• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.436-439
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• 1998

In order to find out anti-platelet activating factor (PAF) from natural resources, Korean medicinal plants used for the treatments of peripheral circulation disorders were tested for their possible protective effects on PAF-induced anaphylactic shock. From the above screening, the methanol extract of Gentiana scabra showed a potent antagonistic activity against PAF. Water suspension of the extract was partitioned with $CH_2$$CI_2$ and EtOAc, successively. The EtOAc fraction which showed the highest activity was chromatographed on silica gel to yield 6 fractions. From the fraction which showed higher PAF-antagonistic activity than the other fractions, compound 1 was isolated by recrystallization. On the basis of spectral data, compound 1 was identified as 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid glucose ester. The compound prevented the mice from the PAF-induced death at a dose of 300 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mouse.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.178-191
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• 2013

Objectives : In this study, we made an effort to investigate the protective mechanism of Ukgan-san (UGS) extracts on hypoxia-induced C6 glial cell death. Methods : The cell viability was assessed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MMT) assay and cell morphological changes were analysed with microscope after staining with crystal violet (CV). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was assessed by flow cytometer after staining with 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA). We also analyzed expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) and p53, processing of procaspase-3 and procyclic acidic repetitive protein (PARP) by western blot method. Results : We estimated the elevated cell viability by UGS extract on $CoCl_2$-induced C6 glial cells. UGS attenuated $CoCl_2$-induced ROS formation in C6 glial cells and also showed a protective activity compared to antioxidants and exhibited abrogation of LDH-released by $CoCl_2$. UGS suppressed the typical apoptotic cell death markers, caspase-3 and PARP activation. UGS inhibited $CoCl_2$-induced HIF-1${\alpha}$ expression which is known as a major regulator for hypoxia-induced cell death, and suppressed p53 expression. Conclusions : These results suggest that UGS extract contains protective constituents for hypoxia-induced C6 glial cell death.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.343-370
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• 2005

This study is to find out factors that protect social workers in a medical setting from burnout. It is differentiated from the existing studies, which focused on factors or process causing burnout. The participants of the study were ten social workers, who have been working in a medical setting for at least seven years and were recognized as competent social workers by at least five other colleagues. The data were collected through intensive interviews. The contents of the interviews were analyzed by using Nvivo2, a computer software program for use qualitative study analysis. The result of this study categorized coping strategies that kept the social workers from burnout. Among such factors were their own admissions of having professional competency, feeling worthwhile and sense of accomplishment, having a firm belief system and value about their profession, teamwork, and their overall disposition. Additionally, they said that the support by their agency and the recognition and support by family contributed to their overall coping ability. Through this study, it was found that the social workers in medical setting were reducing risk factors related to burnout and overcoming them with various protective factors. These protective factors reflected the unique characteristics that social workers encounter in a medical setting. It was remarkable that 'developing and managing their professional competency' was emphasized most as a protective factor.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.430-435
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• 2008

The main cause of diabetic neuropathy, one of the most debilitating complications, is the chronic hyperglycemia, the increase sorbitol or the decrease of nerve growth factor(NGF). NGF, a protein, plays a major role in the development and maintenance of peripheral nervous system. Systemic administration of NGF prevents manifestations of neuropathy in rodent models of diabetic neuropathy. In the previous investigation, we report the hypoglycemia effect of Dioscorea rhizoma extract(DRE) in diabetic mice. The present study shows protective effect of DRE on diabetic neuropathy by induction of NGF protein. We investigated the NGF level in salivary gland and sciatic nerve of normal mouse and the effect of DRE on sciatic nerve conductivity and thermal hyperalgesia test in Type 2 db/db mouse. DRE increased endogenous NGF level in salivary gland and sciatic nerve of mouse. And sensory nerve conductivity velocity(SNCV), motor nerve conductivity velocity(MNCV) and thermal hyperalgesia increased in DRE treatment mice compared with control group. On the basis of our results, we conclude that DRE increase induction of endogenous NGF level and have protective effect on diabetic neuropathy by induction of NGF. Therefore, we propose that long-term use of DRE might help prevention of diabetes-associated complication; diabetic neuropathy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the inhibitory activities on gastritis and gastric ulcer using liriodendrin which is a constituent isolated from Kalopanax pictus. To elucidate its abilities to prevent gastric injury, we measured the quantity of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) as the protective factor, and we assessed inhibition of activities related to excessive gastric acid be notorious for aggressive factor and inhibition of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonization known as a cause of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, and gastric cancer. Liriodendrin exhibited higher $PGE_2$ level than rebamipide used as a positive control group at the dose of $500{\mu}M$. It was also exhibited acid-neutralizing capacity (10.3%) and $H^+/K^+$-ATPase inhibition of 42.6% ($500{\mu}M$). In pylorus-ligated rats, liriodendrin showed lower volume of gastric juice ($4.38{\pm}2.14ml$), slightly higher pH ($1.53{\pm}0.41$), and smaller total acid output ($0.47{\pm}0.3mEq/4hrs$) than the control group. Furthermore liriodendrin inhibited colonization of H. pylori effectively. In vivo test, liriodendrin significantly inhibited both of HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis (46.9 %) and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer (46.1%). From these results, we suggest that liriodendrin could be utilized for the treatment and/or protection of gastritis and gastric ulcer.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.593-605
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Alzheimer's disease is common age-related neurodegenerative condition characterized by amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation that leads cognitive impairment. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of paeoniflorin (PF) against Aβ-induced neuroinflammation and the underlying mechanism in C6 glial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: C6 glial cells were treated with PF and Aβ_25-35, and cell viability, nitric oxide (NO) production, and pro-inflammatory cytokine release were measured. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying the effect of PF on inflammatory responses and Aβ degradation was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Aβ_25-35 significantly reduced cell viability, but this reduction was prevented by the pretreatment with PF. In addition, PF significantly inhibited Aβ_25-35-induced NO production in C6 glial cells. The secretion of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha was also significantly reduced by PF. Further mechanistic studies indicated that PF suppressed the production of these pro-inflammatory cytokines by regulating the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. The protein levels of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 were downregulated and phosphorylation of NF-κB was blocked by PF. However, PF elevated the protein expression of inhibitor kappa B-alpha and those of Aβ degrading enzymes, insulin degrading enzyme and neprilysin. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that PF exerts protective effects against Aβ-mediated neuroinflammation by inhibiting NF-κB signaling, and these effects were associated with the enhanced activity of Aβ degradation enzymes.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.262-273
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of Coptidis Rhizoma steamed with rice wine (CR) against gastroduodenal mucosal injury through inhibiting inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activation. Methods: In in vitro experiment, LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with CR(0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 mg/ml) and iNOS mRNA expression and nitric oxide (NO) production were measured. In in vivo experiment normal group mice were treated with neither ethanol nor CR. Both control and sample group mice were orally administrated with ethanol. Five hours after ethanol administration control group mice were orally administrated with distilled water, sample group mice were orally administrated with CR. After three days administration, gastroduodenal mucosa of mice was observed histopathologically and iNOS, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) activation were observed immunohistochemically. Results: In in vitro experiment iNOS mRNA expression and NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were decreased by CR dose-dependently. In in vivo experiment, gastroduodenal mucosal injury was repaired by CR and iNOS, NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in gastroduodenal mucosa were decreased by CR. Conclusions: Coptidis Rhizoma steamed with rice wine has a protective effect against gastroduodenal mucosal injury through inhibiting iNOS activation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.196-202
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• 2016

