• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.475-485
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• 2007

Methamphetamine is an illicit drug that is often abused and can cause neuropsychiatric and neurotoxic damage. Repeated administration of psychostimulants such as methamphetamine induces a behavioral sensitization. According to a previous study, Bax was involved in neurotoxicity by methamphetamine, but the function of Bax in rewarding effect has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we have studied the function of Bax in a rewarding effect model. In the present study, we treated chronic methamphetamine exposure in a Bax-deficient mouse model and examined behavioral change using a conditioned place preference (CPP) test. The CPP score in Bax knockout mice was decreased compared to that of wild-type mice. Therefore, we screened for Bax-related genes that are involved in rewarding effect using microarray technology. In order to confirm microarray data, we applied the RT-PCR method to observe relative changes of Bcl2, a pro-apoptotic family gene. As a result, using our experiment microarray, we selected genes that were associated with Bax in microarray data, and eventually selected the Tgfbr2 gene. Expression of the Tgfbr2 gene was decreased by methamphetamine in Bax knockout mice, and the gene was overexpressed in Bax wild-type mice. Additionally, we confirmed that Creb, FosB, and c-Fos were related to rewarding effect and Bax using immunohistochemistry.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.557-563
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• 2015

Skin aging is the most readily observable process involved in human aging. Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation causes photo-oxidation via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby damaging the nucleus and cytoplasm of skin cells and ultimately leading to cell death. Recent studies have shown that high levels of solar UVB irradiation induce the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in skin fibroblasts, causing photo-aging and tumor progression. The MMP family is involved in the breakdown of extracellular matrix in normal physiological processes such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodeling, as well as in disease processes such as arthritis and metastasis. We investigated the effect of diphlorethohydroxycarmalol (DPHC) against damage induced by UVB radiation in human skin keratinocytes. In UVB-irradiated cells, DPHC significantly reduced expression of MMP mRNA and protein, as well as activation of MMPs. Furthermore, DPHC reduced phosphorylation of ERK and JNK, which act upstream of c-Fos and c-Jun, respectively; consequently, DPHC inhibited the expression of c-Fos and c-Jun, which are key components of activator protein-1 (AP-1, up-regulator of MMPs). Additionally, DPHC abolished the DNA-binding activity of AP-1, and thereby prevented AP-1-mediated transcriptional activation. These data demonstrate that by inactivating ERK and JNK, DPHC inhibits induction of MMPs triggered by UVB radiation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.860-865
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• 2009

Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing multinucleated cells derived from the monocyte/macrophage lineage. The differentiation of osteoclasts are regulated by osteoblastic cells expressed RANKL, which is the most critical molecule for osteoclast differentiation. In this study, we found that water extracts of cuscuta inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation by direct action on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) without cytotoxicity. In BMMs, water extracts of cuscuta inhibited the mRNA expression of c-Fos, NFATc1, TRAP, and OSCAR. Also, the protein expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 was inhibited by water extracts of cuscuta treatement. Water extracts of cuscuta inhibited the phosphorylation of p38, ERK, and JNK in BMMs treated with RANKL. However, water extracts of cuscuta did not inhibit RANKL-induced I-${\kappa}B$ activation. Water extract of cuscuta failed to inhibit bone resorption by osteoclasts cultured on hydroxyapatite plates. These results suggest that cuscuta may be a promising drug for use against bone disorders such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2011

Osteoclasts play a critical role in bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis by resorbing the bone. Recently, natural products from plants have been extensively studied as therapeutic drugs to treat and prevent various diseases. Here, we examined the effects of rhizoma arisaematis on ostoclast differentiation and bone resorption. We showed that rhizoma arisaematis significantly suppressed receptor activator of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) in a dose dependent manner but have little or no effect on the cytotoxicity of BMMs and RAW264.7 cells. We found that rhizoma arisaematis iarrow-ed the RANKL-induced c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)c1, which is a master regulator of osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, rhizoma arisaematis suppressed the mRNA expression of tartrate resistant-acid phosphatase and cathepsin K iaduced by RANKL in BMMs. in y chanistic studies, rhizoma arisaematis considerably iarrow-ed I-${\kappa}B$ degradation, which is a negative regulator of NF-${\kappa}B$, but iaduced the phosphderlation of p-38, ERK, and JNK.MMlso, we found that rhizoma arisaematis significantly iarrow-ed osteoclastic bone resorption. Taken tarether, our results suggest that rhizoma arisaematis suppresses osteoclast differentiation through down-regulatd the mRANKL-induced c-Fos and NFATc1 expression and iarrow-s bone resorption.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.1-16
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• 2016

