• KSBB Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 2003

For the screening of anti-inflammation and antioxidative activities, ethanolic extract of 40 species of traditional herbal medicines were examined their hyaluronidase inhibitory effect and radical scavenging activity in vitro. From the result of the hyaluronidase inhibitory activity using a Morgan-Elson assay, Astragali Radix, Eucommia Cortex, Schizandrae Fructus, Scutellaria Radix, Acanthopanacis Cortex, Chaenomelis Fructus, Amomum xanthioides Wallich and Moutan Radicis Cortex showed more than 50% hyaluronidase inhibitory effects at the concentration of 10 mg/mL. In the various solvent fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, water) prepared from ethanolic extracts, the ethyl acetate fraction of all extracts tested showed strong activity. Antioxidative activity was evaluated by assaying electron-donating ability to DPPH free radical and scavenging of hydroxyl radical (ㆍOH) generated through Fenton reaction, respectively. Rubus coreanus Miq, Moutan Radicis Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Plantaginis Semen and Sorbus commixta Hedl. showed high activity more than 90%, yet similar activity to $\alpha$-tocopherol and BHA at the concentration of 1 mg/mL in electron donating activity. The scavenging effects of ethanolic extracts on hydroxyl radical were investigated using a 2-deoxyribose oxidation method and tested all extracts showed significant radical scavenging activity. The experiment was also performed to examine whether herbal medicines having significant lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity, Schizandrae-Fructus is the strongest inhibitory activity in both linoleic acid and liposome peroxidation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1356-1363
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• 2014

Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid orexigenic peptide hormone that is secreted predominantly by tX/A cells in the stomach, and it plays a major role in energy homeostasis. Activated ghrelin has an n-octanoyl group covalently linked to the hydroxyl group of the Ser3 residue, which is critical for its binding to the G-protein coupled growth hormone secretagogue receptor-1a (GHS-R1a). According to recent reports, both ghrelin and its receptor, GHS-R1a, are expressed by a variety of immune cells, including T- and B-lymphocytes, monocytes, and dendritic cells, and ghrelin stimulation of leukocytes provides a potent immunomodulatory signal controlling systemic and age-associated inflammation and thymic involution. Here, we report that ghrelin protected murine thymocytes from dexamethasone (DEX)-induced cell death both in vivo and in vitro. Subsequently, we explored the molecular mechanisms of the antiapoptotic effect of ghrelin. According to our experiments, ghrelin inhibited the expression of proapoptotic proteins via the regulation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) phosphorylation. As a result, ghrelin inhibited the proapoptotic activation of proteins, such as Caspase-3, PARP, and Bim. These data suggest that ghrelin, through GHS-R, inhibits the pathway to apoptosis by regulation of the proapoptotic protein activation signal pathway. They provide evidence that blocking apoptosis is an essential function of ghrelin during the development of thymocytes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.819-825
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• 2015

The use of fructose-containing sports beverage drinks has increased in recent years, especially at sport events, because of their reported ergogenic effects. However, the ingestion of low to moderate doses of caffeinated energy drinks has been associated with adverse side effects such as insomnia or increased nervousness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of fructose beverage supplementation on cardiopulmonary function, blood lactate levels, and inflammatory reactions. We recruited 8 young adult subjects from D university and measured their cardiopulmonary functions before and after supplementation with sports beverage drinks. We also measured blood lactate and inflammatory reactions after a 20 min recovery period. Exercise time, maximal oxygen uptake (V0₂max), and AT HRmax were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the period of before and after sports beverage supplementation. However, no significant differences were observed in RPE, AT RER, V0₂max RER, AT V0₂max, and maximum heart rate (HRmax). Lactate levels also significantly decreased after 20 min recovery with sports beverage supplementation. Sports beverage supplementation therefore may enhance maximal V0₂max and increase the exercise duration time. These drinks may also be helpful in promoting rapid recovery of fatigue variables and increasing exercise performance time.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.266-273
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• 2011

