• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 2005

Objectives : Polygalae Radix (PR) from Polygalae tenuifolia (Polygalaceae) has been clinically used as a sedative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial agent. To extend pharmacological effects of PR in the central nervous system (CNS) on the basis of its CNS protective effect, the present study was conducted to identify the effect of PR, whether it shows the neuroprotective action against excitatory neurotoxicity. Methods : To identify the protective effect of PR to excitatory neuro-toxic agent, the present study was focused on the PR effect on cell death, that was caused by applying NMDA to nerve cell, elevation of $(Ca^{2+})_i$, releasement of glutamate, and ROS generation. Result : 1. PR methanol extract, at the concentration range of 0.05 to 5 g/ml, significantly inhibited NMDA (1 mM)-induced neuronal cell death as well as MK-801 (non competitive NMDA antagonist). 2. PR methanol extract $(0.5\;{\mu}g/ml)$ inhibited NMDA (1 mM)-induced elevation of cytosolic calcium concentration $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. NMDA application in the presence of MK-801 $(10\;{\mu}M)$ failed to produce the increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ through all the measurement time. 3. PR methanol extract $(0.5\;{\mu}g/ml)$ inhibited the NMDA-induced elevation of glutamate release. Also, MK-801 showed similar protective effects. 4. PR methanol extract $(0.5\;{\mu}g/ml)$ inhibited the NMDA-induced elevation of ROS generation. Also, MK-801 showed similar protective effects. Conclusion : The present study provides the availability of PR to exert its protective effect on the neuronal cell death in various neurodegenerative pathophysiological conditions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.81-82
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• 2003

Recent studies suggest that inflammatory events are implicated in a variaty of human diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have beneficial effects for the treatment or prevention of these disorders. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the rate-limiting enzyme in the prostaglandin(PG) synthesis, is induced by various pro-inflammatory stimuli including nitric oxide(NO) and has been reported to cause and/or aggravate neuronal cell death.(omitted)

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.248-254
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• 2018

Ginseng is a natural product best known for its curative properties in diverse physiological processes such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, hypertension, and maintenance of hemostasis in the immune system. In previous decades, there have been some promising studies into the pharmacology and chemistry of ginseng components and the relationship between their structure and function. The emerging use of modified ginseng and development of new compounds from ginseng for clinical studies have been topics of study for many researchers. The present review deals with the anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chemopreventive effects, and recent advances in microRNA technology related to red ginseng. The review also summarizes the current knowledge on the effect of ginsenosides in the treatment of cancer.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.117-125
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• 2007

Objectives : Berberine, a main alkaloid component of Coptidis rhizoma, has an antimicrobial and anti-tumor activities and antiinflammatory effect. In the present study, we investigated effect of berberine on the production of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin E2(PGE2), TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-1${\beta}$ in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells, Methods : BV2 cells were pre-treated with berberine and then stimulated with LPS. The cytotoxicity of berberine was determined by MTT assay. The NO production was measured by Griess assay. The mRNA expression and protein levels of inducible nirtic oxide synthase(iNOS) were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. The production of PGE2 and cytokines was measured by ELISA. Results : Berberine inhibited the production of NO, PGE2 and pro inflammatory cytokines, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-1${\beta}$ in a dose dependent manner in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. In addition, berebrine greatly suppressed the mRNA expression and protein levels of iNOS and inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS stimulation. These results indicate that the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism of iNOS and/or inflammatory cytokine gene expression by berberine is involved in its anti-inflammatory effects, respectively. Conclusion : The present study suggests that berberine can be useful as a potential anti-inflammatory agent for treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alsheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and stroke.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.290-294
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• 2008

The objective of this study is screening the anti-oxidative effects of several plant MeOH extracts against oxidative stress in Neuroblastoma cell. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurotoxicity, neurodegenerative disorders and cell death. This oxidative stress is generated by ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) such as nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, peroxyl, superoxide ($O_2^-$), hydroxyl, alkoxyl. So, in the present study, we induced oxidative stress by treatment of sodium nitroprusside (2.5 mM) in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell which was treated samples before 24hr, and cell viability was measured by MTT reduction assay. Of those tested, the extracts of Paeonia japonica (roots), Eucommia ulmoides (炒)(barks), Paeonia japonica (曝乾)(roots), Phyllostachys bambusoides (stems), Polygala tenuifolia (去心, 炒)(roots), Paeonia japonica (roots), Polygala tenuifolia (roots), Machilus thunbergii (barks), Mallotus japonicus (leaves), Poria cocos (whole), Sophora flavescens (roots), Angelica tenuissima (roots), Angelica gigas (當歸尾)(roots) showed anti-oxidative effects[$EC_{50}$<15.20 ${\mu}g$/ml(Carnosine:Positive control)]in dose dependent manner.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.166-175
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Cirsium japonicum and Silibinin on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in BV2 microglial cells. Methods : We studied on the neuroprotective effect of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation using MTS assay, western blot, and nitric oxide detection on mouse BV2 microglial cells. Results : Cirsium japonicum dose-dependently (50${\mu}g/ml$${\sim}$$250{\mu}g/ml$) inhibited nitrite production and iNOS expression in lipopolysaccharide-induced BV2 microglia and also significantly reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced COX-2 activation in western blot. Silibinin dose-dependently (10${\mu}M$${\sim}$$100{\mu}M$) inhibited nitrite production and iNOS expression in lipopolysaccharide-induced BV2 microglial cells. Silibinin also significantly reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced COX-2 activation in western blot. Conclusion : These effects of neuroprotection related to anti-inflammation suggest that Cirsium japonicum and Silibininmay be useful candidates for the development of a drug for related neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.515-525
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• 2022

