• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.258-267
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• 2002

In this study the general pharmacological profiles of AS6 on the central nervous system, cardiovascular and the other organs were investigated. The dosages given were 0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg and drugs were orally administered. The animals used for this study were mice, rats and guinea pigs. Significant increases (p<0.01) in the charcoal transport capacity were observed at the high dose of 1000 mg/kg and significant increases in retardation of pain threshold were observed in the test using acetic acid in all dosed animals. However, AS6 showed no noticeable effects on general behavior, motor coordination, spontaneous locomotor activity, hexobarbital-induced sleep time, body temperature, analgesic activity in the test using hot plate method and anticonvulsant activity. Furthermore no noticeable effects were observed in cardiovascular functions in the isolated rat heart, contraction and relaxation of the smooth muscle in the isolated guinea ileum, gastric secretion and renal function.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.40-43
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• 2019

Mature silkworms (MS) of Bombyx mori have enlarged silk glands, which are known to be enriched with various functional materials. A special steaming method has been developed for processing MS with enlarged silk glands edible, by which the MS have become a potential health supplement for improving the quality of life. Steamed and lyophilized MS powder (SMSP) has been strongly believed to have various unidentified beneficial effects for humans. Therefore, the purpose of this mini-review is to summarize the various health promoting functionalities of SMSP, which have been published in the paper so far. Firstly, SMSP increased healthspan as well as lifespan, locomotor ability, and resistance to Parkinson's disease by enhancing olfaction and mitochondrial activity in neurons. Secondly, SMSP increased resistance to carcinogens causing liver cancers, improved both acute and chronic liver function with alcohol metabolism, and prevented alcohol induced stomach ulcers. Thirdly, SMSP reduced UVB-induced skin pigmentations and melanogenesis. Taken together, SMSP can be regarded as a promising natural health product to increase incomes for sericultural farm households in Korea as well as global human health and welfare.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.509-512
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• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study is to evaluate neuroprotective effect of sacral neuromodulation in rat spinal cord injury (SCI) model in the histological and functional aspects. Methods : Twenty-one female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups : the normal control group (CTL, n=7), the SCI with sham stimulation group (SCI, n=7), and the SCI with electrical stimulation (SCI+ES, n=7). Spinal cord was injured by dropping an impactor from 25 mm height. Sacral nerve electrical stimulation was performed by the following protocol : pulse duration, 0.1 ms; frequency, 20 Hz; stimulation time, 30 minutes; and stimulation duration, 4 weeks. Both locomotor function and histological examination were evaluated as scheduled. Results : The number of anterior horn cell was $12.3{\pm}5.7$ cells/high power field (HPF) in the CTL group, $7.8{\pm}4.9$ cells/HPF in the SCI group, and $6.9{\pm}5.5$ cells/HPF in the SCI+ES group, respectively. Both the SCI and the SCI+ES groups showed severe loss of anterior horn cells and myelin fibers compared with the CTL group. Cavitation and demyelinization of the nerve fibers has no significant difference between the SCI group and the SCI+ES group. Cavitation of dorsal column was more evident in only two rats of SCI group than the SCI+ES group. The locomotor function of all rats improved over time but there was no significant difference at any point in time between the SCI and the SCI+ES group. Conclusion : In a rat thoracic spinal cord contusion model, we observed that sacral neuromodulation did not prevent SCI-induced myelin loss and apoptosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2022

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is defined as damage to the spinal cord that temporarily or permanently changes its function. There is no definite treatment established for neurological complete injury patients. This study investigated the effect of ginseng extract and ginsenosides on neurological recovery and antioxidant efficacies in rat models following SCI and explore the appropriate dosage. Searches were done on PubMed, Embase, and Chinese databases, and animal studies matches the inclusion criteria were selected. Pair-wise meta-analysis and subgroup analysis were performed. Ten studies were included, and the overall methodological qualities were low quality. The result showed ginseng extract and ginsenosides significantly improve neurological function, through the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale (pooled MD = 4.40; 95% CI = 3.92 to 4.88; p < 0.00001), significantly decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) (n = 290; pooled MD = -2.19; 95% CI = -3.16 to 1.22; p < 0.0001) and increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels (n = 290; pooled MD = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.45 to 2.83; p < 0.00001). Both low (<25 mg/kg) and high dosage (25 mg/kg) showed significant improvement in the motor function recovery in SCI rats. Collectively, this review suggests ginseng extract and ginsenosides has a protective effect on SCI, with good safety and a clear mechanism of action and may be suitable for future clinical trials and applications.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.556-563
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• 2008

Peripheral nerve injuries are a commonly encountered clinical problem and often result in a chronic pain and severe functional deficits. The expression of c-Fos is sometimes used as a marker of increased neuronal activity. We have prepared the aqueous extract of amygdalin from Armeniacae semen for pain control. In the present study, we investigated the effects of amygdalin on the recovery rate of the locomotor function and on the expression of c-Fos in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) region following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Walking track analysis for the evaluation of functional recovery and immunohistochemistry for the c-Fos expression were used in this study. In the present results, characteristic gait change with dropping of the sciatic function index (SFI) was observed and c-Fos expression in the vlPAG was suppressed following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Amygdalin enhanced SFI value and restored c-Fos expression in the vlPAG to the control value. The present our study indicated that amygdalin activates neurons in the vlPAG, and it facilitates functional recovery following peripheral nerve injury.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 1993

