• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.807-814
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• 2012

Saururus chinensis has long been widely used in oriental folk medicines to treat diseases. In the current study, organic solvent fractions obtained from the main methanolic extract of S chinensis were evaluated for their antioxidative and related physiological activities. The antioxidant activity of the fractions was measured using DPPH free radical scavenging activity, increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the $ED_{50}$ of the ethyl acetate fractions exhibited a value of 12.84 ${\mu}g/ml$ higher than 27.22 ${\mu}g/ml$ compared to the BHT. Also, the cell viability of S. chinensis on $H_2O_2$-induced HDF cell death ($IC_{50}$) showed the highest cell viability of 89.39% in 50 ${\mu}g/ml$ of ethyl acetate fraction and 67.98% of visible cell survival rate in n-butanolic fraction. Meanwhile, all fractions of the S. chinensis extract led to a slight down regulation of the mRNA expression of fibulin-5, which is related to skin elasticity, and the ethyl acetate fraction having high antioxidant activity showed a markedly inhibitory effect on chick embryonic angiogenesis using the CAM assay. These results suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of S. chinensis extract could be a good material in therapeutic application for antioxidant and related anti-angiogenesis activities.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.764-768
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• 1998

In connection with the development of new anticonvulsant agents with a broad spectrum, we reported that N-Cbz-alpha-aminoglutarimides, combining common structures of othe r anticonvulsants such as N-CO-C-N and cyclic imides in a single molecule, showed significant anticonvulsant activities in the MES (maximal electroshock seizure) and PTZ (pentylenetetrazole induced seizure) tests. In these studies, a series of (R) and (S) N-alkyloxycarbonyl-alpha-aminoglutarimides 7a-7e and 8a-8e, which were substituted with various alkyloxycarbonyl group instead of Cbz group, were prepared from the corresponding (R) and (S) N-Cbz-glutamic acid 3 and 4, and were evaluated with their anticonvulsant activities against the MES and PTZ tests, including neurotoxicity, in order to define the effect of N-alkyloxycarbonyl group on the anticonvulsant activities of N-alkyloxycarbonyl-${\alpha}$-aminoglutarimides. Among them, (S)N-4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl-${\alpha}$-amino-N-methylglutarimide 8e was the most active in MES ($ED_{50}$=35.6mg/kg, PI=2.7) and PTZ tests ($ED_{50}$=15.6, PI=6.1). Interestingly, (R) and (S) N-4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl-${\alpha}$-amino-N-methylglutarimide 7e and 8e and (R) N-phenoxycarbonyl-${\alpha}$-amino-N-methylglutrimide 7d showed significant anti-convulsant activities in both the MES and PTZ tests and other compounds showed anticonvulsant activities in only the PTZ test. In addition, it was found that their anticonvulsant activities were dependent on their stereochemistries and N-substituted alkyloxycarbonyl groups.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.411-418
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• 2014

Vascular remodelling is an adaptive mechanism, which counteracts pressure changes in blood circulation. Nicotine content in cigarette increases the risk of hypertension. The exact relationship between nicotine and vascular remodelling still remain unknown. Current study was aimed to determine the effect of clinically relevant dosage of nicotine (equivalent to light smoker) on aortic reactivity, oxidative stress markers and histomorphological changes. Twelve age-matched male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, i.e.: normal saline as control or 0.6 mg/kg nicotine for 28 days (i.p., n=6 per group). On day-29, the rats were sacrificed and the thoracic aorta was dissected immediately for further studies. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP) of nicotine-treated vs. control were significantly increased (p<0.05). Nicotine-treated group showed significant (p<0.05) increase tunica media thickness, and decrease in lumen diameter, suggesting vascular remodelling which lead to prior hypertension state. The phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractile response in nicotine group was significantly higher than control group ($ED_{50}=1.44{\times}10^5M$ vs. $4.9{\times}10^6M$) (p<0.05~0.001). However, nicotine-treated rat showed significantly lower endothelium-dependent relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh) than in control group ($ED_{50}=6.17{\times}10^7M$ vs. $2.82{\times}10^7M$) (p<0.05), indicating loss of primary vascular function. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation marker was significantly higher in nicotine group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymatic activity and glutathione (GSH) were all reduced in nicotine group (p<0.05) vs. control, suggesting nicotine induces oxidative imbalance. In short, chronic nicotine administration impaired aortic reactivity, probably via redox imbalance and vascular remodelling mechanism.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.205-212
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• 2002

Bioactive compounds of Chung-pi methoxy flavonoids were isolated by column chromatography and preparative chromatography, and investigated on the smoothing effect for the tracheal smooth muscle of rats. The tracheal smooth muscles of rats were treated with acetylcholine ($ED_{50}:3${\times}$10^{-6}M$) and with chromatographic fractions. We found that six-methoxylated flavonoid (nobiletin) was the most active compound fro the smoothing effect of which the contracted tracheal smooth muscle was screened with further separated ethyl acetate fraction. This result shows how nobiletin and its analogues could be using as a promising drug of bronchial asthma.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.514-517
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• 2000

