• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.11-21
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• 2020

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Ephedra sinica (E. sinica), Panax ginseng (P. ginseng), and Alisma orientale (A. orientale) Extract (MIT) on insulin resistance induced by Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods C57BL /6 male mice (8-week-old, 20 g) were divided into four groups: control group (Ctrl), high-fat diet group (HFDF), high fat diet with metformin administration group (METT), and high fat diet with MIT administration group (MITT). Each 10 mice were allocated to each group (a total of 40 mice). All mice were allowed to eat fat-rich diet freely throughout the experiment. To examine the effect of MIT, we observed Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), and Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Results In the MITT group, positive reactions of the CB1, CB2, and GPR55 were significantly was significantly suppressed compared to the HFDF group. The positive reactions of the CD36 and TGF-β in the liver tissue were significantly suppressed in MITT. Conclusions MIT has the effect of improving NAFLD induced insulin resistance through the regulation of the lipid metabolism.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.197-207
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to confirm effect of reducing inflammation of Coptis chinensis extract-ceramide complex through the endocannabinoid system (ECS) control in atopic dermatitis. Methods: 8-week-old ICR mice were divided into normal group (Ctrl), lipid barrier elimination group (ADE), palmitoylethanolamide treated group after lipid barrier elimination (PEAT), and Coptis chinensis extract-ceramide complex applied group after lipid barrier elimination (CRA). After inducing atopic dermatitis, cannabinoid receptor (CB) 1, CB2, CD68, p-I𝜅B, iNOS, substance P and serotonin were observed to confirm the regulation of the ECS, macrophage activity and mast cell activity. Results: CB1 and CB2 showed higher positive reactions in the CRA than in the ADE and PEAT. CD68, p-I𝜅B and iNOS showed higher positive reaction in the ADE, PEAT and CRA than in the Ctrl, but the increase in the positive reaction was lower in the CEA compared to the ADE and PEAT. Substance P and serotonin showed higher positive reaction in the ADE, PEAT and CRA than in the Ctrl, but the increase in the positive reaction was lower in the CEA compared to the ADE and PEAT. Conclusions: The effects of Coptis chinensis extract -ceramide complex were confirmed on the regulation of the ECS, macrophage activity and mast cell activity.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.87-96
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• 2022

Objective The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of Sabaek-san extract on skin damage recovery and inflammation relief in atopic dermatitis-induced mice through Endocannabinoid system (ECS) control. Methods In this study, we used 6-week-old NC/Nga mice were divided into 4 group: control group (Ctrl), lipid barrier elimination group (LBEG), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) treated group after lipid barrier elimination (PEAG), and Sabaek-san extract treatment group after lipid barrier elimination (SBSG). Each group was assigned 10 animals. After drug administration of three weeks duration following lipid barrier elimination, cannabinoid receptor (CB) 1, CB2, CD (Cluster of Differentiation) 68, phosphorylated inhibitor kappa B (p-IκB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Fc ε receptor, substance P and serotonin were observed to confirm the regulation of the ECS, macrophage activity and mast cell activity. Results We found that 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OXdG) positive reaction was significantly lower in the SBST group than in LBET and PEAT groups. Both CB1 and CB2 showed higher positive reactions in the SBST group than in the LBET and PEAT. CD68, p-IκB, iNOS, Fc ε receptor, Substance P and serotonin showed lower positive reaction in the SBST compared to the LBET and PEAT. Conclusion It was confirmed that the Sabaek-san extract can reduce the inflammation of atopic dermatitis by restoring the structural damage of the skin lipid barrier through ECS activity.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.53-62
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• 2023

Objectives The aim of this study was to identify the effect of Baekho-tang extract on epidermal barrier recovery and inflammation relief in atopic dermatitis-induced mice through Endocanabinoid system (ECS) regulation. Methods In this study, we used 4-week-old NC/Nga mice were divided into 4 group: lipid barrier elimination group (LBEG), palmitoylethanolamide treated group after lipid barrier elimination (PEAT), Baekho-tang extract treatment group after lipid barrier elimination (BHTT) and control group (Ctrl). Each group was assigned 10 animals. We identified that cannabinoid receptor (CB) 1, CB2, CD (Cluster of Differentiation) 68, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), substance P and Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) through our immunohistochemistry. Results We discovered that when compared to PEAT, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, a marker of oxidative stress in the epidermal barrier, and CB1 and CB2, markers of ECS modulation, were less activated in BHTT. These results led to an anti-inflammatory response in BHTT, with a significant decrease in several inflammatory mediators such as CD 68, iNOS, substance P and MMP-9 compared to PEAT and LBEG. Conclusions These results suggest that the Baekho-tang extract can reduce the inflammation of atopic dermatitis by restoring the structural damage of the skin lipid barrier through ECS modulation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.363-369
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• 2014

Synthetic cannabinoids (CBs) such as the JWH series have caused social problems concerning their abuse liability. Because the JWH series produces euphoric and hallucinogenic effects, they have been distributed illegally under street names such as "Spice" and "Smoke". Many countries including Korea have started to schedule some of the JWH series compounds as controlled substances, but there are a number of JWH series chemicals that remain uncontrolled by law. In this study, three synthetic CBs with different binding affinities to the $CB_1$ receptor (JWH-073, 081, and 210) and ${\Delta}^9$-tetrahydrocannabinol (${\Delta}^9$-THC) were evaluated for their potential for psychological dependence. The conditioned place preference test (unbiased method) and self-administration test (fixed ratio of 1) using rodents were conducted. $K_i$ values of the three synthetic cannabinoids were calculated as supplementary data using a receptor binding assay and overexpressed $CB_1$ protein membranes to compare dependence potential with $CB_1$ receptor binding affinity. All mice administered JWH-073, 081, or 210 showed significantly increased time spent at unpreferred space in a dose-dependence manner in the conditioned place preference test. In contrast, all tested substances except ${\Delta}^9$-THC showed aversion phenomenon at high doses in the conditioned place preference test. The order of affinity to the $CB_1$ receptor in the receptor binding assay was JWH-210 > JWH-081 >> JWH-073, which was in agreement with the results from the conditioned place preference test. However, no change in self-administration was observed. These findings suggest the possibility to predict dependence potential of synthetic CBs through a receptor binding assay at the screening level.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.155-162
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• 2013

Objective: Stress is known to be an inhibitor of the reproductive hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. However, the neural and molecular connections between stress and reproduction are not yet understood. It is well established that in both humans and rodents, kisspeptin (encoded by the kiss1 gene) is a strong stimulator of the HPG axis. In the present study we hypothesized that endocannabinoids, an important neuromodulatory system in the brain, can act on the HPG axis at the level of kiss1 expression to inhibit reproductive function under stress. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were unilaterally implanted with an intracerebroventricular cannula. Afterwards, the animals were exposed to immobilization stress, with or without the presence of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (1 ${\mu}g/rat$). Blood samples were collected through a retro-orbital plexus puncture before and after stress. Five hours after the stress, brain tissue was collected for reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction measurements of kiss1 mRNA. Results: Immobilization stress (1 hour) resulted in a decrease in the serum luteinizing hormone concentration. Additionally, kiss1 gene expression was decreased in key hypothalamic nuclei that regulate gonadotrophin secretion, the medial preoptic area (mPOA), and to some extent the arcuate nucleus (ARC). A single central administration of AM251 was effective in blocking these inhibitory responses. Conclusion: These findings suggest that endocannabinoids mediate, at least in part, immobilization stress-induced inhibition of the reproductive system. Our data suggest that the connection between immobilization stress and the HPG axis is kiss1 expression in the mPOA rather than the ARC.