• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.205-213
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• 2007

Nek6 belongs to NIMA1 (never in mitosis, gene A) related kinase, which was originally identified in Aspergillus nidulans as a serine/threonine kinase critical for cell cycle progression. We noticed that the putative SUMOylation site is localized on the $K^{252}$ residue in $^{251}FKsD^{254}$ of Nek6, based on the consensus sequence ${\Phi}KxE$; where ${\Phi}$ represents L, I, V or F and x is any amino acid. We observed that the Nek6 SUMO mutant (K252R) has decreased protein kinase activity, nuclear speckle localization and protein stability, compared with that of the Nek6 wild type. However, the Nek6 SUMO mutant increased the cell survival rate of COS-1 cells as determined by FACS analysis. Therefore, our data suggest that SUMOylation on the $K^{252}$ residue of Nek6 is required for its normal functions, such as proper nuclear localization, kinase activity and protein stability, to control cell cycle.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 2012

In our continuous efforts to procure the active materials from natural products in the protective effects of oxidative stress or UV damage to skin cells we found the Prunus persica flesh extract (PPFE) is considerable to meet the demand to protect the skin damage. PPFE attenuated cell damage induced by hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase in cultured human keratinocytes, indicating that PPFE has the potential of the scavenging effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human skin cell. Moreover, PPFE significantly suppressed UVA-induced ROS production determined by the oxidation of 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH) using FACS analysis. Additional study revealed that UVA irradiation of HaCaT human keratinocytes increased the gelatinolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2, and -9 (MMP-2, -9) and mRNA expression of MMP-9 analyzing by a real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and these events were significantly suppressed by the treatment with PPFE. These results suggest that PPFE might be applicable as natural ingredients for skin antiaging agents via UV-induced ROS scavenging activity and suppression of MMP expression in the skin cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.955-959
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• 2005

We previously demonstrated that the methylene chloride fraction of Scutellaria barbata suppessed human leukemic U937 cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. In the present study, we have isolated luteolin from Scutellaria barbata and evaluated its apoptotic mechanism in Lewis lung carcinoma cells. Luteolin inhibited the proliferation of Lewis lung carcinoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Luteolin effectively increased the portion of $sub-G_1$ DNA content (apoptotic portion) and apoptotic Annexin-V positive cells in a concentration-dependent manner by FACS analysis. Caspase 9 and caspase 3 were activated and PARP was effectively cleaved by luteolin. It also increased the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 through the decrease of Bcl-2 expression by Western blotting and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential following TMRE staining. These results suggest that luteolin can induce apoptosis through the mitochondrial mediated pathway.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.143-148
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• 2005

Heptaplatin, cis-malonato [(4R,5R)-4,5-bis (amino-methyl)-2-isopropyl-1,3-dioxolane] platinum(II) (SKI-2053R, Sunpla) is a new platinum derivative with antitumor activity comparable to cisplatin on various cancer cell lines. Preclinical studies suggest that it is less nephrotoxic than cisplatin. This study was undertaken to examine the combined effect of heptaplatin and ionizing radiation on two established human squamous carcinoma cell lines (NCI-H520, SQ20B). The cytotoxic activity of heptaplatin was concentration-dependent in both cell lines. When low dose heptaplatin was combined with high dose ionizing radiation, there was an additive cytotoxic effect on NCI-H520 cells (P < 0.05), while a moderate dose of heptaplatin and a low dose of ionizing radiation had an additive cytotoxic effect on the growth of SQ20B cells (P < 0.05). FACS analysis and DAPI staining showed that their additive cytotoxic effects were correlated with the induction of apoptosis. Further studies are warranted using heptaplatin and ionizing radiation in squamous cell carcinoma as a substitute for cisplatin.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.115-129
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• 1999

To evaluate radioprotective effects of Kamisagoonjatang(KST), Kamijihwangtang (KJT) and Kamigoonjajihwangtang(KKJT), studies were done experimentally. The results were obtained as follows: 1. By FACS analysis after exposure to radiation by Liniac, T cell and T-helper cell were significantly increased in KST treated group and also B cell and macrophage in KJT treated group while splenocytes were significantly decreased in control group. 2. WBC, PLT were significantly increased in KKJT treated group as compared with control group after exposure to radiation by Liniac. 3. In histological changes of jejunum of $BALB{\backslash}C$ mice after after exposure to radiation by Liniac, exclusion and fusion of villi were decreased in all groups as compared with control group. 4. In the observation of morphological changes by SEM and TEM after radiation by Liniac, KKJT, KJT and KST inhibited demage of internal structures such as mitochondria, ESR and golgi of jejunum cells in order as compared with control group. From above results it was concluded that KJT, KST and KKJT could be usefully applied for protection from damage by radiotherapy to cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.169-180
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• 2005

Objective : Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn stems, Chinese vine plants, have been used for the relief of menstrual disorders and rheumatic arthralgia. In this study, we investigated the antitumor effect of Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn on cervical cancer in vitro. Methods : HeLA cervical cancer cell lines were used as targets. We examined the effect of water extract from Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn on cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation and cell cycle-regulating gene expression. Further, we investigated the apoptotic effects of Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn on cervical cancer cell lines. Results : Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn significantly inhibited the proliferation of cervical cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent and time dependent manner. Fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis indicated that Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn induced G1 cell cycle arrest. Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn enhanced the expression of $p21^{waf1}$ and $p27^{kip1}$ with cell cycle arrest. Further, Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn stimulated apoptosis via caspase3 pathway. Conclusions : These findings suggest that Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn is a candidate agent for the treatment of cervical cancer. p21waf1 and $p21^{waf1}$ and $p27^{kip1}$ may play an important role in Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn-induced cell cycle arrest and cell growth inhibition.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.329-336
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• 2023

