• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.17-26
• /
• 2014

${\alpha}$-Asarone exhibits a number of pharmacological actions including neuroprotective, anti-oxidative, anticonvulsive, and cognitive enhancing action. The present study investigated the effects of ${\alpha}$-asarone on pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA, microglial activation, and neuronal damage in the hippocampus and on learning and memory deficits in systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated C57BL/6 mice. Varying doses of ${\alpha}$-asarone was orally administered (7.5, 15, or 30 mg/kg) once a day for 3 days before the LPS (3 mg/kg) injection. ${\alpha}$-Asarone significantly reduced TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA at 4 and 24 hours after the LPS injection at dose of 30 mg/kg. At 24 hours after the LPS injection, the loss of CA1 neurons, the increase of TUNEL-labeled cells, and the up-regulation of BACE1 expression in the hippocampus were attenuated by 30 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-asarone treatment. ${\alpha}$-Asarone significantly reduced Iba1 protein expression in the hippocampal tissue at a dose of 30 mg/kg. ${\alpha}$-Asarone did not reduce the number of Iba1-expressing microglia on immunohistochemistry but the average cell size and percentage areas of Iba1-expressing microglia in the hippocampus were significantly decreased by 30 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-asarone treatment. In the Morris water maze test, ${\alpha}$-asarone significantly prolonged the swimming time spent in the target and peri-target zones. ${\alpha}$-Asarone also significantly increased the number of target heading and memory score in the Morris water maze. The results suggest that inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activation in the hippocampus by ${\alpha}$-asarone may be one of the mechanisms for the ${\alpha}$-asarone-mediated ameliorating effect on memory deficits.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.161-170
• /
• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Armillaria mellea extract (AME) on immune modulation focused on anti-cancer activity. Methods : To prove the effects of AME, we performed NO assay, NK cytotoxicity assay and RT-PCR of cytokine related with macrophage and NK cell activity. Results : AME increased NO production produced by macrophages in part. AME also enhanced the NK cell activities in destroying target cells (YAC-1 cells). AME up-regulated gene expression of IL-l, iNOS, TNF-a in RAW 264.7 cells and IL-l, IL-2, IFN-(equation omitted), TNF-a in splenocytes, respectively. Conclusion : From the above results, we assumed that AME is a potential drug for anti-cancer by activation of the macrophages and NK cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.56-61
• /
• 2005

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Baekyeum (BKE) on intestinal motility. Methods: The effects of BKE on intestinal motility at the physiological state were evaluated by determination of intestinal motility after administration of a charcoal meal. The effects of BKE on intestinal motility at cabachol-induced activated state and loperamide induced suppressed state were also evaluated by determination of intestinal motility after administration of charcoal meal. Results: BKE didn't affect the intestinal motility in physiological state, and BKE didn't affect the intestinal motility at the carbachol-induced activated state. BKE activated significantly the intestinal motility at the loperamide-induced suppressed state. Conclusions: It can be concluded that BKE is an effective herbal prescription for cancer-patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction, especially intestinal stasis.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.377.3-378
• /
• 2002

Eight compounds were isolated from the MeOH extracts of Erythrina senegalensis for HIV-1 protease inhibitors. Their structures were elucidated as eight isoflavonoids by spectroscopic analysis. These compounds showed dose dependent inhibitory activities on HIV-l protease with $IC_{50}$ values from 0.5 to 30.0 ${\mu}$M. (omitted)

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.1 s.61
• /
• pp.76-84
• /
• 2005

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the protective efficacy of GHT on alcoholic liver injury. Methods: We measured the rate of alcohol oxidation, serum level of liver enzyme, lipid peroxidation level in liver tissue, and inflammatory related cytokine expressions in the liver. Results : GHT showed liver protective effects, lowered the levels of AST and LDH in serum and inhibited lipid peroxidation in liver tissue, and enhanced alcohol oxidation. GHT treatment up-regulated IL-10 in the liver, whereas it down­regulated $TNF-\alpha,\;TGF-\beta$, and Fas ligand. Conclusion : From these results, GHT is presumed to work in the liver in protective roles not through the pathway of alcohol metabolism but mainly by anti-inflammation activity in our model.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.42-49
• /
• 2003

Purpose : In order to study the effectiveness of East-West pain treatment on central poststroke pain(CPSP), we evaluated its effect on alleviation of pain and rehabilitation of CPSP patients who were treated with eletroacupuncture and west pain treatment for four weeks. Methods : Twenty four patients diagnosed by their pain characteristics of central pain form stroke were treated with sympathetic nerve block, gabapentin, amitriptyline, and electroacupuncture for four weeks. Pain intensity through the visual analogue scale(VAS), and improvements of mobility and rehabilitation through the modified Barthel index(MBI) and Rankin scale(RS), respectively, before and after pain treatment were also assessed. Results : VAS pain scores were significantly improved from $7.7{\pm}1.7$ to $4.4{\pm}2.0$ with pain treatment(p<0.05). In accordance with improvement of ain scores, RS and MBI scores ere also improved from $2.88{\pm}0.95$ to $2.13{\pm}1.01$ and from $83.0{\pm}16.9$ to $94.7{\pm}9.5$(p<0.05), respectively, with pain treatment(p<0.05). Conclusions : It was suggested that the active pain treatment was contributed to the rehabilitation of CPSP patients, resulting in improvement of quality of life of CPSP patients. Futhermore, East pain treatment in combination with West pain treatment may be useful modality to alleviate CPSP.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
• /
• 2005.11a
• /
• pp.417-417
• /
• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
• /
• 2005.11a
• /
• pp.278-278
• /
• 2005

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.159-169
• /
• 2006

간암은 전 세계적으로 발병률이 높은 암 중 하나이며 매년 5만 명이상이 간암에 의하여 사망하고 있으며, 특히 한국과 중국 그리고 아시아의 다른 국가들에서 매우 높은 사망률을 보이고 있다. 따라서 본 연구는 간암치료에 있어서 한 중간의 한의학적 교류와 이해를 도모하기 위해 병인(病因), 병기(病機), 변증논치(辨證論治), 다용처방, 민간요법, 한약의 적용, 침 보안요법, 간섭치료 등 최근 중국에서 시행되고 있는 다양한 임상적 치료방법을 고찰하였다.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.254.1-254.1
• /
• 2003

CCl4 has been known as typical chemical which induce acute hepatitis accompanying increase in the levels of acute phase proteins in serum. In this study, after acute liver damage was induced by CCl4 in Sprague-Dawley rats, the levels of serum acute phase proteins were examined using 2-dimensional electrophoresis and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in blood were also examined at 1, 2, 3 days after the induction to confirm acute hepatitis. (omitted)