• KSBB Journal
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.168-173
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• 2007

To clarify the usefulness of fluorescent diagnosis for cancer, we investigated the optimal method of administrating 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), 5-aminolevulinic acid methyl ester (ALA-methyl ester) by analyzing fluorescence signal of Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in the cultured normal and cancer cells. 5-ALA and ALA-methyl ester was injected as a photosensitizer to the cancer liver cells (HepG2) and normal liver cells (Chang). Chang and HepG2 cells were incubated with various concentrations of 5-ALA and ALA-methyl ester (0-800 ${\mu}g/mL$). The accumulation of PpIX induced by 5-ALA and ALA-methyl ester was in HepG2 and Chang. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Fluorescence of PpIX in HepG2 cell was excited at a wavelength ($\lambda$ = 410 nm) and showed an emission spectrum at 603.2 nm, 660.8 nm and 603.2 nm, 661.4 nm which could be related to the PpIX generation induced by the applied 5-ALA and ALA-methyl ester, respectively. The experimental results showed that fluorescence signal of PpIX was proportional to the concentration of 5-ALA and ALA-methyl ester in tumor cells, but measured with low concentration in normal cells. Another results showed that the PpIX formation rate induced by ALA-methyl ester is higher than that of 5-ALA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and protective effect of extracts from the stems and leaves of Chrysanthemum boreale (CBSL) on t-BHP induced oxidative stress in human liver cells (Chang cells). Antioxidant activities in the extracts were determined for various radical scavenging activities including ferric reducing antioxidant power, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). CBSL showed a very good scavenging effect of DPPH radical ($IC_{50}$ $0.009{\pm}0.002$ mg/mL), alkyl radical ($IC_{50}$ $0.004{\pm}0.001$ mg/mL), and hydroxyl radical ($IC_{50}$ $6.742{\pm}0.152$ mg/mL). CBSL also showed a strong antioxidant effect in the ORAC assay. In the MTT assay on human liver cells (Chang cells), the extracts showed protective effects by increasing cell viability, decreasing ROS, and restoring mitochondria membrane potential upon t-BHP induced oxidative stress. Our findings suggest that CBSL extracts are a potential therapeutic with protective antioxidant effects upon oxidative stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1144-1151
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• 2019

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease associated with various metabolic syndromes, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Cudrania tricuspidata is a medicinal plant distributed widely in Asia and has been used in clinical practice to treat various diseases. The aim of this study is to determine the lipid-lowering effects of C. tricuspidata fruit extract (CTE) using a cell model induced by free fatty acids (FFAs). HepG2 cells were exposed to 1mM FFAs (palmitic acid:oleic acid = 2:1) for 24 hr to simulate the conditions of NAFLD in vitro. CTE attenuated the increases of lipid accumulation, intracellular triglyceride, and cholesterol content and inhibited 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) activity in the HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Also, CTE inhibited the protein expression of lipogenesis-related genes, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1/-2 (SREBP-1/-2), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and stearoyl CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) in FFAs-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. In addition, CTE-induced adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in HepG2 cells. These results suggest that CTE attenuates hepatic lipid accumulation by inhibiting lipogenesis through the modulation of the AMPK signaling pathway on FFAs-induced lipogenesis in HepG2 cells and may potentially prevent NAFLD.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.39-44
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• 2013

Objectives : Gambigyeongsinhwan 16 (GGEx16), gambigyeongsinhwan 18 (GGEx18) and gambitongseong capsule are shown to be involved in the regulation of obesity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the reporter activity of anti-obesity genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\alpha}$ ($PPAR{\alpha}$) and $PPAR{\delta}$ by GGEx16, GGEx18 and gambitongseong capsule. Methods : After NMu2Li liver cells, C2C12 skeletal muscle cells and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with GGEx16 (1 ${\mu}g/ml$), GGEx18 (1 ${\mu}g/ml$) and different concentrations of gambitongseong capsule, the transactivation of $PPAR{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\delta}$ was measured by a luciferase reporter gene assay. Results : $PPAR{\alpha}$ reporter gene activity in NMu2Li liver cells and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was significantly increased by GGEx16, GGEx18 and gambitongseong capsule compared with control, whereas $PPAR{\alpha}$ reporter gene activity in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells was significantly increased by GGEx18 only compared with control. Similarly, $PPAR{\delta}$ reporter gene activity in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was also significantly increased by GGEx18 compared with control. $PPAR{\delta}$ reporter gene activity in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells was significantly increased by GGEx16 and GGEx18 compared with control although $PPAR{\delta}$ reporter gene activity in NMu2Li liver cells was not changed by these three formulas. Conclusions : These results suggest that all three formulas have the ability to stimulate $PPAR{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\delta}$ transactivation in animal cell lines with high metabolic rates. In particular, this effects were most prominent in GGEx18-treated cells. In addition, it is likely that GGEx18 may be used as an effective anti-obesity composition.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2013

