• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.496-504
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• 2022

Background: Cigarette smoke (CS) is considered a principal cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with mucus hypersecretion and airway inflammation. Ginsenoside compound K (CK), a product of ginsenoside metabolism, has various biological activities. Studies on the effects of CK for the treatment of COPD and mucus hypersecretion, including the underlying signaling mechanism, have not yet been conducted. Methods: To study the protective effects and molecular mechanism of CK, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced human airway epithelial (NCI-H292) cells were used as a cellular model of airway inflammation. An experimental mouse COPD model was also established via CS inhalation and intranasal administration of lipopolysaccharide. Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 secretion, as well as elastase activity and reactive oxygen species production, were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inflammatory cell influx and mucus secretion in mouse lung tissues were estimated using hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-schiff staining, respectively. PKCδ and its downstream signaling molecules were analyzed via western blotting. Results: CK prevented the secretion of MUC5AC and TNF-α in PMA-stimulated NCI-H292 cells and exhibited a protective effect in COPD mice via the suppression of inflammatory mediators and mucus secretion. These effects were accompanied by an inactivation of PKCδ and related signaling in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: CK suppressed pulmonary inflammation and mucus secretion in COPD mouse model through PKC regulation, highlighting the compound's potential as a useful adjuvant in the prevention and treatment of COPD.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-20
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• 1988

The species of the slug used in the experiment is Limax flavus L. For identifying the chemical characteristics of the epidermis, granules and mucus-producing cell of this animal is examined with methylene blue-basic fuchsin double stain and PAS-alcian blue reagent. For the ultrastructural research of the epidermal free surface, the epitheial cell and the parenchymal cell are used with scanning electron microscope and transmission elec-tron microscope respectively. I . Epidermal tissue The epidermal tissue of the slug is observed being divided into the dorsal and the ventral side(toot pad) respectively. 1) Dorsal epidermal tissue The dorsal epidermis of the slug is constituted with the simple columnar epithelium and the microvilli are compacted on the epidermal free surface. Two different types of the secretory granules of the neutral and the acid mucus are observed between the epithelial cells, and the neutral mucous granules are highest electron-dense but the acid mucous granules are observed to be electron-lucent. 2) Foot epidermal tissue The Foot epidermis is formed with the taller simple columnar epithelium than the dorsal epidermis and these cells have both a large number of the microvilli and a few number of the large villi. The secretory granules of three different types, which are acid, neutral and mixed mucous granule of two different types are observed between the epithelial cells. The neutral mucous granules are highest electron dense but the acid mucous granules are observed to be electron-lucent. II . Mucous granule-producing cell and mucus-producing cells Seven different types of the granules-producing cell and the mucus-producing cells are observed between the parenchyma. 1) A-type of acid mucous granule-producing cell The electron-lucent granules are largely occupied in the cytoplasm of these cells and then the granules are surrounded by irregular membrane. These electron-lucent granules exhibit alcianophilia with PAS-alcian blue reaction, so these granules are certified to be acid mucopolysaccharide. 2) B-type of acid mucus-producing cell The nucleus and the cytoplasm of these cells are pushed by the acid mucus of the electron-lucent toward the cell membrane. This mucus has been confirmed to be the acid mucopolysaccharide with PAS-alcian blue reagent. 3) A-type of neutral mucous granule-producing cell These cells contain the electron-dense round granules with approximately $1{\mu}m$ in diameter, which exhibit strongly PAS-positive reaction. These granules are confirmed to be the neutral mucoplysaccharide. 4) B-type of neutral mucous granule-producing cell These cells contain two different types of electron dense granules and electron-lucent granules; The former exhibits to be strongly PAS-positive and the latter to have alcianophilia reaction respectively. 5) C-type of neutral mucus-producing cell These cells are similar to the shape and the size of the B-type of mucus-producing cell but these two different types of cells are stained with reversing properties to each other. The mucus of the C-type cell that electron-lucent is largely occupied in the cytoplasm that exhibits strongly PAS-positive reaction. 6) D-type of neutral mucous granule-producing cell These cells contain round granules about $1{\mu}m$ in size which are observed to be medium electron-dense granules and those granules are stained brightly red with PAS-weak positive reaction. The granules are certified to be neutral mucopolysaccharide. 7) E-type of neutral mucous granule-producing cell These cells are similar to the shape and the size of the D-type of neutral mucous granule-producing cell. These cells contain a large number of granules with about $1{\mu}m$ in diameter showing electron-lucent and then granules are seen to be PAS-weak positive reaction. III. Parenchyma The clear cell and dark cell are found in the parenchyma of the Limax flavus L. 1) Clear cell These cells are round formed and the nucleus of the cells are larger than cytoplasm. These cells which have the electron-lucent cytosol possess poorly developed organelles. 2) Dark cell These cells are found to be dark cells due to high electron-density, which exhibit strongly methylene-blue reaction from double stain of methylene blue-basic fuchsin.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.207-217
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• 2016