Although turmeric has numerous pharmacological effects, the poor water-solubility of curcuminoids, active components of turmeric, restricts their systemic availability in orally administered formulations and limits their therapeutic potential. In this study we attempted turmeric fermentation using several probiotic bacteria to improve its solubility, and also investigated the effects of turmeric and fermented turmeric on anti-inflammatory activity. Fermented turmeric, by L. johnsonii IDCC 9203, more strongly inhibited LPS-induced expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines than non-fermented turmeric and fermented turmeric by other probiotic strains. We used an NC/Nga mouse model for mite antigen-induced atopic dermatitis to examine the efficacy of the fermented turmeric. Fermented turmeric-fed mice exhibited a significantly reduced serum IgE level and mitigated acute inflammation. When the fermented turmeric was pre-treated by oral administration, it had more preventive activity against acute anaphylactic reaction than the non-fermented group. In addition, we observed that fermentation of turmeric leads to increased water-solubility of curcumin and a change in the active components ratios for bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycrucumin and curcumin. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that fermented turmeric by L. johnsonii IDCC 9203 could be used as a functional food ingredient for improving treatments for atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.73-82
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• 2023

Purpose : Cymbopogon citratus, also known as lemongrass, has widely spread around the world and its essential oil is usually applied in food, perfume, and other industrial purposes. In addition, C. citratus has also been used for the treatment of inflammation, digestive disorders, and diabetes in traditional medicine. In this study, the antioxidative activity of C. citratus ethanol extract (CCEE) was analyzed in RAW 264.7 cells through the induction of one of phase II enzymes, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 by nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor (Nrf)2, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt. Methods : The antioxidative activity of CCEE against oxidative stress and its underlying molecular mechanisms were analyzed by the cell viability assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation assay, and Western blot analysis in RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The results exhibited that CCEE potently attenuated tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced intracellular ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. CCEE treatment significantly induced the expression of HO-1 which is known for its antioxidative capacity. In addition, CCEE treatment significantly upregulated the expression of Nrf2, a corresponding transcription factor for the regulation of antioxidative enzymes, which was in accordance with the HO-1 overexpression. MAPK and PI3K/Akt were also evaluated for their important roles in the regulation of cellular redox homeostasis against oxidative damage. As a result, the potent HO-1 expression was mediated by not extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK), p38, but phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) phosphorylation. To confirm the antioxidative activity of CCEE-induced HO-1 expression, oxidative damage was initiated by t-BHP and attenuated by CCEE treatment, which was identified by HO-1 selective inhibitor and inducer. Conclusion : Consequently, CCEE potently induced the HO-1-mediated antioxidative potential through the modulation of Nrf2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that CCEE could be a promising strategy for the mitigation against cellular oxidative damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.594-607
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• 2024

Plastic products have long been widely used in both industrial and household applications. However, tiny plastic particles derived from plastic products, such as microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), can infiltrate the human body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Once inside cells via endocytosis, MPs and NPs (MNPs) can trigger autophagy, but lysosomal dysfunction can block autophagic flux. Accumulating in the cytoplasm, these particles induce cellular stress, including oxidative stress from free radicals, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased inflammatory response. Meanwhile, cellular senescence is a hallmark of aging and is defined as the stable termination of the cell cycle in response to cell damage and stress. In particular, the accumulation of oxidative stress, a key factor in inducing cellular senescence, induces the expression of major senescence markers. Senescent cells increase the secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype, including inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Despite growing interest in how MNPs induce cellular senescence, there remains a gap regarding their onset and therapeutic targets. Therefore, this review focuses on identifying recent research trends on how MNPs induce cellular aging in key human cell types and proposes future research directions to overcome these challenges.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.5 no.1 s.8
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• pp.91-103
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• 2002

