• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.463-469
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• 2010

This research is performed to obtain positive evidences of Mori cortex, a kind of oriental medicinal herbs, in the cellular levels. The extracts of M. cortex have shown anti-inflammatory effects against cutaneous inflammation and clinical effects on pulmonary asthma and congestion in oriental medicine. Thus BV2 cells were chosen because microglia are considered as the main immunocompetent cells in the central nervous system. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation of cultured BV2 cells and subsequent release of nitric oxide (NO) and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were effectively suppressed by methylene chloride extract of Morus alba L. (MEMA). From the inflammation-mediated mRNA and protein analyses, we showed that inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) induced by LPS were markedly decreased by MEMA treatment. From the observation of nuclear factor-kB (NF-${\kappa}B$) which is controlling and mediating inflammation through COX-2 and iNOS, there showed that p65, a subunit of NF-${\kappa}B$, was increased in nuclear and $I{\kappa}B$, a competitor of NF-${\kappa}B$, was recovered in cytosol after MEMA treatment. These are corresponding with results of iNOS, COX-2, IL-$1{\kappa}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$, and confirm some suppressive effect against transcriptional activation of NF-${\kappa}B$. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory action of M. cortex against BV2 microglia cells is expected to protect nerve tissues through suppression of neuronal inflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.17-29
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• 2009

Objectives: The present study is focused on the inhibitory effect of the rhizome hexane fraction extract of Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus (ginger hexan extract; GHE) on the production of inflammatory mediators such as NO, $PGE_2$, and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 cells, a mouse microglial cell line. Methods: We separated the hexane fraction from Zingiberis Rhizoma Crudus's methanol extract. The inhibitory and anti-inflammatory effect of GHE was examined on microglial activation. Results: GHE significantly inhibited the excessive production of NO, $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-1${\beta}$ in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. In addition, GHE attenuated the mRNA expressions and protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory properties of GHE may make it useful as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of human neurodegenerative diseases.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.385-390
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• 2011

Bee venom (BV), which is extracted from honeybees, has been used in traditional Korean medical therapy. Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity contributes to neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study is to investigate the effect of BV on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity on NSC-34 motor neuron cells. To determine the viability of motor neuronal cells, we performed with MTT assays in glutamate-treated NSC-34 cell with BV or without. For the measurement of oxidative stress, DCF assay was used in glutamate-treated NSC-34 motor neuronal cells with BV or without. To investigate the molecular mechanism of BV against glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity in NSC-34 cells, western blot analysis was used. Glutamate significantly decreased cell viability by glutamate dose- or treatment time-dependent manner in NSC-34 cells. However, BV pre-treatment dramatically inhibited glutamate-induced neuronal cell death. Furthermore, we found that BV increased the expression of Bcl-2 protein that is anti-apoptotic protein and reduced the generation of oxidative stress. BV has a neuroprotective role against glutamate neurotoxicity by an increase of anti-apoptotic protein. It suggests that BV may be useful for the reduction of neuronal cell death in neuronal disease models.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.51-63
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• 2009

Background and Objective : The prospects for developing an anti-apoptotic natural component or a compound that exerts a neuroprotective effect with few or no side effects for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease appear favorable. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the methanol extract of Phellodendri Cortex (PC extract) on 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium($MPP^+$)-induced apoptosis in PC-12 cells. Materials and Methods : We used the methanol extract of Phellodendri Cortex (PC extract). PC-12 cells were cultured by RPMZ-1640. We found the PC extract's gene expression (Bax, Bcl-2) by using RT-PCR. We examined the PC extract's protein expression (Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome c, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), caspase-3) by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Results : Apoptosis in $MPP^+$-induced PC-12 cells was accompanied by an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, release of cytochrome c to the cytosol and the activation of caspase-3. PC extract inhibited the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and the up-regulation of Bax, as well as the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol. In addition, PC extract attenuated caspase-3 activation and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Conclusion : These results suggest that the neuroprotective potentials of PC extract against $MPP^+$-induced apoptosis can be. at least partially, ascribed to its anti-apoptotic effects in PC-12 cells.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2020

Objectives : Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. There is no clear treatment or remedy for Parkinson's disease; therefore, the development of novel therapies related to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects is required. This study was performed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of water extracts from Cervi Cornu (CC) in dopaminergic cells. Methods : We studied effects of CC on apoptosis, cell death and inflammation in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells treated by methylpyridinium ion (MPP+). SH-SY5Y cell line was treated with CC for 24 hours and then 500 μM MPP+ for 18 hours. Results : Cervi Cornu treatment inhibited the decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression and decreased the activation of inflammatory factors mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase (COX2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) against MPP+ neurotoxicity. Apoptosis factors BCL2 associated X, apoptosis regulator (BAX) levels were decreased and B-Cell CLL/Lymphoma 2 (BCL2) levels were increased. Conclusions : These results suggest that CC treatment had neuroprotective effects in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells against toxicity induced by MPP+. The results suggest new possibilities of CC for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.53-77
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• 2002

