• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2014

Curcumin is naturally occurring polyphenolic compound found in turmeric and has many pharmacological activities. The present study was undertaken to evaluate anti-allergic inflammatory activity of curcumin, and to investigate its inhibitory mechanisms in immunoglobulin E (IgE)/Ag-induced mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and in a mouse model of IgE/Ag-mediated passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA). Curcumin inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) dependent prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) dependent leukotriene $C_4$ ($LTC_4$) generation dose-dependently in BMMCs. To probe the mechanism involved, we assessed the effects of curcumin on the phosphorylation of Syk and its downstream signal molecules. Curcumin inhibited intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx via phospholipase $C{\gamma}1$ ($PLC{\gamma}1$) activation and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) pathway. Furthermore, the oral administration of curcumin significantly attenuated IgE/Ag-induced PSA, as determined by serum $LTC_4$, $PGD_2$, and histamine levels. Taken together, this study shows that curcumin offers a basis for drug development for the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 1987

NADPH oxidase dependent superoxide generation and phagocytosis in neutrophils stimulated with opsonized zymosan or heat aggregated IgG were coincided with the process of calcium uptake. The responses in activated neutrophils were enhanced with increasing concentrations of extracellular calcium and these effects were significantly inhibited by calcium chelators, EGTA and EDTA. The superoxide generation in activated neutrophils was reduced by dantrolene and chlorpromazine. Calcium antagonists, bepredil, diltiazem, verapamil, nifedipine and nimodipine effectively inhibited the calcium uptake, superoxide generation and phagocytosis in activated neutrophils, and NADPH oxidase activity was also inhibited. The results suggest that calcium antagonists may inhibit the superoxide generation and phagocytosis in activted neurtophils by the inhibition of calcium influx and by the action on intracellular redistribution of calcium and NADPH oxidase system.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.139-146
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• 2010

The inhibitory effects of 25 polyphenols against in vitro allergic reactions were compared using biochemical and cell assays. Three polyphenols including curcumin, gallic acid, and quercetin suppressed the release of $\beta$-hexosaminidase from ionophore A23187-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells more effectively (>50% inhibition at $100{\mu}M$ concentration). They were found to have potencies in suppressing the release of histamine not only from ionophore A23187-, but also from immunoglobulin E (IgE)-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Moreover, such suppressive effects of the three polyphenols were also observed in A23187 plus PMA-costimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. The extent of inhibition were quantified as the respective polyphenol concentration that inhibit 50% ($IC_{50}$) of $\beta$-hexosaminidase or histamine release, showing an inhibition tendency with decreasing order of curcumin>gallic acid>quercetin. Down-regulation of $Ca^{2+}$ influx was suggested as the cause of the inhibition of $\beta$-hexosaminidase and histamine releases in these cells. The immune process inhibition was confirmed by the observed reduction in the gene expressions and release of pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-$1\beta$, and IL-4, due probably to antioxidant activity of the polyphenols. These findings illustrate that curcumin, gallic acid, and quercetin may be beneficial against allergic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.12-21
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• 2018

Photorhabdus temperata (PT), a gram-negative bacterium, lives symbiotically within entomopathogenic nematodes. The insecticidal compounds derived from Photorhabdus are used as biopesticides in agriculture. However, the physiological properties are not well characterized. In the course of our screening for neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory substances from natural products, the culture broth of PT showed considerable activities. By activity-guided purification, five anthraquinones, namely, 3-methoxychrysazine (1), 1,3-dimethoxy-8-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (2), 1,3,8-trihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (3), 3,8-dihydroxy-1-methoxy-9,10-anthraquinone (4), and 1,3,4-trimethoxy-8-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (5), were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the PT culture broth. Among the isolated compounds, $75{\mu}M$ 3 significantly protected mouse hippocampal neuronal cells (HT22) against 5 mM glutamate-induced cell death via the inhibition of reactive oxygen species production, $Ca^{2+}$ influx, and lipid peroxidation. Additionally, 3 and 4 effectively suppressed the interferon-${\gamma}$-induced neuroinflammation of mouse-derived microglial cells (BV2) at 10 ng/ml, via the reduction of nitric oxide, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$. Anthraquinones 3 and 4 derived from the PT culture broth are a potential starting point to discover neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory drug leads. The novel compound 5 is reported for the first time in this study.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.402-414
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• 1988

