• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 1999

Hepatoprotective effects of Malloti cortex extract (MCE) from Mallotus japonicus against the carbon tetrachloride (CCl$_{4}$) and galactosamine (GalN) were investigated. Whereas serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were markedly elevated after CCl$_{4}$ and GalN administration, pretreatment and posttreatment with MCE before and after the injection of CCl$_{4}$ and GalN resulted in decreases in elevated serum aminotransferase activities. Whereas CCl$_{4}$ and GalN treatment caused 3~7 fold increases in sorbitol dehydrogenase and ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase activities, pretreatment and posttreatment with MCE resulted in the blocking of CCl$_{4}$ and GalN-induced liver toxicity. The hepatoprotective effect of MCE was in part due to MCE-induced elevation of hepatic glutathione levels. Pretreatment and posttreatment with MCE also reduced increased lipid peroxidation induced by CCl$_{4}$ and GalN. These results suggest that MCE may be useful for the prevention and therapy of hepatotoxic pathogenesis. It is presumed that protective and therapeutic effects of MCE due to be inducible glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase activities, involving in glutathione-medicated detoxication and maintainment of glutathione content, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.235-240
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• 2000

Inhibitory effects of cockle extracts on carcinogen-induced cytotoxicity in C3H/10T1/2 cells were studied. Soup (62$\mu\textrm{g}$/mL), solubility (28$\mu\textrm{g}$/mL) and liposolubility (9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL) of the cockle inhibited 3-methyl-cholanthrene(MCA)-induced cytotoxicity in C3H/10T1/2 cells by 53 and 94%, respectively. These results suggest that the extracts cockle might have anticarcinogen-induced cytotoxicity of C3H/10T1/2 cells. The effects of cockle extracts on the immune response related to its antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo were investigated. The cockle extracts showed a direct cytotoxic effect on sarcoma-180 cells, tumor cells in vitro. Soup (0.49 mg/mL), solubility (0.11 mg/mL) and liposolubiliy (0.05 mg/mL) of the cockle markedly decreased the total numbers of sarcoma-180 cells, but not their viability. The phagocytic acitivity of peritoneal macrophage of mice was significantly augmented by these extracts of the cockle compared with that of control in vivo. These extracts also raised the phagocuytic index, indicating that the number of phagocytize dmicrobes per macrophage increased. Thus, cockle extracts might show a antitumor activity by enhancing the phagocytic cell activities.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1494-1504
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• 2004

The present paper reports the effects of Hwaotang an atherosclerosis using a spontaneous experimental model, We have also investigated the pharmacological effect of Hwaotang on collagen- and ADP-induced blood platelet aggregation, thrombin-induced conversion of fibrinogen and fibrinolysis in in vitro experiments, and various effects on stimuli-induced superoxide generation in human neutrophils. Hwao-tang was shown to have inhibitory effect on collagen- and ADP-induced blood platelet aggregation, on thrombin-induced conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin and on the activity of plasminogen or plasmin. Hwao-tang also significantly inhibited fMLP-induced superoxide generation in a concentration-dependent manner, but not that induced by arachidonic acid. Hwao-tang inhibited neutrophil functions, including degranulation, superoxide generation, and leukotriene B4 production, without any effect on 5-lipoxygenase activity. In conclusion, the protection of extracts of Hwao-tang on the ischemic infarction induced artificially might be involved to their inhibition of thrombotic action. The results also indicate that Hwao-tang exerts the effects on superoxide generation related to the inhibition of neutrophil functions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.218-223
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• 2005

According to the Chinese and Korean medicinal and herbal literature, SSG(Silsosangami) is effective for the treatment of inflammation, hyperlipemia and arteriosclerosis. The pharmacological action of SSG has been limitedly studied in regard to ischemic infarction. This herbal medicine has been shown to express diverse activities such as immunomodulating, anti-infarction, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects. Antisclerotic effects of SSG in experimentally induced atherosclerosis in rabbits have also been reported. However, pharmacological mechanisms of SSG on lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis formation are poorly understood. The present paper reports the effect of extracts obtained from SSG on endotoxin-induced experimental DIC in rats. Also, these were tested for their effect on endotoxin-induced blood platelet aggregation, thrombin-induced conversion of fibrinogen and fibrinolysis in vitro experiments with aspirin as a positive agent. The anti-thrombic properties of SSG were also investigated by means of analytical parameters of bood composition. The extracts of SSG and its seven herbs, except Cnidii Rhizoma and Carthami Flos, inhibited the endotoxin-induced DIC and thrombosis in rats. Also the extract inhibited the endotoxin-induced decrease in blood platelets and fibrinogen, and endotoxin-induced increase in fibrin degradation products (FDP) on disseminated intravascular coagulation in normal rats.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.55-68
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• 2013

