• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1622-1627
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• 2004

Nephrite has been widely used as a medicinal mineral resource to treat a numerous chronic diseases and to replenish vital essence and blood in the Korean traditional medicine. However, as of yet, there is little understanding of the pharmacological and biochemical mechanisms of its therapeutic effects as regards anti-inflammation. We therefore examined whether nephrite represses the expression of major inflammation mediators, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), in LPS-stimulated murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7 by using RT-PCR. The powder suspension and water extracts of nephrite significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of the mediators, despite a little toxic effects on growth of RAW 264.7 cells within the concentration range tested. These experimental results suggested that the nephrite can be utilized as a functional mineral exerting the anti-inflammation medicinal effect.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.96-102
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• 2008

Piceatannol is a polyphenol that is found in abundant quantities in grapes and wine. Although recent experimental data revealed the anti-cancer potency of piceatannol, the molecular mechanisms underlying the antileukemic activity have not yet been studied in detail. In the present study, we investigated further possible mechanisms by which piceatannol exerts its anti-proliferative action in cultured human leukemia U937 cells. Exposure of U937 cells to piceatannol resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis as measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis, which was associated with S phase arrest of the cell cycle. Piceatannol treatment markedly inhibited the activity of telomerase, and the levels of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and telomerase-associated protein-1 (TEP-1), main determinants of the telomerase enzymatic activity, were progressively down-regulated by piceatannol treatment in a dose-dependent fashion. However, the levels of cyclooxygenases (COXs) expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release were not changed in piceatannol-treated U937 cells. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of piceatannol.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.221-227
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• 2004

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly the highly selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors have been shown to decrease the growth of tumor, in part, by inhibition of neovascularization. Recently, besides mature endothelial cells, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been shown to contribute neovascularization in angiogenic tissues. In this study, we addressed a question whether nimesulide, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, could affect differentiation of EPCs into adhesive endothelial cells in vitro. Total mononuclear cells were isolated from cord blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, and then the cells were incubated with nimesulide or vehicle control for 7 days. The number of adherent and spindle-shaped cells decreased by nimesulide treatment in a concentration-dependent fashion at a concentration range of 5 - 200 ${\mu}M$. Moreover, the adherent cells double positive for DiI-ac-LDL uptake and lectin binding significantly decreased upon nimesulide treatment. There was no change of expression of CD31 between treatment and control groups, whereas slight reduction was detected upon treatment in expression of VE-cadherin, ICAM-1, vWF, ${\alpha}v$, and ${\alpha}5$. Nimesulide also reduced cell viability during first 3 days' culture and induced apoptosis in adherent EPCs, resulting in increased annexin-V-positive and propidium iodide-negative cells. Taken together, these results suggest that nimesulide could be applied for the inhibition of new vessel formation, in part, by inhibiting differentiation and survival of EPCs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1351-1359
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• 2013

The anti-proliferative activity of ${\beta}$-ionone was investigated on human non-small lung cancer A-549 cells (designated A-549 cells). A-549 cells were treated with various concentrations of ${\beta}$-ionone (1, 5, 10, and 15 ${\mu}M$) for two, four, and six days. Biochemical markers related to the growth inhibition of A-549 cells by ${\beta}$-ionone were measured at the second day of incubation. ${\beta}$-Ionone inhibited the growth of A-549 cells by dose-and time-dependent manners, resulting in an $IC_{50}$ of 5.0 ${\mu}g/ml$ at the second day of incubation. ${\beta}$-Ionone induced apoptosis by a dose-dependent manner. ${\beta}$-Ionone increased levels of p53, p21, and Bax proteins, but suppressed expression of the Bcl-2 protein. Similarly, ${\beta}$-ionone enhanced cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol, and induced activation of caspase-9 and -3. Additionally, ${\beta}$-ion-one reduced $cPLA_2$ and COX-2 protein levels. These results suggest that the ${\beta}$-ionone inhibits the proliferation of A-549 cells through reciprocal regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression and suppression of $cPLA_2$ and COX-2 protein expressions.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.39-55
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• 2012

