• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.381-386
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• 2012

Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER (EU) is a traditional Korean herbal used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present study, the molecular pharmacology basis of its anti-inflammatory effect is revealed in this work, EU was studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) as an established inflammation model. After activation, nitric oxide (NO) production and iNOS mRNA were measured by using a colorimetric assay (Griess reagent), and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. The change in the content of $PGE_2$, $TNF{\alpha}$, and IL-6 was concurrently monitored by ELISA. In results, we found that in the concentration range without showing cytotoxicity, EU produced a remarkable anti-inflammatory effect and showed a dose-dependent inhibition of LPSinduced NO production. Compared with indomethacin, EU has more potency and a specific action of NO inhibition, $PGE_2$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ inhibition. These results suggest that EU may be a suitable herbal medicine to yield the greatest anti-inflammatory activity for food additives and medicine.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.33-50
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• 2004

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate anti-ischemic effect of LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture Methods: I designed to investigate whether LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture affects cerebral hemodynamics [regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF), pial arterial diameter(PAD), mean arterial blood pressure(MABP)] in normal rats and to make manifest whether LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture is mediated by cyclooxygenase or guanylate cyclase. The changes of rCBF and MABP were determinated by laser-doppler flowmetry(LDF), and the change of PAD was de terminated by video microscope and width analyzer. Results: The results were as follows; 1. LR1 Reduction in Acupuncture was increased rCBF and PAD, but decreased MABP. 2. HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture was significantly increased rCBF, but decreased MABP, and increased PAD. 3. LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture was significantly increased rCBF, PAD, but decreased MABP after withdrawing of the needle. This results suggest that LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture increased significantly rCBF by dilating PAD. 4. Pretreatment with indomethacin(1mg/kg, i,v.) was significantly inhibited LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture induced increase of rCBF and PAD, but increased LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture induced decrease of MABP after withdrawing of the needle. 5. Pretreatment with methylene blue($10{\mu}g/kg$, i,v.) was decreased LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture induced increase of rCBF and PAD, but accelerated LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture induced decrease of MABP. Conclusions: I suggest that LR1 HT8 Reduction in Acupuncture has an anti-ischemic effect through the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics, and the mechanism is mediated by cyclooxygenase.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.71-79
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• 2015

Objectives : These present study was designed to investigate the relaxation effects of Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus(AOF) on isolated corpus cavernosum smooth muscle.Methods : Rabbit corpus cavernous tissues were prepared in strip. Then relaxation responses of AOF at 0.01-3 ㎎/㎖ in contracted strips induced by phenylephrine(PE) were measured. To evaluate mechanisms, indomethacin(IM) tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), Nω-nitro-L-arginine(_L-NNA), methylene blue(MB) were treated before AOF extract(0.1-3 ㎎/㎖) infused into precontracted strips induced by PE. And 1 mM Ca²⁺was infused into precontracted strips after pretreatment of AOF extract(3 ㎎/㎖) in Ca²⁺-free krebs-ringer solution. NO concentration was measured by Griess reagent system. Ratio of smooth muscles to collagen fibers and eNOS positive reaction were measured by histocheminal and immunohistochemical process.Results : The cavernous strips were significantly relaxed by AOF extract 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3 ㎎/㎖ and the pretreatment with IM 10 μM,_L-NNA 100 μM, MB 10 μM inhibited relaxation of AOF compared to non-pretreatment, but the pretreatment with TEA 100 μM didn't affect relaxation of AOF. In a Ca²⁺-free solution, pretreatment with AOF reduced increase on contraction of strips by Ca²⁺supply than non-pretreatment. On HUVEC, NO concentration was increased. On corpus cavernosum of penis in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rat, ratio of smooth muscles to collagen fibers and eNOS positive reaction in AOF group were increased compared to PE groupConclusions : Taken this results, we can suggest that AOF extract exerts a relaxation effects on rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle in part by suppressing influx of extracellular Ca²⁺throughout prostacyclin, the NO-cGMP system.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.2717-2721
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• 2011

