• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.173-179
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• 1997

A water-soluble DDB derivative (Bis{2-(methylamino)ethyl}-4,4-dimethoxy-5,5',6,6'-dimethylenedioxy-biphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate, DDB-S) was synthesized and its therapeutic effects on the liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats were evaluated. Oral administration of DDB-S reduced the aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) activities and increased total protein and albumin contents in the serum of the carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rat. Therapeutic effects of DDB-S by intravenous injection was also investigated using carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats. Histological studies showed that IV injection of DDB-S had improved the typical necrosis around centrilobular area in liver tissue due to the carbon tetrachloride intoxication and also prevented the elevation of liver weigh/body weight ratio. IV administration of DDB-S to $CCl_4-treated$ rats significantly decreased AST & ALT activities and also prevented the decrease of aniline hydroxylation activity of the liver. These results indicate that i.v. administration of DDB-S is very effective in recovering the liver function in $CCl_4-treated$ rats.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.274-282
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• 2012

The object of this study was to assess the efficacy of Polycan from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001, which is composed mostly of beta-1,3-1,6-glucan, on osteoarthritis (OA)-induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection and partial medial meniscectomy (ACLT&PMM). Three different dosages of Polycan (85, 42.5, and 21.25 mg/kg) were orally administered once a day for 84 days to male rats a week after ACLT&PMM surgery. Changes in the circumference and maximum extension angle of each knee, and in cartilage histopathology were assessed using Mankin scores 12 weeks after Polycan administration. In addition, cartilage proliferation was evaluated using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). As the result of ACLT&PMM, classic OA was induced with increases in maximum extension angles, edematous knees changes, and capsule thickness, as well as decreases in chondrocyte proliferation, cartilages degenerative changes, and loss of articular cartilage. However, these changes (except for capsule thickness) were markedly inhibited in all Polycan- and diclofenac sodium-treated groups compared with OA control. Although diclofenac sodium did not influence BrdU uptake, BrdU-immunoreactive cells were increased with all dosages of Polycan, which means that Polycan treatment induced proliferation of chondrocytes in the surface articular cartilage of the tibia and femur. The results obtained in this study suggest that 84 days of continuous oral treatment of three different dosages of Polycan led to lesser degrees of articular stiffness and histological cartilage damage compared with OA controls 91 days after OA inducement, suggesting that the optimal Polycan dosage to treat OA is 42.5 mg/kg based on the present study.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2018

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin C on inflammation, tumor development, and dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota in an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced inflammation-associated early colon cancer mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male BALB/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with AOM [10 mg/kg body weight (b.w)] and given two 7-d cycles of 2% DSS drinking water with a 14 d inter-cycle interval. Vitamin C (60 mg/kg b.w. and 120 mg/kg b.w.) was supplemented by gavage for 5 weeks starting 2 d after the AOM injection. RESULTS: The vitamin C treatment suppressed inflammatory morbidity, as reflected by disease activity index (DAI) in recovery phase and inhibited shortening of the colon, and reduced histological damage. In addition, vitamin C supplementation suppressed mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, including cyclooxygenase-2, microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-2, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, Interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6, and reduced expression of the proliferation marker, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, compared to observations of AOM/DSS animals. Although the microbial composition did not differ significantly between the groups, administration of vitamin C improved the level of inflammation-related Lactococcus and JQ084893 to control levels. CONCLUSION: Vitamin C treatment provided moderate suppression of inflammation, proliferation, and certain inflammation-related dysbiosis in a murine model of colitis associated-early colon cancer. These findings support that vitamin C supplementation can benefit colonic health. Long-term clinical studies with various doses of vitamin C are warranted.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.153-158
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• 2007

