• Molecules and Cells
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.189-197
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• 2006

Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone involved in various physiological processes, including lactation, mammary development, and immune function. To further investigate the in vivo and comparative endocrine roles of PRL, mouse PRL cDNA fused to the cytomegalovirus promoter, was introduced into muscle by direct injection. Previously we studied the function of rat PRL using the same protocol. PRL mRNA was detected in the muscle following injection by RT-PCR and subsequent Southern blot analysis. PRL was also detected and Western blot analysis revealed a relatively high level of serum PRL. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected female mice, the estrous cycle was extended, especially in diestrus stage and the uterus thickening that was shown in normal estrous stage was not observed. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected male mice, new blood vessels were first found at 5 weeks of age and fully developed blood vessels were found after 8 weeks in the testis. The number of Leydig cells increased within the testis and the testosterone level in serum was observed high. Finally, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) increased in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. The augmentation of WBCs persisted for at least 20 days after injection. When injection was combined with adrenalectomy, there was an even greater increase in number of WBCs, especially lymphocytes. This increase was returned normal by treatment with dexamethansone. Taken together, our data reveal that intramuscularly expressed mouse PRL influences reproductive functions in female, induces formation of new blood vessels in the testis, and augments WBC numbers. Of notice is that the Leydig cell proliferation with increased testosterone was conspicuously observed in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. These results also suggest subtle difference in function of PRL between mouse and rat species.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.344-350
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• 2023

Background: 4-carvomenthenol[4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-3-cyclohexen-1-ol] is a main component of Origanum vulgare L., Zanthoxylum piperitum (L.) DC., and other plants. It has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-tumor effects. Furthermore, it is necessary to conduct a toxicity test on 4-carvomenthenol to ensure its safety. Methods: This study included 5-week-old Institute of Cancer Research mice that were categorized into 3 treatment groups (12, 25, and 50 mg/kg 4-carvomenthenol dose levels) and a control group (10% dimethyl sulfoxide, 40% polyethylene glycol 300, 5% Tween 80, and 45% normal saline injection of the final volume), with 5 male mice and 5 female mice per group. All groups were observed for clinical symptoms and body weight in a period of 14 days and were subjected to gross necropsy after euthanasia. Results: No deaths were recorded. No test substance-related clinical signs in the female mice of the 12 mg/kg dose group were observed. Abnormal gait was observed in 1 male from day 1 to day 3 in the 12 mg/kg dose group; 1-3 males from day 1 to day 7 and 1-5 females from day 1 to day 15 in the 25 mg/kg dose group; and 2-5 males and 2-5 females from day 1 to day 15 in the 50 mg/kg dose group. No test substance-related effect on the body weight and necropsy findings was observed. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that the lethal dose of 4-carvomenthenol could be greater than 50 mg/kg. However, further research is needed, especially repeated-dose toxicity studies, to confirm the efficacy and safety of 4-carvomenthenol.

• 고려인삼학회:학술대회논문집
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• 고려인삼학회 1987년도 Proceedings of Korea-Japan Panax Ginseng Symposium 1987 Seoul Korea
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• pp.59-66
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• 1987

Psychotropic actions of crude ginseng saponins(CGS), pure ginsenoslue Rbl(GS-bl) and gin- senoside Rgl(GS-gl) isolated from the root of Panax ginseng, were evaluated by determining their effects on agonistic behavior in male(Experiment 1) and female(Experiment 2) mice, using a biologically relevant method. The results of experiment 1 demonstrated that CGS and GS-bl significantly suppressed aggressive episodes (offensive sideways posture and attack bite) in a dose-dependent manner when the resident was drugged, whereas G5-gl was ineffective. However, when the intruder was treated with one of three ginseng saponins, agonistic behavior between resident and intruder males was not altered. In experiment 2, acute administration of CGS and G5-bl significantly suppressed maternal aggression, whereas GS-gl was ineffective. As compared with the vehicle-treated group, chronic treatment with CGS and GS-bl significantly suppressed maternal aggression, while GS-gl showed a tendency to increase the frequency of attack bite by females. These findings clearly indicate that the root of Panax ginseng contains psychoactive ingredient, which can suppress both intermale and maternal aggression in mice. We suggest that the present results have important implications for the clinical usefulness of ginseng saponins in psychiatric medicine.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.155-164
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• 2013

