• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.96-107
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• 2003

Objective : This study was undertaken to determine if Pyunggangaeuljihyul-tang (Pinggankaiyuzhixue-tang, PG) has a protective effect against cell injury induced by various toxic agents in rabbit liver, Methods : Cell injury in vitro was estimated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and that in vivo was estimated by measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity in serum. Lipid peroxidation was examined by measuring malondialdehyde, a product of lipid per oxidation. Results : PG prevented the LDH release by $CCl_4$, mercury, menadione, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide treatment in vitro in liver slices. The extent of protection by 2% PG was similar to that of $10{\mu\textrm{M}}$ N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenedianline, a potent antioxidant, in tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced LDH release. PG also prevented lipid peroxidation and depletion of cellular ATP induced by Hg. Hg causes motphological changes including cell necrosis and its effect was significantly prevented by PG. When rats were treated intraperitoneatly with 0.5 ml/kg of $CCl_4$, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities were increased compared with the control, which was significantly inhibited by pretreatment of PG. PG also prevented reduction in GSH and lipid peroxidation induced by $CCl_4$ Conclusion : These results suggest that PG exerts aprotective effect against various toxic agents by its antioxidant action in liver tissues. Thus, PG may be used in prevention and treatment of drug-induced liver cell injury. However, the precise mechanisms of PG protection remain to be determined.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.202-205
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• 1995

We have previously reported that the antagonism of U-50,488H-induced antinociception in mice pretreated with ginseng total saponins (GTS) Ivas abolished by pretreatment with a serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), but not by a noradrenaline precursor, L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) in the tail flick test. In the present experiments, the effect of the same GTS on the development of tolerance to U-50,488H-induced antinociception was determined. GTS inhibited the development of tolerance to U-50,488H-induced antinociception. The inhibitory effect of GTS on the development of tolerance to U-50,488H-induced antinociception was reversed by 5-HTP, but not by L-DOPA. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effect of GTS on the development of tolerance to U-50,488H-induced antinociception is dependent on serotonergic mechanisms. Key words Ginseng total saponin, U-50,488H, tolerance, serotonin.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2004

Background: Human seminal plasma (HSP)-induced hypersensitivity is one of the serious complications with sexual intercourse. The clinical manifestations of HSP-induced hypersensitivity may be related to the release of vasoactive mediators from mast cell induced by HSP. It has recently been reported that HSP modulates immune systems and induces mast cell degranulation and histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC). Ketotifen and disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), anti-asthmatic and anti-allergic drugs, have a role of mast cell stabilization and inhibit mast cell-induced leukocyte rolling and adhesion. But the inhibitory agents of HSP-induced mast cell activation are unknown. This study was performed to investigate the effects of DSCG and ketotifen on the HSP-induced mast cell activation. Methods: For this, influences of DSCG and ketotifen on the human seminal plasma-induced degranulation, histamine release and morphological changes of RPMC were observed. Results: The mast cell degranulation and histamine release of RPMC by HSP were induced in a dose-dependent fashion. The HSP-induced cytomorphological changes such as swelling, intracellular vacoules, and interrupted cell boundary were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with DSCG or ketotifen. DSCG and Ketotifen inhibited the HSP-induced degranulation and histamine release from RPMC. Conclusion: From the above results, it is suggested that DSCG and ketotifen have a inhibitory effect of the HSP-induced mast cell activation. DSCG and ketotifen may be used for treatment of HSP-induced hypersensitivity.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.10 no.1 s.22
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• pp.85-100
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• 2007

Objectives : This research was executed to verify antitumor effect and protective effect on doxorubicin(Doxo)-induced toxicity of Cultivated Wild Ginseng(CWG) and synergic effect of CWG with Doxo in B16/F10 melanomas-bearing C57BL/6 mice. Methods : To evaluate protective effect on doxorubicin(Doxo)-induced toxicity and enhancing effect on the antitumor activity of Doxo, CWG water extract(0.5 ml) was intraperitoneally injected for 10 days, in combination with intraperitoneal injection of Doxo(4 mg/kg) on days 12, 16, 19, to mice subcutaneously inoculated with $2{\times}10^6/ml$ B16/F10 melanoma cells. In order to investigate antitumor effect of CWG, CWG water extract(0.5 ml) was intraperitoneally injected for 10 days to mice subcutaneously inoculated with $2{\times}10^6/ml$ B16/F10 melanoma cells. Results : The body weights of melanoma-bearing mice increased following B16/F10 cells inoculation. In contrast, such an increase in body weights was significantly attenuated by Doxo administration. Whereas CWG inhibits the decrease in body weights induced by Doxo. The tumor volume and tumor weights of melanomas-bearing mice dramatically increased following B16/F10 cells inoculation, In contrast, such an increase in tumor volume and tumor weights were significantly attenuated by Doxo or CWG administration. But the synergic effect of CWG with Doxo was not observed. The reduction of cellularity of seminiferous epithelia, level of spermatogonium and spermatid induced by Doxo was recovered by CWG administration. BrdU labeling index of spermatogonium was remarkably decreased in Doxo group but was no change in CWG group. Whereas the incidence and intensity of BrdU labelled spermatocytes and spermatids were increased by CWG administration than those of Doxo group. Conclusions : The obtained results suggest that CWG have antitumor effect and protective effect on doxo-induced testicular toxicity. This effect might be mediated through the supplementation of vital energy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2008

