• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제32권7호
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• pp.2222-2226
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• 2011

Amylase is a digestive enzyme that catalyses the starch into sugar. It has been reported that the green tea flavonoid (or polyphenols) (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) inhibits human salivary ${\alpha}$-amylase (HSA) and induced anti-nutritional effects. In this study, we performed docking study for seven EGCG-like flavonoids and HSA to understand the interaction mechanism of HSA and EGCG and suggest new possible flavonoid inhibitors of HSA. As a result, EGCG and (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) bind to HSA with complex hydrogen bonding interactions. These hydrogen bonding interactions are important for inhibitory activity of EGCG against HSA. We suggested that ECG can be a potent inhibitor of HSA. This study will be helpful to understand the mechanism of inhibition of HSA by EGCG and give insights to develop therapeutic strategies against diabetes.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.398-404
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• 2010

Complementary and alternative medicines are considered as a promising research field to develop new therapies for various allergic diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-allergic effect of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb (AP) by using passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice and its mechanism of action in mast cells. The extract of AP reversibly inhibited degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells and bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). AP also suppressed the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis inducing by IgE and antigen (Ag) in a dose-dependent manner. In the study to find its mechanism of action, AP inhibited the phosphorylation of Syk kinase, a pivotal protein which is regulated by Src-family kinase for activation of mast cells. In addition, AP also suppressed activation of Akt and Erk1/2 that are critical for the production of cytokines in mast cells. The results strongly suggest that AP exerts anti-allergic activity in vitro and in vivo through the inhibition of activation of Syk in mast cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.233-237
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• 2015

Shikonin, a natural flavonoid found in the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has been shown to possess many biological functions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of shikonin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Shikonin significantly relaxed fluoride-, thromboxane $A_2$- or phorbol ester-induced vascular contraction suggesting as a possible anti-hypertensive on the agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis. Furthermore, shikonin significantly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels and phorbol ester-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism involving the inhibition of Rho-kinase activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1 and the inhibition of MEK activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of ERK1/2. This study provides evidence regarding the mechanism underlying the relaxation effect of shikonin on agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial function.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.100-105
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• 2014

Apigenin, a natural flavonoid found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, has been shown to possess many biological functions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of apigenin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Apigenin significantly relaxed fluoride-, thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic- or phorbol ester-induced vascular contraction, which suggests that apigenin could be an anti-hypertensive that reduces agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis. Furthermore, apigenin significantly inhibited fluoride-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels and phorbol ester-induced increases in pERK1/2 levels, which suggests the mechanism involving the inhibition of Rho-kinase and MEK activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1 and ERK1/2. This study provides evidence regarding the mechanism underlying the relaxation effect of apigenin on agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial function.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.179-189
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• 1987

Since it has been known that ryanodine has a potent negative inotropic effect on the cardiac muscle contractility (Jenden and Fairhurst, 1968), ryanodine has been a subject of intensive research (Frank and Sleator, 1975; Jones et al, 1978; Sutko et al, 1985). However, the underlying mechanism for the ryanodine dependent negative inotropic effect is still uncertain. In this study, the effects of ryanodine on the generation and relaxation of contracture due to Na-withdrawal and on the force-frequency relationship of heart muscles isolated from rats and guinea pigs were measured in an effort to understand the underlying mechanism of the ryanodine-induced negative inotropy. Results are summerized as follows: 1 ) Ryanodine significantly reduced the contractility of heart muscles produced at low frequency of stimulation, but showed a little effect on the contractility at high frequency stimulation. 2) Ryanodine, at the concentrations ranging from $10^{-6}\;M$ to $10^{-8}\;M$, had no significant effect on the Na-dependent relaxation of Na-withdrawl contracture. 3) Ryandoine significantly reduced the amplitude of the Na-withdrawl contracture, and this inhibitory effect was reinforced by procaine, antiagonized by caffeine and high potassium. From these results, it may be concluded that the negative inotropic effect of ryanodine is mainly due to an inhibition of calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.460-465
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• 2011

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of quercetin on vascular smooth muscle contractility and to determine the mechanism involved. Denuded aortic rings from male rats were used and isometric contractions were recorded and combined with molecular experiments. Quercetin at a low concentration (0.01-0.03 mM) directly and more significantly relaxed fluoride or thromboxane $A_2$-induced vascular contraction than phorbol ester-induced contraction suggesting as a possible anti-hypertensive on the agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis. Furthermore, quercetin more significantly inhibited thromboxane $A_2$-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels than phorbol ester-induced increases. It also more significantly inhibited thromboxane $A_2$-induced increases in pMYPT1 levels than pERK1/2 levels suggesting the mechanism involving the primarily inhibition of Rho-kinase activity and the subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1. This study provides evidence regarding the mechanism underlying the relaxation effect of quercetin on agonist-induced vascular contraction regardless of endothelial function.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.200-205
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• 2022

Pain from nervous or musculoskeletal disorders is one of the most common complaints in clinical practice. Corticosteroids have a high pain-reducing effect, and their injection is generally used to control various types of pain. However, they have various adverse effects including flushing, hyperglycemia, allergic reactions, menstrual changes, immunosuppression, and adrenal suppression. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is known to have a pain-reducing effect similar to that of corticosteroid injection, with nearly no major side effects. Therefore, it has been widely used to treat various types of pain, such as neuropathic, joint, discogenic, and muscle pain. In the current review, we outlined the pain-reducing mechanisms of PRF by reviewing previous studies. When PRF was first introduced, it was supposed to reduce pain by long-term depression of pain signaling from the peripheral nerve to the central nervous system. In addition, deactivation of microglia at the level of the spinal dorsal horn, reduction of proinflammatory cytokines, increased endogenous opioid precursor messenger ribonucleic acid, enhancement of noradrenergic and serotonergic descending pain inhibitory pathways, suppression of excitation of C-afferent fibers, and microscopic damage of nociceptive C- and A-delta fibers have been found to contribute to pain reduction after PRF application. However, the pain-reducing mechanism of PRF has not been clearly and definitely elucidated. Further studies are warranted to clarify the pain-reducing mechanism of PRF.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제65권3호
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• pp.167-172
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• 2022

Pathophysiological reaction of platelets in the blood vessel is an indispensable part of thrombosis and cardiovascular disease, which is the most common cause of death in the world. In this study, we performed in vitro assays to evaluate antiplatelet activity of artemether in human platelets and attempted to identify the mechanism responsible for protein phosphorylation. Artemether is a derivative of artemisinin, known as an active ingredient of Artemisia annua, which has been reported to be effective in treating malaria, and is known to function through antioxidant and metabolic enzyme inhibition. However, the role of artemether in platelet activation and aggregation and the mechanism of action of artemether in collagen-induced human platelets are not known until now. In this study, the effect of artesunate on collagen-induced human platelet aggregation was confirmed and the mechanism of action of artemether was clarified. Artemether inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and Mitogen-activated protein kinases, which are phosphoproteins that are known to act in the signal transduction process when platelets are activated. In addition, artemether decreased TXA₂ production and decreased granule secretion in platelets such as ATP and serotonin release. As a result, artemether strongly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by collagen, a strong aggregation inducer secreted from vascular endothelial cells, with an IC₅₀ of 157.92 μM. These results suggest that artemether has value as an effective antithrombotic agent for inhibiting the activation and aggregation of human platelets through vascular injury.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.235-248
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• 2004

It has been investigated about aging theory. However, aging mechanism still remains to be unknown. Aging and aging related diseases might be due to oxidative damage and these were modifiable by genetic and environmental factors. For designing an optimal medical treatment and countermeasure against aging and aging related disease, it is necessary to understand the aging mechanism. Acetylcholine(Ach) plays an important role in memory. If someone doesn't have enough Ach, he has a tendency to catch a Alzheimer's disease. Corydalis tuber has been clinically used to treat heart disease, gastrointestinal disease and other diseases including endocrine disease in Oriental medicine. The purpose of this article is to investigate the inhibitory effect on Acetylcholinesterase and scavenging effects on NO, DPPH of Corydalis tuber Acua-acupuncture solution(CTAS). The results are summerised as follows; 1. There is a significant inhibitory effect of $0.01mg/m{\ell}$ CTAS group at 20, 30, 60 minutes and $0.1mg/m{\ell}$ CTAS group at 10, 20, 30, 60 minutes on AchE. 2. There is no significant scavenging effect of CTAS on NO. 3. There is a significant scavenging effect of $0.1mg/m{\ell}$ and $0.01mg/m{\ell}$ CTAS group at 10 minutes but there is no significant scavenging effect at 20, 30, 60 minutes on DPPH. There is a significant scavenging effect of $1mg/m{\ell}$ CTAS group at 10, 20, 30, 60 minutes on DPPH.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.481-494
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• 2009

Background : Radix Sophora Flavescentis (SF) is used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Traditional Korean Medicine. However, little is known about the effects of Radix Sophora Flavescentis extract (SFE) on the hypoglycemic mechanism. Objective : We performed a series of experiments to verify the effects of SFE on the proliferation of RIN-m5F, the secretion and synthetic processes of insulin with glucose stimulation and inhibition of $\alpha$-glucosidase. Methods : Various amounts of SFE were added to the RIN-m5F cell culture to identify the effects on the cell proliferation, total amounts of insulin secretion, and related gene expression at the molecular level. Also to identify the inhibitory effect on the $\alpha$-glucosidase activities, ${\rho}NPG$ assay was done with various SFE concentrations followed by comparison with control. Results : SFE did not show considerable effects on RIN-m5F cells proliferation, insulin secretion or insulin mRNA expression, whichever phenomena did not depend on the glucose concentration. However, SFE significantly inhibited $\alpha$-glucosidase activity in a dose dependent manner compared to control. Conclusions : This study showed that SFE has potent $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Thus, SF may by used for the improvement of overall glycemic control. Further mechanism studies on the lipid toxicity and oxidation stress of SF seem to be necessary.