• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.69-81
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• 2015

Purpose : The first purpose of this study is to find out whether the water extract of Rehmanniae Radix Preparat(RRP), Cuscutae Semen(CS) and their combination(Ssangbohwan, SBH) have the effect of suppressing Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand(RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. The second purpose of this study is to find out whether the water extract of RRP, CS and SBH have the effect of inhibiting osteoporosis in an osteoporosis model induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Methods : After promoting differentiation of osteoclasts by treating the RANKL, we observed the effect by the administration of RRP, CS and SBH. In addition, by means of Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), we assayed mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP and GAPDHS(Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, spermatogeni) from bone marrow macrophages(BMMs). Similarly, the protein expression levels of NFATc1 (Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic1), C-Fos, MAPKs(Mitogen-activated protein kinases) and ${\beta}$-actin in cell lysates were analyzed by means of Western Blotting. Finally, we determined the anti-osteoporotic effects of RRP, CS and SBH, through the use of Lipopolysaccharide-induced bone-loss mouse. Results : RRP, CS and SBH showed remarkable inhibitive effect on RANKL-treated osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxicity. SBH inhibited the phosphorylation of p38, Jun N-terminal kinases(JNK), and I-${\kappa}B$ and down-regulated the induction of c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. RRP, CS suppressed degradation of I-${\kappa}B$, but it did not affect c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. Lastly, in vivo data showed that RRP and SBH prevented bone erosion by LPS treatment. Conclusions : These results demonstrate SBH can be effective remedy for bone-loss diseases such as osteoporosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.29-43
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of LR3 and SP6 acupuncture on liver damage of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods : Male ICR mice were divided into four groups, consisting of the normal mice group(N), acupuncture-free diabetic mice group(Con), LR3-acupuncture diabetic mice group(LR3) and SP6-acupuncture diabetic mice group(SP6). The following measurements were taken: Body weight, food intake and water intake for 2 weeks; liver weight, and glucose levels in the serum and liver; ALT and AST in the serum; reactive oxygen species(ROS), reduced glutathione(GSH) and oxidized glutathione(GSSG) in the liver; and lastly, receptor for advanced glycation endproducts( RAGE), $N{\varepsilon}-carboxymethyl$ lysine(CML), $N{\varepsilon}-carboxyethyl$ lysine(CEL), phosphorylation of inhibitory kappa B alpha($p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$), nuclear factor-kappa B($NF-{\kappa}B$), activator protein-1(AP-1), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha($TNF-{\alpha}$), ${\beta}-actin$, cytochrome c and caspase in the liver. Results : The liver weight and GSH/GSSG ratio were significantly increased in SP6 compared to Con. The glucose levels in the liver were significantly decreased in LR3 compared to Con. The generation of ROS and GSSG were significantly decreased in SP6 compared to Con. The expressions of RAGE, CML, AP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, cytochrome c and caspase 3 were significantly decreased in LR3 compared to Con. The expressions of $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, $NF-{\kappa}B$, AP-1, COX-2, iNOS and caspase 3 were significantly decreased in SP6 compared to Con. Conclusion : It is predicted that LR3 acupuncture is related to reduced glucose levels in the liver and expressions of AGE, and that, SP6 acupuncture is related to reduced oxidative stress-related transcription factors and inflammation-related proteins. Therefore, we suggest that LR3 and SP6 acupuncture have protective effects on the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by preventing apoptosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of water extracts of Eucommiae cortex (EC), Psoraleae semen (PS), and their combination on receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. Methods : We assayed the protein expression levels of nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and ${\beta}-actin$ in cell lysates using western blotting. Similarly, mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, tartrateresistant acid phosphate (TRAP), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, spermatogeni (GAPDHS) from bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, we determined the anti-osteoporotic effects of the water extracts of EC, PS, and their combination in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone-loss mouse model. Results : The in vitro data revealed showed that the combination of EC and PS extract showed a more remarkable inhibition of osteoclast differentiation than each herb did alone. The combination downregulated the induction of c-Fos, NFATc1, and TRAP by suppressing the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ($NF-{\kappa}B$). Lastly, the in vivo data showed that PS reduced the LPS-induced bone erosion. Conclusion : The result of this study suggests that EC and PS could be potential therapeutic agents for bone loss diseases such as osteoporosis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.356-363
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• 2013

Clinical and preclinical trials of involving drugs with anti-obesity effects have focused on screening for herbal medicines suspected to have anti-obesity activities. In this study, an extract of Aster scaver Thunb., which was prepared in 80% methanol (ASE), was assessed for its total phenol content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity ability to scavenge the ${\alpha}-{\alpha}$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis-[3-ethylbenzthiazoline]-6-sulfonic acid radical, and anti-adipogenic effects. The anti-adipogenic effect of ASE on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes to adipocytes was investigated by assaying the suppression of adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation by using western blot analysis and the Oil Red-O assay, respectively. The staining results showed that ASE significantly inhibited 3T3-L1. Western blot analysis results showed that ASE decreased the levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c. These results demonstrate that ASE directly inhibits the differentiation of preadipocytes, and might be an important adjunct in the therapeutic efforts to reduce adipogenesis.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2020

