• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.491-498
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to put clinical emphasis on the importance of considering medical precautions, such as drug history and a possible infection, when treating elderly patients. Methods: We closely observed two elderly female patients aged 79 and 76 who had been hospitalized for the treatment of anorexia at the Department of Hepato-Hemopoietic System, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital in April 2018 for 5 and 9 days, respectively. Results: Through an elaborate medical investigation including a detailed inquiry and laboratory examinations, modifying some drugs and treating a urinary tract infection were preferentially needed to treat these two patients. In the first case, her overall symptoms, including anorexia, were improved after taking Dansambohyeol-tang combined with three types of antacids adjusted by holding 10 drugs in total, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that mainly causing chronic gastric ulcer. In the second case, the urinary tract infection was detected by blood test and urine analysis during the hospitalization period. After taking Geummogpaljeong-san and antibiotics for the treatment of the infection, the chief complaints including anorexia and the negative reaction to nitrite in the urinary analysis were improved. Conclusion: Considering the clinical precautions, including medications and infection possibility, is important especially when treating elderly patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.51-62
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the macrophages polarization of traditional Korean medicine on cardiac pain about Geum-Gwe-Yo-Ryak's two prescriptions including Kwaruhaebaekbanha-tang (KHB) and Kwaruhaebaekpaekju-tang (KHP). Materials and methods: Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure the changes in the ratio of M1 type and M2 type macrophages. Protein expression of nuclear factor-like 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were measured by Western Blot, and ABCA1 and SR-B1 were detected by real time PCR (RT-PCR). Intracellular lipid accumulation was measured by Oil Red O staining (ORO staining). Results: KHB and KHP increase anti-oxidative activity related protein levels including Nrf2 and HO-1. Furthermore, KHB and KHP inhibit lipid accumulation on intracellular levels through induction of ATP binding receptor cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) and scavenging receptor class B member 1 (SR-B1), respectively. Finally, KHB and KHP also blocked pro-inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), iNOS and COX-2 expression. Conclusion: This study suggests that KHB and KHP potently regulate the M1/M2 macrophage polarization.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.442-449
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• 2019

This study sought to evaluate the effects of Asiatic acid in LPS-induced BV2 microglia cells and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridine ($MPP^+$)-induced SH-SY5Y cells, to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Asiatic acid in Parkinson's disease (PD). SH-SY5Y cells were induced using $MPP^+$ to establish as an in vitro model of PD, so that the effects of Asiatic acid on dopaminergic neurons could be examined. The NLRP3 inflammasome was activated in BV2 microglia cells to explore potential mechanisms for the neuroprotective effects of Asiatic acid. We showed that Asiatic acid reduced intracellular production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and altered the mitochondrial membrane potential to regulate mitochondrial dysfunction, and suppressed the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia cells. We additionally found that treatment with Asiatic acid directly improved SH-SY5Y cell viability and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by $MPP^+$. These data demonstrate that Asiatic acid both inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by downregulating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species directly to protect dopaminergic neurons from, and improves mitochondrial dysfunction in SH-SY5Y cells, which were established as a model of Parkinson's disease. Our finding reveals that Asiatic acid protects dopaminergic neurons from neuroinflammation by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation in microglia cells as well as protecting dopaminergic neurons directly. This suggests a promising clinical use of Asiatic acid for PD therapy.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2019

Omega-3 fatty acids and carotenoids, which are known as representative high-value substances derived from microalgae, are being studied from various diatoms. Most of the diatoms contain fucoxanthin and omega-3 fatty acid. Fucoxanthin produced by diatom has been reported as bioactive compounds exhibiting strong antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the low growth rate and fucoxanthin content of diatoms are one of the big obstacles to the industrial application. In this study, indigenous marine diatom Achnanthidium sp. BS-001 was isolated for a candidate of fucoxanthin producer. Light intensity and temperature for the culture of Achnanthidium sp. BS-001 were optimized on PhotoBiobox. Optimization of silicate concentration for increasing BS-001 biomass productivity was confirmed in F/2 medium with various concentration of sodium silicate. As a result, condition of light intensity, temperature, and silicate concentration for optimal cultivation were $150{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, $18^{\circ}C$ and 0.106 mM, respectively. Maximum biomass productivity reaches to $154.3mg{\cdot}L^{-1}{\cdot}day^{-1}$, and then the content of omega-3 fatty acids and fucoxanthin were $19.4mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$, $9.05mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$, respectively. These results indicate that Achnanthidium sp. BS-001 has the potential to be used as a source of omega-3 fatty acids and fucoxanthin.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2019

The common hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), is the presence of chronic neuroinflammation, which contributes to the loss of neuronal structure and function. This study investigated the effects of an ethanolic extract of Sargassum serratifolium (SSE) in a lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced murine neuroinflammation model. Mice were administered SSE (100 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle for 5 days by oral gavage, and then treated with LPS or saline by intraperitoneal injection. Thereafter, the brain tissues were collected, and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. There was a marked increase in the spleen weight index in the LPS-treated groups, which indicated the induction of acute systemic inflammation. Based on significant increases in the levels of IL-1 and IL-6 expression, the induction of neuroinflammation was also evident in the cortex and hippocampus of the LPS-treated groups. The overall expression of IL-1 and IL-6 was decreased slightly by SSE administration, compared with the LPS group, and a marked change in IL-1 was observed in the cortex of the SSE-treated (SSE/LPS) group. These results suggest that SSE has potential as an anti-neuroinflammatory nutraceutical.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.363-372
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• 2019

