• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.13.1-13.15
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• 2018

Wound healing is delayed in diabetic patients. Increased apoptosis and endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) dysfunction are implicated in delayed diabetic wound healing. Melatonin, a major secretory product of the pineal gland, promotes diabetic wound healing; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, EPCs were isolated from the bone marrow of mice. Treatment of EPCs with melatonin alleviated advanced glycation end product (AGE)-induced apoptosis and cellular dysfunction. We further examined autophagy flux after melatonin treatment and found increased light chain 3 (LC3) and p62 protein levels in AGE-treated EPCs. However, lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 expression was decreased, indicating that autophagy flux was impaired in EPCs treated with AGEs. We then evaluated autophagy flux after melatonin treatment and found that melatonin increased the LC3 levels, but attenuated the accumulation of p62, suggesting a stimulatory effect of melatonin on autophagy flux. Blockage of autophagy flux by chloroquine partially abolished the protective effects of melatonin, indicating that autophagy flux is involved in the protective effects of melatonin. Furthermore, we found that the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway is involved in autophagy flux stimulation by melatonin. An in vivo study also illustrated that melatonin treatment ameliorated impaired wound healing in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic wound healing model. Thus, our study shows that melatonin protects EPCs against apoptosis and dysfunction via autophagy flux stimulation and ameliorates impaired wound healing in vivo, providing insight into its mechanism of action in diabetic wound healing.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.91-102
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• 2006

Objectives : Ulmus davidiana Planch (UD) has long been known to have anti-inflammatory and protective effects on damaged tissue, inflammation and bone among other functions. Methods : This study was undertaken to address whether the water extract of the bark of UD could modulate proliferation of mouse osteoclasts in vitro and to investigate its effect on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and is highly expressed in osteoclasts. Mouse osteoclasts were tested in vitro for growth inhibition, proliferation cell nuclear antigen expression, and COX-2 activity and expression after treatment with UD extract. Results : Its effects were compared with those of indomethacin (a nonselective COX inhibitor) and celecoxib (a selective COX-2 inhibitor) by Cell viability assay, Cell cycle analysis, Immunohistochemical analysis of PCNA expression, Western blot analysis and PGE2 Enzyme immunoassay (EIA). UD demonstrated a strong growth inhibitory action in both tested osteoclasts cells. The IC50s were $10\;{\mu}g/ml$ for UD, $6\;{\mu}M$ for celecoxib and $42\;{\mu}M$ for indomethacin. UD, as well as celecoxib and indomethacin, suppressed proliferation cell nuclear antigen expression and PGE2 synthesis in osteoclasts. UD inhibited COX-2 expression, whereas celecoxib inhibited COX-2 activity directly. Conclusion : UD selectively and effectively inhibits osteoclasts cell growth in vitro. Inhibitory action of PGE2 synthesis via suppression of COX-2 expression may be responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.217-242
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• 2010

Objective : This study is aimed to evaluate the effects of Evodiae Fructus herbal-acupuncture (EF-HA) at KI10 on osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy in mice. Method : Mice underwent bilateral ovariectomy. After recovering, the ovariectomized (OVX) mice were treated by needle prick, saline injection, herbal acupuncture with Evodiae Fructus (EF-HA) at KI10 for 8 weeks. Result : 1. EF-HA at KI10 significantly inhibited the overgrowth of tibia in ovariectomized mice. 2. NP at KI10 significantly restored the tibial BMD (bone mineral density) in ovariectomized mice. 3. EF-HA at KI10 significantly restored the phosphorus and creatinine levels in ovariectomized mice serum. 4. EF-HA at KI10 significantly restored the tibial Ca and P levels in ovariectomized mice. 5. EF-HA at KI10 significantly reduced the tibial osteoclast-like cells in ovariectomized mice. 6. EF-HA at KI10 significantly inhibited the overgrowth of tibial GPL (growth plate length) in ovariectomized mice. Conclusion : EF-HA at KI10 has protective and therapeutic effect for osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice. Thus, it is suggested that EF-HA can be an useful therapeutics in clinical field after further researches.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.47-63
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• 2008

