• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.544-559
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the anti-diabetes and vasoelasticity effects of Mori Folium and Aurantii Fructus in streptozotocin-induced type II diabetes mellitus model. Methods : The anti-diabetic effect of Mori Folium and Aurantii Fructus on rats induced with diabetes by streptozotocin was investigated through analyses of changes in body weight, blood glucose, urine volume of rats, viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs), and elasticity of descending thoracic aorta in rats. The subjects in this study were divided into four groups(n=15): a normal group without any treatment (Con), a normal group with Mori Folium and Aurantii Fructus treatment(Con+P), a diabetes group induced by streptozotocin(STZ), and a Mori Folium and Aurantii Fructus treatment group under diabetes induced by streptozotocin(STZ+P). Rats were administered streptozotocin to induce diabetes. Results : The study showed that Mori Folium and Aurantii Fructus significantly reduced highly increased blood glucose levels(p<0.01) and prevented the diabetic rats from weight loss(p<0.01) and polyurea(p<0.05), Mori Folium and Aurantii Fructus also recovered decreased viability of HUVECs(p<0.01) and damaged elasticity of aorta induced by the streptozotocin (p<0.01). Conclusions: It was concluded from the results that Mori Folium and Aurantii Fructus have a distinct anti-diabetes effect and they also prevent damage of blood vessel induced by diabetes. resulting in prevention of cardiovascular diseases ascribed to diabetes.

• 한국식품영양학회지
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.328-334
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Maca water and/or ethanol extract on the nitric oxide (NO) production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells HUVAC and on erectile dysfunction in rats. Maca was extracted due to both solutions, which are water and ethanol. Each Maca extract was applied to HUVAC, and NO production was checked. Additionally, three different dosages (250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg) of Maca ethanol extract was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats for 4 weeks. All rats were sacrificed and each sample was collected for analysis. The control rats received only the saline vehicle. The NO production of HUVAC was significantly increased by domestic and homemade Maca water extracted at $60^{\circ}C$ group. Both NO generation and testosterone release were not influenced due to the oral administration of Maca. In the EtOH group rats, the number of sperm was reduced compared to that of the control group. All Maca groups had a high number of sperm and each sperm count had increased as a result of the Maca extract dose. The results of this research suggest that Maca has a positive effect on male erectile dysfunction, which need to be examined further in future studies.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.591-600
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• 2016

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relaxation effects and underlying mechanisms of Cynomorii herba (CH) extract in isolated rabbit corpus cavernous tissues.Methods: We experimented with CH extract (0.01-3.0 mg/mL). Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) was experimented before the CH extract to contracted strips induced by phenylephrine (PE, 1 μM)and compared with nonexperimented. In addition, we experimented with calcium chloride (Ca²⁺, 1 mM) after pretreatment of the CH extract in Ca²⁺-free Krebs-Ringer solution to contracted strips induced by PE. The cell viability and nitric oxide (NO) concentration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were measured by an methylthiazol-2-yl-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay and Griess reagent system. The ratio of smooth muscles to collagen fibers, in addition to eNOS- and PDE-5-positive reactions, was examined by histochemical and immunohistochemical staining.Results: The CH extract significantly induced the relaxation of the cavernous strips, and the pretreatment with L-NNA inhibited CH extract-induced relaxation. The L-NNA pretreatment reduced the increased contraction induced by the addition of Ca²⁺in Ca²⁺-free solution. Furthermore, the NO concentration of the HUVECs increased. When the CH extract was applied to the corpus cavernosum of the penis (CCP) of Sprague Dawley rats, the ratio of smooth muscles to collagen fibers by PE and the formation of eNOS around the helicine artery increased. However, the CH extract treatment decreased PDE-5 positive reactions.Conclusions: These results show that the relaxation effects induced by the CH extract are associated with the suppression of the influx of extracellular Ca²⁺ via the production of NO and eNOS and inhibition of PDE-5.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.467-473
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• 2024

