• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.410-414
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• 2008

In the recently, increased concern has been focused on the pharmacology and clinical utility of herbal extracts and derivatives as a drug or adjunct to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Here we investigated the modulatory effects of the extract of Zanthoxyli Pericarpium (ZP) in production of inflammatory mediators from Raw264.7 cells and expression of CD86, CD14, toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 from peritoneal macrophage. ZP enhanced the production of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ as well as mRNA expression of iNOS and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Treatment of peritoneal macrophage with ZP resulted in the enhanced cell-surface molecules expression of CD86, CD14 and TLR4. We assayed the effect of ZP in cell proliferation and production of $IFN-{\gamma},\;TNF-{\alpha}$. ZP increased Con A-induced cell proliferation and production of $IFN-{\gamma},\;TNF-{\alpha}$. These studies indicate that ZP induces macrophage activation and suggest the possible use of ZP in macrophage-based immunotherapies

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.157-166
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• 2018

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common clinical syndrome of diffuse lung inflammation with high mortality rates and limited therapeutic methods. Diosmetin, an active component from Chinese herbs, has long been noticed because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diosmetin on LPS-induced ALI model and unveil the possible mechanisms. Our results revealed that pretreatment with diosmetin effectively alleviated lung histopathological changes, which were further evaluated by lung injury scores. Diosmetin also decreased lung wet/dry ratios, as well as total protein levels, inflammatory cell infiltration and proinflammatory cytokine (eg. $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6) overproduction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Additionally, increased MPO, MDA and ROS levels induced by LPS were also markly suppressed by diosmetin. Furthermore, diosmetin significantly increased the expression of Nrf2 along with its target gene HO-1 and blocked the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in the lung tissues, which might be central to the protective effects of diosmetin. Further supporting these results, in vitro experiments also showed that diosmetin activated Nrf2 and HO-1, as well as inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome in both RAW264.7 and A549 cells. The present study highlights the protective effects of diosmetin on LPS-induced ALI via activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, bringing up the hope of its application as a therapeutic drug towards LPS-induced ALI.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.474-480
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• 2018

Most angiogenesis assays are performed using endothelial cells. However, blood vessels are composed of two cell types: endothelial cells and pericytes. Thus, co-culture of two vascular cells should be employed to evaluate angiogenic properties. Here, we developed an in vitro 3-dimensional angiogenesis assay system using spheroids formed by two human vascular precursors: endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). ECFCs, MSCs, or ECFCs+MSCs were cultured to form spheroids. Sprout formation from each spheroid was observed for 24 h by real-time cell recorder. Sprout number and length were higher in ECFC+MSC spheroids than ECFC-only spheroids. No sprouts were observed in MSC-only spheroids. Sprout formation by ECFC spheroids was increased by treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or combination of VEGF and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Interestingly, there was no further increase in sprout formation by ECFC+MSC spheroids in response to VEGF or VEGF+FGF-2, suggesting that MSCs stimulate sprout formation by ECFCs. Immuno-fluorescent labeling technique revealed that MSCs surrounded ECFC-mediated sprout structures. We tested vatalanib, VEGF inhibitor, using ECFC and ECFC+MSC spheroids. Vatalanib significantly inhibited sprout formation in both spheroids. Of note, the $IC_{50}$ of vatalanib in ECFC+MSC spheroids at 24 h was $4.0{\pm}0.40{\mu}M$, which are more correlated with the data of previous animal studies when compared with ECFC spheroids ($0.2{\pm}0.03{\mu}M$). These results suggest that ECFC+MSC spheroids generate physiologically relevant sprout structures composed of two types of vascular cells, and will be an effective pre-clinical in vitro assay model to evaluate pro- or anti-angiogenic property.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.185-194
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• 2018

