• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2004

The present investigation was under taken to study whether the tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) of Daltons lymphoma (DL), a spontaneous transplantable murine T cell lymphoma can be activated to tumoricidal state by crude thymus extract. Intraperitoneal administration of thymus extract to DL-bearing mice resulted in activation of TAM with an enhanced IL-1, TNF and antigen presenting ability. It was found that treatment with thymus extract could also enhance the phagocytic and cytotoxic activity of TAM. However, only a marginal increase in arginase activity was observed. Till date to the best of our knowledge the effect of crude thymus extract on the activation of tumor associated macrophages has not been investigated, this study provides a new piece of information in the area of thymus therapy.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.314-321
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• 2023

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of thymus extract on corrosion inhibition of aluminum 5083 alloy in a 0.1 M NaCl medium prepared using a mixture of ethylene glycol and water using potentiodynamic and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The potentiodynamic electrochemical technique showed an increase in corrosion inhibition efficiency starting from 49.63% at a concentration of 0.25 g/L to 92.71% at a maximum concentration of 1.25 g/L of the extract. These results were consistent with those obtained via EIS analysis. Spectral characterization of the tested plant extract using the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique confirmed the presence of organic compounds having different oxygen and aromatic functionalities in the extract that could help enhance the adsorption of these compounds on the aluminum surface. This study reveals possible adsorption isotherm of the thymus extract on the aluminum surface, supporting a Langmuir isotherm for the adsorption of inhibitor molecules on this surface.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.11-17
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• 2021

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Effects of Akebia quinata (AQ) extract on alcohol-induced damage of liver, spleen and thymus in rats. Method : Experimental animals were divided in to 4 groups; Normal group, Alcohol group, AQ50 group and AQ200 group. All rats, except for Normal group, were fed 25 % ethanol for 55 days. During experimental period, Normal group and Alcohol group were administrated saline, and AQ50 group and AQ200 group were administrated AQ extract at dose of 50 and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively. We measured organ weight, liver triglyceride contents, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and triglycerid levels in serum. Also, we conducted histomorphometry and histopathological observation of liver, spleen and thymus. Results : AQ significantly decreased the level of AST, ALT and triglyceride in serum and the liver triglyceride contents induced by ethanol. Also, AQ significantly inhibited lipid droplets accumulation in hepatocytes. The decreased relative organ weight of spleen and thymus by ethanol were increased by AQ administration. In histopathological analysis of spleen, the rats administrated AQ 200 mg/kg presented significantly increased mean diameters of white pulps, numbers of white pulps and splenic thicknesses. The administration of 200 mg/kg AQ improved decreased lobular thickness and cortex thickness of thymus, which were decreased by ethanol. Conclusions : The results of present study indicated that AQ has an ameliorating effect for fatty degeneration of liver and damage of spleen and thymus.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.125-133
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• 2021

Objectives : Thymus quinquecistatus var. japonica (H.Hara) is a member of the genus Thymus of perennial aromatic herb, and it's designated as a natural monument of South Korea. It has traditionally been known to have protective or therapeutic effects on various human disease including cerebrovascular and neurological disease. Recently it was suggested that essential oil extracted from thyme has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial effect. The aim of this study is to investigate anti-inflammatory effect of Thymus quinquecistatus var. japonica in Raw 264.7 macrophage cell line. Methods : The cytotoxic effects of water and 70% ethanol extracts from Thymus quinquecistatus var. japonica, was tested using MTT assay. Inhibitory effects of the extracts to nitric oxide production and mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines were examined by RT-PCR. Also, MitoSOX-red assay and JC-1 assay were performed to determine if the extracts can inhibit mitochondrial ROS accumulation and maintain mitochondrial membrane potential. Results : In LPS-induced inflammatory response, the extracts efficiently reduced nitric oxide NO production through inhibiting mRNA expression of iNOS enzyme. In addition, expression of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1𝛽 and IL-6, was also down-regulated by the extract treatments. Excessive accumulation of mitochondrial ROS induced by LPS was inhibited in the extract treated cells, which finally protected mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusions : These results showed that water and 70% ethanol extracts from Thymus quinquecistatus var. japonica have anti-inflammatory effect through down regulation of IL-1𝛽, IL-6, and iNOS, and also have antioxidative effect against mitochondrial ROS accumulation that promote inflammatory response.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.98-103
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• 1999

Effects of Astragali Radix extract (AG) on the cell mediated-and nonlpecific immunotoxic responses of zinc chloride (Zn) were studied usign ICR mice. Mice were divided into 4 groups (10 mice/group), and Zn was given to the mice 1 hr after i.p. injection with 0.5g/kg of AG by i.p. injection daily for 10 days at a dose of 25 mg/kg. Immune responses on the responses on the relative weight of thymus, delayed-type hypersensitivity to SRBC (DTH), phagocytic activity and circulating leukocytes were evaluated. Zn treatment decreased body weight gain, the relative weight of thymus, DTH and circulating leukocytes compared with those in controls. AG treatment increased DTH, phagocytic activity and circulating leukocytes compared with those in controls. Combination of AG and Zn increased DTH and circulating leukocytes compared with those in controls, but decreased body weight gain and the relative weight of thymus. These findings indicated that AG decreased immunotoxicity of Zn on the DTH and circulating leukocytes.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.160-163
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• 2006

A total number of 31 types of seaweed were assessed with regard to their effects on the proliferation of mouse spleen and thymus cells in a culture, using an MTT reduction assay. Acetone:dichloromethane (1:1) extracts of three seaweed plants: Derbesia marina, Sargassum sp., and Hisikia fuziformis, exhibited significantly positive effects on the survival of mouse spleen and thymus cells in vitro. The acetone:dichloromethane (1:1) extracts of Sargassum sp., in particular, much more potent effects on thymus cell activation than did any of the other types of seaweed. However, the methanol extracts of Sargassum ringgoldianium and Chondrus crispus exerted a stimulatory influence only on the proliferation of mouse spleen cells, whereas the methanol extracts of Grateloupia lanceolata exhibited significant cell proliferation properties in both spleen and thymus cells.

