• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.65-71
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• 2010

Objectives：To develop and validate HPLC-PDA methods for simultaneous determination of seven constituents in Samchulkunbi-tang (SKT). Additionally, we investigated the cytotoxicity against BEAS-2B cell line and splenocytes of SKT. Methods：Reverse-phase chromatography using a Gemini $C_{18}$ column operating at $40^{\circ}C$, and photodiode array (PDA) detection at 230, 254 and 280 nm, were used for quantification of the three marker components of SKT. The mobile phase using a gradient flow consisted of two solvent systems. Solvent A was 1.0% (v/v) aqueous acetic acid and solvent B was acetonitrile with 1.0% (v/v) acetic acid. The cytotoxicity of SKT were measured by the CCK-8 assay method. Results：Calibration curves were acquired with $r^2$>0.9999, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) values (%) for intra- and inter-day precision were less than 6.0%. The recovery rate of each compound was in the range of 86.89-109.78%, with an RSD less than 4.0%. The contents of seven compounds in SKT were 1.39-6.84 mg/g. SKT had no cytotoxicity effect at 50-200 ${\mu}g$/mL concentrations. Conclusions：The established method will be helpful to improve quality control and in vitro efficacy study of SKT.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2009

A high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the simultaneous determination of marker constituents, paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizin was established for the quality control of traditional herbal medicinal preparation, Sayuk-san (SYS). Separation and quantification were successfully achieved with a Waters XTerra RP18 column ($5{\mu}m$, $4.6mm\;I.D.{\times}150mm$) by gradient elution of a mixture of acetonitrile and water containing 0.03% phosphoric acid (pH 2.03) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The diode-array UV/vis detector (DAD) was used for the detection and the wavelength for quantification was set at 230 nm. The presence of paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizin in this decoction was ascertained by retention time, spiking with each authentic standard and UV spectrum. All two compounds showed good linearity ($r^2$>0.996) in a relatively wide concentration ranges. The R.S.D. for intra-day and inter-day precision was less than 7.3% and the limits of detection (LOD) were less than 55.7 ng. The mean recovery of each compound was $102.3{\sim}111.1%$ with R.S.D. values less than 4.6%. This method was successfully applied to the determination of contents of paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizin in three commercial products of SYS. These results suggest that the developed HPLC method is simple, effective and could be readily utilized as a quality control method for commercial SYS products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.115-119
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• 2015

${\beta}$-cyclodextrin has an ability to protect compounds from oxidative reaction by collecting them within its ring-like structure. So, In harsh condition ($40^{\circ}C$), marker compound, quercetin, was dramatically reduced in Hovenia dulcis fruit extract containing dextrin at 4 and 8 week compared to 0 week, but not that containing ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin. To evaluate the effects of dextrin and ${\beta}$-cyclodextrin on protective effect of H.dulcis fruit extract against alcohol-induced liver damage, The mice were orally injected alcohol, H. dulcis fruit extract/dextrin (HD) and H. dulcis fruit extract/${\beta}$-cyclodextrin (HCD), respectively, for 7 days. The mice orally administrated with alcohol significantly enhanced the serum concentration of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum compared to the control group. HD and HCD significantly decreased the levels of serum ALT and AST and serum LDH activities compared to alcohol group. And also alcohol group significantly increased the level of total cholesterol compared to the control group, but HD and HCD significantly reduced it compared to the alcohol group. However, the levels of TG in blood were not significantly changed in all groups. The activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) were significantly increased in HD and HCD group although those of aldehyde dehydrogenase showed an increasing tendency. This data suggested that HD and HCD were able to induce alcohol degradation in the liver tissues. All together, the results showed that HCD demonstrated their ability to protect liver from alcohol-induced damage on equal terms with HD.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2020