Objectives: Vaginal Candidiasis with an approximate prevalence of 30% is the second cause of vaginal infections. Antifungal azole is the first treatment for Vaginal Candidiasis; however, some side effects have been reported for this chemical medicine. Based on the antifungal activity of Inner Stratum of Quercus Brantii (Q. Brantii), the aim of our study was to compare the effects of vaginal douche of Q. Brantii extract and clotrimazole on vaginal candidiasis symptoms before and after the treatments, in women. Methods: 89 non-pregnant women with positive KOH test which is capable of identifying the presence of hyphae and mycelium by adding KOH (10%), and a positive vaginal candidiasis culture were randomly divided into two experimental groups, using permuted block randomization method. One group received clotrimazole vaginal cream (1%) and the other group received vaginal douche of Q. Brantii extract. Groups were treated for 7 days and KOH tests and cultures were evaluated again. Data were analyzed via chi-square and independent t-test, using SPSS software. Results: According to the results, there were no significant differences between experimental groups for demographic characteristics like age (p=0.403), BMI (p=0.911), educational levels (p=0.862) and contraceptive methods (p=0.702). Moreover, significant differences were seen in vaginal discharge between the groups after the treatments (P=0.043). Conclusion: The results suggested that the therapeutic effect of vaginal douche of Q. Brantii extract was approximately similar to that of clotrimazole vaginal cream.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.160-183
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• 2012

Objectives: Coptidis Rhizoma is one of the most popular and multi-purpose herbs in traditional medicine. The purpose of this study was to contribute to research and applications of Coptidis Rhizoma in clinic, by analyzing and reviewing international studies on its chemical compositions and pharmacological effects. Methods: This study analyzed 344 articles published from 2000 to 2010 in PubMed, Refworks, Riss, and KTKP. The search keywords were "Coptis chinensis", "Coptis japonica", "Coptidis Rhizoma", "huanglian" and "huanglian in Chinese". From them, we selected 114 articles which met our inclusion criteria. Results: This study reviewed 114 articles on Coptidis Rhizoma and its active components in terms of 'Active components', 'Experimental studies', 'Clinical studies', 'Industrial use' and 'Side Effects/Toxicity'. Conclusions: The active components of Coptidis Rhizoma are berberine, coptisine, epiberberine, palmatine, jateorrhizine, magnoflorine, worenine, etc. It is reported that Coptidis Rhizoma and its active components have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, and antioxidant activity, and cardiovascular, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, gastrointestinal, pain relieving, discharge phlegm and metrocyte proliferation effects. Moreover, we found that Coptidis Rhizoma can be used for bath preparation, cosmetic products and as a natural antimicrobial substance.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.278-284
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• 2016

Background: The ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) is the most abundant compound in the root of Panax ginseng. Recent studies have shown that Rb1 has a neuroprotective effect. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect are still unknown. Methods: We used stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture, combined with quantitative mass spectrometry, to explore a potential protective mechanism of Rb1 in ${\beta}$-amyloid-treated neuronal cells. Results: A total of 1,231 proteins were commonly identified from three replicate experiments. Among these, 40 proteins were significantly changed in response to Rb1 pretreatment in ${\beta}$-amyloid-treated neuronal cells. Analysis of the functional enrichments and protein interactions of altered proteins revealed that actin cytoskeleton proteins might be linked to the regulatory mechanisms of Rb1. The CAP1, CAPZB, TOMM40, and DSTN proteins showed potential as molecular target proteins for the functional contribution of Rb1 in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Conclusion: Our proteomic data may provide new insights into the protective mechanisms of Rb1 in AD.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.121-130
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• 1999

