• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.473-480
• /
• 2022

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a disease characterized by abnormal proliferation of the prostate, which occurs frequently in middle-aged men. In this study, we report the effect of red ginseng oil (KGC11o) on BPH. Methods: The BPH-induced Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups: control, BPH, KGC11o 25, 50, 100, 200, and finasteride groups. KGC11o and finasteride were administered for 8 weeks. The BPH biomarkers, DHT, 5AR1, and 5AR2, androgen receptor, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Bax, Bcl-2, and TGF-β were determined in the serum and prostate tissue. The cell viability after KGC11o treatment was determined using BPH-1 cells, and, androgen receptor, Bax, Bcl-2, and TGF-β were confirmed by western blotting. Results: In the in vivo study, administration of KGC11o reduced prostate weight by 18%, suppressed DHT (up to 22%) and 5AR2 (up to 12%) levels from administration of 100 mg/kg KGC11o (P < 0.05). PSA was significantly downregulated dose-dependently from at the concentration of 50 mg/kg KGC11o (P < 0.05). BPH-1 cell viability significantly reduced through the treatment with KGC11o. In vitro and vivo, AR, Bcl-2 TGF-β levels reduced significantly but Bax was increased (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that KGC11o may inhibit the development of BPH by significantly reducing the levels of BPH biomarkers via 5ARI, anti-androgenic effect, and anti-proliferation effect, serving as a potential functional food for treating BPH.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.72-83
• /
• 2023

Background: Globally, spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a big burden, including 90% suffering permanent disability, and 60%-69% experiencing neuropathic pain. The main causes are oxidative stress, inflammation, and degeneration. The efficacy of the stem cell secretome is promising, but the role of human neural stem cell (HNSC)-secretome in neuropathic pain is unclear. This study evaluated how the mechanism of HNSC-secretome improves neuropathic pain and locomotor function in SCI rat models through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-matrix degradation, and neurotrophic activities. Methods: A proper experimental study investigated 15 Rattus norvegicus divided into normal, control, and treatment groups (30 µL HNSC-secretome, intrathecal in the level of T10, three days post-traumatic SCI). Twenty-eight days post-injury, specimens were collected, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, F2-Isoprostanes, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were analyzed. Locomotor recovery was evaluated via Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores. Neuropathic pain was evaluated using the Rat Grimace Scale. Results: The HNSC-secretome could improve locomotor recovery and neuropathic pain, decrease F2-Isoprostane (antioxidant), decrease MMP-9 and TNF-α (anti-inflammatory), as well as modulate TGF-β and BDNF (neurotrophic factor). Moreover, HNSC-secretomes maintain the extracellular matrix of SCI by reducing the matrix degradation effect of MMP-9 and increasing the collagen formation effect of TGF-β as a resistor of glial scar formation. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the mechanism of HNSC-secretome in improving neuropathic pain and locomotor function in SCI through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-matrix degradation, and neurotrophic activities.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.292-298
• /
• 2023

Objective: Ovarian torsion is a gynecological disorder that causes ischemia-reperfusion injuries in the ovary. Our study investigated berberine's short- and long-term effects on ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Methods: This study included 28 Wistar albino female rats weighing 180 to 220 g, which were divided into four groups: sham (S), torsion/detorsion (T/D), torsion/ detorsion+single dose berberine (T/D+Bb), and torsion/detorsion+15 days berberine (T/D+15Bb). The torsion and detorsion model was applied in all non-sham groups. In the T/D+Bb group, a single dose of berberine was administered, while in the T/D+15Bb group, berberine was administered over a period of 15 days. After the rats were euthanized, their ovaries were excised. The left ovaries were used for histopathologic evaluation, which included ovarian injury scoring and follicle count, while the right ovaries were used for biochemical analyses (tissue transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β] and alpha-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] levels). Results: The histopathologic evaluation scores for the ovaries were significantly lower in the T/D+B group (p<0.05) and the T/D+15B group (p<0.005) than in the T/D group. The follicle counts in the T/D group were lower than those in both the sham and treated groups (p<0.005). The TGF-β levels were significantly lower in the T/D+15B group (p<0.005), whereas the α-SMA levels did not show a significant difference. Conclusion: Both short- and long-term berberine use could potentially have therapeutic effects on ovarian torsion. Long-term berberine use exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing TGF-β levels, thereby preventing ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Therefore, we suggest that long-term berberine use could be beneficial for ovarian torsion.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.388-398
• /
• 2009

Background and Objective: Luffae Fructus Retinervus (LFR) is used for investigating symptoms of inflammation. We have evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of LFR by analyzing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Materials and Methods : We differentiated THP-l cells into macrophage-like cells by treatment with PMA. Inflammation was induced by treatment with LPS and PMA. We determined the safe concentration of LFR by using the MTS and MTT assays and using PD 98059 as a negative control for comparison of the anti-inflammatory effect of LFR. Results : The MTS and MTT analysis showed that the cell survival rate was >80% within the LFR concentration range of 10-100 ng/ml and began to decrease to >80% at 1 ${\mu}g/ml$. By RT-PCR analysis, the gene expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-8, TGF-${\beta}$, IL-6, IL-${\beta}$1, and IL-10 levels were down-regulated when monocyte-derived macrophages were treated with concentrations of LFR between 10 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL. Conclusion : We conclude that LFR exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory activity. The results suggest a promising way to treat general inflammatory diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.51-66
• /
• 2004

