• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2014

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extract on nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production and on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging in macrophages. Methods: Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (300 g) was heated at $100^{\circ}C$ with distilled water (2 L) for 4 hours. The extract was filtered and concentrated to 100 mL by using a rotary evaporator, was frozen at $-80^{\circ}C$, and was then freeze-dried by using a freezing-drying system. The RAW 264.7 macrophage was subcultured by using $10-{\mu}g/mL$ lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In order to evaluate cytotoxicity, we performed 3-(4,5-dimrthylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays and measured the cell viability. The NO production was measured by using Griess assays, and the $PGE_2$ production was measured by using enzyme immunoassays. The antioxidant activity, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging capability, was measured by using the DPPH method. Results: Cell viability with the 1-, 5-, 25-, 125- and $625-{\mu}g/mL$ Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extract was not significantly decreased compared to the cell viability without the extract. When 125 and $625{\mu}g/mL$ of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extract were used, nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages was significantly inhibited compared to that in the control group. When 25, 125, and $625{\mu}g/mL$ of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extract were used, $PGE_2$ production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages was significantly inhibited compared to that in the control group. The 125- and $625-{\mu}g/mL$ Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extracts had high DPPH free-radical scavenging capabilities in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusion: This study indicates that Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extract suppresses NO and $PGE_2$ production and improves DPPH free-radical scavenging capability. Thus, it seems that Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix hot aqueous extract may have an anti-inflammation effect and antioxidant activity.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.289-299
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• 2004

Background : Although the pathophysiology of asthma has been reported, its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The mast cell is an effector cells in allergic inflammation and secretes a number of chemokines. Chemokines are important for the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of infection, which is essential in host defense. Chemokines also contribute to the pathogenesis of several disorders such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Objective : In this study, the aim was to identify the effect of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) on expression of chemokines. This was examined by RT-PCR using the human mast cell line (HMC-l) Materials and Methods : HMC-l cells were used, which is known to secrete and express chemokines. In order to investigate the protective effect of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯), HMC-l cells were incubated with pretreatment of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) for 24 hrs. RT-PCR analyses of chemokine genes of cells pretreated with Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) showed that expressions of IL-8, $MIP-l{\beta}$, and RANTES genes in these cells were lower and $MIP-l{\alpha}$ showed a similar pattern compared to the calcium ionophore-treated group. In addition, cell cytotoxicity concentration measurements were performed by MTT assay method. Results : After stimulation with 1 uM calcium ionophore A23178 for 2 hrs, IL-8, major one of CXC chemokines, was highly expressed, and expression of $MIP-l{\beta}$ and RANTES (CC chemokines) increased, while expression of $MIP-l{\alpha}$ did not change. The cell cytotoxicity of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) with treatments at various concentrations and times was not observed, respectively. Conclusion : This study suggests that Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) has dose-dependent effects on mRNA expression of IL-8(CXC chemokines), $MIP-l{\beta}$ and RANTES(CC chemokines) in human mast cellline(HMC-l). So these herbal medicines may inhibit the inflammatory process of asthma. Advanced studies are required to investigate the mechanism of inhibition by herbal medicine in the asthma model. This study provides basic data on the possibility of the clinical treatment of Baekryunchihyo-tang(白蓮治哮湯) for allergic disorders.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2008

Objective : Herb medicines are potential sources of useful edible and medicinal plants. They are used as a drug because of their various biological activities such as immunomodulatory, antiviral, and antitumor functions. Nelumbo nucifera have been applied in Chinese herbal prescriptions to improve tissue inflammation. However, it has not been elucidated on the effect of the flower of Nelumbo nucifera in cells. Method : In the present study, to examine the effect of that on glioma cells, U87, the essential oil was extracted from the flower of Nelumbo nucifera (NN essential oil). U87 cells were exposed to different concentrations of 2-40 ug/ml of NN essential oil in ethanol. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay at 24 h. To find out the intracellular target signal molecule(s) for this antiproliferative activity of NN essential oil, phosphorylation of Akt, ERM, MAPK or p38 proteins were examined by Western blot analysis. To study long term effect of NN essential oil in U87 cells, the image of cells treated with NN essential oil for 4 days were obtained. Results and Conclusion : NN essential oil was shown to exhibit antitumor activity in glioma cells, at a broad range of concentrations of 10-40 ug/ml. The phosphorylation of Akt and Endoplasmic Reticulum Matrix (ERM) proteins which known to be involved in the cell death, were gradually decreased to 2 hours after addition 20 ug/ml of NN essential oil. However, the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAPK) and p38 was found to increase in NN essential oil treated cells. NN essential oil treated cells showed decreased glioma cell number. These results provide a possible NN essential oil-induced inhibitory signal for tumor cell proliferation that is initiated by the decrease in Akt activity. Moreover, it is likely that the activation of p38 is required for the NN essential oil-induced inhibition of tumor proliferation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1644-1650
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• 2008

