• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.624-630
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• 2005

Glycoprotein (60 kDa) isolated from Ficus Carica Linnoeus (FCL glycoprotein) was examined by evaluating its hypolipidemic effects on plasma cholesterol levels and hepatic detoxicant enzyme activities in ICR mice. FCL glycoprotein $(100{\mu}g/mL)$ had strong scavenging activities (38%) against lipid peroxyl radicals. When mice were treated with Triton WR-1339 (400 mg/kg), levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol in plasma significantly increased by 53.9 and 47.5 mg/dL, respectively, compared to the control, whereas, when pretreated with FCL glycoprotein $(100{\mu}g/mL)$, decreased remarkably by 55.4, and 47,0 mg/dL, compared to Triton WR-1339 treatment alone. Interestingly, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level did not change. Body and liver weights did not change significantly after Triton WR-1339 treatment in presence of FCL glycoprotein. FCL glycoprotein $(100{\mu}g/mL)$ stimulated activities of antioxidative detoxicant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), whereas GPx activity significantly increased compared to the control. These results suggest FCL glycoprotein has abilities to scavenge lipid peroxyl radicals, lower plasma lipid levels, and stimulate detoxicant enzyme activity in mouse liver.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.527-533
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• 2002

In the screening of Korean traditional tea sources for the cellular lysosomal enzyme activity of peritoneal macrophage from mice, CT-0, a cold-water extract from Carthamus tinctorius L., showed the highest macro-phage-stimulating activity. CT-1-IIa-2-1, a purified macrophage-stimulation polysaccharide was obtained by a series of purification steps such as anion exchage chromatography with DEAE-Toyopearl 650M, gel permeation chromatography with Sepharose CL-6B, Sephacryl S-200, and HPLC with Superdex G-75. The molecular weight of homogeneous purified polysaccharide was estimated about 68 kDa. CT-1-IIa-2-1 consisted of xylose 27.44%, arabinose 16.14%, mannose 15.92% and glucose 14.47%. To measure acute toxicity, dose of 50, 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg were intraperitoneally injected to ICR mice. The LD$\_$50/ was about 397 mg/kg.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.53-77
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• 1993

In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the probable organelles participating in the secretion of biligrafin. The animals (ICR male mice, 25-30gm) were divided into normal control and 6 biligrafin injected groups to which 30% biligrafin (0.006ml/gm b.w.) were injected at 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 min prior to the sampling. The mice of each group were perfused through the heart with ice-cold 2.5% glutaraldehyde buffered with 0.1M Na-cacodylate (pH. 7.4) under the Na-pentobarbital (Nembtal 0.0015mg/gm b.w.) anesthesia and liver tissues were taken from each group. Some specimens were immersed 1 hr in the same solution used in the perfusion. After an overnight rinse in 0.1M Na-cacodylate buffer containing 10% DMSO and 7.6% sucrose, $75{\mu}m$ fronzen sections were made for cytochemical study. The sections were incubated in thiamin pyrophosphatase (TPPase) and inosine diphosphatase (ID Pase) media for 70 min at $37^{\circ}C$ respectively and acid phosphatase (AcPase) medium for 40 min at $37^{\circ}C$. They were postfixed in 1 % $OsO_4$ for 1 hr. The other specimens were immersed for 8 hrs in the fixative consisting of 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 3.0% paraformaldehyde buffered with Na-cacodylate (pH. 7.4). All of the osmificated specimens were processed for electron microscopy. In both normal and biligrafin injected groups, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), vacuoles, Golgi apparatus and lysosomes were seen in the vicinity of bile canaliculus. In the biligrafin injected groups, however, the Golgi apparatus appeared to be decreased and ER and vacuoles were dilated and increased. The rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) having a few attached ribosomes appeared to be the round saccule, especially at 20 min after biligrafin injection. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) seemed to be formed by the detachment of ribosomes at the cisternal end of RER. The cistern of SER showed saccules which probably budded off to form the vacuole. The vacuoles were devoid of visible centents. This finding seemed to be in agreement with the biochemical property of the bile constituents. The fusion between the vacuoles and bile canaliculus were frequently seen in the groups injected with biligrafin. The lysosome did not show any changes in the biligrafin injected groups. Accumulation of some material and lipid droplets were seen at the 40 and 80 min after biligrafin injection, especially at the latter. At 160 and 320 min after biligrafin injections, however, they were decreased successively while the RER stack, free ribosomes and polysomes were increased. Although the reactive products of TPPase and IDPase were observed in the ER saccules and vesicles of the normal control and biligrafin injected groups, the fusion between the bile canaliculus and saccules or vesicles could easily be seen in the latter. The AcPase activity, however, was observed in the cistern at the maturing face of Golgi apparatus and lysosomes in both normal and biligrafin groups. The results suggest that the biligrafin is excreted via the vesicles, vacuoles or sacoules probably derived from the SER without the participation of Golgi apparatus and lysosomes, and the excess amount of material is stored as inclusions during the repairing of the organelles being overactive.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2005

