• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.117-125
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• 1997

The pharmacological effects of benzopyran potassium channel openers (lemakalim, KR-30450 and KR-30818) on the occlusion/reperfusion-induced myocardial infarction were investigat ed. In anesthetized rats, subjected to 45-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by 90-min reperfusion, the infarct size was measured by calculating the ratio of infarct zone to area at risk (IZ/AAR) with the Evans blue/TTC technique. Rats were intravenously given vehicle (1% DMSO), lemakalim, KR-30450, and KR-30818 alone or in combination with a selective K$_{ATP}$ blacker glibenclamide, 30 min prior to coronary occlusion. Compared to vehicle, lemakalim (30 ${\mu}$g/kg i.v.), the active enantiomer of cromakalim, had a tendancy to decrease infarct size. KR-30450(30 ${\mu}$g/kg, i.v.). the newly synthetized potassium channel openers (PCOs), caused a reduction of infarct size (from 70${\pm}$4%to 57${\pm}$5%). but KR-30818 (30 ${\mu}$g/kg, i.v.), a metabolite of KR-30450. did not modify infarct size. It seem ed likely that glibenclamide (0.3mg/kg, i.v.), given in combination, reduced the effects of these PCOs, especially KR-30450 (30 ${\mu}$g/kg, i.v.) on the infarct size. These results indicate that. in the coronary occluded rat model of ischemia, lemakalim and KR-30450 may exert cardioprotective activity through a reduction of infarct size, the effect being considered related to the opening of K$_{ATP}$ channel.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.717-724
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• 2020

Background: Malignant arrhythmias require drug therapy. However, most of the currently available antiarrhythmic drugs have significant side effects. Ginsenoside Rg2 exhibits excellent cardioprotective effects and appears to be a promising candidate for cardiovascular drug development. So far, the oral toxicity and antiarrhythmic effects of Rg2 have not been evaluated. Methods: Acute oral toxicity of Rg2 was assessed by the Limit Test method in mice. Subchronic oral toxicity was determined by repeated dose 28-day toxicity study in rats. Antiarrhythmic activities of Rg2 were evaluated in calcium chloride-induced arrhythmic rats. Antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 was investigated in arrhythmic rats and H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Results: The results of toxicity studies indicated that Rg2 exhibited no single-dose (10 g/kg) acute oral toxicity. And 28-day repeated dose treatment with Rg2 (1.75, 3.5 and 5 g/kg/d) demonstrated minimal, if any, subchronic toxicity. Serum biochemical examination showed that total cholesterol in the high-dose cohort was dramatically decreased, whereas prothrombin time was increased at Day 28, suggesting that Rg2 might regulate lipid metabolism and have a potential anticoagulant effect. Moreover, pretreatment with Rg2 showed antiarrhythmic effects on the rat model of calcium chloride induced arrhythmia, in terms of the reduced duration time, mortality, and incidence of malignant arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic mechanism of Rg2 might be the inhibition of calcium influx through L-type calcium channels by suppressing the phosphorylation of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Conclusion: Our findings support the development of Rg2 as a promising antiarrhythmic drug with fewer side effects for clinical use.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.621-627
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• 2022

Background: Panax ginseng (ginseng) is a traditional medicine that is reported to have cardioprotective effects; ginsenosides are the major bioactive compounds in the ginseng root. Methods: Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) nanoparticles might be useful for both the extraction of the targeted (imprinted) molecules, and for the delivery of those molecules to cells. In this work, plant growth regulators were used to enhance the adventitious rooting of ginseng root callus; imprinted polymeric particles were synthesized for the extraction of ginsenoside Rb₁ from root extracts, and then employed for subsequent particle-mediated delivery to cardiomyocytes to mitigate hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. Results: These synthesized composite nanoparticles were first characterized by their specific surface area, adsorption capacity, and magnetization, and then used for the extraction of ginsenoside Rb₁ from a crude extract of ginseng roots. The ginsenoside-loaded MMIPs were then shown to have protective effects on mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular viability for H9c2 cells treated with CoCl₂ to mimic hypoxia injury. The protective effect of the ginsenosides was assessed by staining with JC-1 dye to monitor the mitochondrial membrane potential. Conclusion: MMIPs can play a dual role in both the extraction and cellular delivery of therapeutic ginsenosides.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2022

