• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.165-170
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• 2020

In this paper, it was confirmed that scopoletin inhibits neuroinflammation induced by amyloid beta oligomer (Aβ_1-42) in microglial BV-2. The mechanisms of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators by scopoletin were identified. Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease, but it is a disease whose specific etiology is unknown, and many studies are trying to solve it. We first measured the cell viability with the CCK-8 assay method to confirm that scopoletin and Aβ_1-42 are toxic to BV-2 cells. Expression levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in inflammatory reactions induced by Aβ_1-42 with western blot were analyzed. The ANOVA assay was used to compare protein expression differences between BV-2 cells treated with Aβ_1-42 alone and BV-2 cells pretreated with Aβ_1-42 and scopoletin. Therefore, this study suggested that scopoletin is worth developing as a neuroinflammatory protection agent for Alzheimer's disease in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.171-179
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• 2008

Objective: Bufonis Venenum is the traditional Korean medicine Chan Su, which is obtained from the skin and parotid venom gland of the toads. It has been used for myocardial diseases, inflammation diseases, pain relief, cancer and others. The main components of BV are cinobufotoxin, cinobufalin, bufalin and others. Of these, bufalin, the major active ingredient of BV, has been reported to induce apoptosis and to possess anti-tumor effects. There was no report of anti-tumor screening of BV on hepatic cancer and which signaling pathway can be involved. In order to examine the effect of BV on hepatic cancer and the related signaling pathway with BV-induced apoptosis, human Hep G2 cells were used. Methods: Analysis of apoptosis was confirmed by MTT assay. BV decreased cell viability in a dose and duration dependent manner. To observe which signaling molecules will be activated by BV, phosphorylation of MAPK (p38, ERK, JNK), caspase 8 and caspase 9 were examined by Western blot analysis. Results: The phosphorylation levels of p38 started to increase at 5 min after addition of 5 ${\mu}g$/ml of BV and sustained to increase until 48 hours. The phosphorylation levels of other MAPK (ERK and JNK), caspase 8 and caspase 9 increased in a time-dependent manner. These imply that BV may activate different signaling pathways, MAPK, caspase 8 and caspase 9. These results propose that BV may induce apoptosis on Hep G2 cells through the activation of MAPK, caspase 8 and caspase 9.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 2008

Recent studies suggest that activated microglial cells play an essential role in the inflammatory responses and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective mechanisms of Asiasarum sieboldi (AS) on LPS-induced activation of BV-2 microglial cells. The effects of AS on gene expression profiles in activated BV-2 microglial cells were evaluated using microarray analysis. BV-2 microglial cells were cultured in a 100 mm dish ($1{\times}10^7$/mL) for 24 h and then pretreated with 1 ${\mu}g$/mL AS or left untreated for 30 min. Next, 1 ${\mu}g$/mL LPS was added to the samples and the cells were reincubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 30 min and 1 hr. The gene expression profiles of the BV-2 microglial cells varied depending on the AS. The microarray analysis revealed that MAPK signaling pathway-related genes were downregulated in AS-treated BV-2 microglial cells. AS can affect the neuroinflammatory-related pathway such as MAPK signaling pathway in activated BV-2 microglial cells.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2009

Microglial cells constitute the first line of defense against infection and injury in the brain. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective mechanisms of Agrimonia pilosa (AP) on LPS-induced activation of BV-2 microglial cells. The effects of AP on gene expression profiles in activated BV-2 microglial cells were evaluated using microarray analysis. BV-2 microglial cells were cultured in a 100 mm dish ($1{\times}10^7/mL$) for 24 hr and then pretreated with 1 g/mL AP or left untreated for 30 min. Next, 1 g/mL LPS was added to the samples and the cells were reincubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 30 min, 3 hr and 6 hr. The gene expression profiles of the BV-2 microglial cells varied depending on the AP. The microarray analysis revealed that MAPK signaling pathway-related genes were down-regulated and IL10 gene was up-regulated in AP-treated BV-2 microglial cells. AP can affect the inflammatory response and MAPK pathway in BV-2 microglial cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.158-170
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• 2018

Objectives: The objective of this study is Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album coloratum agglutinin, VCA) and bee venom (BV) to experimental prove comparative study of VCA and BV on the anti-cancer effect and mechanisms of action. Methods: In this study, it was examined in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Hep G2 cells. Cytotoxic effects of VCA and BV on Hep G2 cells were determined by 3- (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in vitro. VCA and BV killed Hep G2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Results: The apoptotic cell death was then confirmed by propidium iodide staining and DNA fragmentation analysis. The mechanisms of action was examined by the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Treatment of Hep G2 cells with VCA activated poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) known as a marker of apoptosis, and mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathways including SAPK/JNK, MAPK and p38. BV also activated PARP-1, MAPK, p38 but not JNK. The expression level of anti-apoptotic molecule, Bcl-X, was decreased by VCA treatment but not BV. Finally, the phosphorylation level of ERM proteins involved in the cytoskeleton homeostasis was decreased by both stimuli. Conclusion: We examined the involvement of kinase in VCA or BV - induced apoptosis by using kinase inhibitors. VCA-induced apoptosis was partially inhibited by in the presence.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2009

Objective : Patients with spinal cord injury are increasing in numbers. However, there is no reliable treatment guide in both conventional & complementary medicine. Also, there are not much clinical case of patients with spina cord injury in oriental medical field. We investigated effect of sweet BV on subacute stage patient with spinal cord injury. Method : 31-year old female patient with spinal cord injury was treated with herb medicine(TID), electro arcupunture (BID), sweet BV injection(QOD), Physical treatment(QD), and conventional-medicine. Result : We had a satisfactory result with using sweet BV injection. The patient's ASIA grade improved from 34 to 52. And Frankle classification of the patient shifted from A to B. Conclusion : We reach a conclusion Using Sweet BV improve the sensation of patient with spinal cord injury. And more study about this disease is needed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1347-1355
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• 2004