Osteoporosis is a worldwide disease leading to significant economic and societal burdens globally. Osteoporosis is caused by unbalanced bone remodeling between the rate of osteoclast bone resorption and osteoblast bone formation. Acer tegmentosum Maxim (AT) is a traditional herbal medicine containing multiple biological activities such as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory purposes. However, its role in osteoporosis has not been fully studied. Therefore, we investigated whether AT has a potent inhibitory effect on osteoporosis and its mechanism through a systemic evaluation in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. OVX mice were orally administrated with the AT at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for 10 weeks. Histological images and histomorphometry analyses were performed by H&E and Toluidine blue satin, and the expression levels of receptor activator for nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL), nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasm 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) related to the osteoclast differentiation were investigated using immunohistochemical analysis. Administration of AT prevented bone loss and the alternations of osteoporotic bone parameters at the distinct regions of the distal femur and spongiosa region in OVX mice. Further, administration of AT increased periosteal bone formation in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, AT inhibited not only the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos, which are two major regulators of osteoclastogenesis but also reduced bone resorbed encoding expression of MMP9 and RANKL. Our results indicated that administration of AT prevented bone loss and the alternations of osteoporotic bone parameters at the distinct regions of the distal femur and spongiosa region in OVX mice. Also AT has the bone protective effect through the suppression of osteoclast and promotion of osteoblast, suggesting that it could be a preventive and therapeutic candidate for anti-osteoporosis.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.295-310
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• 2017

This study investigated the growth of five phytopathogenic fungi including Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Diaporthe citri, Phytophthora capsici and others according to different concentrations of water extract in order to provide reference data for developing environment-friendly agricultural materials using five native Fagaceae species including Quercus acuta, Quercus salicina, Quercus glauca, Quercus gilva and Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii. As the concentration of aqueous extracts of Fagaceae increased according to donor plants, the mycelial growth of phytopathogens showed a decreasing tendency. Differences were found in the degree of inhibition according to types of donor plants and pathogenic fungi. Diaporthe citri, Phytophthora capsici, Pythium graminicola on the water extract of Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii inhibited mycelial growth by 84% in 25% of the treatment group and by 87% in more than half of the treatment group. The water extract of Quercus acuta was found to have no inhibitory effect against the mycelial growth of Diaporthe citri. The aqueous extracts of Quercus salicina, Quercus glauca and Quercus gilva insignificantly inhibited mycelial growth by approximately 15%. The total phenolic content of receptor plants exhibiting antifungal activity was highest in Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii with a content of 22.32 mg/g phenols, followed by Quercus salicina with 8.32 mg/g, Quercus glauca with 6.83 mg/g, Quercus gilva with 5.95 mg/g, and Quercus acuta with 5.24 mg/g. The aqueous extracts of Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii among the five Five Fagaceae Plants of were the most effective antifungal activity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.429-436
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• 2016

Purpose: Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes inflammation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) overexpression and extracellular matrix depletion, leading to skin photoaging such as wrinkle formation, dryness, and sagging. Activation of MMP is influenced by various molecules such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), proinflammatory cytokines, and transient receptor potential vanilloid type (TRPV)-1, which are increased in UV-irradiated skin cells. Aralia elata (AE) ethanolic extract was reported to inhibit ROS generation caused by UVB-irradiation in keratinocytes. In this study, we investigated the photoprotective effect of AE ethanolic extract on UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). Methods: AE was freeze-dried, extracted in 70% ethanol, and concentrated. Skin cells were treated with AE extract for 24 h and then exposed to UVB ($55mJ/cm^2$). After 48 h of incubation, proinflammatory cytokines, MMP-1, type-1 procollagen, and TRPV-1 levels were measured by ELISA or Western blotting. Results: Treatment with AE extract ($100{\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited UVB-induced IL-6, IL-8, and $PGE_2$ production in HaCaT by 25.6%, 5.3%, and 70.2%, respectively, and also inhibited elevation of MMP-1 and TRPV-1 caused by UVB irradiation by 20.0% and 41.9%, respectively (p < 0.05). In HDF, AE extract treatment significantly inhibited both elevation of MMP-1 and reduction of type-1 procollagen caused by UVB irradiation (p < 0.05). In addition, type-1 procollagen was elevated by AE extract treatment in normal HDFs (p < 0.05). Conclusion: AE 70% ethanol extract has photoprotective ability via reduction of proinflammatory mediators, TRPV-1 and MMP-1 production, and elevation of collagen synthesis. Our findings suggest that AE extract might be a good natural material to protect against UVB-induced premature skin aging.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 2018