• Ocean Science Journal
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.209-212
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• 2005

In the present study, we have tested the effects of 21 salt marsh plants on cell proliferation of mouse immune cells (spleen and thymus) using MTT assay in culture. The methanolic extracts of six salt marsh plants (Rosa rugosa, Ixeris tamagawaensis, Artemisia capillaris, Tetragonia tetragonoides, Erigeron annus, and Glehnia littoralis) showed very powerful suppressive effects of mouse immune cell death and significant activities of cell proliferation in vitro. Especially, the methanolic extract of Rosa rugosa was found to have fifteen times compared to the control treatment, demonstrating that Rosa rugosa may have a potent stimulation effect on immune cell proliferation. These results suggest that several salt marsh plants including Rosa rugosa could be useful for further study as an immunomodulating agent.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.806-813
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• 1994

These experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of Cervi cornu extract on lymphocyte blastogenesis in spleen, thymus, lymph node, born marrow cells of Balb/c mouse, haemagglutination reaction against sheep red blood cell (SRBC), plaque forming cell (PFC) assay against SRBC and IL-2 production. Lymphocyte blastogenesis was determined by $[^3H]-thymidine$ incorporation. According to the lymphcoyte blastogenesis test on the immune cell. Ceriv cornu extrat was showed a potent mitogenic activity on the spleen and lymph node cells, but had mild mitogenic activity on the thymus and born marrow cells. Mitogenic active component of Crevi cornu extract was identified to be materials where molecular weights are higher than 5,000 by membrane filteration method. Cervi cornu extrat was shown to increase mitogenic effect on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated spleen cells significantly, but decrease mitogenic effect on the Con A stimulated spleen cell at the concentration 0.3%, 1% and 3%. Ceriv cornu extract didn't show to be haemagglutination reaction and showed to inhibit the Con A-induced haemagglutination reaction against SREC. Result of SRBC-PEC test. Ceriv cornu extract significantly increase the number of PEC at the concentration of 0.1% and 1%. When IL-2 or IL-4 production was determined by proliferation of CTLL-2 cells. Ceriv cornu extract was not shown to stimulate the production of IL-2. From the above results, it is shown that Ceriv cornu extract increased antibody production by B cells, but nor IL-2 production by helper T cells.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2001

Effect of single pre-administration of Cordyceps militaris(Cm) extract on the survival ratio, body weight and organ weight changes and blood cell counts after whole-body ${\gamma}-irradiation$ were investigated. The single pre-administration of Cm extract at 24 hrs before ${\gamma}-irradiation$ increased the 40-day survival ratio of irradiated mice from 60.1% to 71.4%. The administration of Cm extract completely prevented weight reductions of spleen and thymus produced by ${\gamma}-irradiation$ (P<0.01, P<0.05). Similar but somewhat less radioprotective effect was also found In the testis of the Cm treated mice. The administration of Cm extract retarded the reduction of both leukocyte and lymphocyte counts occured during the first 7 days and accelerated the recovery of the counts thereafter. The exrtract also acclerated the recovery of the erythrocyte counts occured after the day 21th. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the soluble proteins extracted from various organs did not reveal differences to any extent in all groups except in the livers of the irradiated and extract treated groups, in which some proteins were missing or less present. Also, the result of general intra and extra mycelial enzyme assays with Cm, extramycelial enzyme activity was relatively higher than the intramycelial enzyme, Cm appeared to indicate that ${\alpha}-amylase$ was the highest among the enzymes and gluosidase and chitinase were followed. Since the spleen, thymus and testis have been well known as radiosensitive organs, the protective action of Cm extract on irradiated mice may be responsible for its enhancing recovery of these organs. Although the exact mechanism in protective effect of Cm extract on irradiated mice is not clear yet, the present study is the first report regarding the Cm which was tested and found to be a potential radioprotective agent.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.417-421
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• 2018

Ultraviolet rays are electromagnetic waves with a shorter wavelength than visible light, and ultraviolet rays that pass through the ozone layer are the main cause of skin aging. Chronic exposure of skin tissue to ultraviolet light activates the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathways in human keratinocytes, resulting in increased production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In this study, we investigated the herbal extracts from Jeju Island on the anti-aging effect in human keratinocytes (HaCaTs) by ultraviolet stimulation. We examined that herb extract from Jeju Island were decreased in anti-aging activity on measuring the level of MMP-1 gene and protein expression in ultraviolet-induced keratinocytes. As a result, it was confirmed that Thymus quinquecostatus extract (TQE) significantly reduced the expression of MMP-1 in a dose-dependent manner by UV irradiated HaCaTs. According to our data, TQE significantly attenuated UV-induced phosphorylation of the MAPKs signaling elements ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38 proteins. These results suggest that the MAPKs pathway may contribute to the inhibitory effect of TQE on UV-induced MMP-1 production in human keratinocytes. Our results suggest that TQE may be a protective agent against skin aging by preventing UV-induced MMP-1 production.