Abstracts Six shikonin metabolites were obtained from human intestinal bacteria, Bacteriodes fragilis subsp. thetaotus. following biotransformation. The transformation of shikonin (1) was performed anaerobically for 3 day at $37^{\circ}C$ in thc bacterial suspension of B. Fagilis which was cultured overnight in GAM broth. The incubation mixture \vas extracted with EtGAc Lo give a dark-brown residue. The residue was apphed to a silica gel column, which was eluted successively with hexane (Fr. A), $CHCl_3$ (Fr. B), and $CHCl_3$:MeOH (9:I) (Fr. C). Six metabolites. Fr.A (2 and 3), Fr. B (6 and 7), and Fr. C (4 and 5) were isolated by repeated silica gel column chromatography, preparatlVe TLC, followed by Sephadex LH-20. In vitro cytotoxicities were tested against human tumor cell lines; PC-3 (prostate), ACHN (renal), A549 (lung), SW620 (colon), KS62 (leukemia), and Du145 (prostate). The shikonin metabolites 2. 4, 5, and 6 showed weaker cytotoxicity than the parenL shikonin (1). whereas shikonin monomenc metabolite 3 ($ED_{50}{\;}O.44-{\;}1.22{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$) and dimeric metabolite 7 ($ED_{50}{\;}O.48-{\;}2.35{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$) exhibited stronger activities compared with adriamycin, which was used as the positive control.ontrol.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.198-206
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• 1998

Fourty eight derivatives of 2-(1-oxyalkyl)-1,4-dioxy-9,10-anthraquinone were synthesized, and their antitumor activity was evaluated. On the whole, 2-(1-hydroxyalkyl)-1,4-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinones (DHAQ=1,4-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone) showed stronger cytotoxic activity against L1210 cells than 2-(l-hydroxyalkyl)-1,4-dimethoxy-9,10-anthraquinones(DMAQ =1,4-dimethoxy-9,10-anthraquinone), implying that free hydroxy groups at C-1 and C-4 of the anthraquinone structure are necessary for the cytotoxic activity. The bioactivity of 2-(lhydroxyalkyl)-DHAQ derivatives differed according to the size of alkyl group at C-1;while the elongation of alkyl group over 7 carbon atoms failed to enhance the bioactivity, the derivatives possessing alkyl moiety of 1-6 carbon atoms showed an increase in the cytotoxicity and the antitumor activity in Sarcoma-180; 2-hydroxymethyl-DHAQ ($ED_{50}$, $15\mu\textrm{g}$/ml; T/C, 125%), 2-(1 -hydroxyethyl)-DHAQ($1.9{\mu}g/ml;139.2%)$;, 2-(1-hydroxypropyl)-DHAQ ($7.2{\mu}g$/ml; 135.1%), 2-(1-hydroxybutyl)-DHAQ ($10.2{\mu}g/ml; 125.3%)$, 2-(1-hydroxypentyl)-DHAQ ($23.7{\mu}g/ml; 110.1%$). and 2-(1-hydroxyhexyl)-DHAQ ($58{\mu}g/ml;108%$). Next, 2-(1-Hydroxyalkyl)-DHAQ derivatives were acetylated to produce 2-(1-acetoxyalkyl)-DHAQ analogues. Although the acetylation somewhat enhanced the cytotoxicity, but not the antitumor action. In addition, the presence of phenyl group at $C-1^{l}$ enhanced the cytotoxicity and the T/C value, compared to alkyl groups of same size; 2-(1-hydroxy-1-phenyl)-DHAQ ($ED_{50}$, $5.6{\mu}g$, T/C, 137%).

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.273-277
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• 2004

In previous studies for the development of new anticonvulsants, we found that N-Cbz-$\alpha$-amino-N-alkylsuccinimides exhibited significant anticonvulsant activities in the Maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole induced seizure (PTZ) tests, and also their anticonvulsant activities were dependent on the N-alkyl substituents existent in their structures. Based on these estimations, N-Cbz-$\alpha$-amino-N-hydroxysuccinimide and various N-Cbz-$\alpha$-amino-N-alkoxysuccinimides were prepared in order to develop more active anticonvulsants and to examine the effects of N-hydoxy or N-alkoxy groups on their anticonvulsant activities. The (R)-or (S)-N-Cbz-$\alpha$-amino-N-hydroxysuccinimide and N-Cbz-$\alpha$-amino-N-alkoxysuccinimides were prepared from the corresponding (R)-or (S)-N-Cbz-aspartic acid through the known synthetic procedures. Their anticonvulsant activities in the MES and PTZ test were evaluated. All of these compounds except 3a showed significant anticonvulsant activities against the PTZ test, but these compounds were not active in the MES test. The most active compound in the PTZ test was (R)-N-Cbz-$\alpha$-amino-N-benzyloxysuccinimide (ED$_{50}$=62.5 mg/kg). In addition, the anti-convulsant activities of these compounds were dependent on their N-substited groups. The order of anticonvulsant activity against the PTZ test, as judged from the ED50 values for (R) series was N-benzyloxy > N-hydroxy > N-isopropoxy > N-methoxy > N-ethoxy; for the (S) series N-ethoxy > N-benzyloxy > N-methoxy > N-isopropoxy.y.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.151-155
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• 2004

