• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.402-407
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• 2023

The regulation of platelet aggregation is crucial for maintaining normal hemostasis, but abnormal or excessive platelet aggregation can contribute to cardiovascular disorders such as stroke, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. Therefore, identifying substances that can control or suppress platelet aggregation is a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of these conditions. Artemisinin, a compound derived from Artemisia or Scopolia plants, has shown potential in various areas such as anticancer and Alzheimer's disease research. However, the specific role and mechanisms by which artemisinin influences platelet activation and thrombus formation are not yet fully understood. This study investigated the effects of artemisinin on platelet activation and thrombus formation. As a result, cAMP production were increased significantly by artemisinin, as well as phosphorylated VASP and IP₃R which are substrates to cAMP-dependent kinase by artemisinin in a significant manner. The Ca²⁺ normally mobilized from the dense tubular system was inhibited due to IP₃R phosphorylation from artemisinin, and phosphorylated VASP by artemisinin aided in inhibiting platelet activity via αIIb/β3 platelet membrane inactivation and inhibiting fibrinogen binding. Finally, artemisinin inhibited thrombin-induced thrombus formation. Therefore, we suggest that artemisinin has importance with cardiovascular diseases stemming from the abnormal platelets activation and thrombus formation by acting as an effective prophylactic and therapeutic agent.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.63-82
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• 2024

Objective : Saengkankunbi-tang (SKT) is used as a traditional Korean herbal formula for treatment of liver diseases. We investigated the hepatoprotective effects of SKT plus Epimedium koreanum Nakai (EKE) against arachidonic acid (AA) + iron-mediated cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-mediated acute liver damage in mice. Methods : The cyto-protective effects of SKT + EKE were determined by MTT assay, western blot and fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis. In mice, blood biochemistry and western blot were assessed in CCl₄-induced acute hepatic damage. The animal groups included vehicle-treated control, CCl₄, SKT (200 mg/kg/day), EKE (100 mg/kg/day), SKT (200 mg/kg/day) + EKE (100 mg/kg/day) and silymarin (200 mg/kg/day). Results : In HepG2 cells, pretreatment with SKT + EKE significantly suppressed cytotoxicity induced by AA + iron and reduced the expression of proteins related to apoptosis. In addition, pretreatment with SKT + EKE significantly prevented the increase in H₂O₂ production, GSH depletion, and lower mitochondrial membrane potential induced by AA + iron. In CCl₄-induced liver damage mice, the administration of SKT + EKE prevented the liver damage by inhibition of hepatocyte damage and expression of apoptosis proteins in liver. More importantly, in vitro and in vivo assay, SKT + EKE showed significant effect compare with SKT alone or EKE alone in all parameters. Conclusions : These results indicated that SKT + EKE could protect against oxidative stress-induced liver damage, and SKT + EKE is more effective than SKT alone or EKE alone.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.329-340
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• 2024

Mangiferin is a kind of natural xanthone glycosides and is known to have various pharmacological activities. However, since the beneficial efficacy of this compound has not been reported in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, this study aimed to evaluate whether mangiferin could protect human RPE ARPE-19 cells from oxidative injury mimicked by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The results showed that mangiferin attenuated H₂O₂-induced cell viability reduction and DNA damage, while inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and preserving diminished glutathione (GSH). Mangiferin also antagonized H₂O₂-induced inhibition of the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as manganese superoxide dismutase and GSH peroxidase, which was associated with inhibition of mitochondrial ROS production. In addition, mangiferin protected ARPE-19 cells from H₂O₂-induced apoptosis by increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, decreasing caspase-3 activation, and blocking poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Moreover, mangiferin suppressed the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, which was achieved by interfering with mitochondrial membrane disruption. Furthermore, mangiferin increased the expression and activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). However, the inhibition of ROS production, cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of mangiferin were significantly attenuated by the HO-1 inhibitor, indicating that mangiferin promoted Nrf2-mediated HO-1 activity to prevent ARPE-19 cells from oxidative injury. The results of this study suggest that mangiferin, as an Nrf2 activator, has potent ROS scavenging activity and may have the potential to protect oxidative stress-mediated ocular diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.259-272
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• 1987

