• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.51-68
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• 2017

Objectives : Oxidative stress due to excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the risk factors for the development of several chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Methods : In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of cheongnoemyeongsin-hwan (CNMSH) against oxidative stress‑induced cellular damage and elucidated the underlying mechanisms in neuronal-derived SH-SY5Y cells. Results : Our results revealed that treatment with CNMSH prior to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) exposure significantly increased the SH-SY5Y cell viability, indicating that the exposure of the SH-SY5Y cells to CNMSH conferred a protective effect against oxidative stress. CNMSH also effectively attenuated H2O2‑induced comet tail formation, and decreased the phosphorylation levels of the histone ${\gamma}H2AX$, as well as the number of apoptotic bodies and Annexin V‑positive cells. In addition, CNMSH exhibited scavenging activity against intracellular ROS generation and restored the mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) loss that were induced by H2O2, suggesting that CNMSH prevents H2O2‑induced DNA damage and cell apoptosis. Moreover, H2O2 enhanced the cleavage of caspase-3 and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase, a typical substrate protein of activated caspase-3, as well as DNA fragmentation; however, these events were almost totally reversed by pretreatment with CNMSH. Furthermore, CNMSH increased the levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is a potent antioxidant enzyme, associated with the induction of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). According to our data, CNMSH is able to protect SH-SY5Y cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis throughout blocking cellular damage related to oxidative stress through a mechanism that would affect ROS elimination and activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Conclusions : Therefore, we believed that CNMSH may potentially serve as an agent for the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases caused by oxidative stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.93-100
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• 2015

Pachymic acid (PA) is a lanostane-type triterpenoid derived from the Poria cocos mushroom. Several beneficial biological features of PA provide medicine with a wide variety of valuable effects, such as anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity; it also has antioxidant effects against oxidative stress. Nonetheless, the biological properties and mechanisms that produce this anti-cancer action of PA remain largely undetermined. In this study, we investigated the pro-apoptotic effects of PA in T24 human bladder cancer cells. It was found that PA could inhibit the cell growth of T24 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies and chromatin condensation and accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. The induction of apoptotic cell death by PA was connected with an up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax and Bad protein expression and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins, and inhibition of apoptosis family proteins. In addition, apoptosis-inducing concentrations of PA induced the activation of caspase-9, an initiator caspase of the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathway, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase. PA also induced apoptosis via a death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathway by caspase-8 activation, resulting in the truncation of Bid and suggesting the existence of cross-talk between the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Taken together, the present results suggest that PA may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human bladder cancer cells.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.202-218
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• 2006

Purpose : Because girls at puberty· are lack in sex ability, temporary menstruation disorder can be occured. This disorder is considered that will be disappeared as growing, so people used to leave the disease untreated and just watched. But clinically I frequently experience not to disappear. So I have carried out this study to investigate the actual condition of young girls's menstrual disorders. Methods : I researched 440 high school girls in Pusan by Menstruation Diary which I made about menstrual cycle, duration, amount and pain. The results were managed by the ststistics. Results :1. Menstrual cycle 1) In disorder of menstrual cycle, persons who have Bate menstruation are more than persons who have premature menstruation. 2) Persons who have normal menstrual cycle are in 124 persons(28.51%), the others who have severe premature menstruation or late menstruation more than one time for 4-7 months are in 311 Persons.(71.49%) 2. Menstrual duration and amount 1) Persons who have normal menstrual amount we in 66-89%, hypermenorrhea is in 1-11%, hypomenorrhea is in 5-21%. 2) In the study of menstrual duration, persons more than one thirds are irregular in thier menstrual amount every menstruation. 3) In the study of MMQ, persons who are irregular in thier menstrual amount every menstruation are in 125persons.(29.76%) 3. Menstrual pain 1) Persons who have slight menstrual pain are in 289 persons(65.98%), the middle is in 86 persons(19.63%) the severe is in 34 persons(7.76%) by MMP. 2) Persons who are irregular in thier menstrual pain every menstruation are in 145 persons.(33.11%) Conclusion : In menstrual cycle, there are more persons who have irregular menstrual cycle than normal.(71.49%) In menstrual duration and amount, more persons have normal menstrual amount.(66-89%) In menstrual pain, persons who have slight menstrual pain are the most.(65.98%)

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.604-614
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• 2020