Korean red ginseng, the processed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, has been frequently used for various therapeutic purposes in oriental medicine. The present study investigated the possible effect of Korean red ginseng extract (RGE) for the treatment of liver fibrosis in mice injected with carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) for 4 wk. Liver injuries were assessed by blood biochemistry and histopathology in mice treated with $CCl_4$ alone or $CCl_4$+ RGE (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg). Concomitant treatment with RGE and $CCl_4$ (three times/wk for 4 wk) effectively inhibited liver fibrosis as evidenced by decreases in plasma alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, as well as by the percentages of degenerative regions, numbers of degenerative hepatocytes, and collagen accumulation in hepatic parenchyma. Treatment with $CCl_4$ for 4 wk increased mRNA levels of transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 in fibrogenic liver, whereas RGE (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) significantly blocked the induction of fibrogenic genes by $CCl_4$. Similarly, RGE also prevented transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$-mediated induction of fibrogenic genes in human hepatic stellate cell lines. More importantly, RGE markedly reduced the number of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin-positive cells in liver tissue. This study implies that RGE efficaciously protects against the liver fibrosis induced by chronic $CCl_4$ treatment, and may therefore have potential to treat liver disease.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1969

Liver functions in diffuse parenchymal liver disease such as cirrhosis of the liver depend largely on the effective hepatic blood flow rather than on the individual cell functions. Clinical methods of measuring the hepatic blood flow were developed recently by the application of colloidal disappearance rate. In order to correlate the radiogold disappearance rate to conventional biochemical liver function tests, 21 normal subjects and 80 cases of cirrhosis of the liver were studied with both methods. The results are summarized as following: 1. The validity of external counting method to measure the blood disappearance rate of colloidal radiogold was confirmed by in vitro counting of the serial blood samples. 2. The blood disappearance rate of collidal radiogold was essentially the same. as the liver uptake rate of colloidal radiogold in normal and cirrhotic subjects with various degrees of functional disturbance. And it seemed there was no serious extrahepatic removal of the colloidal radiogold. 3. The disappearance rate of colloidal radiogold was not significantly changed by the posture change, but was enhanced by ingestion of 500 ml of water. 4. The disappearance rate of colloidal radiogold was not influenced by single dose of Telepaque, while BSP retention was increased after Telepaque. 5. The mean disappearance half time of colloidal radiogold in normal subjects was $2.49{\pm}0.391$(S.D.) minutes. The mean normal disappearance rate constant (K value) was $0.285{\pm}0.0428$(S.D.)/minute. 6. The colloidal radiogold disappearance half time was abnormally prolonged (over 3.2 min.) in $87.7{\pm}3.68$(S.D.) % of cirrhotic subjects. 7. In patients of liver cirrhosis the blood disappearance rate of colloidal radiogold correlated well to serum albumin and globulin levels and BSP retention which were considered to reflect functions of hepatic parenchymal cells. There was, however, no correlation between colloidal disappearance rate and thymol turbidity test, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and serm alkaline phosphatase activities. The latters were considered to be associated with the activity of liver disease.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.962-968
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• 2006

Background : Liver cirrhosis is a disease of the liver in which normal cells are replaced by scar tissue. This condition results in the failure of the liver to perform many of its usual functions. Liver cirrhosis includes ascites, jaundice, portal hypertension, varices etc. Objectives : This study was to see if there is a decrease in ascites of liver cirrhosis to under acupuncture and herbal treatment to test their validity. Methods : Measuring the response to treatment of ascites by giving pyengwie-san hap wieryungtang gamibang and treating the patient with acupuncture, these clinical symptoms were observed: weight, abdominal circumference, abdominal SONO, chest X-ray, and lab findings. Results : Over 18 days the daily average loss of weight and abdominal circumference 0.43kg and 0.56cm, respectively. Lab findings of liver functions showed improvement. Conclusions : This report shows a role for acupuncture and herbal treatment for treating ascites in liver cirrhosis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.300-306
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• 2005

