• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.125-138
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• 2014

Objective : Polycan, exopolymers purified from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001 and calcium gluconate have been showed favorable inhibitory effects on the periodontitis and related alveolar bone losses through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, respectively. In the present study, we intended to observe the possible synergic effects of mixed formula consisted of Polycan and calcium gluconate on ligation-induced experimental periodontitis and related alveolar bone losses in rats, and to select the fittest compositions for further developing as effective agents to ameliorate periodontal diseases. Method : Experiments were conducted as two separated two tests - first is synergic effects of Polycan and calcium gluconate 1:1, 1:9 and 9:1 mixtures, and second is 1:99, 2:98, 4:96, 8:92 and 1:9 mixtures. Experimental periodontal diseases were induced by ligature placed around the cervix of upper left incisior teeth of rats. One day after ligation placements, 200mg/kg of each single or mixed formulas of Polycan or/and calcium gluconate were orally administered for 10 days. The changes on the alveolar bone loss index and maxillary bone mineral density (BMD) were observed for detecting alveolar bone losses, and for anti-inflammatory effects, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and proinflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor; TNF-${\alpha}$) contents were also evaluated in gingival tissues around ligature placed incisior teeth. The results of mixtures were compared with those of singe Polycan and calcium gluconate treated rat. Results : Each single or mixed formulas of Polycan or/and calcium gluconate favorably and significantly inhibited the inflammatory changes. The inhibitory effects of mixed formula consisted of Polycan and calcium gluconate 1:9 showed against periodontitis and related alveolar bone losses as compared with those of each Polycan and calcium gluconate single formula (p<0.05). In second experiment, Polycan and calcium gluconate 2:98, 4:96, 8:92 and 1:9 mixed formulas also showed significant increased anti-inflammatory and inhibitory effects against alveolar bone losses as compared with those of each single formula. Among them, Polycan and calcium gluconate 2:98 showed the highest efficacy against to ligation-induced experimental periodontitis and related alveolar bone losses. Conclusion : The results obtained in this study suggest that appropriated mixtures of Polycan and calcium gluconate showed synergic inhibitory effects against ligation-induced experimental periodontitis and related alveolar bone losses in rats. Moreover, Polycan and calcium gluconate 2:98 showed the highest efficacies in this experiment, suggesting the fittest composition for further developing as effective agents to ameliorate periodontal diseases.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 2021

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-atrophic effect of polycan in dexamethasone-induced skeletal muscle atrophy in vitro model. Methods : C2C12 myoblast were differentiated into myotube by 2% horese serum medium for 6 days, and then treated polycan extract at different concentrations for 24h. The effect of dexamethasone on the induction of muscle atrophy and expression of atrophy-related genes in differentiated C2C12 myotubes using a GSH, ROS, real-time PCR, western blots analysis. Results : The results showed that Treatment with polycan (100 and 200 ㎍/㎖) noncytotoxic levels on both myoblast and myotube. Polycan decreased the ROS level overproduced with dexamethasone and improved the depletion of GSH level. Dexamethasone showed a decrease in myotube diameter, which was associated with up-regulation muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases markers, such as atrogin-1, FoxO3, myostatin and muscle RING finger-1 (MuRF1), and down-regulation of myogenin, MEF2, Myogenic regulatory factor 5, 6 and MyoD. The results showed that polycan treatment significantly dose-dependently inhibited it. Furthermore, decreased expressions of PI3K/Akt signal pathway by dexamethasone were reversed by treatment with polycan. Conclusions : Thus, polycan suppresses dexamethasone induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotube in vitro model through activation of PI3K/Akt pathway and protective effect of improve skeletal muscle function.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.274-282
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• 2012