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. characterized by leukocyte infiltration, a chronic inflammation of the joint, a pannus formation and the extensive destruction of the 3Iticular caJ1ilage and bone. Several proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpa}$(TNF-${\alpa}$), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) have been implicated in the pathological mechanisms of synovial tissue proliferation, joint destruction and programmed cell death in rheumatoid joint. In the Korean traditional medicine, Hominis placenta (HP) as an herbal solution of herb-acupuncture has been widely used to treat the inflammatory diseases including RA. In order to study the medicinal effect of HP herb-acupuncture on rheumatoid joint, an adjuvant-induced arthritis (AlA) was generated by the injection of 1.5 mg uf Mycobactelium tuberculusis. emulsified in squalene, 10 the base of the tail of Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. After onset stage of polyarthritis, HP was daily injected to the Zusanti (ST36) acupuncture points in both of rat lags and the expression pattems of cytokines such as TNF-{\alpa}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and 1L-6 at the knee joint were analyzed using immunostaining and RT-PCR. The HP herb-acupuncture was found to be effective to alleviate the arthritic symptums in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats as regards the joint appearance and the expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, therapeutic effects of HP herb-acupuncture on the rat with AlA might be related to anti inflammatory activities of the hurb-acupuncture.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.273-277
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• 2004

Methotrexate is commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis as an anti-inflammatory agent, but treatment with methotrexate can lead to severe side effects, especially pulmonary complication. Interstitial pneumonitis is one of the most important pulmonary adverse effects of methotrexate and most patient present with a subacute febrile illness and peripheral eosinophilia is seen in about a half of patients. Almost all patients have abnormal chest roentgenograms and bibasilar interstitial infiltration with alveolar pulmonary consolidations is the most characteristic finding. Interstitial inflammation with mononuclear cell infiltration is a characteristic pathologic feature and findings that suggest acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis, such as bronchiolitis, granuloma formation with giant cells, and infiltration with eosinophils are often present. Methotrexate-induced pneumonitis is a potentially life threatening and unpredictable complication but it is difficult to make a definite diagnosis in the absence of high index of clinical suspicion. Early recognition and appropriate management may avoid the serious outcome. Herein we report a case of methotrexate-induced pneumonitis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 1987

Cyclobuxine D, a steroidal alkaloid, was extracted from Buxus microphylla var. koreana Nakai. The effects of cyclobuxine D on carrageenin-induced pleurisy and croton oil-induced granuloma pouch in rats was investigated and compared with those of aspirin, hydrocortisone ana dexamethasone. Intrapleural injection of 2% carrageenin caused the accumulation of exudate. The rate of plasma exudation, measured by the exuded dye amounts for 20 min in the pleural cavity after intravenous injection of pontamine sky blue, showed a peak at 5 hr. Cyclobuxine D (5, 20 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) suppressed dose-dependently the accumulation of the pleural exudate and the exudation of dye. Among several methods used for screening and evaluation anti-inflammatory agents, granuloma pouch technic introduced by Hans Selye (Hans seyle, 1953) is considered as a simple and reliable method. An air pocket was produced in the subcutaneous tissue of the interscapular region by injection of 1 ml of 1% croton oil as irritant. Inflammatory exudate accumulated in the pouch during the succeding 14 days. Cyclobuxine D (5 and 20 mg/kg) decreased fluid volume in pouch and weight of pouch wall in granulomatous inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.706-714
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• 2021

Chemical scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered a major mechanism of antioxidant effects, but preventing ROS generation can be more efficient in attenuating oxidative damage. In this study, the extracts of plants, Solanum lycopersicum, Ailanthus altissima, Equisetum arvense, and Oenothera biennis, were tested to determine whether their antioxidative effects are driven by the prevention of superoxide generation from mitochondria, a major ROS generator. While all the extracts efficiently attenuated the elevation of ROS levels in human fibroblasts and inflammation-induced mice, those of S. lycopersicum, A. altissima, and O. laciniata only suppressed mitochondrial ROS generation and reduced levels of lipofuscin and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the extracts of A. altissima and O. laciniata extended the lifespan of fruit flies. Our results suggest that plant extracts with anti-oxidative effects differ in their ability to prevent ROS generation, which may be associated with the attenuation of oxidative damage in cells and animal tissues.