In this study, we investigated the potential protective effects of (+)-afzelechin (AZC), a natural compound that is derived from Bergenia ligulata, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses. AZC is known to have antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and cardiovascular protective properties. However, knowledge regarding the therapeutic potential of AZC against LPS-induced inflammatory responses is limited. Thus, we investigated the protective attributes of AZC against inflammatory damage caused by LPS exposure. We examined the effects of AZC on heme oxygenase (HO)-1, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in LPS-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In addition, the effects of AZC on the expression of iNOS, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β were analyzed in the lung tissues of LPS-injected mice. Data revealed that AZC promoted the production of HO-1, inhibited the interaction between luciferase and nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and reduced the levels of COX-2/PGE2 and iNOS/NO, thereby leading to a decrease in the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-1 phosphorylation. Moreover, AZC facilitated the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, increased the binding activity between Nrf2 and the antioxidant response elements (AREs), and lowered the expression of IL-1β in the LPS-treated HUVECs. In the animal model, AZC significantly reduced the expression of iNOS in the lung tissue structure and the TNF-α level in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These findings demonstrate that AZC possesses anti-inflammatory properties that regulate iNOS through the inhibition of both NF-κB expression and p-STAT-1. Consequently, AZC has potential as a future candidate for the development of new clinical substances for the treatment of pathological inflammation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제36권9호
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• pp.908-917
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• 2003

It has been proposed that oxidative modification of LDL (oxLDL) plays a significant role in the pathogenicity of atherogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that chitin and chitosan may function as antioxidants with respect to 0.1 mg cholesterol/ml LDL incubated with 5 $\mu$ M Cu$^2$$^{+}$alone or in the P338Dl mouse macrophage system using L-ascorbic acid as a standard classical antioxidant. The degree of oxLDL formation was ascertained by the relative electrophoretic mobility (rEM) in the combination of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, and the cytotoxicity of oxLDL was detected by macrophage viability. The oxLDL uptake and foam cell formation of macrophages were measured by Oil Red O staining. Incubation with Cu$^2$$^{+}$and macrophages increased rEM of LDL and stimulated TBARS formation. Culture of macrophages with LDL in the presence 5 $\mu$ M Cu$^2$$^{+}$induced macrophage death. In cell-free system 200 $\mu$g/ml water-soluble chitosan and chitosan-oligosaccharide blocked oxLDL formation. Water-soluble chitosan and chitosan-oligosaccharide blocked oxLDL formation near-completely relative to L-ascorbic acid, whereas water-soluble chitin and chitin-oligosaccharide had no measurable antioxidant effect. In macrophage system water-soluble chitosan and chitosan-oligosaccharide blocked oxidation of LDL with a significant increase in cell viability, and decreased TBARS in medium. As for the inhibitory effect on macrophage foam cell formation, chitosan and its oligosaccharide, but not watersoluble chitin, revealed the effectiveness. The endothelial expression of lectin-like oxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) was tested by Western blot analysis, and chitosan, chitosan-oligosaccharide and chitin-oligosaccharide blocked LOX-1 expression. These results indicate that water-soluble chitosan and its oligosaccharide showed the inhibitory effect on Cu$^2$$^{+}$-induced LDL oxidation of macrophages, and chitosan, chitosan-oligosaccharide and chitin-oligosaccharide had blocking effect on oxLDL receptor expression in the human umbilical vein endothelial system. Thus, water-soluble chitosan and its oligosaccharides possess anti-atherogenic potentials possibly through the inhibition of macrophage LDL oxidation or endothelial oxLDL receptor expression depending on chemical types.l types.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권9호
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• pp.703-712
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• 2023

