• 대한한의학회지
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.20-32
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• 2022

Objectives: Kyungok-go (KOG) is a traditional multi-herbal medicine commonly used for enforcing weakened immunity for long time. Recently, there are several reports that KOG has anti-inflammatory and immuno-stimulatory activities in many experimental models. However, the protective effects of KOG on neuronal inflammation are still undiscovered. Thus, we investigated the neuro-protective activity of KOG on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse microglia cells. To find out KOG's anti-neuroinflammatory effects on microglial cells, we examined the production of nitrite using griess assay, and mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α using real time RT-PCR. In addition, to examine the regulating mechanisms of KOG, we investigated the protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and Iκ-Bα by western blot. KOG inhibited the elevation of nitrite, iNOS and COX-2 on LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Also, KOG significantly inhibited the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α on LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Moreover, KOG inhibited the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), P38 and degradation of Iκ-Bα but not the activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) on LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. These results showed KOG has the anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition on nitrite, iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α via the deactivation of JNK, p38 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB on LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Thereby, KOG could offer the new and promising treatment for neurodegenerative disease related to neuroinflammation.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국자원식물학회 2021년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.59-59
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• 2021

Stachys sieboldii Miq. (SSM) and Acorus gramineus Soland. (AGS) have been used as traditional medicines for thousands of years in parts of Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan. Recent researches on SSM and AGS have documented a wide spectrum of therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, neurodegenerative disease effects. However, the toxicity and safety of SSM and AGS, and their mixture (medicinal herber mixture, MHMIX) were not confirmed. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the acute toxicity and safety of SSM, AGS and MHMIX. SSM, AGS and MHMIX were orally administered at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg in ICR mice. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in the body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during the 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy. We also measured parameters of organ weight, clinical chemistry, and hematology. No dead and no clinical signs were found during the experiment period after administration of a single oral dose of SSM, AGS and MHMIX. There were no adverse effects on clinical signs, body weight, or organ weight and no gross pathological findings in any treatment group. Therefore, LD50 value of SSM, AGS and MHMIX may be over 5,000 mg/kg and it may have no side toxic effect to ICR mice. The results on the single-dose toxicity of SSM, AGS and MHMIX indicate that it is not possible to reach oral dose levels related to death or dose levels with any harmful side effects.

• Journal of Interdisciplinary Genomics
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.35-41
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• 2023

Background: Ca²⁺ signaling plays a vital role in neuronal signaling and altered Ca²⁺ homeostasis in Parkinson's disease (PD). Overexpression of αSYN significantly promote the Ca²⁺-Calmodulin (CaM) activity and subsequent nuclear translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factor in dopaminergic neurons of midbrain. However, the exact role of Ca²⁺-CaM and NFAT in PD pathology is yet to be elucidated. Methods: We designed the CaM-NFAT-oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), a synthetic short DNA containing complementary sequence for NFAT transcription factor and CaM mRNA. Then, the effect of CaM-NFAT-ODN on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺)-mediated neurotoxicity was investigated in mimic PD model in vitro. Results: First, the expression of αSYN and CaM was strongly increased in substantia nigra (SN) of PD and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was strongly increased in control SN. Additionally, the expression of apoptosis marker proteins was strongly increased in SN of PD. Transfection of CaM-NFAT-ODN repressed CaM and pNFAT, the target genes of this ODN in rat embryo primary mesencephalic neurons. It also reduced ERK phosphorylation, a downstream target of these genes. These results demonstrated that CaM-NFAT-ODN operated successfully in rat embryo primary mesencephalic neurons. Transfection of CaM-NFAT-ODN repressed TH reduction, αSYN accumulation, and apoptosis by MPP⁺-induced neurotoxicity response through Ca²⁺ signaling and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling. Conclusion: Synthetic CaM-NFAT-ODN has substantial therapeutic feasibility for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.564-573
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• 2023

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of assessing the viscoelastic properties of the brain using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and a novel MRE transducer to determine the relationship between the viscoelastic properties and glymphatic function in neurologically normal individuals. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 47 neurologically normal individuals aged 23-74 years (male-to-female ratio, 21:26). The MRE was acquired using a gravitational transducer based on a rotational eccentric mass as the driving system. The magnitude of the complex shear modulus |G^*| and the phase angle 𝛗 were measured in the centrum semiovale area. To evaluate glymphatic function, the Diffusion Tensor Image Analysis Along the Perivascular Space (DTI-ALPS) method was utilized and the ALPS index was calculated. Univariable and multivariable (variables with P < 0.2 from the univariable analysis) linear regression analyses were performed for |G^*| and 𝛗 and included sex, age, normalized white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, brain parenchymal volume, and ALPS index as covariates. Results: In the univariable analysis for |G^*|, age (P = 0.005), brain parenchymal volume (P = 0.152), normalized WMH volume (P = 0.011), and ALPS index (P = 0.005) were identified as candidates with P < 0.2. In the multivariable analysis, only the ALPS index was independently associated with |G^*|, showing a positive relationship (β = 0.300, P = 0.029). For 𝛗, normalized WMH volume (P = 0.128) and ALPS index (P = 0.015) were identified as candidates for multivariable analysis, and only the ALPS index was independently associated with 𝛗 (β = 0.057, P = 0.039). Conclusion: Brain MRE using a gravitational transducer is feasible in neurologically normal individuals over a wide age range. The significant correlation between the viscoelastic properties of the brain and glymphatic function suggests that a more organized or preserved microenvironment of the brain parenchyma is associated with a more unimpeded glymphatic fluid flow.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제81권6호
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• pp.1478-1485
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• 2020

