• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.139-146
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• 2019

Objective : Recently, hair has become one of the important aspects of beauty. So, there are many studies about prevention and treatment of alopecia. Finasteride and minoxidil have been known to drug for alopecia treatment. However, these agents have side effects such as irritation, pruritus, and erythema when they were used for a long time. So, we assessed hair growth effect on herbal mixture (RAA) include in Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, Achyranthis Radix, and Acanthopanacis Cortex. Methods : 6 weeks aged C57BL/6 mice were divided three treatment groups. : CON group (vehicle solution), MNXD group (positive control, 3% minoxidil), RAA group (15% RAA solution). And we applied 200 ㎕ of three groups to shaved dorsal skin every day. Hair growth effects of treatment were determined through phototrichogram by folliscope and hair follicle morphometry by H&E staining. And we assessed hair growth-related gene (VEGF, IGF-1, TGF-β1) expressions by western blot and 5-α reductase II analysis of dermal (skin) or internal organ (prostate gland). Results : Hair density and hair follicle size in MNXD or RAA group was enhanced compared to those of CON group, respectively. Also, the protein expression levels in dermal of VEGF, IGF-1 increased but TGF-β1 decreased in RAA and MNXD group, compared to CON group, respectively. 5-α reductase II levels of tissues in MNXD or RAA group significantly decreased compared to those of CON group, respectively. Conclusion : These results suggest that RAA has the promoting effect on hair growth.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.71-77
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• 2013

Objectives : This study aimed to compare the anti-diabetic efficacy of Lycii Radicis Cortex (Lycium chinense Mill.) and Corni Fructus (Cornus officinalis) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups; normal, STZ-control, Lycii Radicis Cortex extract-administrated group (LRC) and Corni Fructus extract-administrated group(CF). Diabetes in rats was induced by intraperitonal injection with streptozotocin (STZ) at doses of, 30 mg/kg (body weight) for 5 days (once per a day). STZ-induced diabetic rats were orally administrated LRC and CF extract daily for 4 weeks at doses of 300 mg/kg. Fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were measured in sera of rats. Histopathological changes of kidney, liver and lung tissues were observed by microscope after H&E staining. Results : There were no differences in body and kidney weights, food intake and water intake in LRC- and CF-administrated groups compared with STZ control group. However, glucose, TC and TG levels in serum were significantly decreased in LRC-administrated groups compared with STZ-control group. In histopathological analysis of kidney, liver and lung, both LRC- and CF-administrated groups showed the inhibition of morphological damage. Conclusions : These results suggest that LRC and CF have a biological action on STZ-induced diabetes in rats via decreasing the serum TG and TG levels and may protect the morphological changes of kidney, liver and lung.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.56-71
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• 2021

Objectives: This study is aimed to evaluate the protective effects of GGX on lung injury of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) mice model. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and then treated with vehicle only (Control group), dexamethasone 3 mg/kg (Dexa group), gam-gil-tang 200 mg/kg (GGT group), GGX 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg (GGX group). After sacrifice, its bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or lung tissue was analyzed with cytospin, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hematoxylin & eosin (H&E), and Masson's trichrome staining. Results: In the COPD model, GGX significantly inhibited the increase of neutrophils, TNF-𝛼, IL-17A, CXCL-1, MIP2 in BALF and TNF-𝛼, IL-1𝛽, IL-10 mRNA expression in lung tissue. It also decreased the severity of histological lung injury. Conclusion: This study suggests the usability of GGX for COPD patients by controlling lung tissue injury.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.31-37
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• 2023

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the muscle-improving and therapeutic effects of Boehmeria platanifolia (BP) in a mouse model of dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy. Methods : Muscle atrophy was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone for 12 days. BP extract was administered orally at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg for 19 days, starting 7 days before the intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone. Mice were weighed during the experimental period, and muscle strength and muscle weight were measured at the end of the experiment. The gastrocnemius (GASTROC) muscles of mice were isolated and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the muscle fibers was measured after H&E staining. Results : Dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy mice had a decrease in body weight compared to normal mice, and BP-administrated mice did not show significant change in body weight compared with a control group. Muscle strength in mice with induced muscle atrophy was reduced compared to normal and significantly increased with BP administration and positive control. In addition, the weight of the quadriceps (QUAD) muscle and fiber size of the GASTROC muscle, which was reduced in sarcopenia-induced mice, was increased by BP. Conclusion : BP extract increased muscle strength, muscle weight, and muscle fiber size in dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy mice. This suggests that the efficacy of BP extracts in improving muscle strength and preventing and treating sarcopenia may be beneficial for the development of potential therapeutic or functional products.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.48-52
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• 2024

