• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.335-345
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• 2022

Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of programmed cell death that is linked with invading intracellular pathogens. Cardiac pyroptosis has a significant role in coronary microembolization (CME), thus causing myocardial injury. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) has powerful cardioprotective effects. Hence, this study aimed to identify the effect of Tan IIA on CME and its underlying mechanism. Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly grouped into sham, CME, CME + low-dose Tan IIA, and CME + high-dose Tan IIA groups. Except for the sham group, polyethylene microspheres (42 ㎛) were injected to establish the CME model. The Tan-L and Tan-H groups received intraperitoneal Tan IIA for 7 days before CME. After CME, cardiac function, myocardial histopathology, and serum myocardial injury markers were assessed. The expression of pyroptosis-associated molecules and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 cascade was evaluated by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, and IHC. Relative to the sham group, CME group's cardiac functions were significantly reduced, with a high level of serum myocardial injury markers, and microinfarct area. Also, the levels of caspase-1 p20, GSDMD-N, IL-18, IL-1β, TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB p65, NLRP3, and ASC expression were increased. Relative to the CME group, the Tan-H and Tan-L groups had considerably improved cardiac functions, with a considerably low level of serum myocardial injury markers and microinfarct area. Tan IIA can reduce the levels of pyroptosis-associated mRNA and protein, which may be caused by inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 cascade. In conclusion, Tanshinone IIA can suppress cardiomyocyte pyroptosis probably through modulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 cascade, lowering cardiac dysfunction, and myocardial damage.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.245-256
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• 2002

This studt was investigated to prove the effect of SPBST on the hypertension, the thrombosis and the brain damage. The results were as follows; 1. SPBST affected the htpertension as adepressant, but insignificant. 2. SPBST decreased significantly dopamine, aldosterone but ineffective on the epinephrine, norepinephrine and renin activity. 3. SPBST increased the NO product but insignificant. 4. SPBST had a death suppression effect by 50% in pulmonary thrombosis inducement experiment and activated slightly on the fibrinolytic activity. 5. SPBST suppressed significantly platelet diminution and prolonged insignificantly PT and APTT. 6. On the measure of the blood flow rate induced by the thrombus, in vivo SPBST accelerated the blood flow rate, in vitro insignificant. 7. SPBST had no toxicity on the PC12 cell and B103 cell induced by amyloid β protein (-35) and a protective effect, in proportion to the density. 8. SPBST decreased significantly coma duration time in a Infatal dose of KCN and showed 50% of survival rate in a fatal dose. 9. SPBST decreased significantly ischemic area and edema incited by the MCA blood flow block. These results indicate that SPBST can be used in hypertension, the thrombosis, the brain damage, the ischemic cerebral infarction and the acute stage of the brain damage. Further study will be needed about the functional mechanism and etc.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.59-69
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• 2016

Objectives： Presently Mume Fructus (MF) undergoes fumigation, which produces benzo[a]pyrene. As a primary analysis with the aims to minimize the production of benzo[a]pyrene and to suggest standards for processing the MF, the steaming method was chosen among the various processing methods, and reviewed through a series of experiments.Methods： Methods：Pitted and un-pitted MF were steamed and processed into samples. After testing level of benzo[a]pyrene, the samples were analyzed for amount of polyphenol and flavonoids. Scavenging activities of the samples for the DPPH and ABTS radicals were tested. In order to measure anti-inflammatory effects of the samples, cell survival rate was investigated using CCK-8 Assay. Also, water extracts of dried and steamed MF were administered to the RAW 264.7 cells to compare expressions of NO, PGE₂, IL-1β, and TNF-α. In addition, anti-diarrhea effects of the herbal medicine were tested on animal models with diarrhea induced by MgSO₄ and Castor oil.Results： Regardless of pitting, processed MF contained no benzo[a]pyrene. Anti-oxidation effect increased in relation to the frequency of steaming process. However, extracts of dried and steamed MF suppressed different kinds of inflammation factors, and extract of dried MF showed superior anti-diarrhea effect than extract of steamed MF.Conclusions： It is suggested that steaming method of MF is recommended for processing the herbal medicine without the production of benzo[a]pyrene. But regarding that dried and steamed MF showed differences in their anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diarrhea effects, it is recommended to perform further researches on different efficacies of MF according to their processing methods.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.508-515
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• 2016

