• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.482-489
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• 2021

Background: Asthma is an incurable hyper-responsive disease of the pulmonary system that is caused by various allergens, including indoor and outdoor stimulators. According to the Global Asthma Network, 339 million people suffered from asthma in 2018, with particularly severe forms in children. Numerous treatments for asthma are available; however, they are frequently associated with adverse effects such as growth retardation, neurological disorders (e.g., catatonia, poor concentration, and insomnia), and physiological disorders (e.g., immunosuppression, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and osteoporosis). Methods: Korean Red Ginseng has long been used to treat numerous diseases in many countries, and we investigated the anti-asthmatic effects and mechanisms of action of Korean Red Ginseng. Eighty-four BALB/c mice were assigned to 6 treatment groups: control, ovalbumin-induced asthma group, dexamethasone treatment group, and 3 groups treated with Korean Red Ginseng water extract (KRGWE) at 5, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Anti-asthmatic effects of KRGWE were assessed based on biological changes, such as white blood cell counts and differential counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum IgE levels, and histopathological changes in the lungs, and by examining anti-asthmatic mechanisms, such as the cytokines associated with Th1, Th2, and Treg cells and inflammation pathways. Results: KRGWE affected ovalbumin-induced changes, such as increased white blood cell counts, increased IgE levels, and morphological changes (mucous hypersecretion, epithelial cell hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration) by downregulating cytokines such as IL-12, IL-4, and IL-6 via GATA-3 inactivation and suppression of inflammation via NF-κB/COX-2 and PGE₂ pathways. Conclusion: KRGWE is a promising drug for asthma treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.582-594
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• 2001

This experiment was performed to investigate the effects of sulfur dioxide on the histological changes, properties of mucosubstances and glycoconjugates of the nasal respiratory mucosa in the rat. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing about 200~250g were divided into a control group and SO$_2$ exposed groups. Again SO$_2$ exposed groups were divided into 10 ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, and 200 ppm subgroups, according to concentrations of SO$_2$ and each SO$_2$exposed groups were divided into 1, 3 and 6 hours groups. For the histological changes, hematoxylin-eosin(H-E) and periodic acid Schiff's(PAS) stainings were used, and for the properties of mucosubstances, PAS, alcian blue (AB) pH 2.5, pH 2.5-PAS, AB pH 1.0 and aldehyde fuchsin (AF) pH1.7-AB pH 2.5 were used. In all the SO$_2$ exposed groups, loss of cilia and detachment of epithelial cells, vacuolation of goblet cells were observed in the respiratory epithelium while epithelial squamous metaplasia and intraepthelial mucous cells were observed in the higher concentration of SO$_2$ and the degree of the loss cilia was higher according as concentration was higher and exposed time was longer. The intraepitheial mucous cells appeared most remarkable in the 50 ppm SO$_2$ exposed group. The numbers of goblet cells and acini of nasal septal gland were varied according to concentration of SO$_2$ and exposed time, but the numbers in the 25 ppm and 50 ppm, SO$_2$ exposed increased remarkably. However, the numbers in the 100 ppm and 200 ppm SO$_2$ exposed group had a tendency to decrease noticeably, or disappeared.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 1998

This study has been focused on both estrogenic and proliferating activity of genistein (GEN) and bisphenol A (BPA). GEN and BPA enhance the proliferation of estrogen-dependent MCF-7 human breast cancer cells at concentrations as low as 100 nM of GEN and 8 ng/ml of BP A achieving similar effect to that of estradiol at 1 nM. Expression of the estrogen responsive gene, pS2 was also induced in MCF-7 cells by treatment with genistein at dose as low as 1 nM and BPA at dose as low as 4 ng/ml. Using 21 day-old ovariectomized nude mice, we examined end-bud formation and mammary gland development after treatment with bisphenol A or genistein. Compared with untreated control, mammary gland development and end-bud formation were significantly increased in mice fed genistein or bisphenol A (p<0.05). Taken together, it is concluded that GEN and BP A can act as an estrogen agonist resulting in cell proliferation and induction of the estrogen responsive pS2 gene in MCF-7 cells in vitro and in athymic mice in vivo, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that GEN and BP A might modulate human endocrine system and these compounds might be considered as a endocrine modulator at the low levels of doses.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.63-78
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of tributyltin (TBT) on histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the digestive gland structure of the equilateral venus, Gomphina veneriformis. Experimental period was 36 weeks. Experimental groups consist of control condition and 3 TBTCl exposure conditions (0.4, 0.6, $0.8\;TBTC\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$). Outer envelop of the visceral mass of G. veneriformis exposed to TBTCl was observed disappearance of microvilli and cilia, decrease of mucous cell and partially destruction of epithelium. In the digestive gland showed an increase of number of hemocyte and mucopolysaccaride near the digestive tubule at early time of the exposure. Especially, in $0.8\;TBTC\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ group, collapse of digestive tubule with modification of epithelium was observed. TEM observation revealed the numerous glycogen granules in epithelium of the outer envelop and connective tissue. In the ciliated cell of the primary duct formed the cilia in cytoplasm. Basophilic cell was observed destruction of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Also, nucleus in the epithelium of the digestive tubule was disappeared heterochromatin and nucleolus, and condense. As the concentration of TBTCl increased, the accumulation of lipofucin increased in the digestive gland, but the collapse of digestive tubule induced a decrease of accumulation of lipofuscin.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.207-215
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• 1998