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, which is pathologically characterized by neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles associated with the acetylcholinesterase, apolipoprotein E and butylcholinesterase, and by mutations in the presenilin genes PS1 and PS2, and amyloid precursor proteins (APPs) overexpression. The present research is to examine the inhibitory effect of KGBH on PS1, PS2 and APPs overexpression detected by Western blotting. To verify the Effects of KGBH on cognitive deficits further, we tested it on the scopolamine(1mg/kg)-induced amnesia model of the mice using the Morris water maze tests, and there were ameliorative effects on memory impairment as a protection against scopolamine. KGBH only partially blocked the increase in blood serum level of acetylcholinesterase and Uric acid induced by scopolamine, where as blood glucose level was shown to attenuate the amnesia induced by scopolamine and inreased extracellular serum level. In conclusion, studies of KGBH that has been known as anti-choline and inhibitory ablilities of APPs overexpression, could also be used further as a important research data for a preventive and promising symptomatic treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.45-58
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• 2003

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is progressive neurodegenerative disease, which is pathologically characterized by neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles associated with the acetylcholinesterase, apolipoprotein E and butylcholinesterase, and by mutations in the presenilin genes PS1 and PS2, and amyloid precursor proteins (APP) overexpression. The present research is to examine the inhibition effect of MDOF on PS-1, PS-2 and APP overexpression by detected to Western blotting. To verify the effects of MDOF on cognitive deficits further, we tested it on the scopolamine-induced amnesia model of the mice using the Morris water maze tests, and there was ameliorative effects of memory impairment as a protection to scopolamine. MDOF only partially blocked the increase in blood serum level of acetylcholinesterase and Uric acid induced by scopolamine, whereas blood glucose level was shown to attenuate the amnesia induced by scopolamine and inreased extracelluar serum level compared with only scopolamine injection. In conclusion, studies of MDOF that has been know as anti-choline and inhibition ablilities of APP overexpression, this could also be used further as a important research data for a preventive and promising symptomatic treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.59-74
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• 2003

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, which is pathologically characterized by neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles associated with the acetylcholinesterase, apolipoprotein E and butylcholinesterase, and by mutations in the presenilin genes PS1 and PS2, and amyloid precursor proteins (APP) overexpression. The present research is to examine the inhibition effect of CPRT on PS-1, PS-2 and APP overexpression by detected to Western blotting. To verify the Effects of CPRT on cognitive deficits further, we tested it on the scopolamine-induced amnesia model of the mice using the Morris water maze tests, and there was ameliorative effects of memory impairment as a protection to scopolamine. CPRT only partially blocked the increase in blood serum level of acetylcholinesterase and Uric acid induced by scopolamine, whereas blood glucose level was shown to attenuate the amnesia induced by scopolamine and inreased extracellular serum level compared with only scopolamine injection. In conclusion, studies of CPRT that has been known as anti-choline and inhibition ablilities of APP overexpression, this could also be used further as a important research data for a preventive and promising symptomatic treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.117-127
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• 2006

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of neurodegenerative disease associated with aging in the human population. This disease is characterized by the following 4 structural changes : Atrophy of the Cortex, Parasympathetic, and other neural cells, the existence of Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and the accumulation of Senile plaques. NFTs and Senile plaques is known to be the index of this disease. Senile plaques disturbs the neutro transmission and depletes of Acetylcholine. So, Recovery of Acetylcholine is the primal objective for treating Alzheimer's disease. So, Inhibiting the activity of Acetylcholine Esterase (AChE), which causes the hydrolysus of acetylcholine into choline and acetate, can be seen as a key role for treating Alzheimer's disease. Increasing body of evidence has been demonstrated that Bee Venom Acupuncture (BV) could compete with complex protein involving in multiple step of $NF-_{\kappa}B$ activation and exert the anti-inflammatory potential of combined inhibition of the prostanoid and nitric oxide synthesis systems by inhibition of IKK and $NF-_{\kappa}B$. BV dose-dependently attenuated Scopolamine-induced Acetylcholine esterase activities in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the mice brain. This study therefore suggests that BV acupuncture method may be useful for prevention of development or progression of AD.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.149-171
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• 2002

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, which is pathologically characterized by neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles associated with the acetylcholinesterase, apolipoprotein E and butylcholinesterase, and by mutations in the presenilin genes PS1 and PS2, and amyloid precursor proteins (APPs)'s overexpression. The present research is to examine the inhibitory effect of CWBD on PS1, PS2 and APPs's overexpression detected by Western blotting. To verify further the effects of CWBD on cognitive deficits, we tested it on the scopolamine(1mg/kg)-induced amnesia model of the mice using the Morris water maze tests, and there were ameliorative effects on memory impairment as a protection from scopolamine. CWBD only partially blocked the increase in blood serum level of acetylcholinesterase and Uric acid induced by scopolamine, whereas blood glucose level was shown to attenuate the amnesia induced by scopolamine and increased extracellular serum level. In conclusion, studies of CWBD that has been known as anti-choline and inhibitory ablilities of APPs's overexpression could also be used further as a important research data for a preventive and promising symptomatic treatment for Alzheimer's disease.