• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.9
• /
• pp.4597-4606
• /
• 2012

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an uncommon adenocarcinoma which arises from the epithelial cells of the bile ducts. The aim of the study was to investigate the cytotoxicity, toxicity, and anticancer activity of a crude ethanolic extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) against CCA. Cytotoxic activity against a CCA cell line (CL-6) was assessed by calcein-AM and Hoechst 33342 assays and anti-oxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH assay. Investigation of apoptotic activity was performed by DNA fragmentation assay and induction of genes that may be involved in the resistance of CCA to anticancer drugs (MDR1, MRP1, MRP2, and MRP3) was examined by real-time PCR. To investigate anti-CCA activity in vivo, a total of 80 OV and nitrosamine (OV/DMN)-induced CCA hamsters were fed with the ginger extract at doses of 1000, 3000, and 5000 mg/kg body weight daily or every alternate day for 30 days. Control groups consisting of 10 hamsters for each group were fed with 5-fluorouracil (positive control) or distilled water (untreated control). Median $IC_{50}$ (concentration that inhibits cell growth by 50%) values for cytotoxicity and anti-oxidant activities of the crude ethanolic extract of ginger were 10.95, 53.15, and $27.86{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. More than ten DNA fragments were visualized and up to 7-9 fold up-regulation of MDR1 and MRP3 genes was observed following exposure to the ethanolic extract of ginger. Acute and subacute toxicity tests indicated absence of any significant toxicity at the maximum dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight given by intragastric gavage. The survival time and survival rate of the CCA-bearing hamsters were significantly prolonged compared to the control group (median of 54 vs 17 weeks). Results from these in vitro and in vivo studies thus indicate promising anticancer activity of the crude ethanolic extract of ginger against CCA with the absence of any significant toxicity. Moreover, MDR1 and MRP3 may be involved in conferring resistance of CCA to the ginger extract.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.28-32
• /
• 2007

Cisplatin, an antitumor agent widely used in the treatment of cancers, has nephrotoxicity. This side effect is closely related to oxidative stress. In the present study, we studied to protective effect of ethanol extract of Bojungbangam-tang (EBJT) on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Bojungbangam-tang is a new herbal prescription composed of nine crude drugs. Pretreatment of EBJT prevented cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and generation of ROS. Also, cellular GSH content and gluathione peroxidase activity were recovered by EBJT. EBJT also decreased cisplatin-induced expression of HO-1 via inhibition of ERK activation. Taken together, these results suggest that EBJT has a cytoprotective effect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through anti-oxidant activity.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.343-352
• /
• 2014

In the present study, antioxidant activities of two crude pigments (acetone and MeOH) and their solvent fractions (n-hexane, 85% aq.MeOH, n-BuOH, and water fractions) from red crab shell were evaluated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), peroxynitrites, and degree of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HT 1080 cells as well as the extent of oxidative damage of genomic DNA purified from HT 1080 cells. From comparative analysis, 85% aq.MeOH fraction showed the strongest scavenging effect on both peroxynitrite in vitro and intracellular ROS in HT 1080 cells. Protective activities of these samples against hydroxyl radical-mediated genomic DNA damage were also investigated. 85% aq.MeOH and n-BuOH fractions significantly inhibited oxidative damage of purified genomic DNA. On the other hand, we investigated their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. All samples significantly reduced NO production. Among the samples, n-hexane and water solvent fractions most effectively inhibited NO.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.876-880
• /
• 2011

Gammakdaejo-Tang (GMT) is a traditional oriental medicinal formula, a mixture of 3 crude drugs, and it has been clinically used for treating mild depressive disorders. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of Gammakdaejo-Tang (GMT) on repeated stress-induced alterations of learning and memory on a passive avoidance test (PAT) test and also the anxiety-related behavior on the elevated pulse maze (EPM) in ovariectomized female rats. We assessed the changes in the reactivity of the cholinergic system by measuring the immunoreactive neurons of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the hippocampus after behavioral testing. The rats were exposed to the immobilization (IMO) stress for 14 days (2hours/day), and Gammakdaejo-Tang (400 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered 30 min before IMO stress. Treatments with GMT caused significant reversals of the stress-induced deficits in learning and memory on a working memory test, and it also produced an anxiolytic-like effect on the EPM, and increased the ChAT reactivities (p<0.001, respectively). These results suggest that Gammakdaejo-Tang might prove to be an effective antidepressant agent.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.107-112
• /
• 1983

