• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.645-661
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• 2009

The water extract of Dohongsamul-Tang(DHSMT) has been traditionally used to stroke and brain injuries in Oriental Medicine. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of DHSMT on the gene expression profile of cerebral infarction by cDNA microarray in photothrombotic ischemia mouse model. Photothrombotic ischemia was induced in stereotactically held male BALB/c mice using rose bengal and cold light. MRI was performed 24 hours after inducing photothrombosis using 1.5 T MRI and 47 mm surface coil to obtain T2-weighted, and contrast-enhanced images. After MRI test, animal was sacrificed and the brain sections were stained for hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry. MRI and histological analysis revealed that lesion of thrombotic ischemia was well induced in the cortex with the evidence of biological courses of infarction. The target area of thrombotic infarction was 1 mm anterior to bregma and 3 mm lateral to midline with 2 mm in diameter, which were decreased by administration of DHSMT. To assess gene expression pattern of cerebral infarction, mRNA was isolated and reacted with microarray chip(Agilant's DNA Microarray 44K). Scatter and MA plot analysis were performed to clustering of each functional genes. M value [M=log2(R/G), A={log2(R ${\times}$ G)}/2] was between -0.5 and +0.5 with 40% difference. After pretreatment with DHSMT, the expression levels of mRNA of many genes involved in various signaling pathway such as apoptosis, cell cycle, cell proliferation, response to oxidative stress, immune response, angiogenesis, and inflammatory cytokine were markedly inhibited in photothrombotic ischemia lesion compared to the control group. These results suggest that DHSMT prevent ischemic death of brain on photothrombotic ischemia model of mice through modulation of gene expression at the transcriptional level.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.275-279
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• 2004

Gene polymorphisms of cytokines and their receptors are attractive candidates as genetic factors in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases and have been reported to be associated with disease susceptibility to autoimmune, inflammatory and infectious diseases. IL-29 is one of important candidate genes for complex trait of genetic diseases but there is no published survey of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this gene. In this study, for the first time, we have examined the full genomic sequence of IL-29 including the promoter regions to identify SNPs. We examined the frequencies of genotypes and alleles at the SNP site of IL-29 in allergic rhinitis patients and non-allergic rhinitis controls using the direct sequencing method to determine whether this IL-29 SNP is associated with allergic rhinitis in Korean population. We identified one novel SNP (1184C＞A) in the intron 2 and one novel variation site (-1842_-1841dupGA) in the promoter region of human IL-29 gene. The P values of SNP or variation site were not significant between the healthy controls and allergic rhinitis patients. Our results suggest that the 1184C＞A polymorphism and -1842_-1841dupGA variation site in human IL-29 gene were not associated to allergic rhinitis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.203-210
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• 2016

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a well-known natural product with anticarcinogenic and antioxidant effects. We evaluated the antifatigue effect of KRG in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Eighty patients with NAFLD were prospectively randomized to receive 3 wk of KRG or placebo in addition to counseling on healthy eating and regular exercise. Liver function test, proinflammatory cytokines, adiponectin, antioxidant activity, and fatigue score were measured and compared according to the body mass index between the KRG and placebo groups. Results: The liver function tests were significantly improved after 3 wk of treatment in both groups. The mean levels (at baseline and after treatment) of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ were $108.0pg/mL{\pm}54.8pg/mL$ and $92.7pg/mL{\pm}39.0pg/mL$ (p = 0.018) in the KRG group and $123.1pg/mL{\pm}42.1pg/mL$ and $127.5pg/mL{\pm}62.2pg/mL$ (p = 0.694) in the placebo group, respectively. There was a significant difference in change of adiponectin levels between the KRG ($7,751.2pg/mL{\pm}3,108.1pg/mL$ and $8,197.3pg/mL{\pm}2,714.5pg/mL$) and placebo groups ($7,711.6pg/mL{\pm}3,041.3pg/mL$ and $7,286.1pg/mL{\pm}5,188.7pg/mL$, p = 0.027). In patients with overweight, the fatigue score was significantly decreased in the KRG group ($35.0{\pm}13.2$ and $24.5{\pm}8.9$, p = 0.019). Conclusion: Our results show that KRG might be effective in reducing proinflammatory cytokine and fatigue in overweight patients with NAFLD, in addition to improvements in adiponectin levels.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1027-1032
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• 2016

