• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.7-12
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• 2017

Objectives : Recently, numerous studies reported that excessive generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) stimulated expression of skin wrinkle related proteins. This study aimed to evaluate inhibits skin wrinkle formation effect of Mori Folium (MF) through decreased AGEs. Methods : To evaluate the skin wrinkle inhibition effect of MF, SD-rats were divided into three groups; normal rats (Nor), AGEs-induced rats (Con), AGEs-induce rats treated with MF at dose of 100mg/kg body weight (MF). To induced AGEs, streptozotocin (50mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally, and after 3 days, 100mM methyl glyoxal was administered orally for 3 weeks. After the experiment, the animal's dorsal skin tissues and serum were separated and tested. Results : The oral administration of MF suppressed the AGEs level in serum. Also, the AGEs in skin tissues was significantly reduced through treatment of MF compared with control group. Moreover, the expressions of AGEs related proteins such as polyclonal anti-$N^e$-(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML), anti-$N^e$-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), AGE receptors (RAGE) were reduced in MF group compared with the control group in kidney and skin tissues. The matrix metallo proteinase-1 (MMP-1) reduced by MF treatment with the result that collagen type 1 alpha 2 (COL1A2) was improved that reduced by accumulation of AGEs. Conclusion : The evidence of this study indicate that oral administration of MF reduces the levels of AGEs in serum, skin, and kidney tissues. In conclusion, MF inhibit skin wrinkle formation, suggesting the potential of anti-wrinkle material.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.97-107
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• 2023

Aristolochic acid (AA), extracted from Aristolochiaceae plants, plays an essential role in traditional herbal medicines and is used for different diseases. However, AA has been found to be nephrotoxic and is known to cause aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). AA-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome in AAN with a high morbidity that manifests mitochondrial damage as a key part of its pathological progression. Melatonin primarily serves as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. However, its mitochondrial protective role in AA-induced AKI is barely reported. In this study, mice were administrated 2.5 mg/kg AA to induce AKI. Melatonin reduced the increase in Upro and Scr and attenuated the necrosis and atrophy of renal proximal tubules in mice exposed to AA. Melatonin suppressed ROS generation, MDA levels and iNOS expression and increased SOD activities in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, the in vivo study revealed that melatonin decreased mitochondrial fragmentation in renal proximal tubular cells and increased ATP levels in kidney tissues in response to AA. In vitro, melatonin restored the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in NRK-52E and HK-2 cells and led to an elevation in ATP levels. Confocal immunofluorescence data showed that puncta containing Mito-tracker and GFP-LC3A/B were reduced, thereby impeding the mitophagy of tubular epithelial cells. Furthermore, melatonin decreased LC3A/B-II expression and increased p62 expression. The apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells induced by AA was decreased. Therefore, our findings revealed that melatonin could prevent AA-induced AKI by attenuating mitochondrial damage, which may provide a potential therapeutic method for renal AA toxicity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.122-133
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• 2022

The aim of this study was to investigating whether lncRNA H19 promotes myocardial fibrosis by suppressing the miR-29a-3p/miR-29b-3p-VEGFA/TGF-β axis. Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and healthy volunteers were included in the study, and their biochemical parameters were collected. In addition, pcDNA3.1-H19, si-H19, and miR-29a/b-3p mimic/inhibitor were transfected into cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), and proliferation of CFs was detected by MTT assay. Expression of H19 and miR-29a/b-3p were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, collagen II, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and elastin were measured by western blot analysis. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay was carried out to detect the sponging relationship between H19 and miR-29a/b-3p in CFs. Compared with healthy volunteers, the level of plasma H19 was significantly elevated in patients with AF, while miR-29a-3p and miR-29b-3p were markedly depressed (P < 0.05). Serum expression of lncRNA H19 was negatively correlated with the expression of miR-29a-3p and miR-29b-3p among patients with AF (r_s = -0.337, r_s = -0.236). Moreover, up-regulation of H19 expression and down-regulation of miR-29a/b-3p expression facilitated proliferation and synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related proteins. SB431542 and si-VEGFA are able to reverse the promotion of miR-29a/b-3p on proliferation of CFs and ECM-related protein synthesis. The findings of the present study suggest that H19 promoted CF proliferation and collagen synthesis by suppressing the miR-29a-3p/miR-29b-3p-VEGFA/TGF-β axis, and provide support for a potential new direction for the treatment of AF.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2002

Purpose : Among numerous biological symptoms of cancer, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are essential for tumor invasion and metastasis. HAD is used as an inhibitor of MMP gene. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of HAD on anti metastasis and preventing recurrence in cancer patients. Materials and Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 69 cancer patients who had been administered with HAD for over 12 months continuously in East-West Cancer Center of Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, from January 1993 to May 2002. Results : We analyzed gender, portion, stage and anti-metastasis & recurrence rates of cancer patients. Analysis of sex cases showed that the percentage of male is 62.3%, female is 37.7%. Analysis of cancer portion showed that the percentage of stomach is 31.9%, colorectum is 26.1%, lung is 21.7%, liver is 8.7%, breast is 8.7% Analysis of stage showed that the rate of III is 78.3%, IV is 13.0% and II is 8.7%. Analysis of anti-metastasis and recurrence rates showed that colorectal cancer is 77.8%, stomach cancer is 63.6%, lung cancer is 33.4% and breast cancer is 33.3% (mean : 53.6%). Conclusions : HAD has significant effects on anti-metastasis and preventing recurrence of tumor on cancer patients. So it helps to prolong the survival rates of cancer patients.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.119-134
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• 2006