리 증후군 또는 아급성 괴사성 뇌병증은 드물며, 빠르게 진행하는 신경 퇴행성 장애이다. 일반적으로 생후 1년 이내 호흡곤란, 심장기능 저하 등과 같은 증상이 발생하여, 2~3년 동안 환자의 75%가 사망에 이르는 심각한 질환이다. 리 증후군의 원인은 DNA mutation으로, 약 75%의 환자에서 핵 데옥시리보핵산의 돌연변이가 나타나고, 25%의 환자에서 미토콘드리아 데옥시리보핵산의 돌연변이가 발견된다. 임상 증상은 영향을 받은 뇌 영역에 따라 달라지며, 신경영상은 리 증후군 환자의 진단에 있어 중요한 역할을 한다. 성인에서 발생한 리 증후군은 더욱 드물고 어린 나이에 발생한 경우보다 더 느리게 진행한다. 우리는 성인에서 발생한 베르니케 뇌병증으로 오인된 리 증후군 환자의 증례를 보고하고자 한다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.384-394
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• 2024

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), known to latently infect the host's trigeminal ganglion, can lead to severe herpes encephalitis or asymptomatic infection, potentially contributing to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The virus generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that significantly impact viral replication and induce chronic inflammation through NF-κB activation. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), an oxidative stress regulator, can prevent and treat HSV-1 infection by activating the passive defense response in the early stages of infection. Methods and results: Our study investigated the antiviral effects of ginsenoside Rg5, an Nrf2 activator, on HSV-1 replication and several host cell signaling pathways. We found that HSV-1 infection inhibited Nrf2 activity in host cells, induced ROS/NF-κB signaling, and triggered inflammatory cytokines. However, treatment with ginsenoside Rg5 inhibited ROS/NF-κB signaling and reduced inflammatory cytokines through NRF2 induction. Interestingly, the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 suppressed the expression of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1) and enhanced the expression of KEAP1 in HSV-1 infected cells. This led to the reversal of VP16 expression inhibition, a protein factor associated with HSV-1 infection, thereby promoting HSV-1 replication. Conclusion: These findings suggest for the first time that ginsenoside Rg5 may serve as an antiviral against HSV-1 infection and could be a novel therapeutic agent for HSV-1-induced neuroinflammation.

• 대한치매학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.71-78
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• 2022

Background and Purpose: The expression of the 18-kDA mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) in the brain is an attractive target to study neuroinflammation. However, the binding properties of TSPO ligands are reportedly dependent on genetic polymorphism of the TSPO gene (rs6971). The objective of this study is to investigate the rs6971 gene polymorphism in the Korean population. Methods: We performed genetic testing on 109 subjects including patients with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia, non-AD dementia, and cognitively unimpaired participants. Magnetic resonance imaging scans and detailed neuropsychological tests were also performed, and 29 participants underwent ¹⁸F-DPA714 PET scans. Exon 4 of the TSPO gene containing the polymorphism rs6971 (Ala or Thr at position 147) was polymerase chain reaction amplified and sequenced using the Sanger method. The identified rs6971 genotype codes (C/C, C/T, or T/T) of the TSPO protein generated high-, mixed-, or low-affinity binding phenotypes (HABs, MABs, and LABs), respectively. Results: We found that 96.3% of the study subjects were HAB (105 out of 109 subjects), and 3.7% of the subjects were MAB (4 out of 109 subjects). ¹⁸F-DPA-714 PET scans showed nonspecific binding to the thalamus and brainstem, and increased tracer uptake throughout the cortex in cognitively impaired patients. The participant with the MAB polymorphism had a higher DPA714 signal throughout the cortex. Conclusions: The majority of Koreans are HAB (aprox. 96%). Therefore, the polymorphism of the rs6971 gene would have a smaller impact on the availability of second-generation TSPO PET tracers.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제25권9호
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• pp.961-969
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• 2015

