• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.213-224
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• 2016

Objectives: Ginseng Rh2+ is enzyme-treated ginseng extract containing high amounts of converted ginsenosides, such as compound k, Rh2, Rg3, which have potent anticancer activity. We conducted general and genetic toxicity tests to evaluate the safety of ginseng Rh2+. Methods: An acute oral toxicity test was performed at a high-level dose of 4,000 mg/kg/day in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. A 14-day range-finding study was also conducted to set dose levels for the 90-day study. A subchronic 90-day toxicity study was performed at dose levels of 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day to investigate the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of ginseng Rh2+ and target organs. To identify the mutagenic potential of ginseng Rh2+, we conducted a bacterial reverse mutation test (Ames test) using amino-acid-requiring strains of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli (E. coli), a chromosome aberration test with Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells, and an in vivo micronucleus test using ICR mice bone marrow as recommended by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Results: According to the results of the acute oral toxicity study, the approximate lethal dose (ALD) of ginseng Rh2+ was estimated to be higher than 4,000 mg/kg. For the 90-day study, no toxicological effect of ginseng Rh2+ was observed in body-weight changes, food consumption, clinical signs, organ weights, histopathology, ophthalmology, and clinical pathology. The NOAEL of ginseng Rh2+ was established to be 2,000 mg/kg/day, and no target organ was found in this test. In addition, no evidence of mutagenicity was found either on the in vitro genotoxicity tests, including the Ames test and the chromosome aberration test, or on the in vivo in mice bone marrow micronucleus test. Conclusion: On the basis of our findings, ginseng Rh2+ is a non-toxic material with no genotoxicity. We expect that ginseng Rh2+ may be used as a novel adjuvant anticancer agent that is safe for long-term administration.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.715-722
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• 1995

Vinylbenzyl triphenyl phosphonium chloride (VTPC) was prepared for the humid membrane. The humidity sensitive memo)lane was composed of copolymers, which have differnet content of VTPC and styrene (VTPC : ST=1 : 0.7 : 3, 5 : 5, 3 : 7). The changes in electrical properties of copolymers with relative humidity were measured. It was found that the impedance decreased with an increase of the content of VTPC in the humid membrane, and the Impedance also decreased with an increase of thickness of humid membrane. The copolymer derived from same equip of VTPC and ST showed 12M$\Omega$-100M$\Omega$ at 70%RH-90%RH, which was required for the current humidity sensor operating at high humidity or dew point. The temperature dependence coefficient at a temperature range 15$^{\circ}C$∼35$^{\circ}C$ was found to be -0.5%RH/$^{\circ}C$ and the hysterisis fabled within the range ${\pm}$2%RH. The response time was found to be 40seconds for varing relative humidity from 75% RH to 95%RH and vice versa.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.754-762
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rh2, a major saponin derivative in ginseng extract, is recognized for its anti-cancer activities. Compared to coding genes, studies on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) that are regulated by Rh2 in cancer cells, especially on competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) are sparse. Methods: LncRNAs whose promoter DNA methylation level was significantly altered by Rh2 were screened from methylation array data. The effect of STXBP5-AS1, miR-4425, and RNF217 on the proliferation and apoptosis of MCF-7 breast cancer cells was monitored in the presence of Rh2 after deregulating the corresponding gene. The ceRNA relationship between STXBP5-AS1 and miR-4425 was examined by measuring the luciferase activity of a recombinant luciferase/STXBP5-AS1 plasmid construct in the presence of mimic miR-4425. Results: Inhibition of STXBP5-AS1 decreased apoptosis but stimulated growth of the MCF-7 cells, suggesting tumor-suppressive activity of the lncRNA. MiR-4425 was identified to have a binding site on STXBP5-AS1 and proven to be downregulated by STXBP5-AS1 as well as by Rh2. In contrast to STXBP5-AS1, miR-4425 showed pro-proliferation activity by inducing a decrease in apoptosis but increased growth of the MCF-7 cells. MiR-4425 decreased luciferase activity from the luciferase/STXBP5-AS1 construct by 26%. Screening the target genes of miR-4425 and Rh2 revealed that Rh2, STXBP5-AS1, and miR-4425 consistently regulated tumor suppressor RNF217 at both the RNA and protein level. Conclusion: LncRNA STXBP5-AS1 is upregulated by Rh2 via promoter hypomethylation and acts as a ceRNA, sponging the oncogenic miR-4425. Therefore, Rh2 controls the STXBP5-AS1/miR-4425/RNF217 axis to suppress breast cancer cell growth.

• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.793-801
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of low-level laser treatment (LLLT) and recombinant human bone morphological protein-2 (rhBMP-2) applied to hypoxic-cultured MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells and to determine possible signaling pathways underlying differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts under hypoxia. METHODS: MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured under 1% oxygen tension for 72 h. Cell cultures were divided into four groups: normoxia control, low-level laser (LLL) alone, rhBMP-2 combined with LLLT, and rhBMP-2 under hypoxia. Laser irradiation was applied at 0, 24, and 48 h. Cells were treated with rhBMP-2 at 50 ng/mL. Alkaline phosphatase activity was measured at 3, 7, and 14 days to evaluate osteoblastic differentiation. Cell mineralization was determined with Alizarin red S staining at 7 and 14 days. Western blot assays were performed to evaluate whether p38/protein kinase D (PKD) signaling was involved. RESULTS: The results indicate that LLLT and rhBMP-2 synergistically increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization. Western blot analyses showed that expression of type I collagen, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and Osterix (Osx), increased and expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha ($HIF-1{\alpha}$), decreased more in the LLLT and rhBMP-2 combined group than in the rhBMP-2 or LLL alone groups. Moreover, LLLT and rhBMP-2 stimulated p38 phosphorylation and rhBMP-2 and LLLT increased Prkd1 phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: Combined treatment with rhBMP-2 and LLL induced differentiation and mineralization of hypoxic-cultured MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts by activating p38/PKD signaling in vitro.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.646-656
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• 2022

Background: In addition to its use as a health food, ginseng is used in cosmetics and shampoo because of its extensive health benefits. The ginsenoside, Rh2, is a component of ginseng that inhibits tumor cell proliferation and differentiation, promotes insulin secretion, improves insulin sensitivity, and shows antioxidant effects. Methods: The effects of Rh2 on cell survival, extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression, and cell differentiation were examined. The antioxidant effects of Rh2 in UV-irradiated normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells were also examined. The effects of Rh2 on mitochondrial function, morphology, and mitophagy were investigated in UV-irradiated NHDF cells. Results: Rh2 treatment promoted the proliferation of NHDF cells. Additionally, Rh2 increased the expression levels of ECM proteins and growth-associated immediate-early genes in ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated NHDF cells. Rh2 also affected antioxidant protein expression and increased total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, treatment with Rh2 ameliorated the changes in mitochondrial morphology, induced the recovery of mitochondrial function, and inhibited the initiation of mitophagy in UV-irradiated NHDF cells. Conclusion: Rh2 inhibits mitophagy and reinstates mitochondrial ATP production and membrane potential in NHDF cells damaged by UV exposure, leading to the recovery of ECM, cell proliferation, and antioxidant capacity.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.261-275
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• 1998

본 연구에서는 GnRH가 과배란 처치된 래트의 초기 난포기와 후기 난포기에서 난소기능에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지를 이해하기 위해서, 30IU PMSG와 10IU hCG로 전처치된 미성숙 래트에 있어서 배란반응, 배란 난자의 형태학적 이상 유무 및 핵 성숙도, 난소 중량, 난소의 조직학적인 변화 및 혈중 스테로이드 호르몬 (17$\beta$-estradiol, progesterone 및 testosterone) 농도에 대하여 GnRH agonist의 효과를 검사하였다. GnRH agonist는 PMSG 전처치 후 초기 난포기 (PMSG 투여 후 6시간부터) 또는 후기 난포기(PMSG 투여 후 54시간부터)에 4시간 동안 20분 간격으로 경정맥 카테타를 통해 혈관내로 투여하였다. 각 실험동물은 혈중 스테로이드 호르몬의 변화를 측정하기 위하여 PMSG 투여 후 54시간, 72시간에 혈액을 채취하고 72시간에 희생시켰다. PMSG로 전처치한 미성숙 래트의 초기 난포기에 GnRH agonist의 투여는 GnRH agonist를 투여하지 않은 군(대조군)에 비해 과배란 억제, 형태학적 비정상 배란난자의 증가, 난소 중량의 감소, 난포폐쇄의 증가 및 혈중 스테로이드 호르몬의 농도 감소가 보였다. 한편 후기 난포기에 GnRH agonist의 투여는 대조군에서의 반응과 전반적으로 유사하였다. 이상의 결과, PMSG 및 hCG 처치로 과배란된 래트의 초기 난포기에 GnRH agonist의 투여는 난소기능을 전반적으로 억제하지만, 후기 난포기에 GnRH agonist의 투여는 난소기능에 영향을 미치지 않았다.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.347-352
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• 2004

