• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.64-72
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) on the apoptosis induced by withdrawal of neurotrophic support. Methods : PCl2 pheochromocytoma cells have been used extensively as a model for studying the cellular and molecular effects of neuronal cells. The viability of cells was measured by MTT assay. We used DNA fragmentation and caspase 3-like protease activation assay. Results : The water extract of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) significantly showed protective effects on serum and glucose deprivation-induced apoptotic death. Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) also prevents DNA fragmentation and caspase 3-like protease activation, representing typical neuronal apoptotic phenomena in PCl2 pheochromocytoma cells and induces tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins around 44 kDa, which was identified as ERK1 with electrophoretic gel mobility shift by Western blot. In addition, MAPK kinase(MEK) inhibitor PD98059 and Ras inactivator, ${\alpha}-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonic$ acid attenuated the neuroprotective effects of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) in serum-deprived PCl2 cells. Conclusions : These results indicate that Ras/MEK/ERK signaling pathway plays a key role in neuroprotective effects of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) in serum-deprived PCl2 cells. Taken together, we suggest the possibility that Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) might provide a neurotrophic-like activity in PCl2 cells.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.299-305
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• 2017

P-methoxycinnamic acid and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid are the compounds found in Polygalae Radix, the root of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow, and have been reported to have hepatoprotective and anti-neurodegenerative effects. On the other hand, there are no reports of their effects on gastric lesions. This study examined the inhibitory effects of cinnamic acids, including p-methoxycinnamic acid, 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid, and 8 compounds (cinnamic acid, 2-(trifluoromethyl) cinnamic acid, 3-(trifluoromethyl) cinnamic acid, trans-4-(trifluoromethyl) cinnamic acid, 4-(dimethylamino) cinnamic acid, 3,4-(methylenedioxy) cinnamic acid and 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid), which were selected based on their presence in medicinal herbs and molecular weight, against gastric lesions. Animal models were used to confirm the protective effects on acute gastritis caused by the administration of HCl/EtOH. Gastric acid inhibition was examined by an acid-neutralizing test and the proton pump ($H^+/K^+$-ATPase) inhibiting activity. In addition, antioxidant tests were performed and the gastric emptying rate was determined. The results showed that cinnamic acid, p-methoxycinnamic acid, and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid had an inhibitory effect on gastric lesions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.261-272
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• 2021

Doxorubicin (Dox) is widely used to the treatment of cancer, however, it could cause damage to gastric mucosa. To investigate the protective effects and related mechanisms of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and vitamin C (VC) on Dox-induced gastric mucosal injury, we presented the survey of the 4 groups of the rats with different conditions. The results showed Dox treatment significantly induced GES-1 apoptosis, but preconditioning in GES-1 cells with VC or CoQ10 significantly inhibited the Dox-induced decrease and other harm effects, including the expression and of IκKβ, IκBα, NF-κB/p65 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in GES-1 cells. Moreover, high-throughput sequencing results showed Dox treatment increased the number of harmful gut microbes, and CoQ10 and VC treatment inhibited this effect. CoQ10 and VC treatment inhibits Dox-induced gastric mucosal injury by inhibiting the activation of the IkKB/IκBα/NF-κB/p65/TNF-α pathway, promoting anti-inflammatory effects of gastric tissue and regulating the composition of the intestinal flora.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.335-340
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• 2008

Diabetes mellitus is metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia caused by insufficient insulin secretion or insulin receptor insensitivity to endogenous insulin. It is well-known that hyperglycemia is one of the main causes of oxidative stress in both type 1 and 2 diabetes. Oxidative stress is related by death of pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell and dysfunction of ${\beta}$ cell. Although ${\beta}$ cell death or dysfunction is induced by many substances or molecules, increased evidences that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in ${\beta}$ cell death or dysfunction. Considering the importance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, we investigated the cytoprotective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell line RIN-m5F cell. 110 Plant sources were collected in Mt. Baek-du, and extracted with methanol. These extracts had been screened the protective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in RIN-m5F cells at 50 and 200 ${\mu}g$/ml. Of these, ten methanolic extracts, aerial part of Erigenron cannadensis, aerial part of Lespedeza juncea, whole plant of Alopecurus aequalis, fruit of Lycium chinense, leaf of Morus alba, rhizome of Polygonatum odoratum, root of Ampelosis japonica, whole plant of Ranunculus japonicus, aerial part of Polygonum sieboldii, rhizome of Arisaema amurense var. violaceum showed significant protective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell line RIN-m5F cell.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.586-595
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• 2004

Kamidojuk-San (KDJS) is known to be effective for treating cardiovascular diseases such hypertension, and clinically applied for the treatment of cerebral palsy or stoke patients. Yet, the overall mechanisms underlying its activity at the cellular levels are not known. Using experimental animal system, we investigated whether KDJS has protective effects on cells in cardiovascular and nervous systems. KDJS was found to rescue death of cultured primary neurons induced by AMPA, NMDA and kainate as well as BSO and Fe/sup 2+/ treatments. Moreover, KDJS treatment promoted animal's recovery from coma induced by a lethal dose of KCN treatment, and improved survival in animals exposed to lethal dose of KCN. Neurological examinations further showed that KDJS reduced the time which is required for animals to respond in terms of forelimb and hindlimb movements. To examine its physiological effects on cardiovascular and nervous systems, we induced ischemic injury in hippocampal neurons and cerebral neurons by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Histological examination revealed that KDJS significantly protected neurons from ischemic damage. Thus, the present data suggest that KDJS may play an important role in protecting cells of cardiovascular and nervous systems from external noxious stimulations.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.2072-2081
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• 2015