The present study examined the inhibitory effect of licorice compounds glycyrrhizin and a metabolite $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid on the neurotoxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in the mouse and on the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ($MPP^+$)-induced cell death in differentiated PC12 cells. MPTP treatment increased the activities of total superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and the levels of malondialdehyde and carbonyls in the brain compared to control mouse brain. Co-administration of glycyrrhizin (16.8 mg/kg) attenuated the MPTP effect on the enzyme activities and formation of tissue peroxidation products. In vitro assay, licorice compounds attenuated the $MPP^+$-induced cell death and caspase-3 activation in PC12 cells. Glycyrrhizin up to $100{\mu}M$ significantly attenuated the toxicity of $MPP^+$. Meanwhile, $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid showed a maximum inhibitory effect at $10{\mu}M$; beyond this concentration the inhibitory effect declined. Glycyrrhizin and $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid attenuated the hydrogen peroxide- or nitrogen species-induced cell death. Results from this study indicate that glycyrrhizin may attenuate brain tissue damage in mice treated with MPTP through inhibitory effect on oxidative tissue damage. Glycyrrhizin and $18{\beta}$-glycyrrhetinic acid may reduce the $MPP^+$ toxicity in PC12 cells by suppressing caspase-3 activation. The effect seems to be ascribed to the antioxidant effect.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.187-192
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• 2008

To clerify the protective effect of omega-3 of polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the cytotoxicity induced by organic mercury in cultured NIH3T3 fibroblasts. The measurement of cell viability on ogranic mercury wad done by XTT assay after NIH3T3 fibroblasts were cultured with various concentrations of methyl mercuric chloride (MMC). And also, the effect of DHA on the MMC-mediated cytotoxicity was examined by cell viability, and antioxidant effect of DHA was also assessed by superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity and the lipid peroxidation activity in cultured NIH3T3 fibroblasts. In this study, MMC decreased cell viability and $XTT_{50}$ value was determined at $50{\mu}M$ of MMC in these culture. In the effect of DHA against the cytotoxicity induced by MMC, DHA significantly increased the cell viability damaged by MMC in cultured NIH3T3 fibroblasts. And also, DHA showed the antioxidant effect by showing the increase of SOD-like activity and the decrease of lipid peroxidation activity. From these results, it is suggested that organic mercury such as MMC has highly toxic effect on cultured NIH3T3 fibroblasts, and also, omega-3 of polyunsaturated fatty acid, DHA showed the protection on MMC-induced cytotoxicity and antioxidant effect.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1 s.65
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• pp.47-56
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• 2006

The present study was carried out to investigate the preventive effect of Epimedii Herba combined Samgijiwhang-Tang(SJTE) on streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy. SJTE was given to rats with oral administration. The experimental animals were divided into normal group of rats, control group of STZ-induced diabetic rats, and sample group with SJTE administration. Experimental diabetic nephropathy was induced by the injection of STZ(60mg/kg) to the rat via the peritoneum. The effect of SJTE on STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy was observed by measuring the serum level of insulin, glucose, creatinine and BUN. Urine secretion of albumin for 24 hours and urine level of glucose measures too. Anti-oxidative stress of STZ administration in living body was estimated by measuring lipid peroxide in cortex of kidneys. STZ induced increase of serum glucose. creatinine, urine albumin secretion and renal cortical lipid peroxidation were lowered by SJTE administration. In conclusion, the SJTE treatment showed protective effect on rat diabolic nephropathy model, and action mechanism of the effect was thought to be concerned with internal glucose metabolism.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2014

Sleep is vital to maintain health and well-being; however, insomnia is currently a widespread health complaint worldwide. In particular, caffeine, a psychoactive component of coffee, tea, and caffeine beverages may lead to sleep disorders such as insomnia. In this study, our primary objective was to investigate the inhibitory effect of high-purity phlorotannin preparation (HP-PRT) on caffeine-induced wakefulness. The sleep test of pentobarbital-induced mice was used as an in vivo animal model. Caffeine (50 and 100 mg/kg) showed significant arousal effects (an increase in sleep latency and a decrease in sleep duration). Co-administration of caffeine (50 mg/kg) and the sedative-hypnotic diazepam (DZP, 1 mg/kg) did not result in similar arousal activity. HP-PRT (500 mg/kg) also inhibited caffeine-induced wakefulness. Our results suggest that HP-PRT would be a useful additive for developing coffee products without the arousal effect.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.155-163
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• 2022

Objectives : Lonicera japonica is known for anti-inflammation and antibiotic effect in Korean medicine. This study aimed for investigating the cytoprotective effect of Lonicera japonica extract (LJE) for HepG2 cells against arachidonic acid (AA)+iron-induced oxidative stress. Methods : The effect of LJE on cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. ROS assay was selected to assess antioxidant effect of LJE. To assess LJE's effect on mitochondrial function, flow cytometric analysis was operated. And immunoblot analysis was used to establish the underlying mechanism of LJE. Results : LJE protected HepG2 cells against AA+iron-induced oxidative stress by phosphorylation of liver kinase B1 and blocked the decline of procaspase 3. Also, LJE preserved the mitochondrial membrane permeability induced by AA+iron. Conclusion : LJE protected the hepatocyte from AA+iron-induced oxidative stress by activation of LKB1 by the preservation of mitochondrial functions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.114-120
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• 1988

We have studied the mechanism by examining the effect of ginseng on the epoxide hydrolase which is catabolized the reactive intermetabolite of bromobenzene, and bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity. It was observed that ginseng saponin fraction protects against bromobenzene-induced hepatotoxicity in mice as evidenced 1. increased the epoxide hydrolase activity, 2. lower serum transaminase activity, 3. decreased the formation of lipid peroxide. These results suggested that the inducing effect of ginseng on the epoxide hydrolase is believed to be a possible detoxication mechanism for the bromobenzene toxicity in mice.