In our previous studies for the development of new anticonvulsant of broad spectrum, we found that N-cbz-$\alpha$-aminoglutarimides showed significant anticonvulsant activities of broad spectrum enough to be recommended for the new anticonvulsants and their anticonvulsant activities were dependent on their imide substituent groups. Based on these results, various N-cbz--$\alpha$-amino-N-alkoxyglutarimides, where the imide N-H was substituted with the hydroxy and alkoxy group, were prepared and evaluated for their anticonvulsant activities using the Maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and Pentylenetetrazole induced seizure (PTZ) tests and also the rotorod test. A series of (R) or (S)-N-cbz--$\alpha$-amino-N-alkoxyglutarimides could be prepared from the corresponding (R) or (S)-N-cbz-glutamic acid following the usual synthetic procedure. Among them, (R)-N-cbz--$\alpha$-amino-N-hydroxyglutarimide ($ED_{50}$=86.25 mg/kg) was most active in the MES test. In the case of the PTZ test, (R)-N-cbz--$\alpha$-amino-N-benzyloxyglutarimide ($ED_{50}$= 62.5 mg/kg) was most active. Among the tested compounds, 2a-c, 3a, and 3b showed anticonvulsant activities in the MES and PTZ test. All of the tested compounds, except 2f and 3f, showed significant anticonvulsant activities in the MES or PTZ test. In addition, the neurotoxicities of these compounds were comparable to other anticonvulsant drugs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.87-87
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• 1995

The muscarinic effects of carbachol were compared on the isolated ileums of guinea-pig, rat and rabbit to elucidate the underlying mechanism of species differences in sensitivity for carbachol. The ED$\_$50/ value estimated on the guinea-pig ileum was 4 to 6-fold lower than those obtained on the rat and rabbit ileums, but the K$\_$A/ values of carbachol determined by functional assays were almost identical with 12-l7 ${\mu}$M in all of three ileums. The competition data of carbachol for [$^3$H]QNB binding were best described by a two-site model yielding the Ki values of 0.4-0.6${\mu}$M and 12-16${\mu}$M for high(K$\_$H/) and low(K$\_$L/) affinity sites, respectively. The low affinity dissociation constants(K$\_$L/) of carbachol determined from receptor binding studies thus were not significantly different from the K$\_$A/ values estimated from functional studies. The percentage of receptor occupation that carbachol requires for half-maximal response was approximately 3 to 5-fold lower in guinea-pig compared to rat and rabbit whereas the density of muscarinic binding sites per gram of ileum measured by [$^3$H]QNB saturation isotherms was two-fold higher in guinea-pig than that in rat and rabbit. Therefore, the numbers of muscarinic receptors occupied at ED$\_$50/ values of carbachol were about two-fold lower in guinea-pig, suggesting two-fold greater intrinsic efficacy. These results indicate that the guinea-pig ileum has higher muscarinic receptor density and greater intrinsic efficacy for carbachol than the rat and rabbit ileums.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.3473-3479
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• 2009

The pharmacological profile of KR-31081, a newly synthesized AT1 receptor antagonist, was evaluated in pithed rats, conscious renal hypertensive rats (RHRs) and conscious furosemide-treated beagle dogs. In pithed rats, KR-31081 (i.v.) induced a non-parallel right shift in the dose-pressor response curve to angiotensin II (ID50: 0.05 mg/kg) with a dose-dependent reduction in the maximum responses; this antagonistic effect was about 40 times more potent than losartan (ID50: 1.74 mg/kg) which showed competitive antagonism. KR-31081 did not alter the responses induced by other agonists such as norepinephrine and vasopressin. In RHRs, orally given KR-31081 produced a dose-dependent and long-lasting (>24 h) antihypertensive effect with a higher potency to losartan (ED20: 0.30 and 3.36 mg/kg, respectively). In furosemide-treated dogs, orally given KR-31081 produced a dose-dependent and long-lasting (>8h) antihypertensive effect with a rapid onset of action (time to Emax: 1-1.5 h) and 20-fold greater potency than losartan (ED20: 0.41 and 8.13 mg/kg, respectively). These results suggest that KR-31081 is a potent, orally active AT1 receptor antagonist useful for the research and diagnostic tools as an added exploratory potential.