Andre Kim

Inhibition of initiation of simian virus 40 DNA replication in vitro by the ursodeoxycholic acid and its derivatives

In this study, the effects of the ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), and its derivatives, on DNA replication were examined using simian virus (SV40) DNA replication in vitro. We found that UDCA and its derivatives inhibited SV40 DNA replication, and predominantly inhibited the initiation stage of DNA replication. UDCA and its derivatives inhibited the DNA cleavage by topoisomerase I (topo I). Among them, HS-1183 significantly reduced the activity of topo I. UDCA, at 100 microM, significantly reduced polymerase alpha-primase (pol alpha-primase) activity, but HS-1030 and HS-1183 showed a weak inhibitory effect. The ssDNA binding activity of replication protein A (RPA) was little affected by UDCA and HS-1030, but was weakly inhibited by HS-1183. Based on their properties, we suggest that UDCA and its derivatives might inhibit some molecules that is required to establish replication forks during the initiation reaction and their cytotoxicity might be related to the inhibitory effect they have on this fundamental cellular process.

Anti-diabetic Effects of Banaba Leaf Extracts (Lagerstroemia speciosa Pers.) through Solvents

This study investigated that the antidiabetic effects of banaba extracts with variety solvents selectivity in vitro and in vivo. Banaba extracts were prepared with water, 70% ethanol, 90% ethanol, 100% ethanol and water-ethanol that of extract twice times sequentially water and ethanol. Cell toxicity and insulin secretion of banaba extracts was tested by MTT (3-[4,5-dimetylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay on hamster insulinoma cell line, HIT-T15. Also we tested that insulin, body weight, blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Water-ethanol extract has remarkable antidiabetic effect compare with the other banaba extracts. For water-ethanol extract has both of hydrophilic and hydrophobic antidiabetic materials from banaba. Expecially, corosolic acid, as known as unique polyphenol, has antidiabetic effect studied by many researchers till nowadays. But corosolic acid does not solve in water. Otherwise, we suggest that banaba extract of hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials (polyphenol and antioxidants) mixture more increased antidiabetic effects.