• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.52-68
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• 2008

Objectives and Methods : Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix (SMR) promotes blood circulation to remove blood stasis, cools the blood to relieve carbuncle, clears away heat from the heart and tranquilizes the mind. This study was designed to investigate the effects of SMR on immuno-potentiative action in terms of changes in the genetic profile of dendritic cells (DC) using by microarray analysis. Results and Conclusion: In this experiment, treatments with more than 250 ${\mu}g/ml$ upto 1000 ${\mu}g/ml$ of SMR elevated the proliferation rates of DC. Microscopic observations confirmed the tendency on proliferation rates. Expression levels of genes related with cellular methabolic process, cell communication, and macromolecule metabolic process were elevated by treatment with SMR in comparison of functional distribution in a Biological Process. In molecular functions, expression levels of genes related with receptor activation, nucleotide binding and nucleic acid binding were elevated. In cellular components, expression levels of genes related to cellular membrane-bound organelles were elevated. In addition, expression levels of genes related to Wnt signalling pathways and the glycerophospholipid metabolism were elevated through analysis using pathway analysis between up-and down-regulated genes in cells treated with SMR. Finally, genes related to JAK2, GRB2, CDC42, SMAD4, B2M, FOS and ESRI located the center of Protein interaction network of genes through treatment with SMR.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.36-51
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• 2008

Objective : This study investigated the effects of PR(Pinelliae Rhizoma) on gene expression of lung tissue resected from asthma induced mice using intra-nasal instillation. Methods : Gene expression levels were measured using a microarray technique, and a functional analysis on these genes was conducted. Results : A total of 3270 genes were up-regulated or down-regulated, 860 genes which were lowered by induction of asthma were restored to those of naive animals, Furthermore hand, 1235 genes were lowered to normal levels, which were elevated by induction of asthma. Most of changed genes were involved in signalling pathways. Genes in which expression levels were restored by oral administration of PR were involved in MAPK pathway, focal adhesion, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton etc. Genes of which expression levels were lowered by oral administration of PR were involved in rhodopsin-like receptor activity, zinc ion binding and ATP binding. These genes were also involved in neuroactive ligand receptor interaction, the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and also the T-cell receptor signaling pathway. Conclusion : These results demonstrate the strong possibility that the mechanisms of PR on asthma are involved in neuroactive ligand receptor interaction pathway or related molecules.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.395-402
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• 2009

Insulin appears to play a role in brain physiology, and disturbances of cerebral insulin signalling and glucose homeostasis are implicated in brain pathology. The objective of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of insulin under conditions of oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) in C6 glial cells. Insulin at concentration of $10^{-7}$ M could prevent 12 h $H_2O_2$-induced cell death. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly scavenged by insulin pre-treatment in C6 glial cells after $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress. Insulin significantly stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt in the cells and the activation of Akt was maintained in response to insulin under $H_2O_2$ incubation for 12 h. In conclusion, these results provide evidence that insulin acts as a free radical scavenger and stimulating Akt activity. These data suggest that insulin may be effective in degenerative diseases with oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.183-193
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• 2020

Recently, as a natural substance has been emphasized interest in research to enhance the immune function. Green lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a popular vegetable used fresh and it contains various phytochemicals and antioxidant compounds, and has been reported to have various physiological activities such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor and anti-mutagenic. However, only a few studies have investigated on the mechanism of action of immune-enhancing activity of lettuce. Therefore, in this study, the immunomodulatory activities and potential mechanism of action of Green lettuce extracts (GLE) were evaluated in the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. GLE significantly increased NO levels by RAW264.7 cells, as well as expressions of immunomodulators such as iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and MCP-1. Although GLE activated ERK1/2, p38, JNK and NF-κB, GLE-mediated expressions of immunomodulators was dependent on p38, JNK and NF-κB. In addition, TLR4 inhibition blocked GLE-mediated expressions of immunomodulators and activation of p38, JNK and NF-κB. Taken together, these results demonstrated that TLR4-MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathways participated in GLE-induced macrophage activation and GLE could be developed as a potential immunomodulating functional food.

