• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.1-17
• /
• 2004

Objective : To compare and examine how adjustment of pH and electrolyte can affect the efficacy of cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture, we've administered pure cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture and pH and electrolyte adjusted cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture on A549 human lung cancer lines. Then mRNA and proteins which take parts in apoptosis were examined. Methods : Pure cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture treated group was set as the control group and pH and electrolyte adjusted cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture groups were administered on A549 human lung cancer lines. Cell toxicity was carefully examined and from the analysis of DNA fragmentation, RT-PCR, and Western blot, manifestation of mRNA and proteins which are associated with apoptosis were inspected. Results : The following results were obtained on apoptosis of A549 human lung cancer lines after administering pH and electrolyte adjusted cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture. 1. Measuring cell toxicity of lung cancer cells, higher cell toxicity was detected at pH and electrolyte adjusted groups and the results were concentration dependent. 2. Through DNA fragmentation, we were able to confirm cell destruction in all groups. 3. Experiment groups treated with cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture showed inhibition of Bcl-2 and COX-2 at mRNA and Protein level, whileas increase of Bax was shown. 4. Manifestation of p21, p53, Cyclin E, and Cyclin D1 were confirmed in all groups. 5. Extrication of Cytochrome C was detected at all groups, as well as increased activity of the enzyme caspase-3 and caspase-9, and PARP fragmentation were confirmed. Conclusions : From the above results, we can carefully deduce cell destruction of A549 human lung cancer lines were induced by Apoptosis. At the same concentration level, cell destruction efficacy was better with adjusted pH and electrolyte. Cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture also showed decrease of Bcl-2 and COX-2, as well as increase of Bax. Since cultivated wild ginseng distilled herbal acupuncture increases manifestation of p21, p53, Cyclin E, and Cyclin D1, it affects cellular cycle and through these phenomena, we can consider extrication of Cytochrome C, increase of caspase, and PARP fragmentation are the results.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.198-205
• /
• 2004

Cytochrome P4501B1(CYP1B1) is known to be inducible by xenobiotic compounds such as policyclic aromatic hydrocarbon(PAH) and dioxins such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin(TCDD). And these induction of CYP1B1 is also regulated by many categories of chemicals. In order to investigate the effects of several chemicals on CYP1B1 gene expression in Hepa-I and MCF-7 cells, 5' flanking DNA of human CYP1B1 was cloned into pGL3 basic vector containing luciferase gene, and then transfected into these cells. After treatment of chemicals, the luciferase activity was measured. CYP1B1 enzyme metabolize PAHs and estradiol. CYP1B1 metabolize estradiol to 4-hydrozyestradiol that is considered as carcinogenic metabolite. Recent industrialized industrialized society, human has been widely been exposed to widespread environmental contaminants such as PAHs(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) that are originated from the imcomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. PAHs are known to be ligands of the AhR(aryl hydrocarbon receptor). Induction of cytochrome P4501B1(CYP1B1) in cell culture is widely used as a biomarker for PAHs. Therefore we have studied the effect of PAHs in the human breast cancer cells MCF-7 to evaluate bioactivity of PAHs. We have used the United State of America EPA selected 13 different PAHs, PAHs mixtures and extracts from environmental samples to evaluate the bioassay system. We examined effects of PAHs on the CYP1B1-luciferase reporter gene and CYP1B1 mRNA level. Benzo(k)fluoranthene and dibenzo(a, h)anthracene showed strong response to CYP1B1 promoter activity stimulation, and also CYP1B1 mRNAs increase in MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. RT-PCR analysis indicated that PAHs significantly up-regulate the level of CYP1B1 mRNA. Some flavonoids such as genistein, daidzein, chrysin, naringenin and morin were also investigeted. These flavonoids decreased B(k)F infuced luciferase activity at low concentration. But, these flavonoids exhibited stimulatory effect at high concentration.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.275-282
• /
• 2010