Objectives : To evaluate experimentally the clinical effect of Bojeongjeongcheon-tang, we observed the cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$/TEX>, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-{\alpha},{\;}TGF-{\beta},{\;}IFN-{\gamma}$) and what effect they have on IgE in B cells of a rat. Methods : First of all, we extracted the spleens of healthy Balb/c mice and separated B cells from them. These B cells were cultured with anti-CD40 mAb (500 ng/ml), rmIL-4 (500 U/ml), Bojeongjeongcheon-tang (100 ug/ml, 10 ug/ml, 1 ug/ml). We used rmiL-10 (50 ng/ml) as a control group. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression of IgE, CD23, CD69 and the coherence of HRF in B cells using a flow cytometer. We also analyzed the cytokine gene expression in B cells by reverse transcriptase-PCR. We also measured B cells proliferation using the Liquid Scintillation Counter. Results : In this study, the Bojeongjeongcheon-tang treated group showed a tendency to decrease depending on the density compared with the control group in the expression of IgE+, CD23+, CD69, HRF. All of the Bojeongjeongcheon-tang treated group showed inhibitory effects with $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-4, IL-5 and proliferating effects with IL-6, IL-10, and $IFN-{\gamma}$ on cytokines transcript expression depending on the density. Meanwhile, $TNF-{\alpha}$ increased in all density. In IgE production, there was inhibitory effect on Bojeongjeongcheon-tang (both 100 ug/ml and 10 ug/ml) of significance (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). Also in B cell proliferation, the result revealed an inhibitory effect of Bojeongjeongcheon-tang (both 100 ug/ml and 10 ug/ml), of significance (p < 0.001, p < 0.01). Conclusions : This study shows that Bojeongjeongcheon-tang has an inhibitory effect on the production and activity of B cells. Also it inhibited CD23, IL-4 activity and IgE production and activation. It is obvious that Bojeongjeongcheon-tang treats asthma by inhibiting the production of histamine and HRF, IL-5 and proliferating IL-10. Also Bojeongjeongcheon-tang has some preventive effects on bronchial change by inhibiting $TGF-{\beta}$, which stimulates the bronchial transformation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.245-257
• /
• 2004

This study was done to evaluate the antiallergic effects of Naenghyohwan(NHH). Cytotoxic activity for lung fibroblast cells, cytokines transcript expression of IL-1, IL-4, IL-5, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-${\beta}$1, IFN-${\gamma}$, production of IL-4, IL-10. IFN-${\gamma}$, IgE in anti-CD40mAb plus rIL-4 stimulated murine splenic B cells and the production of histamin released in mast cells, and the expression of histamine release factor(HRF) in splenic B cells were measurd. The following results were obtained. NHH did not showed cytotoxicity in fibroblast cells. NHH increased the gene synthesis of TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$(m-RNA). NHH decreased the gene synthesis of IL-1${\beta}$, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, TGF-${\beta}1$(m-RNA). NHH decreased the appearance of IL-4, IgE significantly. NHH increased the appearance of IL-10. IFN-${\gamma}$ significantly. NHH decreased the proliferation of B cells significantly. NHH decreased the appearance of histamin expression of HRF in mast cells significantly. The results suggest NHH is effective against the allergies. Continued studies of the antiallergic effects of NHH are urged.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
• /
• 2003.06a
• /
• pp.79-79
• /
• 2003

Embryonic stem cells are capable of differentiating into a variety of cell lineages. However, the ultimate results of differentiation in vitro greatly depend on the duration of treatment and kinds of differentiating inducers added. In order to investigate the efficiencies of various differentiation inducers and the methods of treatment, we examined differentiation patterns of human embryonic stem cell (hESC, MB03) according to several different protocols. Exp. I) Upon differentiation using retinoic acid and ascorbic acid (RA/AA), embryoid bodies (EB, for 4days) derived from hESC was exposed to Rh (10$^{-6}$ M) and AA (50 mM) for 4 days, and were allowed to differentiate in N2 medium for 7, 14, 21, or 28 days. Exp. II) When bFGF was used, neuronal precursor cells were selected for 8 days in N2 medium after EB formation. After selection, cells were expanded at the presence of bFGF (20 ng/ml) for another 6 days followed by a final differentiation in N2 medium for 7, 14, 21 or 28 days. Exp. III) In addition, to examine the effects of neurotrophic factors in the production of mature neurons, groups of cells were exposed to either BDNF (5 ng/ml) or TGF-$\alpha$(10 ng/ml) during the 28 days of final differentiation. Differentiation patterns of RA/AA or bFGF treated groups were very similar; approximately 82% and 83% of the cells, respectively, were positive for anti-NF200 antibody, while it was about 10% and 11%, respectively, for anti-NF160 antibody in 28 days in N2 medium. Alsor, cells expressing TH were as low as 5%, while the cells doubled when matured at the presence of either BDNF or TGF-$\alpha$. Cells immunoreactive to anti-GAD antibody were approximately 20%. These results suggest that a maturation step rather than differentiation induction step, which is formation of EB, effects more decisively to the ultimate differentiation pattern.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.103-109
• /
• 2006

