Five phenylbutenoid derivatives from the rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) were evaluated for their P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitory effects in a P-gp over-expressing multidrug resistant (MDR) human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7/ADR. As a result, a phenylbutenoid dimer, (+/-)-trans-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4-[(E)-3,4-dimethoxystyryl]cyclohex-1-ene (1), exhibited highly potent P-gp inhibitory activity, decreasing the IC(50) value of daunomycin (DNM) to 4.31 +/- 0.40 microm in the cells (DNM IC(50) = 37.1 +/- 0.59 microm). The positive control, verapamil decreased the IC(50) value of DNM to 6.94 +/- 0.40 microm. Three phenylbutenoid monomers, 2-4 from this plant, also resulted in a significant decrease in the IC(50) values of DNM compared with the control. In particular, compound 1 markedly enhanced [(3)H]-DNM accumulation and significantly reduced [(3)H]-DNM efflux compared with the control, and this effect was more potent than that of verapamil, a well-known P-gp inhibitor. These results suggest that compound 1 of Z. cassumunar can be developed as a potent chemo-sensitizing agent that reverses P-gp-mediated MDR in human cancer chemotherapy.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of di- and sesquiterpenoids isolated from the pods of Sindora sumatrana Miq. (Leguminosae) on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function in an adriamycin-resistant human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7/ADR. Over-expression of P-gp is known to be one of the mechanisms involved in multidrug resistance (MDR), which is a major obstacle in clinical cancer treatment. Among six di- and sesquiterpenoids extracted from S. sumatrana, (+)-7beta-acetoxy-15,16-epoxycleroda-3,13(16),14-trien-18-oic acid (1) showed a strong P-gp inhibitory effect, as great as that of verapamil, a representative P-gp inhibitor. Compound 1 enhanced daunomycin accumulation more than fourfold and significantly decreased daunomycin efflux compared with control, resulting in a decrease in the IC(50) value for daunomycin. These results suggest that compound 1 inhibits the functioning of P-gp and, therefore, can be developed as an MDR-reversing agent.

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The aim of this study is to propose the development of textile auxiliaries for the dyeing and finishing industry in the Busan region. Through advanced research, we studied the present and potentially future industry for textile auxiliaries related to dyeing and finishing processes. With the difficulties regarding textile auxiliaries for dyeing and finishing in the Busan region, we propose three main suggestions to enable the systematic preparation and development plan of textile auxiliaries in dyeing and finishing processes. The three main suggestions are related to (i) the environment formation for development of textile auxiliaries, (ii) the new technology, and (iii) the environment formation for the entry of international market. In conclusion, we discuss the need to secure the new technology and prepare the system for technology commercialization and a new market opening related to textile auxiliaries. In addition, human resource development and support by the local government are other considerations.

Mitigation of heavy metal toxicity by iron containing superoxide dismutase (FeSOD) of Streptomyces subrutilus P5 was investigated. For E. coli DH5α, the survival rate in the presence of 0.1 mM lead ions was only 7% after 120 min; however, with the addition of 0.1 μM of purified native FeSOD the survival rate increased to 39%. This detoxification effect was also shown with 0.01 mM copper ions (survival increased from 6% to 50%), and the effect was stronger than with the use of EDTA. E. coli M15[pREP4] producing 6xHis-tagged FeSOD was constructed, and this showed an increase in survival rates throughout the incubation time; in the presence of 0.1 mM lead ions,the final increase at 60 min was from 3% to 19%. The FeSOD absorbed about 123 g-atom lead per subunit; therefore, we suggest that FeSOD could sequestrate toxic heavy metals to enhance bacterial survival against heavy metal contamination.