• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.21-34
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of the present study is to examine the effect and mechanism of Erycibae Caulis and Corydalis Tuber Pharmacopuncture (ECP) on a mouse model with collagen induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA). Methods : We evaluated the Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Creatinine, and the Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of serum to examine the safety of this study. In vivo, we compared the results of the non-treated group, the normal saline pharmacopuncture treated control group, the indomethacin treated group and the ECP group. We evaluated rheumatoid arthritis manifestation and the Rheumatoid Arthritis Index (AI). Also, immune cells in blood affected by ECP were evaluated by calculating the level of white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil, lympocytes and monocytes. Next, the level of Immunoglobulin M (IgM), Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-17, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and Granulocyte-macrophage Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF)in serum were measured. We examined the imaging of cartilage degeneration using micro CT-arthrography of the hind paw. Additionally, we examined the effects of reducing bone volume (BV) ratio and bone surface/bone volume (BS/BV) ratio with 3D Micro-CT. Finally, we did a histopathologic examination analysis. Results : The absence of liver and kidney toxicity was evident. In vivo, edema of the joints of the ECP group decreased greatly in macroscopic observation. AI measurement of the ECP group also decreased significantly compared to the control group. The level of WBC, neutrophil, lympocytes, and monocytes in the blood decreased but there was no statistical significance of this data. IgM of the ECP group decreased significantly compared to the control group. IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and GM-CSF production of the ECP group decreased significantly compared to the control group. As a result of examining joint condition with 3D micro CT, deformation and destruction of the joint was shown to have decreased. Bone density of ECP group increased at a statistically significant level compared to the control group. Degree of joint inflammation of ECP group decreased significantly compared to the control group. After H&E and M-T staining, infiltration of immune cells, subsidence of the cartilage, damage to the synovial cells and joint erosion decreased. Conclusion : This study showed that ECP hindered the process of rheumatoid arthritis and protected joints and cartilage.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.71-85
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• 2014

Objectives In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Samhwangsasim-tang (S.H) on the allergic response caused by ovalbumin(OVA) sensitization and challenge in BALB/c mice. Methods The experimental animals were divided into five groups; 1) normal as negative control, 2) OVA-sensitized mice, 3) OVA-sensitized mice treated with 200 mg/kg of S.H 200, 4) OVA-sensitized mice treated with 400 mg/kg of S.H 400, and 5) OVA-sensitized mice treated with 5 mg/kg of Dexamethasone (Dex). Antigen sensitization for allergic mouse model was performed with twice injection of OVA for 2 weeks. After secondary injection, S.H was administrated orally into mice every day for 13 days and the inhibitory effect of S.H on allergic responses was evaluated. Results Treatment of S.H into allergic mice reduced significantly ear edema and infiltration of immune cells in ear tissues induced with OVA challenge in a dose-dependent manner. S.H reduced significantly the serum levels of Total Immunoglobulin(Ig)G and IgE, and particularly inhibited the production of OVA-specific IgE, but not OVA-specific IgG. The serum level of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-${\alpha}$ and Th2-associated cytokine IL-4 also were significantly decreased by S.H adminstration in a dose denpendent manner. S.H attenuated OVA-induced secretion of IFN-${\gamma}$, but not IL-12 which is a cytokine inducing the development of Th1 cells. It also reduced significantly the secretion of IL-4, which is a cytokine inducing the development of Th2 cells, after splenocytes were stimulated with OVA. However the secretion of IL-5 and IL-13 was influenced weakly or a little. Conclusions These results indicate that S.H could reduce the allergic response through inhibition of antigen-specific IgE and Th2-inducing cytokines. It suggest that S.H may be available clinically for the treatment of allergic patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.167-179
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• 2000