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix pharmacopuncture (GP) at Hwando (GB30) in neuropathic pain induced rats. Methods : Neuropathic pain in rats was induced by tibial and sural nerve transection. The rat subjects were divided into 6 groups : normal (Nor, n = 5), control (Con, n = 5), neuropathic pain- induced injected at GB30 with 1 mg/kg GP (GP-A, n = 5), 5 mg/kg GP (GP-B, n = 5) and 20 mg/kg GP (GP-C, n = 5), and neuropathic pain-induced injected with 1mg/kg Tramadol (Tramadol, n＝5). Injections were administered 2 times a week for a total of 5 treatments. After each treatment plantar withdrawal response was measured and after all 5 treatments were completed c-fos, Bax, Bcl-2, mGlu5 and leukocytes in the blood were analyzed. Results : 1. Groups GP-A, GP-B and GP-C showed a meaningful decrease in the withdrawal response of mechanical allodynia compared to the control group. 2. Groups GP-A, GP-B and GP-C showed a meaningful decrease in the expression of c-fos compared to the control group. 3. Groups GP-A and GP-C showed a meaningful increase in the expression of mGluR5 compared to the control group. 4. Groups GP-A, GP-B and GP-C showed a meaningful decrease in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio compared to the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix pharmacopuncture at Hwando (GB30) could decrease mechanical allodynia and could have analgesic and neuroprotective effects on the model of neuropathic pain.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.9-19
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• 2008

Objectives: In this study the authors investigated effects of the ethanolic extract of Rhodjola Rosea(HKC) on fatigue and hypothalamic IEG expression in rat forced swimming(FS) model. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were administered HKC extract(25 mg/100g, p.o.) for 3 days prior to FS, some rats underwent 10 min FS and others exhaustive forced swimming(EFS). In addition, other rats were administered extract at different times after EFS over 3 consecutive days. Results: When HKC administered before 10 mins of FS, serum actate dehydrogenase(LDH) and creatine phosphokinase(CPK) activities were significantly lower than control group. When HKC administered prior to EFS, blood lactate was significantly lower versus control group. When HKC was administered after EFS, blood lactate(at 6 and 24 hours after EFS) were significantly lower and serum LDH, CPK activities(at 24 hours after EFS) were significantly lower versus control group. When HKC was administered after EFS, c-Fos positive neurons in hypothalamic periventricular area(PVA), medial part(mPVN) and anterior hypothalamic nucleus caudal part(AHC) were significantly lower at 24 hours after EFS than in control group. HSP-72 positive neuron numbers in hypothalamus were significantly lower at 24 hours after EFS than in control group. Finally, when HKC was administered prior to 10 mins FS, HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression in the gastrocnemius muscle was significantly increased. Conclusions: These results suggest that HKC extract has an anti-fatigue effect, and it reduces neuronal cell stress responses induced by physical stress by having a beneficial effect on lactate metabolism.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.28-39
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• 2011

Objectives: SaengRyoSaMulTang is a herbal formula in Oriental Medicine, known anti-allergens. However, its mechanism and cellular targets have not been found yet. Thus the study has developed to investigate the suppressive effect of SaengRyoSaMulTang. Methods: In the study, cellular viability, IL-4, IL-13 mRNA expression, IL-4, IL-13 production, manifestations of GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT1, NF-AT2, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}$B p65 transcription factors were examined by Real-Time PCR, ELISA analysis and western blotting. Results: As a result of treating with SaengRyoSaMulTang extract(SRSMT), the study has shown that the amount of Th2 cytokines, which include PI induced IL-4 and IL-13, plays a significant role in suppressing effect. RBL-2H3 mast cells significantly suppressed the PI-induced Th2 cytokine production including IL-4 and IL-13 in a dose dependent manner. PI-induced IL-4 and IL-13 production was significantly suppressed by SRSMT intervention. Western blot analysis of transcription factors involving IL-4 and IL-13 expression also revealed a prominent decreases of mast cell's specific transcription factors including GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT2, c-Jun and c-Fos, but NF-${\kappa}$B p65. Conclusions: The study suggests that the anti-allergenic activities of SRSMT may regulate the transcription factors GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT2, c-Jun and c-Fos inhibiting Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 in mast cells.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.13-27
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• 2009