Myocardial infarction promotes cardiac remodeling and myocardial fibrosis, thus leading to cardiac dysfunction or heart failure. Peiminine has been regarded as a traditional anti-fibrotic Chinese medicine in pulmonary fibrosis. However, the role of peiminine in myocardial infarction-induced myocardial injury and fibrosis remained elusive. Firstly, rat model of myocardial infarction was established using ligation of the left coronary artery, which were then intraperitoneally injected with 2 or 5 mg/kg peiminine once a day for 4 weeks. Echocardiography and haemodynamic evaluation results showed that peiminine treatment reduced left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and enhanced maximum rate of increase/decrease of left ventricle pressure (± dP/dt max) and left ventricular systolic pressure, which ameliorate the cardiac function. Secondly, myocardial infarction-induced myocardial injury and infarct size were also attenuated by peiminine. Moreover, peiminine inhibited myocardial infarction-induced increase of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α production, as well as the myocardial cell apoptosis, in the rats. Thirdly, peiminine also decreased the myocardial fibrosis related protein expression including collagen I and collagen III. Lastly, peiminine reduced the expression of p38 and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in rat model of myocardial infarction. In conclusion, peiminine has a cardioprotective effect against myocardial infarction-induced myocardial injury and fibrosis, which can be attributed to the inactivation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.773-780
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• 1999

Background: It has been demonstrated that brief periods of calcium depletion and repletion (calcium-free preconditioning, CP) have cardioprotective effects as seen in ischemic preconditioning(IP) which enhances the recovery of post-ischemic contractile dysfunction and reduces the incidence of reperfusion-induced arrhythmia or infarct size after a prolonged ischemia. In the present study, we tested this paradoxical phenomenon in isolated rabbit hearts. Material and Method: Hearts isolated from New Zealand white rabbits(1.5∼2.0 Kg body weight) were perfused with Tyrode solution using the Langendorff technique. After stabilizing the baseline hemodynamics, the hearts were subjected to 45 minutes of global ischemia followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion with IP(IP group, n=7) or without IP (ischemic control group, n=7). IP was induced by a single episode of 5 minutes global ischemia and 10 minutes reperfusion. In the CP group(n=7), the hearts were subjected to perfusion with Tyrode solution with calcium depletion for 5 minutes and repletion for 10 minutes, and 45 minutes of ischemia and 120 minutes of reperfusion. Left ventricular function including developed pressure, dP/dt, heart rate, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and coronary flow was measured. Infarct size was determined by staining with 1% triphenyltetrazolium chloride and planimetry. Data were analyzed by a one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test. Result: In comparison with the ischemic control group, IP significantly enhanced the recovery of the left ventricular function including the left ventricular developed pressure, contractility, and coronary flow; in contrast, these functional parameters of the CP group tended to be lower than those of the ischemic control group. However, the infarct size was significantly reduced by IP or CP(p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that in isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit heart model, CP(induced by single episode of 5 minutes calcium depletion and 10 minutes repletion) could not improve the post-ischemic contractile dysfunction(after a 45-minute global ischemia) but it has an infarct size-limiting effect.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.282-289
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• 2019

Gastritis is an inflammatory disease involving the stomach and is caused by several factors, including stress, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, liquor, and Helicobacter pylori. In Korea, Leonurus japonicus Houttuyn (LJW) has been used as traditional medicine for vaginal bleeding, hematuria, and bruise. Previous studies have reported that LJW exhibited hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and anti-hyperlipidemic effect. However, the effect of the water extract of LJW on gastritis was not elucidated. Thus, we evaluated the anti-gastric effect and genotoxicity of LJW. LJW effectively prevented the degeneration of surface mucous cells and glandular epithelial cells and vascular congestion induced by HCl/EtOH. Micronucleus assay indicated that the rate of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes/polychromatic erythrocytes was not significantly different compared that of the control. Further experiments are required to determine the role of LJW in the gastric injury process such as cyclooxygenase signaling pathway and the secretion of mucus in the stomach.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.807-815
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• 1996

