• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.17-17
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• 2018

Panax ginseng Meyer is a perennial medicinal plant, the roots of which has been used in the traditional formulations in Oriental countries. To understand its floral transition, we isolated Flowering Locus T (FT) from ginseng, the bioinformatics analysis of PgFT has revealed a considerable homology to the higher plants, with the essential amino acids for FT function are conserved. The phylogenetic analysis has shown that the PgFT is belonged to the shrub classes of plants and closest kin to Jatropha curcas FT. The expression profiling from juvenile (2-year-old) were abundant in leaves as well as in root and was concentrated in the secondary leaflet and stem bottom in adult (4-year-old) ginseng plant tissues, moreover PgFT transcript displayed photoperiod dependent oscillation. The ectopic expression of PgFT in Arabidopsis thaliana, exhibit precocious flowering and several floral pathway integrators were up-regulated, interestingly their root length was increased in the transgenic seedlings. Therefore, we could conclude that PgFT encodes a florigen that acts as a key regulator in the flowering pathway in ginseng and hypothesize that, it might involve in the underground organ development as well. We believe our finding could provoke future studies on the physiology and development in P. ginseng.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.747-757
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• 2000

Cyclosporin A(CsA) is an immunosuppressive agent widely used for preventing graft rejecting response in organ transplantation. The basic properties of CsA to osteoblast has not been well known yet. A better understanding of the mechanisms of CsA function on bone could provide valuable information regarding basic properties of bone remodeling, pharmacotherapeutic intervention in metabolic bone disease, and the consequences of immunosuppression in bone physiology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CsA on osteoblast by evaluating parameters of proliferation, collagen synthetic activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, and ALP mRNA expression in mouse calvarial cell. 1. CsA ($3{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) treated mouse calvarial cell showed statistically significant increase in cell proliferation.(P<0.05) 2. CsA($1,\; 3{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) treated MC3T3 cell line showed statistically significant increase in cell proliferation. 3. The amount of collagen of CsA($3{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) treated mouse calvarial cell was decreased statistically significantly. 4. Alkaline phosphatase activity was increased statistically significantly in CsA treated group($1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$). 5. mRNA expression of ALP was increased in CsA treated group These results suggest that CsA could affect bone remodeling by modulating proliferation & differentiation of osteoblast.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.239-245
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• 2004

We have previously demonstrated that the redox reactant pyruvate prevents apoptosis in the oxidant model of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC), and that the anti-apoptotic mechanism of pyruvate is mediated in part via the mitochondrial matrix compartment. However, cytosolic mechanisms for the cytoprotective feature of pyruvate remain to be elucidated. This study investigated the pyruvate protection against endothelial cytotoxicity when the glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) was applied to BPAEC. Millimolar 2DG blocked the cellular glucose uptake in a concentration- and time-dependent manner with >85% inhibition at $\geq$5 mM within 24 h. The addition of 2DG evoked BPAEC cytotoxicity with a substantial increase in lipid peroxidation and a marked decrease in intracellular total glutathione. Exogenous pyruvate partially prevented the 2DG-induced cell damage with increasing viability of BPAEC by 25-30%, and the total glutathione was also modestly increased. In contrast, 10 mM L-lactate, as a cytosolic reductant, had no effect on the cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation that are evoked by 2DG. These results suggest that 2DG toxicity may be a consequence of the diminished potential of glutathione antioxidant, which was partially restored by exogenous pyruvate but not L-lactate. Therefore, pyruvate qualifies as a cytoprotective agent for strategies that attenuate the metabolic dysfunction of the endothelium, and cellular glucose oxidation is required for the functioning of the cytosolic glutathione/NADPH redox system.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1409-1415
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• 2009

Obesity is especially a serious health problem in industrialized countries, because it is considered to be a risk factor associated with the genesis or development of various metabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tanshinone IIA from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge on induction of apoptossis and inhibition of adipogenesis in in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes. The results demonstrated that tanshinone IIA decreased cell population growth of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, assessed with the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) assay. Flow cytometric analysis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes exposed to tanshinone IIA showed that apoptotic cells increased in a timeand dose-dependent manner. Treatment with tanshinone IIA decreased the number of normal cells and increased the number of apoptotic cells in a dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by tanshinone IIA was mediated through the activation of caspase-3 and Bax, and then through the cleavage of PARP and the down-regulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, tanshinone IIA significantly decreased the amount of intracellular triglycerides and GPDH (glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results suggest that tanshinone IIA efficiently induces apoptosis and inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.967-972
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• 2007

Osteoporosis is the most prevalent metabolic bone disease and is characterized by diminished bone strength predisposing to an increased risk of fracture. We investigated the effects of the extract from Acyranthes Radix on the progress of bone loss in ovariectomized rats for 6 weeks. Female Sprague-Dawley 40 rats of 3-4 weeks, weight 200 ${\pm}$ 10g were divided into two groups including the sham operation group(8 rats) and ovariectomy group(32 rats). The dose-dependent effect of Acyranthes Radix extract on bone mineral density and biochemical testing was assessed in ovariectomized rat. Body weights were increased in all groups was higher in experimental group than sham operation group. The level of bone mineral density, GPT, and serum P concentration, ALP were increased experimental group, but a little increase in sham operation group at same period. This longitudinal study result made conclusion that Acyranthes Radix extract treatment appeared to improve the osteoporosis delaying the progression to the osteoporotic process in rats.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.441-448
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• 2017

