• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.143-148
• /
• 2018

Objective: The favored method of preserving fertility in young female cancer survivors is cryopreservation and autotransplantation of ovarian tissue. Reducing hypoxia until angiogenesis takes place is essential for the survival of transplanted ovarian tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of angiopoietin-1 (Angpt-1), angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ovarian tissue grafts that were cryopreserved using two methods. Methods: Ovarian tissues harvested from ICR mice were divided into three groups: group I (control), no cryopreservation; group II, vitrification in EFS (ethylene-glycol, ficoll, and sucrose solution)-40; and group III, slow freezing in dimethyl sulfoxide. We extracted mRNA for VEGF, Angpt-1, and Angpt-2 from ovarian tissue 1 week following cryopreservation and again 2 weeks after autotransplantation. We used reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to quantify the levels of VEGF, Angpt-1, and Angpt-2 in the tissue. Results: Angpt-1 and Angpt-2 expression decreased after cryopreservation in groups II and III. After autotransplantation, Angpt-1 and Angpt-2 expression in ovarian tissue showed different trends. Angpt-1 expression in groups II and III was lower than in group I, but Angpt-2 in groups II and III showed no significant difference from group I. The vitrified ovarian tissues had higher expression of VEGF and Angpt-2 than the slow-frozen ovarian tissues, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our results indicate that Angpt-2 may play an important role in ovarian tissue transplantation after cryopreservation although further studies are needed to understand its exact function.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.29-37
• /
• 2015

Background: Panax ginseng (i.e., ginseng) root is extensively used in traditional oriental medicine. It is a modern pharmaceutical reagent for preventing various human diseases such as cancer. Ginsenosidesd-the major active components of ginsengd-exhibit immunomodulatory effects. However, the mechanism and function underlying such effects are not fully elucidated, especially in human monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs). Methods: We investigated the immunomodulatory effect of ginsenosides from Panax ginseng root on $CD14^+$ monocytes purified from human adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and on their differentiation into DCs that affect $CD4^+$ T cell activity. Results: After treatment with ginsenoside fractions, monocyte levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 increased through phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). After treatment with ginsenoside fractions, TNF-${\alpha}$ production and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK decreased in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-sensitized monocytes.We confirmed that DCs derived from $CD14^+$ monocytes in the presence of ginsenoside fractions (Gin-DCs) contained decreased levels of the costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86. The expression of these costimulatory molecules decreased in LPS-treated DCs exposed to ginsenoside fractions, compared to their expression in LPS-treated DCs in the absence of ginsenoside fractions. Furthermore, LPS-treated Gin-DCs could not induce proliferation and interferon gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) production by $CD4^+$ T cells with the coculture of Gin-DCs with $CD4^+$ T cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that ginsenoside fractions from the ginseng root suppress cytokine production and maturation of LPS-treated DCs and downregulate $CD4^+$ T cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.26 no.8
• /
• pp.585-590
• /
• 2003

Activity-guided fractionation of the EtOAc-soluble extract of the whole plants of Sida acuta using a bioassay based on the induction of quinone reductase (OR) in cultured Hepa 1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells, led to the isolation of ten active compounds of previously known structure, quindolinone (1), cryptolepinone (2), 11-methoxyquindoline (3), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (4), vomifoliol (5), loliolide (6), 4-ketopinoresinol (7), scopoletin (8), evofolin-A (9), and evofolin-B (10), along with five inactive compounds of known structure, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, syringic acid, ($\pm$)-syringaresinol, and vanillic acid. These isolates were identified by physical and spectral data measurement. A new derivative of quindolinone, 5,10-dimethylquindolin-11-one (1a) was synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. Of the active substances, compounds 1-3 and 1a exhibited the most potent QR activity, with observed CD (concentration required to double induction) values ranging from 0.01 to 0.12 $\mu$ g/mL. Six compounds were then evaluated in a mouse mammary organ culture assay, with cryptolepinone (2), N-trans-feruloyltyramine (4), and 5,10-dimethylquindolin-11-one (1a) found to exhibit 83.3, 75.0, and 66.7% inhibition of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced preneoplastic lesions, respectively, at a dose of 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.26 no.8
• /
• pp.620-630
• /
• 2003