Background: Ginsenoside Rd (GSRd), a main component of the root of Panax ginseng, exhibits anti-inflammation functions and decreases infarct size in many injuries and ischemia diseases such as focal cerebral ischemia. M1 Macrophages are regarded as one of the key inflammatory cells having functions for disease progression. Methods: To investigate the effect of GSRd on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) and macrophage functional status, and their regulatory role on mouse polarized macrophages in vitro, GSRd (10-100 mg/kg) and vehicle were applied to mice 30 min before renal IRI modeling. Renal functions were reflected by blood serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen level and histopathological examination. M1 polarized macrophages infiltration was identified by flow cytometry analysis and immunofluorescence staining with $CD11b^+$, $iNOS^+$/interleukin-12/tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ labeling. For the in vitro study, GSRd ($10-100{\mu}g/mL$) and vehicle were added in the culture medium of M1 macrophages to assess their regulatory function on polarization phenotype. Results: In vivo data showed a protective role of GSRd at 50 mg/kg on Day 3. Serum level of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen significantly dropped compared with other groups. Reduced renal tissue damage and M1 macrophage infiltration showed on hematoxylin-eosin staining and flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining confirmed this improvement. With GSRd administration, in vitro cultured M1 macrophages secreted less inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$. Furthermore, macrophage polarization-related pancake-like morphology gradually changed along with increasing concentration of GSRd in the medium. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that GSRd possess a protective function against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury via downregulating M1 macrophage polarization.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.321-326
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• 2014

Testicular torsion results with the damage of the testis and it is a surgical emergency. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) is a low-molecular-weight antioxidant and potent inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) activation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of PDTC to testicular torsion-detorsion (T/D) injury. Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into four groups. A sham operation was performed in group I. In group II, torsion is performed 2 hours by 720 degree extravaginally testis. In group III, 4 h reperfusion of the testis was performed after 2 h of testicular torsion. In group IV, after performing the same surgical procedures as in group III, PDTC (100 mg/kg, intravenous's) was administered before 30 min of detorsion. The testes tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalase (CAT) level was evaluated. Histological evaluations were performed after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Testicular tissue MDA levels were the highest in the T/D groups compared with treatment group. Administration of PDTC prevented a further increase in MDA levels. Significant decrease occurred in CAT and SOD levels in treatment group compared with the control group. The rats in the treatment group had normal testicular architecture. The results suggest that PDTC can be a potential protective agent for preventing the biochemical and histological changes related to oxidative stress in testicular injury caused by testis torsion.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.79-82
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• 2000

Saponins, the major component of ginseng root, mediate the pharmacological action of the ginseng. It has been reported that ginseng roots have protective effect against various toxins. In this study, the effects of ginseng total saponin (GTS) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) production induced by bacterial toxin was investigated. TNF-$\alpha$ level in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-activated serum was remarkably reduced by intraperitoneal administration (50 mg/kg)of ginseng total saponin (GTS) into mice. The inhibitory effect against TNF-$\alpha$ production was not significant when GTS was given after the LPS injection, and by oral administration. These results suggested that ginseng root may have protective activity against liver damage accompanying the overproduction of TNF-$\alpha$ and GTS is the active component of ginseng.