• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.62-70
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• 2022

Background: Maternal Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection during pregnancy has been associated with various mental illnesses in the offspring. Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) is a major bioactive compound obtained from ginseng that has an anti-T. gondii effect and attenuates microglial activation through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. GRh2 also alleviated tumor-associated or lipopolysaccharide-induced depression. However, the effects and potential mechanisms of GRh2 on depression-like behavior in mouse offspring caused by maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy have not been investigated. Methods: We examined GRh2 effects on the depression-like behavior in mouse offspring, caused by maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy, by measuring depression-like behaviors and assaying parameters at the neuronal and molecular level. Results: We showed that GRh2 significantly improved behavioral measures: sucrose consumption, forced swim time and tail suspended immobility time of their offspring. These corresponded with increased tissue concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine, and attenuated indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase or enhanced tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the prefrontal cortex. GRh2 ameliorated neuronal damage in the prefrontal cortex. Molecular docking results revealed that GRh2 binds strongly to both TLR4 and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that GRh2 ameliorated the depression-like behavior in mouse offspring of maternal T. gondii infection during pregnancy by attenuating the excessive activation of microglia and neuroinflammation through the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. It suggests that GRh2 could be considered a potential therapy in preventing and treating psychiatric disorders in the offspring mice of mothers with prenatal exposure to T. gondii infection.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.90-98
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• 2023

Objectives : Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide and is characterized by the loss of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). In a previous in vitro study, we demonstrated that Sihogyeji-tang (SG), Sihosogan-tang (SS), and Sihocheonggan-tang (SC) have the potential to be candidate medicines for PD. This study aimed to compare the neuroprotective effect of SG, SS, and SC using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophridine (MPTP)-induced PD mouse model. Methods : Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally administered with 30 mg/kg of MPTP for 5 days and orally administered SG, SS and SC for 12 days from the first MPTP injection. Motor function was assessed using the pole test and the rotarod test. Dopaminergic neuronal survival in the SN and striatum was evaluated through tyrosine-hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. Results : MPTP administration resulted in behavioral impairment and dopaminergic neuronal death in the SN and striatum. In the pole test, treatment with SG, SS, and SC alleviated the MPTP-induced motor dysfunction on day 5 and 12. In the rotarod test, SS and SG alleviated the MPTP-induced motor dysfunction on day 5, while only SS showed improvement on day 12. SS and SG significantly protected dopaminergic neurons in the SN from MPTP toxicity, and all three compounds (SG, SS, and SC) showed significant protection in the striatum. Notably, SS demonstrated superior efficacy in suppressing MPTP-induced motor dysfunction and dopaminergic neuronal death compared to SG and SC. Conclusions : These findings suggest that SS is the most effective formula among SG, SS, and SC for PD, indicating its potential role in the treatment of PD.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2009

Purpose: Oxidative stress was thought to play a critical role in neurodegenerative disease. Many in vivo and in vitro reports explained the possible pathway of human aging. But in therapeutic aspects, there was no clear answers to prevent aging associated with neural diseases. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of the Insamyangyung-tang (IYT). Methods: To estimate the antioxidant effects, we carried out 1.1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, 2,2'-azinobis-(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay, and measurement of total polyphenolic content. To evaluate neuroprotective effect of IYT in vitro. We performed thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) creation in SH-SY5Y. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry, nitric oxide (NO) assay, and TNF-${\alpha}$ assay in primary rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Results: The $IC_{50}$ values were $571.6{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $202.3{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in DPPH and ABTS assay respectively. Total polyphenolic content was 1.05%. In SH-SY5Y culture, IYT significantly increased the decreased cell viability by 6-OHDA at the concentrations of $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in pre-treatment group, $10-100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in post-treatment group, and $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in co-treatment group. The production of ROS induced by 6-OHDA was significantly inhibited in IYT treated group. In mesencephalic dopaminergic cell culture, the IYT group reduced the dopaminergic cell loss against 6-OHDA toxicity and the production of No and TNF-${\alpha}$ at the concentration of $0.2{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Conclusion: These results showed that IYT has antioxidant and neuroprotectctive effects in the dopaminergic cells through decreasing the production of ROS, NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ which can cause many neurodegenerative changes in brain cell.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.119-131
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• 2009