Objectives This study was to investigate the effects of Yuhyangjeongtong-san on the carrageenin-induced acute inflammation and adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. Methods Acute inflammation was induced by injection of 2% carrageenin 0.15 ml into right hind foot of rats. Control group was carrageenin injected and taken distilled water, treated group was carrageenin injected and taken Yuhyangjeongtong-san by orally once. 2 hours after injection, plantar temperature and paw volume were measured. 3 hours after, counts of white blood cell (WBC) were performed. Arthritis was induced by injection of complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) into base of tail. Control group was CFA injected and taken distilled water, treated group was CFA injected and taken Yuhyangjeongtong-san by orally for 10 days. 0,5,10 day, body weight, thickness of ankle joint and paw edema were measured. 10 day, counts of WBC, $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) level were analysed. Histochemical study of NADPH-d and immunohistochemical study of c-fos were performed. Results In the carrageenin-induced acute inflammation, neutrophils of treated group were significantly decreased compared with control group. In the adjuvant-induced arthritis, paw edema, total counts of WBC and TNF-${\alpha}$ level in paw exudates were significantly decreased compared with control group, and the number of c-fos positive neurons of treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group. Conclusions On the basis of these results, we concluded that Yuhyangjeongtong-san have anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.49-66
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• 2005

Panax ginseng has been useful for the treatment of diverse disease in oriental countries for thousands of years. In addition, a folk medicine prescribed by seven herbal drugs including Panax ginseng has been antinarcotics in the treatment of morphine-dependent patients. Many articles have been reported on these works. Therefore, we review the protective effects of Panax ginseng on the neurotoxicity induced by abuse drugs. Ginseng total saponins (GTS) extracted and isolated by Panax ginseng antagonized Morphine-induced analgesia, and inhibited the development of analgesic tolerance to and physical dependence on morphine. GTS inhibited morphine-6 dehydrogenase, which catalyzes production of mophinone from morphine, and increased hepatic glutathione level responsible to toxicity. Therefore, we hypothesized that these dual actions of ginseng can be associated with the detoxication of morphine. In addition, the inhibitory or facilitated effects of GTS on electrically evoked contraction in guinea pig ileum ($\mu$-receptors) and mouse vas deferens($\delta$-receptors) were not mediated through opioid receptors, suggesting non-opioid mechanisms. On the hand, antagonism of U-50,488H ($\kappa$-agonist)-induced antinociception is mediated by serotonergic mechanisms. GTS also inhibited hyperactivity, reverse tolerance (sensitization) and conditioned place preference-induced by psychostimulants such as methamphetamine, cocaine and morphine. On the other hand, GTS reduced the dopamine levels induced by methamphetamine. Moreover, GTS blocked the development of dopamine receptor activation, showing antidopaminergic effect. We suggest that GTS Prevent the methamphetamine-induced striatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity. In addition, Ginsenoside also attenuates morphine-induced cAMP signaling pathway. These results suggested that GTS might be useful for the therapy of the adverse actions of drugs with abuse liability.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.119-125
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• 2005

The previous reports demonstrated that ginseng saponins, active ingredient of Panax ginseng, inhibited blood vessel contraction induced by various hormones or high $K^+$. Recently, we demonstrated that 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$. regulate ion channel activities with differential manners. The aim of this study was to examine whether ginsenoside $Rg_3$ isomers also show differential effects on swine coronary artery contractionresponses induced by high $K^+$, serotonin (5-HT) or acetylcholine. Treatment of 20(S)- but not 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of coronary artery contracted by 25mM KCI. 20(S)- and 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ induced significant relaxations of coronary artery contraction induced by 5-HT $(3{\mu}M)$ in the presence of endothelium with concentration-dependent manner and, also in the absence of endothelium only 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ induced a strong Inhibition of coronary artery contraction induced by 5-HT in a concentration-dependent manner. 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ caused relaxation of coronary artery in the absence and presence of endothelium. In contrast, treatment of 20(S)- and 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3\;(100{\mu}M)$ did not show significant inhibition of coronary artery contraction induced by acetylcholine $(0.01\;to\;30{\mu}M)$ in the presence of endothelium, whereas both isomers caused significant inhibition of coronary artery contraction induced by acetylcholine $(0.01\;to\;30{\mu}M)$ in the absence of endothelium in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings indicate that 20(S)-or 20(R)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ exhibits differential relaxation eff3cts of swine coronary artery contractions caused by high $K^+$, acetylcholine, and 5-HT treatment and that this differential vasorelaxing effects of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ isomers also might be dependent on endothelium.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.325-335
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• 2008