Daidzein isolated from soybean (Glycine max) has been widely studied for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the protective effects of 7,8,4'-trihydroxyisoflavone (THIF), a major metabolite of daidzein, on 6-hydroxydopamine (OHDA)-induced neurotoxicity are not well understood. In the current study, 7,8,4'-THIF significantly inhibited neuronal cell death and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release induced by 6-OHDA in SH-SY5Y cells, which were used as an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Moreover, pretreatment with 7,8,4'-THIF significantly increased the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) activity in 6-OHDA-induced SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, 7,8,4'-THIF significantly recovered 6-OHDA-induced cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), increased Bax, and decreased Bcl-2 levels. Additionally, 7,8,4'-THIF significantly restored the expression levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K)/Akt, and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta ($GSK-3{\beta}$) in 6-OHDA-induced SH-SY5Y cells. Further, 7,8,4'-THIF significantly increased the reduced tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) level induced by 6-OHDA in SH-SY5Y cells. Collectively, these results suggest that 7,8,4'-THIF protects against 6-OHDA-induced neuronal cell death in cellular PD models. Also, these effects are mediated partly by inhibiting activation of the MAPK and PI3K/Akt/$GSK-3{\beta}$ pathways.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.94-106
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• 2019

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Gwakhyangjeonggi-san(GJS) on atopic dermatitis(AD) induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB) in mice. Methods : The mice(Balb/c mice) were divided into three groups; normal Balb/c mice with oil treatment(Sham group), DNCB-induced AD mice(AD group), and GJS treated AD mice(GJS group). GJS group were orally administered GJS daily for 2 weeks. We observed changes of clinical skin severity score, the expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin(TSLP), interleukin(IL)-4 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-${\alpha}$ in skin and mast cell infiltration. Also, serum immunoglobulinE(IgE), IL-4, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 were evaluated. Results : The clinical skin severity score of GJS group was decreased compared to AD group. In hematoxylin and eosin staining results, GJS group showed a significant reduction of epithelial skin thickness. In addition, expression of TSLP and mast cell infiltration in skin were also reduced by GJS treatment compared to those of AD group. Thus, we evaluated expression of IL-4, Th2-dependent cytokine, and $TNF-{\alpha}$, pro-inflammatory cytokine in skin. GJS significantly reduced both IL-4 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ compared to AD mice. Moreover, levels of IgE, IL-4, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 in plasma also significantly decreased by oral GJS treatment. Conclusion : The present study suggests that GJS can significantly reduced symptoms of AD, therefore it can be a promising candidate for anti-atopic dermatitis treatment.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2019

Background: Increased oxidative stress and inflammation play a critical role in the etiopathogenesis of chronic tendinopathy. Melatonin is an endogenous molecule that exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and histopathological effects of exogenous melatonin administrations in supraspinatus overuse tendinopathy. Methods: Fifty rats were divided into the following four groups: cage activity, melatonin treatment, corticosteriod therapy, and control. Melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal; twice a day) and triamcinolone (0.3 mg/kg, subacromial; weekly) were administered to the treatment groups after the overuse period. Biochemical and histopathological evaluations were performed on serum samples and biopsies obtained from rats. Plasma inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels were evaluated biochemically. Results: The TAS, TOS, OSI, iNOS, and VEGF values were significantly lower than the pre-treatment levels in rats receiving exogenous melatonin treatment (3 or 6 weeks) (p<0.05). TOS, iNOS, VEGF, and OSI values after 3 weeks of triamcinolone administration, and TOS, VEGF, and OSI levels after 6 weeks of triamcinolone application, were significantly lower than the pre-treatment levels (p<0.05). Conclusions: Exogenous melatonin application in overuse tendinopathy reduces oxidative stress and inflammation. Melatonin might be an alternative potential molecule to corticosteroids in the treatment of chronic tendinopathy.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2019

This paper confirmed the effect of Baekho-tang(白虎湯) on psoriasis patient diagnosed with Yangmyung-Yeoljeung(陽明熱證). We treated patients with psoriasis classified as Yangmyung-Yeoljeung(陽明熱證) according to Shanghanlun(傷寒論) with Baekho-tang(白虎湯). Two patients was treated with Baekho-tang(白虎湯) for 18 days and 75 days, respectively. Baekho-tang(白虎湯) used in the treatment consisted of Gypsum Fibrosum 16g, Oryza semen 12.5g, Anemarrhena Rhizoma 6g and Glycyrrhizae Radix 2g. The severity of psoriasis was evaluated by PASI(psoriasis area severity index) and pictures. Also we checked the change in Pruritus by VAS(visual analogue scale). After the Baekho-tang(白虎湯) treatment, the PASI of 2 patients decreased from 13 to 2.8 and from 10.8 to 0.8 respectively. In addition, VAS of 2 patients diminished from 10 to 3 and from 8 to 1 respectively. Moreover, no side effects were observed. We received effective results by giving Baekho-tang to Psoriasis patients with sweaty, dry mouth, and heating sensation. Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic effects and immunomodulatory functions of Baekho-tang(白虎湯) could lead to improvement of psoriasis.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 2021

This review investigated the types of physiologically active substances isolated and extracted from Pinus densiflora and koraiensis native to Republic of Korea, and the current status of research on their effectiveness and industrial use. They contain various bioactive substances including essential oils, polyphenols, resins, and stilbene derivatives. In recent, physiological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, cataract prevention, and neuroprotection from extracts of Pinus densiflora and koraiensis have been identified by domestic researchers. The extracts have been used in different industrial fields like food, health functional foods, cosmetics, and household goods, but the high proportion of them is industrially made from exotic species. Therefore, various studies on industrial applicability are needed due to the lack of cases in which the activity is applied to actual products, with respect to the effects that have been scientifically recognized.