• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.93-97
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• 2003

Alternative or complementary medicine plays an important role in health care system. Ginseng, being one of the most popular oriental herbs, is believed to contain various steroid hormone activity. Ginseng has been demonstrated pharmacological effect in the cardiovascular, endocrine, central nervous, and immune system. Our objective was to study that total saponin might mediate some of their actions by binding to the steroid hormone receptor, as they share many of the actions of steroid hormone in various physiological system. Using total saponin from Panax Ginseng, we have studied the possibility of total saponin being a potential estrogen receptor, androgen receptor, and retinoic acid receptor ligand. Total saponin activated the transcription of both the estrogen and androgen responsive luciferase reporter plasmids at a concentration of 100$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in COS cells transiently transfected with the corresponding receptor and hormone responsive receptor plasmids. And total saponin caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of estrogen receptor. Total saponin increased the expression of estrogen responsive c-fos proto-oncogene at the protein level in MCF7 cells at 24 h treatment as examined by Western analysis. The c-fos induction was used as a specific marker of estrogen responsiveness. This activation was inhibited by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182,780. However, total saponin failed to activate the retinoic acid receptor in COS cells transiently transfected with the corresponding receptor and retinoic acid responsive reporter plasmids. These results show that total saponin is capable of activating estrogen and androgen receptors.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.51-65
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• 2012

Objectives : In this study the antidepressant effects of mixture of Lycii Radicis Cortex and Gardeniae Fructus on the change of HPA-Axis and Catecholamine system was investigated Methods : The forced swimming test was performed. The expression of CRF, c-Fos in the PVN, and TH in the VTA and LC were measured with immunohistochemical method. And the experimental groups were divided into the Extraction after Mix group(A) and Mix after Extraction group(B). The effects of both group were compared. Results : The duration of immobility in the FST was decreased significantly in three groups except B100(P<0.01). B100 was shown the significant increase(P<0.05). The expression of CRF in PVN was decreased significantly in all group(P<0.05~P<0.01). The expression of c-Fos in PVN was decreased in A100, A400 and was increased significantly in B100, B400(P<0.05). The expression of TH in VTA and LC were decreased significantly in all group(P<0.001). Conclusions : Effects of Extraction after Mix group(A) and Mix after Extraction group(B) on the HPA-Axis system and Catecholamine system were validated.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.16-26
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate effects of Cordyceps militaris(CM) on osteoclast differentiation and its related gene expression. Methods: We used mouse myeloid cells RAW 264.7 stimulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand(RANKL) to induce osteoclast differentiation. There are four groups of which RAW 264.7 cells are not stimulated by RANKL (Normal), stimulated by RANKL without CM(Control), stimulated by RANKL with 0.1 ${\mu}g/ml$ of CM(CM 0.1), stimulated by RANKL with 1 ${\mu}g/ml$ of CM(CM 1). Osteoclastogenesis was measured by counting Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells [TRAP(+) MNC]. RT-PCR was performed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of CM on gene expression(TRAP, AKT1, JNK1, NFATc1, c-Fos, MITF). Results: 1. CM decreased the number of TRAP(+) osteoclast in RANKL-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell at the concentration of 0.1 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 1 ${\mu}g/ml$. 2. CM decreased the expression of TRAP in osteoclast at the concentration of 1 ${\mu}g/ml$. 3. CM decreased the expression of AKT1, JNK1 in osteoclast at the concentration of 1 ${\mu}g/ml$. 4. CM didn't affect the expression of NFATc1, c-Fos, MITF in osteoclast. Conclusions: Cordyceps militaris has inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation and its related gene expression. These results suggest that Cordyceps militaris has a potential as a treatment of osteoporosis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.171-176
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• 2012

Receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL) triggers the differentiation of bone marrow-derived monocyte/macrophage precursor cells (BMMs) of hematopoietic origin into osteoclasts through the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and transcription factors. Recently, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzymes were shown to be closely associated with RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation. Although glutaredoxin2 (Glrx2) plays a role in cellular redox homeostasis, its role in RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis is unclear. We found that Glrx2 isoform b (Glrx2b) expression is induced during RANKLmediated osteoclastogenesis. Over-expression of Glrx2b strongly enhanced RANKL- mediated osteoclastogenesis. In addition, Glrx2b-transduced BMMs enhanced the expression of key transcription factors c-Fos and NFATc1, but pre-treatment with SB203580, a p38-specific inhibitor, completely blocked this enhancement. Conversely, down-regulation of Glrx2b decreased RANKL- mediated osteoclastogenesis and the expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 proteins. Also, Glrx2b down-regulation attenuated the RANKL-induced activation of p38. Taken together, these results suggest that Glrx2b enhances RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis via p38 activation.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.8 no.12
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• pp.1949-1958
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• 2013

This study conducted observation of tissues using the immunohistochemistry methods in order to see the effect of Needle Electrode Electrical Stimulation(: NEES) on apoptosis in the SD rat cerebellum caused by global ischemia which came from common carotid artery occlusion. The comparison and analysis results of expression of factors related to apoptosis among the control group, the global ischemia group and the NEES group showed that NEES following global ischemia had a significant effect on the reduction of c-fos expression in the SD rat cerebellum, and didn't have a significant effect on the reduction of bax and caspase-3 expression. In conclusion, it is considered that NEES following global ischemia is partially effective in suppressing the expression of factors related to apoptosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.807-813
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• 2010

