• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.29-37
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• 2019

Objectives : Bang-poong (Saposhnikovia divaricata; SD) was traditionally used to treat inflammatory disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether Bang-poong and related species including SD, Glehnia littoralis (GL), and Peucedanum japonicum (PJ) possess neuroprotective effects and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities. Methods : Roots of SD, GL and PJ were extracted with distilled water (DW) or 70% ethanol (EtOH). We assessed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activities of the extracts. To examine neuroprotective effects, we measured cell viability in PC12 or HT22 cells after treatment of the extracts with $H_2O_2$ or amyloid-beta ($A{\beta}$). To assess anti-neuroinflammatory effects, we measured the nitric oxide (NO) levels after treatment with the extracts and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV2 microglial cells. In addition, we performed AChE inhibition assay to explore effects of the extracts on the cholinergic system. Results : DW and EtOH extracts of SD, GL and PJ showed mild DPPH free radical scavenging activities. Also, DW extracts of GL and PJ showed protective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced toxicity in PC12 cells. In LPS-activated BV2 cells, EtOH extracts of SD, GL and PJ exerted inhibitory effects on NO production. Meanwhile, DW extracts of SD, GL and PJ inhibited the $A{\beta}$-induced cell death in HT22 cells. In addition, DW and EtOH extracts of GL exhibited remarkable inhibitory activities on AChE. Conclusions : We demonstrated that SD, GL and PJ exert anti-oxidative, anti-neuroinflammatory and AChE inhibitory activities. These results indicate that SD, GL and PJ could be potential candidates for neurological disorders.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.503-512
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• 2001

Objective : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of DDT on the brain damage and hypertension. Methods : We observed the effect of Dodamtang(DDT) extract on KCN-induced coma, focal brain ischemia by MCA occlusion, cytotoxicity and protection of PC12 cells and B103 cells induced by amyloid ${\beta}$ protein(25-35). To prove the effect of DDT as a blood pressure depressant, we measured aldosterone, renin activity, catecholamine, sodium and NO density using the seperated blood plasma. Results : DDT showed a protective effect on cytotoxicity of PC12 cells and B103 cells induced by amyloid ${\beta}$ protein(25-35) in a dose dependent manner and proved the significant abridgement of brain ischemic area and edema induced by MCA occlusion, a critical decrease of neurologic deficitic grade in the fore-limbs. DDT didn't reduce the duration of KCN(1.87mg/kg iv.)-induced coma and prolonged the survival rate in the case of KCN(3.0mg/kg iv.)-induced coma by the ratio of 20%. While DDT increased the value of NO in SHR, it significantly decreased the blood pressure of SHR and the value of aldosterone& epinephrine in SHR. Conclusions : These results suggested that DDT might be usefully applied for treatment of hypertension, cerebral infarction, and brain damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.595-599
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• 2013

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a gradual decline in memory associated with shrinkage of brain tissue, with a localized loss of neurons mainly in the hippocampus and basal forebrain. This study investigated the neuroprotective effect of Gastrodia elata aqueous extracts against scopolamine-induced neurotoxicity in the hippocampus of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals (n=25) were divided into five different groups with five animals per each group. The normal group (Nor) was administered with saline, while the control (Con) group was administered saline after scopolamine treatment. The experimental group (Exp) was administered Gastrodia elata aqueous extracts (200 mg/kg body weight) for 20 or 30 days after scopolamine treatment. From a light microscopy study, the nuclei of neurons in the hippocampus were more shrunken or condensed in the 20 or 30 day control groups compared to experimental groups. The densities of neurons from the CA1 and CA3 area of the hippocampus in the Exp increased compared with the Con. Amyloid ${\beta}$ protein, containing PAS-positive materials, was lower in the Exp compared with the Con. The present study demonstrates that Gastrodia elata aqueous extracts possess neuroprotective potential, thus validating its use in alleviating the toxic effects of scopolamine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.424-434
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a physical activity program on body composition, depression and risk factors of dementia in elderly women. Subjects were 40 women aged 65~75 years, classified into two groups (experiment group 20, control group 20). The factors measured in this study were body composition (weight, percent body fat, body mass index, body fluid), depression (BDI score) and risk factors of dementia (K-MMSE, LDL-C, HDL-C, insulin, ${\beta}$-amyloid, DHEAs) at 12 and 24 weeks before and after the program. Subjects of experiment group participated in a 24 week physical activity program (45~60 min, 3~4 day per weeks). Data were analyzed by repeated ANOVA method of SPSS, with accepting levels for all significances above ${\alpha}$=0.05. The results of this study were as follows. In body composition, the experiment group showed significant differences in the weight, percent body fat and body mass index compared to the control group. In depression score, the experiment group showed no significant differences regarding BDI score level compared to the control group. In risk factors for dementia, the experiment group showed significant differences in levels of K-MMSE, LDL-C, HDL-C, insulin, ${\beta}$-amyloid, and DHEAs compared to the control group. This study showed that a 24 week physical activity program had positive effects on almost all of the factors evaluated in elderly women, and that elderly women who did not participate in the program experiences no such positive effects. Therefore, regular participation in a physical activity program could be advocated as one strategy to enhance body fat, depression, and risk factors of dementia and may result in improving risk for diseases of age in elderly women.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.55-65
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• 2002