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the single oral dose toxicity of Jaeumganghwa-tang (Ziyinjianghuo-tang) and Jaeumganghwa-tang (Ziyinjianghuo-tang) fermented with Lactobacillus acidophyllus in male and female ICR mice. Methods : In this single oral toxicity study, non-fermented and fermented Jaeumganghwa-tang (Ziyinjianghuo-tang) were administered to male and female ICR mice as an oral dose of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg. After single administration, body weight changes, general behavior, adverse effects and mortality were determined for 14 days. Serum chemistry, organ weights and necropsy findings were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Results : There were no mortality or signs of toxicity for 14 days. There were also no significant differences in body weights, organ weights, or serum chemistry values between treatment and control groups. Conclusions : These results indicate that the 50% lethal dose of Jaeumganghwa-tang (Ziyinjianghuo-tang) fermented with Lactobacillus acipophullus may be over 2000 mg/kg. This finding can be expected to provide scientific evidence for the safety of Jaeumganghwa-tang (Ziyinjianghuo-tang) fermented with Lactobacillus acidophyllus.

• 약학회지
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.244-253
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• 2006

Effects of chrysene on immune functions were studied in female BALB/c mice. When mice were treated po with chrysene for 7 consecutive days, the antibody response was suppressed dose-dependently. Chrysene induced the enzyme activities of CYP LA and 2B time- and dose-dependently. In ex vivo lymphocyte proliferation, chrysene inhibited splenocyte proliferation by LPS and Con A. Moreover, the numbers of $CD4^+IL-2^+$ cells were reduced by chrysene. In conclusion, chrysene-induced immunotoxicity might be mediated, at least in part, via IL-2 production, and caused by mechanisms associated with metabolic activation.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.451-462
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• 2022

Dioscorea bulbifera tubers contain several phytochemicals of pharmaceutical value. They have been traditionally used for treating various ailments, including postmenopausal symptoms. In the present study, we analyzed the direct effects of Dioscorea tuber extract on mouse spermatozoa. Its contraceptive effect was also evaluated by an intravaginal application before copulation. Mouse spermatozoa were cultured in vitro with various concentrations of the extract. After culturing, the spermatozoa were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate peanut agglutinin or Coomassie blue to study the acrosome reaction, stained with trypan blue to study the viability, or treated with a hypo-osmotic medium to study the membrane damage. Estrous female mice were intravaginally injected with the extract and copulated with males. The extract induced acrosome exocytosis, viability loss, and membrane damage in a concentration-dependent manner. Female mice treated with the extract showed complete loss of fertility. These observations indicate that the Dioscorea bulbifera tuber extract could be used as a topical contraceptive. Infertility could be due to the precocious acrosome exocytosis of the spermatozoa or membrane damage.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.27-30
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• 1982

흰쥐에 마그네슘을 첨가 사육하여 전해질 분포에 미치는 영향을 조사하였든 바 다음과 같은 결과(結果)를 얻었다. 1. 성장은 대조군(對照群)에 비하여 실험군(實驗群)의 경우 마그네슘을 0.4 mg 첨가 사육시킨 C군(群)만이 더 좋았고 나머지 군(群)은 모두 낮았다. 2. 혈장(血漿)을 분석한 결과(結果) 나트륨은 실험군(實驗群)의 암수 모두 B군(群)에서 높았으며 칼륨은 실험군(實驗群)의 경우 암컷은 B군(群), 숫컷은 C군(群)에서, 칼슘의 경우 암컷은 B군(群), 수컷은 C군(群)에서 각각 높게 나타났다. 3. 근육내(筋肉內) 전해질(電解質) 량(量)은 나트륨의 경우 실험군(實驗群) B군(群)에서 암수 모두 높았으며, 칼륨의 경우 암컷은 B군(群)에서 수컷은 C군(群)에서 높았으며, 칼슘의 경우 암컷은 B군(群)에서 수컷은 D군(群)에서 높은 함량을 나타냈다. 4. 흰쥐의 성장(成長)과 전해질분포(電解質分布)에 마그네슘이 영향을 주고 있음을 알 수 있다.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.303-306
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• 2009

