• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 1997

Rhizoma Coptidis, a traditional herb medicine, has been used in Korea and China for many centuries as a treatment for many disease. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of Rhizoma Coptidis on histamine-induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in guinea pigs and rats. Guinea pigs(500g, male) and rats(250g, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the thoracic trachea from each guinea pig was cut into equal segments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 0.5g loading tension. The dose of histamine which evoked 50% of maximal response ($ED_{50}$) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for histamine ($10^{-7}-10^{-3}M$). Contractions evoked by histamine($ED_{50}$) were inhibited significantly by Rhizoma Coptidis. The mean percent inhibition was 33.2% after 1.5mg/ml Rhizoma Coptidis, and 69.5% after 5.0mg/ml Rhizoma Coptidis in guinea pigs, and the mean percent inhibition was 25.3% after 1.5mg/ml Rhizoma Coptidis, and 65.8% after 5.0mg/ml Rhizoma Coptidis in rats. Indomethacin ($10^{-7}M$) slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Rhizoma Coptidis. But propranolol and methylene blue ($10^{-7}M$) did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Rhizoma Coptidis. These results indicate that Rhizoma Coptidis can relax histamine-induced contraction of guinea pig and rat tracheal smooth muscle, and that this inhibition involves, in part, cyclooxygenese inhibitor.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.221-228
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• 2005

The intent of this study is to investigate whether two oriental medical prescriptions named haengsotang(HST) and gami-palmihwan(GPMH) significantly effect mucin release from cultured hamster tracheal surface epithelial(HTSE) cells, Confluent HTSE cells were metabolically radiolabeled with $^3H-glucosamine$ for 24 hrs and chased for 30 min in the presence of HST or GPMH to assess the effect of each agent on $^3H-mucin$ release. Possible cytotoxicities of each agent were assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release. Also, the effects of HST and GPMH on contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle were investigated. The results are consistant with the following assertions: (1) HST significantly inhibited mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, without cytotoxicity; (2) GPMH did not effect mucin release without cytotoxicity; (3) HST and GPMH did not effect contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. These results suggest a need for further investigation of HST and its components, for its potential in oriental medicine prescriptions and novel agents that effectively regulate (inhibit) mucin secretion from airway goblet cells.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.70-75
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• 2018

Objective: Diseases of the respiratory system are one of the main causes of death and include situation such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia or asthma. Medicinal plants have beneficial effects on multiple diseases include respiratory disorders like asthma and bronchitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of U. dioica and L. Album on tracheal smooth muscle contraction. Material and methods: Hydroalcoholic extracts of L. Album and U. Dioica aerial parts were prepared by maceration method and standardized based on their total phenol content. The effect of the extracts on the KCl-induced contraction of rat trachea was examined in an organ bath chamber. Data was analyzed with spss software 22. Results: The extract of L. Album (5 mg/ml), similar to theophylline (20 mM), significantly reduced the KCl-induced tracheal contraction. On the other hand, U. Dioica (1 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml) augmented the KCl-induced contraction. Conclusion: The relaxant effect of L. Album on the trachea makes it as a candidate for the managing patients with asthma and obstructive pulmonary diseases. But because of U. Dioica potential constrictive effect on the trachea it is suggested that patients avoid consuming it.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 2008

In a search for new molecular pathways associated with asthma, we performed an mRNA differential display analysis using total RNA extracted from the tracheal tissues of ovalbumin (OVA)-challenged mice and sham controls. cDNAs corresponding to mRNAs for which expression levels were altered by OVA-challenge were isolate and sequenced. Twenty-eight genes differentially expressed in sham and OVA challenged mice were identified. A GenBank BLAST homology search revealed that they were related to cytoskeleton remodeling, transcription, protein synthesis and modification, energy production, and cell growth and differentiation. Two were selected for further characterization. Up-regulation of both the perinatal skeletal myosin heavy chain (skMHC) and fast skeletal muscle myosin light chain (skMLC) genes was confirmed by RT-PCR of trachea tissue from OVA challenged mice. Overexpression of skMLC protein was observed in the smooth muscle layers of OVA-challenged mice by immunohistochemistry, and the surface areas stained with skMLC antibody increased in the OVA-challenged mice. The overexpression of skMLC in murine asthma may be associated with the changes of bronchial smooth muscle.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 1976

