• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2009

Macrophages play an important role in the first line of immunologic effects against tumor cells. The effects of nonsaponin red ginseng (NSRG) components on macrophage functions like tumoricidal activity, phagocytic activity, and NO production in young (8-weeks-old) and aged (82-weeks-old) male C57BL/6 mice were assessed in vitro, respectively. The treatment of tumor cells (melanoma B16 cells) with the supernatants of NSRG-treated macrophages resulted in an increase of cytotoxicity at 300 $\mu$g/ml in the aged mice, whereas the supernatants did not have a cytotoxic effect in the young mice. It was observed that the supernatants induced the increase of tumor cell proliferation at 150 $\mu$g/ml in the young mice, suggesting that the supernatants contain growth factors rather than cytotoxic molecules. In addition, NSRG alone had a direct cytotoxic effect on the B16 tumor cells. NSRG had no effect on the NO production by the macrophages in the young mice, while it significantly increased the level of NO release in the aged mice. There was no difference in the phagocytic activities of the macrophages by NSRG in both groups of mice. These results suggest that NSRG has differential effects on the macrophage functions in young and aged mice.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2011

We demonstrate that glycoprotein isolated from Dioscorea batatas (GDB) has immunostimulatory effects including macrophage activation. Analysis of infiltration of inflammatory cells into peritoneal cavity showed GDB treatment significantly increased the recruitment of macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes into the peritoneal cavity. Treatment of spleen cells isolated from C57BL/6 mice with GDB significantly increased the proliferation of B cells and T cells induced by LPS and ConA, respectively. Treatment with GDB significantly increased the cytolytic capacity of NK cells and macrophages against YAC-1 and B16 cells, respectively. In order to further confirm and investigate the mechanism of GDB on macrophage activation, we analyzed the effects of GDB on the cytokine expression including iNOS, IL-1${\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells. RT-PCR and ELISA showed that GDB increased the expression of IL-1${\beta}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$, whereas iNOS was not induced by GDB. Collectively, this series of experiments indicates that GDB stimulates immune system including macrophage activation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2002

An antitumor substance was purified from the culture filtrate of phytopathogenic fungus Alternaria brassicicola SW-3 isolated from soil of a chinese cabbage patch, and its characteristics were investigated. Antitumor activity of A. brassicicola SW-3 was measured by MTT assay. The cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell line was detected in the culture filtrate of A. brassicicola SW-3, but no activity found in mycelium. Antitumor substance was isolated from the culture broth by ethyl acetate extraction and purified by silica gel column chromatography. Structure of the purified compound was analyzed by the instrumental analysis such as $^1$H-NMR, $^{13}$ C-NMR and IR spectroscopy. The purified fungal metabolite of an A. brassicicola SW-3, consists of 11 carbon chain with two hydroxyl groups and two epoxides which is identical to depudecin. The $IC_{50}$/ values of the active compound identified as depudecin were $69\mu$g/mL and $57\mu$g/mL against mouse melanoma B16BL6 cell line, and human hepatoma SK-HEP1 cell line, respectively.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.120-136
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• 2002

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate Acute and Subacute Toxicity, and Anti-cancer Effect of H Herbal-acupuncture on mice and rats. Methods : Balb/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with H Herbal-acupuncture for $LD_{50}$ and acute toxicity test. Sprague-Dawley rats were experimented in the same way for subacute toxicity test. H Herbal-acupuncture was injected into abdomen of mice having S-180 cancer cell line. Result : 1. During the test, $LD_{50}$ could not be counted since there was no expired subjects. 2. In an acute toxicity test, the loss of motility and reflex action was observed, but weight increased in the treatment group, compared with those in the normal group (P<0.05). 3. In an acute toxicity test of serum biochemical values of mice, glucose increased in the treatment group II while total cholesterol was increased in the all treatment groups (P<0.05). 4. In a subacute toxicity test, a little loss of motility and reflex action was observed in the treatment group. Weight of mice in the treatment group decreased on the 28th day. 5. In a subacute toxicity test, liver weight was decreased but lung weight of mice increased in the all treatment groups (P<0.05). 6. As a result of measuring Complete Blood Count test (CBC) of rat, HCT was decreased in treatments even though it was not significant, compared with the normal group (P<0.05). 7. In a serum biochemical value test of subacute toxicity, total protein and albumin decreased in the all treatment groups. Creatinine, glucose, GOT increased in the treatment group I compared with the control group. Alkaline phos-phatase decreased in treatment II group, compared with the control group (P<0.05). 8. Median survival time that was measured in the rats treated with sarcoma-180 cancer cell Median decreased in the treatment group, compared with the control group (P<0.05). 9. Natural killer cell activity showed significant reduction at 100:1 and 10:1 E/T ratio while it increased at 50:1 E/T ratio. It is inferred that there was an error in the experiment (P<0.05). 10. In an interleukin-2 productivity test, even though it decreased in lung cancer, and increased in abdomen cancer, but it was only a small difference (P<0.005). 11. After injecting B16F10 cell into a capillary vessel of C57BL/6 mice and generating metastasized lung cancer, the lung was examined with the naked eye. It was not possible to see metastasized cancer in the all groups on the seventh day but the cancer was viewed on the fourteenth day. The number and volume of metastasized cancer in the treatment group enlarged in the treatment group, compared with the control group. Conclusion : According to the results, H herbal-acupuncture took no effects in cancer.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.76-94
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• 2003