When saponin extracts of dried ginseng and red ginseng were anaerobically incubated with human intestinal microflora, these extracts were metabolized to compound K and ginsenoside $Rh_2$, respectively. However, when these extracts were incubated with commercial lactic acid bacteria, these did not metabolize these ginsenosides to compound K or ginsenoside $Rh_2$. Among some intestinal bacteria isolated from human feces, Bacteroides C-35 and C-36 transformed these saponin extracts to compound K and ginsenoside $Rh_2$, respectively. These bacteria also transformed water extracts of dried ginseng and red ginseng to compound K and ginsenoside $Rh_2$, respectively, similarly with that of the saponin extracts. Among transformed ginsenosides, compound K and 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rh_2$ exhibited the most potent cyotoxicity against tumor cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.834-839
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• 2004

In human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE(2) cells undergoing apoptotic death induced by ginsenos-ide Rh2, a dammarane glycoside that was isolated from Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, caspase-1 and caspase-3 were activated. The expression of Bax was increased in the cells treated with ginsenoside Rh2, whereas Bcl-2 expression was not altered. Treatment with caspase-1 inhibi-tor, Ac-YVAD-CMK, or caspase-3 inhibitor, Z-DEVD-FMK, partially inhibited ginsenoside Rh2-induced cell death but almost suppressed the cleavage of the 116 kDa PARP into a 85 kDa fragment. When the levels of p53 were examined in this process, p53 accumulated rapidly in the cells treated early with ginsenoside Rh2. These results suggest that activation of caspase-1 and -3 and the up-regulation of Bax are required in order for apoptotic death of SK-N-BE(2) cells to be induced by ginsenoside Rh2, and p53 plays an important role in the pathways to promote apoptosis.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2007

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), synthesized in the hypothalamus, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of vertebrate reproduction. Since molecular isoforms of GnRH and their receptors (GnRHR) have been isolated in a broad range of vertebrate species, GnRH and GnRHR provide an excellent model for understanding the molecular co-evolution of a peptide ligand-receptor pair. Vertebrate species possess multiple forms of GnRH, which have been created through evolutionary mechanisms such as gene/chromosome duplication, gene deletion and modification. Similar to GnRHs, GnRH receptors (GnRHR) have also been diversified evolutionarily. Comparative ligand-receptor interaction studies for non-mammalian and mammalian GnRHRs combined with mutational mapping studies of GnRHRs have aided the identification of domains or motifs responsible for ligand binding and receptor activation. Here we discuss the molecular basis of GnRH-GnRHR co-evolution, particularly the structure-function relationship regarding ligand selectivity and signal transduction of mammalian and non-mammalian GnRHRs.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.389-397
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• 1999

Recently the use of Pd catalyst have been continued to expand because of cost avaliabilityand performance advantages. Especially the Pd+Rh catalyst instead of the Pt+Rh catalyst had been used for most of three way catalysts because of the more stringent emission standards and its higher temperature effectiveness. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the design parameter impacts on the Pd+Rh cat-alyst for the automotive exhaust catalysts application. This study was investigated on the catalyst efficiency for the volume and the precious metal loading of the Pd+Rh ceramic monolithic cata-lyst. And experiments concerning the effects of volume and precious metal loading on Pd+Rh three way catalysts were conducted to examined the catalyst light-off temperature and conver-sion efficiency on higher volume demonstrated almost similar performance. But their effects on higher precious metal loading demonstrated considerably better performance.