This study aimed to investigate the functional and physicochemical properties of yogurt, supplemented with germinated brown rice (GBR) containing γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), during storage. GBR was produced by soaking brown rice at 30℃, and saccharified germinated brown rice (SGBR) was produced by treating brown rice with α- and β-amylase for 1 h, at 80℃ and 60℃, respectively. Yogurt was manufactured using a commercial starter (YC-X11, CHR. Hansen, Denmark) at 37℃ for 12 h. The fatty acids and GABA contents were analyzed using GC and HPLC, respectively. The fatty acids in the cereal samples consisted of oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acid. The portion of oleic acid was the highest, at 35.65% in GBR, and 32.16% in SGBR. During germination, the oleic acid content increased, whereas linolenic and palmitic acid contents from GBR tended to decrease. Although the portion of saturated fatty acids, such as stearic and myristic acid, decreased significantly (p<0.05), that of unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic and linoleic acid, increased with an increase in supplementation of BR, GBR, or SGBR in the yogurt. The yogurt, supplemented with cereal samples, showed a tendency of an increase in the concentration of GABA with an increase in the supplementation of the cereal samples. However, yogurt supplemented with GBR showed the highest concentration of GABA, regardless of the supplementation of the cereal samples. These results indicated that yogurt supplemented with BR, GBR, or SGBR could be a promising dairy product.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.659-663
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• 2002

${\beta}$ thalassemias are usually transmitted as autosomal recessive traits. However, some dominant forms of ${\beta}$ thalassemia have been identified in individuals who have inherited a single copy of an abnormal ${\beta}$ globin gene. Thalassemia intermedia with mild anemia, jaundice, and splenomegaly has been observed in these patients. Electrophoresis has shown elevated Hemoglobin(Hb) $A_2$ and Hb F levels. In particular, there are inclusion bodies in the erythroid precursors and peripheral red blood cells after splenectomy. The molecular basis of these dominant ${\beta}$ thalassemias is heterogeneous. The authors studied the first Korean case of dominantly inherited ${\beta}$ thalassemia due to Hb Dieppe. Hb Dieppe is a missense mutation of ${\beta}$ codon $127(CAG{\rightarrow}CGG)Gln{\rightarrow}Arg$. The patient in this case was characterized by moderate anemia, hypochromia, microcytosis, elevated Hb $A_2$ levels, elevated Hb F levels and splenomegaly. The father of the patient also has the same disease. We report this case and review related literature.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.3671-3675
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• 2012

${\beta}$-Amyloid accumulation in the brain is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since early detection of ${\beta}$-amyloid may facilitate more successful and timely therapeutic interventions, many investigators have focused on developing AD diagnostic reagents that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Oleanolic acid (OA) is a substance found in a variety of plants that has been reported to prevent the progression of AD in mice. In this study, we synthesized and evaluated a new radioligand in which OA was conjugated to lactoferrin (Lf, an iron-binding glycoprotein that crosses the BBB) for the diagnosis of AD. In an in vitro study in which OA-Lf was incubated with ${\beta}$-amyloid (1-42) aggregates for 24 h, we found that OA-Lf effectively inhibited ${\beta}$-amyloid aggregation and fibril formation. In vivo studies demonstrated that $^{123}I$-OA-Lf brain uptake was higher than$^{123}I$-Lf uptake. Therefore, radiolabeled OA-Lf may have diagnostic potential for ${\beta}$-amyloid imaging.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.706-716
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• 2021

