• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2007

Ethane 1,2-dimethane sulfonate(EDS), a Leydig cell specific toxicant, has been widely used to create the reversible testosterone withdrawal rat model. Though the maintenance of epididymal structure and function is highly dependent on the testosterone secreted from testis, its derivatives, dihydroxytestosterone(DHT) and estrogen, might have crucial roles. The aim of present study was to monitor the expression patterns of sex steroid receptors, cytochrome P450 aromatase(P450arom) and $5{\alpha}$-reductase in the rat epididymis up to 7 weeks after EDS injection. Adult male rats($350{\sim}400g$) were injected with a single does of EDS(75 mg/kg i.p.) and sacrificed on weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The transcriptional activities of the target genes were evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCRs. The transcript level of estrogen receptor alpha($ER{\alpha}$) in EDS group was significantly higher than control level on week 1(P<0.01). After week 2, there was no significant difference in $ER{\alpha}$ levels between EDS group and control. The transcript level of estrogen receptor beta($ER{\beta}$) in EDS group was significantly higher than control level on week 1(P<0.05), lowered on weeks 2 and 3(P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), fluctuated during weeks 4 and 6, and elevated on week 7(P<0.05). The androgen receptor (AR) message levels increased significantly week 2(P<0.01), then returned to control level on week 3. In contrast, expression of cytochrome P450 aromatase(P450arom) decreased sharply during weeks $1{\sim}3$(P<0.01 on weeks 1 and 2; P<0.05 on week 3), then went back to control level on week 4. The mRNA level of $5{\alpha}$-reductase type 2($5{\alpha}$-RT2) increased significantly on week 4(P<0.01), then returned to control level. The present study indicated that EDS administration could induce reversible alterations in the transcriptional activities of sex steroid hormone receptors and androgenconverting enzymes in rat epididymis. EDS injection model will be useful to clarify the regulation mechanism of mammalian epididymal physiology.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.345-350
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• 2018

This study examines the role of six species of microalgae, including Phaeodacylum tricrnutum (PT), Chaetoceros gracilis (CG), Nanochloris oculata (NO), Pavlova lutheri (PL), Chlorella ellipsoidae (CE), and Scendedemus obliquus (SO), on hair loss prevention and scalp improvement. To determine the effects of microalgae extracts on hair loss prevention and scalp improvement, antioxidant activity, cell proliferation in HaCaT cells and HFDPC cells, and the inhibition level of 5-alpha reductase activity were examined. In the study of antioxidant activity, the $EC_{50}$ values of DPPH anti-radical activities indicated that the SO, CG, and ST9 treatment groups demonstrate significant antioxidant activity. In the study of the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, CG (6.6~42.1%), ST9 (26.0~44.0%), and SO (7.8~44.3%) demonstrated significant effects. Furthermore, SO promoted the proliferation of HaCaT cells and a human epidermal cell line during a 6-day treatment. In the study of the proliferation of HFDPC cells, a hair follicle dermal papilla cell line, CG, and SO significantly stimulated cell proliferation. Finally, PT, CG, and SO significantly inhibited 5-alpha reductase activity. These results suggest that among the six microalgae used in this study, CG and SO have antioxidant effects, induce cell proliferation, inhibit 5-alpha reductase activity, and can be used for hair loss prevention and scalp improvement.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.152-160
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• 2004

Backgrounds : Androgenetic alopecia is a relatively common disorder, but its precise mechanism is not elucidated. There are two commercial drugs approved by FDA. One(finasteride) has an inhibition activity of 5$\alpha$-reductase(type 2) and the other(minoxidil) has a vasodilation activity. Objectives : A verified herbal remedy for baldness is needed for medicinal treatment or preventing alopecia, which could be demonstrated by alopecia-related in vitro & in vivo tests Methods : On the basis of oriental pharmacognosy, we classified many herbal medicines into four groups (malnutrition, aging, alopecia and gray hair) according to its effect. The mitosis induction of hairy dermal papillae cell and the metabolic inhibition for type 2 $5{\alpha}-reductase$ were tested with five herbal extracts. Also, five herbal extracts were added to the normal essence formulation (HHRHG0202-80) in ranges of 0.1~0.3%, which was applied two-mouse models to validate each hair growing activity in vivo. Results : Stimulation of follicular papillae cell proliferation was observed in treatment of three herbal extracts (Glycyrrhizae radix:159.7%, Corni fructus : 144.7%, and Coicis semen : 136.6%) at a dose of $10\mu\textrm{g}/ml$. Three herbal extracts (Biotae semen. Glycyrrhizae radix and Coicis semen) showed inhibitory activity for $5{\alpha}-reductase$(type 2) at 93.18%, 73.36% and 47.6%, respectively at the same dose. We observed the enhancement of hair growth activity in C57b1/6 mouse and the inhibition of alopecia in AGA mouse after topical administration of the hair essence. Conclusions : Hair essence product, which contains five medicinal plants, would be used for the remedy for male pattern baldness (MPB) and the other alopecia diseases.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.419-424
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• 2008

