• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1112-1117
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• 2008

Purpose : We intended to observe cell death and apoptotic changes in neurons in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures following oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), using propidium iodide (PI) uptake, Fluoro-Jade (FJ) staining, TUNEL staining and immunofluorescent staining for caspase-3. Methods : The hippocampus of 7-day-old rats was cut into $350{\mu}m$ slices. The slices were cultured for 10 d (date in vitro, DIV 10) and and exposed to OGD for 60 min at DIV 10. They were then incubated for reperfusion under normoxic conditions for an additional 48 h. Fluorescence of PI uptake was observed at predetermined intervals, and the cell death percentage was recorded. At 24 h following OGD, the slices were Cryo-cut into $15{\mu}m$ thicknesses, and Fluoro-Jade staining, TUNEL staining, and immunofluorescence staining for caspase-3 were performed. Results : 1) PI uptake was restricted to the pyramidal cell layer and DG in the slices after OGD. The fluorescent intensities of PI increased from 6 to 48 h during the reperfusion stage. The cell death percentage significantly increased time-dependently in CA1 and DG following OGD (P<0.05). 2) At 24 h after OGD, many FJ positive cells were detected in CA1 and DG. Some neurons had distinct nuclei and processes while others had fragmented nuclei and disrupted processes in CA1. TUNEL and immunofluorescent staining for caspase-3 showed increased expression of TUNEL labeling and caspase-3 in CA1 and DG at 24 h after OGD. Conclusion : The numerous dead cells in the slice cultures after OGD tended to display apoptotic changes mediated by the activation of caspase-3.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.157-160
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• 2005

Purpose: To investigate the effect of low dose radiation on neuronal cell proliferation In diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: A group of rats (first group) were divided into three subgroups (nondiabetic control, nondiabetic 0.1 Gy and nondiabetic 10 Gy groups) to determine the effect of radiation on normal hippocampal neuronal ceil proliferation. A further group of rats (second group) were divided into six subgroups (nondiabetic control, diabetic control, diabetic 0.01 Gy, diabetic 0.1 Gy, diabetic 1 Gy and diabetic 10 Gy groups) to determine the effect of radiation on hippocampal neuronal cell proliferation under diabetic conditions. Using immuno-histochemistry for 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), the number of neuronal cells in the dentate gyrus of all the groups was counted. Results: The number of BrdU-positive cells in the dentate Gyrus of the nondiabetic control, nondiabetic 0.1 Gy and nondiabetic 10 Gy subgroups of the first group were $45.95{\pm}3.42,\;59.34{\pm}5.20\;and\;19.26{\pm}2.98/mm^2$, respectively. The number of BrdU-positive cells in the dentate gyrus of the diabetic control, diabetic 0.01 Gy, diabetic 0,1 Gy, diabetic 1 Gy and diabetic 10 Gy subgroups of the second group were $55.44{\pm}8.57,\;33.33{\pm}6.46,\;67.75{\pm}10.54,\;66.63{\pm}10.05,\;23.59{\pm}6.37\;and\;14.34{\pm}7.22/mm^2$, respectively. Conclusion: Low dose radiation enhances cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of STZ-induced diabetic rats.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.186-192
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• 2008

NELL2, a neural tissue-enriched protein, is produced in the embryo, and postembryonically in the mammalian brain, with a broad distribution. Although its synthesis is required for neuronal differentiation in chicks, not much is known about its function in the adult mammalian brain. We investigated the distribution of NELL2 in various regions of the adult rat brain to study its potential functions in brain physiology. Consistent with previous reports, NELL2-immunoreactivity (ir) was found in the cytoplasm of neurons, but not in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive glial cells. The highest levels of NELL2 were detected in the hippocampus and the cerebellum. Interestingly, in the cerebellar cortex NELL2 was observed only in the GABAergic Purkinje cells not in the excitatory granular cells. In contrast, it was found mainly in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and pyramidal cell layer that contains mainly glutamatergic neurons. In the dentate gyrus, NELL2 was not detected in the GFAP-positive neural precursor cells, but was generally present in mature neurons of the subgranular zone, suggesting a role in this region restricted to mature neurons.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.149-154
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• 2007

Kainic acid (KA) causes neurodegeneration, but no consensus has been reached concerning its mechanism. Nitric oxide may be a regulator of the mechanism. We identified differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus of mice treated with kainic acid, together with or without L-NAME, a nonselective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, using a new differential display PCR method based on annealing control primers. Eight genes were identified, including clathrin light polypeptide, TATA element modulatory factor 1, neurexin III, ND4, ATPase, $H^+$ transporting, V1 subunit E isoform 1, and N-myc downstream regulated gene 2. Although the functions of these genes and their products remain to be determined, their identification provides insight into the molecular mechanism(s) involved in KA-induced neuronal cell death in the hippocampal CA3 area.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1777-1783
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• 2004

