• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and the clinical factors associated with prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in diabetic patients. Subjects and Methods: Forty-nine diabetic with unilateral SSNHL were retrospectively included. All patients received systemic high dose steroid therapy within one month after onset and had more than one month of follow-up audiogram. The basic characteristics of the patients, initial and follow-up audiograms, laboratory data, and methods of steroid treatment were collected. Results: Compared to reference values in healthy subjects, 79%, 55%, and 45% of the patients had higher values of mean neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), respectively. Older patients had significantly less degree of hearing loss, but they also had significantly worse hearing thresholds in the unaffected ear. After steroid treatment, less than half patients (47%) showed hearing recovery. Simultaneous intratympanic dexamethasone (ITD) injections with systemic steroid did not confer an additional hearing gain or an earlier recovery rate in diabetic patients with SSNHL. In the multivariate analysis, initial hearing thresholds of affected ear and timing of steroid treatment were significantly associated with hearing prognosis in diabetic patients with SSNHL. Conclusions: Diabetic patients with SSNHL tended to have increased NLR, LMR, and PLR, which are reported to be associated with microvascular angiopathy. Simultaneous ITD injections to improve hearing recovery in diabetic patients with SSNHL seems unnecessary.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.55-63
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study was verification of the restoration ability effect of Danggwisusan extract(DG) in wound induced Rat. Methods : It needed to make a scar(around $2{\times}2cm^2$) on the top of the fascia in the back of the rats and then the rats were divided into 4groups(n=6). Control was not treated at all, where as DG was orally medicated DG, Terra was percutaneously applied Terramycin, and DG + Terra was both orally medicated DG and percutaneously applied Terramycin per day for three weeks. Results : 93% or higher cell viability was observed in all tested groups from 1, 10, $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in RAW 264.7cells. The DG decreased NO and cytokine production activity dose dependently. The production of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were decreased by 46%, 46% and 40% in DG treated $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The size of wound was significantly decreasing in DG, Terra, DG + Terra. WBC was significantly reduced in DG and DG + Terra. Monocyte was significantly reduced in DG, Terra and DG + Terra. Neutrophil was also reduced in DG, DG + Terra but not meaningless. The mRNA expression of MMP-1 was significantly reduced in Terra, MMP-2 was significantly reduced in DG, Terra, DG + Terra, and MMP-9 was significantly reduced in DG + Terra. Conclusions : According to the results, we thought that DG showed anti-inflammatory activities on the RAW 264.7cells in mouse macrophage and in adult rat wound. Moreover, the progress of recovery was found visually, heamatologically, genetically and histopathologically. In conclusion, it could be thought that DG has effect on the treating of wound.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.45-53
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of the study is to test the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of BPH, which is composed of Pini Densiflorae Nodi Lignum and Querci Acutissimae Fructus, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix. Method : Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of BPH on Propionibacterium acnes, one of anaerobic bacteria species were evaluated by measuring the levels of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) elimination and lipid peroxidation. Result : When BPH was applied to CCD-986sk (Human normal fibroblast) to confirm the level of cytokine(tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-8), its level increased in proportion to that of BPH's concentration, which indicated dose-dependent relationship. Using the Disk diffusion to measure the bacterial growth inhibition zone varying BPH concentration, it was found that the antibacterial effect of BPH was less than that of erythromycin, the control group, but was higher than that of saline, and it increased with higher concentrations. In a liquid culture medium containing BPH, the growth rate of Propionibacterium acnes was decreased by more than 10% at 25% BPH. After adding P. acnes to THP-1 monocyte, and treated it with BPH, and measuring the concentration of TNF-a and IL-8, it was observed that the amount of TNF-alpha and IL-8 significantly decreased depending on the level of BPH concentration. The ability to eliminate DPPH increased with higher BPH concentration. The inhibition of lipid peroxidation was increased by BHT treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : Using Propionibacterium acnes, an anaerobic bacteria, we confirmed that BPH has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.113-119
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Angelicae Gigantis Radix Water Extract(AG) on the production of proinflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Method : RAW 264.7 cells were cotreated with AG(50 and 100 ug/mL) and lipopolysaccharide(LPS; 1 ug/mL) for 24 hours. After 24 hour treatment, using Bead-based multiplex cytokine assay, concentrations of various cytokines such as interleukin(IL)-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-${\alpha}$), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF), interferon inducible protein-10(IP-10), leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF), lipopolysaccharide-induced chemokine(LIX), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), macrophage colony-stimulating factor(M-CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein(MIP)-$1{\alpha}$, MIP-$1{\beta}$, MIP-2, Regulated on Activation, Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted(RANTES) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) were measured. Result : AG significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of TNF-${\alpha}$, MIP-$1{\alpha}$, G-CSF, RANTES, IL-10, and M-CSF from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells at the concentrations of 50 and 100 ug/mL. AG significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of MIP-$1{\beta}$, MIP-2, GM-CSF, and IL-6 from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells at the concentrations of 50 ug/mL. AG significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of VEGF from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells at the concentrations of 100 ug/mL. But AG did not show any significant effect on the production of MCP-1, LIF, LIX, IP-10 and IL-$1{\beta}$ from LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion : These results suggest that AG has anti-inflammatory effect related with its inhibition of proinflammatory mediators such as TNF-${\alpha}$, MIP-$1{\alpha}$, G-CSF, RANTES, IL-10, MIP-$1{\beta}$, MIP-2, GM-CSF, IL-6, VEGF and M-CSF in LPS-induced macrophages.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.111-117
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• 2013