• The Korean Journal of Financial Management
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-27
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• 2007

In this study, we investigated the market long-term performance of stock splits by using the Korean Stock Market data from 1998 through 2002. We measured the performance by the event-time portfolio approach with the buy-and-hold abnormal return(BHAR) and the cumulative average abnormal return(CAAR). Also, the calendar-time portfolio approach with one-factor and three factor model were used for avoiding the misspecification model problem. The first of main results in this study was that the stock splits had significantly positive abnormal returns around the month of the stock splits announcements. However, the period BHAR and CAAR after the announcement month were significantly negative. This negative long-term abnormal returns were confirmed by the calendar-time portfolio approach. The results suggested that the abnormal return followed by the stock splits seemed to be positive in the short-term period. Second, there was no the difference of the long term performance between the high and the low split ratios. The operating income performance in the periods followed by the stock splits announcements grew worse. Therefore, the signalling effects, the managers of the firm under considering the stock splits would make use of splits as a form of signals for the upward changes in the cash flow or profits, could not be found. Finally, in contrast to Fama, Fisher, Jensen and Roll(1969), the significant negative abnormal returns following the stock splits were still found irrespective of the change of dividend payout ratio.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6247-6251
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• 2014

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of emodin on the growth of human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells and the estrogen (E2) signal pathway in vitro. Materials and Methods: MTT assays were used to detect the effects of emodin on E2 induced proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Flow cytometry (FCM) was applied to determine the effect of emodin on E2-induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. Western blotting allowed detection of the effects of emodin on the expression of estrogen receptor ${\alpha}$, cyclin D1 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and phosphatidylinostiol 3-kinases (PI3K). Luciferase assays were emplyed to assess transcriptional activity of $ER{\alpha}$. Results: Emodin could inhibit E2-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation and anti-apoptosis effects, and arrest the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase, further blocking the effect of E2 on expression and transcriptional activity of $ER{\alpha}$. Moreover, Emodin influenced the ER ${\alpha}$ genomic pathway via downregulation of cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 protein expression, and influenced the non-genomic pathway via decreased PI3K/Akt protein expression. Conclusions: These findings indicate that emodin exerts inhibitory effects on MCF-7 cell proliferation via inhibiting both non-genomic and genomic pathways.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.81-108
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• 2010

Objective : Thujae Orientalis Folium (TOF) can cool the blood and stop bleeding, eliminate phlegm and relieve cough in Oriental medicine. In addition, the fresh is used alone externally. Recently, TOF is known to have anti-tumor component. And also known to have tyrosinase inhibitory effect. Method : For these reasons, this study was designed to investigate anti-cancer and whitening activities of TOF. In this experiment, effects of TOF on proliferation rates of melanoma cells and on changes in genetic profiles were investigated. The genetic profile for the effect on human derived melanoma cell, SK-MEL-2, was measured using microarray technique, and the functional analysis on these genes was conducted. Results : Total 541 genes were up-regulated and 1,079 genes down-regulated in cells treated with TOF. Genes induced by TOF were mainly concerned with anti-cancer effects and apoptosis. Genes suppresed by TOF were related in extracellular signalling pathway. The network of total protein interactions was measured using cytoscape program, and some key molecules, such as THAP1, MAX1, STAM2, SMAD6, CYCS, PEX5, PSEN1, NONO, MAP2K7 and CREB1 that can be used for elucidation of therapeutical mechanism of medicine in future were identified. Conculusion : These results suggest possibility of TOF as anti-cancer drug for human melanoma. In addition, the present author also suggest that related mechanisms are involved in inhibition of several cancer pathway, activation of apoptosis pathway and suppression of general metabolic pathway.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.319-326
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• 2009

