• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.770-778
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• 2010

To establish the fundament for EBM of Traditional Korean Medicine, the papers on Pyeongwi-san (Pingwei-san) frequently used in medical institutions of Traditional Korean Medicine were analyzed through researching domestic and international papers. The papers were classified by the registration of domestic or international journals, the year of publishment, experimental fields and the kinds of studies on biological activities. Of total 518 papers on Pyeongwi-san (Pingwei-san), 32 volumes were selected according to selection creteria. 20 volumes were published in domestic journals, 11 in Chinese journal and 1 in Japanese journal. The papers on instrumental analyses reported the quantification of standard compounds of herbal medicines in Pyeongwi-san (Pingwei-san) using HPLC, GC-MS. The papers on biological activities of Pyeongwi-san (Pingwei-san) showed improvement of gastrointestinal activity and water-electrolyte metabolism, immune regulation, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-convulsant activities, hypnotic duration, blood pressure regulation, hepatic protection, congestive heart failure, anti-cancer activities. Further studies including gastrointestinal activity need to be preceeded to establish the fundament for EBM of Pyeongwi-san (Pingwei-san).

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.105-109
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• 2005

Heat Shock Transcription Factor (HSF), and the promoter heat Shock Element (HSE), are among the most highly conserved transcriptional regulatory elements in nature. HSF mediates the transcriptional response of eukaryotic cells to heat, infection and inflammation, pharmacological agents, and other stresses. While HSF is essential for cell viability in yeast, oogenesis and early development in Drosophila, extended life-span in C. elegans, and extra-embryonic development and stress resistance in mammals, little is known about its full range of biological target genes. We used whole genome analyses to identify virtually all of the direct transcriptional targets of yeast HSF, representing nearly three percent of the genomic loci. The majority of the identified loci are heat-inducibly bound by yeast HSF, and the target genes encode proteins that have a broad range of biological functions including protein folding and degradation, energy generation, protein secretion, maintenance of cell integrity, small molecule transport, cell signaling, and transcription. Approximately 30% of the HSF direct target genes are also induced by the diauxic shift, in which glucose levels begin to be depleted. We demonstrate that phosphorylation of HSF by Snf1 kinase is responsible for expression of a subset of HSF targets upon glucose starvation.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.274-278
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• 2002

Phthalates, suspected endocrine disruptor, are plasticizer and solvent used in industry, and some phthalates are known as potential carcinogen. Most common human exposure to this compounds may occur with contaminated food. It may migrate into food from plastic wrap or may enter food from general environmental contamination, and it has become widespread environmental pollutants, thus leading to a variety of phthalates that possibly threaten the public health. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) may playa part of cell proliferator, which mediates changes in gene expression and the metabolism of xenobiotics. An understanding of the role of DBP in modulating gene regulation should provide insight regarding mechanisms of DBP induced xenoestrogenic impact. To elucidate the type of genes that are associated with estrogenic activity induced by DBP at the dose (10$^{-8}$ M) appeared proliferating effects, the pattern of gene expression in MCF7 cells was compared between 17$\beta$-estradiol and DBP exposure in the cDNA microarray. From the results, it showed some differences of gene expression patterns between MCF7 cells treated with 17$\beta$-estradiol and DBP, and also DBP shows estrogenic potential with changes in estrogen-related gene expression levels.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.213-218
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• 2009

1-bromopropane (1-BP) has been used in numerous purposes such as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, a solvent for fats, waxes, or resins and a substitute for chlorofluorocarbons that destroy the ozone layer. However, the studies related to the modulation of activities of hepatic cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are not reported yet. This study was the first study to investigate the potential effect for the activities of hepatic CYPs by the treatment of 1-BP in vivo. When 1-BP was treated to male ICR mice by dose-dependently at the dose levels of 200, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg of body weight once, the activity of CYP2E1 was selectively increased for 24 h. The inductive potency for the activity of CYP2E1 by 1-BP was equal to induction by acetone a well-known selective CYP2E1 inducer. The present results indicated that 1-BP would affect the metabolism of 1-BP itself and/or other xenobiotics.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.94-94
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• 2003

Endocrine disrupters (EDs) are exogenous chemicals that interfere with the production, releasing, metabolism, excretion, binding of natural hormones, and whole endocrine systems. EDs are very dangerous since they are extremely stable, not easily degraded, and accumulated in fat and tissue. 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is known as the most toxic EDs. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of TCDD on proliferation of human breast cancer (MCF-7) and endometrial adenocarcinoma (Hec-1B) cells. 10, 100, and 1000 nM of TCDD were treated with steroid free condition. Viable cell counting, MTT, and BrdU assay was performed to investigate cell proliferation. Apoptosis was investigated using DNA laddering. Although, DNA fragmentation as the evidence of apoptosis was not detected, all of these cell lines showed restricted proliferation at 48 hrs after 100 and 1000 nM TCDD treatments. Recently, it has been reported that the expression of transforming growth factor $\beta$s (TGF-$\beta$s) are increased in TCDD treatment and also involved in regulation of cell cycle. Therefore, these results were considered that the decreased cell prolifcration by TCDD is related to the expression of TGF-$\beta$s.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.167-172
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• 2001