Antigen is substance causing disease derived from pathogen. Living organism has the immune system in terms of defense mechanism against antigen. Antigen is processed through several pathways such as phagocytosis, antibody action, complement activation, and cytotoxins by NK or cytotoxic T lymphocyte via MHC molecule. Lymph node (LN) is comprised of the complicated 3 dimensional network and several stromal cells. Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRC) are distributed in T zone for interaction with T cells. FRC produces the extra cellular matrix (ECM) into LN for ECM reorganization against pathogen infections and secretes homing chemokines. However, it has not so much been known about the involvement of the antigen process of FRC. The present report is for the function of FRC on antigen process. For this, FRC was positioned with several infected situations such as co-culture with macrophage, T cell, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and TNFα stimulation. When co-culture between FRC with macrophage and T cells was performed, morphological change of FRC was observed and empty space between FRCs was made by morphological change. The matrix metallo-proteinase (MMP) activity was up-regulated by Y27632 and T cells onto FRC. Furthermore, inflammatory cytokine, TNFα regulated the expression of adhesion molecules and MHC I antigen transporter in FRC by gene chip assay. NO production was elevated by FRC monolayer co-cultured with macrophage stimulated by LPS. GFP antigen was up-taken by macrophage co-cultured with FRC. Collectively, it suggests that FRC assists of the facilitation of antigen process and LN stroma is implicated into antigen process pathway.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.23-39
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• 2014

Objectives PRAL (Prunus armniaca Linne Var) is a herbal formula in Oriental Medicine, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties. However, its mechanism of action and the cellular targets have not yet been found enough. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of PRAL on Th2 cytokines expression in MC/9 mast cells. Methods The effect of PRAL was analyzed by ELISA, Real-time PCR, Western blot in MC/9 mast cells. mRNA levels of GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ were analyzed with Real-time PCR. Levels of IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). NFAT, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 were examined by Western blot analysis. Results PRAL inhibited GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression in a dose dependent manner. GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-5 mRNA expression were inhibited significantly in comparison to DNP-IgE control group at concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ and IL-6, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression were inhibited at concentration of 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. PRAL also inhibited the IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production significantly in comparison to DNP-IgE control group in a dose dependent manner. IL-13 production was inhibited at a concentration of 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, 400 ${\mu}g/ml$ and MIP-$1{\alpha}$ was inhibited at a concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, 400 ${\mu}g/ml$. Western blot analysis of transcription factors involving Th2 cytokines expression revealed prominent decrease of the mast cell specific transcription factors including NFAT-1, c-Jun as well as NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 but not NFAT-2 and c-Fos. Conclusion These results indicate that PRAL has the effect of suppressing Th2 cytokines production in the MC/9 mast cells. These data represent that PRAL potentiates therapeutic activities to the allergic disease by regulating Th2 cytokines in the MC/9 mast cells.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2011

Crysochroa fulgidissima (Bidan-beole, Spanish fly) is traditionally used as a crude drug and insecticide in the East Asia and Korea, respectively. This study investigated the effect of ethanol extract of C. fulgidissima on the NO production activity. The C. fulgidissima extract was a potent inducer of NO production in CPAE cells and a stimulator of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in a dose-dependent manner. This study also evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of this extract by determining the level of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and prostaglandin $E_2$ from HUVEC cells. Although C. fulgidissima extract was a potent inducer of NO production in the CPAE cells, it showed weak inhibitory effects on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in HUVEC cells. HPLC and GC-MS analysis of the ethanol extract of C. fulgidissima revealed the presence of cantharidin.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.323-328
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• 2020

Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), a calcium-dependent zinccontaining collagenase, is involved in the initial degradation of native fibrillar collagen. Tissue necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is rapidly produced by dermal fibroblasts, monocytes/macrophages, and keratinocytes and regulates inflammation and damaged-tissue remodeling. MMP-1 is induced by TNFα and plays a critical role in tissue remodeling and skin aging processes. However, the regulation of the MMP1 gene by TNFα is not fully understood. We aimed to find additional cis-acting elements involved in the regulation of TNFα-induced MMP1 gene transcription in addition to the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP1) sites. Assessments of the 5'-regulatory region of the MMP1 gene, using a series of deletion constructs, revealed the requirement of the early growth response protein 1 (EGR-1)-binding sequence (EBS) in the proximal region for proper transcription by TNFα. Ectopic expression of EGR-1, a zinc-finger transcription factor that binds to G-C rich sequences, stimulated MMP1 promoter activity. The silencing of EGR-1 by RNA interference reduced TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression. EGR-1 directly binds to the proximal region and transactivates the MMP1 gene promoter. Mutation of the EBS within the MMP1 promoter abolished EGR-1-mediated MMP-1 promoter activation. These data suggest that EGR-1 is required for TNFα-induced MMP1 transcriptional activation. In addition, we found that all three MAPKs, ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 kinase, mediate TNFα-induced MMP-1 expression via EGR-1 upregulation. These results suggest that EGR-1 may represent a good target for the development of pharmaceutical agents to reduce inflammation-induced MMP-1 expression.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1188-1194
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• 2017