This study explores the histological features and Bmp4 expression patterns in the replaced tooth germ of Xenopus laevis. Tooth germ formation starts from the dental placode through epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, involving various signaling pathways such as Fgf, Shh, Bmp, and Wnt. In mice, Bmp4 expression in the dental placode inhibits Pax9 expression in the dental mesenchyme. Although absent in the presumptive dental lamina of birds and toothless mammals, Bmp4 remains conserved in reptiles and fish owing to gene duplication. However, its expression in amphibian tooth germs is poorly understood. Three-month-old X. laevis were employed in this study. Initially, samples underwent paraffin embedding and were sectioned into 5 or 12 ㎛ ribbons for H&E staining and in situ hybridization, respectively. Results revealed teeth appearing in two maxillary rows: the labial side, with prefunctional and functional teeth, and the lingual side, with replaced tooth germs behind functional teeth. Enameloid was observed between the inner dental epithelium and dental mesenchyme at the cap or early bell stages, whereas enamel and dentin formed during the late bell or mineralization stages from the replaced tooth germ. Bmp4 expression was evident in the inner dental epithelium (ameloblasts), dental papilla (odontoblasts), stellate reticulum, and Hertwig's epithelial root sheath. Overall, these findings highlight the conservation of Bmp4 expression in X. laevis tooth development.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.29-41
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• 2009

Wished to examine closely effect that SoPungDoJeokTang-KaMi (SPDJTK) medicines used to atopy dermatitis disease patient get in atopy eruption control experimentally. SPDJTK medicines controlled $CD4^+/IFN-\gamma$, and $CD4^+/CD25^+/foxp3^+$ revelation that an experiment that motive allergy immune reponse because an in vitro experiment stimulates T cells of a NC/Nga mouse same time by anti-CD40/rmIL-4, and interleukin-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, and TGF-$\beta$ mRNA outturn that bear in T and B cells decreased remarkably by SPDJTK medicines. Intracellular staining of splenocytes anti-CD40/rmIL-4 plus rmIL-4 stimulated as described in a, assessed after 24 h, SPDJTK exerts a mainly immunosuppressive effect that acts at least partially through suppression of the transcription factor GATA3 expression in $CD4^+$ T cells. Atopic dermatitis (AD) usually develops in patients with an individual or family history of allergic diseases, and is characterized by chronic relapsing inflammation seen specially in childhood, association with IgE hyperproduction and precipitation by environmental factors. However, the exact etiology of AD has been unclear. To further explore the pathogenesis and treatment of AD, a suitable animal model is required. We found that skin lesions, which were clinically and histologically very similar to human AD, mite antigen-induced dermatitis on the face, neck, ears and dorsal skin of inbred NC/Nga mice. Result that Th1 cell and Th2 cell observe to be shifted by cytokine expression with $CD4^+/CD25^+/foxp3^+$ Treg cells induction by SPDJTK medicines could know that SPDJTK medicines can use usefully in allergy autoimmnune diease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.345-350
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• 2004

Background : To evaluate the frequency and clinical significance of lymph node micrometastasis in patients of non-small-cell lung cancer pathologically staged to be T1-2,N0. Method : From consecutive 29 patients of non-small-cell lung cancer who received curative operation and routine systemic nodal dissection, we immunohistochemically examined 806 lymph nodes from mediastinal, hilar and peribronchial lesion. All slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin staining for one section and with cytokeratin AE1/AE3 antibody for another consecutive section of same lymph node to find out micrometastasis. Results : In 806 lymph nodes examined, no tumor cell was seen on hematoxylin and eosin staining and micrometastic foci were shown to be on 0.37%(3) of 806 lymph nodes, in which were upper paratracheal, interlobar and peribronchial lymph node. These three positive stains constitute 10.3%(3) of the 29 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. Nine patients died from disease progression(4), postoperative complication(3) and concomitant diseases(2). The four patients with disease progression did not show evidence of micrometastasis on their lymph node examination. Conclusion : The frequency of lymph node micrometastasis was in 0.37% of 806 lymph nodes examined. The study results might suggested that routine analysis of micrometastasis on the lymph node didn't give any clinical implication on patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.576-587
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• 2010