The object of this study was to assess the efficacy of Polycan from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001, which is composed mostly of beta-1,3-1,6-glucan, on osteoarthritis (OA)-induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection and partial medial meniscectomy (ACLT&PMM). Three different dosages of Polycan (85, 42.5, and 21.25 mg/kg) were orally administered once a day for 84 days to male rats a week after ACLT&PMM surgery. Changes in the circumference and maximum extension angle of each knee, and in cartilage histopathology were assessed using Mankin scores 12 weeks after Polycan administration. In addition, cartilage proliferation was evaluated using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). As the result of ACLT&PMM, classic OA was induced with increases in maximum extension angles, edematous knees changes, and capsule thickness, as well as decreases in chondrocyte proliferation, cartilages degenerative changes, and loss of articular cartilage. However, these changes (except for capsule thickness) were markedly inhibited in all Polycan- and diclofenac sodium-treated groups compared with OA control. Although diclofenac sodium did not influence BrdU uptake, BrdU-immunoreactive cells were increased with all dosages of Polycan, which means that Polycan treatment induced proliferation of chondrocytes in the surface articular cartilage of the tibia and femur. The results obtained in this study suggest that 84 days of continuous oral treatment of three different dosages of Polycan led to lesser degrees of articular stiffness and histological cartilage damage compared with OA controls 91 days after OA inducement, suggesting that the optimal Polycan dosage to treat OA is 42.5 mg/kg based on the present study.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2008

In this research the genotoxic effect of $Polycan^{TM}$ ${\beta}$-glucans originated from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001, was evaluated using the mouse micronucleus test. $Polycan^{TM}$ was administered once a day for 2 days by oral gavage to male ICR mice at doses of 1000, 500 and 250 mg/kg. Cyclophosphamide was used as a known genotoxic agent in a positive control group. The appearance of a micronucleus is used as an index for genotoxic potential. The results obtained indicated that $Polycan^{TM}$ shows no genotoxicity effect up to 1000 mg/kg dosing levels. In addition, it is also considered that there were no problems from cytotoxicity of $Polycan^{TM}$ tested in this study because the polychromatic erythrocyte ratio was detected as > 0.47 in all tested groups.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.330-336
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• 2015

Polycan originating from Aureobasidium pullulans is mostly composed of β-1, 3/1, 6 glucans and possesses an anti-osteoporotic effect. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine the efficacy and safety of the polycan on bone biochemical markers in healthy perimenopausal women. Sixty subjects were randomly allocated to 2 groups-group 1 received 400 mg of polycan and group 2 received placebo-these were administered once daily for 28 days. Fasting blood and urine samples were collected at baseline and 4 weeks after treatment. The primary outcome was change in osteocalcin (OSC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP). Changes in calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), C-telopeptide of collagen cross-links (CTx), N-telopeptide of collagen cross-links (NTx), and deoxypyridinoline (DPYR) were the secondary outcomes. A safety assessment was performed using adverse event (AE) and laboratory data. After 4 weeks of polycan treatment, OSC, DPYR, and BALP levels changed (P < 0.05) significantly from baseline in both groups. However, no significant differences were observed in any markers between the 2 groups, except for P (P < 0.05). Interestingly, group 2 showed a significant increase in CTx (65.2%, P < 0.05), while CTx in group 1 slightly increased (17.2%). Both groups showed no significant differences in AE. Although 4 weeks of polycan treatment did not have a statistically significant effect on bone metabolism biomarkers, increases in CTx were modestly inhibited by polycan. Further studies in a large population and longer treatment periods are needed to confirm the effect of polycan on bone turnover.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.223-229
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of polycan-calcium gluconate complex on the levels of immune and inflammatory mediators in gingival crevicular fluid and serum from patients with periodontitis. A total of 39 patients with periodontitis took placebo (placebo group) or polycan-calcium gluconate complex (treatment group) twice a day for 4 weeks. At baseline and 4 weeks, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and blood was collected from each subjects. The secretion level of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ in GCF was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot analysis was conducted to determine the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ in GCF. Serum samples were analysed for MMP-8 by ELISA and C-reactive protein (CRP) by turbidimetric immuno assay. MMP-8 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were significantly decreased in the treatment group at 4 weeks. The level of $IL-1{\beta}$ in the treatment group was significantly lower than those of the placebo group. No differences were observed in CRP levels. Taken together, these data indicate that taking of polycan-calcium gluconate complex led to reduction of inflammatory biomarkers in serum and GCF of periodontitis patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.835-843
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• 2020