Gochujang, a traditional Korean food, is fermented by mixing red pepper powder, various grain, meju and salt. Changes in the kind of ingredients and fermentation method could increase health functionalities. In this study, in vivo anti-colitis effects of gochujang prepared with mixed grains, bamboo salt baked 3 times and meju starters on DSS-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice were studied. We prepared gochujang prepared with mixed grains (MG), bamboo salt, and Aspergillus oryzae (A) and Baccillus subtilis (B) mixed starters (MG-AB) and gochujang prepared with MG, bamboo salt and A, B and Lactobacillus plantarum (L) mixed starters (MG-ABL). MG-AB and MG-ABL significantly increased body weight and colon length compared to the control (p<0.05). MG-ABL showed significantly decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in serum compared to the control and MG-AB group (p<0.05). MG-ABL also regulated mRNA and protein levels of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in the mice colon tissue (p<0.05). Therefore, MG-ABL exhibited the increased anticolitis effects by inhibiting damage of colon tissue, probably by regulating a pro-inflammatory cytokine of IL-6 and regulated apoptosis related genes. These results indicated that gochujang changed with good ingredients and starters had colitis preventive effects and might be due to active compounds in mixed grain and bamboo salt, and produced by L during the fermentation of gochujang.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.173-178
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• 2011

Tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$) is a multifunctional cytokine that is elevated in inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Recent evidence has suggested that ${\beta}2$ adrenergic receptor (${\beta}2AR$) activation in osteoblasts suppresses osteogenic activity. In the present study, we explored whether $TNF{\alpha}$ modulates ${\beta}AR$ expression in osteoblastic cells and whether this regulation is associated with the inhibition of osteoblast differentiation by $TNF{\alpha}$. In the experiments, we used C2C12 cells, MC3T3-E1 cells and primary cultured mouse bone marrow stromal cells. Among the three subtypes of ${\beta}AR$, ${\beta}2$ and ${\beta}3AR$ were found in our analysis to be upregulated by $TNF{\alpha}$. Moreover, isoproterenol-induced cAMP production was observed to be significantly enhanced in $TNF{\alpha}$-primed C2C12 cells, indicating that $TNF{\alpha}$ enhances ${\beta}2AR$ signaling in osteoblasts. $TNF{\alpha}$ was further found in C2C12 cells to suppress bone morphogenetic protein 2-induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the expression of osteogenic marker genes including Runx2, ALP and osteocalcin. Propranolol, a ${\beta}2AR$ antagonist, attenuated this $TNF{\alpha}$ suppression of osteogenic differentiation. $TNF{\alpha}$ increased the expression of receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL), an essential osteoclastogenic factor, in C2C12 cells which was again blocked by propranolol. In summary, our data show that $TNF{\alpha}$ increases ${\beta}2AR$ expression in osteoblasts and that a blockade of ${\beta}2AR$ attenuates the suppression of osteogenic differentiation and stimulation of RANKL expression by $TNF{\alpha}$. These findings imply that a crosstalk between $TNF{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}2AR$ signaling pathways might occur in osteoblasts to modulate their function.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2010

The objective of present study was to investigate the effect of Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) extracts on recovery of liver function in $CCl_4$-exposed rats. The values of RBC, Hb and PCV did not show significant difference among all treatment groups. The counts of WBC was lower in Skullcap extracts groups than in control group. The ratio of neutrophils and eosinophiles were decreased, and the ratio of lymphocytes and monocytes were increased with increased administration of Skullcap extracts dosage. The ratio of basophils was, however, not significantly different among all treatment groups. The concentration of plasma total protein and albumin showed no significant difference among all treatment groups. The ratio of albumin/globulin was higher in Skullcap extracts groups than in control group. The activities of GOT, GPT and LDH were lower in Skullcap extracts groups, compared to control group. The liver IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ concentration were decreased, and IL-10 was increased in Skullcap extract groups, compared to control group. Results of this study suggested that Skullcap may alleviate liver inflammatory reaction induced by liver toxicity.