• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2011

Boring behaviour and drilling mechanism were investigated by visual observations. In this study, of two kinds of holes (the outer and inner holes) which are formed by drilling of boring gastropod Lunatia fortunei (Naticidae), the diameters of the outer holes are broader and larger than those of the inner holes, and their holes look like the crater in shape, as seen in all valves of bivalves bored by Naticidae species. Two kinds of glands (the accessory boring gland and accessory salivary gland) on the foots of boring gastropods have been investigated. Of them, it has been confirmed that only the accessory salivary glands on the foots secreted sulphuric (acidic) components in the mucus (secretion), while the accessory boring glands on the foots did not secrete their components. In this study, we confirmed that L. fortunei possess the accessory boring gland on the foot, as seen in most species in Naticidae. Accoeding to the results of the experiment of the blue litmus paper tests of the mucus (secretions) secreted from the accessory boring gland the color of the blue litmus paper did not turn red in color because chemical components of mucus (secretion) secreted from the accessory boring gland on the foot of L. fortunei (boring gastropod) were not acidic components. It is supposed that the mucus, which is secreted from the accessory boring gland, contained gelatin-like substances or enzymes without acidic components, as already reported in Naticidae species. Therefore, these substances may be involved in softening the surface of the valves of M. veneriformis. Consequently, it is assumed thar L. fortunei bores holes through the shells of molluscs by means of following 3 methods: (1) a softening of the calcareous shells of M. veneriformis with chemical secretions (including gellatin-like substances or enzyme except for acidic components) from the accessory boring glands, (2) mechanical rasping with the radula, (3) a combination of both. In this study, particularly, acidic components, which are involved in softening the surface of the shells, are not associated with the boring mechanism of L. fortunei because chemical acidic components were not detected in the mucus (secretion), as found in Naticidae species.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.906-911
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• 2003

We previously reported that the butanol (BuOH) fraction of the head of Panax ginseng exhibited gastroprotective activity in peptic and chronic ulcer models. In order to identify the active constituent, an activity-guided isolation of the BuOH faction was conducted with a HCI$.$ethanol-induced gastric lesion model. The BuOH fraction was passed through a silica-gel column using a chloroform-methanol gradient solvent system, and six fractions (frs. 1-6) were obtained. The active fr. 5 was further separated by silica-gel column, to yield 6 subfractions (subfrs. a-f). Subfr. d was composed of ginsenosides Re, Rc and $Rb_1$. The most active constituent was ginsenoside $Rb_1$ ($GRb_1$), a protopanaxadiol glycoside, which was investigated for its anti-ulcer effect. Gastric injury induced by HCI$.$ethanol, indomethacin and pyloric ligation (Shay ulcer) was apparently reduced with oral $GRb_1$ doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg. $GRb_1$ at these dosage significantly increased the amount of mucus secretion in an ethanol-induced model. The anti-ulcer effects were consistent with the result of histological examination. These results suggest that the major active constituent in the head of Panax ginseng is $GRb_1$ and that anti-ulcer effect is produced through an increase in mucus secretion.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.591-595
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• 2000

Objective : This experiment was performed in order to study the effects of Scrophulariae Radix on the injured tracheal tissue induced So, in rats. Methods : Healthy adult male rats weighting about 250g were divided into 4 groups - the Normal group, the Control group, the group of Scrophulariae Radix administration for 5 days after $SO_2$, gas exposure(Sample I), and the group of Scrophulariae Radix administration for 10 days before and for 5 days after $SO_2$, gas exposure(Sample II). Results : In the trachea Control group, the lesion of the ciliated epithelium was severe and the mucus secretion of the respiratory tract was increased significantly. In the trachea of Sample I group, the lesion of the ciliated epithelium and the mucus secretion of the respiratory tract were decreased compared with Control group. In the trachea of Sample II group, the lesion of the ciliated epithelium and the mucus secretion of the respiratory tract were decreased compared with Control and Sample I group. conclusions : According to the above results, Scrophulariae Radix has significant effects on the injuried tracheal tissue caused by $SO_2$ in rats.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.226-235
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• 1996

