• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.140-151
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• 2022

Background: Essential oils are of great interest for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. We aimed to study the content of the essential oil of the Origanum vulgare of the Armenian highlands (OVA) in different periods of vegetation and to investigate its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in mice (in vivo) and cytotoxic action in cultured cells (in vitro). OVA essential oil was extracted from fresh plant material by hydro-distillation. Methods: For OVA essential oil contents determination the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was used. Formalin and hot plate tests and analysis of cell viability using the methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay were used. Results: The maximal content of β-caryophyllene and β-caryophyllene oxide in OVA essential oil was revealed in the period of blossoming (8.18% and 13.36%, correspondently). In the formalin test, 4% OVA essential oil solution (3.5 mg/mouse) exerts significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects (P = 0.003). MTT assay shows approximately 60% cytotoxicity in HeLa and Vero cells for 2.0 µL/mL OVA essential oil in media. Conclusions: The wild oregano herb of Armenian highlands, harvested in the blossoming period, may be considered as a valuable source for developing pain-relieving preparations.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.383-398
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• 2023

Dihydroaustrasulfone alcohol (DA), the synthetic precursor of a natural compound (austrasulfone) isolated from the coral species Cladiella australis, has shown cytotoxic effects against cancer cells. However, it is unknown whether DA has antitumor effects on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we determined the antitumor effects of DA and investigated its mechanism of action on human NPC cells. The MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effect of DA. Subsequently, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) analyses were performed by using flow cytometry. Apoptotic and PI3K/AKT pathway-related protein expression was determined using Western blotting. We found that DA significantly reduced the viability of NPC-39 cells and determined that apoptosis was involved in DA-induced cell death. The activity of caspase-9, caspase-8, caspase-3, and PARP induced by DA suggested caspase-mediated apoptosis in DA-treated NPC-39 cells. Apoptosis-associated proteins (DR4, DR5, FAS) in extrinsic pathways were also elevated by DA. The enhanced expression of proapoptotic Bax and decreased expression of antiapoptotic BCL-2 suggested that DA mediated mitochondrial apoptosis. DA reduced the expression of pPI3K and p-AKT in NPC-39 cells. DA also reduced apoptosis after introducing an active AKT cDNA, indicating that DA could block the PI3K/AKT pathway from being activated. DA increased intracellular ROS, but N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, reduced DA-induced cytotoxicity. NAC also reversed the chances in pPI3K/AKT expression and reduced DA-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that ROS-mediates DA-induced apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signaling inactivation in human NPC cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.330-338
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• 2017

Background: Ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) is a ginseng saponin that is widely investigated because of its remarkable antitumor activity. However, the molecular mechanism by which (20S) G-Rh2 triggers its functions and how target animals avoid its cytotoxic action remains largely unknown. Methods: Phage display was used to screen the human targets of (20S) G-Rh2. Fluorescence spectroscopy and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy were used to confirm the interaction of candidate target proteins and (20S) G-Rh2. Molecular docking was utilized to calculate the estimated free energy of binding and to structurally visualize their interactions. MTT assay and immunoblotting were used to assess whether human serum albumin (HSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and bovine serum can reduce the cytotoxic activity of (20S) G-Rh2 in HepG2 cells. Results: In phage display, (20S) G-Rh2-beads and (20R) G-Rh2-beads were combined with numerous kinds of phages, and a total of 111 different human complementary DNAs (cDNA) were identified, including HSA which had the highest rate. The binding constant and number of binding site in the interaction between (20S)-Rh2 and HSA were $3.5{\times}10^5M^{-1}$ and 1, and those in the interaction between (20S) G-Rh2 and BSA were $1.4{\times}10^5M^{-1}$ and 1. The quenching mechanism is static quenching. HSA, BSA and bovine serum significantly reduced the proapoptotic effect of (20S) G-Rh2. Conclusion: HSA and BSA interact with (20S) G-Rh2. Serum inhibited the activity of (20S) G-Rh2 mainly due to the interaction between (20S) G-Rh2 and serum albumin (SA). This study proposes that HSA may enhance (20S) G-Rh2 water solubility, and thus might be used as nanoparticles in the (20S) G-Rh2 delivery process.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1-16
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of Kamibojoongikkitang (KBT) on the immune cells in C57BL/6 mice. Methods : KBT (500mg/kg) was administerd p.o. once a day for 7 days. Results : KBT decreased the cell viability of thymocytes in vivo and in vitro system and decreased the cell viability of splenocytes in vivo, but increased the viability of splenocytes in vitro system. In addition, KBT did not affect the population of helper T (Th) cells and cytotoxic T (Tc) cells in thymocytes and decreased the population of T- and B-lymphocytes and the population of Th and Tc cells in splenocytes. Furthermore, KBT did not affect the production of ${\gamma}%-interferon and interleukin-4 in splenocytes. KBT increased the production of nitric oxide in vivo but decreased the production of nitric oxide in vitro system. KBT enhanced the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages in vivo, but decreased the phagocytic activity in vitro. Conclusion : KBT has an inhibitory action on the specific immune response via decrease of the cell viability of thymocytes and splenocytes and has a potent action on the non-specific immunity via increase of phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.270-276
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• 2008

