• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2004

Safety pharmacological properties of CJ-11555, an anti-cirrhotic agent, were investigated in experimental animals and in vitro test system. CJ-11555 had no effects on normal body temperature in rats, motor coordination, chemoshock induced by pentetrazol, electric shock induced by electric shocker and writhing syndromes in mice at dose levels of 100, 300 and 1,000 mg/kg. CJ-11555 inhibited intestinal activity and prolonged hexobarbital-induced sleeping time in mice at the dose level of 1,000 mg/kg. CJ-11555 affected on general activity and behaviour tests in SD rats, such as lacrimation, ptosis, piloerection, decreased body tone, abnormal dispersion within the cage, diarrhoea, red colored faeces, slight hypothermia and decreased grooming, at the dose level of 1,000 mg/kg in rats. CJ-11555 was effected on cardiovascular and respiratory system in anesthetized beagle dogs, such as tachycardia, increase of mean blood pressure and decrease of PR interval, decrease of respiratory rate and minute volume, at dose levels of 10 and 30 mg/kg. However, these effects were also observed in vehicle treated anesthetized beagle dogs. In in vitro experiments, CJ-11555 inhibited agonists (histamine, acetyl-choline or $BaCl_2$) induced contraction of isolated guinea-pig at the concentration of 30$\times$$10^6$ M. CJ-11555 was weekly inhibited hERG channel current at concentrations of 10 and 30$\times$$10^6$ M, and $IC_{50}$ was estimated to be higher than 30${\times}$$10^6$M. Based on these results, it was concluded that CJ-11555 affected on cardiovascular and respiratory system, general activity and behaviour and hexobarbital-induced sleeping time at the dose level of 1,000 mg/kg and contraction of the smooth muscle and hERG channel current at the concentration of 30$\times$$10^6$ M.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.743-748
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• 2005

This study was performed for the investigation of vasodilatory efficacy and its underlying mechanisms of Jagumhuan(JGH), a herbal remedy. JGH produced completely endothelium-dependent relaxation and relaxed phenylephrine(PE)-precontracted aorta in a concentration dependent manner. The magnitude of relaxation was greater in PE induced contraction than that of KCl, suggesting involvement of $K^+$ channel in the relaxant effect. Both glibenclamide$(10^{-5}M)$, a $K_{ATP}$ channel inhibitor and indometacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, completely prevented this relaxation. The relaxation effects of JGH, involve in part the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium as pretreatment with L-NAME, an NOS inhibitor, and methylene blue, a cGMP inhibitor, attenuated the responses by 62% and 58%, respectively. In addition, nitrite was produced by JGH in human aortic smooth muscle cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The relaxant effect of JGH was also inhibited by 55.41% by tetraethylammonium(TEA; 5mM), a $K_{Ca}$ channel inhibitor. In the absence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$, pre-incubation of the aortic rings with JGH significantly reduced the contraction by PE, suggesting that the relaxant action of the JGH includes inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular stores. These results indicate that in rat thoracic aorta, JGH may induce vasodilation through ATP sensitive $K^+$ channel activation by prostacyclin production. However, the relaxant effect of JGH may also mediated in part by NO pathways and $Ca^{2+}$ activated $K^+$ channel.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2007

The present study was undertaken to determine whether $SM22{\alpha}$ participates in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle contractility using $SM22{\alpha}$ knockout mice and, if so, to investigate the mechanisms involved. Aortic ring preparations were mounted and equilibrated in organ baths for 60 min before observing contractile responses to 50 mM KCl, and then exposed to contractile agents such as phenylephrine and phorbol ester. Measurement of isometric contractions using a computerized data acquisition system was combined with molecular or cellular experiments. Interestingly, the aortas from $SM22{\alpha}$-deficient mice ($SM22^{-/-LacZ}$) displayed an almost three-fold increase in the level of $SM22{\beta}$ protein compared to wild-type mice, but no change in the levels of caldesmon, actin, desmin or calponin. $Ca^{2+}$-independent contraction in response to phenylephrine or phorbol ester was significantly decreased in the $SM22{\alpha}$-deficient mice, whereas in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$ neither contraction nor subcellular translocation of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in response to phenylephrine or 50 mM KCl was significantly affected. A decrease in phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was observed in the $SM22{\alpha}$-deficient mice and this may be related to the decreased vascular contractility. Taken together, this study provides evidence for a pivotal role of $SM22{\alpha}$ in the regulation of $Ca^{2+}$-independent vascular contractility.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.503-516
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• 2020

KCNQ family constitutes slowly-activating potassium channels among voltage-gated potassium channel superfamily. Recent studies suggested that KCNQ4 and 5 channels are abundantly expressed in smooth muscle cells, especially in lower urinary tract including corpus cavernosum and that both channels can exert membrane stabilizing effect in the tissues. In this article, we examined the electrophysiological characteristics of overexpressed KCNQ4, 5 channels in HEK293 cells with recently developed KCNQ-specific agonist. With submicromolar EC₅₀, the drug not only increased the open probability of KCNQ4 channel but also increased slope conductance of the channel. The overall effect of the drug in whole-cell configuration was to increase maximal whole-cell conductance, to prolongate the activation process, and left-shift of the activation curve. The agonistic action of the drug, however, was highly attenuated by the co-expression of one of the β ancillary subunits of KCNQ family, KCNE4. Strong in vitro interactions between KCNQ4, 5 and KCNE4 were found through Foster Resonance Energy Transfer and co-immunoprecipitation. Although the expression levels of both KCNQ4 and KCNE4 are high in mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells, we found that 1 μM of the agonist was sufficient to almost completely relax phenylephrine-induced contraction of the muscle strip. Significant expression of KCNQ4 and KCNE4 in corpus cavernosum together with high tonic contractility of the tissue grants highly promising relaxational effect of the KCNQ-specific agonist in the tissue.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.755-760
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• 2015

