• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.338-346
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• 2016

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is associated with various human diseases, such as cancer, auto-immune disease, and intestinal inflammation. The limited and inadequate effect of standard approaches for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has prompted to develop alternative anti-colitis agents through inhibition of STAT3. Here, we show that gallic acid (GA), a 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, markedly reduced phosphorylation of STAT3. Among the derivatives of benzoic acids, GA showed significant inhibition on STAT3 phosphorylation. In addition, GA ameliorated the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute colitis as determined by the measurement of symptomatic and histological indices. The suppression of DSS-induced acute colitis by GA treatment may be related to the regulation of cytokines and growth factors. Furthermore, GA inhibited phosphorylation of STAT3 in the colon tissue of DSS-treated mice. These findings may be useful in comprehending the molecular action of GA on STAT3 phosphorylation and provide novel insights into the potential application of GA in the treatment of STAT3-related inflammatory disease, such as IBD.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.2 s.69
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• pp.279-286
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• 2005

The Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten Makino (Cactus) is a tropical or subtropical plant, which is cultivated or grows naturally in Jeju island. It has been widely used as folk medicine for burned wound, edema and indigestion. In addition, its extract has been claimed to have several biological activities including anti-inflammation in oriental medicine. In this study, we examined the antimicrobial activities of the methanol extract of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten Makino. The extract showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, including antibiotics resistant bacteria (MRSA, R-P. aeruginosa, VRE) and Propionibacterium acnes, yeast, and fungi. The extract retained the activity after heat treatment for 15 min at $100^{\circ}C$ and $121^{\circ}C$ and after extended storage, up to 10 weeks storage period at $4^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$, also stably retained its activity. It showed a better inhibitoring effect to the growth of E. coli than sodium benzoate did it at the same concentration. Addition of various salts or metal ions did not affect on its antimicrobial activity. Therefore, the antimicrobial characteristics of the extract can be applicable as a natural preservative and an antimicrobial agent for bacterial disease.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.421-427
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• 2015

Imperatorin has been known to exert many biological functions including anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of imperatorin on the production of inflammatory mediators in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC). Imperatorin inhibited degranulation and the generation of eicosanoids (leukotriene $C_4$ ($LTC_4$) and prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) in IgE/antigen (Ag)-stimulated BMMC. To elucidate the molecular mechanism involved in this process, we investigated the effect of imperatorin on intracellular signaling in BMMC. Biochemical analyses of the IgE/Ag-mediated signaling pathway demonstrated that imperatorin dramatically attenuated degranulation and the production of 5-lipoxygenase-dependent $LTC_4$ and cyclooxygenase-2-dependent $PGD_2$ through the inhibition of intracellular calcium influx/phospholipase $C{\gamma}1$, cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$/mitogen-activated protein kinases and/or nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ pathways in BMMC. These results suggest that the effects of imperatorin on inhibition of degranulation and eicosanoid generation through the suppression of multiple steps of IgE/Ag-mediated signaling pathways would be beneficial for the prevention of allergic inflammation.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.17-31
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• 2013

Objectives : Peripheral nerve injuries are commonly encountered clinical problems and often result in serve functional deficit. Bee venom and scolopendra subspinipes have been traditionally used in oriental medicine to treat several inflammatory diseases and chronic pain conditions. Methods : In the present study, the effects of bee venom pharmacopuncture and scolopendra subspinipes pharmacopuncture on functional recovery, severity of pain, and expressions of neurofilament, cycloxygenease-2(COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$) following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats were investigated. For this study, walking tract analysis, plantar test, western blot for COX-2 and TNF-${\alpha}$, and immunohistochemistry for neurofilament were performed. Results : In the present results, sciatic functional index(SFI) in walking tract analysis was significantly decreased following sciatic crushed nerve injury, and pain severity in plantar test was significantly increased. COX-2 and TNF-${\alpha}$ expressions were increased whereas neurofilament expression was decreased by sciatic crushed nerve injury. On the other hand, bee venom pharmacopuncture and scolopendra subspinipes pharmacopuncture improved SFI in walking tract analysis and suppressed the pain severity in sciatic crushed nerve injury. Bee venom pharmacopuncture and scolopendra subspinipes pharmacopuncture suppressed COX-2 and TNF-${\alpha}$ expression and enhanced the neurofilament expression in sciatic crushed nerve injury. Conclusions : In the present study, we have shown that treatment with bee venom or scolopendra subspinipes is the effective therapeutic modality to ameliorate the symptoms of sciatic crushed nerve injury. The efficacies of bee venom and scolopendra subspinipes were similar.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.321-327
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• 2009

Licochalcone A is a chalcone isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflate. In this study, we examined the effects of licochalonce A on the production of cytokines in LPS-activated macrophages. Licochalcone A inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$. The reduced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines is related to the differences in the mRNA expression of IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$. Moreover, licochalcone A inhibited the mRNA expression of IL-12p40, IL-18, and IL-23p19. To investigate its mechanism, we performed gel shift assay. Licochalcone A reduced nuclear NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that licochalcone A has anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-activated macrophages and its mechanism could be through the down-regulation of binding to the ${\kappa}B$ site.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2012