The protective effect of'ischemic preconditioning'on ischemid-reperfusion injury of heart has been reported in various animal species. but without known mechAnism in detail, In An attempt to investigate the cardioprotective mechanism of ischemic preconditioning, we examined the effects of nitric oxide(UO) synthesis in preconditioned heart of rat The isolated hearts perfused by Langendorfr's method were ex- posed to 30min global ischemia followed by 30min reperfusion with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit(K-H) sol- ution. Ischemic preconditioning was performed with three episodes of Sm n ischemia and Smin repeyfusion before the induction of prolong ischemia(30min)-reperfusion(30min). Ischemic preconditioning prevented the depression of cardiac function(left ventricular pressure .K heart rate) observed in the ischemia- reperfusion hearts and reduced the release of lactate dehydrogenase during the reperfusion period. On electromicroscopic pictures, myocardial ultrastructures wore relatively well preserved in isthemic preconditioned hearts. N6_nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME) an inhibitor of L-arginine citric oxide pathway, was infused at a rate O.Smllmin In a dose of 10mg kg-1 before the initial ischemic preconditioning. neither the protection of cardiac function nor the reduction of LDH releAse in ischemic preconditioning hearts was altered in the presence of added L-NAME On ultrastructural finding, the preservation of morphology in ischemic preconditioning heart was not change by the pretreatment of L-UAME. The failure of the WO synthesis inhibitor to reduce t e effect of ischemic preconditioning may be related to be species specific in that NO may allot be the trigger for ischemic preconditioning in rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.664-671
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside compound-Mc1 (Mc1) is a member of the deglycosylated ginsenosides obtained from ginseng extract. Although several ginsenosides have a cardioprotective effect, this has not been demonstrated in ginsenoside Mc1. Methods: We treated H9c2 cells with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ginsenoside Mc1 to evaluate the antioxidant effects of Mc1. The levels of antioxidant molecules, catalase, and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were measured, and cell viability was determined using the Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax):B-cell lymphoma-extra large ratio, a cytotoxicity assay, and flow cytometry. We generated mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity using ginsenoside Mc1 and assessed their heart tissues to evaluate the antioxidant effect and the fibrosis-reducing capability of ginsenoside Mc1. Results: Ginsenoside Mc1 significantly increased the level of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the H9c2 cells. The expression levels of catalase and SOD2 increased significantly after treatment with ginsenoside Mc1, resulting in a decrease in the production of H₂O₂-mediated reactive oxygen species. Treatment with ginsenoside Mc1 also significantly reduced the H₂O₂-mediated elevation of the Bax:Bcl2 ratio and the number of DNA-damaged cells, which was significantly attenuated by treatment with an AMPK inhibitor. Consistent with the in vitro data, ginsenoside Mc1 upregulated the levels of catalase and SOD2 and decreased the Bax:B-cell lymphoma-extra large ratio and caspase-3 activity in the heart tissues of HFD-induced obese mice, resulting in reduced collagen deposition. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Mc1 decreases oxidative stress and increases cell viability in H9c2 cells and the heart tissue isolated from HFD-fed mice via an AMPK-dependent mechanism, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-related cardiac diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.603-612
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• 1999