The essential oil of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) is widely used in traditional Australian medicine for skin lesions and infected injuries. In the present study, we investigated the chemical composition, cytotoxicity and its biological activities. The composition of the oil was analyzed by GC-MS. ${\beta}$-Terpinene (20.87%), ${\alpha}$-pinene (17.60%), p-cymene (11.23%), 3-carene (10.40%), trans-anethole (8.47%) and limonene (4.65%) were the major components in the oil. The results tested by MTT assay indicated that the oil showed no cytotoxic effect, at concentrations up to 5%, for less than 3h. The antiradical capacity was evaluated by measuring the scavenging activity of the essential oil on the 2,20-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis 3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals. The oil was able to reduce the both radicals dose-dependently, and the concentration required for 50% reduction ($RC_{50}$) against ABTS radicals ($1.6{\pm}0.02%$) was slightly lower than DPPH radicals ($2.6{\pm}0.29%$). The direct contact and vapor-phase antibacterial activity of the oil were also evaluated using disc diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Listeria monocytogenes, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. All the Gram-negative bacterial strains tested showed more sensibility to the oil than the Gram-positive strains when compare to the effect of gentamycin. On the other hand, the vapor phase of the essential oil against S. aureus exhibited strongest inhibitory effect.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.877-884
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• 2010

We investigated the growth inhibitory effect of internal organs of Aplysia kurodai (AK) on proliferation in cancer cell lines in vitro. The internal organs of AK were extracted with methanol (AKM), which were then further fractionated into four subfractions by using solvent partition method, resulting in hexane (AKMH), methanol (AKMM), butanol (AKMB), and aqueous (AKMA) soluble fractions. We determined the cytotoxic effect of these four fractions in four kinds of cancer cell lines - HepG2, MCF-7, HT29 and B16-F10 - by MTT assay. Among the four subfractions of AKM, AKMM showed the strongest cytotoxic effects on all cancer cell lines which were used. Morphological changes such as membrane shrinking and blebbing of cells were also observed in AKMM treatment in HepG2 cells. In addition, we also observed quinone reductase (QR) induced effect in the methanol layer (AKMM) of HepG2 cells. AKMM showed the highest induction activity of quinone reductase on HepG2 cells among the partition layers. The QR induced effect of AKMM was determined to be 2.4 at $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ level with a control value of 1.0. Although further studies are needed, the present work suggests that internal organs of Aplysia kurodai (AK) may be a chemopreventive agent for the treatment of human cells.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.144-154
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• 1994

