• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.78-84
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• 2007

The anti-fibrotic effects of hot water extract of adventitious root culture of Panax ginseng (ARCP) and the possible mechanisms were investigated on $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxicity model mice. Fibrosis was induced by a mild treatment of $CCl_4$. Then silymarin as a positive control drug and ARCP or carrier alone as a negative control were treated. Serum GPT, GOT and ALP activity levels were lowered by 25, 21 and 11% for silymarin treated group and by 48, 39 and 14% for ARCP treated group compared to carrier treated alone. Hepatic collagen for ARCP treatment group was reduced by 18% and MDA contents decreased a little more. Pro-fibrotic gene ($TGF-{\beta}1$, TIMP-1 and ${\alpha}-SMA$) expression increased following the $CCl_4$ treatment, but both the silymarin and the ARCP treatments decreased the expressions of these genes by 20% to 50%. The antioxidant effect of ARCP was studied by DPPH free radical scavenging activity. In addition, a generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also reduced in $H_2O_2-treated$ HepG2 cells upon the ARCP treatment. In summary, ARCP has antioxidant property, and can have some protection against oxidative stress; more importantly, ARCP can efficiently protect mice against $CCl_4-induced$ fibrosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1139-1144
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• 2009

This study was purposed to research the anti-cancer effects of Bistortae Rhizoma. A total extract of Bistortae Rhizoma decoction was prepared. By measuring the cell proliferation, apoptosis, morphology and cytokine level from the extracts, the influence on HepG2 cell, SNU-1 cell and A549 cell was compared. The Bistortae Rhizoma decoction extract did not control HepG2 cell proliferation but controlled SNU-1 cell and A549 cell proliferation. In particular, the inhibitory effect on SNU-1 cell proliferation was highest. The Bistortae Rhizoma decoction extract showed to increase the apoptosis of the HepG2 ceil, SNU-1 cell and A549 cell in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, the promotion effect of the apoptosis was highest in SNU-1 cell. Among the various fraction extracts of the Bistortae Rhizoma decoction, n-BuOH extraction showed the greatest increase of the apoptosis of the HepG2 cell. The Bistortae Rhizoma decoction extract decreased dose-dependently the secretion of the TGF-$\beta$ in the HepG2 cell, SNU-1 cell and A549 cell and increased the secretion of the TNF-$\alpha$ and the IFN-$\gamma$. These results suggest that the total extract of Bistortae Rhizoma decoction has anti-cancer effect against SNU-1 cell and A549 cell.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4415-4420
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• 2016

We aimed to investigate any association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in the view of cytokines that control inflammation/angiogenesis and their correlation with certain CD markers. NHL patients with or without HCV infection were studied. CD5, CD30, CD3, CD20 and CD45 were immunohistochemically evaluated. Plasma levels of vascular endothelial and platelet derived growth factors (VEGF, and PDGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-${\alpha}$), transforming growth factor (TGF-${\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-4, IL-12 and interferon gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HCV+ve NHL patients showed a significant reduction in VEGF, PDGF, IFN-${\gamma}$, CD5 and CD45 and a significant increase in IL-12 and IL-8. In conclusion, there was a significant change in cytokine secretion and expression of CD markers in HCV+ve NHL patients. Based on our results, HCV infection in NHL patients requires more in-depth investigations to explore any role in lymphoma progression.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.58-70
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• 2015

This study was conducted to examine the effect of egg shell membrane hydrolysates (ESMH) on wrinkle, UV, and moisture protection for cosmetic use. ESMH were fragmented as whole ESMH (before fractioning), Fraction I (> 10 kDa), Fraction II (3-10 kDa), and Fraction III (< 3 kDa). In order to test whether fractionated ESMH can be used for functional cosmetic materials, we examined not only the level of hyaluronic acid and collagen production, but also the MMP-1 activity using a HaCaT and CCD-986Sk cell line. Our study treated each sample of fractionated ESMH with different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1 mg/mL). In our in vivo research, we used hairless mice that had been exposed to UV-B to induce wrinkles for 7 wk, then applied Fraction I to the treatment group for 5 wk and then tested skin thickness, minimum erythema dose and moisture content. In addition, Fraction I was high in collagen and HA biosynthesis and it was better than TGF-${\beta}$ in improving of the skin. When TNF-${\alpha}$ caused MMP-1 activity in the CCD-986Sk cells, the whole ESMH and Fraction I proved to be effective in hindering the induction of collagenase depending on the concentration, and also showed outstanding effects in the suppression of skin aging. We found that the treatment group mice's UV-B radiation-induced skin damage was largely mitigated compared to that of the non-treatment group mice. Thus, we have concluded that EMSH helps to mitigate UV-B radiation-induced wrinkles, collagen, HA, MMP-1 activity and can be used for functional cosmetic materials.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 2010

