• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.485-490
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• 1999

The mechanism of action of fish oil (FO), currently used in different chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is not completely understood, although it is thought that it could alter the metabolism of endogenous autacoids. In addition, we hypothesized that the known capability of fatty acids (FA) of stabilizing serum albumin and perhaps other proteins, may be of pharmacological relevance considering that it is shared by other anti-rheumatic agents (e.g. nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs). Thus, we studied the effect of oral administration of FO and corn oil (CO), a vegetable oil with a different composition, on the stability of rat serum proteins, evaluated buy a classical in vitro method based on heat-induced protein denaturation. FO, and, to a lower extent, CO inhibited heat-induced denaturation of rat serum (RS): based on the inhibitory activity (EC50) of the major fatty acids against heat-induced denaturation of RS in vitro, it was possible to speculate the in vivo effects of palmitic acid (C16:0) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5, n-3) may be more relevant than that of linolenic acid (C18:2). To better investigate this phenomenon, we extracted albumin from the serum of animals treated or not with FO with a one-step affinity chromatography technique, obtaining high purity rat serum albumin preparations (RSA-CTRL and RSA-FO), as judged by SDS-PAGE with Coomassie blue staining. When these RSA preparations were heated at $70^{\circ}C$ for 30 min, it was noted that RSA-FO was much more stable than RSA-CTRL, presumably due to higher number of long chain fatty acids (FA) such as palmitic acid or EPA. In conclusion, we provided evidences that oral administration of FO in the rat stabilizes serum albumin, due to an increase in the number of protein bound long chain fatty acids (e.g. palitic acid and EPA). We speculate that the stabilization of serum albumin and perhaps other proteins could prevent changes of antigenicity due to protein denaturation and glycosylation, which may trigger pathological autoimmune responses, suggesting that this action may be involved in the mode of action of FO in RA and other chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.385-390
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• 1996

General pharmacological properties of urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) following intravenous administration of 1,000,000 units/kg were examined in terms of effects on central nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system in mice, rats and rabbits. Administration of UTI (1,000,000 units/kg, iv) had no effect on central nervous system; no influences on pentobarbital sleeping time, spontaneous activity, normal body temperature, chemoshock produced by pentylenetetrazole solution, writhing syndromes induced by 0.6% acetic acid solution, and motor coordination of mice. The administration of UTI (1,000,000) units/kg, iv) in rats had no effect on systolic blood pressure and pulse rate. UTI (500,000 units/kg, iv) given to anesthetized rabbits showed no effect on respiratory rate. However, it showed significant elevation of respiratory rate at the concentration of 1,000,000 units/kg. Gastric secretion of rat and intestinal motility of mice were not influenced by the dose of 1,000,000 units/kg. In terms of autonomic nervous system, the material did not show direct effect and inhibitory or augmentative action of histamine- or acetylcholine-induced contraction at the concentration of 2,000 units/ml in the isolated ileum of guinea pig.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.412-418
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• 1997

General pharmacological properties of AG 60 (mixture of acriflavine and guanosine (1:1, w/w)), which has anticancer effect, following intramuscular administration were examined in terms of effects on central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system and autonomic nervous system in mice, rats, guinea-pigs and rabbits. AG 60 at the dose of 15 mgtg had no influences on pentobarbital sleeping time, spontaneous motor activity, chemoshock produced by pentylenetetrazole solution, writhing syndromes induced by 0.8% acetic acid solution, and motor coordination of mice. However, AG 60 at the dose of 7.5 and 15 mg/kg caused significant decrease of normal body temperature 1 and/or 2 h after the administration. No influence on body temperature was observed at 3.75 mg/kg in mice. Gastric secretion of rat and intestinal motility of mice were not influenced by the dose of 15 mg/kg. In terms of autonomic nervous system, AG 60 did not show direct effect and inhibitory or augmentative action of histamine- or acetylcholine-induced contractions at the concentration of 5 mg/L in the isolated ileum of guinea-pig. The administration of 15 mg/kg of AG 60 did not affect mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate in rat. AG 60 (15 mg/kg) given to anesthetized rabbits showed no effect on respiratory rate.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2012