To evaluate KR-10876, a new fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, its effects on the central nervous system(CNS) were investigated in mmice as part of phamacological study, and the results were compared with those for ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin, two prototypes of quinolone antiabctrial agents. All the parameters indicative of CNS function and acute toxicity were measured by close observation of the animals at regular time intervals after oral treatment of test compounds. KR-10876 did not have any effect on the parameters measured at lower does (100, 300 mg/kg, p.o.), it caused ptosis, suppressed spontaneous locomotor activity, hypothemia, and prolonged hexobarbital-induced sleeping time. KR-10876 also had a slight effect on motor coordination only at high dose. Simialr to ciprofloxacin, KR-10876 did not protect mice from pentylenetetrazol-strychnine-, and electroshock-inducedl convulsions at doses tested. These findings demonstrate that KR-10876 affects CNS functions only at high doses. The rank order for effects is ofloxacin$\le$KR-10876>ciprofloxacin.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2006

Purpose : Improved walking is a common goal after stroke. Although the neurodevelopmental intervention(PNF) is the most widely used approach in the walking training of hemiparetic subjects. There is little neurophysiological evidence for its presumed effects on gait symmetry and facilitation of paretic muscles during the therapeutic intervention. The study, therefore, investigated the immediate effects of gait entrainment by a PNF techniques. Methods : Included persons with stroke who were living in the community. Sixteen subjects were assigned to the experimental group participated in a measures design that evaluated the subjects with pre-treatment, post-treatment(8 weeks). Temporal-spatial parameter of gait were analysed for using the computerized GAITRite system. Intervention : Training for the experimental group was carried out 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The training sessions were comprised of 50 minutes of walking with pattern and techniques in PNF. Results : The experimental group had improvements in the functional walking ability after 8 weeks treatment and Post-treatment test scores were more significant than the pre-treatment score. The treatment group demonstrated significantly post-treatment test improvement in gait velocity, cadence and FAP. Post-treatment test scores were more significant than the pre-treatment score(p<0.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that the PNF exercise intervention can improve functional gait ability. This study provides evidence for the efficacy of PNF treatment at improving locomotor function in chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.66-78
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• 2010

Background: Peripheral nerve injuries are a commonly-encountered clinical problem and often result in a chronic pain and severe functional deficits. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on the descending pain and the recovery of the locomotor function that follows sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Method: In order to assess the effects of acupuncture on the descending pain and functional recovery, we investigated the walking track analysis, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) expression in the sciatic nerve, and on the expressions of c-Fos and nitric oxide synthase in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus and in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) region resulting from sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Results: Acupuncture treatment at Huantiao (GB30), Yanglingquan (GB34), and Weizhong (BL40) facilitated functional recovery. C-Fos and nitric oxide synthase expressions in the brain and BDNF and TrkB expressions in the sciatic nerve were decreased by acupuncture treatment. The most potent effects of acupuncture were observed at the GB30 acupoint. Conclusion: It is possible that acupuncture can be used for pain control and functional recovery from sciatic nerve injury.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of direct functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) of affected spinal cord on motor recovery following spinal cord injury in rats. Methods: After a contusion injury at the spinal level T9 using an NYU Impactor, functional magnetic stimulation was delivered by a magnetic stimulator through a round prototype coil (7 cm in diameter). Stimulation parameters were set as follows: repetition rate = 50 Hz (stimulus intensity 100% = 0.18 T), stimulation time = 20 min. Functional magnetic stimulation was administered twice a day, 5 days per week for 8 weeks starting 4 days after spinal cord injury. Functional magnetic stimulationwas delivered directly to the affected spinal cord. Outcomes of locomotor performance were assessed by the Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale and by an inclined plane test weekly for 8 weeks. Results: In the BBB test, hindlimb motor function in the Functional magnetic stimulation group improved significantly more compared to the control group at 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 weeks (p<0.05). In the inclined plane test, the angle of the plane in the functional magnetic stimulation group increased significantly more compared to the control group at 4, 5, 7, and 8 weeks (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that direct Functional magnetic stimulation of the lesional site may have beneficial effects on motor improvement after spinal cord injury.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.191-198
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• 2012

Objective: Valproic acid (VPA), as known as histone deacetylase inhibitor, has neuroprotective effects. This study investigated the histological changes and functional recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI) associated with VPA treatment in a rat model. Methods: Locomotor function was assessed according to the Basso-Beatlie-Bresnahan scale for 2 weeks in rats after receiving twice daily intraperitoneal injections of 200 mg/kg VPA or the equivalent volume of normal saline for 7 days following SCI. The injured spinal cord was then examined histologically, including quantification of cavitation. Results: Basso-Beatlie-Bresnahan scale scores in rats receiving VPA were significantly higher than in the saline group (p<0.05). The cavity volume in the VPA group was Significantly reduced compared with the control (saline-injected) group (p<0.05). The level of histone acetylation recovered in the VPA group, while it was significantly decreased in the control rats (p<0.05). The macrophage level was significantly decreased in the VPA group (p<0.05). Conclusion: VPA influences the restoration of hyperacetylation and reduction of the inflammatory reaction resulting from SCI, and is effective for histology and motor function recovery.