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate Acute$\cdot$Subacute Toxicity and Anti-cancer Effect of K-Herbal-acupuncture in mice and rats. Methods : Balb/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with K-herbal-acupuncture for $LD_{50}$ and acute toxicity test. Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with K-herbal-acupuncture for subacute toxicity test. K-Herbal-acupuncture was injected on abdomen of mice with S-180 cancer cell line. Result : 1. $LD_{50}$ of K-Herbal-acupuncture was limited $4{\times}10^{-3}$ml/kg~$2{\times}10^{-3}$ml/kg by the test. 2. In acute toxicity test, all of mice were down to the moving reflex, but the weight of mice was increased in treatment group, compared with the normal group. (P<0.05) 3. In acute toxicity test of serum biochemical values of mice, glucose was increased in treatment II group, total cholesterol was increased both treatments.(P<0.05) 4. In subacute toxicity test, the clinical signs of toxication was down to the moving reflex, but it is not severe like acute toxicity test, and observed weight loss at the treatments. 5. In subacute toxicity test, liver weight was decreased compared with the normal group. (P<0.05) 6. In subacute toxicity test of complete blood count test (CBC) of rat, HCT was decreased in treatments, compared with the normal group.(P<0.05) 7. In subacute toxicity test of serum biochemical values of rat, uric acid and triglyceride were decreased, and glucose was increased in treatment groups compared with the control group. (P<0.05) 8. Median survival time was increased about $45\%$ in treatment groups compared with the control group.(P<0.05) 9. Natural killer cell activity was increased in B16F10 lung cancer model, but it was not in sarcoma-180 abdomen cancer. 10. In interleukin-2 productivity test, treatment groups didn't show significant change in lung cancer and abdomen cancer, compared with the normal group.(P<0.005) 11. In making an examination of metastatic cancer with the naked eye, melanoma metastasized in the Lung of C57BL/6 mice. The treated group showed more Melanoma than the control in the numbers and volume. Conclusion : According to the result, K-herbal-acupuncture need further study to know the function and effect in cancer.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.233-237
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• 2010

This study evaluated the change in whitening activity of ${\beta}-glucan$ by gamma-irradiation. Tyrosinase inhibition was significantly increased in the samples with 30, 50, 100 kGy irradiated ${\beta}-glucan$. Melanin synthesis of irradiated ${\beta}-glucan$ was measured from B16BL6 melanoma cell line treated with ${\alpha}-melanin$ stimulating hormone. Melanin synthesis was increased in the ${\alpha}-melanin$ stimulating hormone added group. However, it was decreased in the groups of 30, 50 and 100 kGy gamma-irradiated ${\beta}-glucan$ treated with ${\alpha}-melanin$ stimulating hormone. These results indicate that gamma irradiated ${\beta}-glucan$ may elevate the whitening activity. Therefore, gamma-irradiated ${\beta}-glucan$ could be used for nutraceutical foods in cosmetic industry.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2003

Background: The role of macrophages in tumor angiogenesis is known to be the production of angiogenic cytokines and growth factors including TNF-${\alpha}$. Recently, macrophage also can produce the INF-${\gamma}$ that is being studied to be involved in angiogenic inhibition. Thus, the importance of macrophages in tumor angiogenesis is might being an angiogenic switch. Thus, the hypothesis tested here is that TNF-${\alpha}$ can modulate the INF-${\gamma}$ production in the macrophages from tumor environment as a part of tumor angiogenic switch. Methods: Macrophages in tumor environment were obtained from the peritoneal cavity of C57BL/6 mice injected with B16F10 melanoma cell line for 6 or 11 days. $Mac1^+$-macrophages were purified using magnetic bead ($MACs^{TM}$; Milteny Biotech, Germany) and cultured with various concentrations of TNF-${\alpha}$ for various time points at $37^{\circ}C$. The supernatants were analyzed for IFN-${\gamma}$ or VEGF by ELISA kit (Endogen, Woburn, MA). Results: Residential macrophages from the peritoneal cavity did not respond to LPS or TNF-${\alpha}$ to produce INF-${\gamma}$. However, the cells from tumor environment produced IFN-${\gamma}$ as well as VEGF and upregulated by the addition of LPS or TNF-${\alpha}$. RT-PCR analysis revealed the external TNF-${\alpha}$-induced IFN-${\gamma}$ gene expression in the macrophages from tumor environment. Conclusion: The overall data suggest that the macrophages in tumor environment might have an important role not only in angiogenic signal but also in anti-angiogenic signal by producing related cytokines. And TNF-${\alpha}$ might be a key cytokine in tumor angiogenic switch.