The proliferative effects of thirty Oriental medicinal herbs on MCF-7 (estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cell line) and ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells were determined using the MTT assay. Methanol extracts from several herbs was found to show proliferative activity on the above two cell lines in the range of 5 to 100 $\mu$g/mL. Among these active herbs, the methanol extract from the rhizomes of Drynaria fortunei showed the most potent proliferative activity, and the cell proliferations were significantly increase by 136 and 158% in the MCF-7 and ROS 17/2.8 cells, respectively, when treated with 100 $\mu$ g/mL. Through a bioassay-guided separation, eight flavonoids, including four new flavan-3-ols and two propelargonidins, together with the known (-)-epiafzelechin and naringin, were isolated. Their chemical structures were characterized as (-)-epiafzelechin (1), (-)-epiafzelechin-3-O-$\beta$-D-allopyranoside (2), (-)-epiafzelechin-3-O-(6"-O-acetyl)-$\beta$-D-allopyranoside (3), 4$\beta$-carboxymethyl-(-)-epiafzelechin methyl ester (4), 4$\beta$-car-boxymethyl-(-)-epiafzelechin sodium salt (5), naringin (6), (-)-epiafzelechin-(4$\beta$\rightarrow8)-4$\beta$-car-boxymethylepiafzelechin methyl ester (7) and (-)-epiafzelechin-($4\beta\rightarrow8, 2\beta\rightarrowΟ\rightarrow7)-epiafzelechin-(4\beta\righarrow8)-epiafzelechin (8) by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Most of these flavonoids, in the range of $10^{-15}∼10^{-6}$ M, accelerated the proliferation of MCF-7 cell, with compounds 7 and 8, in the range of $10^{-15}∼10^{-12}$ M, showing especially potent proliferation effects. Meanwhile, seven flavonoids, with the exception of compound 4, stimulated the proliferation of ROS 17/2.8 cells in the range of $10^{-15}∼10^{-6}$ M, with compounds 5-8 especially accelerating the proliferation, in dose-dependent manners ($10^{-15}∼10^{-9}$ M), and their proliferative effect was much stronger than that of $E_2$ and genistein. These results suggest that propelargonidin dimers and trimers isolated from the rhizomes of Drynaria fortunei may be useful as potential phytoestrogens, which play important physiological roles in the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.31 no.4 s.54
• /
• pp.311-321
• /
• 2005

Tea (Camellia sinenis) is a popular beverage consumed worldwide. Since green tea, mainly consumed in Asia, has various biological activities, green tea components became one of the most favorite candidates as a functional materials for cosmetics and functional foods. The biological activities of green tea for skin cue have been ranged from protection of epidermal cells to the stimulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) biosynthesis. Green tea polyphenols (GTPs), which are active ingredients of green tea, possess anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and immune potentiation properties as well as antioxidant. They also modulate intracellular signal transduction pathways. GTPs decrease ultraviolet (UV)-induced oxidative stress, thus suppress mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and apoptosis in keratinocytes. In addition, GTPs prevent the Induction of inflammatory mediators, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by tumor necrosis factor alpha $(TNF{\alpha})$ or chemical treatment in keratinocytes. GTPs treatment protects from chemical-or UV-induced skin tumor incidence in animal experiment. Besides, GTPs stimulate keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation of normal and aged epidermal cells, resectively, and suppress matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) release. According to the progress of formulation study, green tea components will be guaranteed materials for the more effective skin cue products.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.183-193
• /
• 2016

This study attempted to investigate the possibility of the use of Morinda citrifolia (MC) as a cosmetic ingredient from its physiological activities such as antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity and anti-aging effect. MC is a tropical plant that has been used as traditional polynesian foods and medicines for over two thousand years. It has been reported that this shrub can improve antimicrobial, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects and strengthen an immune system. The in vitro antioxidant activity of MC was performed to see the DPPH scavenging activity by measuring total polyphenol content and total flavonoid content. As a result, a lack of any cytotoxicity was confirmed in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) cell. When MC extract at a concentration of over $50{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$ was added, MMP-1 expression considerably diminished. In an in vivo test, in addition, cream containing MC extract was prepared and applied to a total of 22 women in their 30 ~ 50s in ages in the morning and in the evening for four weeks. Changes in keratin, melanin index, pore, skin color and wrinkles under the naked eyes were then comparatively measured. Keratin levels slightly increased in the control group but decreased in the experimental group. In addition, wrinkles diminished in the experimental group. This study found that MC extract controls many MMP-1 related mechanisms with great potential for use as a natural ingredient of anti-aging cosmetics.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.375-382
• /
• 2015