Objectives : This research aimed at studying the immuno modulating activity of Fermented Epimedii Herba (EHS). Method : The impacts on the cell viability, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide (NO) generation in cells, and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) level have been measured by using Raw 264.7 cells with the specimen EHS as the fermented extract of Epimedii Herba with Saccharomyces cerevisiae STV89. Result : As a result of MTT assay to confirm the cytotoxicity of extracts from fermented Epimedii Herba, the toxicity was not excessively induced in Raw 264.7 cells when EHS were processed by concentration. EHS increased hydrogen peroxide generation in Raw 264.7 cells. EHS suppressed NO generation in Raw 264.7 cells while they significantly suppressed the increase of NO generation induced by LPS in macrophage. EHS significantly decreased the generation amount of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 induced by LPS in Raw 264.7 cells at $25{\mu}g/mL$ or more. Conclusion : It appeared that the fermented extract of Epimedii Herba manufactured from Epimedii Herba significantly has the immuno modulating acitivity as it did not excessively trigger cytotoxicity to Raw 264.7 cells, increased hydrogen peroxide generation in Raw 264.7 cells, decreased NO generation in macrophage, and especially, suppressed both TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 generation in macrophage induced by LPS.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2018

Objective : The immune enhance is the main focus of current society that to increase resistance to invasion by pathogenic species of bacteria in body, stimulate the immune system and possibly protect against cancer or inflammatory disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Gentianae Radix extract on immune regulation in a LPS-induced mice model of acute inflammation. Methods : Gentianae Radix extract was administered orally at doses of 200 mg/kg/day or 400 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks before a intraperitoneally injection of LPS (1 mg/kg of 0.9% saline). After LPS-intraperitoneal injection 3 hours, blood was collected by cardiac puncture under ether anaesthesia from all animals, for the immune regulate efficacy verification based on blood or serum biomarkers (i.e., immune cells, cytokine, $PGE_2$, ROS, and $LTB_4$) analysis. Results : Compared to the control mice, the Gentianae Radix extract treatments significantly increased the count of immune cells (i.e., wite blood cell, neutrophils, and monocyte), and significantly reduced the lymphocyte. In addition, the Gentianae Radix extract treatments significantly decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokine (i.e., $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$), and significantly increased IL-10 of anti-inflammatory cytokine. Furthermore, the Gentianae Radix extracts treatments significantly increased the levels of $PGE_2$ and significantly decreased the levels of ROS, and $LTB_4$. Conclusions : The results indicate that Gentianae Radix extract alleviated acute inflammatory reaction though regulation of immune meditor. Thus, Gentianae Radix extract may raw material of development a health food and medicine option for the immune enhance.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.654-664
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, isolated from Panax ginseng, has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. It is known to reduce inflammation in acute lung injury in mice, and to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines and COX-2 in human asthmatic airway epithelium. In this study, we attempted to determine whether ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the lungs of asthmatic mice. We also investigated its effects on oxidative stress and the inflammatory response in tracheal epithelial cells. Methods: Asthma symptoms were induced in female BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice were divided into five groups: normal controls, OVA-induced asthmatic controls, and asthmatic mice treated with ginsenoside Rg3 or prednisolone by intraperitoneal injection. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells (human tracheal epithelial cells) treated with ginsenoside Rg3 to investigate its effects on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative responses. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment significantly reduced eosinophil infiltration, oxidative responses, airway inflammation, and AHR in the lungs of asthmatic mice. Ginsenoside Rg3 reduced Th2 cytokine and chemokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and lung. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells treated with ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the eotaxin and pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, and monocyte adherence to BEAS-2B cells was significantly reduced as a result of decreased ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the expression of reactive oxygen species in inflammatory BEAS-2B cells. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg3 is a potential immunomodulator that can ameliorate pathological features of asthma by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.106-115
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• 2022

