• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.363-374
• /
• 2017

Dried fruits of Schizandra chinensis Baillon, Fructus Schisandrae, have been widely used for many years to prevent and treat various diseases in Asian countries including Korea and Russia. It has recently been reported that extracts of Fructus Schisandrae are effective for controlling muscle and skeletal diseases. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of ethanol extract of Fructus Schisandrae (EEFS) on apoptosis and inflammatory response in gastrocnemius muscle of dexamethasone-induced catabolic muscle atrophy mice as part of natural substance discovery and functional analysis for improving muscle function. According to the results of this study, EEFS supplementation attenuated body weight gains and suppressed calf thickness loss in dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophic mice. Gastrocnemius muscle immunohistochemistry showed that expression of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, which are representative apoptotic markers, was markedly increased in dexamethasone control mice; however, their expression was effectively reduced in the EEFS-fed mice. EEFS supplementation also prevented dexamethasone-induced increases in immunoreactivity of muscle fibers for myostatin, an important negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. In addition, EEFS significantly normalized the increased numbers of nitrotyrosine, 4-hydroxynonenal and inducible nitric oxide synthase-positive muscle fibers compared to that found in dexamethasone control mice. These results suggest that EEFS protects dexamethasone-induced muscular atrophy by decreasing apoptosis and inflammatory responses, and EEFS is more likely to be developed as a muscle strengthening agent.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.499-508
• /
• 2017

Objectives : Skeletal muscle atrophy occurs in response to a variety of conditions. The unloading to muscle occurs clinically in limb immobilization, bed rest, spinal cord injury and peripheral nerve damage, resulting in significant loss of muscle mass and force production. Muscle disuse is accompanied by an increase in apoptotic signaling, which mediates some of the responses to unloading in the muscle. In this study we tested the hypothesis that Daeyeoung-jeon extract would improve muscle recovery after reloading following disuse. Method : Twenty young male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the studies. The hindlimb immobilization was performed with casting tape to keep the left ankle joint in a fully extended position. No intervention was performed on the right leg and used as intact region. The Rats in Daeyeoung-jeon treated group (DYJ) were orally administrated Daeyeoung-jeon water extract, and rats of Control group were given with saline only. After 2 weeks of immobilization, all animals were sacrificed, and the whole gastrocnemius muscles were dissected from both legs. The morphology of right and left gastrocnemius muscles in both DYJ and Control groups were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Moreover, to investigate the immobilization-induced muscular apoptosis, the immunohistochemical analysis of Bax and Bcl-2 was carried out. Results : Daeyeoung-jeon represented the significant protective effects against the reductions of the left gastrocnemius muscles weight and average cross section area to compared with Control group. The treatment with Daeyeoung-jeon extract significantly reduced the immunoreactivity of BAX and increased the immunoreactivity of Bcl-2 in gastrocnemius muscle compared with Control group. Conclusion : Daeyeoung-jeon has protective effects against immobilization-induced muscle atrophy by regulating the activities of apoptosis-associated BAX/Bcl-2 proteins in gastrocnemius muscle.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.145-151
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of a herbal formula, PerioH-035, containing Angelica sinensis, steamed Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica dahurica, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, and Zanthoxylum piperitum on the periodontal breakdown in a well-established ligature-induced periodontitis model in rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: NL (non-ligatured), L (ligatured), P1 (ligatured and treated with 1 mg/mL PerioH-035), P100 (ligatured and treated with 100 mg/mL PerioH-035). Periodontitis was induced by placing a ligature around the mandibular first molars. PerioH-035 was topically applied to both sides of the first molar for 2 weeks. The right side of the mandibles was retrieved for micro-computed tomography (CT) and methylene blue staining to analyze alveolar bone loss. The left side of the mandibles was histologically analyzed by TRAP and H&E staining. The MMP-9 mRNA level in gingival tissue was investigated by RT-PCR. Results: Alveolar bone resorption was significantly reduced in the PerioH-035-treated groups. The number of dense multi-nucleated cells found to be TRAP-positive by staining in the ligatured rats was markedly decreased by PerioH-035 application. In addition, periodontal tissue destruction, especially cementum demineralization, was ameliorated in the P1 and P100 groups. Moreover, gingival tissue from the PerioH-035-treated group showed a decrease in the MMP-9 mRNA level, resulting in recovery of collagen degradation. Conclusions: These results suggest that PerioH-035 has therapeutic effects on periodontitis, and thus, PerioH-035 shows promise as a treatment for periodontitis.