This study aimed to validate neuroprotective effect of Chungpaesagan-tang on the early stage of cerebral ischemic damage. Cerebral ischemic damage was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 hours in the Sprague-Dawley rats. Water extract of Chungpaesagan-tang(8.7g/kg) was administered orally twice at 1 and 4 hours after the MCAO. Neurological score was tested at 3 and 24 hours after the MCAO and Chungpaesagan-tang administration. At 24 hours after the MCAO, infarct volume and edema ratio was evaluated with the TTC staining. Apoptotic cell death in cerebral cortex and caudate putamen was observed with cresyl violet staining and TUNEL labeling. Bax expression in the MCAO rat brain was stained with immunohistochemistry. Chungpaesagan-tang improved neurological and behavioral impairment of the MCAO rats and reduced infarct area, infarct volume and brain edema formation. Chungpaesagan-tang attenuated cell death percentage in cortex penumbra and reduced TUNEL positive cells in cortex penumbra and in caudate putamen of the MCAO rats. Chungpaesagan-tang reduced Bax positive neurons in caudate putamen and reduced c-Fos positive neurons in cortex penumbra of the MCAO rats. Chungpaesagan-tang intensified neuronal HSP72 expression in cortex penumbra of the MCAO rats. In results, Chunpaesagan-tang reduces infarct volume and edema formation through anti-apoptotic effect. This result suggests that Chunapaesagan-tang has an adequate neuroprotective effect on the early stage of cerebral ischemic damage.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.506-510
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• 2012

Bone homeostasis is regulated by the balance between bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts. Osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease are related with up-regulated osteoclast formation and its activity. Gol-Swae-Bo(Drynariae Rhizoma) is widely used on skeletal disease. In this study, we sought to examine the effect of Drynariae Rhizoma in RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. The extract of Drynariae Rhizoma inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in a dose dependent manner without cytotoxicity. receptor activator of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand(RANKL) mediated $I{\kappa}B$ degradation in bone marrow macrophages(BMMs). However, the extract of Drynariae Rhizoma inhibited RANKL induced $I{\kappa}B$ degradation in BMMs. And mRNA expression of OSCAR, TRAP, c-Fos and NFATc1 was suppressed by the extract of Drynariae Rhizoma. Moreover, the extract of Drynariae Rhizoma inhibited the protein expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos induced by RANKL. After all the analysis, these results suggest that Drynariae Rhizoma may be good candidate of medicine in the treatment of bone-related disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2021

Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang (ST) is a Korean medical herb cocktail which has been used to treat anxiety induced insomnia. In this study, we will examine sleep-promoting and anti-anxiety effects of ST, and investigate its mechanism. ICR mice were divided into three groups for the first examination : control group (n=11), ST50 group (50 mg/kg, po, n=11), ST200 group (200 mg/kg, po, n=11). Sleep-promoting effect was confirmed by measuring the sleeping duration time and sleeping onset time after thiopental sodium treatment (50 mg/kg, ip). ICR mice were divided into five groups for the second examination : control group (n=11), ST200 group (200 mg/kg, po, n=11), ST200+Flumazenil group (ST 200 mg/kg, po, flumazenil 0.3 mg/kg, ip, n=11), diazepam group (1 mg/kg, ip, n=11), diazepam+flumazenil group (diazepam 1 mg/kg, ip, Flumazenil 0.3 mg/kg, ip, n=11). Anxiety behavior and sleep-promoting effect was confirmed by open field test and measuring the sleeping duration time and sleeping onset time. Expression levels of c-fos in tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) and ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. ST treated group showed significantly decreased anxiety behavior and enhanced sleeping duration time and sleeping onset time concentration dependently. The expression of c-fos was significantly upregulated in VLPO as sleep-inducing center and TMN as downregulated in arousal center by ST treatment. In addition, all effects of ST were reversed by flumazenil. Our results suggest that ST has sleep-promoting and anti-anxiety effects through regulating arousal center (TMN) and sleep-inducing center (VLPO).