Ginsenosides (ginseng saponin) as the one of important pharmaceutical compounds of ginseng and is responsible for the pharmacological and biological activities. These ginsenoside produces diverse small molecules ginsenoside which have more pharmacological activities including anti-wrinkle, anti-cancer and anti-oxidant effects. In the present study, we isolated bacteria using esculin agar, to produce ${\beta}$-glucosidase, and we focused on the bio-transformation of ginsenoside. Phylogenetic tree analysis was performed by comparing the 16S rRNA sequences; we identified the strain as Stenotrophomonas rhizopilae strain GFC09. In order to determine the optimal conditions for enzyme activity, the crude enzyme was incubated with 1 mM ginsenoside $Rb_1$. Bioconversion of ginsenoside $Rb_1$ were analyzed using TLC and HPLC. The crude enzyme hydrolyzed the ginsenoside $Rb_1$ along the following pathway: LB: $Rb_1{\rightarrow}Rd{\rightarrow}F_2$ into compound K, TSB: $Rb_1{\rightarrow}Rd{\rightarrow}F_2$. The structure of the hydrolyzed metabolites were identified by NMR. The activity screening tests showed that the conversion product induced the production of type I procollagen in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that hydrolyzed ginseng product containing the ginsenoside $F_2$ and compound K could be useful as an active ingredient for wrinkle-care cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 1997

초기후두암에 있어서 보존적 술식의 장점은 후두 전적출술시와 같은 국소치료효과를 얻을 수 있으면서도 후두의 생리적 기능을 최대한 보존하는데 있다. 성공적인 후두부분절제술을 위해서는 후두내에서 종양의 발생위치 및 그 확산에 대한 연부조직들의 해부학적 역할에 대한 이해가 필요하다. 과거에는 초기후두암환자에서 정상적인 목소리를 보존할 수 있다는 이점 때문에 방사선 치료가 일차적 치료요법으로 많이 시행되어 왔다. Wang 과 Wong은 성대 막양부에 국한된 병변에서 방사선치료에 대한 5년간 조절율(5-year control rate)이 92%, 전연합부를 침범한 경우가 81%, 그리고 후방으로 전파된 경우 76%로 감소된다고 보고하였다. Olofsson 등은 전연합부를 침범한 57례의 환자에서 방사선 치료를 시행하여 85.7%의 5년 생존율을 얻었으나, 57례중 15례에서 재발하여 구제수술(salvage surgery)을 시행하였고, Jesse 등$^{13)}$ 은 전연합부를 침범한 91례의 T1, T2 성문암을 방사선 치료를 시행하여 8.8%의 실패율을 보였으나 22례의 환자에서 재발하여 후에 salvage surgery를 시행하였다. 그러나 Ogura 등은 피열 연골을 침범한 79례의 환자에서 보존적 수술을 시행한 결과 6례의 환자에서 재발하여 90%의 3-years control rate를 얻을 수 있었다고 보고하였다. 이처럼 병변이 전연합부, 피열연골 혹은 후방성문하부로의 침범이 있는 경우는 방사선 치료 효과가 떨어지고, 따라서 방사선 치료에 실패할 가능성이 보다 높기 때문에 비록 방사선 치료 후 실패한 경우에서 구제 수술을 시행할 수는 있지만 후두기능을 보존하려는 궁극적인 목표를 생각할 때 보존적 수술을 우선적으로 시행하는 것이 바람직하다고 할 수 있다. Biller 등은 방사선 요법에서 실패한 성문부 종양에서는 대부분 전적출술을 시행하지만 일부는 보존적 수술을 시행할 수 있다고 보고하였다. 이들은 반대측 성문부에 종양의 침범이 없어야 하고, 전연 합으로의 파급은 있어도 가능하며 성대돌기를 제외한 피열연골이 정상이어야 하고, 종양의 성문하부로의 파급이 5mm 이내라야 하며, 연골에 침범이 없어야 하고, 성대고정이 없어야 하며, 재발 병소가 방사선요법 전의 원발병소와 상관관계가 있어야 하며, 원발병소가 후두부분적출술에 합당할 경우 보존적 술식을 시행할 수 있다고 하였다. 최근에는 다양한 후두 재건술의 발달로 보다 진행된 후두암에 대한 보존적 후두절제술들이 소개되고 있다. 단측 T3,T4 후두암 혹은 경성문암, 이상와에 위치한 암의 경우 음성만을 재건하는 후두근적출술 (near total laryngectomy)을 시행하기도 한다. 본원 이비인후과에서 1986년부터 초기성문암 51례 중 24례(47.1%)와 초기성문상암 17례 중 12례 (70.6%)에 대하여 보존적 술식을 시행하였다. 초기 성문암의 보존적 술식을 시행한 24례중, 2례(8.3%)에서 경부재발, 1례(4.2%)에서 경부재발과 동반된 폐의 원격전이가 있었으나 원발부위의 재발은 관찰되지 않았고, 술후 합병증으로 1례(4.2%)에서 후두협착, 3례(12.5%)에서 수술부위의 육아종형성, 그리고 1례(4.2%)에서 기관지염이 발생하였으나 오연으로 인한 폐렴은 발생하지 않았다. 초기성문 상암의 보존적 술식을 시행한 12례 중 1례(8.3%)에서 원발병소의 재발, 2례(16.7%)에서 경부재발이 있었으며, 술후 합병증으로 3례(16.7%)에서 오연으로 인한 폐렴의 발생이 있었지만 다른 합병증은 발생하지 않았다. 초기성문암 24례 중 재발이 나타난 3례의 환자를 제외한 21례(97.5%)와 초기성문상암 12례 중 재발이 나타난 3례의 환자를 제외한 9례 (75%)에서는 현재까지 재발소견을 보이지 않고 있다. 이러한 결과는 다른 보고자들과 유사한 결과를 보이고 있지만 아직까지 증례가 많지 않기 때문에 생존율을 얻기에는 미흡한 점이 있으며, 향후 지속적인 추적관찰이 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.93-97
• /
• 2014