In this study, we investigated the characteristics of CCK-producing cells and mucus-secreting goblet cells with respect to stomach fish and stomachless fish of the Gobiidae in order to provide a basis for understanding the digestive physiology. Hairychin goby (Sagamia geneionema), which is stomachless fish, the numbers of mucus-secreting goblet cells is highest in the posterior intestine portion (P<0.05), while CCK-producing cells are scattered throughout the intestine. Gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus), which is stomach fish, mucus-secreting goblet cells are most abundant in the mid intestine portion (P<0.05), whereas CCK-producing cells are observed only in the anterior and mid intestine portion. Trident goby (Tridentiger obscurus) which is stomach fish, mucus-secreting goblet cells were most abundant in the mid intestine portion (P<0.05). CCK-producing cells are found in the anterior and mid intestine portion. Giurine goby, Rhinogobius giurinus which is also stomach fish, the largest number of mucus-secreting goblet cells showed in anterior intestine portion except for esophagus (P<0.05). CCK-producing cells are present only in the anterior and mid intestine portion. In S. geneionema, digestive action occurs in the posterior intestine portion to protect and functions to activate digestion. In contrast, in C. gulosus, T. obscurus and R. giurinus, their digestive action occurs in the anterior and mid intestine portion to protect and functions to activate digestion. Further studies of the modes of food ingestion by these fish, the contents of their digestive tracts, and the staining characteristics of the goblet cells need to be carried out.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.111-121
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• 1996

Antiulcer effects of Artemisia herba extract (DA-9601) were evaluated in various types of experimental gastric ulcer induced in rats. And the effects of DA-9601 on mucus, basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion were also investigated in rats. DA-9601 (12.5∼400 mg/kg, p.o.) prevented the formation of gastric ulcers induced by 60% EtOH in 150 mM HC1, restraint water immersion stress, platelet activating factor (PAF), aspirin in 150 mM HCI with Pylorus-ligation and indomethacin. DA-9601 (4∼400 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly accelerated the healing rate of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer and significantly stimulated mucus secretion in a dose-dependent manner. DA-9601 (20∼200 mg/kg, i.d.), however, did not inhibit basal gastric acid secretion in pylorus ligated rats and DA-9601 (200 mg/kg, i.d.) failed to influence histamine-, pentagastrin- and carbachol- stimulated gastric acid secretion. These results suggest that DA-9601 has inhibitory action on gastric lesion and ulceration through increasing mucus secretion in the stomach of rats without influencing basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.127-134
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• 1984

As a series of studies to clarify clonorchicidal substances in body surface mucus of some freshwater fishes, the substance in the epidermal mucus of Cyprinus carpio was isolated by silica gel column and thin layer chromatography and analysed for its chemical nature. Wormicidal trial was done in vitro, and the results obtained are summarized as follows: The mucus was extracted by ethyl ether and separated into 4 fractions by column chromatography using benzene as solvent. The second fraction with yellowish red colour among them showed the strongest clonorchicidal effect. The yellowish red fraction obtained by column chromatography was then fractionated into 6 spots by thin layer chromatography with petrol/ etherjchloroform (30/70, v/v), and the Rf. 0.714 spot among the 6 spots showed the strongest effect. The Rf. 0.714 spot was further fractionated into 6 spots by thin layer chromatography with benzene/acetone (90/10, vlv), and the Rf. 0.800 spot among the later 6 spots revealed the strongest effect. The Rf. 0.800 spot was chromatographed on column with benzene and 2 fractions were obtained. The second fraction of light brown colour represented the final purified fraction. By these Purification Procedures, clonorchicidal substance was Purified 15-fold with 0.035 yield from the mucus of C. carpio, and 10mg of the final fraction killed the cercaria in 26 min, the metacercaria in 115 min, and the adult in 443 min. Infra red and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometric analysis of the purified substance revealed that the substance belongs to an ethyl ester of unsaturated fatty acid with 2 double bonds, 15 methylene groups and 1 methyl group.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2017

In the human airway, mucus exists to protect the respiratory system as a primary barrier of the innate immune system. However, hyperexpressed mucus limits airflow, resulting in a decrease of lung function. Among more than 20 mucin family members, MUC5AC and MUC5B are major glycoproteins in human airway mucus. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway is one of the mechanisms of these mucins expression and specificity protein-1 (Sp1) transcription factor is the downstream signal of this pathway, playing pivotal roles in mucin expression. Even though there are some drugs for treating mucus hypersecretion, no drug has proven effects on humans. We found that the flavonoid tilianin regulated MUC5AC expression and also inhibited Sp1 phosphorylation. In this study, we investigated how tilianin would modulate EGFR signaling and regulate mucin production. In conclusion, tilianin inhibited MUC5AC expression mediated via modulating the EGFR-MEK-ERK-Sp1 signaling pathway in NCI-H292 human airway epithelial cells. This study may provide the basis for the novel treatment of mucus hypersecretion.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2011