Objective : We studied to clarify the effective time zone of mild hypothermic neural protection during ischemia and/or reperfusion after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Methods : In a reversible cerebral infarct model which maintained reperfusion of blood flow after middle cerebral artery occlusion for two hours, the size of cerebral infarction, cerebral edema and the extent of neurological deficit were observed and analyzed for comparison between the control and the experimental groups under hypothermia($33.5^{\circ}C$). The temporalis muscle temperature was reduced to $33.5^{\circ}C$ by surface cooling for two hours during middle cerebral artery occlusion for study group I. The following groups applied hypothermia for two-hour periods after reperfusion : group II(0-2 hours), group III(2-4 hours), and group IV(4-6 hours). They were rewarmed to $36.5^{\circ}C$ until sacrified at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after reperfusion. Control group was maintained at normothermia without hypothermia. Results : In the experimental groups with hypothermia, the average value of the size of cerebral infarction($mean{\pm}SD$) was $1.97{\pm}1.65%$, which was a remarkable reduction over that of the control, $4.93{\pm}3.79%$. In the control, a progressive increase was shown in the size of infarction from point of reperfusion to 6 hours after reperfusion without further changes in size afterward. Intra-ischemic hypothermia(group I) prevented ischemic injury but did not prevent reperfusion injury. Group II examplified the most neural protective effect in comparison to the control group and group IV(p<0.05). The cortex was more vulnerable to reperfusion injury than the subcortex. Mild hypothermia showed more neural protective effects on the cortex than subcortex. Conclusion : The most appropriate time zone for application of mild hypothermia was defined to be within four hours following reperfusion.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.450-455
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• 2017

Codonopsis lanceolata (Campanulaceae) has been widely used in traditional medicine and is considered to have medicinal properties to treat diseases and symptoms such as bronchitis, coughs, spasm, edema, hepatitis, colitis, and lung injury. In order to investigate whether native Codonopsis lanceolata extract alleviates ashmatic symptoms in vivo, we first carried out various antioxidant activities by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays. The antioxidant activities were increased by adding Codonopsis lanceolata extract in a concentration-dependent manner which compared to ascorbic acid as a positive control. Histological studies using an ovalbumin-induced animal model exhibited potent anti-inflammatory potential by decreasing immuno-responsive cells in the lung by the extract by confirming H&E and PAS staining. It is revelaed that further immunihistochemical analysis showed anti-ashmatic capabilities by assessing histamine, IL-31, and MMP-9 expressions. The level of IL-13 expression in Codonopsis lanceolata extract-treated group was decreased upto 73.7% compared to control, whereas that of total cells and eosinophil counting in Codonopsis lanceolata extract-treated group was diminished to 73.5% and 80.9%, respectively. These results collectively indicate that the C. lanceolata extract ameliorates asthmatic symptoms effectively in an ovalbumin-challenged mice model, in that the extract can be used for the development of an anti-asthmatic food ingredient.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2017

