• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.104-129
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• 1995

Sabaeksan and Sabaeksangagaryureuk, a traditional prescription, has been used in Korea for many centuries as a treatment for chronic respiratory disease. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of Sabaeksan and Sabaeksangagaryureuk on acetylcholine-induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in guinea pigs and norepinephrine-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction in pigs. Guinea pig (500g, female) were killed by CO2 exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the thoracic trachea from each guinea pig and renal artery from each pig were 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 acetylcholine (Ach) and norepinephrine (NE) which evoked 50% of maximal response ($ED_{50}$) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for acetylcholine (10-7-10-4M) and norepinephrine (10-7-10-4M). Contractions of tracheal smooth muscle evoked by Ach ($ED_{50}$) were inhibited significantly by Sabaeksan and Sabaeksangagaryureuk. Propranolol (10-7M) slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Sabaeksan and Sabaeksangagaryureuk. Indomethacin and methylene blue (10-7M) did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Sabaeksan and Sabaeksanga-garyureuk. Contractions of vascular smooth muscle evoked by NE (NE50) were inhibited significantly by Sabaeksan and Sabaeksangagaryureuk. Propranolol (10-7M) slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Sabaeksan and Sabaeksangagaryureuk. Indomethacin and methylene blue (10-7M) did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Sabaeksan and Sabaeksangagaryureuk. These results indicate that Sabaeksan and Sabaeksangagaryureuk can relax acetylcholine-induced contraction of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, and norepinephrine-induced contraction of pig vascular smooth muscle that this inhibition involves, in part, the relation of adrenergic receptor.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.746-750
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• 2003

Cheonghunhwadam-tang have been used in oriental medicine for many centuries as a therapeutic agent of vertigo by wind, fire and phlegm. CHT Gamypang(CTG) was CHT adding Aurantii Fructus(AF). The effects of CTG on the regional cerebral blood f1ow(rCBF) and mean arterial blood pressure(MABP) is not known. The mechanical Study of CTG on the cerebral hemodynamics is not known too. Therefore, purpose of this Study was to investigate effects of CTG on the rCBF and MABP, mechanism of CTG on the cerebral hemodynamics in rats. The changes of rCBF and BP was determinated by Laser-Doppler Flowmetry(LDF). The results were as follows ; CTG extract was significantly decreased rCBF in a dose-dependent, but the change of MABP was not shown. Pretreatment with propranolol(3mg/kg, i.v.) was significantly increased CTG(10 mg/kg, i.v.) induced decrease of rCBF. Pretreatment with indomethacin(3mg/kg, i.v.) and methylene blue(10㎍/kg, i.v.) were increased CTG induced decrease of rCBF too. This results suggest that the mechanism of CTG is mediated by adrenergic β - receptor, guanylate cyclase and cyclooxygenase.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2017

Dexmedetomidine is an ${\alpha}2$-adrenergic receptor agonist that exhibits a protective effect on ischemia-reperfusion injury of the heart, kidney, and other organs. In the present study, we examined the neuroprotective action and potential mechanisms of dexmedetomidine against ischemia-reperfusion induced cerebral injury. Transient focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion. After the ischemic insult, animals then received intravenous dexmedetomidine of $1{\mu}g/kg$ load dose, followed by $0.05{\mu}g/kg/min$ infusion for 2 h. After 24 h of reperfusion, neurological function, brain edema, and the morphology of the hippocampal CA1 region were evaluated. The levels and mRNA expressions of interleukin-$1{\beta}$, interleukin-6 and tumor nevrosis factor-${\alpha}$ as well as the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor-${\kappa}Bp65$, inhibitor of ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and phosphorylated of ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ in hippocampus were assessed. We found that dexmedetomidine reduced focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting the expression and release of inflammatory cytokines and mediators. Inhibition of the nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ pathway may be a mechanism underlying the neuroprotective action of dexmedetomidine against focal cerebral I/R injury.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.186-195
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• 2006