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, is characterized by chronic abdominal pain and bowel habit changes. Although diverse complicated etiologies are involved in its pathogenesis, a dysregulated gut-brain axis may be an important factor. Red ginseng (RG), a traditional herbal medicine, is proven to have anti-inflammatory effects and improve brain function; however, these effects have not been investigated in IBS. Methods: Three-day intracolonic zymosan injections were used to induce post-infectious human IBS-like symptoms in mice. The animals were randomized to receive either phosphate-buffered saline (CG) or RG (30/100/300 mg/kg) for 10 days. Amitriptyline and sulfasalazine were used as positive controls. Macroscopic scoring was performed on day 4. Visceral pain and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed by colorectal distension and elevated plus maze and open field tests, respectively, on day 10. Next-generation sequencing of gut microbiota was performed, and biomarkers involved in gut-brain axis responses were analyzed. Results: Compared to CG, RG significantly decreased the macroscopic score, frequency of visceral pain, and anxiety-like behavior in the IBS mice. These effects were comparable to those after sulfasalazine and amitriptyline treatments. Moreover, RG significantly increased the proliferation of beneficial microbes, including Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Parabacteroides goldsteinii. RG significantly suppressed expression of IL-1β and c-fos in the gut and prefrontal cortex, respectively. Further, it restored the plasma levels of corticosterone to within the normal range, accompanied by an increase in adrenocorticotropic hormone. Conclusion: RG may be a potential therapeutic option for the management of human IBS.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.186-190
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• 2023

We studied the various characteristics of Sn-In (wt%) Pb-free solders for photovoltaic ribbon application. The solders near the eutectic composition of Sn₄₈In₅₂ (wt%) existed in InSn₄ and In₃Sn alloy phases, and in In crystal phase, but not in Sn crystal phase. In addition, the InSn₄ phase (γ-alloy) existed separately from the In₃Sn (β-alloy) and the In phase confirmed by an SEM-EDS-mapping. The melting temperature of the eutectic solder of Sn₄₈In₅₂ (wt%) was 119.2℃, and when the Sn content decreased in reference to the eutectic composition, it slightly increased to 121.4℃, but when the Sn content increased, it remained almost constant at 119.1℃. The peel strength of the ribbon plated with the Sn₄₂In₅₈ (wt%) solder was 38.7 N/mm², and it tended to increase when the Sn content increased. The peel strength of the eutectic Sn₄₈In₅₂ (wt%) solder was 53.6 N/mm², and that of the Sn₅₁In₄₉ (wt%) solder was 61.6 N/mm² that was the highest.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2024

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common disorders and it shows up to 20% prevalence in reproductive-aged women populations, but no cures are available to date. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of Changbudodam-tang (CBD) on cell death signaling pathways, inflammation, and oxidative stress observed in Bone-Marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cell (BM-hMSC) by means of PCOS therapeutics in the future. Methods: BM-hMSCs were applied with cell deaths and injuries. Apoptosis and pyroptosis signals were quenched with their related signaling pathways using quantitative PCR, Western blot, and fluorescence image analysis. Results: Our data clearly displayed hydrogen peroxide- and nigericin-treated cell death signaling pathways via regulations of mitochondrial integrity and interleukin (IL)-1β at the cellular levels (p < 0.01 or 0.001). We further observed that pre-treatment with CBD showed protective effects against oxidative stress by enhancement of antioxidant components at the cellular level, with respect to both protein and mRNA expression levels (p < 0.05, 0.01 or 0.001). The mechanisms of CBD were examined by Western blot analysis, and it showed anti-cell death, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects via normalizations of the Jun N-terminal kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7/c-Jun signaling pathways. Conclusion: This study confirmed the pharmacological properties of CBD by regulation of cellular oxidation and the inflammation-provoked cell death condition of BM-hMSCs, which is mediated by the MKK7/JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.886-895
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• 2020

The development of novel peptide antibiotics with potent antimicrobial activity and anti-inflammatory activity is urgently needed. In a previous work, we performed an in-silico analysis of the Papilio xuthus transcriptome to identify putative antimicrobial peptides and identified several candidates. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of papiliocin 3, which was selected bioinformatically based on its physicochemical properties against bacteria and mouse macrophage Raw264.7 cells. Papiliocin 3 showed antibacterial activities against E. coli and S. aureus without inducing hemolysis and decreased the nitric oxide production of the lipopolysaccharide-induced Raw264.7 cells. Moreover, ELISA and Western blot analysis revealed that papiliocin 3 reduced the expression levels of pro-inflammatory enzymes, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). In addition, we examined whether papiliocin 3 could inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β) in LPS-induced Raw264.7 cells. We found that papiliocin 3 markedly reduced the expression level of cytokines through the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. We also confirmed that papiliocin 3 binds to bacterial cell membranes via a specific interaction with lipopolysaccharides. Collectively, these findings suggest that papiliocin 3 could be a promising molecule for development as a novel peptide antibiotic.