The uniform nanofibers of polyurethane with different contents of Juniperus Chinensis extracts were successfully prepared by electrospinning method. Polyurethane is widely used as functional polymers in the industrials, medical field as their properties can be tailor-made by adjusting their compositions. Juniperus Chinensis has been reported for anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral activities. PU/Juniperus Chinensis extracts composite nanofibers were produced at different Juniperus Chinensis extracts concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5wt.%). The effects of the major parameters in electrospinning process such as tip to collector distance (TCD), voltage, polymer concentration on the average diameter of electrospun nanoweb were investigated. As results, 12wt% PU solution concentration, 8kV applied voltage and 15cm tip to collector distance were identified as optimum conditions for electrospinning the composite nanofibers. The diameter and morphology of the nanocomposite nanofibers were confirmed by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The resulting fibers exhibited a uniform diameter ranging from 435nm∼547nm. It has been found that the average diameters of fibers decreased by the adding of Juniperus Chinensis extracts. These nanowebs can be used for medical materials, protective clothing, and antimicrobial filters.

전기방사는 높은 비표면적을 가지는 마이크로∼나노 단위 직경의 나노섬유를 생산하는 간단하고 효율적인 공정이 다. 따라서 식물 추출물과 폴리머를 혼합한 방사용액으로 손쉽게 의료용 나노섬유의 제조가 가능하다. 향나무는 라 디칼 생성, 화상, 세포손상과 같은 자외선과 SLS에 의한 피부손상을 방지하는데 효과적이라고 알려져 있다. 또한 방미효과와 함께 집먼지 진드기 방지 효과가 보고된 바 있다. 전기방사로 향나무 추출물을 함유하여 제조한 PVA 나노섬유를 연구하였다. 향나무 추출물의 서로 다른 농도(0.25, 0.5, 1.5 wt. %)를 함유하는 PVA/향나무 추출물 나노 복합섬유를 제조하였으며 방사용액의 농도, 인가전압, TCD 등의 전기방사 조건을 최적화 하였다. 연구결과 균일한 PVA/향나무 추출물 나노 복합섬유을 얻을 수 있는 최적 조건으로 PVA 농도는 12wt%, 인가전압은 10 Kv, TCD는 10∼20 cm로 나타나났다. 제조된 전기방사 나노 복합섬유의 형태 및 미세구조를 SEM을 통해 관찰하였다. 향나무 추출물의 첨가에 의해 나노섬유의 직경이 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 결과적으로 310∼360 nm의 직경범위를 가지 는 PVA/향나무 추출물 복합 나노섬유가 전기방사를 통해 성공적으로 얻어졌다.

The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-metastatic effect of Juniperus chinensis extract by inhibition of galectin-3 expression. For this study, we carried out the experiment of galectin-3 expression assay and in vivo metastasis mouse model bearing colon 26-M3.1 lung carcinoma, and also MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 inhibitory assays relating metastasis mechanism. J. chinensis extract significantly showed the inhibitory effect of basal expression and MNNG-induced expression of galectin-3 in colon 26-M3.1 lung carcinoma at the all tested doses (5, 50 and 500 ㎍/㎖). In case of the inhibition of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9, the weak activity was showed at the doses of 50 and 500 ㎍/㎖ and was not detected at the dose of 5 ㎍/㎖. However, J. chinensis extract significantly showed the anti metastatic activity on mouse mode bearing colon 26-M3.1 lung carcinoma. Therefore, this study strongly suggests that J. chinensis is a potent inhibitor of galectin-3 expression, and holds great promise for use in inhibiting metastasis induced by elevated expression of galectin-3.