Previous studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation significantly improves the recovery of neurological function in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Potential repair mechanisms involve anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and angiogenesis. However, few studies have focused on the effects of MSCs on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). In this study, MSCs were transplanted intracerebrally into rats 6 hours after HICH. The modified neurological severity score and the modified limb placing test were used to measure behavioral outcomes. Blood-brain barrier disruption and neuronal loss were measured by zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and neuronal nucleus (NeuN) expression, respectively. Concomitant edema formation was evaluated by H&E staining and brain water content. The effect of MSCs treatment on neuroinflammation was analyzed by immunohistochemical analysis or polymerase chain reaction of CD68, Iba1, iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation, and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$). The MSCs-treated HICH group showed better performance on behavioral scores and lower brain water content compared to controls. Moreover, the MSC injection increased NeuN and ZO-1 expression measured by immunochemistry/immunofluorescence. Furthermore, MSCs reduced not only levels of CD68, Iba1 and pro-inflammatory factors, but it also inhibited iNOS expression and peroxynitrite formation in perihematomal regions. The results suggest that intracerebral administration of MSCs accelerates neurological function recovery in HICH rats. This may result from the ability of MSCs to suppress inflammation, at least in part, by inhibiting iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.384-395
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a novel formulation of an herbal extracts has an inhibitory effect on obesity. To determine its anti-obesity effects, we performed anti-obesity-related experiments in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of herbal extracts using a high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model and 3T3-L1 adipose cells. The effects of each herbal extracts on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells were examined using Oil Red O staining. Results showed that treatment with each herbal extracts at $10{\sim}100{\mu}g/ml$ had no effect on cell morphology and viability. Without evidence of toxicity, herbal extracts treatment decreased lipid accumulation compared with the untreated adipocytes controls as shown by the lower absorbance of Oil Red O stain. Futhermore, compared with control-differentiated mature adipocytes, each herbal extracts significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In the HFD-fed obese mice, body weight, liver weight and white adipose tissue weights were significantly reduced by mixture of herbal extracts administration in mouse skin. Futhermore, we found that mixture of herbal extracts administration suppressed serum triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TCHO) in HFD-induced obese mouse model. The mixture of herbal extracts of permeability was estimated by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value in pig skin. The optimized formulations of herbal extracts (Test 3 formulation) showed skin permeation. However, test 1 formulation containing essential oil as enhancer showed maximum skin permeation. After confirming the enhanced skin permeability, in vivo studies were performed to assess whether skin irritation potential on the basis of a primary irritation index (PII) in rabbit skin. Reactions were scored for erythema/edema reactions at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h post-application. It was concluded that the test 1 formulation was not irritation (PII = 0). The present study suggests that the test 1 formulation might be of therapeutic interest with respect to the treatment of obesity.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.925-935
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• 1996

Background : In order to elucidate one of the pathogenic mechanisms of ARDS associated with pulmonary surfactant and oxidant injury, acute lung injury was induced by N-nitroso N-methylurethane (NNNMU). In this model, the role of phospholipase $A_2$ ($PLA_2$), surfactant, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and morphology were investigated to delineate one of the pathogenic mechanisms of ARDS by inhibition of $PLA_2$ with high dose of dexamethasone. Method: Acute lung injury was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by NNNMU which is known to induce acute lung injury in experimental animals. To know the function of the alveolar type II cells, GGT activity in the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage was measured. Surfactant phospholipid was measured also. $PLA_2$ activity was measured to know the role of $PLA_2$ in ARDS. Morphological study was performed to know the effect of $PLA_2$ inhibition on the ultrastructure of the lung by high dose of dexamethasone. Results : Six days after NNNMU treatment (4 mg/kg), conspicuous pulmonary edema was induced and the secretion of pulmonary surfactant was decreased significantly. In the acutely injured rats' lung massive infiltration of leukocytes was observed. At the same time rats given NNNMU had increased $PLA_2$ and GGT activity tremendously. Morphological study revealed bizarre shaped alveolar type II cells and hypertrophied lamellar bodies in the cytoplasm of the alveolar type II cells. But after dexamethasone treatment (20 mg/kg, for six days) in NNNMU-treated rats, these changes were diminished i.e. there were decrease of pulmonary edema and increase of surfactant secretion from alveolar type D cells. Rats given dexamethasone and NNNMU had decreased $PLA_2$ and GGT activity in comparison to NNNMU induced ARDS rats. Conclusion : Inhibition of $PLA_2$ by high dose of dexamethasone decreased pathological findings caused by infiltration of leukocytes and respiratory burst. Based on these experimental results, it is suggested that an activation of $PLA_2$ is the one of the major factors to evoke the acute lung injury in NNNMU-induced ARDS rats.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.321-337
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• 1980

