• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.26.1-26.12
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• 2022

Background: Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter. Excessive glutamate causes excitatory toxicity and increases intracellular calcium, leading to neuronal death. Parvalbumin is a calcium-binding protein that regulates calcium homeostasis. Quercetin is a polyphenol found in plant and has neuroprotective effects against neurodegenerative diseases. Objectives: We investigated whether quercetin regulates apoptosis by modulating parvalbumin expression in glutamate induced neuronal damage. Methods: Glutamate was treated in hippocampal-derived cell line, and quercetin or vehicle was treated 1 h before glutamate exposure. Cells were collected for experimental procedure 24 h after glutamate treatment and intracellular calcium concentration and parvalbumin expression were examined. Parvalbumin small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection was performed to detect the relation between parvalbumin and apoptosis. Results: Glutamate reduced cell viability and increased intracellular calcium concentration, while quercetin preserved calcium concentration and neuronal damage. Moreover, glutamate reduced parvalbumin expression and quercetin alleviated this reduction. Glutamate increased caspase-3 expression, and quercetin attenuated this increase in both parvalbumin siRNA transfected and non-transfected cells. The alleviative effect of quercetin was statistically significant in non-transfected cells. Moreover, glutamate decreased bcl-2 and increased bax expressions, while quercetin alleviated these changes. The alleviative effect of quercetin in bcl-2 family protein expression was more remarkable in non-transfected cells. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that parvalbumin contributes to the maintainace of intracellular calcium concentration and the prevention of apoptosis, and quercetin modulates parvalbumin expression in glutamate-exposed cells. Thus, these findings suggest that quercetin performs neuroprotective function against glutamate toxicity by regulating parvalbumin expression.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2010

The effect of DHU001, a mixed herbal formula consisted of 7 types aqueous extracts for various respiratory disorders were evaluated on 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis, type I allergic model. Contact dermatitis was induced by sensitization with dinitrophenyl-derivatized ovalbumin (DNP-OVA) and DNFB challenge as antigen. Two different dosages of DHU001 (300 and 150 mg/kg) were orally administered to DNP-OVA sensitization mice once a day for 7 days with reference material, dexamethasone (15 mg/kg, intraperitoneal treatment). End of 7 days oral administration of DHU001 extracts or intraperitoneal treatment of dexamethasone, the changes on the edematous changes and scratching behavior were measured. Immediate after DNFB challenge on ear or paw of DNP-OVA sensitized mice, increases of ear and paw thicknesses and weights were detected with anterior ear skin (dermis to epidermis) thickness and paw scratching behavior increases. However, these contact dermatitis signs induced by DNFB treatment were reduced by treatment of the both different dosages of DHU001 and dexamethasone, respectively. The results obtained in this study suggest that oral treatment of DHU001 extracts also has relatively favorable effects on contact dermatitis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2009

Objectives : The mesolimbic dopamine system is believed to play a major role in the reinforcing effect and behavioral hyperactivity of abused drugs including methamphetamine. In the present study, the effect of acupuncture on methamphetamine-induced locomotor activity and c-Fos expression in the striatum and nucleus accumbens of rats were examined. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats received acupuncture at bilateral Yanggu($SI_5$) point for 30seconds immediately before the subcutaneous injection of saline or methamphetamine(0.5mg/kg). The total amount of locomotor activity for 90min were measured just before brain samples were taken for immunohistochemistry. Results : Results showed that acupuncture at the specific point $SI_5$, but not control point(Kunlun, $BL_{60}$) significantly reduced locomotor activity and c-Fos expression in the striatum and nucleus accumbens induced by acute administration of methamphetamine. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture may be effective in suppressing the reinforcing effect of methamphetamine by regulating neuronal activity.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.252-258
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• 2020

This study investigated the biochemical and histological changes associated with the co-administration of cisplatin and methanolic extract of Portulaca oleracea (MEPO) in adult Wistar rats. Twenty-four (24) adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into six (6) groups (A-F) (n = 4). Group A served as the control group for the experiment and received no treatment. Group B was given a single dose of cisplatin and served as the cisplatin control group. Group C and D received 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of MEPO 6 hours after a single dose cisplatin injection respectively. Group E and F received 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of MEPO 6 hours before cisplatin injection. The cisplatin injection was 2 mL/kg given intraperitoneally for all groups. There was a significant increase in the serum levels of ALT, ALP, AST, total bilirubin, and conjugated bilirubin following cisplatin treatment (p = 0.000, 0.000, 0.039, 0.000, 0.004 respectively) with a consequent reversal due to MEPO administration across all treated groups (p = 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, and 0.000) in a dose-dependent fashion. Cisplatin caused the expansion of the red and white pulp in the spleen which was attenuated by MEPO. MEPO demonstrated a protective effect against cisplatin-induced liver and spleen toxicity.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2010