Biodegradable drug-eluting stent has dual functions of supporting the lumen and treating internal tumor preventing the restenosis by releasing drug. In this study, the polycaprolactone (PCL) based three dimensional (3D) mesh loaded with paclitaxel (PTX) was presented by rapid prototyping (RP) technique of solid freeform fabrication (SFF) for biodegradable drug-eluting stent application. PCL has many advantageous properties such as good biocompatibility, good mechanical properties, and good drug permeability. PTX is widely used in the cancer treatment by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. Analytical methods of HPLC and NMR were used for simultaneous quantification of PTX. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to observe the architecture and morphologies of 3D mesh. The cytotoxicity assay results indicated released PTX's biological activity. This study provided that PCL based 3D mesh loaded with PTX by RP technique has great potential for biodegradable drug-eluting stent application.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.156-160
• /
• 2016

Background: Workers in pesticide manufacturing industries are constantly exposed to pesticides. Genetic biomonitoring provides an early identification of potential cancer and genetic diseases in exposed populations. The objectives of this biomonitoring study were to assess DNA damage through comet assay in blood samples collected from industry workers and compare these results with those of classical analytical techniques used for complete blood count analysis. Methods: Samples from controls (n = 20) and exposed workers (n = 38) from an industrial area in Multan, Pakistan, were subjected to various tests. Malathion residues in blood samples were measured by gas chromatography. Results: The exposed workers who were employed in the pesticide manufacturing industry for a longer period (i.e., 13-25 years) had significantly higher DNA tail length ($7.04{\mu}m$) than the controls ($0.94{\mu}m$). Workers in the exposed group also had higher white blood cell and red blood cell counts, and lower levels of mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration, and mean corpuscular volume in comparison with normal levels for these parameters. Malathion was not detected in the control group. However, in the exposed group, 72% of whole blood samples had malathion with a mean value of 0.14 mg/L (range 0.01-0.31 mg/L). Conclusion: We found a strong correlation ($R^2=0.91$) between DNA damage in terms of tail length and malathion concentration in blood. Intensive efforts and trainings are thus required to build awareness about safety practices and to change industrial workers' attitude to prevent harmful environmental and anthropogenic effects.