Background : It has been documented that brief repetitive periods of ischemia and reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning, IP) enhances the recovery of post-ischemic contractile function and reduces infarct size after a longer period of ischemia. Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain this process. Recent studies have suggested that transient increase in the intracellular calcium may have triggered the activation of protein kinase C(PKC); however, there are still many controversies. Accordingly, the author performed the present study to test the hypothesis that preconditioning with high concentration of calcium before sustained subsequent ischemia(calcium preconditioning) mimics IP by PKC activation. Material and Method : The isolated hearts from the New Zealand White rabbits(1.5∼2.0 kg body weight) Method: The isolated hearts from the New Zealand White rabbits(1.5∼2.0 kg body weight) were perfused with Tyrode solution by Langendorff technique. After stabilization of baseline hemodynamics, the hearts were subjected to 45-minute global ischemia followed by a 120-minute reperfusion with IP(IP group, n=13) or without IP(ischemic control, n=10). IP was induced by single episode of 5-minute global ischemia and 10-minute reperfusion. In the Ca2+ preconditioned group, perfusate containing 10(n=10) or 20 mM(n=11) CaCl2 was perfused for 10 minutes after 5-minute ischemia followed by a 45-minute global ischemia and a 120-minute reperfusion. Baseline PKC was measured after 50-minute perfusion without any treatment(n=5). Left ventricular function including developed pressure(LVDP), dP/dt, heart rate, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP) and coronary flow(CF) was measured. Myo car ial cytosolic and membrane PKC activities were measured by 32P-${\gamma}$-ATP incorporation into PKC-specific pepetide. The infarct size was determined using the TTC (tetrazolium salt) staining and planimetry. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) variance(ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc test. Result: IP increased the functional recovery including LVDP, dP/dt and CF(p<0.05) and lowered the ascending range of LVEDP(p<0.05); it also reduced the infarct size from 38% to 20%(p<0.05). In both of the Ca2+ preconditioned group, functional recovery was not significantly different in comparison with the ischemic control, however, the infarct size was reduced to 19∼23%(p<0.05). In comparison with the baseline(7.31 0.31 nmol/g tissue), the activities of the cytosolic PKC tended to decrease in both the IP and Ca2+ preconditioned groups, particularly in the 10 mM Ca2+ preconditioned group(4.19 0.39 nmol/g tissue, p<0.01); the activity of membrane PKC was significantly increased in both IP and 10 mM Ca2+ preconditioned group (p<0.05; 1.84 0.21, 4.00 0.14, and 4.02 0.70 nmol/g tissue in the baseline, IP, and 10 mM Ca2+ preconditioned group, respectively). However, the activity of both PKC fractions were not significantly different between the baseline and the ischemic control. Conclusion: These results indicate that in isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit heart model, calcium preconditioning with high concentration of calcium does not improve post-ischemic functional recovery. However, it does have an effect of limiting(reducing) the infart size by ischemic preconditioning, and this cardioprotective effect, at least in part, may have resulted from the activation of PKC by calcium which acts as a messenger(or trigger) to activate membrane PKC.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2005

We evaluated the antiplatelet effects of two classes of ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers $(K_{ATP}\;openers)$ on washed human platelets, and the study's emphasis was on the role of mitochondrial $K_{ATP}$ in platelet aggregation. Collagen-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited in a dose dependent manner by lemakalim and SKP-450, which are potent cardio-nonselective $K_{ATP}$ openers, and also by cardioselective BMS-180448 and BMS-191095 $(IC_{50}\;:\;1,130,\;>\;1,500,\;305.3\;and\;63.9\;{\mu}M,\;respectively)$, but a significantly greater potency was noted for the cardioselective $K_{ATP}$ openers. The latter two $K_{ATP}$ openers also inhibited platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, another important blood-borne platelet activator, with similar rank order of potency $(IC_{50}\;:\;498.0\;and\;104.8{\mu}M\; for\;BMS-180448\;and\;BMS-191095,\;respectively)$. The inhibitory effects of BMS-191095 on collagen-induced platelet aggregation were significantly blocked by a 30-min pretreatment of platelets with glyburide $(1{\mu}M)$ or sodium 5-hydroxyde­canoate$(5-HD,\;100{\mu}M)$, a nonselective and selective mitochondrial $K_{ATP}$ antagonist, respectively, at similar magnitudes; this indicates the role of mitochondrial $K_{ATP}$ in the antiplatelet activity of BMS-191095. However, glyburide and 5-HD had no effect when they were added to the platelet cuvette immediately prior to the addition of BMS-191095. These findings indicate that cardioselective mitochondrial $K_{ATP}$ openers like BMS-191095 are able to exert cardioprotective effects in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury via dual mechanisms directed at the inhibition of platelet aggregation and the protection of cardiomyocytes, and both these mechanisms are mediated by mitochondrial$K_{ATP}$.