• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.609-616
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• 2017

Ardipusilloside-I is a natural triterpenoid saponin, which was isolated from Ardisia pusilla A. DC. The aim of the study was to evaluate the stimulation of ardipusilloside-I on gastrointestinal motility in vitro and in vivo. The experiment of smooth muscle contraction directly monitored the contractions of the isolated jejunal segment (IJS) in different contractile states, and the effects of ardipusilloside-I on myosin were measured in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$-calmodulin using the activities of 20 kDa myosin light chain ($MLC_{20}$) phosphorylation and myosin $Mg^{2+}$-ATPase. The effects of ardipusilloside-I on gastro emptying and intestinal transit in constipation-predominant rats were observed, and the MLCK expression in jejuna of constipated rats was determined by western blot. The results showed that, ardipusilloside-I increased the contractility of IJS in a dose-dependent manner and reversed the low contractile state (LCS) of IJS induced by low $Ca^{2+}$, adrenaline, and atropine respectively. There were synergistic effects on contractivity of IJS between ardipusilloside-I and ACh, high $Ca^{2+}$, and histamine, respectively. Ardipusilloside-I could stimulate the phosphorylation of $MLC_{20}$ and $Mg^{2+}$-ATPase activities of $Ca^{2+}$- dependent phosphorylated myosin. Ardipusilloside-I also stimulated the gastric emptying and intestinal transit in normal and constipated rats in vivo, respectively, and increased the MLCK expression in the jejuna of constipation-predominant rats. Briefly, the findings demonstrated that ardipusilloside-I could effectively excite gastrointestinal motility in vitro and in vivo.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.103-111
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• 2024

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng Mayer) is an important natural medicine. However, a long culture period and challenging quality control requirements limit its further use. Although artificial cultivation can yield a sustainable medicinal supply, research on the association between the transplantation and chaining of metabolic networks, especially the regulation of ginsenoside biosynthetic pathways, is limited. Methods: Herein, we performed Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry based metabolomic measurements to evaluate ginsenoside accumulation and categorise differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs). Transcriptome measurements using an Illumina Platform were then conducted to probe the landscape of genetic alterations in ginseng at various ages in transplantation mode. Using pathway data and crosstalk DAMs obtained by MapMan, we constructed a metabolic profile of transplantation Ginseng. Results: Accumulation of active ingredients was not obvious during the first 4 years (in the field), but following transplantation, the ginsenoside content increased significantly from 6-8 years (in the wild). Glycerolipid metabolism and Glycerophospholipid metabolism were the most significant metabolic pathways, as Lipids and lipid-like molecule affected the yield of ginsenosides. Starch and sucrose were the most active metabolic pathways during transplantation Ginseng growth. Conclusion: This study expands our understanding of metabolic network features and the accumulation of specific compounds during different growth stages of this perennial herbaceous plant when growing in transplantation mode. The findings provide a basis for selecting the optimal transplanting time.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.405-416
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• 2024

Background: Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is the main pathological change in vascular remodeling, a complex cardiopulmonary disease caused by hypoxia. Some research results have shown that ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) can improve vascular remodeling, but the effect and mechanism of Rg1 on hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension are not clear. The purpose of this study was to discuss the potential mechanism of action of Rg1 on HPH. Methods: C57BL/6 mice, calpain-1 knockout mice and Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were exposed to a low oxygen environment with or without different treatments. The effect of Rg1 and calpain-1 silencing on inflammation, fibrosis, proliferation and the protein expression levels of calpain-1, STAT3 and p-STAT3 were determined at the animal and cellular levels. Results: At the mouse and cellular levels, hypoxia promotes inflammation, fibrosis, and cell proliferation, and the expression of calpain-1 and p-STAT3 is also increased. Ginsenoside Rg1 administration and calpain-1 knockdown, MDL-28170, and HY-13818 treatment showed protective effects on hypoxia-induced inflammation, fibrosis, and cell proliferation, which may be associated with the downregulation of calpain-1 and p-STAT3 expression in mice and cells. In addition, overexpression of calpain 1 increased p-STAT3 expression, accelerating the onset of inflammation, fibrosis and cell proliferation in hypoxic PASMCs. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg1 may ameliorate hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling by suppressing the calpain-1/STAT3 signaling pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.429-433
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• 2013

Objectives: To explore the correlation between multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) perfusion parameters and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in breast cancer. Methods: Forty five breast cancer patients and 16 patients with benign breast tumor, both confirmed by pathology examination, were enrolled. All underwent MSCT perfusion imaging to obtain perfusion maps and data for parameters including blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV) and permeability surface (PS). Cancer patients did not receive treatment prior to surgery. The expression of VEGF and MMP-2 were examined with both immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results: The levels of VEGF and MMP-2 by immunohistochemistry were significantly higher in the breast cancer group (P < 0.01) than the benign tumor group. Relative OD values from Western blotting were also higher in cancer cases (P < 0.05). Similarly, the mean MSCT perfusion parameters (BF, BV, PS) were significantly higher in the breast cancer group (P < 0.01), BF and BV positively correlating with VEGF expression (r = 0.878 and 0.809 respectively, P < 0.01); PS and VEGF and MMP-2 expression were also positively correlated (r= 0.860, 0.786 respectively, P < 0.01). Conclusion: There is a correlation between breast cancer MSCT perfusion parameters and VEGF andMMP-2 expression, which might be useful for detection of breast lesions, qualitative diagnosis of breast cancer, and evaluation of breast cancer treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4423-4426
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• 2012