The protective effects of the Naringin, on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity and the possible mechanisms involved in this protection were investigated in mice. Pretreatment with Naringin prior to the administration of $CCl_4$ significantly prevented an increase in serum alanine, aspartate aminotransferase activity and hepatic lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, pretreatment with Naringin also significantly prevented the depletion of glutathione (GSH) content in the livers of $CCl_4$-induced mice. However, reduced hepatic glutathione levels was unaffected by treatment with Naringin alone. In addition, Naringin prevented $CCl_4$-induced apoptosis and necrosis, as indicated by a liver DNA laddering. To determine whether caspase-8,-3 pathway involved in $CCl_4$-induced acute liver injury, caspase-8, -3 activities were tested by ELISA. Naringin attenuated $CCl_4$induced caspase-8, -3 activities in mouse livers. $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity was also prevented, as indicated by a liver histopathologic study. The effects of Naringin on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1, the major isozyme involved in $CCl_4$ were also investigated. Treatment of mice with Naringin resulted in a significant decrease of the CYP2E1-dependent hydroxyl at ion and aniline in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that protective effects of Naringin against the $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity may be due to its ability to block CYP2E1-mediated $CCl_4$ bioactivation and that is also protects against caspase-8, -3 pathway mediated apoptosis.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.41-63
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• 2005

Ginseng has been useful for the treatment of diverse disease in oriental countries for thousands of years. In addition, a folk medicine prescribed by seven herbal drugs including Panax ginseng has been antinarcotics in the treatment of morphine-dependent patients. Many articles have been reported on these works. Therefore, we review the protective effects of Panax ginseng on the neurotoxicity induced by abuse drugs. Ginseng total saponins (GTS) extracted and isolated by Panax ginseng antagonized morphine-induced analgesia, and inhibited the development of analgesic tolerance to and physical dependence on morphine. CTS inhibited morphine-6 dehydrogenase, which catalyzes production of mophinone from morphine, and increased hepatic glutathione level responsible to toxicity. Therefore, wehypothesized that these dual actions of ginseng can be associated with the detoxication of morphine. In addition, the inhibitory or facilitated effects of GTS on electrically evoked contraction in guinea pig ileum (${\mu}$-receptors) and mouse vas deferens(${\delta}$-receptors) were not mediated through opioid receptors, suggesting non-opioid mechanisms. On the hand, antagonism of U-50,488H (${\kappa}$-agonist)-induced antinociception is mediated by serotonergic mechanisms. GTS also inhibited hyperactivity, reverse tolerance (sensitization) and conditioned place preference-induced by psychostimulants such as methamphetamine, cocaine and morphine. On the other hand, GTS reduced the dopamine levels induced by methamphetamine. Moreover, GTS blocked the development of dopamine receptor activation, showing antidopaminergic effect. We suggest that GTS prevent the methamphetamine-induced striatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity. In addition, Ginsenoside also attenuates morphine-induced CAMP signaling pathway. These results suggested that GTS might be useful for the therapy of the adverse actions of drugs with abuse liability.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.255-262
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• 2022

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide produced primarily in the hypothalamus and plays an important role in the regulation of mammalian birth and lactation. It has been shown that oxytocin has important cardiovascular protective effects. Here we investigated the effects of oxytocin on vascular reactivity and underlying the mechanisms in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and in rat aorta ex vivo. Oxytocin increased phospho-eNOS (Ser 1177) and phospho-Akt (Ser 473) expression in HUVECs in vitro and the aorta of rat ex vivo. Wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), inhibited oxytocin-induced Akt and eNOS phosphorylation. In the rat aortic rings, oxytocin induced a biphasic vascular reactivity: oxytocin at low dose (10^-9-10^-8 M) initiated a vasorelaxation followed by a vasoconstriction at high dose (10^-7 M). L-NAME (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), endothelium removal or wortmannin abolished oxytocin-induced vasorelaxation, and slightly enhanced oxytocin-induced vasoconstriction. Atosiban, an oxytocin/vasopressin 1a receptor inhibitor, totally blocked oxytocin-induced relaxation and vasoconstriction. PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) partially inhibited oxytocin-induced vasoconstriction. Oxytocin also increased aortic phospho-ERK1/2 expression, which was reduced by either atosiban or PD98059, suggesting that oxytocin-induced vasoconstriction was partially mediated by oxytocin/V1aR activation of ERK1/2. The present study demonstrates that oxytocin can activate different signaling pathways to cause vasorelaxation or vasoconstriction. Oxytocin stimulation of PI3K/eNOS-derived nitric oxide may participate in maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis, and different vascular reactivities to low or high dose of oxytocin suggest that oxytocin may have different regulatory effects on vascular tone under physiological or pathophysiological conditions.