Bisphenol-A(BPA) is a member of alkylphenol family, and shows adverse effects including reduced fertility, reproductive tract abnormalities, metabolic disorder, cancer induction, neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity. In the present study, we conducted Hershberger assay to evaluate whether the two candidates to replace BPA have androgenic or antiandrogenic activity. The assay was carried out using immature castrated Sprague-Dawley male rats. After 7 days of the surgery, testosterone propionate (TP, 0.4 mg/kg/day) and test materials (low dose, 40 mg/kg/day; high dose, 400 mg/kg/day) were administered for 10 consecutive days by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection and oral gavage, respectively. Test materials were BPA, isosorbide (ISO) and cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM). The rats were necropsied, and then the weights of five androgen-dependent tissues [ventral prostate, seminal vesicle, levator ani-bulbocavernosus (LABC) muscle, paired Cowper's glands, and glans penis] and three androgen-insensitive tissues (kidney, spleen and liver) were measured. All test materials including BPA did not exhibit any androgenic activity in the assay. On the contrary, antiandrogen-like activities were found in all test groups, and the order of the intensity was CHDM > BPA > ISO in the five androgen-sensitive tissues. There was no statistical difference between low dose treatment and high dose treatment of BPA group as well as ISO group. In CHDM group, high dose treatment exhibited most severe weight reduction in all measured tissues. There was no statistical difference in androgen-insensitive tissue measurements, except BPA groups. Since the effects of ISO treatment on the accessory sex organs were much less or not present at all when compared to those of BPA, ISO could be a strong candidate to replace BPA. CHDM treatment brought most severe weight reduction in all of androgen-sensitive tissues, so this material should be excluded for further screening of BPA substitute selection.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.357-363
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to compare the inhibitory effect of bevacizumab on human Tenon's fibroblasts (HTFs) cultured from primary and recurrent pterygium. Cultured HTFs were exposed to 2.0, 5.0, 7.5, and 15.0 mg/mL concentration of bevacizumab for 24 hours. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase leakage assays were then performed to assess fibroblast metabolism and viability. The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), procollagen type I C terminal propeptide (PIP), and laminin immunoassays were performed to examine extracellular matrix production. Changes in cellular morphology were examined by phase-contrast and transmission electron microscopy. Both metabolic activity and viability of primary and recurrent pterygium HTFs were inhibited by bevacizumab in a dose-dependent manner, especially at concentrations greater than 7.5 mg/mL. Both types of HTFs had significant decreases in MMP-1, PIP, and laminin levels. Distinctly, the inhibitory effect of bevacizumab on MMP-1 level related with collagenase in primary pterygium HTFs was significantly higher than that of recurrent pterygium. Significant changes in cellular density and morphology both occurred at bevacizumab concentrations greater than 7.5 mg/mL. Only primary pterygium HTFs had a reduction in cellular density at a bevacizumab concentration of 5.0 mg/mL. Bevacizumab inhibits primary and recurrent pterygium HTFs in a dose-dependent manner, especially at concentrations greater than 7.5 mg/mL. As the primary HTFs produces larger amounts of MMP-1 compared to recurrent HTFs, significant reduction in MMP-1 level in primary pterygium HTFs after exposure to bevacizumab is likely to be related to the faster cellular density changes in primary pterygium HTFs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.459-465
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the application possibility of leaf and stem extract(LSE) extracted from mixture of leaf and stem of ginseng radix (Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer). We conducted analysis of the ginsenoside content by HPLC. Also we investigate the effects of the LSE on the reduction of serum lipid and improvement of blood parameters in rats fed high fat diet 5 weeks. We examined by analyzing the serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and atherogenic index and hematological datas and serum metabolic variables. Sprague-Dawley rat weigh $150\;g\;{\pm}\;15\;g$, were ramdomly assigned to 4 groups, basal diet only(BDG), high fat diet weithout LSE(FDCG), high fat diet and 10% LSE(FD10G), high fat diet and 20% LSE(FD20G). The result of this study were as follow. Hematological datas of 4 groups were same level, which were not significant. The activities of ALP, GOT and LDH level were significantly different. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride contentrations in serum and atherogenic index were remarkably reduced in LSE supplemented groups as compared high fat control groups. These result imply that LSE could be used as possible for decrease of serum lipid concentration.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.493-499
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• 2019

Macrophage-associated inflammation is crucial for the pathogenesis of diverse diseases including metabolic disorders. Rhodanthpyrone (Rho) is an active component of Gentiana rhodantha, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammation. Although synthesis procedures of RhoA and RhoB were reported, the biological effects of the specific compounds have never been explored. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanisms of action of RhoA and RhoB were studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Pretreatment with RhoA and RhoB decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expressions in RAW 264.7 cells and in thioglycollate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages. In addition, it downregulated transcript levels of several inflammatory genes in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, including inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (Tnfa, Il6, and Ccl2) and inflammatory mediators (Nos2 and Ptgs2). Macrophage chemotaxis was also inhibited by treatment with the compounds. Mechanistic studies revealed that RhoA and RhoB suppressed the nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ pathway, but not the canonical mitogen activated protein kinase pathway, in LPS-stimulated condition. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of RhoA and RhoB on inflammatory gene expressions was attenuated by treatment with an $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor. Our findings suggest that RhoA and RhoB play an anti-inflammatory role at least in part by suppressing the $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway during macrophage-mediated inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.561-569
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• 2021

Diabetic nephropathy is a major and representative complication of type 2 diabetes. Hyperglycemia increases the incidence of diabetic nephropathy, and induces kidney inflammation, thereby causing renal fibrosis, which is an important factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. This study investigated the effects of blackcurrant extract (BLC), which has been implicated in diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice, on glomerular fibrosis and renal dysfunction. The results showed that BLC consumption in type 2 diabetic db/db mice ameliorated diabetes-related metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and renal dysfunction, and significantly attenuated renal inflammation and renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. In conclusion, these findings suggest that BLC consumption may help prevent renal fibrosis, inflammation, and consequent diabetic nephropathy.