Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, CCN2) is one of the multi-functional secreted proteins which belong to CCN family of cysteine-rich growth factors. CTGF is known to have pivotal roles in embryonic endochondral ossification but its role in relevance to periodontitis is never been determined. To identify new molecular mediators associated with periodontitis-induced bone resorption, we have analyzed publicly available GEO database and found the markedly augmented CTGF mRNA expression in periodontitis gingival tissues. The existence of CTGF significantly enhanced mature osteoclasts survival which accompanied by reduction in TUNEL-positive nuclei and PARP cleavage. These results may provide another line of evidence the CTGF mediated prolonged osteoclast survival and subsequent increased bone resorption in the periodontitis patients.

Korean medicinal plants were screened for their inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease. The inhibitory activity of protease was determined by incubating the extracts in reaction mixtures containing protease and substrate His-Lys-Ala-Arg-Val-Leu-(p-NO2-Phe)-Glu-Ala-Nle-Ser-NH2 to perform proteolytic cleavage reactions. In this study the twenty six extracts from medicinal plants were investigated. Of the extracts tested, the extracts from the stem of Morus alba. exhibited the strongest activity with inhibition of 81% at a concentration of 100μg/ml. The extracts of the flower of Saxjfraga stolonifera, and stems of Euonymus japonica and Castanea crenata showed appreciable inhibitory activity (〉50%) against HIV-1 protease at same concentration.

Medicinal plants were screened for the inhibitory effects on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 pretense. Of the extracts tested, the strong inhibitory effects were observed in the acetone extracts of the pericarp of Camellia japonica. Camelliatannin H from the pericarp of C. japonica showed a potent inhibitory activity on HIV-1 pretense. Effects of the extract and compound from leaves of Zanthoxylum piperitum on the enzyme activities were investigated in the liver of bromobenzene-treated rats. The methanol extract and protocatechuic acid isolated from Z. pipetitum reduced the activity of aniline hydroxylase that increased by bromobenzene, while did not affect the activities of aminopyrin N-demethylase and glutathione S-transferase. The extract and protocatechuic acid recovered significantly the activity of epoxide hydrolase decreased by bromobenzene.