In this study we investigated the effects of Magnolia Bark (MB) extract and its constituents, such as honokiol and magnolol, on gastritis in rats and the growth of human gastric cancer cells. The MB extract, honokiol, and magnolol showed the acid-neutralizing capacities, the antioxidant activities, and the inhibitory effect on the growth of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori.) at the dose of $50\;{\mu}g/ml$ and over, which is equivalent to that of ampicillin ($100\;{\mu}g/ml$). Honokiol and magnolol had no significant cytotoxicity to human gastric caner cells (AGS and SNU638). However, the MB extract had cytotoxic activity against AGS gastric cancer cell. The MB extract, honokiol, and magnolol significantly inhibited HCI-ethanol-induced gastric lesions without clear change of mucus content. In pylorus ligated rats, honokiol significantly decreased the volume of gastric secretion and gastric acid output, and increased the pH. Magnolol increased the mucus content to almost the same as the control group at oral doses of 50 mg/kg. Therefore, we could guess that antigastritic action of honokiol and magnolol may be associated with the antioxidant activities, acid-neutralizing capacities, inhibition of secretion in gastric acid, and anti-H. pylori action. From these results, we could suggest that MB extract and its constituents, such as honokiol and magnolol, may be useful for the treatment and/or protection of gastritis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9355-9360
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• 2014

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains as one of the most difficult malignancies to control because of its high propensity for local invasion and cervical lymph node dissemination. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of our novel pH and temperature sensitive doxorubicin-methotrexate-loaded nanoparticles (DOX-MTX NP) in affecting HER2 expression profile in OSCC model in rat. Results: DOX-MTX- nanoparticle complexes caused significant decrease in mRNA level of HER2 compared to untreated cancers (p<0.05) and this finding was more pronounced with the IV mode (p<0.000). Surprisingly, HER2 mRNA was not affected in DOX treated as compared to the control group (p>0.05). On the other hand, in the DOX-MTX NP treated group, fewer tumors characterized with advanced stage and decreased HER2 paralleled improved clinical outcome (P<0.05). Moreover, the effectiveness of the oral route in the group treated with nanodrug accounted for the enhanced bioavailability of nanoparticulated DOX-MTX compared to free DOX. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in mRNA level of HER2 (p>0.05). Conclusions: Influence of HER2 gene expression is a new feature and mechanism of action observed only in dual action DOX-MTX-NPs treated groups. Down-regulation of HER2 mRNA as a promising marker and prognosticator of OSCC adds to the cytotoxic benefits of DOX in its new formulation. Both oral and IV application of this nanodrug could be used, with no preferences in term of their safety or toxicity. As HER2 is expressed abundantly by a wide spectrum of tumors, i DOX-MTX NPs may be useful for a wide-spectrum of lesions. However, molecular mechanisms underlying HER2 down regulation induced by DOX-MTX NPs remain to be addressed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2009