Objectives : Yukmijihwang-tang(Wan), a well-known formula for invigorating yin-particular kidney yin, was first recorded in "Xiao er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue", consisting of Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, Fructus Macrocarpii, Rhizoma Dioscoreae Oppositae, Poria, Rhizoma Alismatis and Cortex Moutan Radicis with dose proportion of 8:4:4:3:3:3. Although clinical trials have been lacking, various pharmacological actions for Yukmijihwang-tang has been identified newly using animal models. In addition, it was reported that Yukmijihwang-tang increases structural chromosome aberrations significantly in Chinese hamster lung cells. In this article, it is purposed that new studies for pharmacology and toxicology of Yukmijihwang-tang are reviewed. Insight into new studies of Yukmijihwang-tang at the cellular and animal levels will enhance our understanding of Yukmijihwang-tang against various diseases will provide new tools to diagnose and treat patients. Methods : Recent researches for Yukmijihwang-tang were reviewed and summarized in terms of pharmacological action and toxicity. All sources for review were based on recent studies loaded on data base of web sites such as Science Direct and National Center for Biotechnology Information. Results and Conclusions : Recently, reports showed that YMJ had antiaging effects, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities, anti-renal hypertension and prevented tumors, and diabetes mellitus. However, there is little information on its safety except general toxicity, acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity, or genotoxicity. In addition, clinical trial for Yukmijihwang-tang was limited even though Yukmijihwang-tang has been used extensively in Korean traditional medicine. Thus, further studies are necessary to focus on safety evaluation and clinical trial for Yukmijihwang-tang.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1978.09a
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• pp.85-92
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• 1978

The aim of the double blind test was to assess the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of the preparation GINSANA, containing the standardized ginseng extract PHARMATON G115,. The determination was carried out with special emphasis on the following features : general physical condition, physical performance, mental performance, enjoyment of life/mood, concentration and memory, as well as sleeping habits. Sixty test persons took part in the study, men and women between the ages of 22 and 80. The 90-day test was carried out in the form of a double blind experiment. Experimental measurements were made and the persons were also questioned. The reaction time, the optical merging threshold, the coordination of both hands and the recovery quotients, as well as the recovery rates were analyzed. The results for the serum group were clearly better than those for the placebo group, particularly for the characteristics: general physical condition, physical performance and sleeping habits. The results of the test methods used, especially with regard to the reaction time, the coordination of both hands, the recovery quotient and the recovery period, permit the following conclusion to be drawn: when administered for several weeks, GINSANA has a positive action, in the sense of an activation of the entire personality by the ginseng glycosides contained in the standardized Extracts G115.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.336-346
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• 2013

Intrathecal drug delivery is an effective and safe option for the treatment of chronic pathology refractory to conventional pain therapies. Typical intrathecal administered drugs are opioids, baclofen, local anesthetics and adjuvant medications. Although knowledge about mechanisms of action of intrathecal drugs are every day more clear many doubt remain respect the correct location of intrathecal catheter in order to achieve the best therapeutic result. We analyze the factors that can affect drug distribution within the cerebrospinal fluid. Three categories of variables were identified: drug features, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics and patients features. First category includes physicochemical properties and pharmacological features of intrathecal administered drugs with special attention to drug lipophilicity. In the second category, the variables in CSF flow, are considered that can modify the drug distribution within the CSF with special attention to the new theories of liquoral circulation. Last category try to explain inter-individual difference in baclofen response with difference that are specific for each patients such as the anatomical area to treat, patient posture or reaction to inflammatory stimulus. We conclude that a comprehensive evaluation of the patients, including imaging techniques to study the anatomy and physiology of intrathecal environment and CSF dynamics, could become essential in the future to the purpose of optimize the clinical outcome of intrathecal therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 1972

Korean aconitum (Aconitum koreanum R. Raymond) as one of the botanical crude drugs which pertain to helleboraceae has been extensively applied in Chinese medicine during the past decades. It has been particularly used in immortal tonic among the folk remedies in China, however, its general uses comprehend diuresis, cardiotonic, analgesia, neuralgia, gout and, furthermore, even neoplastic effect. The components of aconitum have been acknowledged as aconitine, mesaconitine, hypaconitine, aconine and so on. The main ingredient, aconitine has the advantage of causing the atrial fibrillation, but, its pharmacological research has not been fully elucidated. Although there are many reports with regard to the pharmacological effects on the motility of several animal hearts, their conclusions have not been regretfully coincided yet. The authors hereby paid attention to this point of view and made experiment to examine the relationship between the alcohol extract of Korean aconitum and the motility of the isolated clam heart, making the use of several drugs related to the heart such as serotonin, acetylcholine, pilocarpine, physostigmine, barium chloride, procaine and quinidine. The cardiac movement of the isolated clam (Meretrix lusoria) heart in the standard sea water solution was recorded with the electric kymograph according to the Magnus method. The results of the experiment are as follows. 1. The motility of the isolated clam heart represents the tendency of gradual inhibition in proportion to the concentration of AK-A $10^{-4}$, $5{\times}10^{-4}$, and $10^{-3}$. 2. The cardiac inhibitory effect of AK-A $10^{-3}$ antagonizes the motility of the isolated clam heart pretreated with serotonin $10^{-6}$. 3. The cardiac inhibitory effect of AK-A $10^{-3}$ antagonizes the systolic state appealed by barium chloride $10^{-3}$. 4. The systolic state caused by quinidine $10^{-4}$ is not inhibited by AK-A $10^{-3}$.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.8-29
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• 2013