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a subfamily of nuclear receptors (NRs). Human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (hPPAR${\gamma}$) has been implicated in the pathology of numerous diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cancer. ELISA-based hPPAR${\gamma}$ activation assay showed that biapigenin increased the binding between hPPAR${\gamma}$ and steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) by approximately 3-fold. In order to confirm that biapigenin binds to hPPAR${\gamma}$, fluorescence quenching experiment was performed. The results showed that biapigenin has higher binding affinity to hPPAR${\gamma}$ at nanomolar concentrations compared to indomethacin. Biapigenin showed anticancer activity against HeLa cells. Biapigenin was noncytotoxic against HaCa T cell. All these data implied that biapigenin may be a potent agonist of hPPAR${\gamma}$ with anticancer activity. We will further investigate its anticancer effects against human cervical cancer.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.23-37
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• 2013

Objectives This study was performed to investigate the effects of Saengkanggamchotang (SKT) on the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) induced osteoarthritis in rats. Methods Osteoarthritis was induced by injection of MIA (50 ul, 60 mg/ml) into knee joints of rats. Rats are divided into a total of 4 groups (normal, control, positive comparison group, SKT treated group, each n=6). Normal group are not treated at all without inducing osteoarthritis whereas control group were induced for osteoarthritis by MIA and oral medicated with 20 ml of distilled water per day. Positive comparison group was injected with MIA and after 7 days, that was taken indomethacin (30 mg/kg/mouse). SKT treated group was injected with MIA and after 7 days that was taken SKT (30 mg/kg/mouse). Positive comparison group and SKT treated group were oral medicated for each substance a total of 4 weeks with one time per day. After experiments (from 1 week after injection of papain to 4 weeks elapsed), the functions of liver and kidney, Prostaglandin E2, inflammatory cytokine (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$), osteocalcin, TIMP-1, MMP-9 within serum. Knee joint structures were observed by H&E, safranin-O staining method, and amount of cartilage were measured by ${\mu}CT$-arthrography. Results 1) Hind paw weight bearing ability was significantly improved. 2) Functions of liver and kidney were not affected. 3) Prostaglandin E2, osteocalcin, TIMP-1, MMP-9 in serum were significantly decreased. 4) Inflammatory cytokine IL-$1{\beta}$ was significantly decreased, and IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ were decreased but had not significant. 5) In terms of histopathology, significantly reduced subsidence of cartilage and bone in H&E staining. And in Safranin O staining, proteoglycan content in synovial membrane was significantly increased compared with control group. 6) Destruction of cartilage on ${\mu}CT$-arthrography was significantly reduced. Conclusions Based on all results mentioned above, Saengkanggamchotang (SKT) is believed to be meaningful for suppressing the progress of osteoarthritis and its treatments.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.207-213
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• 2003

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are orphan nuclear hormone receptors that are known to control the expression of genes that are involved in lipid homeostasis and energy balance. PPARs activate gene transcription in response to a variety of compounds, including hypolipidemic drugs. Most of these compounds have high affinity to the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of PPARs and cause a conformational change within PPARs. As a result, the receptor is converted to an activated mode that promotes the recruitment fo co-activators such as the steroid receptor co-activator-1 (SRC-1). Based on the activation mechanism of PPARs (the ligand binding to $PPAR{\gamma}$ induces interactions of the receptor with transcriptional co-activators), we performed Western blot and ELISA. These showed that the indomethacin, a $PPAR{\gamma}$ ligand, increased the binding between $PPAR{\gamma}$ and SRC-1 in a ligand dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that the in vitro conformational change of $PPAR{\gamma}$ by ligands was also induced, and increased the levels of the ligand-dependent interaction with SRC-1. Collectively, we developed a novel and useful ELISA system for the mass screening of $PPAR{\gamma}$ ligands. This screening system (based on the interaction between $PPAR{\gamma}$ and SRC-1) may be a promising system in the development of drugs for metabolic disorders.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.746-750
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• 2003

Cheonghunhwadam-tang have been used in oriental medicine for many centuries as a therapeutic agent of vertigo by wind, fire and phlegm. CHT Gamypang(CTG) was CHT adding Aurantii Fructus(AF). The effects of CTG on the regional cerebral blood f1ow(rCBF) and mean arterial blood pressure(MABP) is not known. The mechanical Study of CTG on the cerebral hemodynamics is not known too. Therefore, purpose of this Study was to investigate effects of CTG on the rCBF and MABP, mechanism of CTG on the cerebral hemodynamics in rats. The changes of rCBF and BP was determinated by Laser-Doppler Flowmetry(LDF). The results were as follows ; CTG extract was significantly decreased rCBF in a dose-dependent, but the change of MABP was not shown. Pretreatment with propranolol(3mg/kg, i.v.) was significantly increased CTG(10 mg/kg, i.v.) induced decrease of rCBF. Pretreatment with indomethacin(3mg/kg, i.v.) and methylene blue(10㎍/kg, i.v.) were increased CTG induced decrease of rCBF too. This results suggest that the mechanism of CTG is mediated by adrenergic β - receptor, guanylate cyclase and cyclooxygenase.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2014