Tamoxifen citrate is an anti-estrogenic drug used for the treatment of breast cancer. It showed a degree of hepatic carcinogenesis, when it used for long term as it can decrease the hexose monophosphate shunt and thereby increasing the incidence of oxidative stress in liver rat cells leading to liver injury. In this study, a model of liver injury in female rats was done by intraperitoneal injection of tamoxifen in a dose of 45 mg/kg body weight for 7 successive days. This model produced a state of oxidative stress accompanied with liver injury as noticed by significant declines in the antioxidant enzymes (glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and reduced glutathione concomitant with significant elevations in TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) and liver transaminases; sGPT (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase) and sGOT (serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase) levels. The oral administration of dimethyl dimethoxy biphenyl dicarboxylate (DDB) in a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 10 successive days, resulted in alleviation of the oxidative stress status of tamoxifen-intoxicated liver injury in rats as observed by significant increments in the antioxidant enzymes (glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and reduced glutathione concomitant with significant decrements in TBARS and liver transaminases; sGPT and sGOT levels. The administration of DDB before tamoxifen intoxication (as protection) is more little effective than its curative effect against tamoxifen-induced liver injury. The data obtained from this study speculated that DDB can mediate its biochemical effects through the enhancement of the antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced glutathione level as well as decreasing lipid peroxides.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.79-83
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• 1996

Gaucher's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from mutation at the glucocerebrosidase locus on chromosome 1q21. As a result, glucocerebroside accumulates principally in the phagocytic cells known as Gaucher cells. In our case, a five-year old girl was admitted with seven days' history of fever and abdominal distension. At physical examination the patient had hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory tests revealed a hemoglobin concentration of 2.8g/L: platelet counts of $23,000/{\mu}l$: normal range of white cell and differential counts, and negative Coombs' test. Liver enzymes were normal. For the evaluation of hepatosplenomegaly, fine needle aspiration was performed blindly against the palpable spleen. Wet-fixed hematoxylin and eosin-stained smears are made. The smears from the spleen showed predominantly macrophages with abundant cytoplasm and rather small, uniform, often eccentric nuclei with small nucleoli. The multinucleated cells were often found. The cytoplasm was pale, with more or less distinct fibrillarity. The cells had the characteristic appearance of Gaucher cells. Gaucher cells were also found in the tissue section from the liver, spleen and lymph node and the bone marrow aspirate. The diagnosis was later confirmed by determination of bela-glucosidase activity in peripheral blood leucocytes. Fine needle aspiration of the spleen is considered as a convenient procedure with a low complication rate for the diagnosis of lysosomal storage disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.413-417
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• 2015

Recently, we isolated HY253, a novel decahydrofluorene analog with a molecular structure of 7,8a-divinyl-2,4a,4b,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-fluorene-2,4a,4b,9a-tetraol from the roots of Aralia continentalis, which is known as Dokwhal (獨活), a traditional medicinal herb. Moreover, we previously reported its cytotoxic activity on cancer cell proliferation in human lung cancer A549 and cervical cancer HeLa cells. The current study aimed to evaluate its detailed molecular mechanisms in cell cycle arrest and apoptotic induction in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Flow cytometric analysis of HepG2 cells treated with $60{\mu}M$ HY253 revealed appreciable cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase via inhibition of Rb phosphorylation and down-regulation of cyclin D1. Furthermore, using western blots, we found that up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, such as p21^CIP1 and p27^KIP1, was associated with this G₁ phase arrest. Moreover, TUNEL assay and immunoblottings revealed apoptotic induction in HepG2 cells treated with $60{\mu}M$ HY253 for 24 h, which is associated with cytochrome c release from mitochondria, via down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, which in turn resulted in activation of caspase-9 and -3, and proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Accordingly, we suggest that HY253 may be a potent chemotherapeutic hit compound for treating human liver cancer cells via up-regulation and activation of the p53 gene.