Background: Effective decellularization and fixation process is critical, in order to use xenogenic valves clinically. In the present study, we decellularized bovine pericardium using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and N-lauroyl sarcosinate, treated with $\alpha$-galactosidase, and then fixed in various manners, to find out the most effective tissue preservation & fixation procedure. Material and Method: Bovine pericardium was decellularized with SDS and N-lauroyl sarcosinate, and treated with $\alpha$-galactosidase. Both groups were fixed differently, by varying glutaraldehyde (GA) or EDC (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)-carbodiimide)/N-hydroxysuccinamide (NHS) treatment conditions. Thereafter, physical examination, tensile strength test, thermal stability test, cytotoxicity test, pronase test, pronase-ninhydrin test, purpald test, permeability test, compliance test, H&E staining, DNA quantification, and $\alpha$-galactose staining were carried out to each groups. Result: GA fixed groups showed better physical properties and thermal stability than EDC/NHS fixed groups, EDC/NHS-GA dual fixed groups showed better physical properties and thermal stability than EDC/NHS fixed groups, and showed better thermal stability than GA fixed groups. In pronase test and pronase-ninhydrin test, GA fixed groups and EDC/NHS-GA dual fixed groups showed stronger crosslinks than EDC/NHS groups. Permeability and compliance tended to increase in EDC/NHS-GA dual fixed groups, compared to GA fixed groups. But, EDC/NHS-GA dual fixed groups had stronger tensile strength and lower cytotoxicity than GA fixed groups. Conclusion: We have verified that EDC/NHS-GA dual fixation can make effective crosslinks and lower the toxicity of GA fixation. Henceforth, we will verify if EDC/NHS-GA dual fixation can lower calcifications & tissue failure in vivo experiment.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2010

Purpose: Although radiation-induced fibrosis is one of the common sequelae occurring after irradiation of skin and soft tissues, the treatment methods are not well standardized. This study aimed to establish the skin fibrosis mouse model by fractionated radiation for the further mechanism studies or testing the efficacy of therapeutic candidates. Materials and Methods: The right hind limbs of BALB/c mice received two fractions of 20 Gy using a therapeutic linear accelerator. Early skin damages were scored and tissue fibrosis was assessed by the measurement of a leg extension. Morphological changes were assessed by H&E staining and by Masson's Trichrome staining. TGF-${\beta}1$ expression from soft tissues was also detected by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Results: Two fractions of 20 Gy irradiation were demonstrated as being enough to induce early skin damage effects such as erythema, mild skin dryness, dry and wet desquamation within several weeks of radiation. After 13 weeks of irradiation, the average radiation-induced leg contraction was $11.1{\pm}6.2mm$. Morphologic changes in irradiated skin biopsies exhibited disorganized collagen and extracellular matrix fibers, as well as the accumulation of myofibroblasts compared to the non-irradiated skin. Moreover, TGF-${\beta}1$ expression in tissue was increased by radiation. Conclusion: These results show that two fractions of 20 Gy irradiation can induce skin fibrosis in BALB/c mice accompanied by other common characteristics of skin damages. This animal model can be a useful tool for studying skin fibrosis induced by radiation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.8
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• pp.1183-1189
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• 2013

We investigated the effects of oyster shell extract (OSE) on papain-induced osteoarthritis in C57BL/6J mice. Osteoarthritis was induced in mice by a papain injection into the knee joint. The mice were divided into a total of five groups (n=8). The normal group was untreated, whereas the papain group (negative control) was induced with osteoarthritis and treated with water daily. The papain+DS group (positive control) was treated with diclofenac sodium. Papain+OSE groups were treated with OSE concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/kg/bw for 20 days. Proteoglycan content in articular cartilage was analyzed through safranine-O fast green staining and H&E staining. The histopathological changes in cartilage were measured by the Rudolphi score approach. The contents of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in plasma were analyzed by the ELISA method. After experiments, body weights of the treated groups were not significantly different compared with the normal group. Cartilage loss and joint instability significantly improved in a dose-dependent manner in the OSE-treated group compared with the papain group (P<0.05). Proteoglycan content was significantly higher in the OSE-treated group than the papain group (P<0.05). Osteoarthritis scores of the OSE-treated group were significantly decreased compared with the papain group (P<0.05). TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 content in the plasma of the papain+OSE treated groups significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner compared with the papain group (P<0.05). These results suggest that OSE treatment might have anti-arthritic effects on papain-induced osteoarthritis in C57BL/6J mice.