Shiquandabutang is very famous prescription for tonifying vital energy. We examined the anti-metatstastic effect of Shiquandabutang with in vitro invasion assay model. We performed the following experiments and the results are listed below:Cell viability assay was carried to determine the dose of Shiquandabutang. At lower dose under 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ (89.6%) viability was very high. But, viability downed as dose grows. At the dose of 600 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ (54.2%) viability was almost half of that of control. And at high dose of 1000 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ (15.8%) viability was very pure. In BrdU incorporation assay, Shiquandabutang treated groups showed the decreased DNA synthesis rate compared with control group.(200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ (64.4%), 400 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ (7.3%)) The results of gelatinase assay showed that Shiquandabutang decreases the gelatinolytic activity of MMP-9. We examined tube formation assay and the result was that Shiquandabutang ihhibits the tube formation at the dose of 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and 400 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$. We examined rat aortic ring assay and the result was that Shiquandabutang ihhibits the angiogenesis of the rat aortic ring at the dose of 400 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$. From our research, part of the mechanism underlying anti-metastastic effect of Shiquandabutang was proven in vitro. Moreover, we knew that Shiquandabutang is more effectively inhibits the angiogenesis at high dose.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.118-118
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• 2018

인삼은 우리나라에서 오랜 역사동안 많은 연구가 진행되어 왔으며, 현재는 다양한 방법으로 홍삼과 흑삼으로 만들어 식품, 화장품, 의약품 등 다양한 방면으로 사용하고 있다. 본 연구에서 시중에서 구매한 새싹삼(인삼새싹) 잎/줄기에 함유된 진세노사이드(Re, Rg1, Rb1, Rg3, Rh1) 함량을 높이기 위하여 증숙과 초음파 추출조건에 관한 연구를 수행하여 우수한 항노화 소재를 개발하기 위하여 실시하였다. 실험은 새싹삼 잎/줄기를 증숙 온도와 시간의 조건에서 진세노사이드 함량이 가장 높은 조건을 선정하였으며, 선정된 조건의 새싹삼 잎/줄기에 파장과 출력에 대한 조건으로 초음파 추출을 진행하여 진세노사이드가 가장 높은 함량을 보이는 조건을 선정하였다. 그 결과 새싹삼 잎/줄기추출물(GSE; Ginseng Sprout Extract)의 진세노사이드 함량은 4.8 mg/g으로 확인되었으나 증숙공정을 통해 8.82 mg/g으로 함량이 증가되었으며, 상기 증숙된 새싹삼 잎/줄기에 초음파공정을 적용하여 추출한 새싹삼 잎/줄기초음파추출물(SU-GSE; Steaming & dry Ultrasonication-Ginseng Sprout Extract)에서는 최대 10.65 mg/g으로 함량이 증가되었다. 반면, 새싹삼 뿌리의 진세노사이드는 2.30 mg/g으로 확인되었으나 증숙공정을 통해 4.95 mg/g으로 함량이 증가되었으며, 초음파추출공정을 통해 최대 5.82 mg/g으로 함량이 증가된 것을 확인할 수 있었으나, 새싹삼 잎/줄기에 비해 진세노사이드 함량이 낮은 것을 확인하였다. 항노화 소재로의 활용가능성을 평가하기 위하여 새싹삼 잎/줄기추출물 GSE와 SU-GSE에 대한 세포생존률, 항산화 및 항노화에 대한 효능평가를 진행하였으며 GSE의 경우 $100{\mu}g/ml$에서 세포생존률이 82.4%를 보인 반면 SU-GSE에서는 $1,000{\mu}g/ml$의 농도에서 101.8%의 세포 생존률을 보였다. 항산화 활성의 경우 GSE와 SU-GSE $100{\mu}g/ml$ 농도에서 각각 52%와 81%의 항산화 활성을 나타냄으로써 SU-GES의 조건에서 항산화 활성이 우수한 것으로 확인되었다. 또한, 항노화 활성에 대한 실험결과 MMP-1 유전자 발현에 대한 억제율을 비교한 결과 GSE와 SU-GES $100{\mu}g/ml$의 농도에서 각각 18%와 29%의 억제율을 보임에 항노화 소재로의 활용가능성을 확인하였다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.115-125
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the inhibitory effects of $Chrthami$ semen oil pharmacopuncture(CSOP) on CIA (collagen-induced arthritis) mice. Materials and Methods : Two types of experiments were conducted: $in$ $vitro$ assay, inhibition of MIF mRNA and TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expressions in synovial membranes was observed, and $in$ $vivo$ assay, $1{\mu}{\ell}/kg$ CSOP was injected every day to the left $Weizhong$ ($BL_{40}$) from day 3 to 21 after induction of CIA, and changes in paw edema, apical surface morphology, neovascularization in synovial membranes, fibrosis, pro-inflammatory cytokines production, Th-1 differentiation, and anti-inflammatory effect were investigated. Results : 1. In synoviocytes of the CIA mice treated with CSOP, MIF mRNA and TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expressions were down-regulated in a dose-dependent manner. 2. Paw edema of the CIA mice treated with CSOP was diminished. 3. Tissue injury in the synovial membranes, capillary distribution and fibrosis were reduced in CSOP-treated mice. 4. MIF, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, MMP-9 expressions were repressed in CSOP-treated mice during the experiment to observe the inhibitory effect on cytokines production in early stage RA. 5. IL-12 and CD28 were reduced in CSOP-treated mice during the observation of inhibitory effect on Th 1 differentiation. 6. PPAR-${\gamma}$ was increased during the experiment to observe the anti-inflammatory effect of CSOP. Conclusions : The results may suggest that administration treatment using $Chrthami$ semen oil pharmacopuncture decreases the inflammatory response on an Animal Model with CIA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5291-5298
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• 2012