Objectives : Eucommiae cortex is reported that it helps bone and skeletal muscle stronger. In case of bone, many report is presented, but reports related to skeletal muscle are rarely existed. So in order to investigate effects of Eucommiae cortex on the skeletal muscle atrophy following stroke, cerebral infarct was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in the rats. Methods : In order to induce MCAO rats, nylon suture was advanced and then blocked middle cerebral artery(MCA). Water extract of Eucommiae cortex was treated for 15 days, once a day orally, after the MCAO. Effects were evaluated with muscle weights, muscle fiber type composition, cross-sectioned area of muscle fibers in soleus and gastrocnemius of the unaffected and affected hind limbs. And MyoD protein expression in gastrocnemius was demonstrated with immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Results : In the affected hind limb of the MCAO rats, muscle weight loss of gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles were attenuated by Eucommiae cortex treatment. In soleus muscle of the affected hind limb of the MCAO rats, increase of type-I fibers and decrease of type-II fibers were induced by Eucommiae cortex treatment. In soleus muscle of the affected hind limb of the MCAO rats, decrease of cross-sectioned areas of type-I fibers was attenuated by Eucommiae cortex treatment. In gastrocnemius muscle of the affected hind limb of the MCAO rats, increase of type-I fibers and decrease of type-II fibers were induced by Eucommiae cortex treatment. In gastrocnemius muscle of the affected hind limb of the MCAO rats, decreases of cross-sectioned areas of type-I and type-II fibers were attenuated by Eucommiae cortex treatment. In gastrocnemius muscle of the affected and unaffected hind limb of the MCAO rats, MyoD expressions were increased by Eucommiae cortex treatment. Conclusions : These results suggest that Eucommiae cortex has a protective effect against muscle atrophy, through the inhibition of the muscle cell apoptosis, following the central nervous system demage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.805-813
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• 2005

In our previous study, a novel herb mixture (HIM-I) of Angelim gigas radix, Cnidium officinale rhizoma, and Paeonia japonica radix was developed to protect the intestinal and immune systems and promote its recovery against radiation damage. In this study, a new herbal preparation (HemoHIM) with the high immune modulating activity was developed from HIM-I. HIM-I was fractionated into ethanol fraction (HIM-I-E) and polysaccharide fraction (HIM-I-P). And HemoHIM was prepared by adding HIM-I-P to HIM-I. The protective activities against $\gamma$ -irradiation were compared among HemoHIM, HIM-I and the fractions. HemoHIM and HIM-I significantly decreased the radiation-induced DNA damage in vitro, and scavenged hydroxyl radicals in a dose-dependent manner. HemoHIM showed similar activity to HIM-I. In vitro proliferation assay with mouse lymphocytes and bone marrow cells showed that HIM-I-P was remarkably higher than HIM-I and HIM-I-E in cell proliferating activity. HemoHIM showed higher activity than HIM-I and this might be associated with the higher polysaccharide content. The in vivo protective effects of HemoHIM and HIM-I were investigated in $\gamma$-irradiated mice. HemoHIM increased the surviving intestinal crypts to a similar extent compared with HIM-I. In contrast, HemoHIM appeared to be more effective than HIM-I in endogenous spleen colony formation assay. The recovery of white blood cells and lymphocytes in irradiated mice were significantly enhanced by the administration of HemoHIM. Also HemoHIM administration prolonged the survival of irradiated mice. These results showed that the novel herbal preparation, HemoHIM, effectively protected the self-renewal tissues and immune system, and promoted the survival of irradiated mice. Moreover, in comparison with HIM-I, HemoHIM maintained similar activity in the reduction of oxidative damage of self-renewal tissue but exhibited the higher activity in protection and proliferation of immune and hematopoietic cells. These results suggested that HemoHIM might be more effective than HIM-I in immune modulation as well as radioprotection.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.605-612
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• 2005

In previous studies, we evaluated the effect of the 6 energy-tonic or blood-building prescriptions of traditional oriental medicine, and observed that Si-Wu-Tang and Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang showed high activity in the protection of the gastrointestinal and hematopoietic organs in irradiated mice. But any of these prescriptions did not show a high activity in the activation of the immune cells. We performed this study to design an herb mixture which protects the self-renewal tissues and also promotes recovery of the immune system against radiation damage. In order to meet all the requirements, we designed a new mixture of 3 edible herbs listed in Korean Food Code. The mixture of Angelim gigas radix, Cnidium officinale rhizoma and Paeonia japonica radix was decocted with hot water, and the activities of the water extract (HIM-I) were evaluated. HIM-1 stimulated the immune cells in a much higher extent than the traditional prescriptions, and promoted dramatically the growth of bone marrow stem cells in vitro. Also, HIM-1 protected digestive and hematopoietic organs against radiation as effectively as the 2 prescriptions, Si-Wu-Tang and Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang. On the other hand, it showed high in vitro antioxidative activity that might be considered as a mechanism of the protective effects against radiation. Although the detailed mechanisms of those effects remain to be elucidated, these results indicated that HIM-I might be a useful agent for protection and recovery of body from various risk factor as well as radiation, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.595-602
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• 2014

