Background: The objective of this study were to determine the antibacterial activity and antibiotic activity-enhancing effect of 70% ethanol extract of the root of Rumex japonicus Houtt. and its fractions when used in combination with gentamicin against aerobic skin flora. Methods and Results: The antibacterial activity and antibiotic (gentamicin) activity enhancing effect against aerobic skin flora were determined using the disc diffusion assay. Chloroform fraction (CF) and ethyl acetate fraction (EF) showed higher activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis than those shown by other fractions. Regarding the antibiotic (gentamicin) activity-enhancing effect against aerobic skin flora, the n-hexane fraction (HF) and CF showed strong activity. The combination of HF and CF with gentamicin was evaluated using the broth dilution assay to determine the inhibitory effect on the growth of aerobic skin flora. The combination of CF with gentamicin exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus and S. epdermidis. MTT assay performed to determine the viability of L929 cells revealed that EF treatment resulted in viability of 33.96 - 116.76% at the tested concentration. The combination of 70% ethanol extract and its other fractions with gentamicin showed low cell toxicity. Conclusions: Appropriate use of antimicrobial agents is important prior to the development of new antibiotics. The 70% ethanol extract of the root of R. japonicus Houtt. and its fractions showed significant synergism with gentamicin when used in combination against S. aureus and S. epdermidis. Thus, R. japonicus Houtt. could be used as a functional materials in antimicrobial-related fields.

Background: We investigated the antioxidative and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of 70% ethanol extract, and its fractions, of the root of Rumex japonicus HOUTT. Methods and Results: The total phenolic compound contents of the 70% ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction were 168.99㎎/ g and 651.78㎎/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity was compared through the DPPH radical and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assays. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest DPPH radical and NO scavenging abilities, which confirmed the antioxidant activity. Specifically, the ethyl acetate fraction showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging ability than ascorbic acid. These results were related to the total phenolic compound content of the ethyl acetate fraction. Moreover, in the tyrosinase inhibition assay, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited stronger inhibitory activity than arbutin, which was used as the positive control. The cell viability of L929 cells was analyzed by MTT assay after treatment with 70% ethanol extract and all fractions; no changes in viability were observed, which demonstrated the nontoxic nature of the extract and fractions. Conclusions: These results suggested that the extract from the root of R. japonicus and its ethyl acetate fraction could be a novel resource for the development of a cosmetic with antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activity.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the antioxidat and antimicrobial activities of the methanol extract and its fractions prepared from the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis L. Methods and Results: The antioxidant activities were compared by evaluating the DPPH radical and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging ability. Measurement of DPPH radical scavenging ability showed that the SC50 values of the ethyl acetate fraction was 3.85 ㎍/㎖. The ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the most effective DPPH radical scavenging ability compared with the other samples. As for the NO scavenging ability, at all tested concentrations, the ethyl acetate fraction showed a higher scavenging activity than that of the extract and other fractions. These results are related to the total phenolic compound and flavonoid contents of the ethyl acetate fraction. Antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens was investigated using the disc diffusion assay. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antimicrobial activity against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. However, the chloroform fraction had a higher antimicrobial activity against gram-negative Vibrio vulnificus than that of the extract and other fractions. Conclusions: The results show that the ethyl acetate fraction had a higher antioxidant as well as antimicrobial activity, than did the other samples. Therefore, the ethyl acetate fraction has potential application in the food industry.

Background: In this study, we investigated the antibacterial and nitric oxide (NO) production inhibitory activities of 75% ethanol extract of Prunus sargentii branches and its fractions against acne pathogens. Methods and Results: The antibacterial activity against acne causing pathogens was determined using the disc diffusion assay. The ethyl acetate fraction showed higher activities against Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis than those shown by other fractions. In the DPPH radical and NO scavenging assays, the butanol fraction showed strong DPPH radical and NO scavenging abilities. These activities were related to the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of butanol fraction. On the other hand, the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions exhibited the highest NO production inhibitory activity in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells compared to those exhibited by other fractions. Conclusions: The extract and its ethyl acetate fraction from the branches of P. sargentii exhibited antibacterial activity and could be used as functional materials in antimicrobial related fields. Moreover, the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions are potential antiinflammatory agents and butanol fraction acts as an effective radical scavenger.

Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration can cause serious health problems in individuals of all age groups and requires immediate diagnosis and intervention. Patients with psychiatric disorders can aspirate foreign objects that may pose a danger to their health. Herein, we report on a case of curtain clip aspiration in a 44-year-old man with mental retardation. Chest radiography and bronchoscopy showed a sharp, pointed, S-shaped curtain clip inversely lodged in his left main bronchus. The curtain clip was removed successfully using flexible bronchoscopy, and no complications were noted.