This study aimed to investigate the relaxation effects and its underlying mechanisms of Epimedium koreanum Nakai(EK) in phenylephrine(PE) treated isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. The dose-dependent relaxation responses of phenylephrine(PE, $1{\times}10^{-6}M$)-precontracted strips to EK at $0.01-3.0mg/m{\ell}$ were measured and also observed after endothelial denudation using organ bath. To analyze the underlying mechanisms of EK-induced relaxation, $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), methylene blue(MB), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), indomethacin(IM) were pretreated before EK extract infused into precontracted strips induced by PE. To investigate cytotoxic activity and nitric oxide(NO) concentration of EK extract on EA.hy926 cells, mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity(MTT) assay and nitric oxide detection kit were used. The cavernous strips were significantly relaxed by EK extract at $0.3mg/m{\ell}$, $1.0mg/m{\ell}$, $3.0mg/m{\ell}$ and the relaxation responses of PE-precontracted strips denuded endothelium also inhibited in comparison with intact endothelium. The pretreatment of L-NNA, MB, TEA reduced EK extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, but the pretreatment of IM didn't affect EK extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. When EK extract was applicated on EA.hy926 cells, the NO concentration was increased. Our findings have shown that EK extract exerts a relaxing effect on corpus cavernosum in part by suppressing influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through activating the NO-cGMP system.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 2020

A novel pharmacophore with epinastine (1) and NSAID moieties (2-5) was designed by molecular hybridization approach. The hybrid compounds 6-9 were synthesized by EDCI/HOBt or HATU-mediated coupling of 1 with salicylic acid (2), mefenamic acid (3), indomethacin (4) and naproxen (5), respectively, and were assessed for their inhibitory effect against NO production in LPS-induced RAW-264.7 macrophages in vitro. The Hybrids were found to exhibit significant NO production inhibitory effects with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values ranging in between 15.96 ± 1.32 and 36.68 ± 2.53 μM and were non-cytotoxic to macrophages. Comparing the inhibition concentration (IC₅₀), cytotoxicity concentration (CC₅₀) and in vitro efficacy index (iEI), 6 (IC₅₀ = 17.97 ± 1.92 μM; iEI = 11.13) and 9 (IC₅₀ = 15.96 ± 1.32 μM; iEI = 12.53) were better suited than other hybrids as well as their parent compound. Our findings signify that hybrids 6 and 9 may serve as platforms for continued investigations for the development of more efficient anti-inflammatory agents.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.385-391
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• 1999

Changes in the levels of prostaglandian F$_{2a}$ (PGF$_{2a}$) and E$_2$ (PGE$_2$) in culture medium during in vitro ovulation of Rana dybowskii follicles were examined. The ovulation was induced by frog pituitary homogenate (FPH) or TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a protein kinase activator) and the levels of PGs were measured by radioimmunoassay. When the ovarian follicles were cultured, only a few oocytes were ovulated by 12 h, but half of them were ovulated by 24 h in response to FPH, whereas around 30% of oocytes were ovulated by 12 h and maximum ovulation (around 50%) occurred by 24 h in response to TPA. Without any stimulation (control), no ovulation occurred. TPA elevated the level of PGF$_{2a}$ to high levels when compared to control (basal levels), but the increase by FPH was less evident. Likewise, the levels of PGE$_2$ increased markedly in response to TPA, but rather decreased by FPH treatment. Interestingly, PGF$_{2a}$ induced ovulation but PGE$_2$ suppressed FPH- or PGF$_{2a}$-induced oocyte ovulation. Basal levels of PGs Increased steadily during culture. When theca/epithelium (THEP) layer and granulosa cell-enclosed oocytes (GCEOs) were separated by microdissection and cultured independently, higher levels of both PGs were secreted by THEP than by GCEOS. Synthesis of PGs by follicle or follicular components was strongly suppressed by exogenous cAMP or indomethacin. These results suggest that: 1) PGF$_{2a}$ plays an important role in Rana ovulation, 2) protein kinase C is involved in PGs production, and 3) thecal epithelium layer is responsible for the PGs production in Rana.