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), vitamin A acid, has been shown to exert anticancer activity in a number of types of cancers, particularly in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). Due to its highly variable bioavailability and induction of its own metabolism after oral treatment, development of parenteral dosage forms are required. However, its poor aqueous solubility and chemical unstability give major drawbacks in parenteral administration. This study was undertaken to investigate a possibility to develop a parenteral formulation of ATRA by employing solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) as a carrier. By optimizing the production parameters and the composition of SLNs, SLNs with desired mean particle size (<100 nm) as a parenteral dosage form could be produced from trimyristin (as solid lipid), Egg phosphatidylcholine and Tween 80 (as SLN stabilizer). The mean particle size of SLN formulation of ATRA was not changed during storage, suggesting its physical stability. Thermal analysis confirmed that the inner lipid core of SLNs exist at solid state. The mean particle size of ATRA-loaded SLNs was not significantly changed by the lyophilization process. ATRA could be efficiently loaded in SLNs, while maintaining its anticancer activity against HL-60, a well-known APL cell line. Furthermore, by lyophilization, ATRA loaded in SLN could be retained chemically stable during storage. Taken together, our present study demonstrates that physically and chemically stable ATRA formulation adequate for parenteral administration could be obtained by employing SLN technology.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effcts of n-3, n-6 fatty arid and d-limonene on histopathological and biochemical changes in experimental rat hepatocarcinogenesis. To attain the above objectives, weanling Sprague-Dawley female rats were intraperitoneally injected twice with a dose of diethylnitrosamine(DEN, 50mg/kg body weight) and after 1 week 0.05% phenobarbital was provided with water. Sardine oil rich in n-3 fatty acids and corn oil rich in n-6 fatty acids were fed at 15% by weight and 5% d-limonene was added to the diet in each group. Ten weeks or 20 weeks after DEN treatment, rats were sacrifirced. The formation of glutathione S-transferase placental form positive(GST-P$\^$+/) foci was significantly decreased by the treatment of either sardine oil or d-limonene HMG-CoA reductase activity was not affected by dietary oils and d-limonene. Protein kinase C (PKC) activity was decreased by either sardine oil or d-limonene. Particularly d-limonene decreased the membrane PKC activity. Membrane Cholesterol/Phospholipid(Chol/PL) ratio was significantly decreased by d-limonene in sardine oil group. The data showed that GST-P$\^$+/ foci number was positively correlated with membrane PKC activity and serum cholesterol and negatively correlated with liver cholesterol level. These results suggest informations about the correlation between histopathological and biochemical changes such as cholesterol metabolism and PKC activity in experimental hepatocarcinogenesis and thereby can elucidate the possible mechanism related to the cancer inhibition.(Korean J Nutrition 33(1) : 23-32, 2000)

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.184-194
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• 2003

Objective : This study was designed fo find out whether Astragali Radix Herbal-Acupuncture Solution(ARHA) can scavenge NO, DPPH and IL-4 or not. Astragali Radix has been clinically used to reforce the depression of immune reponse etc. in Oriental Medicine. Methods : Free radical metabolism seems to occupy a remarkably common position in the mechanisms of ageing and ageing related disease. Oxidative damage to DNA, lipids, proteins and other molecules may contribute to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease and possibly neurodegenerative disease. The effects of ARHA on NO, DPPH and IL-4 were measured. Results : The followings are the summary of the result; (1) There is a significant scavenging effect of ARHA on NO in 1, $10mg/m{\ell}$ group in after 24hrs. (2) There is no significant scavenging effect of ARHA on DPPH. (3) There is a significant scavenging effect of ARHA on IL-4 in 1, $10,100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ group. Conclusions : These results suggest that ARHA has significant scavenging effect on NO, IL-4 and not on DPPH. This study shows that ARHA can be used for ageing related disease and further studies are required to investigate the antioxidative effects of it.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1180-1186
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• 1999

A wide ranges of chemicals released into the environment have potential to interfere with physiological and development process by disrupting endocrine pathways. Endocrine system embraces a multitude of mechanisms of action, including effect on growth, behavior, reproduction and immune function. These environmental endocrine disruptors are present in environment and pose potential health consequences to human and wildlife. The best known form in endocrine distruptors involves substances which mimic or block the action of natural hormone in the body. Endocrine disruptor have been variously defined as exogenous agents that interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, metabolism, binding action or elimination of the natural hormones in the body which are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis, reproduction developmental and/or behavior. Many compounds polluted into the environment by human activity are capable of disrupting the endocrine system of animals, including fish, wildlife, and humans. Among these chemicals are pesticides, industrial chemicals, and other anthropogenic products. It has been alleged that several adverse effects on human health are linked with exposure to chemicals which are claimed to be endocrine disrupters, that is, increased incidence of testicular, prostate and female breast cancer, time dependent reductions in sperm quality and quantity, increased incidence of cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias(malformation of the penis), altered physical and mental de velopment in children. This observation is currently the only example of chemically mediated endocrine disruption which has resulted in a clear effect at the population level.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.643-647
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• 2003

The Methylene Chloride(MC) fraction of Trichosanthis kirilowii Maxim has been investigated anti-tumor activities in vitro. The MC fraction of Trichosanthis kirilowii Maxim significantly inhibited the proliferation of human leukemic U937 cell with an IC50 of approximately 10μg/ml in a dose-dependent manner. We found that the MC fraction upregulated of caspase9 and caspase-3 activity and cleaved PARP expression but it didn't affect bax and bcl-2. which were demonstrated by western blot analysis. Taken together, these results exerted that the MC fraction suppessed human leukemic U937 cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis, suggesting the MC fraction of Trichosanthis kirilowii Maxim is possible to show anti-cancer activity in vivo.