Objective : Activated endothelial cells mediate the cascade of reactions in response to hypoxia for adaptation to the stress. It has been suggested that hypoxia, by itself, without reperfusion, can activate the endothelial cells and initiate complex responses. In this study, we investigated whether hypoxia-induced endothelial products alter the endothelial permeability and have a direct cytotoxic effect on nerve cells. Methods : Hypoxic condition of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells[HUVEC] was induced by $CoCl_2$ treatment in culture medium. Cell growth was evaluated by 3,4,5-dimethyl thiazole-3,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay Hypoxia-induced products [$IL-1{\beta},\;TGF-{\beta}1,\;IFN-{\gamma},\;TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-l and VEGF] were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Endothelial permeability was evaluated by Western blotting. Results : Prolonged hypoxia caused endothelial cells to secrete IL -6, IL -8, MCP-1 and VEGF. However, the levels of IL -1, IL -10, $TNF-{\alpha},\;TGF-{\beta},\;IFN-{\gamma}$ and nitric oxide remained unchanged over 48 h hypoxia. Hypoxic exposure to endothelial cells induced the time-dependent down regulation of the expression of cadherin and catenin protein. The conditioned medium taken from hypoxic HUVECs had the cytotoxic effect selectively on neuroblastoma cells, but not on astroglioma cells. Conclusion : These results suggest the possibility that endothelial cell derived cytokines or other secreted products with the increased endothelial permeability might directly contribute to nerve cell injury followed by hypoxia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.69 no.5
• /
• pp.337-347
• /
• 2010

Background: Transglutaminase-2 (TG-2) has been reported to play an important role in the process of fibrosis. However, TG-2 studies on fibroproliferation of acute lung injury (ALI) are absent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of TG-2 in the fibroproliferation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Methods: The male C57BL/6 mice of 5 weeks age were divided into 3 groups; control group (n=30) in which $50{\mu}L$ of saline was given intratracheally (IT), LPS group (n=30) in which LPS 0.5 mg/kg/$50{\mu}L$ of saline was given IT, and LPS+Cyst group treated with intraperitoneal 200 mg/kg of cystamine, competitive inhibitor of TG-2, after induction of ALI by LPS. TG-2 activity and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ were measured in lung tissue homogenate. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ were measured using bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. Histopathologic ALI score and Mallory's phosphotunistic acid hematoxylin (PTAH) for collagen and fibronectin deposition were performed. Results: The TG-2 activities in the LPS group were significantly higher than the control and LPS+Cyst groups (p<0.05). The TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ concentrations and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity were lower in the LPS+Cyst group than the LPS group (p<0.05). The LPS+Cyst group showed lower MPO, ALI score, TGF-${\beta}1$ concentration, and Mallory's PTAH stain than the LPS group, but the differences were not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Inhibition of TG-2 activity in the LPS-induced ALI prevented early inflammatory parameters, but had limited effects on late ALI and fibroproliferative parameters.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2018

Background: This research was performed to investigate the effects of Pulsatilla Koreana NAKAI pharmacopuncture (PPA) therapy on intestinal disease in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Methods: The subjects were divided into five groups : A control group, saline group, pharmacopuncture group PPA1 ($0.2mg/1kg/40{\mu}{\ell}$), pharmacopuncture group PPA2 ($0.5mg/1kg/40{\mu}{\ell}$), and pharmacopuncture group PPA 3($1mg/1kg/40{\mu}{\ell}$). The experimental model of colitis was induced by infection of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for eighteen days. After colitis was induced, PPA therapy was practiced on the Chunchu (ST25) once every two days for a total six times. Thereafter Disease Activity Index (DAI), colon length, damage to the colonic mucosa, body weight, IL-6, IL-10, $IL-1{\beta}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $TGF-{\beta}1$, IL-23 and IL-17 were measured. Results: The results were as follows. 1. DAI was significantly decreased in the PPA groups. 2. Colon length was significantly increased in the PPA groups. 3. Damage of colonic mucosa was observed less in the PPA groups. 4. Body weight was significantly increased in the saline group and the PPA groups. 5. The PPA2 group showed a significant decrease in the intensity of IL-6, $IL-1{\beta}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels and the mean of IL-23. 6. The PPA3 group showed a significant increase in the intensity of IL-10 and $TGF-{\beta}1$ levels. 7. No significant differences were shown in the mean of IL-17. Conclusion: These results suggest that PPA therapy on Chunchu (ST25) can be used as an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.