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer is a medicinal plant well-known for its antiviral activities against various viruses, but its antiviral effect on coronavirus has not yet been studied thoroughly. The antiviral activity of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) and ten ginsenosides against Human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) was investigated in vitro. Methods: The antiviral response and mechanism of action of KRG extract and ginsenoside Rc, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2-20 (R) and -20 (S), Rg3-20 (R) and -20 (S), and Rh2-20 (R) and -20 (S), against the human coronavirus strain OC43 were investigated by using plaque assay, time of addition assay, real-time PCR, and FACS analysis. Results: Virus plaque formation was reduced in KRG extract-treated and HCoV-OC43-infected HCT-8 cells. KRG extract decreased the viral proteins (Nucleocapsid protein and Spike protein) and mRNA (N and M gene) expression, while increased the expression of interferon genes. Conclusion: KRG extract exhibits antiviral activity by enhancing the expression of interferons and can be used in treating infections caused by HCoV-OC43.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.425-433
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• 2023

During liver injury, hepatic stellate cells can differentiate into myofibroblast-like structures, which are more susceptible to proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix generation, leading to liver fibrosis. Anaerobic glycolysis is associated with activated stellate cells and glyceraldehyde (GA) is an inhibitor of glucose metabolism. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-fibrotic effects of GA in human stellate LX-2 cells. In this study, we used cell viability, morphological analysis, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), western blotting, and qRT-PCR techniques to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-fibrotic effects of GA in LX-2 cells. The results showed that GA significantly reduced cell density and inhibited cell proliferation and lactate levels in LX-2 cells but not in Hep-G2 cells. We found that GA prominently increased the activation of caspase-3/9 for apoptosis induction, and a pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-fmk, attenuated the cell death and apoptosis effects of GA, suggesting caspase-dependent cell death. Moreover, GA strongly elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and notably increased the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK. Interestingly, it dramatically reduced α-SMA and collagen type I protein and mRNA expression levels in LX-2 cells. Thus, inhibition of ERK and JNK activation significantly rescued GA-induced cell growth suppression and apoptosis in LX-2 cells. Collectively, the current study provides important information demonstrating the anti-fibrotic effects of GA, a glycolytic metabolite, and demonstrates the therapeutic potency of metabolic factors in liver fibrosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2008

Objectives : The present study was to investigate the effect of extract of Chelidonii herba (ECH) on the proliferation and activation of eosinophils which were prepared from lung cells of asthma-induced mouse by ovalbumin (OVA) treatment. Methods : C57BL/6 mouse was exposed to OVA three times a week for 6 weeks. The mouse lung tissues were dissected out, chopped and dossiciated with collagenase (1 ${\mu}g$/ml). Eosinophils were activated by rIL-3/rmIL-5 co-treatments. The lung cells were treated with ECH, incubated for 48 hr at $37^{\circ}C$, and analyzed by flow cytometery, ELISA, RT-PCR, and immuno-histochemical analysis. Results : In FACS analysis, number of granulocyte/lymphocyte, $CD3e^-$/$CCR3^+$, $CD3e^+$/$CD69^+$, $CD4^+$ and $CD23^+$/$B220^+$ in asthma-induced lung cells were significantly decreased by ECH treatment compared to the control group. And mRNA expression for IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, CCR3 and eotaxin in asthma-induced lung cells, which was induced by rIL-3 plus rmIL-5 treatments, was significantly decreased by ECH treatment. In ELISA analysis, production levels of IL-3, IL-5, IL-13 and histamine in asthma-induced lung cells, which were induced by rIL-3 plus rmIL-5 co-treatment, were significantly decreased by ECH treatment. ECH treatments significantly inhibited the proliferation of eosinohils prepared from asthma-induced mouse lung tissues compared to the non-ECH treated control cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ECH treatment significantly decreased the levels of eosipnphil activation compared to non-treated cells. Conclusions : The present data suggested that Chelidonium majus L. may have an effect on the inhibition of parameters associated with asthma responses in eosinpophils, and thus implicate the possibility for the clinical application of Chelidonium majus L.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.181-188
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• 2012

Dioscoreae Rhizome (DR) has been used in traditional medicine to treat numerous diseases and is reported to have anti-diabetes and anti-tumor activities. To identify a bioactive traditional medicine with anti-inflammatory activity of a water extract of DR (EDR), we determined the mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages through RT-PCR and western blot analysis and performed a FACS analysis for measuring surface molecules. EDR dose-dependently decreased the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and $PGE_2$, as well as mRNA levels of iNOS, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, as determined by western blot and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. The expression of co-stimulatory molecules such as B7-1 and B7-2 was also reduced by EDR. Furthermore, activation of the nuclear transcription factor, NF-${\kappa}B$, but not that of IL-4 and IL-10, in macrophages was inhibited by EDR. These results show that EDR decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines via inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory protein level, suggesting that EDR could be a useful immunomodulatory agent for treating immunological diseases.