Background: Naturally occurring antioxidants were used to regulate the skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation because several antioxidants have demonstrated that they can inhibit wrinkle formation through prevention of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and/or increase of collagen synthesis. We examined the effect of oral administration of the antioxidant mixture ("L-Skin Care") on UVB-induced wrinkle formation. In addition, we investigated the possible molecular mechanisms of photoprotection against UVB through inhibition of collagen-degrading MMP activity or through enhancing of pro collagen synthesis in mouse dorsal skin. Methods: Female SKH-l hairless mice were orally administrated "L-Skin Care" (test group) or vehicle (control group) for 10 weeks with UVB irradiation by three times a week. The intensity of irradiation was gradually increased from 30 to $180mJ/cm^2$. Microtopographic and histological assessments of the dorsal skins were carried out at the end of 10 weeks to evaluate wrinkle formation. Western blot analysis and EMSA were also carried out to investigate the changes in the balance of collagen synthesis and collagen degradation. Results: Our "L-Skin Care" significantly reduced UVB-induced wrinkle formation, accompanied by significant reduction of epidermal thickness, and UVB-induced hyperplasia, acanthosis and hyperkeratosis. Oral administration of "L-Skin Care" significantly prevented UVB-induced expressions of MMPs, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and activation of activator protein (AP)-1 transcriptional factor in addition to enhanced type I procollagen and transforming growth factor-$\beta$ (TGF-$\beta$) expression. Conclusion: Oral administration of "L-Skin Care" significantly inhibited wrinkle formation caused by chronic UVB irradiation through significant inhibition of UVB-induced MMP activity accompanied with enhancement of collagen synthesis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cadmium is a toxic metal that is an occupational and environmental concern especially because of its human carcinogenicity; it induces serious adverse effects in various organs and tissues. Even low levels of exposure to cadmium could be harmful owing to its extremely long half-life in the body. Cadmium intoxication may be prevented by the consumption of dietary components that potentially reduce its accumulation in the body. Dietary chitosan is a polysaccharide derived from animal sources; it has been known for its ability to bind to divalent cations including cadmium, in addition to other beneficial effects including hypocholesterolemic and anticancer effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of dietary chitosan in reducing cadmium accumulation using an in vivo system. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cadmium was administered orally at 2 mg (three times per week) to three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats: control, low-dose, and high-dose (0, 3, and 5%, respectively) chitosan diet groups for eight weeks. Cadmium accumulation, as well as tissue functional and histological changes, was determined. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, rats fed the chitosan diet showed significantly lower levels of cadmium in blood and tissues including the kidneys, liver, and femur. Biochemical analysis of liver function including the determination of aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels showed that dietary chitosan reduced hepatic tissue damage caused by cadmium intoxication and prevented the associated bone disorder. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dietary chitosan has the potential to reduce cadmium accumulation in the body as well as protect liver function and bone health against cadmium intoxication.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.66-78
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• 2019

Purpose: Thallium (TI+) autometallography is often used for the imaging of neuronal metabolic activity in the rodent brain under various pathophysiologic conditions. The purpose of this study was to apply a thallium autometallographic technique to observe changes in neuronal activity in the forebrain of rats following acute carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication. Methods: In order to induce acute CO intoxication, adult Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 1100 ppm of CO for 40 minutes, followed by 3000 ppm of CO for 20 minutes. Animals were sacrificed at 30 minutes and 5 days after induction of acute CO intoxication for thallium autometallography. Immunohistochemical staining and toluidine blue staining were performed to observe cellular damage in the forebrain following intoxication. Results: Acute CO intoxication resulted in significant reduction of TI+ uptake in major forebrain structures, including the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and striatum. In the cortex and hippocampal CA1 area, marked reduction of TI+ uptake was observed in the cell bodies and dendrites of pyramidal neurons at 30 minutes following acute CO intoxication. There was also strong uptake of TI+ in astrocytes in the hippocampal CA3 area following acute CO intoxication. However, there were no significant histological findings of cell death and no reduction of NeuN (+) neuronal populations in the cortex and hippocampus at 5 days after acute CO intoxication. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that thallium autometallography can be a new and useful technique for imaging functional changes in neural activity of the forebrain structure following mild to moderate CO intoxication.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2021

Objective: This study investigated the effect of crocin in methylglyoxal (MGO)-induced diabetic male mice. Methods: Seventy 1-month-old male NMRI mice weighing 20-25 g were divided into seven groups (n=10): sham, MGO (600 mg/kg/day), MGO+crocin (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg/day), MGO+metformin (150 mg/kg/day), and crocin (60 mg/kg/day). MGO was administered orally for 30 days. Starting on day 14, after confirming hyperglycemia, metformin and crocin were administered orally. On day 31, plasma and tissue samples were prepared for experimental assessments. Results: Blood glucose and insulin levels in the MGO group were higher than those in the sham group (p<0.001), and decreased in response to metformin (p<0.001) and crocin treatment (not at all doses). Testis width and volume decreased in the MGO mice and improved in the crocin-treated mice (p<0.05), but not in the metformin group. Superoxide dismutase levels decreased in diabetic mice (p<0.05) and malondialdehyde levels increased (p<0.001). Crocin and metformin improved malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase. Testosterone (p<0.001) and sperm count (p<0.05) decreased in the diabetic mice, and treatment with metformin and crocin recovered these variables. Luteinizing hormone levels increased in diabetic mice (p<0.001) and crocin treatment (but not metformin) attenuated this increase. Seminiferous diameter and height decreased in the diabetic mice and increased in the treatment groups. Vacuoles and ruptures were seen in diabetic testicular tissue, and crocin improved testicular morphology (p<0.01). Conclusion: MGO increased oxidative stress, reduced sex hormones, and induced histological problems in male reproductive organs. Crocin and metformin improved the reproductive damage caused by MGO-induced diabetes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.439-448
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• 2021