All organisms are being exposed to harmful factors present in the environmental. The combined action of various factors is a distinguishing feature of modern life. An interaction between two chemicals is considered as synergistic when the effect produced is greater than the sum of the two single responses. The biological effects due to the combined action of ionizing radiation with the other factor are hard to estimate and predict in advance. In the current study, we investigated the synergistic effects between ionizing and $HgCl_2$ using fish hepatoma cells (PLHC-1 cells). The results showed a dramatic decrease of cell viability after simultaneous treatment of PLHC-1 cells with ionizing radiation and $HgCl_2$. Neiither of the two had any cytotoxic effect when treated alone. The cytotoxicity of ionizing radiation was enhanced in the presence of $HgCl_2$. The synergistic effects were observed after exposure of the PLHC-1 cells to ionizing radiation combined with $HgCl_2$. The synergistic interaction was due to an increase of irreversibly damaged cells after the combined exposure. Analysis of the extent of synergistic interaction enables to make quantitative estimation of irreversibly damaged cells after the combined exposure. The present study suggests that PLHC-1 cells can serve as rapid screening tools for detecting the toxicity of harmful factors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.797-802
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• 2004

L-Ascorbic acid (AsA), commonly known as vitamin C, which is one of the antioxidant vitamins, plays a role in cellular oxidant quenching. Some of the biochemical reactions in which it takes part have been traced through organ culture technique. But in cell cultured system, views on stimulatory and inhibitory action of AsA on cell growth are conflicting. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the inhibitory action of high concentration AsA on the cell growth in Primary chondrocyte isolated from rat ribs. Cells were exposed to ascorbate at various concentrations. Supplement of AsA induced stimulation of cell growth in primary cultured cells of chondrocytes. Most remarkable stimulation of cell growth by AsA was found in primary cultured chondrocytes. However, it showed that they were dead in the medium which contained AsA at the concentration higher than 1.0 mM. This lethal effect of AsA causing the cell death was inhibited by the addition of catalase in the medium. This supposed that hydroxyl radical (ㆍOH) induced from $H_2O$$_2$ was actively cytotoxic agent. Based on the results, when AsA was added in medium at normal concentrations, the cell growth was stimulated by inducing the formation of extracellular matrix. On the contrary, if added in medium at excess concentrations, the cell growth was inhibited because $H_2O$$_2$ were generated from AsA in medium. Therefore, addition of AsA at the normal concentrations stimulates cell growth, but excess concentrations of AsA induces cell death.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.435-441
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• 2010

We report the preparation and characterization of a new and water soluble complex of palladium(II) with 1,10- phenanthroline and butyldithiocarbamate ligands. This compound has been studied through spectroscopic techniques, $^1H$ NMR, IR, electronic spectra and elemental analysis and conductivity measurements. The complex shows 50% cytotoxic concentration ($Ic_{50}$) value against chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line, K562, much lower than that of cisplatin. Thus the mode of binding of this complex to calf thymus DNA have been extensively investigated by isothermal titration UV-visible spectrophotometry, fluorescence, gel filteration and other methods. UV-visible studies show that the complex exhibits cooperative binding with DNA and remarkably denatures the DNA at extremely low concentration ($~13\;{\mu}M$). Fluorescence studies indicate that the complex intercalate into DNA. Gel filtration studies suggest that the binding of Pd(II) complex with DNA is strong enough that it does not readily break. In these interaction studies, several thermodynamic and binding parameters are also determined which may reflect the mechanism of action of this type of compound with DNA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3569-3573
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• 2013

Aim: Pendulous monkshood root is traditionally used for the treatment of several inflammatory pathologies such as rheumatisms, wounds, pain and tumors in China. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities and the mechanism of crude ethanol extract of pendulous monkshood root (EPMR) were evaluated and investigated in vitro. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxic effects of EPMR on different tumor cell lines were determined by the MTT method. Cell apoptosis and cell nucleus morphology were assessed by Hoechst 33258 staining. Moreover, nitric oxide (NO) levels and intracellular oxidative stress in peritoneal macrophages were determined to further elucidate mechanisms of action. Results: The data showed that EPMR could produce significant dose-dependent toxicity on three kinds of tumor cells. Furthermore, EPMR displayed obvious anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced mouse peritoneal macrophages at the dosage of 4 - 200 ${\mu}g/mL$. The results demonstrated the therapeutic potential of Pendulous Monkshood Root on cancer and inflammatory diseases. Conclusion: Our results indicate that EPMR has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, suggesting that pendulous monkshood root may be a useful anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory reagent in the clinic.