Just after hatching the embryo has a yolk sac and straighted digestive tract. Just after parturition in 5.0mm TL the mouth and anus were opened. In the larval stage of 5.2mm TL, digestive tract could be divided into pharynx, esophagus, stomach, pyloric caeca and intestine of the early differentiated state. The esophagus of larvae in 5.3mm TL has a PAS positive mucous cell. From over 5.7mm TL, PAS positive goblet cell recognized in the intestine. PAS positive absorptive cell began to appear in the intestine from 5.9mm TL. Yolky materials were absorbed completely in 6.0mm TL. In the larvae of B.5mm TL, gastric glands were observed in the mucosa, but the surface epithelium did not have PAS positive granules. From over 9.0mm TL, the histological structure of esophagus showed similar to adult. In the juvenile stage from 13.0mm to 15.0mm TL, histological structure of the stomach, pyloric caeca and intestine showed similar to adult. From the ultrastructural and histochemical study, it is concluded that the functional digestive tract is present in the juvenile stage from 18.0mm to 20.0mm TL.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.89-89
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• 1995

Surface epithelial cells isolated from hamster tracheas and grown on a thick collagen gel become a highly enriched population of mucus-secreting cells. Epithelial cells from tracheas of hamsters were collected using enzymatic procedures and cultured under various conditions. The medium used consisted of a 1:1 mixture of medium 199 and Dulbecco's modified Eagle's (DME) medium which was conditioned before use. Insulin, transferrin, hydrocortisone, epidermal growth factor, and extract from bovine hypothalamus were used as supplement. Due to relatively low basal rates of min secretion from in vitro cultures, cultures are generally radiolabeled using $^3$H-glucosamine as a metabolic precursor. The radiolabeled mucinsreleased are quantitated by precipitation with TCA/PTA. Using this cell culture system, we investigated mucin release of goblet cells by altering the media bathing the apical surface of hamster tracheal surface epithelial(HTSE) cells. Acidic media added sulfuric acid caused sigcificant increases in mucin relesse (155${\pm}$20% at pH 4 and 146${\pm}$16% at, pH 5). Ammonium hydroxide also increased mucin release at pH 9.0(156${\pm}$17%) and pH 10(295${\pm}$9%) respectively. This additional mucin release seems to be associated with cell membrane damage as indicated by release of cellular LDH. SP stimulates secretion of mucin in cultured HTSE cells(154${\pm}$16% at 1${\times}$10$\^$-6/M and 165${\pm}$25% at 1${\times}$10$\^$-5/M. PAF at 5${\times}$10$\^$-6/M and 5${\times}$10$\^$-5/M enhanced by HTSE cells in vitro 168${\pm}$34% and 259${\pm}$30% of mucin secretion, respectively. The increase in mucin release by PAF and SP was not secondary to cell damage or necrosis. SP and PAF may be in mediating mucous secretion induced by inflammation irritantion and infection.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.510-514
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• 2007

Twenty-five bacterial strains that secrete mucous materials were isolated from sediment obtained from King George Island, Antarctica. Seven of these strains proved capable of producing cryoprotective exopolysaccharides. The strain KOPRI 21653 was selected for the further study of an anti-ice-nucleating polysaccharide (ANP), which originated from a polar region. KOPRI 21653 was identified as Pseudoalteromonas arctica as the result of 16S rRNA analysis. The exopolysaccharide, P-21653, was purified completely from the KOPRI 21653 cell culture via column chromatography and protease treatment. The principal sugar components of P-21653 were determined to be galactose and glucose, at a ratio of 1:1.5, via GC-MS analysis. The cryoprotective activity of P-21653 was characterized via an E. coli viability test. In the presence of 0.1% (w/v) P-21653, the survival ratio of E. coli cells was as high as 82.6% over three repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The survival ratio decreased drastically to 71.5 and 48.1 %, respectively, in five and seven repeated cycle conditions; however, the survival ratios were greater over three (96.6-92.1%) to seven (100.5-91.6%) freeze-thaw cycles in the presence of 0.5 and 1.0% (w/v) P-21653. In addition, at much lower concentrations (0.1-1.0%), P-21653 resulted in survival ratios (83.1-98.4%) similar to those of two commercially available cryoprotectants ($V_{EG}$ plus X-1000, 92.9% and $V_{M3}$, 95.3%), which were utilized at the recommended concentrations (90%). The biochemical characteristics of exopolysaccharide P-21653 reflect that this compound may be developed as a useful cryoprotectant for use in medical applications and in the food industry.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 1996

