Sanguine Byun

PURPOSE: Common treatment modalities for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) involve the EGF receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) like gefitinib and erlotinib. However, the vast majority of treated patients acquire resistance to EGFR-TKIs, due, in large part, to secondary mutations in EGFR or amplification of the MET gene. Our purpose was to test ubiquitin-specific peptidase 8 (USP8) as a potential therapeutic target for gefitinib-resistant and -sensitive non-small cell lung cancer (NS

Luteolin, a flavonoid present in various vegetables including onion and broccoli, has been reported to possess anticarcinogenic effects. However, its chemopreventive effect on UV-induced skin cancer and its mechanism are not fully understood. Herein, we examined the chemopreventive effect and associated mechanisms of luteolin in the JB6 P+ cell line and the SKH-1 hairless mouse model. Luteolin suppressed UVB-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression and activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB ac

Quercetin is a naturally occurring polyphenol present in various fruits and vegetables. The bioactive properties of quercetin include anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects. However, the effect of quercetin on skin aging and the direct molecular targets responsible have remained largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the protective effect of quercetin against UV-mediated skin aging and the molecular mechanisms responsible. Treatment with quercetin suppressed

Apigenin, a flavonoid abundant in various vegetables and fruits, including parsley and onions, has been reported to possess anticarcinogenic effects. However, the direct molecular target of apigenin and its chemopreventive effect on ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin inflammation are not understood fully. Herein, we examined the anti-inflammatory effect of apigenin and its associated mechanisms in JB6 P+ cell line and SKH-1 hairless mouse model. Apigenin inhibited UVB-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)

Autophagy is an essential process that maintains physiological homeostasis by promoting the transfer of cytoplasmic constituents to autophagolysosomes for degradation. In immune cells, the autophagy pathway plays an additional role in facilitating proper immunological functions. Specifically, the autophagy pathway can participate in controlling key steps in innate and adaptive immunity. Accordingly, alterations in autophagy have been linked to inflammatory diseases and defective immune responses

Autophagy is an essential catabolic program that forms part of the stress response and enables cells to break down their own intracellular components within lysosomes for recycling. Accumulating evidence suggests that autophagy plays vital roles in determining pathological outcomes of immune responses and tumorigenesis. Autophagy regulates innate and adaptive immunity affecting the pathologies of infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases. In cancer, autophagy appears to play distinct rol

SCOPE: Cruciferous vegetables harbor a number of isothiocyanates that have been recognized for their cancer-related properties. Out of these, sulforaphene (a naturally occurring derivative of sulforaphane) has received little attention in studies of colon cancer and its mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: We observed that sulforaphene inhibited growth of human colon cancer cell lines HCT116, HT-29, KM12, SNU-1040, and DLD-1, while exhibiting negligible toxicity tow

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a naturally occurring bioactive compound, displays anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-microbial effects. However, the effect of CAPE on skin photoaging is unknown. Herein, we investigated the inhibitory effect of CAPE against ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-mediated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression and its underlying molecular mechanism. CAPE treatment suppressed UV-induced MMP-1 levels in both human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and human skin

Propolis is a resinous substance generated by bees using materials from various plant sources. It has been known to exhibit diverse bioactivities including anti-oxidative, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, the direct molecular target of propolis and its therapeutic potential against skin aging in humans is not fully understood. Herein, we investigated the effect of propolis on ultraviolet (UV)-mediated skin aging and its underlying molecular mechanism. Propolis

Removal of sugar moieties from ginsenosides has been proposed to increase their biological effects in various disease models. In order to identify strains that can increase aglycone contents, we performed a screening using bacteria isolated from the feces of infants focusing on acid tolerance and β-glucosidase activity. We isolated 565 bacteria and selected Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LT 19-2 (LT 19-2), which exhibited the highest β-glucosidase activity with strong acid tolerance. As

Red ginseng has been reported to elicit various therapeutic effects relevant to cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory diseases. However, the effect of red ginseng on exercise endurance and skeletal muscle function remains unclear. Herein, we sought to investigate whether red ginseng could affect exercise endurance and examined its molecular mechanism. Mice were fed with red ginseng extract (RG) and undertook swimming exercises to determine the time to exhaustion. Animals

Rosa gallica is a widely used Rosa species for medicinal and culinary purposes. Rosa gallica has been reported to display antioxidant, anti−inflammatory, and antibacterial activities. However, the effect of Rosa gallica against skin aging in vivo is unknown and its active components have not been fully understood. Oral administration of Rosa gallica prevented UVB−mediated skin wrinkle formation and loss of collagen/keratin fibers in the dorsal skin of mice. Examination of biomarkers at the molec

Vaccine adjuvants from natural resources have been utilized for enhancing vaccine efficacy against infectious diseases. This study examined the potential use of catechins, polyphenolic materials derived from green tea, as adjuvants for subunit and inactivated vaccines. Previously, catechins have been documented to have irreversible virucidal function, with the possible applicability in the inactivated viral vaccine platform. In a mouse model, the coadministration of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (E

The twigs of Cinnamomum cassia, commonly referred to as Cinnamomi Ramulus, are widely used as one of the primary ingredients in Chinese/Korean traditional medicines that have anticancer effects. However, the active constituents responsible for its anticancer effects and their molecular mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and caffeic acid (CA) were isolated for the first time from C. cassia using LC-MS-guided phytochemical isolation methods. CAPE signific