Final goal of periodontal treatment is to reconstruct the destructed periodontal tissue as well as to remove the necrotic pathologic elements. The purpose of this study is to investigate on the effect of Zizyphi extract to the inhibitory ability on collagenolytic activity of P gingivalis, biologic activity of gingival fibroblasts, and on the collagen and protein synthesis of gingival fibroblasts. Gingival fibroblast from giniva of first bicuspids from patient for orthodontic treatment were used and cultured. For the measurement of inhibitory ability of collagenolytic activity, crude enzyme was extracted and used on the basis of modified Ono's method. On the inhibition of collagenolytic enzyme from herbal extracts, collagenokit CLN-100 were used. The cellular activity of gingival fibroblast, were studied using MTT solution and measured optical density on 570mm by ELISA reader. To measure the effects on the ability of whole protein and collagen synthesis, cell membrane was destructed with ultrasonic grinder after culturing, centrifuged and counted by liquid scintilation counter. The inhibitory effects on producing of $IL-l{\beta}$ by monocyte, after promotion of producing $IL-l{\beta}$ by LPS, were compared with the mixture of herbal extracts and other drugs using thymocyte stimulation assay. About inhibitory effects of $PGF_2$. by gingival fibroblasts, herbal extract was compared with the addition of the other control groups using enzyme imunoassay. On the inhibition of collagenolytic activity by P. gingivalis, benzene extracts showed the most efficient inhibitory effects among the $19{\mu}g/ml$ of the compared extracts and 40.5% by Tetracycline. On the cellular activity promoting effects, compared extracts showed a bit of more effects than PDGF of $100{\mu}g/ml$ concentration and IGF of $20{\mu}g/ml$ concentration. All of the PDGF, IGF, Zizyphi Fructus extract should increase in collagen synthesis, but especially 70% ethylalcohol extracts of Zizyphi Fructus showed comparably high effects among the compared extracts. Effects on whole protein synthesis were slightly increased on every extract but especially 70% ethylalcohol extract showed significantly effective than any other estract. On the inhibitory effects of Zizyphi Fructus $IL-l{\beta}$ production by monocyte, compared extracts showed 70% of highly inhibitory effect than that of 60% inhibition effects on controlled group and each extracts showed no significant difference. In $PGF_2$ production inhibitroy effect of Zizyphi Fructus gingival fibroblasts, Herbal extracts showed 70% of inhibition comparing with tat of 90.2% of controlled group, but each extracts showed similar effects excluding the $H_2O$ extracts. These results suggested that Zizyphi Fructus might be useful medicine for inhibition of inflammatory mediator including $IL-l{\beta}$ and $PGF_2$.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.165-177
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to perform on the biological activity of Magnolia and Zizyphi fructus extract mixtures on the wound healing of defected rat calvaria. For the determination of the mixture ratio of two extracts for oral administration, preliminary experiments were performed with the mixture combination of 2000 and $3000{\mu}g/ml$ of Magnolia extract, and also 20, 30, 200, 300, 2000 and $3000{\mu}g/ml$ of Zizyphi fructus extract, respectively and divided into 6 groups. The combination of extracts mixture were tested on the enhancing effect of cellular activity. The effect of the extracts mixture on the cellular activity was evaluated using MTT method and measured on the results with optical density by ELISA reader. The ability to tissue regeneration of the extracts mixture was performed by measuring new bone and new connective tissue regeneration on the 5mm defected rat calvaria for 1, 2 and 3 weeks after oral administration of 2 different dosages groups : 10:1(0.1g/kg) and 10:1(0.5g/kg). It was employed the same dosages of unsaponifiable fraction of Zea Mays L as positive controls. Each group of rat was sacrificed and en bloc section for histological examination. The effect on the cellular activity of each mixture ratio showed significantly higher in $2000{\mu}g/ml$ of Magnolia extract and $200{\mu}g/ml$ of Zizyphi fructus extract group to compare with other groups. These preliminary results showed that appropriate mixture ratio of two extracts was 10:1 of Magnolia and Zizyphi fructus extract. Histological examination on the activity of tissue regeneration of each group showed that 2weeks and 3weeks specimens of 0.5g/kg of 10:1 extract mixture of Magnolia and Ziziphi fructus administrated rat calvaria revealed significantly more osteoid and new bone formation of defected calvaria with unification of defected area than the specimens of any other negative and positive controls. Even though the specimen administrated the same dosages of unsaponifiable fraction of Zea Mays L, positive controls, showed the trend that they promote significantly the repair of calvarial defect, their bone reparative activities were less inductive than the same dosages of Magnolia and Ziziphi fructus extract mixture. These results implicated that the mixture of Magnolia and Zizyphi fructus extracts should be highly effective on the wound healing of bony defected site and might have potential possibilities as an useful drug to promote periodontal tissue regeneration.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-84
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• 2018