In this study, the immunological effect of a traditional Korea herbal acupuncture, that has been widely used for the treatment of various immunological disorders including inflammation in Korea, was examined in vitro and in vivo. In our previous study demonstrated that BV increased the expression of IFN-γ mRNA, that plays pivotal role in T cell response. This study was designated to evaluate the effect of BV on helper T cell development by monitoring Th1/Th2 specific cytokine secretion patterns in artificially induced Th1/Th2 polarized condition and in vivo. The results demonstrated that BV didn't have mitogenic effects on the unstimulated CD4+ T cell, but increased the CD4+ T cell proliferation upon activation with anti-CD3/CD28 antibody. The Th1 cells were over-populated dramatically in Th1 driven condition with BV treatment, while the Th2 cells were increased slightly in Th2 skewed condition. Furthermore, under Th1-skewed conditions, the level of IFN-γ was considerably increased with BV treatment. Besides, the expression of T-bet, a transcription factor that plays pivotal role in Th1 lineage programming, was increased with BV treatment. The expressions of IFN-γ and T-bet were also significantly increased in vivo. The results that Th1 specific cytokine secretion were considerably increased and Th2 specific cytokine secretion were not significantly changed in vitro and in vivo indicated that BV enhances Th1 lineage development, Therefore, these results suggest that BV might be desirable agent for correction of Th1 dominant pathological disorders.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to observe prevention of allergic reactions of Sweet Bee Venom (removing enzyme components from Bee Venom). Methods: Content analysis of Sweet Bee Venom and Bee Venom was rendered using HPLC method and characterization of Anti-Sweet Bee Venom in Rabbit Serum. Clinical observation was conducted for inducement of allergic responses to Sweet BV. Results : 1. Analyzing melittin content using HPLC, Sweet BV contained 34.9% more melittin than Bee venom pharmacopuncture at same concentration. 2. Observing chromatogram of HPLC, removal of the enzyme was successfully rendered on Sweet BV. 3. The anti-serum of Sweet BV showed high titers against melittin and bee venom and relatively low titer against phospholipase A2. 4. After conducting approximately 3,000 cases of Sweet BV administration, not a single case of generalized anaphylatic reaction occurred in clinical observation. 5. Mild compared to the bee venom pharmacopuncture, Sweet BV showed some acute hypersensitive reactions of edema, itchiness, and aching locally. 6. Sweet BV was administered on six patients with previous history of suffering from generalized acute hypersensitive reactions with the bee venom. None of the patients showed allergic reactions with Sweet BV, suggesting it can effectively prevent anaphylatic shock which may occur after the bee venom pharmacopuncture procedure. Conclusion : Summarizing above results, Sweet Bee Venom appears to be an effective measurement against allergic reactions from the bee venom pharmacopuncture especially against anaphylatic shock.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.368-376
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• 2023

Background: Although bee venom (BV) has clinical benefits in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, it has not been tested as treatment for gouty arthritis. Moreover, in vitro, BV has been proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory and positive effects on osteoarthritis, but only limited evidence can confirm its beneficial effects on gout. Thus, this study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of BV on monosodium urate (MSU)-induced THP-1 monocytes. Methods: THP-1 monocytes were differentiated into mature macrophages using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and pretreated for 6 hours with BV and a Caspase-1 inhibitor in a physiologically achievable range of concentrations (BV, 0.1-1 ㎍/mL; Caspase-1 inhibitor, 1-10 μM), followed by MSU crystal stimulation for 24 hours. The secretions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-8, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) were increased in the MSU crystal-stimulated THP-1 cells. Results: Caspase-1 inhibitors suppressed the production of all mediators in a dose-dependent manner. BV worked on equal terms with Caspase-1 inhibitors and showed more satisfactory effects on TNF-α, PGE2, COX-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Moreover, the western blot analysis revealed that BV regulated the transcriptional levels of these mediators via the suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway activation. Conclusion: The results of the present study clearly suggest that BV inhibits MSU-induced inflammation in vitro, suggesting a possible role for BV in gout treatment.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.227-240
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• 1999

We performed CCD photometric observations of W UMa type contact binary BV Dra during eight nights from May 1996 to June 1999 using 61cm telescope at Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory, and completed BV R light curves of the system. From our observations, we derived nine new times of minimum lights (five timings for primary eclipse, four for secondary) and determined new light elements with the times of minima observed since 1999. Our BV R light curves and Batten & Lu(1986)'s radial-velocity ones were simultaneously analyzed with contact mode (Mode 3) of Wilson-Devinney's binary model, and the photometric and spectroscopic solutions for BV Dra were solved. In the analysis, we derived the solutions of 1999 light curves with and without spots, respectively. As the results, asymmetry of light curves may be interpreted as produced by the existence of two spots; hot spot on the secondary and cool on the primary. Combining solutions of light curves and radial-velocity ones, absolute dimensions of BV Dra are $M_1=0.40M_{odot}$, $M_2=1.01M_{odot}$, $R_1=0.72R_{odot}$, $R_2=0.40R_{odot}$. In mass-radius diagram, the less massive and hotter primary component of BV Dra is near TAMS and the secondary is near ZAMS, which is very similar to the other W-type W UMa binaries.