• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.39-55
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• 2012

Objectives : Recently there have been encouraging results, from a western perspective, in the cancer research field regarding the anticancer effects of herbal medicine. This paper was aimed to review herbal medicine playing its anticancer role in terms of apoptosis, inflammation control, differentiation and telomerase. Methods : New studies for tang, medicinal herb itself or effective ingradients of medicinal herb showing anti-cancer effectiveness were reviewed and summarized in terms of pharmacological action. Results : Ethanol extracts of $Spatholobus$ $suberectus$ greatly inhibited cancer cell growth inducing cell apoptosis and cytotoxic effects. $Scutellaria$ $baicalensis$ may be responsible for its anticancer activity showing inhibition of $PGE_2$ synthesis via suppression of COX-2 expression. Saikosaponins isolated from $Bupleurum$ induced the differentiation of C6 glioma cells, cancer cells, into astrocytes, normal cells. Acetone extract of $Bupleurum$ $scorzonerifolium$ inhibited proliferation of human lung cancer cells via inducing apoptosis and suppressing telomerase activity. Conclusions : Herbal medicine inhibited cancer cell growth inducing cell apoptosis and cytotoxic effects. Inflammation persisting for a decade eventually elevates the risk of cancer sufficiently that it is discernible in case control epidemiological studies. Differentiation therapy is defined as a therapy to treat cancers by inducing differentiation of the stem cells. Telomerase expression is a hallmark of cancer. Nearly the complete spectrum of human tumors has been shown to be telomerase positive.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.482-491
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• 2004

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a geriatric dementia that is widespread in old age. In the near future AD may be the biggest problem in public health service. Although a variety of oriental therapies in the study of Jimitang have been traditionally utilized for the treatment of AD, their pharmacological effects and active mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study in an investigation of effects of Jimitang on apoptotic cell death induced by CT105 overexpression in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cell lines. DNA fragmentation, neurite outgrowth assay and LDH activity assay were examined. The regeneratory and inhibitory effects on Alzheimer's disease in pCT105-induced neuroblastoma cell lines by Jimitang water extract were examined. Findings from these experiments have shown that Jimitang inhibits the synthesis or activities of CT105, which has neurotoxicities and apoptotic activities in cell lines. In addition, pretreatment of $Jimitang(>50\;{\mu}g/mL\;for\;12\;hours)$ partially prevented CT(105)-induced cytotoxicity in SK-N-SH cell lines, and were inhibited by pretreatment. $Jimitang(>50\;{\mu}g/mL\;for\;12\;hours)$ repaired CT(105)-induced neurite outgrowth when SK-N-SH cell lines were transfected with CT(105). Results of this study show that. in the Jimitang group, the apoptosis in the nervous system in inhibited, the repair against the degerneration of neuroblastoma cells by CT105 expression is promoted. In addition, Jimitang was found to inhibit DNA fragmentation induced by CT105 overexpression, and promote neurite outgrowth. These findings suggest that Jimitang is beneficial for the treatment of AD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.510-516
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• 2016

Isoegomaketone (IK) was isolated from Perilla frutescens, which has been widely used as a food in Asian cuisine, and evaluated for its biological activity. We have already confirmed that IK induced the HO-1 expression via Nrf2 activation in RAW264.7 cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of IK on the mechanism of HO-1 expression. IK upregulated HO-1 mRNA and protein expression in a dose dependent manner. The level of HO-1 mRNA peaked at 4 h after $15{\mu}M$ IK treatment. To investigate the mechanisms of HO-1 expression modulation by IK, we used pharmacological inhibitors for the protein kinase C (PKC) family, PI3K, and p38 MAPK. IK-induced HO-1 mRNA expression was only suppressed by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK. ROS scavengers (N-acetyl-L-cysteine, NAC, and glutathione, GSH) also blocked the IK-induced ROS production and HO-1 expression. Furthermore, both NAC and SB203580 suppressed the IK-induced Nrf2 activation. In addition, ROS scavengers suppressed other oxidative enzymes such as catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and NADH quinone oxidoreductase (NQO-1) in IK-treated RAW264.7 cells. Taken together, it can be concluded that IK induced the HO-1 expression through the ROS/p38 MAPK/Nrf2 pathway in RAW264.7 cells.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1987.06a
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• pp.20-28
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• 1987