Chronological aging and photoaging affect appearance, causing wrinkles, pigmentation, texture changes, and loss of elasticity in the skin. Phragmites communis is a tall perennial herb used for its high nutritional value and for medicinal purposes, such as relief from fever and vomiting and facilitation of diuresis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of P. communis rhizome (PCE) on skin aging. The total flavonoid and total phenolic content in PCE were 2.92 ± 0.007 ㎍ of quercetin equivalents (QE) and 231.8 ± 0.001 ㎍ of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 mg of dried extract (n = 3). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of PCE for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities were 0.96 and 0.97 mg/mL, respectively. PCE showed inhibitory effects on tyrosinase when L-tyrosine (IC50 = 1.25 mg/mL) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (IC50 = 0.92 mg/mL) were used as substrates. PCE treatment up to 200 ㎍/mL for 24 h did not cause any significant cytotoxicity in B16F10 melanocytes, human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and HaCaT keratinocytes. In B16F10 melanocytes, PCE (25 and 50 ㎍ /mL) inhibited melanin production and cellular tyrosinase activity after challenge with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH; p < 0.05). In HDFs, PCE suppressed the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and reduced the activity of elastase (p < 0.05). In addition, ultraviolet B (UVB)-mediated downregulation of hyaluronic acid synthase-2 gene expression in HaCaT keratinocytes was also effectively suppressed by PCE treatment. Overall, our results showed that PCE has potential anti-skin aging activity associated with the suppression of hyperpigmentation, wrinkle formation, and reduction in dryness. PCE is a promising candidate for the development of an anti-skin aging cosmetic ingredient.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.537-550
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• 2009

During the last two decades, there has been an increasing interest in the impact of oral health on atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD). To date, some periodontal pathogens including Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) have been reported to be relevant to CVD. Porphyromonas endodontalis (P. endodontalis), which shares approximately 87% sequence homology with P. gingivalis, is mostly found within infected root canals. However, recent studies reveal that this pathogen also resides in the dental plaque or periodontal pocket in patients with periodontitis. It has been shown that P. endodontalis invades human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) and coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMC). To evaluate whether P. endodontalis can participate in the progression of atherosclerosis and CVD, we examined the changes in transcriptional gene expression profiles of HCAEC responding to invaion by P. endodontalis in this study. The following results were obtained. 1. Porphyromonas endodontalis was invasive of HCAEC. 2. According to the microarray analysis, there were 625 genes upregulated more than two-folds, while there were 154 genes downregulated by half. 3. Upregulated genes were relevant to inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, coagulation and immune response. Enhanced expression of MMP-1 was also noticeable. 4. The transcription profiles of the 10 selected genes examined by real-time PCR agreed well with those observed in the microarray analysis. Thus, these results show that P. endodontalis presents the potential to trigger and augment atherosclerosis leading to CVD.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.1-6
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• 2017

Objectives : Corni Fructus (CF) is traditional herbal medicine used on polyuria, low back pain, and tinnitus. This study aimed to evaluate inhibits skin wrinkle formation effect of CF. Methods : To evaluate the produce inhibition effect of CF, SD-rats were distributed into four groups; normal rats (Nor), AGEs (advenced glycation end product)-induced rats (Con), AGEs-induced rats treated with 100mg/kg CF (CF). To induce AGEs, streptozotocin (50mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally and after 3 days oral administrated 100mM methyl glyoxal for 3 weeks. Results : The oral administration of CF suppressed the reactive oxygen specis (ROS) in serum. The AGEs in skin tissues was significantly reduced through treatment of CF. Furthermore, the expressions of AGEs related proteins such as polyclonal anti-$N^e$-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), anti-$N^e$-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), AGE receptors (RAGE) were decreased in CF treated group compared with the control group in skin tissues. Inflammation-related proteins such as Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) reduced in CF treatment group than control group. AGE-induced rats exhibited that the significant decreased collagen however, CF treatment (100mg/kg of body weight) up regulated collagen by improved the expression levels of skin fibril-related genes such as Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1). Conclusion : Taken together, our study suggests that CF regulates ROS to prevent accumulation of AGEs and inhibits skin wrinkles. Our finding indicate that CF may be an effective agent for inhibits AGEs formation, and improved skin wrinkle.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.7-12
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• 2017

Objectives : Recently, numerous studies reported that excessive generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) stimulated expression of skin wrinkle related proteins. This study aimed to evaluate inhibits skin wrinkle formation effect of Mori Folium (MF) through decreased AGEs. Methods : To evaluate the skin wrinkle inhibition effect of MF, SD-rats were divided into three groups; normal rats (Nor), AGEs-induced rats (Con), AGEs-induce rats treated with MF at dose of 100mg/kg body weight (MF). To induced AGEs, streptozotocin (50mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally, and after 3 days, 100mM methyl glyoxal was administered orally for 3 weeks. After the experiment, the animal's dorsal skin tissues and serum were separated and tested. Results : The oral administration of MF suppressed the AGEs level in serum. Also, the AGEs in skin tissues was significantly reduced through treatment of MF compared with control group. Moreover, the expressions of AGEs related proteins such as polyclonal anti-$N^e$-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML), anti-$N^e$-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), AGE receptors (RAGE) were reduced in MF group compared with the control group in kidney and skin tissues. The matrix metallo proteinase-1 (MMP-1) reduced by MF treatment with the result that collagen type 1 alpha 2 (COL1A2) was improved that reduced by accumulation of AGEs. Conclusion : The evidence of this study indicate that oral administration of MF reduces the levels of AGEs in serum, skin, and kidney tissues. In conclusion, MF inhibit skin wrinkle formation, suggesting the potential of anti-wrinkle material.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.53-60
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• 2017