기존 혈관에서 새로운 혈관을 형성하는 혈관 신생은 혈관 신생 조절인자에 의해 조절되는 다단계 과정이며 배아 발달, 만성 염증 및 상처 복구를 포함한 다양한 생리학적 과정에 필수적이다. 혈관 신생의 조절장애는 암, 자가 면역 질환, 류마티스 관절염, 심혈관 질환 및 상처 치유 지연과 같은 많은 질병을 유발한다. 그러나 효과적인 혈관신생 억제 약물은 제한되어 있으며, 최근 연구에서는 천연 자원에서 잠재적인 약물후보를 식별하는 데 중점을 두고 있다. 예를 들어, 해양 천연물은 항암, 항산화, 항염증, 항바이러스 및 상처 치유 효과를 입증했다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 톳(갈조류) 추출물의 혈관 신생 억제 효과를 확인했습니다. H. fusiformis 추출물은 인간 제대 정맥 내피 세포(HUVECs)에서 세포 이동, 침윤 및 관 형성을 억제하며, 동시에 Matrigel 겔 플러그 분석을 통해 생체 내 혈관 신생을 억제를 확인했다. 또한, 톳 추출물 처리 후 VEGF, Erk, Akt의 활성이 감소하는 것을 확인했다. 이 결과를 토대로 H. fusiformis 추출물이 in vitro 및 in vivo 혈관 신생을 억제함을 시사한다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.4369-4376
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• 2015

Background: To investigate in-vitro antagonistic effect of low-dose liquiritigenin on gemcitabine-induced capillary leak syndrome (CLS) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma via inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated signalling pathways. Materials and Methods: Human pancreatic adenocarcinoma Panc-1 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pre-treated using low-dose liquiritigenin for 24 h, then added into gemcitabine and incubated for 48 h. Cell viability, apoptosis rate and ROS levels of Panc-1 cells and HUVECs were respectively detected through methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) and flow cytometry. For HUVECs, transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and transcellular and paracellular leak were measured using transwell assays, then poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) and metal matrix proteinase-9 (MMP9) activity were assayed via kits, mRNA expressions of p53 and Rac-1 were determined through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR); The expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and PARP-1 were measured via western blotting. Results: Low-dose liquiritigenin exerted no effect on gemcitabine-induced changes of cell viability, apoptosis rate and ROS levels in Panc-1 cells, but for HUVECs, liquiritigenin ($3{\mu}M$) could remarkably elevate gemcitabine-induced decrease of cell viability, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), pro-MMP9 level and expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (p<0.01). Meanwhile, it could also significantly decrease gemcitabine-induced increase of transcellular and paracellular leak, ROS level, PARP-1 activity, Act-MMP9 level, mRNA expressions of p53 and Rac-1, expression of PARP-1 and apoptosis rate (p<0.01). Conclusions: Low-dose liquiritigenin exerts an antagonistic effect on gemcitabine-induced leak across HUVECs via inhibiting ROS-mediated signalling pathways, but without affecting gemcitabine-induced Panc-1 cell apoptosis. Therefore, low-dose liquiritigenin might be beneficial to prevent the occurrence of gemcitabine-induced CLS in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.41-49
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• 2008

한탄바이러스가 혈소판활성인자 활성에 영향을 미치는지 알아보기 위하여 간접적으로 혈소판활성인자 수용체의 발현과 분해효소의 활성을 측정하였다. 혈관내피세포에서 혈소판활성인자 수용체의 유전자를 역전사 중합효소연쇄반응으로, 단백질은 western blot으로 측정하였다. 또한 세포표면에 발현된 혈소판활성인자 수용체의 양은 FACS로 분석하였다. 한탄바이러스에 감염된 혈관내피세포에서 혈소판활성인자 수용체의 유전자, 단백질, 세포 표면의 발현 모두 바이러스에 감염되지 않은 대조 세포보다 감염 후 2, 3일째 증가 하였다. 혈액 내 혈소판활성인자 분해효소의 활성을 비교한 결과 신증후출혈열 환자에서 정상인에 비하여 2.5배 낮았다. 그리고 신증후출혈열 환자가 회복됨에 따라 혈소판활성인자의 활성이 다시 정상 수준으로 회복되는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 한탄바이러스에 의해 증가된 혈소판활성인자 수용체의 발현이 혈소판활성인자와 혈관내피세포와 반응성을 증가시키고, 신증후출혈열 환자 혈액에서 감소된 혈소판활성인자 분해효소가 혈소판활성인자의 분해를 지연 시켜 작용시간을 증가 시킴으로써 과다한 혈소판활성인자의 생물학적 작용이 신증후출혈열의 병리현상을 초래할 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.59-67
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• 2018