The present study was carried out to determine the involvement of opioid and non-opioid receptor and the effect of pH and enzymes on the recently reported antinociceptive activity of aqueous extract of Corchorus olitorius (AECO) leaves using the abdominal constriction test. The extract was prepared by soaking the dried powdered leaves of Corchorus (C.) olitorius in distilled water overnight, and the supernatant obtained was considered as a stock solution with 100% concentration/ strength. The extract, administered subcutaneously in the concentrations/ strength of 10, 50 and 100%, was found to show a significant concentration-independent antinociception. The 50% concentration AECO were further used to study on the above mentioned parameters. The extract exhibited: significant (P < 0.05) decreased in activity when pre-treated (s.c.) against 10 mg/kg naloxonazine, bicuculine (10 mg/kg), phenoxybenzamine (10 mg/kg), 10 mg/kg pindolol, and 5 mg/kg mecamylamme, but not 10 mg/kg naltrindole, 10 mg/kg atropine, respectively; significant (P < 0.05) decreased in activity after pre-treatment against 10% a-amylase, but not 1 % protease or 10% lipase and; significant (P < 0.05) decreased in activity after exposure to alkaline condition (pH between 9 and 13) while maintaining the activity at acidic condition, respectively. The C. olitorius leaves antinociception, which involved, at least in part, activation of $\mu-opioid,\;\alpha-and\;\beta-adrenergic$, and nicotinic receptors, was found to decrease under alkaline condition and in the presence of $\alpha-amylase$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.437-445
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• 2018

${\alpha}$-Iso-cubebene (ICB) is a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignin contained in Schisandra chinensis (SC), a well-known medicinal herb that ameliorates cardiovascular symptoms, but the mechanism responsible for this activity has not been determined. To determine the role played by ICB on the regulation of vascular tone, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ICB on vascular contractile responses by adrenergic ${\alpha}$-receptor agonists. In addition, we investigated the role on myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation and cytosolic calcium concentration in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). In aortic rings isolated from C57BL/6J mice, ICB significantly attenuated the contraction induced by phenylephrine (PE) and norepinephrine (NE), whereas ICB had no effects on KCl (60 mM)-induced contraction. In vasculatures precontracted with PE, ICB caused marked relaxation of aortic rings with or without endothelium, suggesting a direct effect on VSMC. In cultured rat VSMC, PE or NE increased MLC phosphorylation and increased cytosolic calcium levels. Both of these effects were significantly suppressed by ICB. In conclusion, our results showed that ICB regulated vascular tone by inhibiting MLC phosphorylation and calcium flux into VSMC, and suggest that ICB has anti-hypertensive properties and therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disorders related to vascular hypertension.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.454-474
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• 2002

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a very potent dilatator and a nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in the peripheral and the central nervous systems. The mechanisms of action of VIP were examined in aortic circular and in uterine longitudinal smooth muscle strips of the rat. The effects of sympathetic neurotransmitter were investigated in gastric and aortic circular muscle strips of the mouse and the rat. The effects of silver spike point, SSP, low frequency electrical stimulations of VIP, sympathetic neurotransmitter and $\beta$-endorphin were examined in plasma, serum and 24h urine from the healthy volunteer. In gastric smooth muscle strips from the mouse, adrenergic neurotransmitter norepinephrine was inhibitory effected, followed by caused phasic and tonic contraction to the, muscrine receptor agonist carbachol and acetylcholine, respectively. In urine from the healthy volunteer, both norepinephrine and epinephrine were significantly decreased in continue type and low frequency (3 Hz) of SSP electrical stimulations. The contractile responses to S-HT in uterine longitudinal smooth muscle strips of the rats were completely decreased by a VIP 1 $\mu$M. The contractile responses to PGF2$\alpha$ were not decreased by a VIP. In plasma and serum from the healthy volunteer, both VIP and $\beta$-endorphin were significantly increased in continue type and low frequency (3 Hz) of SSP electrical stimulations. Therefore, this study demonstrate that VIP has the capacity to relax vascular or gastric smooth muscles in part by stimulating the generation of NO, and silver spike point low frequency electrical stimulation has the capacity both to decrease sympathetic neurotransmitters and to increase VIP, $\beta$-endorphin.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.321-329
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• 2006

Albuterol, a selective ${\beta}_2$-adrenergic receptor stimulant, has been introduced as a potent bronchodilator for patients with bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive bronchial disease, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema. The percutaneous permeation of albuterol sulfate was investigated in hairless mouse skin in vitro with and without pretreatment with enhancers. The enhancing effects of ethanol and various penetration enhancers such as terpenes, non-ionic surfactants, pyrrolidones, and fatty acids on the permeation of albuterol sulfate were evaluated using Franz diffusion cells. Among terpenes studied, 1,8-cineole was the most effective enhancer, which increased the permeability of albuterol sulfate approximately 33-fold compared with the control without enhancer pretrement, followed by d-limonene with enhancement ratio of 21.79. 2-Pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid increased the permeability of albuterol sulfate approximately 5.5-fold compared with the control. Other pyrrolidones tested showed only slight permeability enhancing effect with enhancement ratio less than 2.8. Nonionic surfactants showed moderate enhancing effects. Lauric acid increased the permeability of albuterol sulfate approximately 30-fold with decreasing the lag time from 2.85 to 0.64 hr. Oleic acid and linoleic acid showed enhancement ratio of 24.55 and 22.91, respectively. These findings would allow a more rational approach for designing formulations for the transdermal delivery of albuterol sulfate and similar drugs.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.329-335
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• 1999