In this study, we examined the anti-diabetic activity in vitro by the crude extracts of Tetragonia tetragonioides which has been known to superior plants for the traditional prevention and treatment of stomach-related diseases. $\alpha$-Amylase and $\alpha$-glucosidase, the principal enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, and aldose reductase, the key enzyme of the polyol pathway, have been shown to play the important roles in the complications associated with diabetes. A hexane (HX) fraction of T. tetragonioides were shown to inhibit more than 50% of salivary and pancreatin $\alpha$-amylase activity at concentration of 2.882 mg/mL and 2.043 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, the HX and ethylacetate (EA) fraction showed the highest inhibitory activity on yeast $\alpha$-glucosidase at values of $IC_{50}$ of 0.723 mg/mL and 1.356 mg/mL respectively. The HX, dichloromethane (DCM) and EA fraction showed more higher inhibitory activity on yeast $\alpha$-glucosidase than commercial agent such as 1-deoxynorjirimycin and acarbose. Also, the aldose reductase from human muscle cell had been inhibited strongly by the DCM fraction and HX fraction at 51.95% and 47.22% at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, respectively. Our study, for the first time, revealed the anti-diabetic potential of T. tetragonioides and this study could be used to develop medicinal preparations or nutraceutical and functional foods for diabetes and related symptoms.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.374-379
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• 2017

Hair loss affects interpersonal relationships and causes psychological stress. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activity of Cynanchi Wilfordii Radix (CWR) and its effects on dermal papilla (DP) cells. Antioxidant efficacy was examined by ABTS assay. To confirm the effect on cell activity, MTS assay was performed and cell count was directly measured by hemocytometer. The mRNA expression of genes involved in hair formation and hair loss formation was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. CWR has a strong antioxidant activity. Cell viability of DP cells was increased to 118.5% by treatment of 0.5 mg/ml CWR for 24 hours, but the effect on the cell number was insignificant. These results suggest that CWR increases mitochondrial activity without promoting cell proliferation. Treatment of DP cells with 0.5 mg/ml CWR resulted in 48.5% reduction of mRNA expression of type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase, a major cause of male hair loss. In addition, mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic pretein (BMP), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)7, and FGF10, which are closely related to hair growth, was also decreased. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) acts as a cause of hair loss. The excellent antioxidant efficacy of CWR is thought to be able to effectively remove ROS. The dihydrotestosterone produced by type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase in DP cells is a potent inducer of male pattern hair loss. The inhibitory effect of type 2 $5{\alpha}$-reductase mRNA on DP cells induced by CWR may induce a positive therapeutic effect of male pattern hair loss.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.237-245
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• 2016

Hair loss affects both men and women of all ages and often significantly affects social and psychologic health. Recent therapeutic approach for hair loss such as finasteride and minoxidil focused on regulation of hormonal system blood flow. However, long-term use of these drugs caused adverse effects. To develop herbal medicine for therapeutic effect on hair growth, here we screened the 10 medicinal herbs (Red ginseng, Licorice, Ulmus, Barberry root, Lycium root, Rehmanniae radix crudus, Sophora root, Sweet flag, Polygala root, Achyranthes) based on oriental medicine literature. We measured cytotoxicity, anti-oxidant activity, and $5-{\alpha}$ reductase inhibitory effect of the herbal medicine on human dermal papilla (DP) cells to investigate therapeutic effect of the herbal medicine. Treatment of the 1% herbal medicine did not show any cytotoxic effects, and cell growth was increased by treatment of the 0.1% herbal medicine. In addition, the herbal medicine showed stronger antioxidant activity than resveratrol and comparable inhibitory activity of $5-{\alpha}$ reductase with finasteride. Furthermore, when applied to in vivo mouse model, we also observed increases in the number and length of hair of the herbal medicine-treated group. These results suggest that the herbal medicine promotes hair growth by its antioxidant activity and inhibitory activity of $5-{\alpha}$ reductase and might therefore be a promising hair growth-promoting agent.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.27-34
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• 2023

