• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2020

Mushrooms have been extensively used as traditional medicines to treat cancer and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we examined whether Trametes cubensis extract (TCE) exerted beneficial effects on cardiovascular function. First, we demonstrated that TCE was non-cytotoxic and enhanced cell proliferation of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). Moreover, TCE induced cell migration and blocked lipopolysaccharide-induced adhesion of monocytes to BAEC. We performed a variety of cell signaling studies, showing that TCE activates p38 MAPK and generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our results showed that TCE-induced vascular functions were mediated by p38 MAPK, but not by ROS. These results provide insights into bio-medical applications of TCE as a preventive or therapeutic agent for treating cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.11-32
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• 2010

Objective : The aim of this study is to determine the effects of Dendrobii herba extract and Punica granatum extract on skin disease and skin beauty. Methods : To investigate in vitro anti-oxidant activity assay, ethanol extracts of medicinal plants tested by DPPH radical, xanthine oxidase activity. In the next experiment, to investigate anti-inflammatory activity assay, examined by relations in NO synthesis, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}B$, COX-2, MAP kinase. To study Skin wrinkle formation effect, we were examined by tyrosinase activities, melanin synthesis in MNT-1 cell. Results : 1. In an anti-oxidant test, Dendrobii and Punica granatum extract showed high radical scavenging activity. 2. In an anti-inflammatory test, Dendrobii herba and Punica granatum extract weakly inhibited the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced nitric oxide(NO) release from RAW 246.7 macrophage cells. Dendrobii herba and Punica granatum extract also inhibited LPS-induced IL-$1{\beta}$ and COX-2 expressions. The inhibitory effect of Dendrobii herba and Punica granatum extract on macrophage activation were via the inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$, evidenced by transient transfection assay. however, Dendrobii herba and Punica granatum extract did not have any effects about activation of Jun-N-terminal kinase(JNK) and inhibition of p38 MAP kinase in RAW 264.7 cells. 3. In the skin wrinkle formation assay, Dendrobii herba and Punica granatum extract weakly inhibited collagenase and elastase, however it was not statistically significant. 4. In the skin whitening assay, Dendrobii herba and Punica granatum extract weakly inhibited tyrosinase activity, however, it was not statistically significant. They did not have any effect on melanin synthesis, indicating that they could not be applicable for skin whitening. Conclusion : Dendrobii herba extract and Punica granatum extract may play a significant role in skin disease and skin beauty.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.23-43
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• 2010

Objective : This study was performed to assess the effects of Aloe and Violae herba extracts on skin disease and skin beauty. Methods : Anti-oxidant effects were measured by the scavenging for DPPH radical, xanthine oxidase activity. Anti-inflammatory effects were examined by relations in NO synthesis, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, NF-kB, COX-2, MAP kinase. The skin wrinkle formation effects were measured by collagenase and elastase activities. The whitening effects were examined by tyrosinase activities, melanin synthesis in MNT-1 cell. Results : 1. In an anti-oxidant test, Aloe and Violae herba extracts showed high radical scavenging activity. 2. In an anti-inflammatory test, Aloe and Violae herba extracts strongly inhibited the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced nitric oxide(NO) release from the RAW 246.7 macrophage cells. Aloe and Violae herba extracts also inhibited the LPS-induced IL-$1{\beta}$ and COX-2 expressions. The inhibitory effects of Aloe and Violae herba extracts on macrophage activation were via the inhibition of NF-kB, evidenced by transient transfection assay. Furthermore, Aloe and Violae herba extracts weakly inhibited the activation of Jun-N-terminal kinase(JNK) but they did not have any effects on p38 MAP kinase in RAW 264.7 cells. 3. In the skin wrinkle formation assay, Aloe extract strongly inhibited collagenase and elastase, whose activity are tightly related with the wrinkle formation. 4. In the skin whitening assay, Aloe and Viloae herba extracts weakly inhibited tyrosinase activity, however, it was not statistically significant. Besides they did not have any effects on melanin synthesis, indicating that they could not be applicable for skin whitening. Conclusion : This study show that Aloe and Violae herba extracts may play a significant role in skin disease and skin beauty.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.148-153
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• 2009