Purpose: The depression accompanied with menopuase shows the relation with the dopamine secretion. These studies were undertaken to evaluate the anti- oxidative and neuroprotective effects of Bunsimgieum(BSGE) on dopaminergic neurons. Methods: To estimate the antioxidant effects, we carried out 1.1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline -6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay, and measurement of total polyphenolic content. To evaluate neuroprotective effect of BSGE in vitro, We performed thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) creation in SH-SY5Y. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry, nitric oxide (NO) assay, and TNF-${\alpha}$ assay in primary rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Results: The DPPH free radical and the ABTS radical cation inhibition activities were increased at a dose dependent manner. Total polyphenolic content was 0.83%. In SH-SY5Y culture, BSGE significantly increased the decreased cell viability by 6-OHDA at the concentrations of 10${\mu}$g/m${\ell}$ in pre-treatment group, 0.1-200${\mu}$g/m${\ell}$ in post-treatment group. The production of ROS induced by 6-OHDA was significantly inhibited in BSGE treated group. In mesencephalic dopaminergic cell culture, the BSGE group reduced the dopaminergic cell loss against 6-OHDA toxicity and the production of No and TNF-${\alpha}$ at the concentration of 5${\mu}$g/m${\ell}$. Conclusion: These results shows that BSGE has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in the dopaminergic cells through decreasing the production of ROS, NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ which can cause many neurodegenerative changes in brain cell. We suggest that BSGE could be useful for the treatment of postmenopausal depression related with the decrease of dopamine.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권9호
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• pp.1226-1231
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• 2009

페닐케톤뇨증은 상염색체 열성으로 유전되며, phenylalanine-4-hydroxylase (PAH, EC 1.14.16.1)의 돌연변이에 의해 효소 불활성화를 초래하는 질환이다. 최근 유전자 재조합된 phenylalanine ammonia-lyse (PAL)에 의한 효소 대체요법이 보고된 바 있다. 이 효소를 경구용 약제로 개발하기 위하여 효소활성을 나타내기 위한 최적 조건들을 알아야 하며, 위장관내 소화효소에 의해 분해되지 않는 구조적 안정성을 유지하여야 한다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 PAL의 생화학적 특성을 규명하고, 이를 바탕으로 위장관내 소화효소로부터 저항할 수 있는 변이형들을 만들고자 하였으며, 이러한 구조적 변화를 통하여 효소의 특이 활성도가 유지될 수 있는지를 보고자 하였다. PAL의 특이 활성도를 측정하였고, 효소 활성을 나타내기 위한 최적 pH, 온도 변화에 따른 효소 활성도, 단백분해효소에 의한 활성도 변화를 측정하였다. PAL의 Vmax는 페닐알라닌과 티로신에 대하여 각각 1.77, $0.47{\mu}mol$/ mg x protein로 나타났으며, Km은 페닐알라닌에 대하여 $4.77{\times}10^{-4}\;M$,티로신에 대하여 $4.37{\times}10^{-4}\;M$로 나타났다. 또한 pH 8.5에서 가장 높은 활성을 나타내었는데, 이는 소장의 평균 pH와 유사하다. PAL의 효소 활성은 $-80^{\circ}C$에서 5개월 동안 유지되었으며, $4^{\circ}C$에서 1주일 동안 93.4%의 활성을 유지하였다. PAL은 키모트립신에 의해 쉽게 분해되었으며, 이보다 약한 정도로 트립신, elastase, carboxypeptidase A, B에 의해 분해 되었다. 췌장 소화효소에 대한 저항성을 증가시키기 위하여 트립신, 키모트립신 절단부위 아미노산을 변이시켜 유전자 변이형을 만들었고, 효소 활성도를 측정하였다. 6개의 유전자 변이형은 모두 저하된 효소 활성도를 나타내었는데, Y110H는 0.084, Y110A와 Y110L은 0, R123A는 0.11, R123H는 0.074, R123Q는 0.033으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 트립신 및 키모트립신 절단부위 아미노산이 PAL의 효소 활성에 필수적인 역할을 하고 있음을 나타낸다. PAL 변이형은 단백분해작용으로부터 보호할 수 있는 전처치 방법이지만, 페닐알라닌을 효과적으로 저하시키기 위해서 효소활성을 유지할 수 있는 다음 단계의 처치가 필요하다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.688-698
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• 2001