This study examined the effects of zerumbone on monocyte migration. Monocytes are recognized as important mediators of various inflammatory diseases, and the possibility of controlling inflammatory diseases by regulating the monocyte functions, such as activity and mobility, has been reported. MCP-1, which is a chemokine with levels that increase upon inflammation, causes the migration of the monocyte cell line, THP-1. Migration occurred at a concentration of 10 ng/mL MCP-1, and the highest migration occurred at 100 ng/mL and 200 ng/mL. MCP-1-induced THP-1 migration decreased by more than 40% in the presence of zerumbone. The concentration of cAMP, an important secondary messenger of the CCR2 signaling pathway, the MCP-1 receptor, was increased in the culture medium after a zerumbone treatment. The concentrations of cAMP decreased significantly under the MCP-1 treatment condition only. On the other hand, an increase in cAMP was observed when zerumbone and MCP-1 were treated simultaneously. Erk phosphorylation induced by an MCP-1 treatment was also found to decrease with the zerumbone treatment. This study introduces the possibility of controlling inflammatory diseases through the function of zerumbone, which regulates the migration of monocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.269-275
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• 1996

Biosynthesis and secretion of anterior pituitary hormones are under the control of specific hypothalamic stimulatory and inhibitory factors. Among them, Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) is the major stimulator of pituitary somatotrophs activating GH gene expression and secretion. Human GHRH is a polypeptide of 44 amino acids initially isolated from pancreatic tumors, and the gene for the hypothalamic form of GHRH is organized into 5 exons spanning over 10 kilobases (kb) on genomic DNA and encodes a messenger RNA of 700-750 nucleotides. Several neuropeptides classically associated with the hypothalamus have been found in the extrahypothalamic regions, suggesting the existence of novel sources, targets and functions. GHRH-like immunoreactivity has been found in several peripheral sites, including placenta, testis, and ovary, indicating that GHRH may also have regulatory roles in peripheral reproductive organs. Furthermore, higher molecular weight forms of the GHRH transcripts were identified from these organs (1.75 kb in testis; 1.75 and >3 kb in ovary). These tissue-specific expression of GHRH gene suggest the existence of unique regulatory mechanism of GHRH expression and function in these organs. In fact, placenta-specific and testis-specific promoters for GHRH transcripts which are located in about 10 kb upstream region of hypothalamic promoter were reported. The use of unique promoters in extrahypothalamic sites could be refered in a different control of GHRH gene and different functions of the translated products in these tissues. Somatotrophs and lactotrophs have been thought to be derived from a common bipotential progenitor, the somatolactotrophs, which give origins to either phenotypes. Although the precise mechanism responsible for the lactotroph differentiation in the anterior pituitary gland has not been yet clalified, there are several candidators for the generation of lactotrophs. In human, the presence of GHRH peptides with different size from authentic hypothalamic form in the normal anterior pituitary and several types of adenoma were demonstrated. Recently our group found the existence of immunoreactive GHRH and its transcript from the normal rat anterior pituitary (gonadotroph> somatotroph> lactotroph), and the GHRH treatment evoked the increased proliferation rate of anterior pituitary cells in vitro. The transgenic mouse models clearly shown that GHRH or NGF overexpression by anterior pituitary cells induced development of pituitary hyperplasia and adenomas particularly GH-oma and prolactinoma. Taken together, we hypothesize that the pituitary GHRH could serve not only as a modulator of hormone secretion but as a paracrine or autocrine regulator of anterior pituitary cell proliferation and differentiation. Interestingly enough, the expression of Pit-1 homeobox gene (the POU class transcription factor) was confined to somatotrophs, lactotrophs and somatolactotrophs in which GHRH receptors are expressed commonly. Concerning the mechanism of somatolactotroph and lactotroph differentiation in the anterior pituitary, we have focused following two possibilities; (1) changes in the relative levels or interactions of both hypothalamic and intrapituitary factors such as dopamine, VIP, somatostatin, NGF and GHRH; (2) alterations of GHRH-GHRH receptor signaling and Pit-1 activity may be the cause of lactotroph differentiation or pituitary hyperplasia and adenoma formation. Extensive further studies will be necessary to solve these complicated questions.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.103-114
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• 2017

Gnaphalium affine D. DON (GA) has been used as a vegetable as well as a folk medicine in East Asia. The antioxidant and anti-complementary activity of GA extract (GAE) has also been reported. However, little is known about its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect and mechanism of action. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of GAE on the production of inflammatory mediators such as NO, $PGE_2$, TLR4, eotaxin-1 and histamine. Our results suggest that GAE inhibits the production of NO and $PGE_2$ by inhibiting transcriptional activation via the involvement of iNOS and COX-2. The LPS-induced expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was also attenuated. In addition, GAE inhibited A23187-induced histamine release from MC/9 mast cells. It also inhibited the production of eotaxin-1 induced by IL-4. Collectively, these results suggest that GAE may have considerable potential as a cosmetic ingredient with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties.