• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.216-220
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• 2011

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) characterized by increased proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition is identified as the major pathological feature of hepatic cirrhosis. Therefore, suppression of HSC activation has been proposed as an important antifibrotic therapeutic strategy. In the present study, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of root barks of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (Ulmaceae) by employing HSC-T6 hepatic stellate cells as an in vitro assay system. Further investigation of the n-hexane and $CHCl_3$ fractions of root barks of U. davidiana var japonica led to the isolation of six triterpenoids: friedelin (1), epifridelanol (2), oleanolic acid (3), maslinic acid (4), ${\beta}$-amyrin (5) and ${\alpha}$-amyrin (6), together with ${\beta}$-sitosterol (7) and daucosterol (8). Among these compounds, 2, 3 and 4 significantly inhibited HSC proliferation. In addition, 4 inhibited HSC proliferation in time- and concentration-related manners, via a partially direct toxic effect, as assessed by morphological changes and release of lactate dehydrogenase.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 2012

Stem rots caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum have been known as devastating diseases in balloon flower plants. Antifungal activities of four fungicides, azoxystrobin, polyoxin B, trifloxystrobin and validamycin A were evaluated in vitro, showing effective suppression with mycelial growth of the fungal isolates on PDA media. Efficacies of the four fungicides were also demonstrated in stem tissues of balloon flower plants against R. solani and S. sclerotiorum. A commercially available Bacillus subtilis strain Y1336 was tested in terms of antagonistic biological control of stem rot disease of balloon flower plants. The bacterial strain revealed its antifungal activities against R. solani and S. sclerotiorum demonstrated by dual culture tests using paper discs and two plant pathogenic fungi on PDA media, as well as by plant inoculation assay, indicating that this antagonistic bacterial strain can be incorporated into disease management program for balloon flower stem rot diseases together with the four chemical fungicides.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 2001

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of green and taste teas on the in-vitro antimicrobial activity and vacuolating toxin titer of Helicobacter pylori. Crude aqueous extracts prepared by adding 2 g of tea leaf or powder to 100 ml of boiling distilled water, and sterilized by passing through a 0.22 $mutextrm{m}$ membrane filter. Green tea, coffee, and ginger tea showed bactericidal activity on H. pylori within 3 hours. Black tea and ssangwha tea also showed bactericidal activity on H. pylori in 24 hours. Arrowroot tea show no bactericidal effect on H. pylori after 48 hours. Two fold diluted green tea and coffee decreased(1/10,000cfu) the growth of H. pylori in 24 hours, but the two fold diluted black tea, ssangwha tea, and ginger tea showed suppression effect upon of(1/10cfu) H. pylori in 24 hours. The two-fold and 10-fold diluted green tea, coffee and two-fold diluted black tea abrogated the vacuolating toxin titer of H. pylori, but the two-fold and 10-fold diluted ginger, ssangwha, ginseng, and arrowroot tea only reduced the vacuolating toxin titer of H.pylori from 1/2 to 1/8. These result suggest that green tea and coffee have effective antibacterial or bactericidal effects on H.pylori, and that they also have a neutralization effect upon the vacuolating toxin of H.pylori.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.7.1-7.20
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• 2022

Recently, there have been impressive advancements in understanding of the immune mechanisms underlying cutaneous inflammatory diseases. To understand these diseases on a deeper level and clarify the therapeutic targets more precisely, numerous studies including in vitro experiments, animal models, and clinical trials have been conducted. This has resulted in a paradigm shift from non-specific suppression of the immune system to selective, targeted immunotherapies. These approaches target the molecular pathways and cytokines responsible for generating inflammatory conditions and reinforcing feedback mechanisms to aggravate inflammation. Among the numerous types of skin inflammation, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) are common chronic cutaneous inflammatory diseases. Psoriasis is a IL-17-mediated disease driven by IL-23, while AD is predominantly mediated by Th2 immunity. Autoimmune bullous diseases are autoantibody-mediated blistering disorders, including pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid. Alopecia areata is an organ-specific autoimmune disease mediated by CD8⁺ T-cells that targets hair follicles. This review will give an updated, comprehensive summary of the pathophysiology and immune mechanisms of inflammatory skin diseases. Moreover, the therapeutic potential of current and upcoming immunotherapies will be discussed.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2000

We used a mammalian GnRH antagonist, $[Ac-3,4-dehydro-Pro^1,\;D-p-F-Phe^2,\;D-Trp^{3.6}]$-GnRH, to examine the details of the salmon type gonadotropin-releasing hormone (sGnRH) and GnRH agonist analog $(Des-Gly^{10}$[d-Ala^6]-ethylamide GnRH; GnRHa) functions in the control of maturational gonadotropin (GTH II) secretion, in precocious male rainbow trout, in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. In the in vivo study, plasma GTH II levels increased by sGnRH or GnRHa treatment, but the response was more rapid and stronger in the GnRHa treatment group. The increase in GTH II was significantly suppressed by the GnRH antagonist, while the antagonist had no effect on basal GTH II levels in both groups. The GnRH antagonist showed stronger suppression of GTH II levels in the sGnRH treatment fish than in the GnRHa treatment fish. In addition, plasma androgenic steroid hormones (testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone) increased by the sGnRH or GnRHa treatment. The GnRH antagonist significantly inhibited the increases in plasma androgenic steroid hormone levels stimulated by the sGnRH or GnRHa, while the antagonist had no effect on basal androgenic steroid hormone levels in both groups. In the in vitro study, treatment with sGnRH or GnRHa increased GTH II release from the cultured dispersed pituitary cells, but the response was stronger in the GnRHa treatment group. The increase in GTH II release by GnRH was suppressed by adding the GnRH antagonist, dose­dependently. On the other hand, basal release of GTH II did not decrease by the GnRH antagonist treatment in both groups. These results suggest that the GnRH antagonist, $[Ac-3,4-dehydro-Pro^1,\;D-p-F-Phe^2,\;D-Trp^{3.6}]-GnRH$, used in this study is effective in blocking the action of GnRH-induced GTH II release from the pituitary gland both in vivo and in vitro.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.588-593
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• 2014

Tumor angiogenesis is important in tumorigenesis and therapeutic interventions in cancer. To know inhibitor and effector of tumor angiogenesis in cancer, the specific gene of tumor and angiogenesis may develop the mechanisms of cancer suppression and therapy. Recently, we described the role of RalA-binding protein 1 (RLIP76) in tumor angiogenesis. Tumor vascular volumes were diminished, and vessels were fewer in number, shorter, and narrower in RLIP76 knockout mice than in wild-type mice. Moreover, angiogenesis in basement membrane matrix plugs was blunted in the knockout mice in the absence of tumor cells, with endothelial cells isolated from the lungs of these animals exhibiting defects in migration, proliferation, and cord formation in vitro. RLIP76 is expressed in most human tissues and is overexpressed in many tumor types. In addition, the protein regulates tumorigenesis and angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. As the export of chemotherapy agents is a prominent cellular function of RLIP76, it is a major factor in mechanisms of drug resistance. Moreover, RLIP76 acts as a selective effector of the small GTPase, R-Ras, and regulates R-Ras signaling, leading to cell spreading and migration. Furthermore, in skin carcinogenesis, RLIP76 knockout mice are resistant, with tumors that form showing diminished angiogenesis. Thus, RLIP76 is required for efficient endothelial cell function and angiogenesis in solid tumors.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2009

The usage and types of chemicals are advancing, specializing, large-scaled increasing, and new chemical exposed workers are concerning to occupational disease. The generation of reactive oxygen in the body from carcinogen, mutation and DNA damage in cancer is protected by natural antioxidants (phytochemicals) with antimutagenic effect. There were many reports of ginsenoside Rb$_1$, Rg$_1$ grievances of the genetic mutation to suppress the effect confirm the genetic toxicity test with chromosomal aberration test and the Comet (SCGE) assay confirmed the suppression effect occurring chromosomal DNA damage. We had wanted to evaluate the compatibility and sensitivity between the chromosomal aberration (CA) test and the Comet assay. We used the CA test and Comet assay to evaluate the anti-genotoxicity of ginsenoside Rb$_1$ and Rg$_1$, in CHO-K1 (Chinese hamster ovary fibroblast) cell in vitro, composed negative control (solvent), positive control (benzo[a]pyrene), test group (carcinogen+variety concentration of ginsenoside) group. The positive control was benzo[a]pyrene (50 $\mu$M), well-known carcinogen, and the negative control was the 1 % DMSO solvent. The test group was a variety concentration of ginsenoside Rb$_1$, Rg$_1$ with 10$^{-8}$%, 10$^{-6}$%, 10$^{-4}$%, 10$^{-2}$%, 1%, 10%. In chromo-somal aberration test, we measured the number of cells with abnormally structured chromosome. In Comet assay, the Olive tail moment (OTM) and Tail length (TL) values were measured. The ratio of cell proliferation was increased 8.3% in 10$^{-8}$%, 10$^{-6}$%, 10$^{-4}$%, 10$^{-2}$%, 1%, 10% Rb$_1$ treated groups, and increased 10.4% in 10$^{-10}$%, 10$^{-8}$%, 10$^{-6}$%, 10$^{-4}$%, 10$^{-2}$%, 1% Rg$_1$ treated groups. In the CA test, the number of chromosomal aberration was decreased all the Rb$_1$ and Rg$_1$ treated groups. In the Comet assay, the OTM values were decreased in all the Rb$_1$ and Rg$_1$ treated groups. To evaluate the compatibility between CA and Comet assay, we compared the reducing ratio of chromosomal abnormalities with its OTM values, it was identified the antimutagenicity of ginsenoside, but it was more sensitive the CA test than the Comet assay. Ginsenoside Rb$_1$ and Rg$_1$ significantly decrease the number of cells with chromosomal aberration, and decrease the extent of DNA migration. Therefore, ginsenoside Rb$_1$, Rg$_1$ are thought as an antioxidant phytochemicals to protect mutagenicity. The in vitro Comet assay seems to be less sensitive than the in vitro chromosomal aberration test.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.181-189
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• 1986

The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the known adenylate cyclase activators, forskolin and cholera toxin, would affect the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and the production of cAMP in mouse oocytes in vitro. To do this, in vitro oocyte culture method and adenylate cyclase assay were employed. In response to different concentrations of forskolin (20 to 80 $\\mu$g/ml) added to a culture medium, the percentage of GVBD significantly decreased (56 to 31%) in a dose-dependent manner as compared to that of control (63%). This inhibitory phenomenon by forskolin was reversible since the rate of GVBD was returned to the control level when the oocytes were transferred to a control medium following exposure to forskolin (80 $\\mu$g/ml). Treatment of cholera toxin (10 to 1, 000 ng/ml) was, however, ineffective in suppressing GVBD. When forskolin (10 to 80 $\\mu$g/ml) was added to the mouse oocyte extracts, cAMP production significantly increased by 5 to 18 fold, whereas cholera toxin (10 to 1, 000 ng/ml) was no longer effective. In addition, treatment of guanidyl-imidodiphosphate (GppNHp, 100 $\\mu$M), which is an activator of the regulatory unit of adenylate cycleas, with forskolin did not exhibit any changes in cAMP production as compared to that induced by forskolin alone. Neither cholera toxin nor cholera toxin plus GppNHp (100 $\\mu$M) exhibited any differences in mouse oocytes. From the above results, the suppression of GVBD by forskolin may be mediated by a high level of intracellular cAMP in mouse oocytes. It appears that the changes in intracellular cAMP level may an important role in the mouse oocyte maturation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.225-236
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• 2004

본 실험에서는 녹용 약침액의 항 골재흡수 속성을 조사하였다. PTH, $1,25(OH)_2D_3$와 IL-1을 각각 골재흡수 인자로 사용하여 생쥐의 두개골에서 osteoblast 세포를 격리, 배양, 그리고 자극시켰을 때 collagenolysis의 증가를 보였다. 두 가지를 동시에 사용한 결과, IL-1은 골재흡수성을 촉진시키고 재 흡수력을 생산하였다. In vitro에서의 세포독성 결과는 $1-200{\mu}g/ml$의 녹용 약침액 농도 분포에서 무세포독성을 보였다. 또한 녹용 약침액은 생쥐의 두개골 골아세포 내에서 PTH (2 unit/ml), IL-$1{\alpha}$ (1 ng/ml), $1,25(OH)_2D_3$ (10 ng/ml), IL-$1{\alpha}$ 및 IL-$1{\beta}$로 인해 유발된 collagenolysis에 대해서 대항하는 보호활동성을 나타내었다. 녹용약침액은 IL-$1{\alpha}$ 와 IL-$1{\beta}$로 인해 유발된 collagenolysis에 대항하는 보호활동성을 지녔다. DAS는 IL-$1{\alpha}$와 IL-$1{\beta}$로 인해 촉진된 골재 흡수력을 억제하는 효과를 보였다. 이와 같은 결과는 녹용약침액이 골다공증과 연관된 질환에 대해서 매우 안정적인 임상적 사용이 가능한 것을 관찰할 수 있으므로 추후 이와 관련한 지속적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료되었다.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.13-26
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• 2010

Objectives : The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the Gamroeum water extracts (GRE) in vivo and in vitro. Methods : The effects of GRE on anti-inflammation were measured by production of NO, $PGE_2$ (Prostaglandin $E_2$), iNOS (inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase), COX-2, $NF{\kappa}B$ (Nuclear Factor kappa B), TNF-$\alpha$ (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha) and IL-$1{\beta}$ (Interleukin-$1{\beta}$), IL-6 in Raw 264.7 macrophage cells stimulated with LPS. Results : 1. In machrophage cells, LPS displayed significant stimulatory effects on the production of NO and $PGE_2$. However, GRE showed significant inhibitory effects on NO and $PGE_2$ release. The level of NO and $PGE_2$ was decreased by GRE in a concentration dependent manner as compared with LPS only group. 2. Immunoblot analysis verified that LPS stimulation significantly increased the iNOS and COX-2 protein level, but GRE suppressed the induction of iNOS and COX-2 protein at a concentration dependent manner. 3. GRE reduced the elevated production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 by LPS. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of GRE was occurred in a dose-dependent manner. 4. GRE significantly reduced the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ protein in nuclear fraction. 5. GRE effectively inhibited the increases of hind paw skin thicknesses and inflammatory cell infiltrations induced by carrageenan treatment. It, therefore, considered that GRE will be favorably inhibited the acute edematous inflammations. Conclusions : These results indicated that GRE could have anti-inflammatory capacity by inhibiting the production of NO, $PGE_2$ and cytokines in vitro and by reducing the formation of carrageenan-induced paw edema in vivo. Moreover, inhibitory effects of GRE on the macrophage activation were attributable to the reduction of some of inflammatory factors by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 through the suppression of NF-${\kappa}B$.