Objectives : Recently there have been encouraging results, from a western perspective, in the cancer research field regarding the anticancer effects of herbal medicine. This paper was aimed to review herbal medicine playing its anticancer role in terms of apoptosis, inflammation control, differentiation and telomerase. Methods : New studies for tang, medicinal herb itself or effective ingradients of medicinal herb showing anti-cancer effectiveness were reviewed and summarized in terms of pharmacological action. Results : Ethanol extracts of $Spatholobus$ $suberectus$ greatly inhibited cancer cell growth inducing cell apoptosis and cytotoxic effects. $Scutellaria$ $baicalensis$ may be responsible for its anticancer activity showing inhibition of $PGE_2$ synthesis via suppression of COX-2 expression. Saikosaponins isolated from $Bupleurum$ induced the differentiation of C6 glioma cells, cancer cells, into astrocytes, normal cells. Acetone extract of $Bupleurum$ $scorzonerifolium$ inhibited proliferation of human lung cancer cells via inducing apoptosis and suppressing telomerase activity. Conclusions : Herbal medicine inhibited cancer cell growth inducing cell apoptosis and cytotoxic effects. Inflammation persisting for a decade eventually elevates the risk of cancer sufficiently that it is discernible in case control epidemiological studies. Differentiation therapy is defined as a therapy to treat cancers by inducing differentiation of the stem cells. Telomerase expression is a hallmark of cancer. Nearly the complete spectrum of human tumors has been shown to be telomerase positive.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.7 s.87
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• pp.896-904
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• 2007

Regulation mechanism of apoptosis has been known to be important for understanding the pathogenesis of a number of human diseases including cancers. The effects of $RRR-{\alpha}-tocopheryl$ succinate(vitamin E succinate, VES) on the cell viability, generation of ROS, expression of proteins involved in apoptosis, and growth of human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells were analyzed in this study. VES treatment not only induced the generation of the ROS but also increased the levels of $NF-{\kappa}B$, COX-2, and $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ in K562 cells. It modulates the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax provoking the apoptosis in K562 cells. The cleavage of PARP into 89 kDa was also increased upon VES treatment in a dosage-dependent manner. Induction of an apoptosis was evident by the increase of sub-Gl peak and cell shrinkage condensed chromatin in K562 cells treated with VES. It also resulted in an inhibition of tumor growth by 50% and prolonged survival of the Iymphoma-induced mice. This potentiation of VES obtained in vitro and in vivo may indicate the feasibility of more effective chemotherapy in chronic myelogenous leukemia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2024

