• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.49-69
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• 2011

Objective : The object of this study was to observe the effects of Lonicerae Flos (LF) aqueous extracts on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat acute lung injury. Method : Five different dosages of LF extracts were orally administered once a day for 28 days before LPS treatments, and then all rats were sacrificed after 5 hour-treatment of LPS. Eight groups of 16 rats each were used in the present study. The following parameters caused by LPS treatment were observed ; body weights, lung weights, pulmonary transcapillary albumin transit, arterial gas parameters (pH, $PaO_2$ and $PaCO_2$) bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) contents, total cell numbers, neutrophil and alveolar macrophage ratios, lung malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), proinflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents. In addition, the histopathologic changes were observed in the lung in terms of luminal surface of alveolus, thickness of alveolar septum, number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Result : As results of LPS-injection, dramatical increases in lung weights, pulmonary transcapillary albumin transit increases, increases in $PaCO_2$, decreases in pH of arterial blood and $PaO_2$, increases of BALF protein, LDH, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents, total cells, neutrophil and alveolar macrophage ratios, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents increases were detected with decreases in LSA and increases of alveolar septum and PMNs numbers, respectively as compared with intact control. These are means that acute lung injuries (resembling acute respiratory distress syndrome) are induced by treatment of LPS mediated by inflammatory responses, oxidative stress and related lipid peroxidation in the present study. However, these LPS-induced acute lung injuries were inhibited by 28 days continuous pretreatment of 250 and 500mg/kg of LF extracts. Because of lower three dosages of LF treated groups, 31.25 and 62.5 and 125mg/kg did not showed any favorable effects as compared with LPS control, the effective dosages of LF in LPS-induced acute lung injuries in the present study, is considered as about 125mg/kg. The effects of 250mg/kg of LF extracts showed almost similar effects with ${\alpha}$-lipoic acid 60mg/kg in preventing LPS-induced acute lung injuries. Conclusion : It seems that LF play a role in protecting the acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by LPS.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 2004

Acute spinal cord injury can produce neurologic injury with many physical, psychological and social ramifications. It has been shown that two separate components combine to produce neurologic damage in acute spinal cord injury : the primary and secondary injuries. The primary mediators of spinal cord injury include the actual mechanical tissue disruption which is a passive process that occurs immediately following the trauma. A secondary injury cascade follows which appears mediated by cellular and molecular processes working through complex mechanisms. Both the primary and secondary injury cascades produce cell death both in neuronal and supporting cell tissues. Recovery from central nervous system(CNS) disorders is hindered by the limited ability of the vertebrate CNS to regenerate injured cells, replace damaged myelin sheath, and re-establish functional neuronal connections. Of many CNS disorders including multiple sclerosis, stroke, and other trauma, spinal cord injury is one of the important diseases because of the direct association with the functional loss of the body. Previous studies suggest that substantial recovery of function might be achieved through regeneration of lost neuronal cells and remyelination of intact axon in spinal cord injury which is occurred frequently. As a therapeutic approach in spinal cord injury, recently, cell transplantation provides a potential solution for the treatment of spinal cord injury. This review describes the characteristics of spinal cord injury and presents some evidence supporting functional recovery after cell transplantation following spinal cord injury.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.224-230
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• 2021

Background: Local anesthetics often are used in rotator cuff tears as therapeutic tools, although some cases have reported that they have detrimental effects. Neurotropin (NTP) is used widely in Japan as a treatment for various chronic pain conditions and is shown to have protective effects on cartilage and nerve cells. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of NTP against lidocaine-induced cytotoxicity. Methods: Tenocytes from rotator cuff tendons were incubated with lidocaine, NTP, lidocaine with NTP, and a control medium. Cell viability was evaluated using the WST-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was detected via annexin V staining using flow cytometry. The expression of BCL-2 and cytochrome c, which are involved in the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, was evaluated via Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. Results: In the cell viability assay, lidocaine decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, and NTP did not affect cell viability. Moreover, NTP significantly inhibited the cytotoxic effect of lidocaine. The flow cytometry analysis showed that lidocaine significantly induced apoptosis in tenocytes, and NTP considerably inhibited this lidocaine-induced apoptosis. Western blotting experiments showed that lidocaine decreased the protein expression of BCL-2, and that NTP conserved the expression of BCL-2, even when used with lidocaine. Immunohistochemical staining for cytochrome c showed that 0.1% lidocaine increased cytochrome c-positive cells, and NTP suppressed lidocaine-induced cytochrome c expression. Conclusions: NTP suppresses lidocaine-induced apoptosis of tenocytes by inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Intra-articular/bursal injection of NTP with lidocaine could protect tenocytes in rotator cuff tendons against lidocaine-induced apoptosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2005