Styela Clava tunic (SCT) has found some applications in many areas of medical treatment including as an anti-inflammatory compound, a wound healing film, in guided bone regeneration, and as a food additive. The protective effect of SCT aqueous extract (AE-SCT) on cell death induced by $H_2O_2$ treatment was investigated by measuring the changes in cell viability in HepG2 cells after AE-SCT treatment. High concentrations of antioxidant compounds including flavonoids (3.3 mg/g) and phenolics (32.3 mg/g) were detected in AE-SCT but no significant cytotoxicity was observed in HepG2 cells treated with AE-SCT. The viability of HepG2 cells was also not changed by treatment with different concentrations of AE-SCT after $H_2O_2$ treatment. However, cell viability was significantly increased in cells treated with three different concentrations of AE-SCT before $H_2O_2$ treatment. The greatest increase in cell viability was observed in the group treated with $50{\mu}g/ml$ AE-SCT, when compared with vehicle-treated group. FACS and DAPI staining analysis indicated that the decrease in number of dead cells was dependent on the concentration of AE-SCT. Alterations in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio after $H_2O_2$ treatment were significantly restored by treatment with different concentrations of AE-SCT. These results indicate that AE-SCT, which contains high levels of antioxidants, may protect cells against death induced by $H_2O_2$ treatment.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.150-158
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• 2006

Purpose: There are two theories about the relationships between facial fractures and cranial injuries. One is that facial bones act as a protective cushion for the brain, and the other is that facial fractures are the marker for increased risk of cranial injury. They have been debated on for many years. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between facial fractures and cranial injuries. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 242 patients with facial fractures. The data were analyzed based on the medical records of the patients: age, gender, cause of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS), alcohol intake, type of facial fractures, and type of cranial injury. The patients were divided into two groups: facial fractures with cranial injury and facial fractures without cranial injury. We compared the general characteristics between the two groups and evaluated the relationship between each type of facial fracture and each type of cranial injury. Results: Among the 242 patients with facial bone fractures, 96 (39.7%) patients had a combination of facial fractures and cranial injuries. Gender predilection was demonstrated to favor males: the ratio was 3:1. The mean age was $36.51{\pm}19.63$. As to the injury mechanism, traffic accidents (in car, out of car, motorcycle) were statistically significant in the group of facial fractures with cranial injury (p=0.038, p=0.000, p=0.003). The ISS was significant, but alcohol intake was not significant. No significant relationship between facial fractures and skull fractures was found. Only maxilla fractures, zygoma fractures, and cerebral concussion had a significant difference in cranial injury (p=0.039, p=0.025). Conclusion: There is a no correlation between facial fractures and skull fractures, which suggests that the cushion effect is the predominent relationship between facial fractures and cranial injuries.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.655-669
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• 2007

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases. And vitamin C has shown a protective effect for the tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of $H_2O_2$ and ascorbic acid on matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP: TIMP-1, TIMP-2), Type 1 collagen, fibronectin, and PDLs22 level in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLF) via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). hPDLF was obtained from a healthy periodontium and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagles's medium plus 10% fetal bone serum. The concentration of ascorbic acid in hPDLF was $50{\mu}g/ml$, and that of $H_2O_2$ in hPDLF was 0.03% and 0.00003%. Ascorbic acid only, $H_2O_2$ only and mixture of ascorbic acid and $H_2O_2$ were applied with hPDLF for 1-, 3-, and 30-min. respectively. The gene expression of MMP-1-, TIMP-1-, TIMP-2-, Type 1 collagen-, fibronectin-, and PDLs22-mRNA in hPDLF was analysed via RT-PCR. The results were as follows; 1. hPDLF in response to 30-min. incubation with 0.03% $H_2O_2$ did not show any gene expression. 2. In all the experimental groups, the gene expression of fibronectin mRNA showed the decreased tendency compared to control. 3. In all the experimental groups, the gene expression of TIMP-1 mRNA showed the tendency similar to control. 4. hPDLF in response to 30-min. incubation with 0.03% $H_2O_2$ and ascorbic acid increased mRNA induction for MMP-1. 5. In all the experimental groups, hPDLF increased mRNA induction for PDLs22, collagen type 1, and TIMP-2 compared to control. Within the limited experiments, $H_2O_2$ and ascorbic acid increased mRNA induction for PDLs22, collagen type 1, TIMP-2 in hPDLF. More research will be needed in order to confirm the relative importance of the different roles of ROS and antioxidants in hPDLF from a periodontal regeneration or repair standpoint.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2012

Chrysanthemum indicum L. (Asteraceae) is a traditional herbal medicine that has been used for the treatment of inflammation, hypertension, and respiratory diseases due to its strong antagonistic activity against inflammatory cytokines. The effects of Chrysanthemum indicum L. Extract (CIE) for increasing cell growth, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and collagen content were totally inhibited, suggesting that the effect of CIE might be partly involved with estrogen activity. Furthermore, the protective effects of CIE on the response of osteoblasts to oxidative stress were evaluated. Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were incubated with hydrogen peroxide and/or CIE, and markers of osteoblast function and oxidative damage were examined. CIE significantly increased cell survival, ALP activity, and calcium deposition, and decreased the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in osteoblasts. Taken together, these results indicate that the enhancement of osteoblast function by CIE may prevent osteoporosis and inflammatory bone diseases.