Objectives : We aimed to study the effect of Smilax China L.(SCL), which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects, on the growth of skin cancer cells. Methods : HaCaT cells, a normal human cell line, and skin cancer cells including A431, SK-MEL-5 and SK-MEL-28 cells were treated with Smilax China L. ethanol extract(SCL-EtOH) at concentrations of 5, 10, 20 and 40㎍/㎖. Meanwhile, JB6 Cl41, a normal mouse epithelial cell line, was treated with epidermal growth factor(EGF) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(TPA), an inflammatory factor, to induce cell transformation and treated with SCL-EtOH. In addition, we treated SK-MEL-5 and SK-MEL-28 cells with SCL-EtOH at various concentrations and checked the effect on the cell cycle. Results : As a result, it showed no toxicity to HaCaT cells up to the highest concentration of 40㎍/㎖, and significant cell growth inhibition to A431, SK-MEL-5 and SK-MEL-28 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. In addition, as a result of checking the shape of skin cancer cells according to SCL-EtOH treatment, it was observed that as the concentration increased, the number of normally attached and growing cells decreased and the shape of the cells changed. Colony formation was significantly reduced in a concentration-dependent manner in JB6 Cl41 cells treated with EGF or TPA. Flow cytometry analysis with propidium iodide(PI) staining showed that SCL-EtOH induced the G2/M phase arrest. We further confirmed the decrease in Cyclin B1 expression and increase in p27 expression associated with the G2/M phase of the cell cycle through western blot analysis. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that SCL-EtOH induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, through Western blot analysis, it was observed that the expression of cleaved-caspase-7, which is related to apoptosis, increased. Finally, it was confirmed that the expression of COX-2, an inflammatory marker protein, decreased in a concentration-dependent manner with SCL-EtOH. Conclusions : Through the above results, we have established a basis for applying SCL to the treatment of skin cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.744-756
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect and the antimicrobial activity to skin flora of essential oil from rosemary that naturally grown in Jeju. rosemary essential oil was extracted by water distillation essential oil extraction method. In order to confirm the anti-inflammatory activity of rosemary essential oil, it was confirmed that the production of NO and $PGE_2$ induced by LPS in RAW 264.7 cells was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of iNOS and COX-2, which are biosynthetic enzymes, decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 the pro-inflammatory cytokines were inhibited. Antimicrobial activities of three S. epidermidis and three P. acnes strains including two antibiotic resistant strains were observed in paper disc method and MIC and MBC tests showed inhibition of bacterial growth and death. From the results of the experiment, we confirmed that rosemary essential oil has the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial efficacy and it could be used as a cosmetic and skin care material in the future.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.532-537
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• 2018

Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), a major product of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of many solid tumors, including colorectal cancer. Because $PGE_2$ functions by signaling through $PGE_2$ receptors (EPs), which regulate tumor cell growth, invasion, and migration, there has been a growing amount of interest in the therapeutic potential of targeting EPs. In the present study, we investigated the role of EP4 on the effectiveness of cordycepin in inhibiting the migration and invasion of HCT116 human colorectal carcinoma cells. Our data indicate that cordycepin suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-enhanced cell migration and invasion through the inactivation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 as well as the down-regulation of COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ production. These events were shown to be associated with the inactivation of EP4 and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Moreover, the EP4 antagonist AH23848 prevented LPS-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion in HCT116 cells. However, the AMPK inhibitor, compound C, as well as AMPK knockdown via siRNA, attenuated the cordycepin-induced inhibition of EP4 expression. Cordycepin treatment also reduced the activation of CREB. These findings indicate that cordycepin suppresses the migration and invasion of HCT116 cells through modulating EP4 expression and the AMPK-CREB signaling pathway. Therefore, cordycepin has the potential to serve as a potent anti-cancer agent in therapeutic strategies against colorectal cancer metastasis.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.32-56
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic and antimicrobial effects of the three herbal prescription (EST, SCT, WDT), which has been traditionally used for treating leukorrhea induced by various infections in the female genital tract. Methods: In this experiment, the anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by Nitric oxide (NO), $Interlukine-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), Interlukine-2 (IL-2), Interlukine-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), Leukotriene $B_4$ ($LTB_4$) production amount and Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression levels in RAW264.7 cells. And the anti-pruritic effects were evaluated by Histamine, Acetylcholine (ACh), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Substance P production amount in Mast cell/9 (MC/9) and Pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells. The anti-microbial effect was measured by inhibition zone diameter on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Results: As a result of measuring anti-inflammatory efficacy, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $PGE_2$, and $LTB_4$ production amounts were significantly reduced in the EST, SCT, WDT extraction groups compared with the control group, and significantly decreased the amount of $NF-{\kappa}B$, iNOS, and COX-2 gene expression and the amount of Phospho-Inhibitor kappa B alpha ($p-I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$)/Inhibitor kappa B alpha ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 protein expression. In addition, As a result of measuring the anti-pruritic effect, the amounts of histamine, ACh and Substance P were significantly decreased, and AChE production was slightly decreased, but it's significance did not appear. Finally the anti-microbial effects of EST, SCT, WDT extraction groups against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger was inhibited, however the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was not inhibited. Conclusions: These data suggest that EST, SCT, WDT can be used to treat patients with leukorrhea.