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) is a stable anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant, depending on the situation, and it is widely used to inhibit the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$. We recently reported that PDTC activates the MIP-2 gene in a NF-${\kappa}B$-independent and c-Jun-dependent manner in macrophage cells. In this work, we found that PDTC activates signal transduction pathways in mouse ES cells. Among the three different mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, including the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 MAP kinase, and stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways, only the ERK pathway was significantly activated in mouse ES cells after stimulation with PDTC. Additionally, we observed a synergistic activation of ERK and induction of c-Fos after stimulation with PDTC in the presence of mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) conditioned medium. In contrast, another NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitor, BMS-345541, did not activate the MAP kinase pathways or induce expression of c-Fos. These results suggest that changes in the presence of the NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitor PDTC should be carefully considered when it used with mouse ES cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of Bodusan (BDS) on SNU-1 cells, a human gastric cancer cell line. Methods : To study the cytotoxic effect of BDS on SNU-1 cells, the cells were treated with various concentrations of BDS and then cell viability was determined by XTT reduction method and trypan blue exclusion assay. The typical signs of apoptosis, was examined by western blot analysis. BDS-induced MAPK activation was also examined by Western blot for phosphorylated ERK and p38. Results : BDS reduced proliferation of SNU-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner and decreased procaspase 3 level in a dose-dependent manner and induced the clevage of PARP at concentration > 500 ${\mu}g/ml$. BDS also triggered the mitochondrial apoptotic signaling by increasing the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria to cytosol and reducing the level of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. BDS significantly decreased ERK phosphorylation and increased p38 phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Futhermore, BDS treatment up-regulated p53 and p21waf expression in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : BDS-induced apoptosis is MAP kinase-dependent apoptoric pathway and arrested SNU-1 cells at the G0/G1 of cell cycle. These results suggest that BDS is potentially useful as a chemotherapeutic agent in human gastric cancer.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.747-760
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• 2005

Periodontal therapy has dealt primarily with attempts at arresting progression of disease. however, more recent techniques have focused on regenerating the periodontal ligament having the capacity to regenerate the periodontium. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7(rhBMP-7) can differentiate the osteoprogenitor cells and induce bone formation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of BMP-7 on rat periodontal ligament cells differentiation, in vitro. In the control group, cells was cultured with DMEM media. In the experimental groups, cells were cultured with rhBMP-7 in concentration of 10, 25, 50 and 100 ng/ml. Each group was characterized by examining alkaline phosphatase activity at 3 and 5 days of culture and the ability to produce mineralized nodules of rat calvarial cells at 14 days of culture. Synthesis of type I collagen(COL-I), osteocalcin(OCN), and bone sialoprotein(BSP) was evaluated by RT-PCR at 7 days of culture. Activation of Smad proteins and p38 MAP kinase was determined by western blot analysis of the cell lysates. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly increased in the concentration of BMP-7 50 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml compared to the control(p<0.05). The mineralized bone nodule formation was greater with addition of 50 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml BMP-7 than the control(p<0.01). In 7 days' culture, the expressions of COL-I, BSP, and OCN was increased by BMP-7 in concentration of 10 $ng/ml{\sim}100$ ng/ml. In western blot analysis, BMP-7 treated culture cells expressed Smad 1,5,8 in dose-dependent manner, whereas BMP-7 did not activate phosphorylated form of p38 MAP kinase. These result suggested that BMP-7 stimulate rat periodontal ligament cells to differentiate toward osteoblast phenotype and increase bone matrix production by activation of BMP-Smad pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2007

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase that activates JNK and p38 kinases. ASK1 is activated by various stresses, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and calcium influx which are thought to be responsible for the pathogenesis or exacerbations of various human diseases. Recent studies revealed the involvement of ASK1 in ROS- or ER stressrelated diseases, suggesting that ASK1 may be a potential therapeutic target of various human diseases. In this review, we focus on the current findings for the relationship between pathogenesis and ASK1-MAPK pathways.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.152-152
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• 2001

Curcumin, a yellow coloring ingredient of turmeric (Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae), has been shown to inhibit experimental carcinogenesis and mutagenesis, but molecular mechanisms underlying its chemopreventive activities remain unclear.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.212.1-212
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• 2001

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.147.3-148
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• 2002