The increasing use of cardioplegic solution for the reduction of ischemic tissue injury requires that all cardiplegic solution be carefully assessed for any protective or damaging properties. This study describes functional, enzymatic and structural assessment of the efficiency of three cardioplegic solutions (Young & GIK, Bretschneider, and $K^{+}$ Albumin solution) in a Modified Isolated Rat Heart Model of cardiopulmonary bypass and ischemic arrest. Isolated rat heart were subjected to a 2-minute period of coronary infusion with a cold cardioplegic or a noncardioplegic solution immediately before and also at the midpoint of a 60-minute period of hypothermic ($10{\pm}1$. C) ischemic cardiac arrest. The results of this study were as follow: 1. Spontaneous heart beat after ischemic arrest occured 16 seconds later after Langendorff reperfusion in the Young & GIK group (n=6), and 40 second later in the Bretschneider group (n=6) and 6 minute later in the $K^{+}$ Albumin group (n=6), and 16 minute later in the control group (non-cardioplegia). A good recovery state of spontaneous heart beat was shown in the Young & GIK and Bretschneider groups. 2. The percentage of recorveries of heart function at 30 minute after postischemic working heart perfusion were : heart rate $91.6{\pm}3.1$% (P<0.01)m oeaj airtuc oressyre $83{\pm}3$% (P<0.01), coronary flow $70{\pm}8$% (P<0.05) and aortic flow flow rate $39{\pm}9.3$% (P<0.05) in the Young & GIK group. This percentage of recoveries of the Young & GIK group was significantly greater than the control group. In the Bretschneider group, the percentage of recoveries were : heart rate $87.8{\pm}7.5$%(P<0.05), peak aortic pressure $71{\pm}2.3$% (P<0.05) and aortic flow rate $33.2{\pm}6.6$%(P<0.05). hte percentage of recoveries were significantly greater than in the control group. In the $K^{+}$ Albumin group, recoveries of heart function were poor. 3. Total CPK leakage was $131.2{\pm}12.75$IU/30 min/gm. dry weight in the control group, $50.65{\pm}12.75$IU in the Young & GIK gruop, $69.40{\pm}32.21$Iu in Bretschneider group, and $103.65{\pm}15.47$IU in the $K^{+}$ Albumin group during the 30 minute postischemic Langendorff reperfusion. Total CPK leakage was significantly less (P<0.001) in the Young & GIK group, than in the control group. 4. Direct correlatin between percentage recovery of aortic flow rate and total amount of CPK leakage from Myocardium was noticed.(Correlation Coefficient r = 0.76, P<0.001). 5. Mild perivascular edema was the only finding of light microscopic study of myocardium after 60 minute ischemic arrest with cold cardioplegic solutions and hypothermla.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.420-426
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• 2011

Rice bran is by-product from the dehulling process of rice, an important staple food in Korea. Various studies have been reported immune-enhancing effects of rice bran cultured with Lentinus edodes. In particular black rice bran that contains anthocyanin has the beneficial effects on immune system. SuperC3GHi, a recently released black colored rice cultivar, has higher contents of cyanidine-3-glucoside (C3G), a strong antioxidant than those of currently cultivated black rice cultivars. In this study, we investigate the beneficial effects of fermented SuperC3GHi rice bran (C3G-F) with Lentinus edodes. Using in vivo and in vitro model for inflammation and allgergy, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of C3G-F were determined. C3G-F induced tumor suppressive effect on Sarcoma-180 cell and B16 melanoma cell injected to mice. These results suggest that the capacity of C3G-F seems to act as a potent immunomodulator and with the absence of notable side-effects, C3G-F could be used as a novel functional food ingredient having possible therapeutic effects against immunological disorders.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.479-487
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• 2016

Recently, various marine algae have been considered as a natural resource for anti-inflammation. In this research, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of Ulva pertusa Kjellman ethanol extract (UPKEE). This study showed that UPKEE inhibited the secretion of cytokines including IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$, and reduced the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as well as iNOS and COX-2. In the formation of mouse ear edema test, three doses (10, 50, 250 mg/kg body weight) of UPKEE showed inhibitory activity after inducing inflammation using croton oil. In conclusion, we found that UPKEE showed an inhibitory effect on $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPKs, and reduced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. This result suggests that UPKEE can be used as a natural anti-inflammatory resource in food industry.