Scolopendra corpus has been used as anticonvulsants and antispasmodics in the oriental medicine. It was previously shown that water extract of Scolopendra corpus had an inhibitory action on ileum in mouse. To investigate the anticonvulsant and antispasmodic activity of Scolopendra corpus, pharmacological studies have been carried out with the water extract of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans $L.\;K_{OCH}$, which is widely distributed in Korea. 1. The extract depressed convulsions induced by picrotoxin and strychnine. 2. Sedative and antipyretic analgesic action were observed. 3. In mouse and rabbit, tone of intestinal smooth muscle was suppressed with the treatment of the extract and intestinal contraction induced by $BaCl_2$ was also inhibited, suggesting that the extract has a papaverine-like effect. Whereas, in guinea pig, intestinal and tracheal smooth muscle were stimulated, and the effect was antagonized by pre-and after-treatment of diphenhydramine, suggesting that the extract has a histamine-like effect. 4.Flow rate was increased when hind-limb of Toad was perfused with saline containing the extract, but returned to normal within 10 min. Hypotensive effect was observed in rabbit and the effect was abolished by vagotomy.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.25-33
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• 2007

Objectives : Oriental pear was used as treatment of asthma, control of blood pressure, diabetes in oriental medicine. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of Phenolic compound extracted from pear and herbal drugs to treat asthma. Methods : In order to study the effect of oral administration of phenolic compound extracted from pear and herbal drugs(Platycodon grandiflorum, Prunus armeniaca) on allergic asthma, mice were pre-treated by oral administration of the solution before antigen sensitization four times for 8 days. 2 days later, mice were actively sensitized with a subcutaneous injection of ovalbumin and 13 days later, they were provoked with ovalbumin aerosols. The animals were divided into four groups; Saline, orally administered saline. PC-A, orally administered Phenolic compound extracted from pear peel 10mg/kg/ml. PC-B, orally administered Phenolic compound extracted from pear peel and flesh 10mg/kg/ml. PC-C, orally administered pear 10m/kg/ml, Platycodon grandiflorum 24.4 mg/kg/ml and Prunus armeniaca 33.3 mg/kg/ml. Serum level of IgE, IL-4, cell numbers in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF), and in vitro isometric contractile responses of the isolated tracheal smooth muscle(TSM) to acetylcholine(ACh, $0.1-1000{\mu}M$), KCl were measured. Results : Contractile responses of TSM to ACh were decreased in PC-A group at Ach 0.1, 0.3, 1 ${\mu}M$, decreased in PC-B at 0.1 ${\mu}M$ and decreased in PC-C at 0.1, 0.3, 1, 10, 30 ${\mu}M$. The maximal contractile response of TSM to KCl was decreased in PC-C group, The cell numbers of eosinophil in BALF were decreased in PC-C group, and those of macrophages in BALF were decreased in PC-A and PC-C group. Interleukin-4 in BALF was decreased in PC-A, PC-B, PC-C group. Conclusion : Based on the above results it is assumed that oral administration of phenolic compound extracted from pear and herbal drugs can help the treatment of deficiency allergic Asthma.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.33-55
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• 2007

Objectives In the present study, the author intended to investigate whether bojung-ikgitang-gamibang(BJGB) and seonbang-paedoktang(SBPT) significantly affect in vivo and in vitro mucin secretion from airway epithelial cells. Methods In vivo experiment, mice's mucin which is on a hypersecretion of airway mucin, mice's tracheal goblet cells in hyperplasia and mice's intraepithelial mucosubstances were exposed with SO2for3weeks. Effects of orally-administered BJGB and SBPT during 1 week on vivo mucin secretion and hyperplasia of tracheal goblet cells were assessed by using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and staining goblet cells with alcian blue. In vitro experiment, confluent hamster tracheal surface epithelial(HTSE) cells were metabolically radiolabeled with 3H-glucosamine for 24hrs and chased for 30 min in the presence of each agent to figure out the effectiveness of 3H-mucin secretion. Total elution profiles of control spent media and treatment sample through Sepharose CL-4B column were analyzed. The effects of each agent on contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle and effects of each agent on MUC5AC gene expression in cultured HTSE cells were investigated. Also, possible cytotoxicities of each agent were assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release. Additionally, effects of BJGB and SBPT on both MUC5AC gene expression in cultured HTSE cells and TNF- or EGF-induced MUC5AC gene expression in human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. Results (1) BJGB and SBPT inhibited hypersecretion of in vivo mucin. SBPT also inhibited the increase the number of goblet cells. However, BJGB did not affect the increase of number of goblet cells; (2) BJGB significantly increased mucin secretion from cultured HTSE cells, without significant cytotoxicity, and chiefly affected the 'mucin' secretion; (3) SBPT did not affect mucin secretion from cultured HTSE cells without significant cytotoxicity, and also did not affect the secretion of the other releseable glycoproteins; (4) BJGB and SBPT did not affect Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle; (5) SBPT significantly inhibit the expression levels of MUC5AC gene and BJGB significantly increased the expression levels of MUC5AC gene in both HTSE cells and NCI-H292 cells. Conclusions BJGB and SBPT can not only affect the secretion of mucin but also affect the expression of mucin gene. The author suggests that the effects BJGB and SBPT with their components should be further investigated and it is highly desirable to find from oriental medical prescriptions, novel agents which might regulate hypersecretion of mucin from airway epithelial cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1746-1751
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• 2004

