dieckol diminished LPS-mediated p65 nuclear translocation or IκBα phosphorylation dose-dependently, and reduced LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), significantly p38MAPK. Collectively, these findings suggest that dieckol acts as a negative regulator of LPS-mediated iNOS induction through suppression of NF-κB activity, implying a mechanistic role of dieckol in regulation of inflammatory response.

Transduction of PTEN proteins using the tat domain modulates TGF-ß1-mediated signaling pathways and transdifferentiation in subconjunctival fibroblasts.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of the tumor suppressor protein PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) on transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1-mediated signaling pathways and the transdifferentiation of human subconjunctival fibroblasts (SCFs) after the transduction of this protein containing a transactivator of transcription (Tat) domain. METHODS: The Tat-PTEN expression vector was constructed to express the Tat domain of HIV-1 fused to PTEN. After transduction of the fusion protein and TGF-ß1 stimulation, the dose-dependent effect of the transduced Tat-PTEN fusion protein on Akt phosphorylation and the stability of the Tat-PTEN fusion protein in SCF cells were evaluated by Western blot analysis. The effect of the Tat-PTEN fusion protein on the TGF-ß1-stimulated expression of α-SMA and fibronectin was also evaluated by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: To increase the efficiency of enzyme activity and to successfully deliver this protein to cells, the authors used a PTEN fusion protein that contained the transduction domain of the Tat protein from HIV-1. By Western blot analysis, the transduced Tat-PTEN fusion protein was found to modulate TGF-ß1 signaling in SCF cells and result in the suppression of Akt phosphorylation. Furthermore, the transduction of the Tat-PTEN fusion protein was found to suppress the TGF-ß1-stimulated expression of α-SMA and fibronectin by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical staining, and the effects of the transduced fusion protein could be controlled in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: The Tat-PTEN fusion proteins were successfully transduced into the SCF cells and induced the suppression of transdifferentiation and fibrosis through the regulation of TGF-ß-mediated signaling. The ability of the Tat-PTEN fusion protein to regulate cell survival could potentially be applied to protein therapy to counteract postoperative scarring in glaucoma surgery.

In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Equol against Candida albicans.

In this study, we demonstrate that equol has fungicidal activities against Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory and minimum fungicidal concentrations of equol against C. albicans were 516 and 1,032 µM, respectively. Two separate viability assays found that equol changed the integrity of the C. albicans cell membrane, possibly by formation of membrane lesions. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated ultrastructural changes.

In vitro Activity of Celery Essential Oil against Malassezia furfur.

Antifungal activity of celery essential oil against Malassezia furfur was investigated using broth microdilution and vapor contact methods. Potent antifungal activity was evident using both methods. Fungicidal activity was revealed in the vapor contact method.

In vitro Antifungal Activity of Limonene against Trichophyton rubrum.

In this study, the antifungal activities of limonene against Trichophyton rubrum were evaluated via broth microdilution and vapor contact assays. In both assays, limonene was shown to exert a potent antifungal effect against T. rubrum. The volatile vapor of limonene at concentrations above 1 µl/800 ml air space strongly inhibited the growth of T. rubrum. The MIC value was 0.5% v/v in the broth microdilution assay. The antifungal activity of limonene against T. rubrum was characterized as a fungicidal effect.

Isolation of fatty acids with anticancer activity from Protaetia brevitarsis larva.

In this study, biologically active compounds were isolated from Protaetia brevitarsis larva (PBL) by dichloromethane extraction. The dichloromethane extract from PBL was highly cytotoxic to various cancer cells. From a silica gel column chromatograpy of this extract, we obtained four fractions (F-2, F-4, F-5 and F-7) having apoptosis-inducing activity. These fractions induced DNA ladder and caspase-3 activation during apoptosis in colon 26 tumor cells. In 1H and 13C NMR and mass spectral analysis of the fraction F-2 showing the highest apoptosis-inducing activity, we found that the fraction was composed of three free fatty acids such as palmitic acid, (Z)-9-octadecenoic acid and octadecenoic acid. These results indicate that the dichloromethane extract of PBL includes anticancer components composed of at least three fatty acids, and apoptosis-inducing activity of the extract was mediated by caspase-3 activation in tumor cells.

Antifungal activity of clove essential oil and its volatile vapour against dermatophytic fungi.

Antifungal activities of clove essential oil and its volatile vapour against dermatophytic fungi including Candida albicans, Epidermophyton floccosum. Microsporum audouinii, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton rubrum were investigated. Both clove essential oil and its volatile vapour strongly inhibit spore germination and mycelial growth of the dermatophytic fungi tested. The volatile vapour of clove essential oil showed fungistatic activity whereas direct application of clove essential oil showed fungicidal activity.

Population Biology of Pseudoperonospora humuli in Oregon and Washington.

Pseudoperonospora humuli populations from Oregon and Washington were analyzed for genetic variation using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF) markers. The genetic structure of the Oregon and Washington populations differed considerably. There was little genetic diversity in Washington, with only five RAPD and six DAF groups detected among 40 isolates tested. One genotype was predominant in Washing-ton. In contrast, 18 RAPD and 34 DAF groups were found among the 40 isolates tested from Oregon. No unique band profile associated with host cultivar was observed. It is suggested that the distinct difference in population structure between the two geographic regions might be due to climatic differences resulting in a higher frequency of sexual reproduction of P. humuli in Oregon than in Washington.

Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) from pigeon droppings in Seoul, Korea.

Seventy-two pigeon dropping samples were collected from 26 different localities in Seoul and investigated for the occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans. Seventeen samples from 8 different localities were found to be positive for C. neoformans. All isolates were obtained from withered pigeon droppings. Identification and serotyping of the isolates were determined by means of serological testing and DNA fingerprinting. All isolates belonged to C. neoformans var. grubbi (serotype A).