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the process by which epithelial cells lose their characters and acquire the properties of mesenchymal cells. EMT has been reported to exert an essential role in embryonic development. Recently, EMT has emerged as a pivotal mechanism in the metastasis of cancer and the fibrosis of chronic diseases. In particular, EMT is drawing attention as a mechanism of renal fibrosis in chronic kidney diseases such as diabetic nephropathy. In this study, we developed an EMT model by treating TGF-β1 on the podocytes, which play a key role in the renal glomerular filtration. This study explored the effects of Hwanggeum-tang (HGT) recorded in Dongeuibogam as being able to be used for the treatment of Sogal whose concept had been applied to Diabetes Mellitus (DM), on the TGF-β1-induced podocyte EMT. HGT suppressed the expression of vimentin and α-SMA, the EMT marker, in the human podocytes stimulated by TGF-β1. However, HGT increased the expression of ZO-1 and nephrin. Interestingly, HGT selectively inhibited the mTOR pathway rather than the classical Smad pathway. HGT also activated the AMPK signaling. HGT's inhibitory effect on the podocyte EMT through regulation of the mTOR pathway was achieved through the activation of AMPK, which was confirmed by comparison with cells treated with compound C (CC), an inhibitor of AMPK signaling. In conclusion, HGT can be applied to the renal fibrosis by preventing TGF-β1-induced EMT of podocytes through AMPK activation and mTOR inhibition.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2014

Autophagy is a series of catabolic process mediating the bulk degradation of intracellular proteins and organelles through formation of a double-membrane vesicle, known as an autophagosome, and fusing with lysosome. Autophagy plays an important role of death-survival decisions in neuronal cells, which may influence to several neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease. Chebulagic acid, the major constituent of Terminalia chebula and Phyllanthus emblica, is a benzopyran tannin compound with various kinds of beneficial effects. This study was performed to investigate the autophagy enhancing effect of chebulagic acid on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell lines. We determined the effect of chebulagic acid on expression levels of autophagosome marker proteins such as, DOR/TP53INP2, Golgi-associated ATPase Enhancer of 16 kDa (GATE 16) and Light chain 3 II (LC3 II), as well as those of its upstream pathway proteins, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Beclin-1. All of those proteins were modulated by chebulagic acid treatment in a way of enhancing the autophagy. Additionally in our study, chebulagic acid also showed a protective effect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ($MPP^+$) - induced cytotoxicity which mimics the pathological symptom of Parkinson's disease. This effect seems partially mediated by enhanced autophagy which increased the degradation of aggregated or misfolded proteins from cells. This study suggests that chebulagic acid is an attractive candidate as an autophagy-enhancing agent and therefore, it may provide a promising strategy to prevent or cure the diseases caused by accumulation of abnormal proteins including Parkinson's disease.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.1956-1964
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• 2014

To provide the scientific corroboration of the traditional uses of Akebia quinata (Thunb.) Decne., a detailed analytical examination of A. quinata stems was carried out using a reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method coupled to photodiode array detector (PDA) for the simultaneous determination of four phenolic substances; cuneataside D (1), 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3-caffeoylquinic acid (3) and calceolarioside B (4). Particular attention was focused on the main compound, 3-caffeoylquinic acid (3), which has a range of biological functions. In addition, 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (2) was considered as a discernible marker of A. quinata from its easy confuse plants. The contents of compounds 2 and 3 ranged from 0.72 to 2.68 mg/g and from 1.66 to 5.64 mg/g, respectively. The validation data indicated that this HPLC/PDA assay was used successfully to quantify the four phenolic compounds in A. quinata from different locations using relatively simple conditions and procedures. The pattern-recognition analysis data from 53 samples classified them into two groups, allowing discrimination between A. quinata and comparable herbs. The results suggest that the established HPLC/PDA method is suitable for quantitation and pattern-recognition analyses for a quality evaluation of this medicinal herb.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2115-2121
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• 2014

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the preventive effects of hydrazinocurcumin (HZC) on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in a male Sprague Dawley (SD) rat model. One hundred and twenty male SD rats used in this study were divided into six groups. Those receiving DEN with curcumin (CUR) or HZC were studied compared with the DEN-alone group. The study demonstrated that DEN induced severe histological and immunohistochemical changes in liver tissues, significantly increasing the levels of liver marker enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and total bilirubin level (TBL)). The hepatocarcinoma incidences were 100.0%, 36.7% and 20.0% in the DEN-alone, DEN-CUR and DEN-HZC groups, respectively. Although macroscopic and microscopic features suggested that both CUR and HZC were effective in inhibiting DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, HZC was exerted a stronger influence. Immunohistochemical analysis with PCNA demonstrated significantly differences among the groups (all P < 0.05). Taken together, the results suggested application of CUR and HZC could prevent the occurrence of carcinogenesis and HZC may be a more potent compound for prevention of DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats than CUR.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.407-413
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• 2015