This was study carried out to investigate the effect of calcium on spontaneous contraction and electrical activity induced by ethanol in gastric smooth muscle. After peeling off the mucous membrane from the isolated whole stomach of 102 cats, two kinds of small muscle preparations $(2.0{\times}0.2\;cm)$, one longitudinal and the other circular, were excised from the fundus, the corpus and the antrum portion of each whole stomach specimen. The isometric contraction of the small muscle preparation was measured in a cylinder-shaped chamber filled with Krebs-Ringer-dextrose solution (pH 7.4, temperature $36{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$) bubbling with 5% $CO_2$ in $O_2$. A large muscle preparation $(5.0{\times}1.2\;cm)$ was excised from the anterior wall of the corpus-antrum portion of the same specimen in 72 of 102 cats. The gastric electrical activity (slow wave and spike potential) was monopolarly recorded by four capillary electrodes (Ag-AgCl), of which two were placed on the corpus and two on the antrum, in a muscle chamber filled with the same solution as described above. Changes in the amplitude of the contraction, frequency of the gastric slow wave and the production of the spike potential were observed after adding ethanol and/or under the treatments with verapamil, $CaCl_2$ and Ca-free Krebs-Ringer-dextrose solution. The results were as follows: 1) After adding ethanol, the spontaneous phasic contraction of the corpus was reduced dose-dependently (0.125-2.0%), which was totally abolished by higher concentrations (2.0-8.0%) of ethanol. 2) The corporal phasic contraction was also completely abolished by verapamil $(3{\times}10^{-5}\;M)$ or Ca-free Krebs-Ringer-dextrose solution. The contraction was increased by $CaCl_2\;(1.8{\times}10^{-3}\;M)$, but the inhibitory effect of ethanol on the contraction persisted even under the treatment with $CaCl_2$. 3) At higher concentrations, ethanol caused tonic contraction of both preparations from the fundus, the corpus and the antrum in a dose-dependent manner. The tonic contraction of the fundus produced by ethanol was not influenced by $CaCl_2$ or verapamil, whereas the tonic contraction was not produced by ethanol in tile Ca-free solution. 4) Frequency of gastric slow wave was decreased dose-dependently by the addition of ethanol (0.25-1.0%), and tile slow wave was not produced by higher concentration of ethanol (2.0%). 5) The frequency of slow wave was significantly reduced by verapamil only and the inhibitory influence of ethanol on the slow wave frequency was reinforced by verapamil. 6) The treatment of $CaCl_2$ increased significantly the slow wave frequency, and attenuated the inhibitory effect of ethanol on the frequency. It is therefore suggested that ethanol regulates the phasic contraction and the production of slow wave by interfering with the transport of calcium in the stomach muscle of the cat.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.785-804
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• 1997

It was well known that calcium sulfate was biocompatible, resorbed rapidly in the body, had potential as a good barrier membrane. Platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) was one of polypeptide growth factor that had been reported as a biological mediator which regulates activities of wound healing process including the cell proliferation, migration and metabolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a combination of calcium sulfate and PDGF on periodontal ligament cells in vitro to use as a regeneration promoting agent of periodontal tissue. Human periodontal ligament cells were prepared from the premolar tooth extracted for the orthodontic treatment. Cells were cultured in ${\alpha}-MEM$ contained with 20% FBS, at the $37^{\circ}C$, 100% of humidity, 5% $Co_2$ incubator. Cells were inoculated and cultured into 96 well culture plate with $1{\times}10^4cells/well$ of ${\alpha}-MEM$ for 1 day. After discarding the medium, those cells were cultured in ${\alpha}-MEM$ contained with 10% FBS alone(control group), in calcium sulfate(calcium sulfate group), in calcium sulfate treated with 15ng/ml of PDGF-BB(calcium sulfate+PDGF group), in ${\alpha}-MEM$ contained with 10% FBS treated with 15ng/ml of PDGF-BB(PDGF group) for 1, 2, 3 day respectively. And then each group was characterized by examining of the cell counting, MTT assay, collagen synthesis. The results were as follows. 1. In the analysis of cell proliferation by cell counting, both calcium sulfate group and calcium sulfate plus PDGF group showed no stastically significant difference compared to control group, but there was stastically significant difference between PDGF group and calcium sulfate group at 1, 2 day(P<0.05). 2. In the analysis of cell proliferation by MTT assay in calcium sulfate extracts, both calcium sulfate group and calcium sulfate plus PDGF group showed no stastically significant difference compared to control group, but there was stastically significant difference between PDGF group and calcium sulfate group at 2, 3 day, and between calcium sulfate plus PDGF group and calcium sulfate group at 2 day(P