Wet wipes are being increasingly used because of their convenience. Particularly, oral wet wipes are useful for regular cleaning of a baby's mouth after birth. Therefore, the consumption of oral wet wipes has increased over the past few years and a variety of products are commercially available. However, product information on safety is not sufficiently provided and still raises doubts regarding adverse effects. To confirm the safety of wet wipes as an oral hygiene item and provide information for their use, we investigated the cytotoxicity of oral wet wipes and verified the underlying mechanism. The anti-bacterial effect of oral wet wipes was analyzed using the disk diffusion method. The cytotoxic effects of oral wet wipes were observed based on morphological changes using microscopy and determined using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in gingival epithelial cells and gingival fibroblasts. Evaluation of apoptosis by oral wet wipes was explored using propidium iodide flow cytometric analysis and a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Apoptosis-related molecules were also analyzed using western blotting. Five types of oral wet wipes were tested, and two products from Fisher-Price and Dr. Kennedy revealed strong cytotoxic effects on gingiva epithelial cells and gingiva fibroblasts, although they also showed intense anti-bacterial effects on oral bacteria. Cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and apoptosis were observed based on treatment of extracts from Fisher-Price and Dr. KENNEDY. Relatively high TUNEL levels, reduction of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 expression, and fragmentation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase were also elucidated. These results suggest that commercial oral wet wipes could exert cytotoxic influences on oral tissue, although there are anti-bacterial effects, and careful attention is required, especially for infants and toddlers.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.329-335
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• 2008

Korean Deep ground sea-like water (KDSW) has a similar mineral composition with deep sea water. KDSW has demonstrated its usefulness and attracted in the medical fields. KDSW and Danasoo (desalted deep ground sea-like water) intake improve antioxidant, antidiabetic activity and immunity. Antioxidant activities of KDSW and Dnansoo were measured by using 2,2-diphenyl-l-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, superoxide dismutase-like activity (SODA) and photochemiluminescence (PCL). DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activities of KDSW and Danasoo were remarkably increased in a dose-dependent manner. Antioxidant activities of KDSW and Danasoo 85.32 and 14.02 nmol of ascorbic acid equivalent/ml KDSW and Danasoo, respectively, using the PCL method. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages RAW264.7 cells was inhibited up to 30% by treatment with Danasoo (20%). NO is synthesized by the enzyme of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and plays an important role tumor growth and angiogenesis. The anticancer effects of Danasoo on human gastric and lung cancer cells was performed by levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Danasoo significantly reduced iNOS expression of human gastric cancer (SNU-l) and lung carcinoma (A549). The serum glucose level was significantly reduced by Danasoo (20%) diet in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. These result suggest that KDSW has excellent biological activities and thus it has great potential as a source for natural health products.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.131-137
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• 2014

Objectives : This study is to investigate the effects of Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract on nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin E2(PGE2) production and DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) radical scavenging activity in macrophages. Methods : Acanthopanacis Cortex(200 g) was heated at $100^{\circ}C$ with distilled water(2 L) for 4hrs. The extract was filtered and concentrated to 100 ml using a rotary evaporator and was frozen at $-80^{\circ}C$, then was freeze-dried. The RAW 264.7 macrophages were subcultured. In order to evaluate cytotoxicity, MTT assay was performed. Experimental groups were divided into five(control, AC 25, 50, 100 and 200 ${\mu}g/ml$) and we measured cytotoxicity. The concentrations of NO were preprocessed by Griess assay. The RAW 264.7 macrophages was pretreated by 10 ${\mu}g/ml$ LPS and experimental groups were divided into five and we measured NO production. The concentrations of $PGE_2$ were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The RAW 264.7 macrophages was pretreated by 10 ${\mu}g/ml$ LPS. Experimental groups were divided into five and we measured $PGE_2$ production. Antioxidant activity was measured by the DPPH method. experimental groups were divided into four(AC 25, 50, 100 and 200 ${\mu}g/ml$) and we measured DPPH radical scavenging activity. Results : 1. Viability of RAW 264.7 macrophages did not significantly decrease in 25, 50 and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract compared to control group. 2. NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages significantly inhibited in 100, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$ Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract compared to control group. 3. $PGE_2$ production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages significantly inhibited in 100, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$ Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract compared to control group. 4. DPPH radical scavenging capability of Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract in RAW 264.7 macrophages had the high level in 100, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. Conclusion : According to the results, Acanthopanacis Cortexx hot aqueous extract has ability to suppress NO, $PGE_2$ production and improve DPPH free radical scavenging activity. So Acanthopanacis Cortex hot aqueous extract may have an anti-inflammation effect and antioxidant activity.