Objectives : Collagen decrease of Skin appears through various path ways. One of causes may be the Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) that combine formation of glucose and protein. The aim of this study was to explore the prevent wrinkle formation of Paeoniae radix (PR) and heated Paeoniae radix (HPR) via AGEs path way. Methods : AGEs formation inhibitory activities of PR and HPR measured using bovine serum albumin, glucose, and fructose. To evaluate the protective effects of PR and HPR in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ) and methyl glyoxal (MGO), SD rat were distributed into four groups. Normal rats (Nor), AGEs-induced rats (Con), AGEs-induced rats treated with 100 mg/kg PR(PR), AGEs-induced rats treated with 100 mg/kg HPR (HPR). To induce AGEs, streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally and after 3 days administrated 100mM methyl glyoxal for 3 weeks. Results : The oral administration of HPR inhibited AGEs in skin tissues compared with PR. The increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the serum were diminished by HPR treatment. The analyses of kidney and skin tissues proteins indicated that HPR treatment effectively reduced AGEs related protein levels as compared to that by PR treatment. Also, HPR decreased anti-oxidant related protein levels in skin tissues such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase. Moreover, it inhibited the reduction of COL1A2 by decreasing MMP-1. Conclusion : Based on these results, it was suggested that PR and HPR could have Improving effects on wrinkle formation. These evidences provide useful information for the development wrinkle formation treated agent.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.97-107
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• 2023

Aristolochic acid (AA), extracted from Aristolochiaceae plants, plays an essential role in traditional herbal medicines and is used for different diseases. However, AA has been found to be nephrotoxic and is known to cause aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). AA-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome in AAN with a high morbidity that manifests mitochondrial damage as a key part of its pathological progression. Melatonin primarily serves as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. However, its mitochondrial protective role in AA-induced AKI is barely reported. In this study, mice were administrated 2.5 mg/kg AA to induce AKI. Melatonin reduced the increase in Upro and Scr and attenuated the necrosis and atrophy of renal proximal tubules in mice exposed to AA. Melatonin suppressed ROS generation, MDA levels and iNOS expression and increased SOD activities in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, the in vivo study revealed that melatonin decreased mitochondrial fragmentation in renal proximal tubular cells and increased ATP levels in kidney tissues in response to AA. In vitro, melatonin restored the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in NRK-52E and HK-2 cells and led to an elevation in ATP levels. Confocal immunofluorescence data showed that puncta containing Mito-tracker and GFP-LC3A/B were reduced, thereby impeding the mitophagy of tubular epithelial cells. Furthermore, melatonin decreased LC3A/B-II expression and increased p62 expression. The apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells induced by AA was decreased. Therefore, our findings revealed that melatonin could prevent AA-induced AKI by attenuating mitochondrial damage, which may provide a potential therapeutic method for renal AA toxicity.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2001

Purpose : Expression of TIMP, intrinsic inhibitor of MMP, is regulated by signal transduction in response to genotoxins and is likely to be an important step in metastasis, angiogenesis and wound healing after ionizing radiation. Therefore, we studied radiation mediated TIMP expression and its mechanism in head and neck cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods : Human head and neck cancer cell lines established at Asan Medical Center were used and radiosensitivity $(D_0)$, radiation cytotoxicity and metastatic potential were measured by clonogenic assay, n assay and invasion assay, respectively. The conditioned medium was prepared at 24 hours and 48 hours after 2 Gy and 10 Gy irradiation and expression of TIMP protein was measured by Elisa assay with specific antibodies against human TIMP. hTIMP1 promoter region was cloned and TIMP1 luciferase reporter vector was constructed. The reporter vector was transfected to AMC-HN-1 and -HN-9 cells with or without expression vector Ras, then the cells were exposed to radiation or PMA, PKC activator. EMSA was peformed with oligonucleotide (-59/-53 element and SP1) of TIMP1 promoter. Results : $D_0$ of HN-1, -2, -3, -5 and -9 cell lines were 1.55 Gy, 1.8 Gy, 1.5 Gt, 1.55 Gy and 2.45 Gy respectively. n assay confirmed cell viability, over $94\%$ at 24hrs, 48hrs after 2 Gy irradiation and over 73% after 10 Gy irradiation. Elisa assay confirmed that cells secreted TIMP1, 2 proteins continuously. After 2 Gy irradiation, TIMP2 secretion was decreased at 24hrs in HN-1 and HN-9 cell lines but after 10 Gy irradiation, it was increased in all cell lines. At 48hrs after irradiation, it was increased in HN-1 but decreased in HN-9 cells. But the change in TIMP secretion by RT was mild. The transcription of TIMP1 gene in HN-1 was induced by PMA but in HN-9 cell lines, it was suppressed. Wild type Ras induced the TIMP-1 transcription by 20 fold and 4 fold in HN-1 and HN-9 respectively. The binding activity to -59/-53, AP1 motif was increased by RT, but not to SP1 motif in both cell lines. Conclusions : We observed the difference of expression and activity of TIMPs between radiosensitive and radioresistant cell line and the different signal transduction pathway between in these cell lines may contribute the different radiosensitivity. Further research to investigate the radiation response and its signal pathway of TIMPs is needed.