Objective: To understand the crucial requirement for the normal early folliculogenesis, we evaluated molecular as well as physiological differences during in vitro ovarian culture. Among the important regulators for follicle development, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and FSH Receptor (FSHR) have been known to be expressed in the cuboidal granulosa cells. Meanwhile, it is known that c-kit is germ cell-specific and GDF-9 is also oocyte-specific regulator. To evaluate the functional requirement for the competence of normal follicular development, we investigated the differential mRNA expression of several factors secreted from granulosa cells and oocytes between in vivo and in vitro developed ovaries. Materials and Methods: Ovaries from ICR neonates (the day of birth) were cultured for 4 days (for primordial to primary transition) or 8 days (for secondary follicle formation) in ${\alpha}$-MEM glutamax supplemented with 3 mg/ml BSA without serum or growth factors. The mRNA levels of the several factors were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Freshly isolated 0-, 4-, and 8-day-old ovaries were used as control. Results: The mRNA of AMH and FSHR as granulosa cell factors was highly increased according to the ovarian development in both of 4- and 8-day-old control. However, the mRNA expression was not induced in both of 4- and 8-day in vitro cultured ovaries. The mRNA expression of GDF-9 known to regulate follicle growth as an oocyte factor was different between in vivo and in vitro developed ovaries. In addition, the transcript of GDF-9 was expressed in the primordial follicles of mouse ovaries. The mRNA expression of c-kit was not significantly different during the early folliculogenesis in vitro. Conclusion: This is the first report regarding endogenous AMH and FSHR expression during the early folliculogenesis in vitro. In conclusion, it will be very valuable to evaluate cuboidal granulosa cell factors as functional marker(s) for normal early folliculogenesis in vitro.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.7-13
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• 2014

Objectives : Chronic mild stress (CMS) model is currently recognized as a better animal model of depression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antidepressant-like effects of the Nelumbo nucifera leave extract using CMS model. Methods : The antidepressant-like effects of Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract was determined by using animal models of depression. Male ICR mice were divided into four groups: saline-treated normal, without CMS; saline-treated stress control; CMS+ Imipramine(20mg/kg); CMS+Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract(200mg/kg). All mice except the normal group exposed an unpredicted sequence of chronic mild stressors for 5 weeks. The behavior of mice were detected by sucrose preference test, forced swim test and tail suspension test. Then concentration of corticosterone in serum was detected by enzyme immunoassay. Results : Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract administration by daily gavage from the 3rd week exhibited an antidepressant-like effect on CMS-induced depression in mice. Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract administration at dose of 200 mg/kg significantly increased the sucrose consumption, and decreased the immobility durations in forced swim test and tail suspension test. Furthermore the corticosterone level decreased than control group. Conclusions : Chronic mild stress can affect mouse behavior and corticosterone level and cause depression. The present experiments not only further confirm the antidepressant-like effects of Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract in the sucrose preference test, forced swimming test and tail suspension test, but also the improving effects of Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract on the depression-like symptoms in the CMS model. Nelumbo nucifera leaves extract has the antagonism on CMS and produce antidepressive effects.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.17-24
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was to evaluate the single dose toxicity of Persicae Semen (PS) in ICR mice. Methods : Aqueous extracts of PS (Yield = 18.60%) were administered as an oral dose of 2,000, 1,000 and 500 mg/kg (body weight) according to the recommendation of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) guidelines (2009-116, 2009). Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy; organ weight and histopathology of 12 principle organs were examined. Results : Amygdalin contents in PS aqueous extracts were detected as $32.50{\pm}5.96{\mu}g/ml$. We could not find any PS extracts treatment related mortalities, clinical signs, changes on the body and organ weights, gross and histopathological observations up to 2,000 mg/kg in both female and male mice, except for transient and slight loss of locomotion detected in female and male mice treated with 2,000 mg/kg. In addition, pharmacological immunomodulatory effects related findings were also demonstrated in 2,000mg/kg treated female and male mice as hypertrophy and hyperplasia of lymphoid cells in the submandibular lymph nodes. Conclusions : Based on the results of this experiment, the approximate lethal dose (ALD) of PS extracts after single oral treatment in female and male mice were considered above 2,000 mg/kg, respectively. It should be carefully used in clinics because the possibilities of respiratory or neurological disorders were observed when administered over 2,000 mg/kg of PS extract related to amygdalin.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.35-42
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate whether the extract of Coptidis Rhizoma inhibits inflammation in chronic cold stress (CCS)-exposed mice or not. Methods : Coptidis Rhizoma extract (CRE) was made by reflux with distilled water. Male ICR mice (7 weeks old) were divided randomly into 5 groups: (1) control, (2) CCS, (3) CCS+CRE 100 mg/kg, (4) CCS+CRE 300 mg/kg, (5) CCS+CRE 1,000 mg/kg groups. Mice were orally administered once a day for 14 days starting from 1 day before CCS. Group (2)-(5) were exposed to CCS conditions that maintained at $4^{\circ}C$ for 2 h once a day for 14 days. The levels of serum cortisol and hypothalamic prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and PGE2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The expression levels of several pro-inflammatory factors like heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), c-fos, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) were measured by western blot analysis in mouse hypothalamus. Results : Oral administration of CRE 1,000 mg/kg significantly suppressed the increase of serum cortisol levels in mice exposed to CCS. CCS-exposed mice had significantly increased the expression of HSP70, c-fos, and NF-kB in hypothalamus, while CRE treatment significantly attenuated the elevation of these pro-inflammatory factors. The ratio of PGE2/PGE1 was also higher in CCS-exposed mice than control group. CRE treatment significantly reduced the increase of PGE2/PGE1 ratio induced by CCS. Conclusion : These findings suggest that Coptidis Rhizoma may work as a potential agent to modulate inflammatory responses under the condition of cold adaptation formed by CCS.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2023