Background: The incidence of ischemic cerebrovascular disease is increasing in recent years and has been one of the leading causes of neurological dysfunction and death. Ginsenoside Rg1 has been found to protect against neuronal damage in many neurodegenerative diseases. However, the effect and mechanism by which Rg1 protects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) are not fully understood. Here, we report the neuroprotective effects of Rg1 treatment on CIRI and its possible mechanisms in mice. Methods: A bilateral common carotid artery ligation was used to establish a chronic CIRI model in mice. HT22 cells were treated with Rg1 after OGD/R to study its effect on [Ca²⁺]_i. The open-field test and poleclimbing experiment were used to detect behavioral injury. The laser speckle blood flowmeter was used to measure brain blood flow. The Nissl and H&E staining were used to examine the neuronal damage. The Western blotting was used to examine MAP2, PSD95, Tau, p-Tau, NOX2, PLC, p-PLC, CN, NFAT1, and NLRP1 expression. Calcium imaging was used to test the level of [Ca²⁺]_i. Results: Rg1 treatment significantly improved cerebral blood flow, locomotion, and limb coordination, reduced ROS production, increased MAP2 and PSD95 expression, and decreased p-Tau, NOX2, p-PLC, CN, NFAT1, and NLRP1 expression. Calcium imaging results showed that Rg1 could inhibit calcium overload and resist the imbalance of calcium homeostasis after OGD/R in HT22 cells. Conclusion: Rg1 plays a neuroprotective role in attenuating CIRI by inhibiting oxidative stress, calcium overload, and neuroinflammation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.511-524
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• 2023

Objective : This animal model aimed to compare the rat group that received brain irradiation and did not receive additional treatment (only saline) and the rat group that underwent brain irradiation and received Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment. In addition, the effects of G-CSF on brain functions were examined by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and histopathologically. Methods : This study used 24 female Wistar albino rats. Drug administration (saline or G-CSF) was started at the beginning of the study and continued for 15 days after whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). WBRT was given on day 7 of the start of the study. At the end of 15 days, the behavioral tests, including the three-chamber sociability test, open field test, and passive avoidance learning test, were done. After the behavioral test, the animals performed the MR spectroscopy procedure. At the end of the study, cervical dislocation was applied to all animals. Results : G-CSF treatment positively affected the results of the three-chamber sociability test, open-space test and passive avoidance learning test, cornu Ammonis (CA) 1, CA3, and Purkinje neuron counts, and the brain levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and postsynaptic density protein-95. However, G-CSF treatment reduced the glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining index and brain levels of malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nuclear factor kappa-B, and lactate. In addition, on MR spectroscopy, G-CSF had a reversible effect on brain lactate levels. Conclusion : In this first designed brain irradiation animal model, which evaluated G-CSF effects, we observed that G-CSF had reparative, neuroprotective and anti-neurodegenerative effects and had increased neurotrophic factor expression, neuronal counts, and morphology changes. In addition, G-CSF had a proven lactate-lowering effect in MR spectroscopy and brain materials.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.954-960
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• 2004

Expression of the NF-$textsc{k}$B-dependent genes responsible for inflammation, such as TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), contributes to chronic inflammation which is a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases (i.e. Alzheimer＇s disease). Although NF-$textsc{k}$B plays a biphasic role in different cells like neurons and microglia, controlling the activation of NF-$textsc{k}$B is important for its negative feedback in either activation or inactivation. In this study, we found that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) inhibited I$textsc{k}$B$\alpha$ degradation to block expression of the NF-$textsc{k}$B-dependent genes in microglia when activated by $\beta$-amyloid peptide (A$\beta$). We also showed that when microglia is activated by $A\beta$42, the expression of A20 is suppressed. These findings place A20 in the category of ' protective ' genes, protecting cells from pro-inflammatory reper-toires induced in response to inflammatory stimuli in activated microglia via NF-$textsc{k}$B activation. In light of the gene and proteins for NF-$textsc{k}$B-dependent gene and inactivator for NF-$textsc{k}$B (I$textsc{k}$B$\alpha$), the observations now reported suggest that UDCA plays a role in supporting the attenuation of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO via inactivation of NF-$textsc{k}$B. Moreover, an NF-$textsc{k}$B inhibitor such as A20 can collaborate and at least enhance the anti-inflammatory effect in microglia, thus giving a potent benefit for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.uch as AD.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2019

The common hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), is the presence of chronic neuroinflammation, which contributes to the loss of neuronal structure and function. This study investigated the effects of an ethanolic extract of Sargassum serratifolium (SSE) in a lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced murine neuroinflammation model. Mice were administered SSE (100 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle for 5 days by oral gavage, and then treated with LPS or saline by intraperitoneal injection. Thereafter, the brain tissues were collected, and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. There was a marked increase in the spleen weight index in the LPS-treated groups, which indicated the induction of acute systemic inflammation. Based on significant increases in the levels of IL-1 and IL-6 expression, the induction of neuroinflammation was also evident in the cortex and hippocampus of the LPS-treated groups. The overall expression of IL-1 and IL-6 was decreased slightly by SSE administration, compared with the LPS group, and a marked change in IL-1 was observed in the cortex of the SSE-treated (SSE/LPS) group. These results suggest that SSE has potential as an anti-neuroinflammatory nutraceutical.