To clarify central mechanisms of ginsenosides, changes in ingestive and ambulatory behaviors were investigated in rats after single or continuous infusion into the third cerebroventricle or various hypothalamic loci. Following single infusion into the third cerebroventricle, ginsenoside Rbl at doses of 0.05, 0.10 and 0.20 $\mu$mol dose-dependently decreased food intake. None of the doses tested affected ambulation. Drinking suppression was only observed at the maximum dose of 0.20 $\mu$mol. Equimolar injections into the peritoneum had no effects on ingestive behavior or ambulation. These findings indicated that ginsenoside Rbl specifically and centrally inhibited food intake. According to analyses of daily feeding patterns, this feeding suppression was the result of a decrease in meal size, not from changes in the postprandial intermeal interval or eating speed. The suppressed food intake was accompanied by hyperglycemia, leaving plasma insulin unaffected. Unilateral micro injection of 0.01 u mot ginsenoside Rb, into the ventromedial hypothalamus specifically decreased food intake, although equimolar injection into the lateral hypothalamic area did not affect food intake. Following continuous infusion of Rg, into the third cerebroventricle, the feeding inhibition due to surgical operation was attenuated. Rbs administered by the same procedure abolished the toxic effect of toxohormone-L on food intake. Taken together, these findings suggest that ginsenoside as a whole may have pharmacological potency to maintain feeding at a certain physiological level.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.205-211
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• 2007

The fruits and stems of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten have been reported to exhibit a variety of pharmacological actions, including antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcer effects. In the present study, we evaluated effects of the butanol fraction (SK OFB901) prepared from the 50% ethanol extract of the stems on various types of neuronal injuries induced by oxidative stress, excitotoxins, and amyloid ${\beta}\;(A_{\beta})$ in primary cultured rat cortical cells. Its antioxidant and radical scavenging activities were also evaluated by cell-free bioassays. We found that SK OFB901 strongly inhibited the oxidative neuronal damage induced by $H_2O_2$ or xanthine/xanthine oxidase. In addition, it exhibited marked inhibition of the excitotoxic neuronal damage induced by glutamate, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid, or kainate. Furthermore, the $A_{\beta(25-35)}$-induced neurotoxicity was also significantly attenuated by SK OFB901. It was found to inhibit lipid peroxidation initiated by $Fe^{2+}$ and L-ascorbic acid in rat brain homogenates and scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals. These results indicate that the butanol fraction prepared from the stems of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten exerts potent antioxidant and neuroprotective effects through multiple mechanisms, implying its potential applications for the prevention or management of neurodegenerative disorders associated with oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and $A{\beta}$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2009-2014
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• 2012

Objective: Taspine, isolated from Radix et Rhizoma Leonticis has demosntrated potential proctiective effects against cancer. Tas13D, a novel taspine derivative synthetized by structure-based drug design, have been shown to possess interesting biological and pharmacological activities. The current study was designed to evaluate its antiproliferative activity and underlying mechanisms. Methods: Antiproliferative activity of tas13D was evaluated by xenograft in athymic mice in vivo, and by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell migration assays with human liver cancer (SMMC-7721) cell lines in vitro. Docking between tas13D and VEGFR and EGFR was studied by with a Sybyl/Surflex module. VEGF and EGF and their receptor expression was determined by ELISA and real-time PCR methods, respectively. Results: Our present study showed that tas13D inhibited SMMC-7721 xenograft tumor growth, bound tightly with the active site of kinase domains of EGFR and VEGFR, and reduced SMMC-7721 cell proliferation (IC=34.7 ${\mu}mol/L$) and migration compared to negative controls. VEGF and EGF mRNAs were significantly reduced by tas13D treatment in a dose-dependent manner, along with VEGF and EGF production. Conclusion: The obtained results suggest that tas13D inhibits tumor growth and cell proliferation by inhibiting cell migration, downregulating mRNA expression of VEGF and EGF, and decreasing angiogenic factor production. Tas13D deserves further consideration as a chemotherapeutic agent.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.677-682
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• 2014