This experiment was performed in order to study the effects of Gyumsuyukgunjun on the injured tracheal tissue induced $SO_2$ in rats. Healthy adult male rats weighting about 250g were divided into 4 groups - the Normal group, the Control group, the group of Gyumsuyukgunjun administration for 5 days after $SO_2$ gas exposure (Sample I), and the group of Gyurnsuyukgunjun administration for 10 days before and for 5 days after $SO_2$ gas exposure (Sample II). The results were obtained as follows ; 1. In the trachea Control group, the lesion of the ciliated epithelium was severe and the mucus secretion of the respiratory tract was increased significantly. 2. In the trachea of Sample I group, the lesion of the ciliated epithelium and the mucus secretion of the respiratory tract were decreased compared with Control group. 3. In the trachea of Sample II group, the lesion of the ciliated epithelium and the mucus secretion of the respiratory tract were decreased compared with Control and Sample I group. According to the above results, Gyumsuyukgnjun has significant effects on the injuried tracheal tissue caused by $SO_2$ in rats.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.991-994
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• 2004

Effects of formulation KTG075 from edible plants on intestinal function, particularly on Mucin 2 secretion, were examined by loperamide-induced constipation method using Sprague Dawley rats (SD rats, male). Crypt epithelial cells containing more mucus and mucus layer stained with alcian blue were significantly thicker in KTG075 group than control group. When Biogenex AM358 of antibody against Mucin 2 was used, crypt epithelial cells secreted more Mucin 2 in KTG075 group than control group. The Mucus layer at fecal surface was thinner and less mucus was recovered from mucosal surface in constipated rats than in KTG075 group. Mucus production of crypt epithelial cells and mucus contents at fecal and mucosal surfaces were reduced by loperamide-induced constipation. These results indicate formula KTG075 accelerates evacuation and activates intestines.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.356-360
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• 2005

The maintenance of intestinal health is complex and relies on a delicate balance between the diet, the normal microflora and mucosa, including the digestive epithelium and overlying mucus layer. The colorectal mucosa is protected by a visco-elastic mucus gel formed by high molecular mass glycoproteins referred to as mucins. Abnormality of mucin have been identified with colorectal disease. Constipation increases with age, and is more common among women than men in all age groups, e.g. 10% of men and 20% of women in the USA. The aim of the present study was conducted to investigate that the effects of formulation KTG075 from edible plants on intestinal function on mucus secretion, were examined by loperamide-induced constipation method using Sprague Dawley male rats. Epithelial cells of colonic crypt contained more mucus in the KTG075 group compared with those of the control group and the thickness of the mucus layer stained with alcian blue was significantly thicker in KTG075 treated rats compared with in control rats. Mucus production of epithelial cells of crypt and mucus contents at fecal and mucosa surfaces were reduced by loperamide-induced constipation. These results indicates that a poly herbal formulation KTG075 accelerates evacuation and activated intestines.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.339-351
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• 1999

Excess secretion of goblet cell stimulated by inhalation anesthetics have side effects during operation or postoperative care. Mucosubstances, which are almost secreted by goblet cells in the epithelium of the respiratory tract, are secreted by a direct irritation of inhalation anesthetics. This study was carried out to compare the differences of mucus secretion on lower respiratory tract stimulated by ethyl ether, halothane and isoflurane. Total of 24 rabbits were used as experimental animals. The trachea and the 1st bronchi were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. After embedding in paraffin, the specimens were sectioned to a thickness of 6 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, and PAS-H, Alcian blue pH 2.5 and Alcian blue pH 1.0 stains were performed for the observation of the composition and the quantity of the mucus. The results were as follows; Ethyl ether and isoflurane irritated the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. Ethyl ether irritated more than isoflurane. Halothane irritated the mucous membrane, but its effect was minimal and had little influences during operation. In the specimens stained with PAS-H, Alcian blue pH 2.5 and Alcian blue pH 1.0, the mucosubstance lining the cilia and in the goblet cells of the trachea and 1st bronchi were the strongly PAS-H reactive mucosubstances, moderately Alcian blue pH 2.5 and Alcian blue pH 1.0. The PAS-H reactive mucosubstance were polysaccharides, neutral mucopolysaccharides, mucoproteins, glycoproteins and glycolipids. Trachea was easily affected than bronchi by inhalation anesthetics. Consequently, it is suggested that because halothane does not irritates respiratory mucosal secretion, its application may be efficient to the depressed respiratory system.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.650-666
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• 2010