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 2010

To screen for potential biocontrol agents against postharvest disease of garlics caused by Penicillium hirsutum, a total of 1292 isolates were isolated from the rhizoshere or rhizoplane of Allium species. Among them, S59-4 isolate was selected as a potential biocontrol agent by in vivo wounded garlic bulb assay. The isolate was identified as Pantoea agglomerans (Pa59-4) through Biolog system. Pa59-4 did not inhibit the mycelial growth of P. hirsutum in dual-culture with P. hirsutum on tryptic soy agar. In order to elucidate mode of action of Pa59-4 on biological control, nutrient competition between Pa59-4 and P. hirsutum was investigated by the simple method using tissue culture plates with cylinder inserts containing defusing membrane reported by Janisiewicz et al. (2000). The results showed that Pa59-4 effectively suppressed spore germination and mycelial growth of blue mold in the low concentration (0.5%) of garlic juice, but it did not suppress those of blue mold in the high concentration (5%) of garlic juice. This result suggests that the mechanism in biocontrol of garlic blue mold by Pa 59-4 may be involved in nutrient competition with P. hirsutum on garlic bulbs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.295-302
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• 2019

Liquiritigenin (LG) is a chiral flavonoid isolated from the roots of licorice. It exhibits multiple biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. In particular though, the anti-cancer activity of LG in oral squamous cell carcinoma has yet to be elucidated, and LG-induced apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma remains poorly understood. In the present study, we tested the role of LG in inducing apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. LG treatment of HN22 cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability as detected by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The induction of apoptosis in terms of Annexin V/7-Aminoactinomycin D staining, sub-G1 population, and multi-caspase activity were assessed with a $Muse^{TM}$ Cell Analyzer. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that LG treatment resulted in G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression and downregulation of cyclin B1 and CDC2 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. It also resulted in significant upregulation of p27. In addition, LG was seen to trigger the generation of reactive oxygen species and induce CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein and 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein in concentration-dependent upregulation. The LG treatment of HN22 cells led to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$); it also reduced the levels of anti-apoptotic protein and increased the expression of apoptotic protease activating factor-1, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose)polymerase and Bax. Overall, our results indicate that the pro-apoptotic effects of LG in HN22 cells depend on the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways. Thus, our results suggest that LG constitutes a natural compound with a potential role as an anti-tumor agent in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.147-157
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• 2023

Centella asiatica extract is widely used as a raw material for cosmetics due to its various effects, but it is difficult to expect penetration into the skin due to its high molecular weight and low solubility. In order to solve these problems, lipid-based liposomes of various types were developed to increase skin absorption. Therefore, in this study, we tried to increase the skin absorption rate by preparing transfersomes using surfactants as edge activators in existing liposomes. Liposome and transfersomes containing Span 80 and Tween 20, 60, 80, and 85, respectively, were prepared using a high-pressure homogenizer, and we evaluated the particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and skin absorption rate. As a result, there was almost no change in the physical properties of particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential from 25 ℃ to 60 d, and the particle size of transfersomes containing Tween 20, 60, and 80 increased after 60 d at 45 ℃. Madecassoside, main substances of the Centella asiatica extract was used as an standard and madecassoside was measured and calculated when measuring the skin absorption rate using Franz diffusion cells. As a result, formulations containing Tween 20 were the most, whereas formulations containing Span 80 were the least. According to the skin absorption coefficient (Kp) value, all formulations showed 'very fast', and the absorption rate was similar or greater than that of liposomes, except for formulations containing Span 80. Through this, it was confirmed that the larger the HLB value of the nonionic surfactant, the smaller the particle size of the transfersome, and the increased skin absorption rate due to the increased flexibility of the vesicle membrane. Through this study, transfersome using surfactant as an edge activator can be expected to solve local skin problems not only as a cosmetic raw material or product, but also by increasing skin absorption.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.237-252
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• 1989