In order to clarify the receptor types and mechanisms underlying the positive inotropic effect of dopamine on the mammalian ventricular myocardium, the action potential, its first derivatives and isometric contraction of the rabbit papillary muscle were recorded using a force transducer and glass capillary microelectrodes filled with 3M KCl. The results were as follows; (1) In normal Tyrode solution, the contractile force was increased and duration of action potential was shortened with increments of dopamine concentration ($10^{-6}-10^{-4}M$). (2) The dose-response curve was markedly shifted to the right by pretreatment with reserpine (5mg/kg i.p., 24hrs prior to the experiment). (3) In 19mM $K^+-Tyrode$ solution, the duration of action potential, maximum rate of rise (V_{max}) of action potential and overshoot were significantly increased with increments of dopamine concentration ($10^{-6}-10^{-4}M$). (4) The inotropic effect of dopamine on the rabbit papillary muscle pretreated with reserpine was antagonized by atenolol ($10^{-6}M$), but not by phentolamine ($3{\times}10^{-6}M$). (5) In rabbit papillary muscle partially depolarized by 19mM $K^+-Tyrode$ solution, slow electrical response (calcium mediated action potential) as well as contraction were restored by dopamine ($10^{-4}M$); this restoration was blocked by calcium antagonists ($3{\times}10^{-5}M$ $LaCl_3{\cdot}6H_2O$, $3{\times}10^{-6}M$ diltiazem) or ${\beta}-adrenoceptor$ antagonist ($3{\times}10^{-6}M$ atenolol), but not affected by ${\alpha}-adrenoceptor$ antagonist ($10^{-5}M$ phentolamine, $3{\times}10^{-6}M$ yohimbine) or vascular dopaminergic receptor antagonist ($10^{-5}M$ haloperidol). The above results may be interpreted as that the positive inotropic effect of dopamine through both direct and indirect action are caused by increase in slow inward current ($Ca^{2+}$ influx into themyocardial cell), and the direct action is mainly due to the stimulation of ${\beta}-adrenoceptors$ in the rabbit papillary muscle.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate nutrient dynamics and water quantity of throughfall and stemflow in natural oak stands in Korea. The ratio of the total throughfnll and stemflow to the amount of precipitation varied with locations. It was considered that the ratio was affected not only by the characteristics of tree species but also by regional, weather and other environmental conditions. It was, therefore, necessary to set up a water control system to launch a tending project for natural oak stands. Comparisons of nutrient amount in throughfall among regions reflected regional characteristics. $Ca^{2+},\;Mg^{2+}$ and $K^+$ ions were leached from the canopy and yellow sand accumulation. $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ were marine-borne. $NO_3^-$ and $SO_4^{2-}$ resulted from dry deposition of air pollutants. Nutrient amount in the stemflow was as low as about 10% of that in the total throughfall and stemflow. The pH of stemflow in natural oak stands in urban areas ranged from 3 to 5. Influx of the acidic stemflow to soil could, in the long term, affect pH in soil solution and nutrient dynamics around root zones.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2014

This study aimed to investigate the relaxation effects and its underlying mechanisms of Epimedium koreanum Nakai(EK) in phenylephrine(PE) treated isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. The dose-dependent relaxation responses of phenylephrine(PE, $1{\times}10^{-6}M$)-precontracted strips to EK at $0.01-3.0mg/m{\ell}$ were measured and also observed after endothelial denudation using organ bath. To analyze the underlying mechanisms of EK-induced relaxation, $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), methylene blue(MB), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), indomethacin(IM) were pretreated before EK extract infused into precontracted strips induced by PE. To investigate cytotoxic activity and nitric oxide(NO) concentration of EK extract on EA.hy926 cells, mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity(MTT) assay and nitric oxide detection kit were used. The cavernous strips were significantly relaxed by EK extract at $0.3mg/m{\ell}$, $1.0mg/m{\ell}$, $3.0mg/m{\ell}$ and the relaxation responses of PE-precontracted strips denuded endothelium also inhibited in comparison with intact endothelium. The pretreatment of L-NNA, MB, TEA reduced EK extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, but the pretreatment of IM didn't affect EK extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. When EK extract was applicated on EA.hy926 cells, the NO concentration was increased. Our findings have shown that EK extract exerts a relaxing effect on corpus cavernosum in part by suppressing influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through activating the NO-cGMP system.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2010