Objectives : Parkinson's disease is a well-known neurodegenerative disease characterized by dopaminergic cell death in the substantia nigra. The reactive gliosis by activated astrocytes and microglias is no more regarded as a simple sequel of neuronal cell death. Microglial activation takes place in a stereotypic pattern with graded morphologic and functional(resting, activated and phagocytic) changes. In Parkinson's disease animal model, the degree of microglial activation along the nigro-striatal dopaminergic tract has not been studied intensively. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of microglial reaction and to grade its degree of activation at substantia nigra and corpus striatum using 6-hydroxydopamine induced rat model of Parkinson's disease. Methods : Using Sprague-Dawley rat, parkinsonian model was made by 6-hydroxydopamine(OHDA) induced destruction of medial and lateral substantia nigra(SN). The rat was sacrificed 3-, 5-, 7-, 14- and 21-day-after operation. For control group, we injected saline with same manner and sacrificed 3-day after operation. With immunohistochemistry, we examined dopaminergic neuronal cells and microglial expression using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and OX-42 antibodies, respectively. Also we performed in situ hybridization for osteopontin, a possible marker of subset in activated microglia. Results : 1) In lesioned side of substantia nigra and corpus striatum, the TH immunoreactivity was markedly decreased in whole experimental groups. 2) Using optical densitometry, microglia induced immunoreactivity of OX-42 was counted at SN and corpus striatum. At SN, it was increased significantly on the lesioned side in control and all time-dependent experimental groups. At striatum, it was increased significantly in post lesion 3-day group only(p <0.05). Compared to control group, immunoreactivity of OX-42 on lesioned side was increased in groups, except post lesion 21-day group, at SN. Only post lesion 3-day group showed significance at striatum(p <0.05). Compared to SN region, immunoreactivity of OX-42 was much weaker in striatum. 3) Microscopically, the microglias showed typically different activation pattern. At SN, numerous phagocytic microglias were found at pars compacta and reticularis of lesion side. At striatum, no phagocytic form was found and the intensity of staining was much weaker. 4) At SN, the immunoreactivity of osteopontin showed definite laterality and it was markedly increased at pars compacta of lesion side with relatively short duration time. At striatum, however, it was not detected by in situ hybridization technique. Conclusion : The nigral 6-OHDA induced rat model of Parkinson's disease revealed several characteristic patterns of microglial reaction. At SN, microglias was activated shortly after direct neuronal damage and maintained for about three weeks. In contrast, despite of sufficient dopaminergic insufficiency at striatum, activation of microglias was trivial, and distinguished 3 day later. Antegrade slow neuronal degeneration is major pathophysiology in striatal dopaminergic deficiency. So, the acuteness of neuronal damage and consequential degree of neuronal degeneration may be important factor for microglial activation in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Additionally, osteopontin may be a possible marker for several subsets of activated microglia, possibly the phagocytic form.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.117-130
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• 2005

