• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.231-238
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• 2019

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD), an overwhelming neurodegenerative disease, has deleterious effects on the brain that consequently causes memory loss and language impairment. This study was intended to investigate the neuroprotective activity of the two essential oils (EOs) from Iranian Pistacia khinjuk (PK) leaves and Allium sativum (AS) cloves against β-Amyloid 25-35 (Aβ25-35) induced elevation of cholinesterase enzymes in AD. Methods: The EOs of PK (PKEO) and AS (ASEO) were prepared and analyzed in terms of extraction yield, phenolic content, and cholinergic markers in vitro. Moreover, both were administered orally to adult male Wistar rats at concentrations of 1, 2, and 3%. The inhibitory potential of PKEO and ASEO was compared with Donepezil (0.75 mg/kg) against the high activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. Results: PKEO reached an inhibition rate of 83.6% and 81.4% against AChE and BChE, respectively. ASEO had lower anti-cholinesterase activity (65.4% and 31.5% for the inhibition AChE and BChE). PKEO was found to have more phenolic content than ASEO. A significantly positive correlation was observed between the total phenolics and anti-cholinesterase potential. In rats, both EOs decreased the enzyme activity in a concentration-dependent manner. As compared with Donepezil, the significant difference in the AChE and BChE inhibition occurred as rats were treated with PKEO 3% (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It could be concluded that PKEO and ASEO are potent inhibitors of AChE and BChE in rats that hold promise to be used for the treatment of AD.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 56 herbal formulae covered by the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) on dementia-related biomarkers and neuronal cell changes. Methods: The 56 herbal formulae were extracted with 70% ethanol at $100^{\circ}C$ for 2 h. The antioxidant properties was measured by radical scavenging assay using ABTS+ radical. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was tested by Ellman's assay and $amyloid-{\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$) aggregation was determined using fluorescence method. To estimate the inhibitory effects of herbal formulae on neuronal cell death and inflammation using HT22 hippocampal cells and BV-2 microglia, respectively. Results: Among the 56 herbal formulae, Dangguiyukhwangtang, Banhasasimtang, Samhwangsasimtang, Cheongwiesan, Hwangryunhaedoktang, Banhabaekchulchunmatang, Jaeumganghwatang, Cheongseoikgitang, and Hoechunyanggyuksan has a significant inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Doinseunggitang and Samhwangsasimtang exerted the effect on the inhibition of $amyloid-{\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$) aggregation. Additionally, 10 herbal formulae affected AChE and $A{\beta}$ aggregation revealed antioxidant activity as well as neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammation effects in neuronal cell lines. Conclusions: 10 herbal formulae that have been shown to be effective against the major dementia markers have been shown to have antioxidant activity, neuronal cell protection and inhibition of brain inflammation. Further investigation of these herbal formulae will need to be validated in dementia animal models.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.69-99
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• 2011

Objective : Scutellaria baicalensis is one of the most popular and multi-purpose herb in traditional medicine. It is also useful for its practicability to cultivate in Korea. The purpose of this study is to contribute to researches and applications of scutellaria baicalensis by analyzing and reviewing international researches on the compositions and the effects of scutellaria baicalensis. Methods : This study analyzed 146 articles from PubMed by searching with the keyword "Scutellaria baicalensis", "Huang quin", "Baical Skullcap", "Huang qin", "baical skullcap root", "ogon", "Hwanggeum" and "Hwangkeum", published within the last 10 years(from 2000 to 2009). We reviewed the 146 articles on Scutellaria baicalensis and its active constituents in terms of 'Active constituents', 'Experimental studies', 'Clinical studies', 'Drug interaction', 'Side Effects/Toxicity' and 'Pharmacokinetics'. Results : The active constituents of Scutellaria baicalensis are flavonoids such as baicalein, baicalin, wogonin and oroxylin-A. It is reported that scutellaria baicalensis and its active compounds have antiinflammatory activity, antitumor activity, antioxidant activity, antiviral and antibiotic activity, neuroprotective effects, hepatoprotective effects and cardiovascular effect. Conclusions : This study is aimed to summarize the results obtained within the last 10 years and to contribute to following researches and applications of Scutellaria baicalensis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.374-379
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• 2003