• Water for future
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.95-100
• /
• 1977

The empirical area-reduction method by W.M. Borland and C.R. Miller and its revised procedure by W.T. Moody were made of fitting the area and storage curves to the Van't Hul distributions. It should be noted that the reservoir is classified into one of the four standard types on the basis of the topographical feature of the reservoir in application of the method. In other words, this method did not take into account several considerafble factors affecting the mode of sediment deposition, but only the shape of the reservoir as a governign factor. This is why the method occasionally creates ambiguity in classification and accordingly leads to unexpected mode of deposition. This paper describes a generating an formula to decide the standard classification of four types Van's Hul distributions, taking into consideration quantitatively sediment-loss percent and capacity-inflow ratio as well as the shape of the reservoirs by multiple regression analysis using the least square method to get a better fit to the design curves. The result is expressed as $Y=-1.95+55.8X_1+0.14X_2+0.12X_3$ in which the the values of Y locate the standard type I through type IV in the range from ten to forty with the interval of ten. The regression analysis was correlated well with the standard errors of estimate of around two except for the case of the type IV. This formula does not give big difference from the Borland's work in general sityation, but it demonstrates acceptable results, giving somewhat precise replys for the specific reservoirs. Its application to the Soyang Lake, one of the largest reservoirs in the country, defined clearly the type II, while the original method located it in the boundary of the type II and type III.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.11-22
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Hwangyeonhaedok-tang(HHDT) has been traditionally used for various clinical symptoms associated with gastrointestinal disorder, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammation in the Oriental medicine. However, little is known for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of HHDT on dextran-sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Methods : In this study, we investigated an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of HHDT on DSS-induced colitis in mice. An experimental colitis was induced by daily treatment with 5% DSS. HHDT was orally administrated the various concentrations(25-100 mg/kg, body weight/day) for 7 days with one time per day. Results : HHDT reduced significantly clinical sign of DSS-induced colitis, including body weight loss, shorten colon length, disease activity index(DAI), and histological colon injury. HHDT also inhibited significantly serum NO and prostaglandine $E_2(PGE_2)$ productions in DSS-induced colitis mice. Furthermore, HDDT increased significantly an superoxide anion(SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase(GPx) activity of the colon tissue in DSS-induced colitis mice. Conclusions : These results suggest that HHDT administration could reduce significantly the clinical signs and inflammatory mediators, and increase antioxidant activity in DSS-induced colitis model mice and is a good candidate for further evaluation as an effective anti-ulcerative agent.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.85-98
• /
• 2009

The fruits of Schisandra chinensis and Prunus mume have been traditionally used in the Oriental countries as an astringent against diarrhea and abdominal pain, a protectant for liver disease, an antimicrobial, and a blood tonic. However, little is known about the extract of Schizandrae Fructus and Mume Fructus (SMF-Ex) on dextran-sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of SMF-Ex on DSS-induced colitis in mice. An experimental colitis was induced by daily treatment with 5% DSS. SMF-Ex was orally administrated the single dose (80 mg/kg, body weight/day) for 7 days with one time per day. SMF-Ex reduced significantly clinical sign of DSS-induced colitis, including body weight loss, shorten colon length, increased disease activity index (DAI), and histological colon injury. SMF-Ex also inhibited significantly nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandine $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) productions in DSS-induced colitis mice. Furthermore, SMF-Ex increased significantly an superoxide anion (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) activity of the colon tissue in DSS-induced colitis mice. These results suggest that SMF-Ex administration could reduce significantly the clinical signs and inflammatory mediators, and increase antioxidant activity in DSS-induced colitis model mice and is a good candidate for further evaluation as an effective anti-ulcerative agent.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.171-182
• /
• 2008