The defatted methanol extract of Raphanus sativus Linn. (Cruciferae) seed (MERS) was evaluated for its antisteroidogenic potential in mature female Swiss albino mice. The methanol extract at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight significantly elevated the levels of cholesterol and ascorbic acid contents which serve as a precursor for the synthesis of steroid hormones in ovaries. The extract also significantly inhibited glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and ${\Delta}^5-3{\beta}$-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, the two key enzymes involved in ovarian steroidogenesis. Hence the extract (MERS) exhibited significant antisteroidogenic activity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.151-155
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• 1985

CGVS 배지에서 무균 배양한 Naegleria fowleri 영양형을 5% formaldehyde로 고정시켜 $1{\times}10^6$개씩 일주일 간격으로 3회 또는 6회 BAKA/c 마우스 복강내에 주입시켜 면역시켰다. 면역이 끝나고 7일후 배양된 N. fowleri영양형 $5{\times}10^4$개를 secobarbital로 마취된 마우스 비강에 떨어뜨려 감염시켰다. 어미 마우스에만 또는 어미와 그 새끼 마우스에 모두 면역시켰을 때, N. fowleri 감염에 의한 사망율에 있어 대조군과 차이가 없었으나 그 생존기간은 연장됨을 알 수 있었다. 그러나 새끼마우스에만 면역시켰을 때 사망율이 현저히 감소하였고 생존기간도 훨씬 연장되었다. 새끼 마우스에만 면역시켰을 때 방어면역 효과가 현저하였으나, 어미 마우스에만 또는 면역시킨 어미로부터 태어난 새끼 마우스에 면역시켰을 때는 방어면역이 나타나지 않음을 알 수 있었다.

• 약학회지
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.391-398
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• 2000

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is a small peptide molecule synthesized by white adipocytes with an important role in the regulation of body fat and food intake. Based on the evidence that synthesis of leptin is regulated by female sex hormone, estrogen, this present study was investigated whether sex hormone precursor DHEA, can regulate obese gene expression in lean and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice. Antiobesity activity of DHEA was evaluated by determining body weight, food consumption, epididymal fat weight and serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in ICR, C57BL/6J, and ob/ob mice. The treatment of C57BL/6J lean and obese mice with a diet containing 0.3% and 0.6% DHEA resulted in lowered rates of weight gain in comparison to non-treated mice, although much greater response was found in the obese mice. All other concentrations of DHEA (0.015%, 0.06%, 0.15%, 0.3%) except the highest one(0.6%) showed no significant effects on weight gain in ICR mice. Food consumption was significantly decreased in all mice treated with 0.6% DHEA, whereas it was not decreased in ICR mice at lower concentrations than 0.6% DHEA. DHEA decreased significantly epididymal adipose tissue weight and serum triglyceride levels dose dependently in lean and obese mice. However serum cholesterol levels were decreased at lower concentrations than 0.15% DHEA and increased at concentrations of 0.3% and 0.6% DHEA in lean and obese mice. These increases in serum cholestrol levels at high concentrations of DHEA might result from the fact that DHEA has a cholesterol moiety thereby interfered the assay system. As an approach to elucidate the mechanism for antiobesity activity of DHEA, we examined mRNA levels of obese gene in the adipocyte and obese gene product (leptin) in the serum. The results showed that DHEA did not affect obese gene expression in ICR and C57BL/6J mice. Therefore, we concluded that antiobesity activity of DHEA was not modulated by obese gene expression.