Clenbuterol, a selective ${\beta}_2-adrenergic$ receptor stimulant, has been introduced as a potent bronchodilator for patients with bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema. For the purpose of developing a transdermal preparation for clenbuterol, we attempted to select an optimal solvent system and permeation enhancer among fatty acids and fatty alcohols which are known to accelerate the penetration of various drugs in permeation experiments using hairless mouse skin and Franz diffusion cell. Apparent partition coefficient of clenbuterol was increased as pH of buffer solution was increased and solubility of clenbuterol was increased as the percent of propylene glycol(PG) in buffer solution(pH 10) was increased. Permeability of clenbuterol from different buffer(pH 10)/PG solvent mixtures was decreased as the percent of PG in pH 10 buffer solution was increased and among the various enhancers studied, lauryl alcohol was found to be the most effective enhancer, increasing the permeability of clenbuterol approximately 76-fold compared with control. Lauryl alcohol$(0{\sim}2%)$ enhanced the permeability of clenbuterol concentration-dependently. In this study, the optimal solvent system for the penetration of clenbuterol was found to be 50/50 buffer(pH 10)/PG solvent mixture containing 2% lauryl alcohol.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.176-189
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• 2012

This study examined the effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) on obese women and aimed to confirm that the effects of KRG on obesity differ dependently on a gene. Fifty obese women were recruited and randomized to receive KRG (n=24) or placebo (n=26) for 8 wk. Measurements of blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR), total fat mass, percentage of body fat, resting metabolic rate, basal body temperature, and daily food intake (FI), blood test (serum lipid, liver and renal function), Korean version of obesity-related quality of life scale (KOQOL), and a gene examination were performed. Comparisons of subjects before and after the administration of KRG revealed significant improvements of obesity in terms of weight, body mass index (BMI), WHR, FI, and KOQOL. However, in the comparison between KRG group and placebo group, only KOQOL was significantly different. KRG displayed significant efficacy on BMI and KOQOL in the CT genotype of the G protein beta 3 gene, but not in the CC genotype, on blood sugar test in the Trp64/Arg genotype of the beta 3 adrenergic receptor gene, but not in Trp64/Trp genotype, on KOQOL in the DD genotype of the angiotensin I converting enzyme gene, but not in the ID and DD genotypes. The effects of KRG on obesity were confirmed to some extent. However, a distinct effect compared to placebo was not confirmed. KRG is more effective for improving the secondary issues of the quality of life derived from obesity rather than having direct effects on the obesity-related anthropometric assessment and blood test indices.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.247-252
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• 2000

The advantages of transdermal administration are avoiding hepatic first pass effect, minimizing inter- and intra-patient variation, maintaining steady-state plasma level to provide long-term therapy from a single dose, and allowing a rapid termination of drug input. Clenbuterol, a selective ${\beta}_2-adrenergic$ receptor stimulant, has been introduced as a potent bronchodilator for patients with bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive bronchial disease. For the development of transdermal systems containing clenbuterol, two limiting factors - long lag time and low flux - must be overcome. In this study, we attempted to select optimal formulation for preparation of clenbuterol patch using hairless mouse skin and flow-through diffusion cell. The flux of clenbuterol increased as the percent of clenbuterol dose dependently in the concentration range of 5-15%. Based on this result, we fixed the concentration of clenbuterol as 15%. The effect of various penetration enhancers on percutaneous absorption of clenbuterol through hairless mouse skin was investigated. Labrafil was the most effective enhancer, which increased the permeability of clenbuterol approximately 4-fold compared with the control without penetration enhancer. Optimal enhancer concentration was 3%. The effect of various adhesives on penetration of clenbuterol was also investigated. Among the adhesives studied, MA-31 was the most effective adhesive. Furthermore, the clenbuterol patch composed of 15% clenbuterol, 3% Labrafil and 82% MA-31, which gave most excellent penetration of drug in in vitro penetration study, maintained therapeutic plasma levels in in vivo study using S.D. rats. These studies demonstrated a good feasibility of clenbuterol administration through the intact skin using a transdermal patch, and show a possibility of the development of clenbuterol patches.