소요산(逍遙散) 약침(藥針)이 흰쥐의 갱년기(更年期) 우울증(憂鬱症) 및 stress모델의 인지, 학습 및 기억장애와 불안행동에 미치는 효능(效能)을 파악하기 위하여 행동실험 학적 검사와 면역조직화학적 검사를 실시한 결과 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. Morris water maze의 학습검사결과 Soyo-san군(群)의 경우, 시간단축이 현저하게 나타나서 제 6일째 $24.69{\pm}8.48$초로 측정되어 Ovx군(群)에 대해 유의성 있는 인지 및 학습력을 보였다. 2. Morris water maze의 기억검사결과 Soyo-san군(群)이 $3.38{\pm}0.82$로 Sham군(群)과 Ovx군(群)에 대해 머문 시간이 유의성있게 증가하였다. 3. Ventral tegmental area의 TH의 발현정도는 Normal군(群)이 $9.14{\pm}0.50$, Sham군(群)은 $9.00{\pm}0.29$, Ovx군(群)은 $10.81{\pm}0.63$, Soyo-san군(群)은 $8.19{\pm}0.42$로 나타났는데 Soyo-san군(群)이 Ovx에 대해 유의성있게 감소하였다. 4. Hippocampus의 CAI부위에서는 ChAT 발현 정도에서 Soyo-san군(群)이 On군(群)에 대해서 유의하게 증가하였다. 이상(以上)의 결과를 종합하면 소요산(逍遙散) 약침(藥針)이 난소 적출 흰쥐의 stress모델의 인지, 학습 및 기억장애를 호전시키는 것으로 나타났으며 이는 갱년기(更年期) 여성(女性)의 우울증(憂鬱症) 및 stress 반응에 대한 적절한 치료제로서 가능하리라 사료된다.

• 사상체질의학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.270-287
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• 2015

Objectives To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of modified Yuldahanso-tang (MYH) in a Parkinson's disease mouse model. Methods 1) Four groups (each of 8 rats per group) were used in this study. 2) The neuroprotective effect of MYH was examined in a Parkinson's disease mouse model. C57BL/6 mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP, 30 mg/kg/day), intraperitoneal (i.p.) for 5 days. 3) The brains of 2 mice per group were removed and frozen at $-20^{\circ}C$, and the striatum-substantia nigra part was seperated. The protein volume was measured by Bradford method following Bio-Rad protein analyzing kit. Using mouse/Rat Dopamine ELISA Assay Kit. 4) The brains of 2 mice per group were separated and removed. TH-immunohistochemical was examined in the MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease mice to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of MYH on ST and SNpc. 5) Two mice out of each group were anesthetized and skulls were opened from occipital to frontal direction to take out the brains. The brains added TTC solution for 20 minutes for staining. 6) The water tank used for morris water maze test was filled with $28^{\circ}C$ water, and a round platform of 10cm in diameter was installed for mice to step on. The study was carried out once a day within 30 seconds, keep exercising to step on the platform in the pool. 7) The brains of two mice out of each group were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution and paraphillin substance was infiltrated. They were fragmented by microtome, and observed under an optical microscope after Hematoxylin & Eosin staining. 8) A round acrylic cylinder with its upper side open was filled with clean water and depressive mouse models were forced to swim for 15 minutes. After 24 hours the animals were put in the same equipment for 5 minutes and were forced to swim. 9) The convenient, simple, and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established for simultaneous determination of Neurotransmitters in MPTP-MYH group. Results 1) MYH possess Dopamine cell protective effect on MPTP-induced injury in striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta. 2) MYH inhibits the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreacitive (TH-IR) cells in the striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta on MPTP-induced injury in C57BL/6 mice. 3) MYH possesses improvement effect on MPTP-induced memory deterioration in C57BL/6 mice through the reduction of prolongated Sort of lost time by MPTP injection using the Morris water maze test. 4) MYH possesses hippocampal neuron protective effect on MPTP-induced injury in C57BL/6 mice. 5) MYH possesses improvement effect on MPTP-induced motor behaviour deficits and depression in C57BL/6 mice through the reduction of prolongated losing motion by MPTP injection using the Forced swimming test. 6) MYH increases serotonin product amount on MPTP-induced injury in C57BL/6 mice. Conclusions This experiment suggests that the neuroprotective effect of MYH is mediated by the increase in Dopamin, TH-ir cell, Hippocampus and Serotonin. Furthermore, MYH essential oil may serve as a potential preventive or therapeutic agent regarding Parkinson's disease.