• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.429-437
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relaxant and anti-inflammatory effects of two thalidomide analogs as phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitors in pregnant rat uterus. Uteri from Wistar female rats were isolated at 19 day of pregnancy. Uterine samples were used in functional studies to evaluate the inhibitory effects of the thalidomide analogs, methyl 3-(4-nitrophthalimido)-3-(3,4- dimethoxyphenyl)-propanoate (4NO2PDPMe) and methyl 3-(4-aminophthalimido)- 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-propanoate (4APDPMe), on prostaglandin-$F2{\alpha}$ ($PGF2{\alpha}$)-induced phasic, $K^+$-induced tonic, and $Ca^{2+}$-induced contractions. Accumulation of cAMP was quantified in uterine homogenates by ELISA. Anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by using ELISA for determination of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF{\alpha}$) and interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and anti-inflammatory IL-10, from uterine explants stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Nifedipine, forskolin and rolipram were used as positive controls where required. Both thalidomide analogs induced a significant inhibition of the uterine contractions induced by the pharmaco- and electro-mechanic stimuli. Nifedipine and forskolin were more potent than the analogs to inhibit the uterine contractility, but these were more potent than rolipram, and 4APDPMe was equieffective to nifedipine. Thalidomide analogs increased uterine cAMP-levels in a concentration-dependent manner. The LPS-induced $TNF{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ uterine secretion was diminished in a concentration-dependent fashion by both analogs, whereas IL-10 secretion was increased significantly. The thalidomide analogs induced utero-relaxant and anti-inflammatory effects, which were associated with the increased cAMP levels as PDE-4 inhibitors in the pregnant rat uterus. Such properties place these thalidomide analogs as potentially safe and effective tocolytic agents in a field that urgently needs improved pharmacological treatments, as in cases of preterm labor.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.135-141
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• 2011

Inhibition of intestinal glucose uptake is beneficial in reducing the blood glucose level for diabetes. To search for an effective intestinal glucose uptake inhibitor from natural sources, 70 native edible plants, fruits and vegetables were screened using Caco-2 cells and fluorescent D-glucose analog 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-NBDG). A compound that was able to inhibit glucose uptake was isolated from methanol extract of Punica granatum L. and called PG-1a. PG-1a appears to be a phthalic acid-diisononyl ester- like compound (PDE) with molecular weight of 418. The inhibitory effect of PG-1a on intestinal glucose uptake was dose-dependent with 89% inhibition at $100\;{\mu}g$/mL. Furthermore, the intestinal glucose uptake inhibitory effect of PG-1a was 1.2-fold higher than phlorizin, a well known glucose uptake inhibitor. This study suggests that PG-1a could play a role in controlling the dietary glucose absorption, and that PG-1a can effectively improve the diabetic condition, and may be used as an optional therapeutic and preventive agent.

• 생약학회지
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.216-220
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• 2010

Obesity is an important risk factor that significantly increases mortality and disease rates in the cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and various diseases. So far, the most powerful way to inhibit fat absorption is pancreatic lipase inhibitors. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effect of the extract of Juniperus rigida. Juniperus rigida extract (JRE) had a inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase activity ($IC_{50}$=8.63 ${\mu}g$/ml). In in vivo oil-emulsion loading test, this extract also inhibited the intestinal fat absorption. In addition, we measured inhibitory effects of JRE on activity of phosphodiesterase (PDE) and hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) among the important enzymes associated with lipolysis. JRE strongly inhibited PDE activity ($IC_{50}$=4.56 ${\mu}g$/ml), whereas inhibitory effect on HSL activity was very weak compared with orlistat. As a result, JRE inhibited the absorption of fat by inhibiting the activity of pancreatic lipase and induced lipolysis through inhibition of PDE activity. Therefore, we suggest that Juniperus rigida may be a potential therapeutic agent improving obesity.

• 생약학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.377-383
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• 1999

The anti-asthmatic activities of the extract of Lonicera japonica (BuOH fraction) and its mode of action were investigated using several in vitro and in vivo models. Lonicera japonica was extracted with 30% ethanol (v/v) and successively partitioned into BuOH. The BuOH fraction reduced antigen-induced contraction of isolated trachea from sensitized guinea pigs in a concentration-dependent manner. The BuOH fraction also inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells induced by antigen or calcium ionophore A23187 ($IC_{50}=0.26$ and 0.32mg/ml, respectively). Eosinophil infiltration into bronchoalveolar lavage fluids induced by aeroallergen challenge in passively sensitized guinea pigs was inhibited by the BuOH fraction at a dose of 800mg/kg (51.7%). In addition, the BuOH fraction inhibited leukotriene $B_4$ prodution in rat basophilic leukemia cells ($IC_{50}=0.42\;mg/ml$) as well as phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) isolated from rat brain ($IC_{50}=0.015\;mg/ml$). All results from this study strongly suggest that the BuOH fraction of Lonicera japonica may be useful in the treatment of asthma and its mode of action may be related with inhibition of both 5-lipoxygenase and PDE4 enzyme.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.484-491
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• 2016

본 연구에서는 시네트롤(Sinetrol-XPur)을 유전성 비만 마우스(Obese)에 7주간 식이 투여하여 항비만 효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 시네트롤을 섭취한 유전성 비만 마우스군(Sinetrol low와 Sinetrol high)의 체중증가량은 Obese군에 비하여 유의적으로 감소하였고, 간 무게변화량은 Sinetrol high군에서 Obese군보다 유의적으로 감소하였다. 백색지방의 무게변화량은 Sinetrol high군에서 Obese군보다 유의적으로 감소하였음을 확인하였다. 실험동물의 혈청 지질 함량은 TC, TG, LDL/VLDL-콜레스테롤이 Obese군에 비해 Sinetrol군에서 감소하였고, HDL-콜레스테롤은 유전성 비만군(Obese, Sinetrol low, Sinetrol high) 간에 유의적인 차이가 나타나지 않았다. HDL/LDL ratio를 계산한 결과에서는 Sinetrol군에서 Obese군보다 유의적으로 증가하였음을 확인하였다. 실험동물군의 지방조직에서 비만 관련 유전자들의 발현을 측정한 결과, FAS와 LPL의 발현은 Obese군보다 Sinetrol군에서 감소하였고 HSL의 발현은 유의적인 차이가 나타나지 않았지만, UCP-2의 발현은 Obese군에 비해 Sinetrol high군에서 유의적으로 증가하였음을 확인하였다. 또한 세포 내 cAMP를 측정한 결과 시네트롤 처리 시 농도 의존적으로 cAMP가 증가하였음을 확인하였고, 증가한 cAMP에 의해 UCP-2의 발현이 증가되는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과로부터 시네트롤이 지방 합성과 관련된 유전자 발현의 억제 및 에너지 소비와 관련된 유전자의 발현을 증가시키고 체내 지방의 축적이나 합성을 감소시켜 체중의 증가를 예방하며, 혈중 지질 함량들을 개선하여 항비만 효과가 있는 천연 기능성 식품으로 활용할 수 있을 것으로 기대할 수 있다.