Hyperkeratinization is a dermatologic disorder, which is due to the increase of corneocyte cohesion force. Glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid(AHA), has been used to breakdown the hyperkeratinization processes. However, it has a problem of skin irritation when applied topically, due to the strong acidity especially in high concentration. A molecular optimization of glycolic acid has been tried to reduce the skin irritation by the way of prodrug formation. Ethyl glycolate was synthesized by the esterification of glycolic acid with ethanol in acidic conditions in the presence of sulfuric acid, and examined under the spectroscopic trials, such as UV, IR, $^1H$-NMR, and GC-MS. The physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of the prodrug were also evaluated. Through the toxicological tests of both skin irritation and eye mucous irritation, it has been proved that ethyl glycolate was less irritant than glycolic acid, since the pH value of synthetic prodrug was higher than that of glycolic acid. In the penetration test through nude mouse skin by diffusion cell, ethyl glycolate was continuously hydrolyzed to glycolic acid, which was assayed form the receptor compartment. It was obtained that the penetrated amount of ethyl glycolate was five times higher than that of glycolic acid. These results suggest that ethyl glycolate might be a successful prodrug of glycolic acid to reduce the skin irritation and to increase the skin penetration as well.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.401-414
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Soche-hwan extract on indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions of mice. Methods : Experimental mice were divided randomly into four groups. The normal group, the gastropathy group of gastro-inflammation elicited mice, the misoprostol group of mice administered misoprostol after gastro-inflammation elicitation and the Soche-hwan group of mice administered Soche-hwan after gastro-inflammation elicitation. Results : The hemorrhagic erosion of gastric mucosa, the damage of arrangement of mucous secreted cells and HSP70 increased in the gastro-inflammation elicited group, but decreased significantly in the misoprostol and Soche-hwan extract administered groups. Cell proliferation of gastric mucosa decreased in the gastro-inflammation elicited group, but increased significantly in the misoprostol and Soche-hwan extract administered groups. The distribution of mucosal neck cells and mucosal surface cells and PNA positive reactions of surface mucus cells decreased in the gastro-inflammation elicited group, but increased significantly in the misoprostol and Soche-hwan extract administered groups. COX-1 positive cells decreased in the gastro-inflammation elicited group, but increased significantly in the misoprostol and Soche-hwan extract administered groups. iNOS mRNA and COX-2 mRNA increased in the gastro-inflammation elicited group, but decreased significantly in the Soche-hwan extract administered group. NF-kB p65, iNOS and COX-2 increased in the gastro-inflammation elicited group, but decreased significantly in the misoprostol and Soche-hwan extract administered groups. Conclusion : Soche-hwan extract had excellent effects on indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in mice.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.191-211
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• 2000

Objectives: In order to evaluate the effect of jungcheonwhadamgangki-tang on Balb/c mouse of allergy-sensitive to bronchial asthma induced by ovalbumin. Methods: The changes of diameter lumen of trachea which was upper respiratory organ, weight and gross appearance of lung, histology of lung and trachea, numbers of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluld(BALF) were observed. Results : The results are obtained as follows. 1. The diameters of trachea lumen were significantly increased in Jungcheonwhadam gangki-tang treated group as compared with control group. 2. Inflammatory cells including neutrophil and eosinophil in BALF were significantly. in Jungcheonwhadamgangki-tang treated group as compared with control group. 3. Weight of lung and black spots, which resulted from infiltration of inflammatory were significantly decreased in Jungcheonwhadamgangki-tang treated group as compared with control group.4. Hypertrophy of mucous membrane of trachea and bronchus and bronchioles in the lung, peritracheal, peribronchus and peribronchiolar inflammatory cell infiltration, and mucoid exudate deposit in the lumen were significantly decreased in Jungcheonwhadamgangki-tang treated group as compared with control group. Conclusions : It is considered that Jungcheonwhadamgangki-tang has somewhat favorable effect on the bronchial asthma because the bronchial asthma specific series of abnormalities in respiratory system were decreased after oral administration of Jungcheonwhadamgangki-tang in this study. In future, it is needed that the toxicological and dosage specific study of Jungcheonwhadamgangki-tang to use against bronchial asthma with safe.