Chunghyul-dan (CHD) is a combinatorial drug known to exert anti-inflammatory effects in endothelial cells. In this study, we employed global transcriptional profiling using cDNA microarrays to identify molecular mechanisms responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of CHD in endothelial cells. An analysis of the microarray data revealed that transcript levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), vascular cell-adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and activated leukocyte cell-adhesion molecule were dramatically altered in CHD-treated endothelial cells. These changes in gene expression were confirmed by RT-PCR, Western blotting and ELISA. Chronic CHD treatment also appeared to decrease MCP-1 secretion, probably as a result of decreased MCP-1 expression. In addition, we determined that chronic CHD treatment inhibited lipopolysaccharide-stimulated adhesion of THP-1 leukocytes to endothelial cells. The inhibitory effect of CHD on LPS-stimulated adhesion resulted from downregulation of VCAM-1 expression. Transmigration of THP-1 leukocytes through endothelial cells was also inhibited by chronic CHD treatment. In conclusion, CHD controls a variety of inflammatory activities by regulating MCP-1 and VCAM-1 gene expression.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.333-344
• /
• 2008

The objectives of this study was to explore the growth pattern of the oral squamous cell carcinoma when overexpressed COX was inhibited, explore the pathway that COX inhibitors suppressed the proliferation of cancer cells, and then hereafter investigate the potential of COX as chemopreventive target for oral squamous cell carcinoma. For confirming the COX-dependent effect and mechanisms on growth of the oral cancer cells, we treated the nonselective NSAID, Mefenamic acid and COX-2 selective inhibitor, Celecoxib in HN4 cell line. And then the cell line was evaluated with MTT assay and growth curve, the production of PGE2, total RNA extraction and RT-PCR analysis, and TEM The results were obtained as follows: 1. After administration of medication, in the result of MTT assay, Celecoxib inoculated group inhibit the cell growth rather than Mefenamic acid inoculated group. 2. The growth curve of cell line showed as time passes by there was a dramatic cell growth in the control group, and gradual growth inhibition was found in medication inoculated group and, in Celecoxib inoculated group there was more inhibition of cell growth. 3. After the administration of medication, Celecoxib tend to inhibit the synthesis of PGE2 more than Mefenamic acid. Mefenamic acid inhibit the synthesis of PGE2 more as the concentration gets high, but Celecoxib inhibited the synthesis of PGE2 even in low concentration. 4. After the administration of medication, the revelation of COX mRNA in cell line, there was a 50% decrease in COX-1, 60% decrease in COX-2 as in $50{\mu}M$ Mefenamic acid, and in Celecoxib $50{\mu}M$ there was not much difference in COX-1 and 90% decrease in COX-2 was found. 5. HN4 cell line showed broken nucleus and tangled cytoskeleton bundles in cytoplasm which meant apoptotic features after the treatment of Celecoxib in TEM view. Depending on the above results, we estimate that the inhibition of the expression of COX-2 cause the growth suppression of the oral squamous cell carcinoma, and it get achieved through pathway of reduced PGE2 production and increased apoptosis. In addition to, because COX-2 selective inhibitor specifically act to COX-2, it is considered that COX-2 selective inhibitor has the adequate potential as chemopreventive agent for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.7-15
• /
• 2015

Objectives : Rosa laevigata Michx. has been used for the treatment of renal disease in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, we investigated cytoprotective effect of R. laevigata water extract (RLE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA) + iron.Methods : To evaluate the protective effects of RLE against AA + iron-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cell, cell viability and changes on apoptosis-related proteins were assessed by MTT and immunoblot analyses. The effects of RLE on reduced glutathione level, production of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential were also monitored. Furthermore, to verify underlying molecular mechanism, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was examined by immunoblot analysis. Additionally, Nrf2 transactivation and its downstream target genes expression were also determined by reporter gene and realtime RT-PCR analyses.Results : RLE pretreatment (30-300 μg/ml) prevented cells from AA + iron-mediated cell death in a concentration dependent manner. In addition, 100 μg/ml RLE inhibited AA + iron-induced glutathione depletion, reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial dysfunction. RLE accumulated nuclear Nrf2 and also transactivated Nrf2, which was evidenced by antioxidant response element- and glutathione S-transferase A2-driven luciferase activities and mRNA level of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 and sestrin 2. Moreover, protective effect of RLE against AA + iron was abolished in Nrf2 knockout cells.Conclusions : These results indicate that RLE has the ability to protect hepatocyte against oxidative stress through Nrf2 activation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.46-61
• /
• 2009