This study was done to investigate the effects of Gamichihyo-san and Gamiijung-tang on airway mucus secretion. After administer Gamichihyo-san(GCHS) and Gamiijung-tang(GIJT) extract to Golden Syrian Hamster for 8-10 weeks, we examined mucin release from cultured hamster tracheal surface epithelial(HTSE) cells. Following results were obtained; GCHG significantly stimulated mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, with minute cytotoxicity GIJT did not affect mucin release and have no cytotoxicity; GCHG and GIJT did not affect contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. These results suggest that Gamichihyo-san might be usefully applied for airway mucus secretion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.194-197
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• 1998

Myoepithelioma is a benign tumor composed of sheets and islands of various proportion of spindle, plasmacytoid, epitheloid, and clear cells. We are reporting of a 38-year-old woman with an extremely rare neoplasm of the trachea, myoepithelioma. The patient had an right neck mass and diagnosed presumptively as the thyroid tumor with tracheal invasion. Resection and anastomosis of the trachea with partial thyroidectomy was done. The tumor was a well circumscribed mass with solid growth pattern and composed of spindle and epitheloid cells, which were positive for S-100 protein and smooth muscle actin. In electron microscopy, a large amount of microfilaments in the cytoplasm and layers of basement membrane-like materials in the intercellular spaces were observed, which are characteristics of myoepithelioma. Patient has been well for 8 months postoperatively.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.117-137
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• 2007

Objectives : In the present study, the author intended to investigate Gagam-jeonggitang(GJT), Gami-hwajeongjeon(GHJ) and Gami-tonggyutang(GTT) significantly affect in vivo and in vitro mucin secretion from airway epithelial cells. Methods : In vivo experiment, the author induced hypersecretion of airway mucin, hyperplasia of tracheal goblet cells and the increase in intraepithelial mucosubstances by exposing rats to SO2 during 3 weeks. Effects of orally-administered GJT, GHJ and GTT during 1 week on in vivo mucin secretion and hyperplasia of tracheal goblet cells were assesed using ELISA and staining goblet cells with alcian blue. For in vitro experiment, confluent HTSE cells were metabolically radiolabeled with 3H-glucosamine for 24 hrs and chased for 30 min in the presence of each agent to assess the effects of each agent on 3H-mucin secretion. Possible cytotoxicities of each agent were assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release. Also, the effects of each agent on contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle and effects of each agent on MUC5AC gene expression in cultured HTSE cells were investigated. Results : GJT, GHJ and GTI inhibited hypersecretion of in vivo mucin: GJT and GHJ inhibited the increase of number of goblet cells. However, GTT did not affect the increase of number of goblet cells; GJT and GTT significantly increased mucin secretion from cultured HTSE cells, without significant cytotoxicity. GHJ increased mucin secretion and showed mild cytotoxicity at the highest concentration: GJT, GHJ and GTT chiefly affected the 'mucin' secretion; GJT, GHJ and GTT did not affect Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle; GTT did not significantly affect the expression levels of MUC5AC gene. However, GJT significantly. inhibit the expression levels of MUC5AC gene and GHJ significantly increased the expression levels of MUC5AC gene. These results suggest that GJT, GHJ and GTI can increase mucin secretion during short-term treatment(in vitro), whereas it can inihibit hypersecretion of mucin during long-term treatment(in vivo) and GJT and GHJ can not only affect the secretion of mucin but also affect the expression of mucin gene. Conclusions : The author suggests that the effects GJT, GHJ and GTT with their components should be further investigated and it is valuable to find, from oriental medical prescriptions, novel agents which might regulate hypersecretion of mucin from airway epithelial cells.