Background: Current research suggests that humans are exposed to microplastics through consumption of foods and beverages, the airway route, and a variety of other means. Objectives: We evaluated oxidative stress and inflammation from polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) in the neonatal liver through intragastric administration or intratracheal instillation in pregnant mice. Methods: PE-MPs were administered from gestational day 9 to postnatal day 7. The intragastric administration group (0.01 mg/mouse/day or 0.1 mg/mouse/day) and intratracheal instillation group (6 ㎍/mouse/day or 60 ㎍/mouse/day) of PE-MPs were administered. After sacrifice, the oxidative stress and inflammation of the neonatal livers were measured. Results: As a result of the oxidative stress caused by PE-MPs in the neonatal livers, glutathione peroxidase decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the intragastric administration group compared to the control group and intratracheal instillation decreased in high concentration PE-MPs. The catalase level increased at high concentrations of intragastric administration and intratracheal instillation. To confirm the level of inflammation caused by PE-MPs, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and tumor necrosis factoralpha were increased compared to the control group except for intratracheal intilation-high concentration PEMPs. The C-reactive protein level was decreased by intragastric administration compared to the control group and intratracheal instillation was increased compared to the control group. Conclusions: Despite the difficulty in comparing the toxic intensity between intragastric administration and intratracheal instillation of PE-MPs, our study revealed that oxidative stress and inflammation were induced in the neonatal liver. However, it is necessary to evaluate the toxic effects of microplastics on various organs as well. Overall, the present study indicates that the evaluation of toxic effects of long-term microplastic exposure, potential of microplastic toxicity on next-generation offspring and toxicity mechanism in human should be considered for further investigations.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.496-504
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• 2022

Background: Cigarette smoke (CS) is considered a principal cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with mucus hypersecretion and airway inflammation. Ginsenoside compound K (CK), a product of ginsenoside metabolism, has various biological activities. Studies on the effects of CK for the treatment of COPD and mucus hypersecretion, including the underlying signaling mechanism, have not yet been conducted. Methods: To study the protective effects and molecular mechanism of CK, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced human airway epithelial (NCI-H292) cells were used as a cellular model of airway inflammation. An experimental mouse COPD model was also established via CS inhalation and intranasal administration of lipopolysaccharide. Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 secretion, as well as elastase activity and reactive oxygen species production, were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inflammatory cell influx and mucus secretion in mouse lung tissues were estimated using hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-schiff staining, respectively. PKCδ and its downstream signaling molecules were analyzed via western blotting. Results: CK prevented the secretion of MUC5AC and TNF-α in PMA-stimulated NCI-H292 cells and exhibited a protective effect in COPD mice via the suppression of inflammatory mediators and mucus secretion. These effects were accompanied by an inactivation of PKCδ and related signaling in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: CK suppressed pulmonary inflammation and mucus secretion in COPD mouse model through PKC regulation, highlighting the compound's potential as a useful adjuvant in the prevention and treatment of COPD.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2023

Skin and joint diseases are relatively common in dogs. Nutritional complementation is one of the various management strategies for these disorders. This study evaluated the safety and clinical efficacy of Kyungokgo-gamibang in dogs with skin and joint diseases. Thirty dogs with diseases were included and divided into three groups: control group (n = 15), skin group (n = 10), and joint group (n = 5). The skin and joint groups were fed skin and joint gums composed of Kyungokgo-gamibang extract with standard treatment for four weeks. The control group included dogs with skin diseases who were administered standard skin infection treatment for 4 weeks. The physical and laboratory results showed no remarkable adverse effects of Kyungokgo-gamibang extract after its administration in dogs. Clinical efficacy was evaluated using quality of life scale, and levels of cytokines, including interferon-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α, for 4 weeks in all groups. Dermatologic clinical scales were performed for 4 weeks in the control and skin groups. Both the control and skin groups had significantly decreased dermatologic clinical scales, including pruritus and erythema scales (p < 0.05). Among the cytokine levels, only IL-2 concentration was significantly decreased in the skin group after 4 weeks of administration of the Kyungokgo-gamibang extract (p = 0.032). There was no significant difference between the levels of cytokines on days 0 and 28 in the joint group. The quality of life scale was significantly increased after week 4 compared to week 0 in the skin (p = 0.008) and joint groups (p = 0.041). This study suggests that Kyungokgo-gamibang extract can be applied in managing dogs affected by skin and joint diseases without adverse effects.