Experimental studies were made to evaluate clinical efficacy and validate Oriental medicine description of 'Banhabaikchulchenma-Tang' which has been used for controlling of headache, heartburn and giddiness, etc. The results of these studies were as follows; 1) Suppressive actions were not shown on convulsion due to spine and diencephatic causes. 2) Analgesic action was recognized in mice and rats. 3) Sedative actions due to prolongation of hypnosis time, muscle relaxation and decreasing locomotive function were noted. 4) Relaxing action was noted in the ileum of mice, also antagonistic antispasmodic action was recognized on contraction of the ileum induced by acteylcholine and $BaCl_2$. In connection with results of these studies, efficacy based on the Oriental medical reference were consistant with actual experimental results. It is considered that 'Banhabaikchulchenma-Tang' has the therapeutic effect on the headache and giddiness, etc.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.272-279
• /
• 1986

This study was conducted about the effect of Shihogesikungang-tang on the central nervous system and cardiovascular system for the investigation of its clinical effect based on the Oriental medicinal references. The results of this study were summerized as follows; Analgesic activity as evaluated by the writhing syndrome in mice was significantly noted. A decrease effect of the spontaneous movement as estimated by wheel cage method, muscle relaxant effect as evaluated by the rotor rod method and the prolonged effect of sleeping time induced by thiopental-Na were significantly shown in mice. A antipyretic activity in febrile rats induced by the endotoxin was recognized. Anti-inflammatory effect in carrageen-induced paw edema in rats was significantly noted. Negative inotropic action on the isolated heart of frogs was noted. A vasodilative action in rabbits peripheral blood vessels and hypotension in anesthetized rabbits were remarkably recognized.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.263-271
• /
• 1986

In order to investigate experimentally the clinical effects of Taeksa-Tang that was prescribed to cure the severe dizziness, the water extract of Taeksa-Tang was experimented about the effects on the diuretic action, the serum lipid, the isolated ileum and heart, the blood vessel, the blood pressure and respiration. The results of this study were obtained as follows: The diuretic action was significantly shown in rabbits. The level of total cholesterol, triglyceride and phopholipid in serum of rabbits given high cholesterol diet were significantly decreased. The contraction of the isolated ileum of mice induced by acetylcholine chloride and barium chloride was remarkably inhibited. The vasodilating and hypotensive actions were noted in rabbits. Negative inotropic action on the isolated frog heart was recognized.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.35 no.4 s.139
• /
• pp.388-392
• /
• 2004

The paeonol content in roasted Moutan Cortex was increased about three times compared to that of untreated one. The paeonol content reached at its maximum level $(454.3\;{\mu}g/mg\;ethanol\;extract)$ after roasting at $190^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes. Roasting processing did not affect on the DPPH radical scavenging activity of Moutan extracts.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.32 no.1 s.124
• /
• pp.39-42
• /
• 2001

The seeds of Areca catechu L. has been used for the treatment of the diseases caused by parasites in East Asia. As a part of a research for standardization of crude drugs, we have determined the content of arecoline in the seeds of Arecae Semen purchased from various regions of Korea. The HPLC method for quantitative analysis of arecoline in Arecae Semen was established and reproducible results and chromatographic isolation of arecoline was accomplished successively. It suggested that the content of arecoline in Arecae Semen was $0.2726\;{\pm}\;0.05532%$.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.121-127
• /
• 1984

Attempts were to investigate the effects of 'Bojungikgi-tang' on the digestive system, blood pressure and diuresis. The results showed that relaxing action was shown on the isolated ileum in mice and that strong antagonistic actions were seen on $BaCl_2$, acetylcholine and histamine-induced contraction of the ileum in mice and guinea-pigs that the relaxing effect of the intestinal smooth muscle was recognized. Inhibitory effects on transport rate in the small intestine of mice and castor oil-induced catharsis in mice were noted. Inhibitory action on the secretion of gastric juice, pH ascending effect and decreasing effect of the free acidity and total acidity were recognized. Continuous hypotensive action was seen, but when the vagus nerve was cut, hypotensive action was remarkably decreased. The diuretic effect was also recognized.