Effect of a $Na^+$ gradient on $Ca^{2+}$ uptake was studied in isolated sarcolemmal vesicles of cat ileal longitudinal muscle. $Ca^{2+}$ uptake was markedly stimulated in the presence of an outwardly directed $Na^+$ gradient. External $Na^+$, monensin and A23187 abolished the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Monovalent cations such as $K^+$, $Li^+$, $Rb^+$, $Cs^+$ and choline could not substitute for $Na^+$ in enhancement of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Divalent cations such as $Ba^{2+}$, $Sr^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$ and $Cd^{2+}$ but not $Mg^{2+}$ inhibited the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Increase in external pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.0 stimulated the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. Amiloride inhibited the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake at concentrations above 0.5 mM, whereas diltiazem or vanadate did not. The apparent Km of the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake for $Ca^{2+}$ was 18.2 ${\mu}M$ and apparent Vmax was 689.7 pmole/mg protein/5 sec. Kinetic analysis of the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake showed a noncompetitive interaction between internal $Na^+$ and external $Ca^{2+}$. The dependence of $Ca^{2+}$ uptake on internal $Na^+$ showed sigmoidal kinetics and Hill coefficient for internal $Na^+$ was 2.52. Inside positive membrane potential generated by imposing an inwardly directed $K^+$ gradient and valinomycin significantly stimulated the $Na^+-dependent$ $Ca^{2+}$ uptake. These results indicate that a $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange system exists in the sarcolemmal membranes isolated from cat ileal longitudinal muscle and it might operate as an electrogenic process.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.457-461
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• 1998

The vesicle system of DPPC(dipalmitoylphosphaticylcholine)/Chol(Cholesterol) has been modified by incorporating various mole fractions of flourinated surfactant($C_8F_{17}(CH_2)_2OCO-CH_2CH(SO_3Na)COO(CH_2)_2C_8F_{17}$. Sodium bis(1H,1H,2H,2H-heptadecaflurododecyl)-2-sulfosuccinate, FS)/fluorinated fatty acid salt ($C_7F_{15}COONH_4$, ammoniumpentadecaflurooctyrate, FFS), and their physicochemical properties have been investigated in an attempt to enhance the stability of phospholipid vesicle system. The ${\zeta}$-potential measurement by use of Zetamaster sub-micron Particle Electrophoresis Analyzer (Malvern Co.) showed that a charged homogeneous DPPC/Chol/FS vesicle has been formed owing to the incorporated FFS effect on the membrane, playing a role as a cosurfactant in the bilayer between DPPC and FS components. With increase in the concentration of FFS, it was found that the particle size and also surface charge of the DPPC/Chol/FS vesicle decreased. The stability of DPPC/Chol/FS/FFS liposome was found to be enhanced significantly compared to that of DPPC/Chol/FS according to the dispersity change as a function of time. The release rate of dye molecule of Methylene Blue from the DPPC/Chol/FS/FFS vesicle was determined to be slower than that of DPPC/Chol/FS system, and it may be attributed to the increase in microviscosity of the hydrophobic region in the bilayer. The affinfinity of DPPC/Chol/FS/FFS vesicles to albumin was found to be slightly lowered compared to that of DPPC/Chol/FS. Based on these findings, it was confirmed that a more stable and homogeneous vesicle system of DPPC/Chol/FS could be prepared by addition of FFS, acting as a cosurfactant in the aggregate formation.