Extracellular ATP elicits diverse physiological effects by binding to the G-protein-coupled P2Y receptors on the plasma membrane. In addition to the short-term effects of extracellular nucleotides on cell functions, there is evidence that such purinergic signalling can have long-term effects on cell proliferation, differentiation and death. The 3T3-L1 cell line derived from mouse embryo is a well-established and commonly utilized in vitro model for adipocytes differentiation and function. However, the distributions and roles of P2Y subtypes are still unknown in the preadipocyte. In this study, we identified the distributions and roles of P2Y subtypes in preadipocyte using $Ca^{2+}$ imaging and realtime PCR. ATP increased the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in a concentration-dependent manner. ATP increased $Ca^{2+}$ in absence and/or presence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. Suramin, non-selective P2Y blocker, largely blocked the ATP-induced $Ca^{2+}$ response. U73122, a PLC inhibitor, completely inhibited $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in 3T3-L1 cells. The mRNA expression by realtime PCR of P2Y subtypes was $P2Y_2:P2Y_5:P2Y_6=1.0:12.5:0.3$. In conclusion, we showed that $P2Y_5$ receptor is a dominant purinergic receptor in preadipocytes, and multiple P2Y receptors could involve in differentiation and migration via regulating of intracellular calcium concentration.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6761-6767
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• 2013

The nuclear receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$), is expressed in various cancer cells including breast, prostate, colorectal and cervical examples. An endogenous ligand of $PPAR{\gamma}$, 15-deoxy-${\Delta}^{12,14}$ prostaglandin $J_2$ (PGJ2), is emerging as a potent anticancer agent but the exact mechanism has not been fully elucidated, especially in breast cancer. The present study compared the anticancer effects of PGJ2 on estrogen receptor alpha ($ER{\alpha}$)-positive (MCF-7) and $ER{\alpha}$-negative (MDA-MB-231) human breast cancer cells. Based on the reported signalling cross-talk between $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\alpha}$, the effect of the $ER{\alpha}$ ligand, $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) on the anticancer activities of PGJ2 in both types of cells was also explored. Here we report that PGJ2 inhibited proliferation of both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells by inducing apoptotic cell death with active involvement of mitochondria. The presence of E2 potentiated PGJ2-induced apoptosis in MCF-7, but not in MDA-MB-231 cells. The $ER{\alpha}$ antagonist, GW9662, failed to block PGJ2-induced activities but potentiated its effects in MCF-7 cells, instead. Interestingly, GW9662 also proved capable of inducing apoptotic cell death. It can be concluded that E2 enhances $ER{\alpha}$-independent anticancer effects of PGJ2 in the presence of its receptor.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.650-657
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• 2021

Metformin is an anti-diabetic drug and has anticancer effects on various cancers. Several studies have suggested that metformin reduces cell proliferation and stimulates cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. However, the definitive molecular mechanism of metformin in the pathophysiological signaling in endometrial tumorigenesis and metastasis is not clearly understood. In this study, we examined the effects of metformin on the cell viability and apoptosis of human cervical HeLa and endometrial HEC-1-A and KLE cancer cells. Metformin suppressed cell growth in a dose-dependent manner and dramatically evoked apoptosis in HeLa cervical cancer cells, while apoptotic cell death and growth inhibition were not observed in endometrial (HEC-1-A, KLE) cell lines. Accordingly, the p27 and p21 promoter activities were enhanced while Bcl-2 and IL-6 activities were significantly reduced by metformin treatment. Metformin diminished the phosphorylation of mTOR, p70S6K and 4E-BP1 by accelerating adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) in HeLa cancer cells, but it did not affect other cell lines. To determine why the anti-proliferative effects are observed only in HeLa cells, we examined the expression level of liver kinase B1 (LKB1) since metformin and LKB1 share the same signalling system, and we found that the LKB1 gene is not expressed only in HeLa cancer cells. Consistently, the overexpression of LKB1 in HeLa cancer cells prevented metformin-triggered apoptosis while LKB1 knockdown significantly increased apoptosis in HEC-1-A and KLE cancer cells. Taken together, these findings indicate an underlying biological/physiological molecular function specifically for metformin-triggered apoptosis dependent on the presence of the LKB1 gene in tumorigenesis.