The aqueous extract of Schisandra chinensis, Evodia rutaecarpa and meal (SEM-Ex) has been traditionally used in the Oriental countries as an astringent. However, little is known about the effects of aqueous extract of SEM-Ex on dextran-sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of SEM-Ex on DSS-induced colitis in mice. An experimental colitis was induced by daily treatment with 5% DSS. SEM-Ex was orally administered from day 2 of DSS treatment in the different dose (10-50 mg/kg body weight). SEM-Ex reduced significantly clinical sign of DSS-induced colitis, including body weight loss, shorten colon length, increased disease activity index (DAI), and histological colon injury. Moreover, SEM-Ex suppressed significantly not only the serum haptoglobin levels and the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO), but also the colon tissue expression levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in DSS-induced mice. In contrast, SEM-Ex increased significantly the colon tissue expression levels of granular colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) well known as anti-inflammatory cytokine. These results suggest that SEM-Ex administration could reduce significantly the clinical signs and regulate of chemokine and anti-inflammatory cytokine in DSS-induced model mice. Therefore, these properties may contribute to the strong anti-ulcerative colitis (UC) response effect of SEM-Ex.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.311-321
• /
• 2016

Chronic or acute alcohol abuse often leads to liver injury associated with alcoholic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. In addition to the liver, alcohol abuse also induces a variety of other tissue injuries including pancreatitis, cardiomyopathy, neurotoxicity and muscle loss. Chronic skeletal muscle myopathy, independent of peripheral neuropathy, is well recognised in alcoholic patients. Several mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of alcoholic myopathy. Ethanol is a potent inhibitor of muscle protein synthesis. Gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles are Type II fiber-predominant and usually considered representative of the musculature as a whole. Whereas, soleus muscle is Type I fiber predominant. Shihosogan-san is a traditional Korean medicine that is widely employed to treat indigestion and liver diseases. Muscle diseases are often related to liver diseases and conditions. We therefore tested the hypothesis that treatment with Shihosogan-san could ameliorate the ethanol-induced changes in muscle protein synthesis. Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were orally given 25% ethanol (5ml/kg, body weight) daily with Ethanol for 28 days. Normal group was similarly administrated with saline. In Shihosogan-san treated group, rats were orally administrated Shihosogan-san extract, and rats of EtOH group were given with the vehicle only. After 4 week, the morphology of gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. For comparative purposes, liver function was also investigated. The muscles from rats of EtOH group displayed a significant reduction in average cross section area compared to Normal group. Shihosogan-san treated group had increased fiber compared to the EtOH group. Moreover, Shihosogan-san treated group compared with EtOH group showed significantly decreased pro-apoptotic BAX expression and increased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression. In conclusion, Shihosogan-san extract showed ameliorating effects on chronic alcohol toxicity in skeletal muscle.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.267-277
• /
• 2010

Objective : Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The typical presentation of patients with MELAS syndrome includes features such as mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke like episodes. Other features, such as seizures, diabetes mellitus, hearing loss, cardiac disease, short stature, endocrinopathies, exercise intolerance, and neuropsychiatric dysfunction are clearly part of the disorder. Approximately 80% of patients with the clinical characteristics of MELAS syndrome have a genetic mutation. This progressive disorder is reported to have a high morbidity and mortality. This case report is intended to estimate clinical effects of oriental meedicinal treatment of MELAS syndrome. Methods : A 44 year old female patient diagnosed as MELSA syndrome was treated with general oriental medicinal therapy including acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, pharmacupunture and herbal medication in 20XX in Wonkwang Medical Center Gwangju. And the changes in symptoms and signs were evaluated as time dependently. Results : Although there is currently no curable treatment and MEALS syndrome is tend to progress, our treatment showed improvement in general weakness, gait disturbance and pain in the patient. Conclusion : Our case report suggests that various oriental medicinal treatment could be effective for improvement of MELAS syndrome and may represent a new potential therapeutic approach to control the disease. It could be applied to improve general condition, prevent relapse, enhance the quality of life and reduce complaints in the patient.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
• /
• v.36 no.9A
• /
• pp.758-766
• /
• 2011

Cooperative communications are adopted as a promising solution to achieve high data rate over large areas in the future 40 wireless system and the relay station (RS) is the key concept in cooperative communications. However, most existing works in this area focus only on optimal RS selections. In addition, there are only few works consider another crucial issue: how many relay stations we need to place. Only when the number of relay stations is defined, the relay station selection can be performed well. In this paper we derive a formula which describes the impact of varying number of RS on end-to-end link throughput assuming a clustering scheme which is based on Voronoi tessellation. In addition to mathematical analysis on the feasibility of the formula, we also examine its performance through a set of simulations under the Erceg path loss model. Simulation results verify that the link throughput gain of our proposed scheme is promising.