Impairment of balance between bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts result in bone disease. Especially, increased osteoclast formation and activity are responsible for bone diseases such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, periodontal disease. Natural metabolites of plants have recently received much attention as an alternative tools for the development of novel therapeutic strategy. The aim of this study was to search the natural products to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and was to evaluate of its mechanism. Water extract of Gastrodia elata Blune significantly inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) in a dose dependent manner. However, water extract of Gastrodia elata Blune did not affect cytotoxicity when compared with control. The mRNA expression of c-Fos, NFATc1, and TRAP induced by RANKL was inhibited by water extract of Gastrodia elata Blune treatment. Also, water extract of Gastrodia elata Blune inhibited the protein expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 expression in BMMs treated with RANKL. Water extract of Gastrodia elata Blune suppressed the phosphorylation of p38 induced by RANKL. In general, RANKL considerably inhibited the expression level of Id2 and MafB known as negative regulators of osteoclastogenesis, but RANKL did not inhibit Id2 and MafB expression in BMMs when it was co-treated with Gastrodia elata Blune. Taken together, these results suggest that Gastrodia elata Blune may be a useful drug in the treatment of bone-related disease.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.59-70
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effect of ursolic acid from Prunella vulgaris on osteoclast differentiation. Methods: MTT-assay was performed to estimate cytotoxicity of ursolic acid from Prunella vulgaris in BMMs stimulated with M-CSF. TRAP staining, TRAP activity and Real-time PCR were performed to know the inhibitory effect on osteoclast differentiation. Actin ring formation were analysed to observe the effect of ursolic acid from Prunella vulgaris. Results: Ursolic acid from Prunella vulgaris has no cytotoxicity at the concentration of $1{\mu}g/ml$ or lower. Ursolic acid decreased the number of TRAP positive cells and the expression of NFATc1 gene, c-Fos gene, TRAP and OSCAR in BMMs stimulated with RANKL. Ursolic acid restrained the formation of actin ring. Ursolic acid inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ activity by inducing degradation of p-$IkB{\alpha}$. Conclusions: Ursolic acid from Prunella vulgaris has the inhibitory effect of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. Futher studies are needed to treat osteoporosis by usolic acid from Prunella vulgaris.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.345-355
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• 2012

This study purposed to examine the effect of low power laser on pain response and axonal regeneration. In order to prepare peripheral nerve injury models, we crushed the sciatic nerve of Sprague-Dawley rats and treated them with low power laser for 21 days. The rats were divided into 4 groups: normal group(n=10); control group(n=10) without any treatment after the induction of sciatic nerve crush injury; experimental group I(n=10) treated with low power laser(0.21$mJ/mm^2$) after the induction of sciatic nerve crush injury; and experimental group II(n=10) treated with low power laser(5.25$mJ/mm^2$) after the induction of sciatic nerve crush injury. We measured spontaneous pain behavior(paw withdrawal latency test) and mechanical allodynia(von Frey filament test) for evaluating pain behavioral response, and measured the sciatic function index for evaluating the functional recovery of peripheral nerve before the induction of sciatic nerve crush injury and on day 1, 7, 14 and 21 after the induction. After the experiment was completed, changes in the H & E stain and toluidine blue stain were examined histopathologically, and changes in MAG(myelin associated glycoprotein) and c-fos were examined immunohistologically. According to the results of this study, when low power laser was applied to rat models with sciatic nerve crush injury for 21 days and the results were examined through pain behavior evaluation and neurobehavioral, histopathological and immunohistological analyses, low power laser was found to affect pain response and axonal regeneration in both experimental group I and experimental group II. Moreover, the effect on pain response and axonal regeneration was more positive in experimental group I to which output 0.21$mJ/mm^2$ was applied than in experimental group II to which 5.25$mJ/mm^2$ was applied.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.860-865
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• 2009

Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing multinucleated cells derived from the monocyte/macrophage lineage. The differentiation of osteoclasts are regulated by osteoblastic cells expressed RANKL, which is the most critical molecule for osteoclast differentiation. In this study, we found that water extracts of cuscuta inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation by direct action on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) without cytotoxicity. In BMMs, water extracts of cuscuta inhibited the mRNA expression of c-Fos, NFATc1, TRAP, and OSCAR. Also, the protein expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 was inhibited by water extracts of cuscuta treatement. Water extracts of cuscuta inhibited the phosphorylation of p38, ERK, and JNK in BMMs treated with RANKL. However, water extracts of cuscuta did not inhibit RANKL-induced I-${\kappa}B$ activation. Water extract of cuscuta failed to inhibit bone resorption by osteoclasts cultured on hydroxyapatite plates. These results suggest that cuscuta may be a promising drug for use against bone disorders such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2018

TRPA1 and TRPV1 are members of the TRP superfamily of structurally related, nonselective cation channels. TRPA1 and TRPV1 are often co-expressed in sensory neurons and play an important role in mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia during neuropathic pain. Scutellariae Radix was reported to possess anti-inflammation properties and similar patterns of therapeutic action against different diseases. also Baicalin(a known principal constituent of Scutellaria Radix) was shown to down-regulate the mRNA expression levels of TRPV1. In this study, we observed the effects of Scutellariae Radix extract(SRE) in neuropathic pain induced SD rats via modulation of TRPV1 and TRPA1. Oral administration of a Scutellaria Radix extract(in doses of 300mg/kg, SRE(300)) showed a meaningful increase in the withdrawal threshold of mechanical allodynia and showed a meaningful decrease in the expression of c-fos compared to the control group. SRE(100) and SRE(300) showed a meaningful decrease in the expression of TRPV1 level compared to the control group. These results suggest that Scutellariae Radix extract could decrease mechanical allodynia by down-regulate the TRPV1 on the model of neuropathic pain.