Objectives : Ojeoksan, originally recorded in an ancient Korean medicinal book named "Donguibogam" and has been used for the treatment of circulation disorder of blood which was called blood accumulation (血積) in Korean medicine. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the beneficial effect of OJS on vascular inflammation in HUVECs. Methods : We evaluated the effect of OJS on the expression of cell adhesion molecules and protective role in HUVEC stimulated by TNF-${\alpha}$ by using Western blot. Results : Pretreatment with OJS decreased the adhesion of HL-60 cells to TNF-${\alpha}$-induced HUVEC. OJS suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression level of cell adhesion molecules such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), and endothelial cell selectin (E-selectin). Moreover, OJS significantly decreased TNF-${\alpha}$-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS); and inhibited the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ in the cytoplasm compared to the experimental group. Pretreatment with OJS inhibited the trans-location of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 to the nucleus. OJS also inhibited phosphorylation of MAPKs compared to the experimental group. OJS significantly increased the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. Conclusions : Ojeoksan has a protective effect on vascular inflammation, and might be a potential therapeutic agent for early atherosclerosis.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.1134-1141
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• 2002

염증성 cytokines의 분비 또는 혈관손상으로 인한 백혈구의 adhesion과 transmigration을 통하여 죽상경화과정이 시발되는데, 본 연구에서는 이러한 죽상경화의 초기과정에서 플라보노이드가 억제작용을 발휘하는 지를 규명하고자 하였다. 본 연구에서는 화학적인 구조가 서로 다른 플라보노이드를 사용하여 화학적인 구조와 항동맥경화작용과의 상관성을 착인하였다. TNF-$\alpha$는 혈관내피세포를 활성화시켜 THP-1 단핵구의 adhesion을 유의적으로 증가시켰다. 여러형태의 플라보노이드를 전처리하고 TNF-$\alpha$를 가하여 혈관내피세포를 활성화 시 켰을 때, flavonols인 quercetin과 flavones의 luteolin과 apigenin은 THP-1 단핵구의 adhesion억제효과를 보여주었다. 그러나, catechins과 flavanones의 플라보노이드는 이러한 억제효과를 전혀 보여주지 못하였다. 이러한 adhesion 억제작용을 가지는 플라보노이드는 CAMs 단백질의 발현도 차단시킨다는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. Quercetin, luteolin과 apigenin은 TNF-$\alpha$에 의하여 증가된 VCAM-1, ICAM-1 및 E-selectin의 단백질 발현을 일률적으로 감소 또는 차단시켰다. 그 대신, 단핵구의 adhesion을 차단시키지 못한 (-)epigallo-catechin gallate와 (+)catechin은 TNF-$\alpha$에 의한 이러한 CAMs의 발현을 전혀 억제시키지 못하였다. 또한 quercetin, luteolin과 apigenin의 CAMs단백질 발현 억제작용은 유전자 전사단계에서 mRNA의 down-regulation으로 인하여 나타난다는 사실을 알 수 있었다. 결론적으로 quercetin, luteolin, apigenin과 같은 플라보노이드는 TNF-$\alpha$와 같은 염증성 cytokines에 의한 단핵구의 adhesion을 혈관내피세포의 CAMs 단백질 발현을 억제하므로서 차단시킨다는 것이 확인되었다. 여기서 모든 플라보노이드가 이러한 활성을 다 지니고 있지 않아서 화학적인 구조와 초기 항동맥경화작용에는 서로 연관성이 있다는 것이 제시되었다. 또한, 선별된 플라보노이드의 초기 항동맥경화작용은 활성산소를 소거하는 플라보노이드의 항산화능과는 무관한 것 같다고 할 수 있다.