Boring behaviour and drilling mechanism were investigated by visual observations. In this study, of two kinds of holes (the outer and inner holes) which are formed by drilling of boring gastropod Lunatia fortunei (Naticidae), the diameters of the outer holes are broader and larger than those of the inner holes, and their holes look like the crater in shape, as seen in all valves of bivalves bored by Naticidae species. Two kinds of glands (the accessory boring gland and accessory salivary gland) on the foots of boring gastropods have been investigated. Of them, it has been confirmed that only the accessory salivary glands on the foots secreted sulphuric (acidic) components in the mucus (secretion), while the accessory boring glands on the foots did not secrete their components. In this study, we confirmed that L. fortunei possess the accessory boring gland on the foot, as seen in most species in Naticidae. Accoeding to the results of the experiment of the blue litmus paper tests of the mucus (secretions) secreted from the accessory boring gland the color of the blue litmus paper did not turn red in color because chemical components of mucus (secretion) secreted from the accessory boring gland on the foot of L. fortunei (boring gastropod) were not acidic components. It is supposed that the mucus, which is secreted from the accessory boring gland, contained gelatin-like substances or enzymes without acidic components, as already reported in Naticidae species. Therefore, these substances may be involved in softening the surface of the valves of M. veneriformis. Consequently, it is assumed thar L. fortunei bores holes through the shells of molluscs by means of following 3 methods: (1) a softening of the calcareous shells of M. veneriformis with chemical secretions (including gellatin-like substances or enzyme except for acidic components) from the accessory boring glands, (2) mechanical rasping with the radula, (3) a combination of both. In this study, particularly, acidic components, which are involved in softening the surface of the shells, are not associated with the boring mechanism of L. fortunei because chemical acidic components were not detected in the mucus (secretion), as found in Naticidae species.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 1983

As a series of studios on the suitability as a second intermediate host of Clcnorchis sinensis, the wormicidal effects of mucus from epidermis of Cyprinus carpio nudus were observed. The results obtained were sumlnarized as follows : On the silica gel thin layer chromatography with the greenisll yellow supernatant in acetone: benzene110:90 as carrier, seven spots were observed in iodine chamber. The spot of Rf. 0.225 value among them disclosed the strongest wormicidal effect on the cercaria, the encysted metacercaria, and the adult of C. sinensis. hfeanwhile, no seasonal variations were found in Rf. values and effect of the wormicidal fractions. The wormicidal materials in epidermal mucus of C. carpio nudes and Carassius carassius were compared in their effect, and the former was Inore effective killing substance than the latter. It seemed that C. carpio nodus could not be proper intermediate host of C. sinensis according to results of the present study, in addition to our previous observation results.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1746-1751
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• 2004

This study was done to investigate the effects of Gamichihyo-san and Gamiijung-tang on airway mucus secretion. After administer Gamichihyo-san(GCHS) and Gamiijung-tang(GIJT) extract to Golden Syrian Hamster for 8-10 weeks, we examined mucin release from cultured hamster tracheal surface epithelial(HTSE) cells. Following results were obtained; GCHG significantly stimulated mucin release from cultured HTSE cells, with minute cytotoxicity GIJT did not affect mucin release and have no cytotoxicity; GCHG and GIJT did not affect contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. These results suggest that Gamichihyo-san might be usefully applied for airway mucus secretion.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.135-141
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• 1980

This experiment was carried out to investigate of the early pregnancy diagnosis by finger pressure method, mucus smear method and rectal palpation method in 169 heads of pregnant dairy cow. 1. Pregnancy diagnostic rate of previous, middle and late period of pregnancy by finger pressure methods were 87.3%, 82.0% and 70% respectively. 2. Pregnancy diagnostic rate of previous, middle and late period of pregnancy by mucus smear methods were 83.1%. 94.9% and 95.0% respectively. 3. Pregnancy diagnostic rate of previous, middle and later period of pregnancy by rectal palpation methods were 83.1%, 96.1% and 100% respectively. 4. Pregnancy diagnostic rate of early pregnancy by finger pressure method, mucus smear method and rectal palpation method were 86.7%, 86.8% and 66% respectively. 5. Accordingly, finger pressure method in pregnancy diagnosis is thought to be recommendable because this early diagnostic means are simple with accurate results.