Objectives : In this study, the author tried to investigate whether wood vinegar produced from Morus alba (MA) significantly affects the increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances and hyperplasia of tracheal goblet cells of rats, and in vitro airway mucin secretion and PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production / gene expression from human airway epithelial cells. Materials and Methods : For the in vivo experiment, the author induced hypersecretion of airway mucus and goblet cell hyperplasia by exposure of rats to SO2 over 3 weeks. Effect of orally-administered MA over 2 weeks on increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances from tracheal goblet cells of rats and hyperplasia of goblet cells were assessed using histopathological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with alcian blue. For the in vitro experiment, confluent RTSE cells were chased for 30 min in the presence of MA to assess the effect of MA on mucin secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Also, effects of MA on PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of MA and treated with PMA (10 ng/ml), EGF (25 ng/ml) or TNF-alpha (0.2 nm) for 24 hrs, to assess both effects of MA on PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gene expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Possible cytotoxicities of MA in vitro were assessed by examining LDH release from RTSE cells and the rate of survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. In vivo liver and kidney toxicities of MA were evaluated by measuring serum GOT/GPT activities and serum BUN/creatinine concentrations of rats after administering MA orally. Results : 1. MA decreased the amount of intraepithelial mucosubstances of rats exposed to sulfur dioxide inhalationally. 2. MA decreased in vitro mucin secretion from cultured RTSE cells. 3. MA significantly inhibited PMA-, EGF-, and TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin productions and the expression levels of MUC5AC mRNA from NCI-H292 cells. 4. MA did not show either in vitro or in vivo hepatic or renal toxicities. Conclusion : The results from this study suggests that MA can regulate the secretion, production and gene expression of airway mucin observed in diverse respiratory diseases accompanied by mucus hypersecretion and does not show in vivo toxicity to liver and kidney functions after oral administration. Effects of MA should be further studied using animal experimental models that simulate the diverse pathophysiology of respiratory diseases via future research.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.126-137
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• 2006

In the present study, the author intended to investigate whether three oriental medical prescriptions named Jeongcheonhwadam-tang(JHT), Haengso-tang(HST), Socheungryong-tang(SCRT) significantly affect mucin release from cultured hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells. The results were as follows: (1) JHT significantly inhibited mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, without significant cytotoxicity : (2) HST significantly inhibited mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, without significant cytotoxicity : (3) SCRT significantly inhibited mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, without significant cytotoxicity : (4) JHT, HST chiefly inhibited the 'mucin' release and did not significantly affect the release of the other releasable glycoproteins with less molecular weight than mucin. These results suggest that the three herbal prescriptions specifically inhibit the release of mucin: (5) JHT significantly inhibited the expression levels of MUC SAC mRNA. This result suggests that JHT affects the synthesis of mucin at gene level in cultured HTSE cells. All agents showed no significant cytotoxicity. In view of these results, further investigation of the effects of JHT and HST are likely to be instrumental in yielding novel agents from oriental medical prescriptions which have inhibitory effects or expectorative effects on airway mucus secretion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2020

Chronic inflammatory airway diseases, such as chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma, are associated with excessive mucus production. Hence, the regulation of mucus production is important for the treatment of upper and lower airway diseases. Eupatilin is a pharmacologically active ingredient obtained from Artemisia asiatica Nakai (Asteraceae) and exerts potent anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-tumor activities. In the present study, we investigated the effect of eupatilin on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression in human airway epithelial cells. We found that eupatilin treatment significantly inhibited PMA-induced mucus secretion in PAS staining. In addition, qRT-PCR results showed that eupatilin dose-dependently decreased the mRNA expression of MUC5AC in human airway epithelial cells. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay also showed that PMA-induced protein expression of MUC5AC was inhibited by eupatilin treatment. Finally, we investigated MAPKs activity after stimulation with PMA using western blot analysis in human airway epithelial cells. The results showed that eupatilin downregulated the levels of phosphorylated p38, ERK, and JNK. In summary, the anti-inflammatory activities of eupatilin, characterized as the suppression of MUC5AC expression and secretion in human airway epithelial cells, were found to be associated with the inhibition of p38/ERK/JNK MAPKs signaling pathway of MUC5AC secretion.