• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.146-159
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• 1998

A new processed ginseng with fortified activity is developed. The process comprise with the heat treatment of fresh or white ginseng at higher temperature and pressure than those used for the preparation of red ginseng. This new processed ginseng showed 7 times higher antioxidant activity and more than 30 times stronger vasodilating activity than those shown in raw ginseng. Other activities found in the new processed ginseng include cancer chemoprevention, antinephrotoxic, and antineurotoxic activities. Less polar ginsenosides isolated from processed ginseng exhibited anti-platelet aggregation activity and anti-cancer activity. Many ginsenosides were isolated from this new processed ginseng, namely 20(S)-$Rg_3$,20(R)-$Rg_3$, $Rg_5$, $Rg_6$, $F_4$, $Rh_4$,20(S)-$Rg_3$,20(R)-$Rg_3$ and $Rg_4$. In addition to these known compounds, seven new ginsenosides, named as gisenoside $Rk_1$, $Rk_2$, $Rk_3$, $Rs_4$, $Rs_5$, $Rs_6$, and $Rs_7$ were isolated. The major constituents of new processed ginseng were 20(S)-$Rg_3$,20(R)-$Rg_3$, $Rk_1$ and $Rg_5$ which are minors in red ginseng. Since the chemical constituents and biological activities of this new processed ginseng are quite different from those of white or red ginseng, we designated it as $'$sun ginseng (仙蔘)$'$.s;$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.349-360
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• 2018

Autophagy has been studied as a therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases. However, insufficient studies have been reported concerning the influence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through autophagy regulation. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of VSMCs on the regulation of autophagy under in vitro conditions similar to vascular status of the equipped micro-tubule target agent-eluting stent and increased release of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). Cell viability and proliferation were measured using MTT and cell counting assays. Immunofluorescence using an $anti-{\alpha}-tubulin$ antibody was performed to determine microtubule dynamic formation. Cell apoptosis was measured by cleavage of caspase-3 using western blot analysis, and by nuclear fragmentation using a fluorescence assay. Autophagy activity was assessed by microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC-II) using western blot analysis. Levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using $H_2DCFDA$. The proliferation and viability of VSMCs were inhibited by microtubule regulation. Additionally, microtubule-regulated and PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs increased the cleavage of caspase-3 more than only the microtubule-regulated condition, similar to that of LC3-II, implying autophagy. Inhibitory autophagy of microtubule-regulated and PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs resulted in low viability. However, enhancement of autophagy maintained survival through the reduction of ROS. These results suggest that the apoptosis of conditioned VSMCs is decreased by the blocking generation of ROS via the promotion of autophagy, and proliferation is also inhibited. Thus, promoting autophagy as a therapeutic target for vascular restenosis and atherosclerosis may be a good strategy.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.237-245
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2) has a variety of pharmacological activities and provides benefits during inflammation, cancer, and other diseases. However, there are no reports about the relationship between Rg2 and atherosclerosis. Methods: We used 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) to detect the cell viability of Rg2 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of inflammatory factors in HUVECs and the expression of phenotypic transformation-related marker in VSMCs were detected at mRNA levels. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of inflammation pathways and the expression of phenotypic transformation at the protein levels. The rat carotid balloon injury model was performed to explore the effect of Rg2 on inflammation and phenotypic transformation in vivo. Results: Rg2 decreased the expression of inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide in HUVECs-without affecting cell viability. These events depend on the blocking regulation of NF-κB and p-ERK signaling pathway. In VSMCs, Rg2 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of VSMCs induced by platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-which may contribute to its anti-atherosclerotic role. In rats with carotid balloon injury, Rg2 can reduce intimal proliferation after injury, regulate the inflammatory pathway to reduce inflammatory response, and also suppress the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that Rg2 can exert its anti-atherosclerotic effect at the cellular level and animal level, which provides a more sufficient basis for ginseng as a functional dietary regulator.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.220-224
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• 2007

To search of more selective vasculogenic relaxation activity, the antioxidant activity of silkworm male pupae was determined by measuring its radical scavenging effect on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, and anticoagulant activity of them was measured clotting time in both activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Because, most of cGMP-enhancing agent such as, sildenafil, promotes thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, developed unexplained thrombic conditions including heart attack. To search more suitable and safe drug for vasculogenic relaxation, we purified silkworm pupae male extract. The ethyl acetate extract of silkworm male pupae showed strong scavenging activity in both DPPH and aPTT anticoagulant activity. The antioxidant activity potential of the individual fraction was in order of ethyl acetate > n-butanol > chloroform > n-hexane. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction exhibiting strong anti-oxidant and anticoagulant activity was further purified by repeated silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Cholesterol was isolated as one of the active principles from ethyl acetate fraction, together with, minor portion, ${\beta}-sitosterol$.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.857-862
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• 2004