Oriental medicine prescription has been used for the treatment of various clinical symptoms associated with cerebral apoplexy. However, single herb drug does not used cerebral apoplexy and there mechanisms of action have not been defined, and it is not yet known what effects they have on the hemodynamics of cerebral circulation. The study was aimed to investigate the effect batryticatus bombycis(BB) on the vascular systems including changes in blood pressure (BP), and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and of male Sprague-Dawely rats. The changes in rCBF were determinated by laser-Doppler flowmetry. 1. Blood pressure was not affected by BB in rats. 2. rCBF was increased by BB in a dose-dependent manner. 3. Pretreatment with methylene blue(1mg/kg), and propranolol(1mg/kg) did not inhibited BB induced increased in rCBF. 4. Pretreatment with propranolol(1mg/kg) was increased by BB in a dose-dependent manner in blood perssure. 5. Pretreatment with ODQ($10{\mu}g/kg$) and L-NNA(1mg/kg) were inhibited BB induced increased in rCBF. 6. Pretreatment with L-NNA(1mg/kg) was increased rCBF in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that BB causes a diverse response of blood pressure and regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF). The increased in rCBF is also mediated by nitric oxide synthease and guanylate cyclase.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.169-177
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• 2020

Objectives : This experiment was designed to assess the single oral toxicity of Ethanol Extract Inulae Flos (IF) ethanol extracts. IF is one of the important herbs to remove phlegmy which is the viscous turbid pathological product that can accumulate in the body, causing a variety of diseases. Nevertheless, there has been a lack of research on the pharmacology toxicity of IF. Methods : In this study, IF was orally administered to 5 weeks ICR mice as an oral dose of 2,000 or 3,000 or 5,000 mg/kg. The condition of the mice was observed for 14 days and their weights were measured every two days. Results : None of the mice died for 14 days. The abnormal clinical symptoms and anatomical signs of toxicity were not found in any treatment groups. The gain of net body weight was observed. There was also no significant difference in the organ weight. The serum biochemistry and hematological analysis showed a decrease in BUN, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets although within the normal ranges. Conclusions : These results suggest that the 50% lethal dose of IF is more than 5,000 mg/kg. This could be thought that IF is a safe drug without acute toxicity and side effects. However, IF showed some weight loss and change in blood test, so it will need to be careful when using it for high doses.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.365-372
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of the SNPs on MDR1 exon 12, 21 and 26 in Korean population and to analyze haplotype frequency on MDR1 exon 12, 21 and 26 in Korean population. A total of 426 healthy subjects was genotyped for MDR1, using polymerase chain reaction-based diagnostic tests. Haplotype was statistically inferred using an algorithm based on the expectation-maximization (EM). MDR1 C1236T genotyping revealed that the frequency for homozygous wild-type (C/C), heterozygous (C/T) and for homozygous mutant-type (T/T) was 20.19%, 46.48% and 33.33%, respectively. MDR1 G2677T/A genotyping revealed that the frequency for homozygous G/G, heterozygous G/T, homozygous T/T, heterozygous G/A, heterozygous T/A and for homozygous A/A type was 30.75%, 42.26%, 9.86%, 7.51 %, 7.04% and 2.58%, respectively. MDR1 C3435T genotyping revealed that the frequency for homozygous wild-type (C/C), heterozygous (C/T) and for homozygous mutant-type (T/T) was 38.73%, 50.24% and 11.03%, respectively. Twelve haplotypes were observed. Of the three major haplotypes identified (CGC, TTT and TGC), the CGC haplotype were mainly predominant in the Korean populations and accounted for 29.96% of total haplotype in Korean.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.309-314
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• 2016

We first demonstrated that cordycepin inhibited cell growth and triggered apoptosis in U87MG cells with wild-type p53, but not in T98G cells with mutant-type p53. Western blot data revealed that the levels of procaspase-8, -3, and Bcl-2 were downregulated in cordycepin-treated U87MG cells, whereas the levels of Fas, FasL, Bak, cleaved caspase-3, -8, and cleaved PARP were upregulated, indicating that cordycepin induces apoptosis by activating the death receptor-mediated pathway in U87MG cells. Cordycepin-induced apoptosis could be suppressed by only SB203580, a p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor. These results suggest that cordycepin triggered apoptosis in U87MG cells through p38 MAPK activation and inhibition of the Akt survival pathway.