To evaluate the mechanism of oxidative damage by Xanthine oxidase(XO) and hypoxanthine(HX)-induced oxygen radicals, XTT assay was carried out. Neurofilament EIA and PKC activity were measured to evaluate the protective effect of Jingansikpung-tang(JST) and Gamijingansikpung-tang(GJST) water extract on cultured spinal sensory neurons damaged by XO/HX, after the cultured mouse spinal sensory neurons were preincubated with various concentrations of JST and GJST water extract for 3 hours prior to exposure of XO/HX. The results were XO/HX decreased significantly, in proportion to concentration and exposed time, the survival rate of the cultured mouse sensory neurons on XTT assay. And in proportion to concentration and exposed time on cultured spinal sensory neurons, XO/HX showed the quantitative decrease of neurofilament by EIA, increase of PKC activity, but JST and GJST showed the neuroprotective effects against decrease of neurofilament and increase of PKC activity by XO/HX. From the above results, it is concluded that XO/HX have a neurotoxic effect on cultured spinal sensory neurons and the herbs water extract, such as JST and GJST prevent the toxicity of XO/HX effectively.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.306-312
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• 2012

Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) has received considerable attention recently for the potential neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative disorders where heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) represent promising therapeutic targets. Resveratrol has been known to increase HO-1 expression and SIRT1 activity. In this study, the effects of resveratrol and trans-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene (TMS), a resveratrol derivative, on cytotoxicity caused by glutamate-induced oxidative stress, HO-1 expression, and SIRT1 activation have been investigated by using murine hippocampal HT22 cells, which have been widely used as an in vitro model for investigating glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Resveratrol protected HT22 neuronal cells from glutamate-induced cytotoxicity and increased HO-1 expression as well as SIRT1 activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Cytoprotection afforded by resveratrol was partially reversed by the specific inhibition of HO-1 expression by HO-1 small interfering RNA and the nonspecific blockage of HO-1 activity by tin protoporphyrin IX, but not by SIRT1 inhibitors. Surprisingly, TMS, a resveratrol derivative with methoxyl groups in lieu of the hydroxyl groups, and trans-stilbene, a non-hydroxylated analog, failed to protect HT22 cells from glutamate-induced cytotoxicity and to increase HO-1 expression and SIRT1 activity. Taken together, our findings suggest that the cytoprotective effect of resveratrol was at least in part associated with HO-1 expression but not with SIRT1 activation and, importantly, that the presence of hydroxyl groups on the benzene rings of resveratrol appears to be necessary for cytoprotection against glutamate-induced oxidative stress, HO-1 expression, and SIRT1 activation in HT22 neuronal cells.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제50권5호
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• pp.415-425
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• 2017

Purpose: Many studies have suggested that neuronal cells protect against oxidative stress-induced apoptotic cell death by polyphenolic compounds. We investigated the neuroprotective effects and the mechanism of action of Momordica charantia ethanol extract (MCE) against $H_2O_2-induced$ cell death of human neuroblastoma SK-N-MC cells. Methods: The antioxidant activity of MCE was measured by the quantity of total phenolic acid compounds (TPC), quantity of total flavonoid compounds (TFC), and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were determined by CCK-8 assay. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay. Antioxidant enzyme (SOD-1,2 and GPx-1) expression was determined by real-time PCR. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway and apoptosis signal expression was measured by Western blotting. Results: The TPC and TFC quantities of MCE were 28.51 mg gallic acid equivalents/extract g and 3.95 mg catechin equivalents/extract g, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ value for DPPH radical scavenging activity was $506.95{\mu}g/ml$ for MCE. Pre-treatment with MCE showed protective effects against $H_2O_2-induced$ cell death and inhibited ROS generation by oxidative stress. SOD-1,2 and GPx-1 mRNA expression was recovered by pre-treatment with MCE compared with the presence of $H_2O_2$. Pre-treatment with MCE inhibited phosphorylation of p38 and the JNK pathway and down-regulated cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP by $H_2O_2$. Conclusion: The neuroprotective effects of MCE in terms of recovery of antioxidant enzyme gene expression, down-regulation of MAPK pathways, and inhibition apoptosis is associated with reduced oxidative stress in SK-N-MC cells.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제66권
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• pp.250-257
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• 2023

Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter distributed in the central nervous system of mammals. However, high concentrations of glutamate are known to cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke by causing nerve cell death. In this study, the antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effect of subtropical natural products were analyzed. Among 11 subtropical plant extracts mainly tested, Sallacca wallichiana extract (SE) showed the greatest free radical scavenging activity. Then, we confirmed through WST-1 assay that SE protected HT22 cells against glutamate-induced cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. The protective effects of SE against glutamate-induced apoptosis in HT22 cells were also confirmed by flow cytometry analysis using Annexin V/PI double staining. We also confirmed using H₂DCF-DA single staining that SE inhibits glutamate-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species. And we were confirmed through that SE inhibited glutamate-induced phosphorylation of Mitogen-activated Protein kinases. Consequently, our results propose that SE may contribute to the development of therapeutics to prevent neurodegenerative diseases.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.343-348
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• 2008

In this study, antioxidant activity of methanol extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch (GUE) against $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage in human leucocytcs and cell death in PC12 cells was determined. The effect of GUE on $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage in human leucocytcs was evaluated by the comet assay, where GUE ($1-50\;{\mu}g/mL$) was a dose dependent inhibitor of DNA damage induced by $H_2O_2$. The protective effect of GUE against $H_2O_2$-induced damage on PC12 cells was investigated by MTT reduction assay and lactate dehydrogenase release assay. A marked reduction in cell survival induced by $H_2O_2$ was significantly prevented by $1-50\;{\mu}g/mL$ of GUE. The enzyme activity of caspase-3 was elevated in $H_2O_2$-treated PC12 cells, while preincubation with GUE for 30 min inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced caspase-3 activation in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, GUE ameliorates $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage in human leucocytes and has neuroprotective effect by preventing cell death in PC12 cell, suggesting that GU may be a potential candidate for novel therapeutic agents for neuronal diseases associated with oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.70-77
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• 2020

Mentha arvensis is used traditional medicine to treat various disorders. In the present study, M. arvensis were extracted by the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method and analyzed by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of a M. arvensis extract on scopolamine-induced cognitive and memory impairment. Mice were orally pretreated with a M. arvensis extract or normal saline, and then behavior tests were conducted 30 min after scopolamine injection. The antioxidant capacities were analyzed by free radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were also measured using Ellman's method ex vivo test. In behavior tests, percent of spontaneous alteration, escape latency and swimming time in target quadrant were improved by the administration of the M. arvensis extract, which suggests that the M. arvensis extract improves memory function in the scopolamine-treated mice model. In addition, M. arvensis extract showed inhibition of the free radical and AChE activity. The results of the present study suggest that the M. arvensis extract ameliorates scopolamine-induced cognitive and memory deficits through the inhibition of free radicals and AChE activity. Therefore, M. arvensis may be a promising neuroprotective agent for management of learning and memory improvements in human dementia patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.1202-1207
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• 2003

In order to clarify the neuroprotective effect of Cornu Saigae Tataricae(CST) water extract on cultured mouse spinal motor neuron damaged by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay, LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase) activity assay and SRB (Sulforhodamine B) assay were carried out after the cultured mouse spinal motor neuron were preincubated with various concentrations of CST water extract for 3 hours prior to exposure of hydrogen peroxide Cell viability of cultured mouse spinal motor neurons exposed to various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide for 6 hours was decreased in a dose-dependent manner. MTT50 values were 40 uM hydrogen peroxide. Cultured mouse spinal motor neurons in the medium containing various concentration of hydrogen peroxide for 6 hours showed increasing of LDH activity and decreasing of total protein synthesis. We know that hydrogen peroxide was toxic on cultured spinal motor neurons. Pretreatment of CST water extract for 3 hours following hydrogen peroxide prevented the hydrogen peroxide-induced neurotoxicity such as increasing of LDH activity and decreasing of total protein synthesis. These results suggest that hydrogen peroxide shows toxic effect on cultured spinal motor neurons and CST water extract is highly effective in protecting the neurotoxicity induced by hydrogen peroxide.