Aim: XRCC1 and XPD are two major repair genes involved in nucleotide excision repair (NER), which is reported to be associated with risk of several cancers. We explored the association of XRCC1 and XPD polymorphisms with the risk of HCC. Methods: A total of 410 cases with HCC and 410 health controls were collected. XRCC1 Arg194Trp, XRCC1 Arg399Gln, XPD Lys751Gln and XPD Asp312Asn genotyping was performed by duplex polymerase-chain-reaction with the confronting-two-pair primer (PCR-CTPP) method. Results: XRCC1 194Trp/Trp was strongly significantly associated with an increased risk of HCC cancer when compared with the wide-type genotype (OR=2.26, 95% CI=(1.23-5.38). Individuals carrying the XRCC1 399Gln/Gln showed increased risk of HCC (OR=1.74, 95%CI=1.06-2.74). The XPD 751Gln/Gln and Gln allele genotype were associated with strong elevated susceptibility to HCC (OR=3.51 and 1.42, respectively). Conclusion: These results suggest that polymorphisms in XRCC1 and XPD may have functional significance in risk of HCC.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.3326-3330
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• 2014

A quinoline-thiooxorhodamine conjugate fluorescent sensor (1) has been synthesized. Sensor 1 exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity to $Hg^{2+}$ in $H_2O$/DMSO (95/5, v/v, HEPES 20 mM, pH = 7.4) solution with fluorescence detection. Other tested metal ions do not induce any significant fluorescence intensity changes. Sensor 1 interacts with $Hg^{2+}$ through a 1:1 binding stoichiometry with a good anti-inference ability. In addition, fluorescent imaging of $Hg^{2+}$ in Hela cells is also successfully demonstrated.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.340-346
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• 2014

Continuous and dense ZIF-7 membranes were successfully synthesized on ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$ porous substrate via two-step crystallization technique. ZIF-7 seeding layer was first deposited on porous ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$ substrate by in-situ low temperature crystallization, and then ZIF-7 membrane layer can be grown through the secondary high-temperature crystallization. Two synthesis solutions with different concentration were used to prepare ZIF-7 seeding layer and membrane layer on porous ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$ substrate, respectively. As a result, a continuous and defect-free ZIF-7 membrane layer can be prepared on porous ${\alpha}-Al_2O_3$ substrate, as confirmed by scanning electron microscope. XRD characterization shows that the resulting membrane layer is composed of pure ZIF-7 phase without any impurity. A single gas permeation test of $H_2$, $O_2$, $CH_4$ or $CO_2$ was conducted based on our prepared ZIF-7 membrane. The ZIF-7 membrane exhibited excellent H2 molecular sieving properties due to its suitable pore aperture and defect-free membrane layer.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.2326-2330
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• 2014

A carbazole-based Schiff base CB2 was synthesized and applied as a highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe for $Cu^{2+}$ in $H_2O$-DMSO (8/2, v/v, pH = 7.4) solution. CB2 exhibits an excellent selectivity to $Cu^{2+}$ over other examined metal ions with a prominent fluorescence "turn-on" at 475 nm. CB2 and $Cu^{2+}$ forms a 1:2 binding ratio complex with detection limit of $9.5{\mu}M$. In addition, the $Cu^{2+}$ recognition process is hardly interfered by other examined metal ions.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.392-396
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• 2014

New organic-inorganic composite of 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1) encapsulation into dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS) modified layered double hydroxide (LDH) was successfully prepared. The surface, structural, thermal and absorption properties of the BP-1/DBS-LDH nanohybrid was characterized by BET analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and diffuse reflectance UV-Vis absorbance spectra (DRUV-vis). The interlayer configuration of composite and the adsorption mechanism of BP-1 on MgAl-DBS-LDH were discussed. It was suspected that DBS anions located in the form of monolayer arrangement with a $75^{\circ}$ anti parallel angle between dodecylbenzenesulfonate chain axis. The diffuse reflectance UV-Vis absorbance results revealed that the UV absorbing wavelength of BP-1/DBS-LDH evidently extends to about 400 nm, which shows that the BP-1/DBS-LDH has the potential application as a UV absorber.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.489-493
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• 2014

A phenylbenzimidazole derivatized sensor (L) that behaves as a ratiometric fluorescent receptor for $Zn^{2+}$ in water has been described. In HEPES buffer at pH 7.4, sensor L displays a weak fluorescence emission band at 367 nm. Upon addition of $Zn^{2+}$, the emission intensity at 367 nm is decreased, concomitantly, a new emission band centered at 426 nm is developed, thus facilitates a ratiometric $Zn^{2+}$ sensing behavior. Sensor L binds $Zn^{2+}$ through a 1:1 binding stoichiometry with high selectivity over other metal cations. Sensor L displays a linear response to $Zn^{2+}$ concentration from 0 to $6.0{\times}10^{-5}M$, sensor L also exhibits high sensitivity to $Zn^{2+}$ with a detection limit of $3.31{\times}10^{-7}M$.