Sungkyunkwan University · Medicine
Professor Eunji Kim's research lab specializes in the molecular mechanisms and biological activities of natural bioactive compounds, with a focus on their applications in dermatology and neurodegenerative diseases. The lab investigates polyphenols and plant-derived terpenoids—such as EGCG, 3"Me-EGCG, dehydroabietic acid, and 8-hydroxydaidzein—for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and skin hydration properties. A key research direction involves elucidating the signaling pathways through which these compounds modulate gene expression (e.g., HAS, HYAL, NF-κB, AP-1) and cellular stress responses. The lab also explores the structural basis of protein–ligand interactions, particularly in neurodegenerative disorders like spinocerebellar ataxia type 1.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a catechin and an abundant polyphenol in green tea. Although several papers have evaluated EGCG as a cosmetic constituent, the skin hydration effect of EGCG is poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the mechanism by which EGCG promotes skin hydration by measuring <i>hyaluronic acid synthase</i> (<i>HAS</i>) and <i>hyaluronidase</i> (<i>HYAL</i>) gene expression and antioxidant and anti-pigmentation properties using cell proliferation assay, Western blotting
Our data showed that CK has antiaging and hydrating effects. We suggest that CK could be used in cosmetic products to protect the skin from UVB rays and increase skin moisture level.
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by polyglutamine expansion in Ataxin-1 (ATXN1). ATXN1 binds to the transcriptional repressor Capicua (CIC), and the interaction plays a critical role in SCA1 pathogenesis whereby reducing CIC levels rescues SCA1-like phenotypes in a mouse model. The ATXN1/HBP1 (AXH) domain of ATXN1 mediates its homodimerization as well as the interaction with CIC. Here, we present the crystal structure of ATXN1's AXH
Dehydroabietic acid (DAA) is a naturally occurring diterpene resin acid derived from coniferous plants such as <i>Pinus</i> and <i>Picea</i>. Various bioactive effects of DAA have been studied including antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities. However, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of DAA remains unclear. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of DAA in macrophage cell lines. Dehydroabietic acid clearly reduced nitric oxide (NO) production and inflammatory gene expression decre
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated from diverse cellular processes or external sources such as chemicals, pollutants, or ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Accumulation of radicals causes cell damage that can result in degenerative diseases. Antioxidants remove radicals by eliminating unpaired electrons from other molecules. In skin health, antioxidants are essential to protect cells from the environment and prevent skin aging. (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-(3″-O-methyl) gallate (3″Me-EGCG) has bee
8-Hydroxydaidzein (8-HD) is a daidzein metabolite isolated from soybeans. This compound has been studied for its anti-proliferation, depigmentation, and antioxidant activities. However, the anti-inflammatory activities of 8-HD are not well-understood. Through its antioxidant effects in ABTS and DPPH assays, 8-HD reduces the production of sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced radical oxygen species (ROS). By triggering various Toll-like receptors (TLRs), 8-HD suppresses the inflammatory mediator nit
In this study, we aimed to examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms of lancemaside A from Codonopsis lanceolata (Campanulaceae) in the inflammatory responses of monocytes (U937 cells) and macrophages (RAW264.7 cells). Lancemaside A significantly suppressed the inflammatory functions of lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) treated RAW264.7 cells by suppressing the production of nitric oxide (NO), the expression of the NO-producing enzyme inducible NO synthase (iNOS), the upregulation of the costimulat
Epigenetic regulation and modification govern the transcriptional mechanisms that promote disease initiation and progression, but can also control the oncogenic processes, cell signaling networks, immunogenicity, and immune cells involved in anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor responses. The study of epigenetic mechanisms could have important implications for the development of potential anti-inflammatory treatments and anti-cancer immunotherapies. In this review, we have described the key role of
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