This study was conducted to obtain acute information of the oral dose toxicity of DHU001, a polyherbal formula in male and female mice. In order to calculated 50% lethal dose ($LD_{50}$) and approximate lethal dose (LD), test material was once orally administered to male and female ICR mice at dose levels of 2000, 1000, 500, 250 and 0 (vehicle control) ml/kg (body weight). The mortality and changes on body weight, clinical signs, gross observation, organ weight and histopathology of principle organs were monitored 14 days after treatment with DHU001. We could not find any mortalities, DHU001 treatment-related clinical signs, changes on the body and organ weights, gross and histopathological findings. The results obtained in this study suggest that $LD_{50}$ and approximate LD in mice after single oral dose of DHU001 were considered over 2000 mg/kg in both female and male mice.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.77-88
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was aim to evaluate effects of pharmacodynamics and toxicity in combination therapy of donepezil with Gongjindan. Methods : After 10mg/kg of donepezil treatment, Gongjindan 100mg/kg was administered within 5 min. The plasma were collected at 30min before administration, 30min, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 24hrs after end of Gongjindan treatment, and plasma concentrations of donepezil were analyzed using LC-MS/MS methods. PK parameters of donepezil were analysis as compared with donepezil single administered rats. Results : Gongjindan markedly inhibited the absorption of donepezil regardless of sample time, from 30min to 8hrs after end of co-administration comparing with donepezil single treated rats. Especially the absorption of donepezil was significantly decreased at 2hrs after co-administration as compared with donepezil single treated rats, in the present study. Accordingly, the Cmax(-27.76%), $AUC_{0-t}$(-27.22%) and $AUC_{0-inf}$(-26.54%) of donepezil in co-administered rats were significantly decreased as compared with donepezil single treated rats, respectively. Conclusions : Based on the results of the present study, co-administration of Gongjindan decreases the oral bioavailability of donepezil by inhibiting the absorption. It is considered that the more detail pharmacokinetic studies should betested to conclude the effects of Gongjindan on the pharmacokinetics of donepezil, when they were co-administered, like the effects after co-administration with reasonable intervals considering the Tmax of donepezil and after repeated co-administrations.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.323-329
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• 2023

Rotator cuff tear is a common shoulder injury that compromises both function and quality of life. Despite the prevalence of the injury and advancements in repair techniques, a significant percentage of these repairs fail. This review aims to explore the multifactorial reasons behind this failure, including the degenerative nature of the rotator cuff tendon, inherent and extrinsic factors, and the role of hypoxia in tissue degeneration. Additionally, it elucidates potential strategies for improving healing outcomes.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.31-37
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was focused to investigate the toxicity of Saussurea lappa (SL) extracts in HL-60 cells and human lymphocytes. We also examined the differentiation effect of SL against leukemia cells. Methods : For examining the toxicity of SL, cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay and single cell gel eletrophoresis (SCGE) assay were used in present study. The cell differentiation effect of SL was evaluated by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay. Results : The inhibition of cell growth in HL-60 cells was observed in a dose-dependant manner after SL treatment for 24 h. According to SCGE assay, HL-60 cells treated with SL increased DNA damage at $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, while DNA damage was induced by 0.1, 1, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ concentration of SL in human lymphocytes. Our results indicated that SL have no genotoxic effect in HL-60 cells and human lymphocytes. Additionally, the differentiation effect was induced in $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ SL-treated HL-60 cells. Conclusions : From above results it is suggested that SL could be beneficial for the preparation of the useful agent for treating leukemia.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.377-387
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• 2022

Benzimidazole anthelmintic agents have been recently repurposed to overcome cancers resistant to conventional therapies. To evaluate the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazole on resistant cells, various cell death pathways were investigated in 5-fluorouracil-resistant colorectal cancer cells. The viability of wild-type and 5-fluorouracil-resistant SNU-C5 colorectal cancer cells was assayed, followed by Western blotting. Flow cytometry assays for cell death and cell cycle was also performed to analyze the anti-cancer effects of benzimidazole. When compared with albendazole, fenbendazole showed higher susceptibility to 5-fluorouracil-resistant SNU-C5 cells and was used in subsequent experiments. Flow cytometry revealed that fenbendazole significantly induces apoptosis as well as cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase on both cells. When compared with wild-type SNU-C5 cells, 5-fluorouracil-resistant SNU-C5 cells showed reduced autophagy, increased ferroptosis and ferroptosis-augmented apoptosis, and less activation of caspase-8 and p53. These results suggest that fenbendazole may be a potential alternative treatment in 5-fluorouracil-resistant cancer cells, and the anticancer activity of fenbendazole does not require p53 in 5-fluorouracil-resistant SNU-C5 cells.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.139-155
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• 2013

Purpose : This study was aim to evaluate effects of pharmacodynamics and toxicity in combination therapy of donepezil with Gongjindan. The effects of Gongjindan co-administration on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of donepezil were observed after single and 7-day repeated oral co-administration with 1.5hr-intervals, to evaluate synergic pharmacodynamics and reduce toxicity of combination therapy of donepezil with Gongjindan. Materials and Methods : After 10mg/kg of donepezil treatment, Gongjindan100mg/kg was administered with 1.5hr-intervals. The plasma were collected at 30min before administration, 30min, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 24hrs after end of first and last 7th donepezil treatment, and plasma concentrations of donepezil were analyzed using LC-MS/MS methods. Results : Gongjindan markedly inhibited the absorption of donepezilregardless of sample time, from 30min to 8hrs after end of first 1.5hr-interval co-administration as compared with donepezil single treated rats. Especially the absorption of donepezil was significantly decreased at 2, 4, 6 and 8hrs after co-administration as compared with donepezilsingle treated rats. Accordingly, the Cmax (-26.236%), $AUC_{0-t}$(-26.02%) and $AUC_{0-inf}$(-25.90%) of donepezil in 1.5hr-interval co-administered rats were dramatically decreased as compared with donepezilsingle treated rats, respectively. However, no meaningful changes on the plasma donepezil concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters were detected after end of last 7th 1.5hr-interval co-administration as compared with donerezil single treated rats, except for non-significant slight increases of Tmax(16.67%) detected in co-administered rats as compared with donepezil single treated rats. Conclusion : These findings are considered as direct evidences that Gongjindan also decreased oral bioavailability of donerezil as inhibited the absorptions, when they were co-administered with 1.5hr-intervals, but they may be adapted after 7 days continuous repeated l.5hr-interval co-administration.