For proper wound healing, dermal contraction and remodeling are critical; during the natural healing process, differentiated fibroblasts called "myofibroblasts" typically undertake these functions. For severe wounds, however, a critical mass of dermal matrix and fibroblasts are lost, making self-regeneration impossible. To overcome this impairment, synthetic wound patches with embedded functional cells can be used to promote healing. In this study, we developed a polydioxanone (PDO)-based cell-embedded sheet on which dermal fibroblasts were cultured and induced for differentiation into myofibroblasts, whereby the following combinatorial physicochemical stimuli were also applied: aligned topology, electric field (EF), and growth factor. The results show that both the aligned topology and EF synergistically enhanced the expression of alpha smooth-muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA), a key myofibroblast marker. Our proof-of-concept (POC) experiments demonstrated the potential applicability of a myofibroblast-embedded PDO sheet as a wound patch.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.121-127
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• 1984

Attempts were to investigate the effects of 'Bojungikgi-tang' on the digestive system, blood pressure and diuresis. The results showed that relaxing action was shown on the isolated ileum in mice and that strong antagonistic actions were seen on $BaCl_2$, acetylcholine and histamine-induced contraction of the ileum in mice and guinea-pigs that the relaxing effect of the intestinal smooth muscle was recognized. Inhibitory effects on transport rate in the small intestine of mice and castor oil-induced catharsis in mice were noted. Inhibitory action on the secretion of gastric juice, pH ascending effect and decreasing effect of the free acidity and total acidity were recognized. Continuous hypotensive action was seen, but when the vagus nerve was cut, hypotensive action was remarkably decreased. The diuretic effect was also recognized.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 1990

These studies were conducted to investigate the effects of Tongkwan-San water extract on analgesic, sedatative, anti-inflammatory, blood pressure and vasodilating actions, the relaxing action of isolated ileums and actions on the contact dermatitis induced by picryl chloride and on the leakage of the dye into the peritoneal cavity. The results of these studies were summarized as follows: The analgesic effect of Tongkwan-San was noted. The prolongation of anesthetic time of Tongkwan-San was recognized. Spontaneous motilities of isolated ileum of mice were strongly suppressed by Tongkwan-San. It inhibited the contractions of isolated ileum of mice induced by acetylcholine and barium chloride and the contraction of isolated ileum of guinea-pig induced by histamine. Inhibition of the contact dermatitis induced by picryl chloride was recognized. Anti-inflammatory effects in the paw edema induced by histamine and dextran were significantly shown. The leakage of dye into the peritoneal cavity in mice was significantly inhibited. Hypotensive and vasodilating action due to vascular smooth muscle relaxation were noted in rats and rabbits.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.63-72
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• 1985

Analgesic, anticonvulsive, sedative and antipyretic actions of Yangkyuksanwhatang which is composed of nine crude drugs including Rehmanniae Radix, and its effects on isolated ileum and blood vessel were investigated. The results of the studies were summerized as follows; 1. Analgesic and antipyretic effects were observed. 2. Suppressive actions were not shown on the convulsion induced by strychnine, but significant effects were noted on the convulsion induced by picrotoxin. 3. A prolongation of anesthetic time induced by pentobarbital sodium was significantly observed. 4. Relaxing actions were noted on the ileum of mice, and also, same effects were recognized on the contraction of the ileum due to acetylcholine chloride and barium chloride. 5. The expansion of blood vessels by relaxation of smooth muscle and hypotensive effects were noted.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2011

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) evoke pacemaker activities in many tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between interstitial cell and pacemaker activity in the human ureter through the recording of spontaneous contractions. Spontaneous contractions of eight circular and longitudinal smooth muscle strips of the human ureter to acetylcholine (ACh) and/or norepinephrine (NE) were observed. Human ureteral strips were divided into proximal and distal groups, and each group was subdivided into circular and longitudinal groups. The proximal group showed spontaneous activities of 3~4 times within 5 minutes in the longitudinal group. ACh ($10^{-4}\;M$) augmented the frequency of the spontaneous contractions. The cumulative application of NE also augmented the frequency in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of NE application were inhibited by concomitant application of $10^{-5}\;M$ glibenclamide. Receptor tyrosine kinase (c-kit) staining revealed abundant ICCs only in proximal tissues. Therefore, spontaneous contractions of the human ureter might be modulated by ICC in the proximal region, and the actions might be related with the activation of cholinergic and/or adrenergic system mediated by a glibenclamide-sensitive pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.9-16
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• 2009

Objectives: To clarify the effects of Jungri-tang Gamibang on accelerating small intestinal movement induced by the stimulation of cholinergic neurotransmission. Methods: 500, 250 and 125mg Jungri-Tang Gamibang or 20mg domperidone were dissolved or suspended in distilled water and orally pretreated on the carbachol-accelerated small intestinal transit mice once a day for 7 days at a volume of 10ml/kg (of body weight) using a Zonde needle attached to 1 ml syringes containing test drugs. Result: Significantly (p<0.01) increase of % regions of activated charcoal transit in the small intestine was detected in carbachol control compared to that of intact control. However, significant (p<0.01) decreases of % regions of activated charcoal transit were dose-dependently observed in all Jungri-Tang Gamibang extracts or domperidone-pretreated groups. Conclusions: it was concluded that Jungri-tang Gamibang enhancement in the normal intestinal motility and normalization in the accelerated intestinal motility might interfere with a variety of muscarinic, adrenergic and histaminic receptor activities or with the mobilization of calcium ions required for smooth muscle contraction non-specifically.