It has been suggested that the elevated plasma homocysteine may lead to retinal dysfunction. We investigated the effects of plasma levels of homocysteine and folate on the retinal glial cells' injuries. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were raised either on a control diet or on an experimental diet containing 3.0 g/kg homocystine without folic acid for 10 weeks. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured by a HPLC-fluorescence detection method. Plasma folate and vitamin B/sub 12/ levels were analyzed by a radioimmunoassay. The response of Muller cells which are the principal glial cells of the retina was immunohistochemically examined using an antibody for vimentin, a cytoskeletal protein belonging to the family of intermediate filament. At 2 weeks, the homocystine diet induced a twofold increase in plasma homocysteine, and a concomitant increase in the expression of vimentin in the Muller cells' processes spanning from the inner to outer membranes of the retina indicating arterial degeneration. At 10 weeks, the homocystine diet induced a fourfold increase in plasma homocystine, but vimentin immunoreactivity in the retinas was similar in both groups. In conclusion, increased plasma homocysteine levels have influence on morphological and functional changes of Muller cells in the retina. (Korean J Nutrition 38(2): 96～103, 2005)

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.222-228
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• 2009

Lupus is characterized by immunoregulatory abnormalities between T- and B-cells leading to autoantibody production and multiorgan injuries. We investigated whether bamboo culm extract (BC) ameliorates aberrant activation of T cells and B cells and attenuate production of IL-6 in pristane-induced lupus mice. Lupus was induced by i.p. a single injection of 0.5 ml of pristane in female BALB/c mice, which, later about 4 months, were used as a lupus model. The pristane-induced lupus mice and healthy mice were injected i.p. with BC 5 ${\mu}l$/kg or PBS once a day for 3 weeks. These results demonstrated that BC significantly decreased levels of serum and BAL IL-6 and production of IL-6 by macrophages with/without LPS, and downregulated expression of NKT cell and CD86+ CD45R/B220+, but not CD80+CD45R/B220+ and CD69+CD4+ in the splenocytes in pristaneinduced lupus mice. Moreover, BC greatly increased Con A-stimulated production of IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-${\gamma}$ by splenocytes obtained from pristane-induced lupus mice. Therefore, our findings suggest that BC may ameliorate lupus pathogenesis in pristane-induced lupus mice via downregulation of aberrant activation of NKT cells and B cells and inhibition of production of IL-6.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.241-262
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• 2009

Objectives This study is designed to investigate the effects of Jujadokseo-hwan on the brain ability and inducing oxidative stresses. Methods We measured the changes of regional cerebral blood flow and mean arterial blood pressure. Then we analyzed histological examination, immunohistochemistric response and anti-oxidant activity of Jujadokseo-hwan. Results 1. Treatment of Jujadokseo-hwan significantly increased regional cerebral blood flow but decreased mean arterial blood pressure. 2. Treatment of Jujadokseo-hwan-induced increase of regional cerebral blood flow was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with indomethacin (1 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase. 3. In histological examination through TTC stain, group I was no change, but group II showed that discolored in the most cortical part. Group III showed that decreased discolor in the cortical part. 4. In immunohistochemistric response of BDNF, group II showed that lower response effect. Group III showed that increase response effect. 5. Treatment of Jujadokseo-hwan increased proliferation rates of Glial cell effectively 6. Treatment of Jujadokseo-hwan accelerated proliferation rates of C6 cells in vitro. In addition, protective effects on cell death induced by paraquat, rotenone and hydrogen peroxide. In addition, activity of SOD were increased by treatment with Jujadokseo-hwan. Conclusions In conclusion, Jujadokseo-hwan can improve of the brain ability, learning ability, memory ability and induce ischemic brain injuries.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.53-67
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• 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the wound healing effect of herbal ointment, Gamijaungo, on the burn-induced model. Reports about Gamijaungo on the wound healing effect by local application in mice model or human study have published in the several domestic or internationally, but most are anecdotal and lack solid scientific evidence. Method: We observed the morphologic and histologic changes in the burn-induced mice model. we counted white blood cell and platelet changes. we confirmed VEGF, PI3K and pAkt protein expression by Western blot analysis. Result: In this study, we observed that Gamijaungo showed strong wound healing effects in the morphologic and histologic changes in the burn-induced mice model. Also we found that the significant changes of white blood cell and platelet changes by the treatment of Gamijaungo. In molecular mechanism, we got the strong positive effect by Gamijaungo treatment on angiogenesis, a key process in the formation of the granulation tissue during wound healing. Conclusion: These findings suggest the potential use of Gamijaungo as a therapeutic in thermal burn-induced skin injuries.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.295-315
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• 1986