Ginseng has been used as a key constituent in traditional medicine prescriptions for centuries. Other than its well-known anti-stress and adaptogenic properties, ginseng has also been shown to be very effective in treating age-related deterioration in metabolic and memory functions. Although it is generally believed that the saponin (GS) fraction of the ginseng root accounts for the bioactivity of ginseng, a direct demonstration on which ginsenoside does what is still generally lacking. In the past decade, our laboratory has endeavored to identify the active GS components involved in energy metabolism, memory, and anti-neurotoxicity. To examine the ergogenic effects of GS in enhancing aerobic capacity, rats were subjected to either severe cold ($40^{\circ}C$ under helium-oxygen, two hours) or exercise workload $(70\%\;VO_{2}max,$ to exhaustion). Acute systemic injection (i.p.) of ginseng GS (5-20 mg/kg) significantly elevated both the total and maximum heat production in rats and improved their cold tolerance. However, pretreating the animal with the optimal dose (10 mg/kg) of GS devoid of $Rg_1\;and\;Rb_1$ failed to elicit any beneficial effects in improving cold tolerance. This indicates that either $Rb_1\;and/or\;Rg_1$ may be essential in exemplifying the thermogenic effect of GS. Further studies showed that only pretreating the animals with $Rb_1(2.5-5\;mg/kg),\;but\;not\;Rg_l,$ resulted in an increase in thermogenesis and cold tolerance. In contrast to the acute effect of GS on cold tolerance, enhancement of exercise performance in rats was only observed after chronic treatment (4 days). Further, we were able to demonstrate that both $Rb_1\;and\;Rg_1$ are effective in enhancing aerobic endurance by exercise. To illustrate the beneficial effects of GS in learning and memory, a passive avoidance paradigm (shock prod) was used. Our results indicated that the scopolamineinduced amnesia can be significantly reversed by chronically treating (4 days) the rats with either $Rb_1\;or\;Rg_1$ (1.25 - 2.5 mg/kg). To further examine its underlying mechanisms, the effects of various GS on ${\beta}-amyloid-modulated$ acetylcholine (ACh) release from the hippocampal slices were examined. It was found that inclusion of $Rb_1$ (0.1 ${\mu}M$), but not $Rg_1$, can attenuate ${\beta}-amyloid-suppressed$ ACh release from the hippocampal slices. Our results demonstrated that $Rb_1\;and\;Rg_1$ are the key components involved in various beneficial effects of GS but they may elicit their effects through different mechanisms.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.456-467
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined exercise on dementia, depression, and cognitive function in elderly women. This study subject were 28 elderly female volunteers, aged 76-83 years and they divided into the exercise group(n=14) and control group(n=14). The combined exercise included the elastic band exercise and aquarobics performed 3 times per week for 90 minutes during 16 weeks. The exercise intensity was set at RPE 10-11 for 1 week to 4 weeks, RPE 11-14 for 5 weeks to 16 weeks, respectively. The test data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-test, and independent t-test. The alpha level of .05 was set for all tests of significance. The findings of this study were as follows; ${\beta}-amyloid$ and depression were significantly decreased and DHEAs and cognitive function were significantly increased than control group. In conclusion, regular and continuous combined exercise was effective for improving dementia and had a positive effect on depression and cognitive function in elderly women.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.119-126
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of task oriented training on motor and cognitive function recovery in rats with induced Alzheimer's dementia. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a control group (n=15) and an experimental group (n=15). Training was given three times a week, for 20 minutes a session for 4 weeks. The cognitive and motor functions of the rats were evaluated by an eight arm radial maze test and ladder rung walk test. The eight arm radial maze test showed significant differences between groups according to the time of day 14 and 28 (p<.001). The difference in measured values according to the timing of the two groups was significant (p<.001). Additionally, there was a significant difference between the time and the group interaction (p<.001). The ladder rung walk test showed significant differences between groups according to the time of day 14 and 28 (p<.001). The difference in the measured values according to the timing of the two groups was significant (p<.001), and there was a significant difference between the time and the group interaction (p<.001). As a result, task oriented training for Alzheimer's dementia rats was found to have a positive effect on recovery of motor and cognitive function.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.331-337
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• 2022