Silk fibroin, produced by the silkworm Bombyx mori, has been widely studied as a scaffold in tissue engineering. Although it has been shown to be slowly biodegradable, cellular responses to degraded silk fibroin fragments are largely unknown. In this study, silk fibroin was added to MG-63 cell cultures, and changes in gene expression in the MG-63 cells were screened by DNA microarray analysis. Genes showing a significant (2-fold) change were selected and their expression changes confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. DNA microarray results showed that alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type-I alpha-1, fibronectin, and transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ expressions significantly increased. The effect of degraded silk fibroin on osteoblastogenic gene expression was confirmed by observing up-regulation of ALP activity in MG-63 cells. The finding that small fragments of silk fibroin are able to increase the expression of osteoblastogenic genes suggests that controlled degradation of silk fibroin might accelerate new bone formation.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.92-105
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Daecheongryong-tang (DCRT) on the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated with adipogenic reagents by incubating for 2 days in the absence or presence of DCRT ranging 0.25 and 2%. The effect of DCRT on adipogenesis was examined by Oil red O staining, and the protein, RNA, and RT-PCR were measured. Results: Our results showed that DCRT decreased the TG content by ORO staining. To elucidate the mechanism of the effects of DCRT on lowering TG content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we examined the DCRT modulate expressions of transcription factors to induce adipogenesis and adipogenic genes which is related to the regulation of accumulation of lipids. As a result, the expression of SREBP1, C/$EBP{\beta}$, C/$EBP{\delta}$, C/$EBP{\alpha}$, and $PPAR{\gamma}$ genes, which induce the adipose differentiation and adipose-specific aP2, adipsin, LPL, CD36, TGF-${\beta}$ and adiponectin genes which regulates fat formations, were decreased. In addition, DCRT reduced the expression of iNOS and IL-6 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, resulting in inflammation. Conclusions: DCRT could regulate transcript factor related to induction of adipose differentiation, inhibit the accumulation of lipids and expression of the adipogenic genes.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.635-643
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• 2012

As an appraisal for the application of a new starter culture, more than 200 lactic acid bacteria strains were isolated from raw milk and healthy human feces. The strains showing excellent growth and acid production ability in 10% skim milk media were selected and identified as Lactobacillus casei based on the results of their API carbohydrate fermentation patterns, as well as 16S rDNA sequence analysis. To assess the effect of L. casei strains on irritable bowel disease (IBD), the inhibitory effect of the selected strains against the nitric oxide (NO) production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was measured. Among the tested L. casei strains, L. casei MCL was observed to have the greatest NO inhibitory activity. Additionally, L. casei MCL was found to inhibit mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$), as well as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) involved in pathophysiologic processes such as inflammation. The mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-10 and transforming growth factor-$1{\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) of L. casei MCL, was confirmed using quantitative real-time PCR. In conclusion, L. casei MCL showed decreases in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and up-regulated expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.213-219
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• 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease characterized by chronic and relapsing inflammatory dermatitis with immunological disturbances. Spleen deficiency (脾虛) is one of the major causes of AD, so development of animal model is required for AD research that reflects the pattern identification. The groups that we have used in this study included Senna folium extracts (SFE), 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), and normal mice. Therefore, the present study was developed to atopic dermatitis mouse model with spleen deficiency in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and senna leaves extracts induced AD in NC/Nga mice. The results demonstrated that senna leaves extract treatment significantly increased the dermatitis clinical score and epidermal thickness in AD-like skin lesions. We also proved beyond doubt that there was occurrence of erythema and skin moisture indices in the senna leaves extract groups. Further, we also found that the level of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the senna leaves extract-treated group was increased. The amount of IL-4, IL-13, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $TGF-{\beta}$ mRNA determined by real-time PCR was increased remarkably when senna leaves extract groups were treated on dorsal skin. Senna leaves extract groups significantly promoted the number of CD11B+/Gr-1 cell in skin, as well as the number of CD4+/CD8+ cell in dorsal skin compared with control. The review summarizes recent process in our understanding of the immunopathophysiology of spleen deficiency AD and the implications for spleen deficiency mouse models of AD on drug discovery from medical plants.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.246-250
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• 2013

We previously reported that the extract from cuttlebone (CB) has wound healing effect in burned lesion of rat. In present study, the main component of CB extract was analyzed and its wound healing activity was evaluated by using in vitro acute inflammation model. The extract of CB stimulated macrophages to increase the production of TNF-${\alpha}$. The extract also enhanced the production of TGF-${\beta}$ and VEGF, which were involved in angiogenesis and fibroblast activation. The treatment with CB extract enhanced proliferation of murine fibroblast. CB extract also induced the activation of fibroblast to increase the secretion of matrix metalloproteases 1 (MMP1). The constituent of CB extract which has wound healing activity was identified as chitin by HPLC analysis. The mechanism that the CB extract helps to promote healing of burned lesion is associated with that chitin in CB extracts stimulated wound skins to induce acute inflammation and to promoted cell proliferation and MMP expression in fibroblast. Our results suggest that CB or chitin can be a new candidate material for the treatment of skin wound such as ulcer and burn.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.167-183
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• 2008

KCSYJT medicines controlled $CD4^+/IFN-\gamma$, and $CD4^+/CD25^+/foxp3^+$ revelation that an experiment that motive allergy immune reponse because an in vitro experiment stimulates T cells of a NC/Nga mouse same time by anti-CD40/rmIL-4, and interleukin-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, and TGF-$\beta$ mRNA outturn that bear in T and B cells decreased remarkably by KCSYJT medicines. Intracellular staining of splenocytes anti-CD40/rmIL-4 plus rmIL-4 stimulated as described in a, assessed after 24 h, KCSYJT exerts a mainly immunosuppressive effect that acts at least partially through suppression of the transcription factor GATA3 expression in $CD4^+$ T cells. We found that skin lesions, which were clinically and histologically very similar to human AD, mite antigen-induced dermatitis on the face, neck, ears and dorsal skin of inbred NC/Nga mice. Result that Th1 cell and Th2 cell observe to be shifted by cytokine expression with GATA3 regulation by KCSYJT medicines could know that KCSYJT medicines can use usefully in allergy autoimmnune diease.