Resveratrol has been examined in several model systems for potential effects against cancer. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is reported to suppress proliferation in most eukaryocyte cells. Whether resveratrol via AMPK inhibits proliferation of oesophageal adenocarcinoma cells (OAC) is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the roles of AMPK in the protective effects of resveratrol in OAC proliferation and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Treatment of cultured OAC derived from human subjects or cell lines with resveratrol resulted in decreased cell proliferation. Further, inhibition of AMPK by pharmacological reagent or genetical approach abolished resveratrol-suppressed OAC proliferation, reduced the level of $p27^{Kip1}$, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, and increased the levels of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2) of $p27^{Kip1}$-E3 ubiquitin ligase and 26S proteasome activity reduced by resveratrol. Furthermore, gene silencing of $p27^{Kip1}$ reversed resveratrol-suppressed OAC proliferation. In conclusion, these findings indicate that resveratrol inhibits Skp2-mediated ubiquitylation and 26S proteasome-dependent degradation of $p27^{Kip1}$ via AMPK activation to suppress OAC proliferation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 2015

Objectives : Bilobalide (BIL) is a predominant sesquiterpene trilactone constituent that accounts for a partial portion of the standardized Ginkgonis Folium extract, which has been widely used to treat a variety of neurological disorders involving cerebral ischemia and neurodegeneration. In this study, it was tested whether BIL exhibits anti-inflammatory activities on inflammation response, or not. Methods : To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of BIL on pharmacological and biochemical actions in inflammation, we examined the effect of BIL on pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. The investigation was focused on how BIL affect on inflammation-related mediators including various signals such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), inducible NO synthase(iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ($NF-{\kappa}B$) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Results : We found that BIL inhibited LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ productions as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Furthermore, BIL suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation for MAPK activation. Conclusions : These results suggest that BIL has inhibitory effects on LPS-induced $PGE_2$, NO, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production, as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in the murine macrophage. It seems that these inhibitory effects occur by blocking the phosphorylation of MAPKs for activation. Then, BIL suppressed the activation of nuclear factor $NF-{\kappa}B$ in nucleus. These observations suggest that BIL has anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.503-509
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• 2011

Jakyaktang(芍藥湯; JYT) exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity in widely intestinal disease, but its mechanism was undisclosed. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of JYT on pharmacological and biochemical actions in inflammation, we examined the effect of JYT on pro-inflammatory mediators in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187-induced mast cell and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. The investigation focused on whether JYT inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in PMA plus A23187- induced HMC-1 cells and inflammatory madiators such as nitric oxide (NO), TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, iNOS, COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. We found that JYT inhibited LPS-induced NO, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 productions as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. These results suggest that JYT has inhibitory effects on mast cell-mediated and macropage-mediated inflammation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2014

Curcumin is naturally occurring polyphenolic compound found in turmeric and has many pharmacological activities. The present study was undertaken to evaluate anti-allergic inflammatory activity of curcumin, and to investigate its inhibitory mechanisms in immunoglobulin E (IgE)/Ag-induced mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and in a mouse model of IgE/Ag-mediated passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA). Curcumin inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) dependent prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) dependent leukotriene $C_4$ ($LTC_4$) generation dose-dependently in BMMCs. To probe the mechanism involved, we assessed the effects of curcumin on the phosphorylation of Syk and its downstream signal molecules. Curcumin inhibited intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx via phospholipase $C{\gamma}1$ ($PLC{\gamma}1$) activation and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) pathway. Furthermore, the oral administration of curcumin significantly attenuated IgE/Ag-induced PSA, as determined by serum $LTC_4$, $PGD_2$, and histamine levels. Taken together, this study shows that curcumin offers a basis for drug development for the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases.