Soon Ok Woo

Effect of methyl alcohol on the morphology and conformational characteristics of silk sericin

Effects of methyl alcohol on the morphology and conformational characteristics of silk sericin (SS) were studied. Scanning electron microscope showed that morphology of SS lyophilized was dramatically changed from sponge-like structure to spherical fine particle type. X-ray diffraction method, infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the conformation of SS was random coil structure regardless of the addition of methyl alcohol. On the other hand, circular dichroism showed that the molecular states of SS were more densely packed.

Prevalence of Nosema and Virus in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Colonies on Flowering Period of Acacia in Korea.

Honey production from approximately 1.6 million colonies owned by about 199,000 Korean beekeepers was almost 23,000 metric tons in 2009. Nosema causes significant losses in honey production and the virus decreases population size. We initiated a survey of honey bee colonies on the blooming period of Acacia to determine the prevalence of Nosema and virus in 2011. Most Korean beekeepers have moved from the south to north of Korea to get Acacia nectar for 2 mon. This provided a valuable opportunity to sample bees originating from diverse areas in one location. Twenty hives owned by 18 beekeepers were sampled in this year. Nosema spore counts ranged from zero to 1,710,000 spores per bee. The average number of nosema spores per bee was 580,000. Approximately 95% of the colonies were infected with Nosema, based on the presence of spores in the flowering period of Acacia. This indicates that Nosema is the predominant species affecting honeybee colonies. Also, the seven most important honeybee viruses were investigated by reverse transcription-PCR. Among them, four different viruses were detected in samples. Black queen cell virus was present in all samples. Chronic bee paralysis virus was detected in 10% of samples. Deformed wing virus was present in only 5% of the samples. Prevalence of Sacbrood virus was 15%. However, Cloudy wing virus, Israel acute paralysis virus and kashmir bee virus were not detected in any of samples.

The beneficial effects of honeybee-venom serum on facial wrinkles in humans

Facial wrinkles are an undesirable outcome caused by extrinsic photodamage and intrinsic aging processes. Currently, no effective strategies are known to prevent facial wrinkles. We assessed the beneficial effects of bee-venom serum on the clinical signs of aging skin. Our results show that bee-venom serum treatment clinically improved facial wrinkles by decreasing total wrinkle area, total wrinkle count, and average wrinkle depth. Therefore, bee-venom serum may be effective for the improvement of skin wrinkles.

Antibacterial Activity and Antibiotic-Enhancing Effects of Honeybee Venom against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), along with other antibiotic resistant bacteria, has become a significant social and clinical problem. There is thus an urgent need to develop naturally bioactive compounds as alternatives to the few antibiotics that remain effective. Here we assessed the in vitro activities of bee venom (BV), alone or in combination with ampicillin, penicillin, gentamicin or vancomycin, on growth of MRSA strains. The antimicrobial activity of BV against MRSA strains was investigated using minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) and a time-kill assay. Expression of atl which encodes murein hydrolase, a peptidoglycan-degrading enzyme involved in cell separation, was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The MICs of BV were 0.085 µg/mL and 0.11 µg/mL against MRSA CCARM 3366 and MRSA CCARM 3708, respectively. The MBC of BV against MRSA 3366 was 0.106 µg/mL and that against MRSA 3708 was 0.14 µg/mL. The bactericidal activity of BV corresponded to a decrease of at least 3 log CFU/g cells. The combination of BV with ampicillin or penicillin yielded an inhibitory concentration index ranging from 0.631 to 1.002, indicating a partial and indifferent synergistic effect. Compared to ampicillin or penicillin, both MRSA strains were more susceptible to the combination of BV with gentamicin or vancomycin. The expression of atl gene was increased in MRSA 3366 treated with BV. These results suggest that BV exhibited antibacterial activity and antibiotic-enhancing effects against MRSA strains. The atl gene was increased in MRSA exposed to BV, suggesting that cell division was interrupted. BV warrants further investigation as a natural antimicrobial agent and synergist of antibiotic activity.

Whitening Effect of Watersoluble Royal Jelly from South Korea.

Royal jelly has been widely used as a health supplement worldwide. However, royal jelly has been implicated in allergic reactions, and we developed a water-soluble royal jelly (WSRJ) without the allergy inducing protein. In this study, we aimed to identify the anti-melanogenic efficacy of WSRJ. B16F1 melanoma cells were first treated with 10 nM α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and then with various doses of WSRJ. In addition, we investigated the mRNA and protein expression of melanogenesis-related genes such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1) and TRP-2 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. WSRJ directly inhibited tyrosinase and cellular tyrosinase activity, which decreased melanin synthesis in α-MSH stimulated B16F1 melanoma cells a level comparable to that observed with arbutin. WSRJ decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2, which was comparable to that observed with arbutin. WSRJ has strong anti-melanogenic activity, which invoice direct inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme activity and suppression of expression of melanogenesis related genes. Results from this study suggests that WSRJ is a potential candidate for the treatment of skin pigmentation.