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)는 녹차(Camellia sinensis, green tea)에 포함되어 있는 대표적인 카테킨(Catechin)으로, 당뇨(diabetes), 신경퇴행성 질환(neurodegenerative disorders), 암(cancer), 심혈관계 질환(cardiovascular disease), 비만(obesity) 등의 다양한 임상질환에 우수한 치료효과를 나타내는 것으로 알려왔다. 본 연구에서는 EGCG가 LPS (Lipopolysaccaride)로 자극된 RAW264.7 세포의 염증억제과정에서 Nitric oxide (NO)관련인자와 사이토카인 발현에 미치는 영향을 분석하기 위해, NO농도, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) 발현량, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 사이토카인의 발현량을 분석하였다. 먼저, EGCG (100-400 μM)를 처리한 Raw264.7 세포에서 특이적인 독성이 나타나지 않음을 확인하였으며, 이후 Raw264.7 세포에 4가지 다른 농도(0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 μg/ml)의 LPS를 처리한 후 MTT분석, NO농도분석, IL-6농도분석을 실시하여, 염증을 유발할 수 있는 최적 LPS 농도를 1 μg/ml로 설정하였다. NO농도를 분석한 결과, LPS를 처리한 그룹이 No그룹에 비하여 급속히 증가하여 63 μmol/l까지 증가하였으나 400 μM EGCG를 처리한 그룹에서만 68.2% 정도 감소하였으며, 동시에 iNOS 발현 양상은 200, 400 μM EGCG/LPS 처리 그룹에서 각각 12.3%, 17.4% 감소하였다. 또한, 감소비율에는 차이가 있었으나, anti-inflammatory 사이토카인(IL-1β, TNF-α)과 pro-inflammatory 사이토카인(IL-10)의 발현은 EGCG/LPS 처리에 따라 유의적으로 감소하였다. 그러나, IL-6단백질과 mRNA 농도는 Vehicle/LPS 처리 그룹과 EGCG/LPS 처리 그룹에서 유의적인 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 따라서, 본 연구의 결과는 EGCG가 LPS의 자극에 의해 활성화된 Raw264.7 세포를 효과적으로 억제하는 효능을 나타냄을 제시하고 있으며, 이러한 과정에 사이토카인들이 서로 다르게 특이적 반응을 중계함을 제시하고 있다.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.673-679
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• 2015

본 연구에서는 뉴그린(Brassica oleracea var. botytis aut italiana)의 산화방지 효과와 신경세포 보호효과 및 주요 생리활성물질을 분석하였다. 뉴그린 아세트산에틸 분획물은 다른 분획물보다 총 페놀 함량(178.83 mg GAE/g of dried new green)이 높게 나타났으며, 이에 따라 아세트산에틸 분획물로 in vitro 산화방지 실험을 한 결과 상대적으로 우수한 ABTS 라디칼 소거활성과 말론다이알데하이드 생성 억제효과를 나타내었다. 신경세포에 과산화수소로 유발시킨 산화 스트레스에 대한 뉴그린 아세트산에틸 분획물은 산화 스트레스의 생성을 억제하고 세포 생존율을 향상시킬 뿐만 아니라 신경 세포막 손상을 보호하는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 효과를 나타내는 뉴그린 아세트산에틸 분획물의 주요 생리활성 물질을 확인하기 위해 가스크로마토그래프질량분석을 실시한 결과 퀸산, 페룰산 및 카페산이 존재하는 것으로 확인되었다. 본 연구 결과를 바탕으로, 뉴그린 아세트산에틸 분획물은 우수한 산화방지 효과와 신경세포 보호효과를 나타냄에 따라, 퇴행성 신경질환과 같은 질병을 예방할 수 있는 천연물 유래의 기능성 소재로서의 활용가치가 있다고 판단된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권10호
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• pp.1096-1103
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• 2019

신경염증은 알츠하이머병 및 파킨슨병 과 같은 신경퇴행성 장애의 발병원인에 관련이 있는 미세아교세포의 활성에 의해 매개되므로 신경염증억제는 다양한 뇌질환을 치료할 수 있는 효과적인 해결책이 될 수 있다. 흰점박이 꽃무지는 딱정벌레목 풍뎅이과에 속하는 곤충으로 한국, 중국, 일본 및 시베리아에 서식한다. 현재 국내에서는 흰점박이꽃무지가 식용곤충 자원으로서 단백질 공급원일 뿐만 아니라 간보호 효과와 혈행개선 등에 유용한 생리활성 물질을 다량 함유하고 있는 것으로 보고되고 있다. 미세아교세포는 중추신경계에서 염증성 cytokine 및 산화질소의 중요공급원이며 신경면역 및 염증기능 및 기타 다양한 신경생물학적 효과를 발휘한다. 본 연구에서는 LPS(100 ng/ml)를 처리하여 과하게 활성화된 미세아교세포에서 흰점박이꽃무지 에탄올 추출물의 신경염증 억제 효과를 조사하였다. 그 결과, 흰점박이꽃무지 에탄올 추출물은 세포독성 없이 NO 생성을 현저히 억제하였고, iNOS와 COX-2 발현량을 감소시켰으며 LPS에 의해 분비되는 염증성 cytokine의 생성량도 흰점박이꽃무지 추출물에 의해 감소되었다. 이러한 결과는 흰점박이꽃무지 에탄올 추출물이 신경염증 및 퇴행성 신경질환을 예방하기 위한 기능성 물질의 좋은 공급원이 될 수 있음을 시사한다.