Aloe vera has been used in traditional medicine for the therapy of a variety of disorders, such as wounds and burns. However, few studies have examined the antioxidant capacities of A. vera plants during different growth periods. In order to investigate the effects of growth on antioxidant activity, A. vera was prepared from 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-month-old aloe. The extracts from 6-month-old A. vera showed the highest contents of flavonoids (9.750 mg catechin equivalent/g extract) and polyphenols (23.375 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract) and the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power (0.047 mM ferrous sulfate equivalent/mg extract). The extract from 6-month-old A. vera exhibited the highest free radical scavenging potential, and the lowest IC₅₀ values were found for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (0.26 mg/ml) and alkyl radicals (0.50 mg/ml). In addition, the extract from 6-month-old A. vera showed the greatest effects on cell viability in normal liver cells. Based on these findings, the extract from 6-month-old A. vera was examined further in order to determine its protective potential against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative stress. The extract from 6-month-old A. vera at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml showed the highest protective activity against t-BHP-induced reactive oxygen species production. These findings suggested that harvesting regimens were critical in the regulation of effects of the bioactive potential of A. vera on antioxidant activity.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.347-352
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• 2007

The protective effects of Rubus coreanum Miquel (RCM) extract against LPS-induced hepatotoxicity were studied in rats. Squrague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administered the RCM at 100 mg/kg per day for three weeks. Then single dose of LPS (5 mg/kg) was injected into rats. Four hours later, they were anesthesized with ether and dissected. We examined the levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (AST), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in sera, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in mitochondrial fraction and catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver homogenate. LPS-treatment markedly increased the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH and significantly decreased those of SOD, CAT and GPx. But RCM-pretreatment decreased the levels of AST, ALT, ALP and LDH by 57.9%, 37.4%, 62% and 69% respectively and increased those of SOD, CAT and GPx by 82.9%, 64.2% and 96.7% respectively. Subsequently, the protective effects of RCM was evaluated through histopathological examination of liver tissue. The LPS treatment increased the state of necrosis and cirrhosis surrounding the central veins (CV) and sinusoid, but RCM-treatment decreased the state of necrosis and cirrhosis in the liver tissue. These results demonstrated that protective effects of RCM against LPS-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.391-396
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• 1988

Appreciable radiation exposures certainly occur in the workers who handle radioiodine in biochemical research, nuclear medicine diagnostics with the development of nuclear industries. But in the case of occurring the nuclear accidents, the early medical treatment of radiation injury should be necessary but little was reported in korea till now. Accordingly, to achieve of the basic data for protective roles and medical treatment of radiation injury, the present studies were carried out to evaluate the decontamination of radioiodine by the administration of the antithyroid drugs. The results observed are summarized as follows: 1. The administration of sodium iodide and potassium iodide results in rapid excretion of radioiodine and reduction of the whole body retention than the saline-only group. 2. Reguarding to thyroid protective effects, sodium iodide, potassium iodide and saline were effected significant in order. 3. In the control(saline) group, if administered with enough fluids, the whole body retention of radioiodine is reduced temporary shifts. But as far as radioprotective effects is concerned, saline was not more in the protective effects than the other groups. In conclusion, in case of nuclear accidents, if being administered sodium iodide and saline as quickly as possible, the radioprotective effects against the radiation hazard might be markedly increased in the internal contamination of radioiodine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.1107-1112
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• 2011

Over-consumption of alcohol leads to many side-effects such as malnutrition, liver disease, and neuronal disorders and many investigators have tired to identify methods for preventing the side-effects of drinking. In this study, we demonstrated the protective effect of a new food component, SAC-1, containing Hovenia dulcis Thumb and Lonicera caerulea Thumb extract against the side-effects of drinking. We observed that blood alcohol concentration, glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase, lipid peroxidation, and total glutathione level decreased significantly in plasma and liver of mice fed the SAC-1 extract before alcohol intoxication. In particular, SAC-1 had more of a protective effect than that of Hovenia dulcis Thumb extract alone. These results suggest that SAC-1 should further be developed to treat alcohol detoxification and stimulate antioxidative potentials.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.243-249
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• 2011

Korean red ginseng (KRG), the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, has a variety of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer effects. Aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$) produced by the Aspergillus spp. causes acute hepatotoxicity by lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage, and induces liver carcinoma in humans and laboratory animals. This study was performed to examine the protective effects of KRG against hepatotoxicity induced by $AFB_1$ using liver-specific serum marker analysis, histopathology, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling. In addition, to elucidate the possible mechanism of hepatoprotective effects, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were analyzed. Rats were treated with 250 mg/kg of KRG (KRG group) or saline ($AFB_1$ group) for 4 weeks and then received 150 ${\mu}g/kg$ of $AFB_1$ intraperitoneally for 3 days. Rats were sacrificed at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, or 1 wk after $AFB_1$ treatment. In the KRG pre-treatment group, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde levels were low, but superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were high as compared to the $AFB_1$ alone group. Histopathologically, $AFB_1$ treatment induced necrosis and apoptosis in hepatocytes, and led to inflammatory cells infiltration in the liver. KRG pre-treatment ameliorated these changes. These results indicate that KRG may have protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by $AFB_1$ that involve the antioxidant properties of KRG.