Background and Objectives : Allergic Contact Dermatitis is the disease affected by industrialization. The more industrialization advanced, the more materials that could induce the allergic contact dermatitis have been increased. Therefore in oriental medicine, various studies have been performed. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of Naetakchunkeum-san on the Allergic Contact Dermatitis induced by 2,4-dinitro-chlorobezene(DNCB). Meterial and Methods : Twenty eight mice were divided into four groups ; normal, control, experimental group A and B. Control and experimental group were induced allergic contact dermatitis by DNCB. Experimental group A was orally administered the Naetakchunkeum-san and experimental group B was orally administered the prednisolone. In this study, ear thickness measurement, observation auricle microphotograph, Myeloperoxidase(MPO) activity measurement, Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analysis of the mRNA level of $TNF-\alpha$, $IL-1\beta$, $INF-\gamma$ were performed on these four groups. In addition, the effect of Naetakchunkeum-san on cell viability and the effect of Naetakchunkeum-san on the compound 48/80-induced histamine release from HMC and RPMC were measured, Results : 1. In contact hypersensitivity assay, experimental group A and B showed decreased ear thickness compared with control group, 2. In experimental group A, pathological lesion of dermatitis were alleviated. In addition, the numbers of infiltrated cells were reduced, and cleft was not shown compared with control group, In experimental group B, similar results were shown. 3. There was a significant increase in MPO activity in control group compared with normal group, Experimental group A and B significantly inhibited the increase in MPO activity compared with control group. 4, The level of expression of $TNF-\alpha$, $IL-1\beta$, $INF-\gamma$ in experimental group A and B were significantly lower than those in control group. As the internal control, cyclophilin mRNA was also reverse-transcribed and amplified. 5, In MTT assay, there were no statistically significant differences in 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, 500 ${\mu}g/ml$, 1000 ${\mu}g/ml$ Naetakchunkeum-san treated group from 0 ${\mu}g/ml$ Naetakchunkeum-san treated group as determined by the Tukey test. 6. Naetakchunkeum-san dose-dependently inhibited the compound 48/80-induced histamine release from both HMC and RPMC. Conclusions : According to above experiments, Naetakchunkeum-san may be applied to allergic contact dermatitis.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.705-710
• /
• 2016

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Although several diagnostic and therapeutic tools have been available, CRC remains difficult to complete cure because of insufficient understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that strongly regulate gene expression via transcriptional and translational control mechanisms. Many crucial cellular pathways are frequently disrupted in cancer development process due to dysregulation of several miRNAs. Mir-31 functions as an oncogene that modulate expression of multiple cancer related genes. Thus, we aimed to demonstrate clinical relevance of miR-31 in human CRC. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of miR-31 expression was performed in 175 CRC tissues and 16 normal colonic mucosa (NM). Next, we investigated clinical significances of miR-31 expression in various clinicopathologic features in CRC patients cohort. Mir-31 was significantly up-regulated in CRC tissues compared to NM. In CRC tissues, miR-31 expression level was significantly elevated in a stage-dependent manner, which was associated with poor survival in patients with CRC. High miR-31 levels in CRC tissues significantly correlated with poor prognosis (hazard ratio [HR]=2.4) as well as distant metastasis (odds ratio [OR]=2.3). In conclusion, we identified clinical significance of miR-31 expression in CRC. High miR-31 expression may be clinically able to use as a biomarker for CRC prognosis and predicting metastasis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.1549-1554
• /
• 2007

To verify the effects of JAUN-1, which is a water-extracted herbal mixture, on gastroenteric disorders induced by 0.1 percent of iodoacetamide (IA) in rats. We divided four groups, $Na{\"{\i}}ve$ + Distilled Water (DW), 0.1% IA + DW, 0.1% IA + Proton pump inhibitor (Lansoprazole, 5 mg/kg) and 0.1% IA + Herbal mixture (JAUN-1, 50mg/kg) and performed following experimental methods to confirm its advantageous effects against ulcerogenic stomach in rats induced by 0.1% IA; cell cytotoxicity, analysis of lesions score, Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) stain, RT-PCR for ${\beta}-actin$, COX-1 and COX-2 and evaluation of intestinal prokinetic activity. No cytotoxicity was elucidated at the concentration of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, $500\;{\mu}g/ml$ and 1mg/ml JAUN-1 through MTT Assay using by human stomach epithelial AGS cells, respectively. In addition, the JAUN-1 treated group and the lansoprazole treated group significantly decreased in lesions score compared to the DW treated group in the gastritis induced rat model, and results of immunohistochemistry by H&E staining showed that histological recovery in Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) and JAUN-1 treated groups rather than the DW administrated group. Another outcome was that ${\beta}-actin$ relative COX-2 expression level was significantly promoted in the DW treated group while ${\beta}-actin$ relative COX-1 expression level was no meaningful change in this rat model. Finally, intestinal prokinetic activity was recovered from low level of prokinetic activity due to 0.1% IA induced gastritis to the similar level of Normal group. These results suggested that JAUN-1 may have beneficial effects against 0.1% IA-induced gastritis rat model through decreasing lesions score, histological recovery, ${\beta}-actin$ relative COX-1, 2 expression level and prokinetic activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.167-174
• /
• 2012

Natural killer (NK) cells provide one of the initial barriers of cellular host defense against pathogens, in particular intracellular pathogens. Because bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), lymphoid protenitors, can give rise to NK cells, NK ontogeny has been considered to be exclusively lymphoid. Here, we show that porcine c-$kit^+$ bone marrow cells (c-$kit^+$ BM cells) develop into NK cells in vitro in the presence of various cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-21, stem cell factor (SCF), and fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand (FLT3L)]. Adding hydrocortisone (HDC) and stromal cells greatly increases the frequency of c-$kit^+$ BM cells that give rise to $CD2^+CD8^+$ NK cells. Also, intracellular levels of perforin, granzyme B, and NKG2D were determined by RT-PCR and western blotting analysis. It was found that of perforin, granzyme B, and NKG2D levels significantly were increased in cytokine-stimulated c-$kit^+$ BM cells than those of controls. And, we compared the ability of the cytotoxicity of $CD2^+CD8^+$ NK cells differentiated by cytokines from c-$kit^+$ BM cells against K562 target cells for 28 days. Cytokines-induced NK cells as effector cells were incubated with K562 cells as target in a ratio of 100 : 1 for 4 h once a week. In results, $CD2^+CD8^+$ NK cells induced by cytokines and stromal cells showed a significantly increased cytotoxicity 21 days later. Whereas, our results indicated that c-$kit^+$ BM cells not pretreated with cytokines have lower levels of cytotoxicity. Taken together, this study suggests that cytokines-induced NK cells from porcine c-$kit^+$ BM cells may be used as adoptive transfer therapy if the known obstacles to xenografting (e.g. immune and non-immune problems) were overcome in the future.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.118-122
• /
• 2015

Suicidal gene therapy is based on the transduction of tumor cells with "suicide" genes encoding for prodrug-activating enzymes that render target cells susceptible to prodrug treatment. Suicidal gene therapy results in the death of tumor with the expression of gene encoding enzyme that converts non-toxic prodrug into cytotoxic product. Cytochrome P450 4B1 (CYP4B1) activates 4-ipomeanol (4-IPO) or 2-aminoanthracene (2-AA) to cytotoxic furane epoxide and unsaturated dialdehyde intermediate.In this study, therapeutic effects of suicidal gene therapy with rabbit CYP4B1/2-AA or 4-IPO system were evaluated in HT-29 (human colon cancer cell). pcDNA-CYP4B1 vector was transfected into HT-29 by lipofection and stable transfectant was selected by treatment of hygromycin ($500{\mu}g/mL$) for 3 weeks. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was performed for confirmation of CYP4B1 expression in CYP4B1 gene transduced cell. The cytotoxic effects of CYP4B1 transduced cell were determined using dye-exclusion assay after treatment of 2-AA or 4-IPO for 96 hrs. Dye-exclusion assay showed that $IC_{50}$ of HT-29 and CYP4B1 transduced HT-29 was 0.01 mM and 0.003 mM after 4-IPO or 2-AA treatment at 96 hrs exposure, respectively. In conclusion, CYP4B1 based prodrug gene therapy probably have the potential for treatment of colorectal adenocarcinoma.