Paraquat dichloride (N,N-dimethyl-4-4'-bipiridinium, PQ) is an extremely toxic chemical that is widely used in herbicides. PQ generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and causes multiple organ failure. In particular, PQ has been reported to be an immunotoxic agrochemical compound. PQ was shown to decrease the number of macrophages in rats and suppress monocyte phagocytic activity in mice. However, the effect of PQ on macrophage cell viability remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of PQ on the mouse macrophage cell line, RAW264.7 and its possible mechanism of action. RAW264.7 cells were treated with PQ (0, 75, and $150{\mu}M$), and cellular apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and intracellular ROS levels were determined. Morphological changes to the cell nucleus and cellular apoptosis were also evaluated by DAPI and Annexin V staining, respectively. In this study, PQ induced apoptotic cell death by dose-dependently decreasing MMP. Additionally, PQ increased the cleaved form of caspase-3, an apoptotic marker. In conclusion, PQ induces apoptosis in RAW264.7 cells through a ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway. Thus, our study improves our knowledge of PQ-induced toxicity, and may give us a greater understanding of how PQ affects the immune system.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2017

Objectives: Boswellic acid (BA), a compound isolated from the gum-resin of Boswellia carterii, is a pentacyclic terpenoid that is active against many inflammatory diseases, including cancer, arthritis, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and memory impairment, but the mechanism is poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of boswellic acid on spatial learning and memory impairment induced by trimethyltin (TMT) in Wistar rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Normal group, TMT-administrated rats (8.0 mg/kg, Intraperitoneally, i.p.) and TMT + BA (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg, i.p.)-administrated rats. BA was used daily for 21 days. To evaluate the cognitive improving of BA, we performed the Morris water maze test. Moreover, to investigate the neuroprotective effect of BA, we determined the acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and the glutathione (GSH) content in the cerebral cortex. Results: Treatment with TMT impaired learning and memory, and treatment with BA at a dose of 160 mg/kg produced a significant improvement in learning and memory abilities in the water maze tasks. Consistent with behavioral data, the activity of AChE was significantly increased in the TMT-injected rats compared to the control group (P < 0.01) whereas all groups treated with BA presented a more significant inhibitory effect against AChE than the TMT-injected animals. In addition, TMT reduced the GSH content and increased the MDA level in the cerebral cortex as compared to the control group) P < 0.01). On the other hand, treatment with BA at 160 mg/kg slightly increased the GSH content and reduced the MDA level in comparison to the TMT-administered group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The above results suggest that the effect of BA in improving the cognitive function may be mediated through its antioxidant activity.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2005

Earlier we have reported the antidiabetic activity of fresh juice of rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (Z. officinale) and its correlation with 5-HT receptor antagonism. Since 6-gingerol the marker compound of Z. officinale is reported to posses 5-HT anatgonistic activity, the present investigation, was undertaken to find out the concentration of 6-gingerol present in methanolic extract of Z. officinale and its different fractions (petroleum ether, toluene and chloroform). We also evaluated these fractions for antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced neonatal type 2 diabetic rats. Fasting glucose and insulin levels in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher than control rats and these were significantly decreased by treatment with methanolic extract of Z. officinale and its fractions. The results of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed that methanolic extract and its fractions significantly (P < 0.05) decreased both STZ-induced increase in $AUC_{glucose}$ and $AUC_{insulin}$ values in NIDDM groups. Treatment with petroleum ether fraction produced a greater reduction in elevated glucose and $AUC_{glucose}$ levels as compared to treatment with other fractions. Treatment with methanolic extract of Z. officinale and its fractions also produced significant reduction in the elevated lipid, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) levels in NIDDM rats. The effect of petroleum ether fraction on elevated lipid, SGOT and SGPT levels was significantly greater as compared to treatment with other fractions. The concentration of 6-gingerol was found to be maximum in petroleum ether fraction (11.430%) and minimum in chloroform fraction (0.973%). The methanolic extract and toluene fraction was found to contain 3.080% and 2.191 %, 6-gingerol respectively. In conclusion, our data suggest that methonolic extract and its fractions possess significant antidiabetic activity in NIDDM rats. The extent of activity appears to be dependent on the concentration of 6-gingerol present in the extract or its fractions.