Objectives : Currently, the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common urogenital disorder in old men. We were performed to determine the effects of abietic acid (AC), component of pine resin, in benign prostatic hyperplastic Sprague-Dawley rat (SD rat) induced by testosterone injection (IP). Methods : We monitored body weights in SD rat at start and end date of experiment. After end of experiment, the prostate weights were measured in SD rats. Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels was performed in serum. And we determined the 5-alpha reductase Ⅱ activity, testosterone levels, and dihydrotestosterone levels in prostate tissue and serum using ELISA kit. Results : As results, the prostate wights were increased in BPH group compared to normal group and were decreased in fina, AC30, and AC 50 groups, respectively. Serum GOT levels were decreased in AC50 group compared to BPH group. And Serum GPT levels of AC30 and AC50 groups were lower than BPH group. In addition, the 5-alpha reductase Ⅱ activity, testosterone levels, and dihydrotestosterone levels were decreased the fina, AC10, AC30, and AC 50 groups contrast to the BPH group. Furthermore, 5-alpha reductase Ⅱ activity, testosterone levels, and dihydrotestosterone levels were decreased dose dependent in AC groups compared to BPH group. Conclusion : These results suggest that AC could be used as a potential material for the treatment of BPH by decreasing the androgen levels in benign prostatic hyperplasia model rats.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.128-135
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• 2000

The thiosulfate reductase gene (PhsABC) from Salmonella typhimurium was expressed in Escherichia coli in order to produce sulfide from inorganic thiosulfate and precipitate metals as metal sulfide complexes. A 5.1-kb DNA fragment containing the native phsABC and a 3.7-kb DNA fragment, excluding putative promoter and regulatory regions were inserted into expression vectors pTrc99A and pJB866, respectively. Upon expression of phsABC, E. coli DH5$\alpha$ harboring the phsABC constructs showed higher thiosulfate reductase activity and produced significantly more sulfide than the control strain (E. coli DH5$\alpha$) under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Among the four constructs, E. coli DH5$\alpha$ harboring pSB74 produced the highest level of thiosulfate reductase and removed most of heavy metals from solution under anaerobic conditions. In a mixture of 100 $\mu$M each of cadmium, lead, and zinc, the strain could remove $99\%$ of the total metals from solution within 10 hours. Cadmium was removed first, lead second, and zinc last. In contrast, a negative control did not produce any measurable sulfide and removed very little metals from solution. These results have important implications for removal of metals from wastewater contaminated with several metals.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.401-411
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• 2015

Aldose reductase (AR) is known to play a crucial role in the mediation of diabetic and cardiovascular complications. Recently, several studies have demonstrated that allergen-induced airway remodeling and ovalbumin-induced asthma is mediated by AR. Epalrestat is an aldose reductase inhibitor that is currently available for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Whether AR is involved in pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and whether epalrestat attenuates pulmonary fibrosis remains unknown. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (5 mg/kg) in rats. Primary pulmonary fibroblasts were cultured to investigate the proliferation by BrdU incorporation method and flow cytometry. The expression of AR, TGF-${\beta}_1$, ${\alpha}$-SMA and collagen I was analyzed by immunohistochemisty, real-time PCR or western blot. In vivo, epalrestat treatment significantly ameliorated the bleomycin-mediated histological fibrosis alterations and blocked collagen deposition concomitantly with reversing bleomycin-induced expression up-regulation of TGF-${\beta}_1$, AR, ${\alpha}$-SMA and collagen I (both mRNA and protein). In vitro, epalrestat remarkably attenuated proliferation of pulmonary fibroblasts and expression of ${\alpha}$-SMA and collagen I induced by TGF-${\beta}_1$, and this inhibitory effect of epalrestat was accompanied by inhibiting AR expression. Knockdown of AR gene expression reversed TGF-${\beta}_1$-induced proliferation of fibroblasts, up-regulation of ${\alpha}$-SMA and collagen I expression. These findings suggest that AR plays an important role in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, and epalrestat inhibited the progression of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis is mediated via inhibiting of AR expression.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2017

To develop new therapy for prevention and treatment of hair loss is very important according to increase of the number of hair loss people. The aim of this study was to investigate the hair growth promoting effects of pectin lyase-modified red ginseng extract (GS-E3D). We examined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, human hair dermal papilla cells (HHDPC) proliferation, and testoterone-induced $5{\alpha}$-reductase inhibitory effects. GS-E3D show not only 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effects as an anti-oxidant property, but also lip-oxygenase and hyaluronidase inhibitory effects as an anti-inflammatory property. Human hair dermal papilla cells proliferation by GS-E3D was higher than those of minoxidil or finasteride, using the positive controls. Moreover, GS-E3D exhibited $5{\alpha}$-reductase inhibitory activities after stimulating by testoterone. The present results indicate that GS-E3D has a potential to be as an hair growth promoting agent for cosmetic materials.