This study was conducted to determine the effects Wonjiseokchangpo-san on brain damage in transient focal cerebral ischemia. Rats were used for testing in the following three models: Morris Water Maze, Eight-Arm Radial Maze, and Histochemistry. In the Morris Water Maze Model, the Wonjiseokchangpo-san group showed significant decrease in the 3rd and 6th training session compared with the ischemia group. A retention test, in the Morris Water Maze Model, was performed on the 7th day without the escape platform. The Wonjiseokchangpo-san group showed significant increase compared to the ischemia group. In the Eight-Arm radial Maze model, the Wonjiseokchangpo-san group showed significant decrease in the error rate compared to the ischemia group. In the density of hippocampal CA1 cell of the cresyl violet-stained section, the Wonjiseokahangpo-san group showed significant increase compared to the ischemia group. These results suggest that Wonjiseokchangpo-san may have a significant protective effect on brain damage and cognitive dysfunction in transient focal cerebral ischemia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2 s.62
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• pp.52-62
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• 2005

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the effects of Geupunggibodan on brain damage in transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Methods: Rats were used for testing in the following three models: Morris water maze, eight-ann radial maze, and histochemistry. Results: In the Morris water maze model, the Geupunggibodan group showed significant decrease in the 3rd, 4th and 6th training sessions compared with the ischemia, group. A retention test in the Morris water maze model was performed on the 7th day without the escape platform. The Geupunggibodan group showed significant increase compared to the ischemia group. In the eight-ann radial maze model, the Geupunggibodan group showed significant decrease in the error rate compared to the ischemia group. In the density of hippocampal CA1 cell of the cresyl violet-stained section, the Geupunggibodan group showed significant increase compared to the ischemia group. Conclusions: These results suggest that Geupunggibodan may have a significant protective effect on brain damage and cognitive dysfunction in transient focal cerebral ischemia.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.198-202
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• 2009

Based on the use of Acorus gramineus SOLAND (AG) for the treatment of stroke in traditional Korean medicine, the present study was carried out to evaluate neuroprotective effects of ${\alpha}$-asarone after transient global cerebral ischemia using rat 4-vessel occlusion (4VO) model in rats. ${\alpha}$-Asarone (5 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally significantly protected CA1 neurons against 10 min transient forebrain ischemia as demonstrated by measuring the density of neuronal cells stained with Cresyl violet. ${\alpha}$-Asarone significantly reduced hippocampal neuronal cell death by 85.2% where as its isolated single compounds from AG compared with a vehicle-treated group.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.299-303
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• 2012

Homosyringaldehyde was isolated and identified from the 80% methanol extract of roots of Cynanchum paniculatum. C. paniculatum has been widely used for the treatment of various diseases such as neurasthenia, insomnia, dysmenorrheal and toothache. This compound exerted significant neuroprotective activities against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in hippocampal HT22 cell line by 37.53% (at the concentration of $100{\mu}M$). We investigated mode of action of this compound. Homosyringaldehyde ($100{\mu}M$) significantly decreased the ROS level and $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the oxidative stress induced HT22 cells by oxidative glutamate toxicity. Thus, our results suggest that homosyringaldehyde significantly protect HT22 cells against glutamate-induced oxidative stress, via antioxidative activities. As the results, we suggest that homosyringaldehyde may be useful in the treatment of neurogenerative disorders.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.214-219
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• 2014

Artemisia apiacea is a traditional herbal medicine using treatment of eczema and jaundice in Eastern Asia including China, Korea, and Japan. In this study, the three phytosterol constituents were isolated and identified from the hexane fraction of 80% aqueous methanol extract of A. apiacea. Compounds were isolated using open column chromatography (silica gel). Their chemical structures were also established using $^1H$-NMR and $^{13}C$-NMR. Moreover, neuroprotective activity of each compound against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in hippocampal HT-22 cell line was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Furthermore, Inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium ion ($Ca^{2+}$) accumulation were measured for elucidation of neuroprotective mechanism of isolated compounds. They showed that stigmasterol had neuroprotective activity against the glutamate-induced toxicity by inhibition of ROS and $Ca^{2+}$ production. In conclusion, isolated compound of A. apiacea might be useful for therapeutic agent against neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1334-1336
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• 2006

Effects of twenty-three aqueous herbal extracts used in oriental medicines on heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression were estimated in a mouse hippocampal cell line, HT22. HO-1 is one of the cytoprotective enzymes activated various stimuli, and Western blot analysis was used for evaluated HO-1 expression. Six aqueous extracts such as Rhei Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix, Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus, Theae Folium, Prunellae Spica, and Coptidis Rhizoma significantly increased HO-1 expression in HT22 cells at the concentration of 300 ${\mu}$g/ml. In Addition, four aqueous extracts including Eucommiae Cortex, Moutan Cortex Radicis, Ginseng Radix Rubra, and Scutellariae Radix moderately increased HO-1 expression. These results would be usefulfor the isolation and identification of their neuroprotective principles.