Obesity, the world's leading metabolic disease, is a serious health problem in both industrialized and developing countries. Natural substances are of great interest in preventative medicine, especially in the field of metabolic syndromes-from insulin resistance to obesity and diabetes. In the present study, we investigated the effect of A. pullulans SM-2001 Extract (Polycan^®) on the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and the anti-obesity effect of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Although β-glucan has been found to have health benefits in the regulation of the immune system and blood cholesterol levels, its role in obesity has not been fully investigated. Polycan^® suppressed lipid accumulation and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity without affecting cell viability in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes. Polycan^® also inhibited cellular lipid accumulation through down-regulation of transcription factors, such as PPARγ and C/EBPα, and induced dose-dependent phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-a cellular energy sensor-while the total AMPK protein content remained unchanged. Taken together, this shows that the activation of AMPK by Polycan^® in adipocytes plays a critical role in Polycan^®-induced inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. Our results show that Polycan^® has an anti-obesity action in vitro, suggesting a potential novel preventative agent for obesity and other metabolic diseases.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.361-365
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• 2005

This study was conducted to obtain the acute information of the oral dose toxicity of Polycan - originated from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001 (half of the dry material is -1,3/1,6-glucans), a UV induced mutant of A. pullulans, having various pharmacological effects, in male and female mice. In order to calculate $50\%$ lethal dose $(LD_{50})$, approximate LD and target organs, test article was administered twice by oral gavage to male and female ICR mice at total 1000, 500 and 250mg/kg. The mortality and changes on body weight, clinical signs and gross observation were monitored during 14 days after dosing. As the results, we could not find any mortalities, clinical signs, changes in the body weight and gross findings. The results obtained in this study suggest that the Polycan is non-toxic in mice and is therefore likely to be safe for clinical use. The L050 and approximate $(LD_{50})$ in mice after single oral dose of Polycan were considered over 1000 mg/kg, respectively.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2010

The effect of beta-glucan ($Polycan^{TM}$) derived from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001 were observed on, collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in DBA mice. Six week-old male DBA/1J mice were immunized by the intradermal injection of $200\;{\mu}g$ of bovine type II collagen with the equal volume of complete Freund's adjuvant at the tail base on day 1. On day 21, the mice were boosted by the intradermal injection of $200\;{\mu}g$ of bovine type II collagen with incomplete Freund's adjuvant. From the first immunization, mice had been administered $Polycan^{TM}$ (21.25, 42.5 and 85 mg/kg), diclofenac and vehicle once a day for 4 weeks, respectively. Collagen-induced hyperimmunities and arthritis signs were markedly and dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of $Polycan^{TM}$ compared with RA control except for tibial cartilages of $Polycan^{TM}$ 21.25 group. $Polycan^{TM}$ effectively inhibited the histopathological changes of collagen-induced arthritis and hyper-immunities.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1199-1203
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• 2011

The present study evaluated the beneficial effects of polycalcium (a mixture of Polycan and calcium lactate-gluconate 1:9 [g/g]) on osteoporosis using in vitro assays. Cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activities of osteoblasts (human primary osteoblasts) and osteoclast differentiation of RAW264.7 cells (murine osteoclast progenitor cells) treated with different concentrations of polycalcium for various periods were assessed. Osteoblast proliferation was stimulated and prevented RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation of RAW264.7 cells. These results support the development of ideal anti-osteoporotic agents, such as polycalcium, that exhibit properties that accelerate bone formation and inhibit bone resorption.