The number of allergic contact dermatitis patients is steadily increasing but a proper reliability treatment guide is not prepared in Oriental Medicine. Also, the number of clinical cases on allergic contact dermatitis is not sufficient in Oriental medicine. As such, the facial flushing of allergic contact dermatitis which has been improved by infra-red therapy is significant in its treatment purpose. We reported on 43-year old male patient with allergic contact dermatitis. We treated him with herbal concoction, acupuncture, infra-red therapy and cupping therapy. We have received a good result in this case by using the combination of infra-red therapy. We reached a conclusion that using infra-red therapy can improve the facial flushing of patient with allergic contact dermatitis. However, further research on the effect of infra-red therapy for these symptoms is desired.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.655-663
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• 2020

Background: Korean Red Ginseng is known to exhibit immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory properties. The immune-enhancing effects of the nonsaponin fraction (NSF) of Korean Red Ginseng have been studied in many reports. However, the gastroprotective effect of this fraction is not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate the activities of NSF for gastrointestinal protection and its related critical factor. Methods: The in vitro and in vivo regulatory functions of NSF on cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) messenger RNA and protein levels were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting analyses. Gastroprotective effects of NSF were investigated by histological score, gastric juice pH, and myeloperoxidase activity on indomethacin-induced, cold stress-induced, and acetylsalicylic acid-induced gastritis and dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in in vivo mouse models. Results: NSF did not show cytotoxicity, and it increased COX-1 messenger RNA expression and protein levels in RAW264.7 cells. This upregulation was also observed in colitis and gastritis in vivo models. In addition, NSF treatment in mice ameliorated the symptoms of gastrointestinal inflammation, including histological score, colon length, gastric juice pH, gastric wall thickness, and myeloperoxidase activity. Conclusion: These results suggest that NSF has gastroprotective effects on gastritis and colitis in in vivo mouse models through COX-1 upregulation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.125-138
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was to investigate the effects of Dohongsamul-tang extract on the rat with an surgically induced endometriosis. Methods : Four weeks after the operation for inducing the endometriosis to a matured female rat, the normal hyperplasia of the transplanted endometrium was identified in anatomico-histological aspects. By dividing each of the control group and Dohongsamul-tang administered experimental group into 8 rats, Dohongsamul-tang concentrates were administered orally to the experimental group with 1g/1ml/200g everyday for 40 days and then images were taken from the macroscopic tissues which were transplanted to the mesenterium, and the concentrations of progesterone, estradiol, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$, and interleukin(IL)(-2, -4, -6, and -10) in the serum were measured. Results : Transplanted endometrium tissues showed the histological findings in accordance with the normal endometrium tissues and from the macroscopic findings the size of transplanted endometrium tissues showed a definite decrease. Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significant decreases in the values of $TNF-{\alpha}$,IL-2, and IL-4 and significant increases in the values of IL-10. However, there were no significant differences in progesterone, estradiol and IL-6. Conclusion : From the above results, Dohongsamul-tang showed the strengthening of immunological function and anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore it is considered that Dohongsamul-tang will be very effective on the treatment of inflammation developed endometriosis, especially to treat the endometriosis without affecting the ovary functions.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.65-75
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of warm needling at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$ on Complete Freund's Adjuvant(CFA)-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by injecting CFA subcutaneously into the left knee joint and paw. Acupuncture(AT) and warm needling(W-AT0.5, W-AT1.0) were injected at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$, every other day for a total of 5 times beginning on day 10 after the CFA injection. Thereafter, external shape, paw edema, serum aminotransferase and anti-inflammatory factors were assessed, and hematological and histological observations were made. Results : In paw edema volume all 3 groups(AT, W-AT0.5, W-AT1.0) showed significant decrease compared to the CFA control group. In TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, all 3 groups showed significant decrease compared to CFA control group. In AST and ALT all 3 groups showed no significant change. In IL-$1{\beta}$, W-AT0.5 and W-AT1.0, groups showed significant decrease compared to the CFA control group. Leucocyte, erythrocyte and thrombocyte, all 3 groups showed no significant change. In histological observations, all 3 groups were similar to the intact group in terms of synoviocyte, cartilage lacuna and cartilage cells. Conclusions : The results suggest that warm needling at $GB_{30}{\cdot}GB_{34}$, has the effect of suppressing inflammation of CFA-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.203-216
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• 2017

Purpose: This literature review was performed to assess the effect of raisins on human health. Methods: A review of Medline was conducted using the keywords: 'raisins, raisins and health, raisins and cardiovascular disease (CVD), raisins and cancer, raisins and diabetes, raisins and fiber, raisins and colon health, raisins and antioxidants, raisins and inflammation, raisins and dental caries'. The reference lists from previous review articles on raisins and human health and the California Raisin Marketing Board files were reviewed for additional studies. Results: Raisins have one of the highest polyphenolic content and antioxidant ORAC levels compared to other traditional dried fruits. Many of the polyphenols in raisins are well assimilated and bioavailable. Raisin consumption reduces low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, when compared to equal caloric carbohydrate snacks and is associated with a reduced risk of CVD. The anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive effects of raisins are mixed. Raisin consumption reduces intestinal transit time and positively affects gut microbiota. Raisins produce sustained energy during long term athletic competitions equal to traditional sports energy gels, shots and jelly beans. Raisins produce a non-cariogenic oral environment and do not fit the American Academy of Pediatrics criteria to be considered a choking hazard. Conclusions: Based on the review of literature, consumption of raisins provide numerous health benefits for promoting general wellness and in the prevention of many chronic diseases including: CVD, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) gastrointestinal diseases, and dental caries.