Ginseng is one of the most widely used herbal medicines in human. Central nervous system (CNS) diseases are most widely investigated diseases among all others in respect to the ginseng's therapeutic effects. These include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia, depression, and many other neurological disorders including neurodevelopmental disorders. Not only the various types of diseases but also the diverse array of target pathways or molecules ginseng exerts its effect on. These range, for example, from neuroprotection to the regulation of synaptic plasticity and from regulation of neuroinflammatory processes to the regulation of neurotransmitter release, too many to mention. In general, ginseng and even a single compound of ginsenoside produce its effects on multiple sites of action, which make it an ideal candidate to develop multi-target drugs. This is most important in CNS diseases where multiple of etiological and pathological targets working together to regulate the final pathophysiology of diseases. In this review, we tried to provide comprehensive information on the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of ginseng and ginsenosides on neurodegenerative and other neurological diseases. Side by side comparison of the therapeutic effects in various neurological disorders may widen our understanding of the therapeutic potential of ginseng in CNS diseases and the possibility to develop not only symptomatic drugs but also disease modifying reagents based on ginseng.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.19-29
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• 1996

The neurological manifestations of AIDS include dementia, encountered even in the absence of opportunistic superinfection or malignancy. The AIDS Dementia Complex appears to be associated with several neuropathological abnormalities, including astrogliosis and neuronal injury or loss. How can HIV-1 result in neuronal damage if neurons themselves are only rarely, if ever, infected by the vitus\ulcorner In vitro experiments from several different laboratiories have lent support to the existence of HIV- and immune-related toxins. In one recently defined pathway to neuronal injury, HIV-infected macrophages/microglia as well as macrophages activated by HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 appear to secrete excitants/neurotoxins. These substances may include arachidonic acid, platelet-activating factor, free radicals (NO - and O$_2$), glutamate, quinolinate, cysteine, cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL1-B, IL-6), and as yet unidentified factors emanating from stimulated macrophages and possibly reactive astrocytes. A final common pathway for newonal suscepubility appears to be operative, similar to that observed in stroke, trauma, epilepsy, and several neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This mechanism involves excessive activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-operated channels, with resultant excessive influx of Ca$\^$2+/ leading to neuronal damage, and thus offers hope for future pharmacological intervention. This chapter reviews two clinically-tolerated NMDA antagonists, memantine and nitroglycerin; (ⅰ) Memantine is an open-channel blocker of the NMDA-associated ion channel and a close congener of the anti-viral and anti-parkinsonian drug amantadine. Memantine blocks the effects of escalating levels of excitotoxins to a greater degree than lower (piysiological) levels of these excitatory amino acids, thus sparing to some extent normal neuronal function. (ⅱ) Niuoglycerin acts at a redox modulatory site of the NMDA receptor/complex to downregulate its activity. The neuroprotective action of nitroglycerin at this site is mediated by n chemical species related to nitric oxide, but in a higher oxidation state, resulting in transfer of an NO group to a critical cysteine on the NMDA receptor. Because of the clinical safety of these drugs, they have the potential for trials in humans. As the structural basis for redox modulation is further elucidated, it may become possible to design even better redox reactive reagents of chinical value. To this end, redox modulatory sites of NMDA receptors have begun to be characterized at a molecular level using site-directed mutagenesis of recombinant subunits (NMDAR1, NMDAR2A-D). Two types of redox modulation can be distinguished. The first type gives rise to a persistent change in the functional activity of the receptor, and we have identified two cysteine residues on the NMDARI subunit (#744 and #798) that are responsible for this action. A second site, presumably also a cysteine(s) because <1 mM N-ethylmaleimide can block its effect in native neurons, underlies the other, more transient redox action. It appears to be at this, as yet unidentified, site on the NMDA receptor that the NO group acts, at least in recombinant receptors.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.51-59
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• 2023

Objectives: Despite the pharmacological potential of the roots and stems of hemp based on literatures, active research has not been conducted for a long time. Comparative experiments were conducted on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and improvement of glucose uptake using Cannabis root and stem extracts. Methods: Antioxidant contents in Cannabis root and stem extracts were examined with total phenolic, tannin, flavonoid assay. Anti-inflammatory properties were tested in lipopolysaccharides-treated RAW264.7 cells. Efficacy of Cannabis root and stem extracts on glucose uptake was investigated using fluorescent glucose analog (2-NBDG) in palmitate-treated HepG2 cells. The mechanism of action on metabolism was examined by western blot. Results: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy were greater in stem extracts, but improvements in glucose uptake performed under various conditions were found to be greater in root extracts. It is assumed that Cannabis root extracts exhibited an improvement in glucose uptake through mechanisms such as AMP-activated protein kinase activation, not depending on general antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusions: Further research is needed on the mechanisms and substances that exhibit the anti-diabetic effects of Cannabis roots and stems.