Isolation of abscisic acid from Korean acacia honey with anti-Helicobacter pylori activity

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is linked to the development of the majority of peptic ulcers and some types of gastric cancers, and its antibiotic resistance is currently found worldwide. Objective: This study is aimed at evaluating the anti-H. pylori activity of Korean acacia honey and isolating the related active components using organic solvents. Material and Methods: The crude acacia honey was extracted with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol. The EtOAc extract was subjected to octadecyl-silica chromatography. The extracts and fractions were then examined for anti-H. pylori activity using the agar well diffusion method. The antimicrobial activity of abscisic acid against H. pylori was investigated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs), and by performing a time-kill assay. Results: Abscisic acid related to the botanical origins of acacia honey from Korea has been analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography. The MICs and MBCs of abscisic acid were 2.7 ± 1.3 and 6.9 ± 1.9 μg/mL, respectively. The bactericidal activity of abscisic acid (at 10.8 μg/mL corresponding to 4 × MIC) killed the organism within 36–72 h. These results suggest that abscisic acid isolated from Korean acacia honey has antibacterial activity against H. pylori. Conclusion: Abscisic acid isolated from Korean acacia honey can be therapeutic and may be further exploited as a potential lead candidate for the development of treatments for H. pylori-induced infections. Abbreviations used: MeOH: Methanol; EtOAc: Ethyl acetate; TSB: Trypticase soy broth; MIC: Minimum inhibitory concentration; MBC: Minimum bactericidal concentration; CFU: Colony-forming units; UPLC: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography; DAD: Diode array detector; UV: Ultraviolet; ODS: Octadecyl-silica; MS: Mass spectrometry; SE: Standard error.

Evaluation of Honeybee Viral Safety from the Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) Venom

Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) venom (BV) is a good candidate for development as a therapeutic modality for the treatment of acne vulgaris. However, BV has been restricted in the development of medical agents because BV has not been registered as an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). The aim of this study was to evaluate viral safety of BV, as biological origin agents. The viral diseases of honeybees were reported at least 18 virus types. Using RT-PCR we evaluated infected honeybees, BV isolated bee venom sac from virus infected honeybee, and BV collected from honeybees using BV collector for the presence of the seven bee viruses, complete genome sequence including Sacbrood virus (SBV), Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV), and Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV). The SBV, BQCV, DWV, CBPV, ABPV, KBV, and IAPV were not detected both BV isolated bee venom sac from virus infected honeybee and BV collected from honeybees using BV collector. According to these results, we have meanwhile observed that BV and BV sac might be safety for bee viruses contamination. We suggest that BV could be used a good candidate for API.

Development of Quantitative Analysis for Abscisic Acid in Korean Acacia Honey by UPLC

Acacia honey, which was collected from nectar of Robinia pseudoacacia by honeybee, is produced more than any other honey in Korea. It is known to have antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori that induced gastric disease. In present study, quantitative analysis for abscisic acid which was reported as anti-H. pylori compound in acacia honey was developed and validated by UPLCDAD. The UPLC method was established using Halo C18 column (2.1×100mm, 2μm) that eluted gradient system by acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid at 263nm of detection wavelength. The method was completely validated by specificity, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision and accuracy. Also, the established UPLC method was possible to quantitative analysis for abscisic acid in Korean acacia honeys collected from 8 different areas. These results suggest that the developed UPLC method could be sufficiently applied for quality evaluation of Korean acacia honeys.

Evaluation of the skin phototoxicity and photosensitivity of honeybee venom

Bee (Apis mellifera L.) venom (BV) has been used as a cosmetic ingredient owing to its anti‐aging, anti‐inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. The aim of this study was to assess the skin safety of BV.

Purification of Phospholipase A₂ from Honeybee Venom

PLA₂ is the second highest content of bee venom components next to the melittin. However, unlike melittin has various pharmacological effects, PLA₂ has been known as an allergen and thus most researches on PLA₂ were focused on removing it or inhibiting its activity. Recently, PLA₂ is effective in the treatment of liver damage and cancer cell suppression. PLA₂ is in the spotlight as an active ingredient of pharmaceuticals. In this study, we developed a method for effective isolation of PLA₂ from bee venom. Sep-pak cartridge column was used to separate pure PLA₂ from the TFA / MeCN mobile phase after 6 steps including column stabilization and bee venom injection. The purity was 99.7±0.03% and the yield was 37.5±3.6%, proving that PLA₂ of high purity can be effectively separated by this method. Purified PLA₂ activity, as well as standard PLA₂ activity had the growth inhibitions against hepatocellular carcinoma cells. This study will be useful for the research on physiological activity of PLA₂ and the development of various pharmaceuticals containing PLA₂.