Beta-asarone is one of the main bioactive constituents in traditional Chinese medicine Acorus calamu. Previous studies have shown that it has antifungal and anthelmintic activities. However, little is known about its anticancer effects. This study aimed to determine inhibitory effects on LoVo colon cancer cell proliferation and to clarify the underlying mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. Dose-response and time-course anti-proliferation effects were examined by MTT assay. Our results demonstrated that LoVo cell viability showed dose- and time-dependence on ${\beta}$-asarone. We further assessed anti-proliferation effects as ${\beta}$-asarone-induced apoptosis by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide assay usinga flow cytometer and observed characteristic nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation of apoptosis by microscopy. Moreover, we found the apoptosis to be induced through the mitochondrial/caspase pathway by decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reducing the Bcl-2-to-Bax ratio, in addition to activating the caspase-9 and caspase-3 cascades. Additionally, the apoptosis could be inhibited by a pan-caspase inhibitor, carbobenzoxy-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-[O-methyl]-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK). When nude mice bearing LoVo tumor xenografts were treated with ${\beta}$-asarone, tumor volumes were reduced and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays of excised tissue also demonstrated apoptotic changes. Taken together, these findings for the first time provide evidence that ${\beta}$-asarone can suppress the growth of colon cancer and the induced apoptosis is possibly mediated through mitochondria/caspase pathways.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.61-72
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• 2009

Chios gum mastic (CGM) is a resin produced from the stem and leaves of Pistiacia lentiscus L var chia, a plant which grows only on Chios Island in Greece. CGM has been used for many centuries as a dietary supplement and folk medicine for stomach and duodenal ulcers in many Mediterranean countries and is known also to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in some cancer cells. In this study, we further investigated the induction and mechanisms underlying the apoptotic response to CGM treatment in the SCC25 human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line. The viability of SCC25 cells, human normal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1 cells), and the growth inhibition of SCC25 cells were assessed by MTT assay and clonogenic assay, respectively. Staining with Hoechst and hemacolor dyes and TUNEL assays were employed to detect SCC25 cells undergoing apoptosis. SCC25 cells were treated with CGM, and this was followed by western blotting, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, FACScan flow cytometry, MMP activity and proteasome activity analyses. CGM treatment of SCC25 cells was found to result in a time- and dosedependent decrease in cell viability, a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth, and apoptotic cell death. Interestingly, CGM showed a remarkable level of cytotoxicity in SCC25 cells but not in normal cells. Tested SCC25 cells also showed several lines of apoptotic manifestation. Taken together, our present findings demonstrate that CGM strongly inhibits cell proliferation by modulating the expression of G1 cell cycle-related proteins and induces apoptosis via the proteasome, mitochondria and caspase cascades in SCC25 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.93-100
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• 2015

Pachymic acid (PA) is a lanostane-type triterpenoid derived from the Poria cocos mushroom. Several beneficial biological features of PA provide medicine with a wide variety of valuable effects, such as anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity; it also has antioxidant effects against oxidative stress. Nonetheless, the biological properties and mechanisms that produce this anti-cancer action of PA remain largely undetermined. In this study, we investigated the pro-apoptotic effects of PA in T24 human bladder cancer cells. It was found that PA could inhibit the cell growth of T24 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies and chromatin condensation and accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. The induction of apoptotic cell death by PA was connected with an up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax and Bad protein expression and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins, and inhibition of apoptosis family proteins. In addition, apoptosis-inducing concentrations of PA induced the activation of caspase-9, an initiator caspase of the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathway, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase. PA also induced apoptosis via a death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathway by caspase-8 activation, resulting in the truncation of Bid and suggesting the existence of cross-talk between the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Taken together, the present results suggest that PA may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human bladder cancer cells.