Structure and differentiation mechanism of the seed coat of Panax ginseng are studied with light and electron microscopes to clarify the developmental processes of seed coat and the structural changes during the differentiation of the seed. The seed coat of ginseng is differentiated from the inner cell layers of ovary wall, which can be compared with the seed coat differentiated from integument(s) in other plants. The single integument is differentiated into endothelium, which is degenerated to one layer of 4${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in thickness, composed of remants of cell wall components in fully ripened seed. The ripened seed coat is composed of three layers; fringe layer, inner layer and palisade layer, and all of the them are crossed at right angles with one another. This may be the cause of protection of the kernel from other mechanical injuries. The thickness of fully ripened seed coat is about 300~600 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, and arrangements of sclereids are irregular. However, the raphe region of seed coat is thin about 200 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in thickness and sclereids in that region are arranged regularly. This is the important cause for the cleavage of the seed coat during post-maturation process. The vascular bundles on the raphe are still remaining after sarcocarps are removed, and one of the branches of vascular bundles entered into the seed coat through the hilum and extended to chalazal region. During post-maturation process, the supply of water being necessary for growth of embryo may be accompolished by the vascular bundles entered into the seed coat through the opened hilum.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.599-608
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• 2017

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is a pharmacologically active substance extracted from the rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (also known as the Chinese herb Danshen), and is widely used to treat atherosclerosis. The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a nuclear receptor that is a key regulator of xenobiotic and endobiotic detoxification. Tan IIA is an efficacious PXR agonist that has a potential protective effect on endothelial injuries induced by xenobiotics and endobiotics via PXR activation. Previously numerous studies have demonstrated the possible effects of Tan IIA on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, but the further mechanism for its exerts the protective effect is not well established. To study the protective effects of Tan IIA against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we pretreated cells with or without different concentrations of Tan IIA for 24 h, then exposed the cells to $400{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$ for another 3 h. Therefore, our data strongly suggests that Tan IIA may lead to increased regeneration of glutathione (GSH) from the glutathione disulfide (GSSG) produced during the GSH peroxidase-catalyzed decomposition of $H_2O_2$ in HUVECs, and the PXR plays a significant role in this process. Tan IIA may also exert protective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway associated with the participation of PXR. Tan IIA protected HUVECs from inflammatory mediators triggered by $H_2O_2$ via PXR activation. In conclusion, Tan IIA protected HUVECs against $H_2O_2$-induced cell injury through PXR-dependent mechanisms.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2015

Neural stem cells (NSCs), with self-renewal and neuronal differentiation capacity, are a feasible resource in cell-based therapies for various neurodegenerative diseases and neural tissue injuries. In this study, we investigated the effects of Schisandrae Fructus (SF) on proliferation and differentiation of human embryonic NSCs. Treatment with 70% ethanol extract of SF increased the viability of NSCs derived from human embryonic stem cells, which was accompanied by increased mRNA expression of cyclin D1. Whereas 70% ethanol extract of SF also decreased the mRNA expression of nestin, it increased class III ${\beta}$-tublin (Tuj-1) and MAP2 in both growth and differentiation media. Lastly, we found increased mRNA expression of BDNF in SF-treated NSCs. In conclusion, our study demonstrates for the first time that SF induced proliferation and neuronal differentiation of NSCs and increased mRNA expression of BDNF, suggesting its potential as a regulator of NSC fate in NSC-based therapy for neuronal injuries from various diseases.