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of supercritical fluid extract of Kamichungbieum (SFE) on allergic reaction. SFE (500 mg/kg) inhibited the systemic anaphylaxis induced by compound 48/80 or platelet activating factor and inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) induced by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP)-lgE and DNP-human serum albumin (HSA) in vivo. Also, SFE inhibited the SRSC-induced delayed type hypersensitivity and inhibited the hind paw edema induced by histamine. In addition, SFE inhibited the permeability of evans blue induced by acetic acid and inhibited the writhing syndrome induced by acetic acid. These results indicate that SFE may be useful for the prevention and treatment of allergy related disease.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.3048-3054
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• 2012

The use of aspirin is widely recommended for the prevention of heart attacks owing to its ability to inhibit platelet activation by irreversibly blocking cyclooxygenase 1. However, aspirin also affects the fibrinolytic and hemostatic pathways by mechanisms that are not well understood, causing severe hemorrhagic complications. Here, we investigated the ability of aspirin and aspirin metabolites to inhibit thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), the major inhibitor of plasma fibrinolysis. TAFI is activated via proteolytic cleavage by the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex to TAFIa, a carboxypeptidase B-like enzyme. TAFIa modulates fibrinolysis by removing the C-terminal arginine and lysine residues from partially degraded fibrin, which in turn inhibits the binding of plasminogen to fibrin clots. Aspirin and its major metabolites, salicylic acid, gentisic acid, and salicyluric acid, inhibit TAFIa carboxypeptidase activity. Salicyluric acid effectively blocks activation of TAFI by thrombin-thrombomodulin; however, salicylates do not inhibit carboxypeptidase N or pancreatic carboxypeptidase B. Aspirin and other salicylates accelerated the dissolution of fibrin clots and reduced thrombus formation in an in vitro model of fibrinolysis. Inhibition of TAFI represents a novel hemostatic mechanism that contributes to aspirin's therapy-associated antithrombotic activity and hemorrhagic complications.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.101-103
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• 2006

Oral prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is a medicine that is clinically applied during a treatment of patients suffering with vascular disease with chronic arterial obstruction because it has vasodilation and anti-platelet effects. The mechanisms of lumbosacral symptoms associated with spinal stenosis probably include vascular insufficiency with hypoxic injury to the cauda equina and the nerve roots. Thus, increasing the blood supply would be beneficial to improve the pathophysiologic condition. Several studies on the improvement of clinical symptoms of spinal stenosis by PGE1 treatment have been reported on. In this case, 47-year old female underwent posterior compression and posterolateral fusion with a cage at L2-4 due to L3 compression fracture, and she did not show improvement of the radiating pain of her right leg after the operation. Therefore, she received repetitive epidural catheterization and adhesiolysis, epidural block and physical therapy, but her symptoms deteriorated after temporary improvement. Finally, she was given PGE1 and the radiculopathy was completely improved, although some muscle weakness still remained.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.183-187
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• 2008

Alkyl thiosulfi(o)nates, analogs of allyl-2-propene-1-thiosulfinate isolated from Allium sativum and having antibacterial activity, were chemically synthesized and their biological activities were investigated. Alkyl thiosulfinates were prepared by oxidation of corresponding disulfides with organic peroxy acid, while alkyl thiosulfonates could be obtained by oxidation of the alkyl thiosulfinates using sodium periodate. All synthetic thiosulfi(o)nates showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus B33 and antifungal activity against Candida utilis ATCC42416. Further more synthetic alkyl thiosulfonates displayed antioxidant activity and have also prevention effect of platelet aggregation induced by collagen in rat.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.427-435
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• 2007

Recently, intracranial atherosclerosis has become a major cause of ischemic stroke, appearing more frequently in Koreans than Caucasians. Symptomatic or asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis is a disease that could recur readily even during the treatment with anti-platelet agents. When the symptoms develop, ischemic stroke can not be recovered readily. Therefore, aggressive treatments such as endovascular therapy and bypass surgery are required in addition to medical treatment for the intracranial artery stenosis. Recent intracranial stenting and drug eluting stenting have shown as very advanced effective therapeutic modalities. Nevertheless, until now, a randomized controlled study has not been conducted. Regarding bypass surgery, since the failed EC-IC bypass surgery study performed 20 years ago, extensive studies on its efficacy has not been conducted yet, and thus it has to be performed strictly only in hemodynamically compromised patients. Unless breakthrough drugs that suppress the progression of intracranial atherosclerosis and the formation of thrombi, and facilitate the regression of the arterial stenosis, the treatment concept of the recovery of the blood flow of stenotic arterial territory by mechanical recanalization or bypass surgery would be remained for the prevention as well as treatment of ischemic stroke caused by intracranial atherosclerosis.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2013

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a microvascular thrombotic lesion caused by endothelial injury and subsequent formation of platelet rich thrombus. TMA is first described as a classical pathologic feature of HUS/TTP. Renal biopsy finding of TMA represents kidney involvement of HUS/TTP as well as other diseases such as malignant hypertension, drug toxicity, eclampsia, pre-eclampsia, and several systemic infections. Autoimmune diseases and transplant kidney sometime also have TMA. It is needed to consider a complete autoimmune work-up of patients presenting with TMA including tests for ANA, ANCA, and ADAMTS13 inhibitory antibodies, because there are several reports of association with TMA in patients of SLE, anti-phospholipid syndrome, and ANCA-associated vasculitis.