DA-9601 is an extract obtained from Artemisia asiatica, which has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects on gastrointestinal lesions; however, its possible anti-inflammatory effects on the small intestine have not been studied yet. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the protective effects of DA-9601 against the ACF-induced small intestinal inflammation. Inflammation of the small intestine was confirmed by histological studies and the changes in the CD4⁺ T cell fraction induced by the inflammation-related cytokines, and the inflammatory reactions were analyzed. Multifocal discrete small necrotic ulcers with intervening normal mucosa were frequently observed after treatment with ACF. The expression of IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α genes was increased in the ACF group; however, it was found to have been significantly decreased in the DA-9601 treated group. In addition, DA-9601 significantly decreased the levels of proinflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, and TNF-α; the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, on the other hand, was observed to have increased. It is known that inflammatory mediators related to T cell imbalance and dysfunction continuously activate the inflammatory response, causing chronic tissue damage. The fractions of IFN-γ⁺ Th1 cells, IL-4⁺ Th2 cells, IL-9⁺ Th9 cells, IL-17⁺ Th17 cells, and Foxp3⁺ Treg cells were significantly decreased upon DA-9601 treatment. These data suggest that the inflammatory response induced by ACF is reduced by DA-9601 via lowering of the expression of genes encoding the inflammatory cytokines and the concentration of inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, DA-9601 inhibited the acute inflammatory response mediated by T cells, resulting in an improvement in ACF-induced enteritis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2019

The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Hataedock treatment using Coptidis Rhizome and Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (CG) mixed extract in allergic rhinitis induced NC/Nga mice. We divided NC/Nga mice into 3 groups as follows; allergic rhinitis-induced group after CG Hataedock treatment (CGT, n=10), no treatment group (Ctrl), allergic rhinitis elicited group (ARE). To induce allergic rhinitis, NC/Nga mice of 3 weeks age were sensitized on 7, 8 and 9week by Ovalbumin (OVA) antigen in intranasal space. Hataedock using CG extract was administered on week 3 in allergic rhinitis-induced group (CGT) after Hataedock treatment. To identify distribution of Interlukin (IL)-4, Cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40), high-affinity IgE receptor ($Fc{\varepsilon}RI$), substance P, Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), Nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) p65, Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2), we used histological examination. CGT significantly inhibited IL-4 and CD40 response compared with ARE. The reduction of Th2 cytokine expression decreased inflammatory mediators such as $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, substance P, MMP-9, $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, iNOS and COX-2. Such immunological improvement induced reduction of respiratory epithelial damage and mucin secretion in goblet cell. These results indicate that Hataedock treatment suppresses allergic rhinitis through modulating of Th2 responses and diminishing various inflammatory mediators in nasal mucosal tissue. It might have potential applications for prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.22-31
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• 2019

Objective This study is to learn the effects of Hataedock method using Coptidis rhizoma and Glycyrrhiza uralensis mixed extract on inflammatory response in allergic rhinitis-induced obese NC/Nga mice. Materials and Methods The mice were fed with high fat-diet to be obese, and were divided into 3 groups as follows; allergic rhinitis-induced obese mice group with Hataedock method (CGT, n=10), no treatment group (Ctrl), allergic rhinitis elicited obese mice group (ARE). To induce allergic rhinitis, NC/Nga mice of 3 weeks age were sensitized on 7, 8 and 9 weeks by ovalbumin antigen in intraperitoneal space. After 7 days of final sensitization, allergic rhinitis was initially induced in mice through nasal cavities for 5 days. After 1-week, allergic rhinitis was induced again by the same method. Histological examination was used to identify distribution of IL-4, CD40, STAT6, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, substance P, MMP-9, NF-${\kappa}B$ p65, iNOS and COX-2. Results Hataedock method significantly reduced IL-4, STAT6 and CD40 response (p<0.05). In CGT, the inhibition of Th2 differentiation decreased inflammatory mediators such as $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, substance P, MMP-9, NF-${\kappa}B$ p65, iNOS and COX-2 (all p<0.05). The immunological improvement led reduction of respiratory epithelial damage and mucin secretion in goblet cell. Conclusion The results of this study show that the Hataedock method suppresses the expression of allergic rhinitis by decreasing the inflammatory mediators through the regulation of Th2 differentiation even when the inflammation reaction is increased by obesity. Therefore, Hataedock may have potential preventive measure of allergic rhinitis accompanied by obese.