Water extracts from 20 medicinal plants, traditionally used for postmenopausal symptoms in Korea, were examined for their vasorelaxant activity in isolated rat thoracic aorta rings precontracted with norepinephrine (NE). Among the 20 medicinal plants, Cornus officinalis (CoEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Schisandra chinensis (ScEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Erythrina variegate (EvEx, 0.3 mg/mL), and Epimedium koreanum (EkEx, 0.3 mg/mL) showed rapid relaxation of endothelium-intact aorta ($69\pm4%$, $40\pm3%$, $25\pm2%$, and $23\pm3%$ of active tone induced by NE, respectively). In contrast, the extracts of Erythrina variegata (EvEx), Angelica gigas (AgEx), Pueraria thunbergiana (PtEx), and EkEx lead to gradual (i.e., long-term) relaxation to baseline in endothelium-intact vessels. The time to complete relaxation was 20～40 min. These 6 plant extracts were selected for the investigation of possible underlying mechanisms. The CoEx-, ScEx-, or EkEx-induced rapid relaxations were virtually abolished by endothelium denudation, and were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10 ${\mu}M$), indicating that increased formation of NO might contribute to the endothelium-mediated relaxation. In long-term responses, the endothelium denudation did not affect PtEx-induced relaxation, whereas it delayed responses by EvEx and AgEx, and significantly inhibited the effect of EkEx. Among EvEx, AgEx, and PtEx, EvEx attenuated the $CaCl_2$-induced vasoconstriction in high-potassium depolarized medium, implying that EvEx is involved in inhibition of the extracellular calcium influx to smooth muscle through voltage dependent calcium channels. These results provide the scientific rationale for the interrelationships between the use of 20 medicinal plants and their effects on cardiovascular health in estrogen deficient conditions.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.177-197
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• 1998

This experimental study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Yipahnsan on angiogenic inhibition mechanism. This study investigates the effects of Yipahnsan on angiogenic inhibition mechanism evaluate cell adhesive inhibition effect, DNA fragmantaion analysis, nuclear condensation assay, FACScan analysis, angiogenic lumen formation assay, immunocytochemistry analysis, RT-PCR for mRNA expression, western blot analysis, confocal analysis for $Ca^{2+}influx$. The results were summarized as follows : 1. The cell adhesive inhibition ability was strongly increased from $5{\mu}g/ml$ on ECV304 cell line and ECVPAR cell line. 2. YY water extract caused $G_0/G_1$ arrest peak to existed on the ECV304 cell line. 3. YY water extract caused inhibition of proliferation and inducement of apoptosis on the collagen coated plate in ECV304 cell line. 4. YY water extract inhibited the lumen formation on the matrigel coated plate in ECV304 cell line. 5. YY water extract inhibited the expressions of LFA-1 and ELAM-1 on ECV304 cell line and ECVPAR cell line. 6. YY water extract inhibited the expressions of MMP-9 and uPA on ECV304 cell line and ECVPAR cell line. 7. YY water extract inhibited the expression of integrin ${\alpha}_v{\beta}_3$ on ECV304 cell line and ECVPAR cell line. 8. YY water extract decreased the change of $Ca^{2+}$ in intracellular on ECV304 cell line and ECVPAR cell line. According to the results, Yipahnsan showed to be a key antagonist of integrin ${\alpha}_v{\beta}_3$, and to be induction of apoptosis by p53 through flow cytometry. This report also demonstrated that expressions of MMP-9 and uPA were blocked under the angiogenesis model. Thus, we suggested that Yipahnsan blocks angiogenesis by inducing apoptosis in ECV304 and ECVPAR cell lines, and another oriental herbal medicine that treats qi-stagnation and blood-stasis type also has angiogenic inhibition effects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.284-292
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• 2018

The melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), a cyclic hypothalamic peptide composed of 17 amino acids, was initially identified in chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) as a regulator of pigmentation. Mammalian MCHs are cyclic hypothalamic peptides composed of 19 amino acids that regulate food intake and energy homeostasis. The present study examined not only MCH expression of different tissues but also the melanohore aggregation and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx of fMCH and the other MCH. Real-time qPCR showed that MCH expressed specially in the brain, gonad, and ovary, and expression of MCH was observed during the developmental stages. In the application of synthetic fMCH and both types of synthetic fMCH, dN-fMCH and dC-fMCH, scale melanophore induced significant changes in aggregation activity with various concentrations of MCH. Also, compared to hMCH and sMCH, fMCH exhibited a 36~99.85% increase in relative potency (%), whereas aggregation of dN-fMCH and dC-fMCH remained in a high concentration. However, dispersion was induced rapidly according to be low concentration of dN-fMCH and dC-fMCH. We show that fMCH and its derivates were bound human MCHR1 and rat MCHR expressed in HEK293T cells with nano-molar affinity and are likely to be ligand-induced to mobilize intracellular $Ca^{2+}$. These results may provide new ligands for binding assay with MCHew ligands, as a structure similar to the mammalian MCH structure was discovered in fish. Once the fMCH receptor system is in place, it can be compared to the MCH system of mammals in terms of MCH function.