Raman spectroscopy is an optical technique that can identify molecules in a label-free manner, and is therefore heavily investigated in various areas ranging from biomedical engineering to materials science. Probe-based Raman spectroscopy can perform minimally invasive chemical analysis, and thus has potential as a real-time diagnostic tool during surgery. In this study, Raman experimentation was calibrated by examining the Raman shifts with respect to the concentrations of chemical substances. Raman signal characteristics, targeted for normal mice and cerebral tissues of the 5xFAD dementia mutant model with accumulated amyloid beta plaques, were measured and analyzed to explore the possibility of diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The application to the diagnosis of dementia was cross-validated by measuring Raman signals of amyloid beta. The results suggest the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool that may be useful in various areas of application.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.665-675
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), an active ingredient in ginseng, may be a potential agent for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the protective effect of Rg1 on neurodegeneration in AD and its mechanism of action are still incompletely understood. Methods: Wild type (WT) and APP/PS1 AD mice, from 6 to 9 months old, were used in the experiment. The open field test (OFT) and Morris water maze (MWM) were used to detect behavioral changes. Neuronal damage was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Nissl staining. Immunofluorescence, western blotting, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) were used to examine postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95) expression, amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, Tau and phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and NAPDH oxidase 2 (NOX2) expression. Results: Rg1 treatment for 12 weeks significantly ameliorated cognitive impairments and neuronal damage and decreased the p-Tau level, amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression, and Aβ generation in APP/PS1 mice. Meanwhile, Rg1 treatment significantly decreased the ROS level and NOX2 expression in the hippocampus and cortex of APP/PS1 mice. Conclusions: Rg1 alleviates cognitive impairments, neuronal damage, and reduce Aβ deposition by inhibiting NOX2 activation in APP/PS1 mice.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1154-1167
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the anti-amnesic effect of Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) bark extract (KRPBE) against amyloid beta_1-42 (Aβ_1-42)-induced neurotoxicity. We found that treatment with KRPBE improved the behavioral function in Aβ-induced mice, and also boosted the antioxidant system in mice by decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) content, increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and reducing glutathione (GSH) levels. In addition, KRPBE improved the cholinergic system by suppressing reduced acetylcholine (ACh) content while also activating acetylcholinesterase (AChE), regulating the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and synaptophysin. KRPBE also showed an ameliorating effect on cerebral mitochondrial deficit by regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP levels. Moreover, KRPBE modulated the expression levels of neurotoxicity indicators Aβ and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, p-IκB-α, and IL-1β. Furthermore, we found that KRPBE improved the expression levels of neuronal apoptosis-related markers BAX and BCl-2 and increased the expression levels of BDNF and p-CREB. Therefore, this study suggests that KRPBE treatment has an anti-amnestic effect by modulating cholinergic system dysfunction and neuroinflammation in Aβ_1-42-induced cognitive impairment in mice.