Background: The existing research results on the combined toxicity of these pollutants using mammals, such as rodents, are insufficient, especially in relation to changes in the immune system. Objectives: This study aims at evaluating the cellular immune response to PE-MPs solely or when combined with Pb, which possess excellent adsorption capacity with PE-MPs and is commonly co-exposed in our daily lives. Methods: The study investigated the cellular immune function of 9-week ICR mice with 28 days exposure to PE-MPs (2 mg/mouse/day) and Pb (0.1 mM in distilled water) individually and in combination. PE-MPs were administered via gastric intubation while the lead intake was conducted via the oral drinking water route. Cellular immunity was evaluated by analyzing the production for T_H1 cytokines namely, TNF-α and IFN-𝛾 and T_H2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-6 in culture supernatants from polyclonally activated splenic mononuclear cells ex vivo. Results: Both the PE-MPs only and the PE-MPs+Pb exposure group revealed an increased T_H1 response with elevated TNF-α and IFN-𝛾 levels and downregulated T_H2 response with low IL-4, and IL-6 production levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, an increased IFN-𝛾/IL-4 ratio was found in the PE-MPs only and PE-MPs+Pb exposure groups, which indicated the skewedness to T_H1 response. Meanwhile, reduced blood hemoglobin levels and increased levels of IL-4, the dominant T_H2 cytokine in the Pb-only exposure group, were observed. Conclusions: Our current findings on the predominance of T_H1 immune response in the PE-MPs and PE-MPs+Pb groups suggest that PE-MPs could be responsible for the predominant induction of the cellular immune changes. This finding could be used as an important landmark in research related to T_H1 predominance, such as autoimmune diseases. It suggests that additional research on immune modulation using longer exposure durations or the same exposure route is required to elucidate stronger findings.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.42-52
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• 2024

Antimalarial drugs are an urgently need and crucial tool in the campaign against malaria, which can threaten public health. In this study, we examined the cytotoxicity of the 9 antimalarial compounds chemically synthesized using SKM13-2HCl. Except for SKM13-2HCl, the 5 newly synthesized compounds had a 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC₅₀) >100 μM, indicating that they would be less cytotoxic than SKM13-2HCl. Among the 5 compounds, only SAM13-2HCl outperformed SKM13-2HCl for antimalarial activity, showing a 3- and 1.3-fold greater selective index (SI) (CC₅₀/IC₅₀) than SKM13-2HCl in vitro against both chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine -resistant (K1) Plasmodium falciparum strains, respectively. Thus, the presence of morpholine amide may help to effectively suppress human-infectious P. falciparum parasites. However, the antimalarial activity of SAM13-2HCl was inferior to that of the SKM13-2HCl template compound in the P. berghei NK65-infected mouse model, possibly because SAM13-2HCl had a lower polarity and less efficient pharmacokinetics than SKM13-2HCl. SAM13-2HCl was more toxic in the rodent model. Consequently, SAM13-2HCl containing morpholine was selected from screening a combination of pharmacologically significant structures as being the most effective in vitro against human-infectious P. falciparum but was less efficient in vivo in a P. berghei-infected animal model when compared with SKM13-2HCl. Therefore, SAM13-2HCl containing morpholine could be considered a promising compound to treat chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum infections, although further optimization is crucial to maintain antimalarial activity while reducing toxicity in animals.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.236-245
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• 2016

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of wheat germ oil (WGO) on RAW 264.7 cells. It was shown that WGO had no cytotoxicity against the treated cells or negative effect on their proliferation. WGO suppressed nitric oxide (NO) secretion considerably and had inhibitory effects on the production of LPS-induced NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β). In particular, the IL-6 and TNF-α inhibition activities were over 90% at 100 μg/ml concentration of the oil. WGO also inhibited the LPS-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and reduced the expression of phosphorylated ERK and JNK. Moreover, the croton-oil-induced edema in mouse ears was reduced by WGO, and no mortalities occurred in mice administered 5,000 mg/kg body weight of WGO over a 2-week observation period. In conclusion, these results provide evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of WGO that likely occurs via modulation of NF-κB and the JNK/ERK MAPK signaling pathway.