• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1080-1086
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• 2009

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Gastrodiae Elata Pharmacopuncure at GB20 on motor control and cognitive dysfunction recovery after mild traumatic brain injury in rats. Rats were divided into three groups; (1) no treatment after traumatic brain injury(experiment I), (2) Treatment with NPA after traumatic brain injury(experiment II), (3) Treatment with GEP after traumatic brain injury(experiment III). In our study, we carried out behavioral test(Rotarod, Morris water maze) and immunohistochemistry study of the change BDNF in the hippocampus(pre, $7^{th}$, $14^{th}$ day). In Rotarod test(motor control function) was significantly increased in the experimental group III as compared with experimental group I, II on $7^{th}$(p<0.01) and $14^{th}$ day(p<0.001). In Morris water maze test(cognitive function) was significantly decreased in the experimental group III as compared with experimental group I, II on $14^{th}$ day(p<0.001). In immunohistochemistric response of BDNF in the hippocampus, the experimental group III was more immune response than the other groups on $14^{th}$ day. These results imply that Gastrodiae Elata Pharmacopuncure at GB20 can play a role in facilitating recovery of motor control and cognitive function after mild traumatic brain injury in rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.403-410
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• 2009

This study investigated the effects of treadmill exercise on memory ability, cell proliferation, BDNF, and TrkB in the hippocampus and forebrain cholinergic cells in adolescent rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 weeks old) were randomly assigned to the following two groups: the sedentary group (n=10) and the exercise group (n=10). Rats in the exercise group were forced to run on a treadmill for 30 min, five times per week for 4 weeks. The latency of the step-through avoidance task was used in order to evaluate memory ability. Hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) expression were assessed by Western blotting. Hippocampal cell proliferation and forebrain cholinergic cells were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The present study showed that treadmill running during the adolescent period significantly improved memory capability, increased hippocampal cell proliferation, up-regulated hippocampal BDNF and TrkB expression, and enhanced the number of forebrain cholinergic cells. These results suggest that regular exercise during the adolescent period may enhance memory function.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.13-17
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• 2015

Objectives : Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahlstedt has been reported to have several biological properties such as skin hydration and antiinflammation. The purpose of this study was to examine the antidepressive effects of water extract of T. platycarpum (WTP) on an animal model of depression. Methods : In the present study, normal ICR mice (4 weeks) were used, and orally administered with WTP (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Depression-like behavior was monitored the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice. The locomotor activity was evaluated to eliminate the false-positive activity in the open field test (OFT). Fluoxetine, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, as a positive control was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 15 mg/kg at 30 min before starting the behavioral test. Moreover, we evaluated the effects of WTP on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/ cyclic AMP response-element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in the hippocampus using Western blot. Results : The administration of WTP (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05, respectively) reduced the immobility time during FST and TST without accompanying changes in locomotor activity by OFT. Furthermore, WTP at dose of 100 mg/kg increased the BDNF expression and the phosphorylation of ERK and CREB in the hippocampus region. Conclusions : These results suggest that WTP has a useful anti-depressant effect through the regulation of BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling pathway.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.236-246
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• 2010

The 3-Acetylpyridine(3-AP) induces cerebellar injury which is chemoablation of the inferior olive nucleus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise(Ex) and electroacupuncture(EA) on muscle activity of hindlimb and serum brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the ataxia rats by the 3-AP. 12-week-aged male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the 5 groups: Control, 3-AP, 3-AP+Ex, 3-AP+EA and 3-AP+Ex+EA groups. Maximal Height Vertical Jump(MHVJ) was significantly decreased in the 3-AP compared with control group, and it was increased in Ex, EA and Ex+EA groups than 3-AP group. The muscle activity of hindlimb was significantly increased in the 3-AP groups than control group, also it was most decreased in Ex+EA group. The concentration of BDNF of the serum was significantly decreased in the Ex, EA and Ex+EA groups than 3-AP group. The results of this study showed that dynamic exercise and electroacupuncture have a positive effect on functional recovery and in the ataxia rats by the 3-AP.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.556-561
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• 2008

ChongMyeong-Tang (CMT) have been used clinically to treat patient with amnesia and dementia. In addition, CMT have been also used for examinee to improve learning ability in Korea. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Gagam-ChongMeong-Tang (GCMT) on cognitive dysfunction recovery after ischemic brain injury in rats. Rats were divided into three groups; (1) normal, (2) commercial diet after ischemic brain injury (control), (3) CMT diet after ischemic brain injury (experiment). In our study, we carried out Morris water maze test for cognitive motor behavior test and immunohistochemistry study through the change BDNF in the hippocampus($7^{th},\;14^{th}\;day$). In Morris water maze test, cognitive motor function recovery was significantly increased in the experiment group as compared with control group on $7^{th}\;and\;14^{th}\;day$ day (p<0.01). In immunohistochemistric response of BDNF in the hippocampus, more immune reaction was investigated in the experiment group as compared with control group on $7^{th}\;and\;14^{th}\;day$. Especially more immune reaction was experimented $14^{th}$ day. These results imply that GCMT can play a role in facilitating recovery of cognitive function after ischemic brain injury in rats.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2013

The purpose of this review is to address the flow of current neuroscientific researches and to provide for the clinicians with therapeutic evidences for schizophrenia which can help them clinical decision making. Since the very beginning, a lot of scientific studies about schizophrenia have been undertaken. In this review, I describes the evidences focused on development of schizophrenia including neurobiological dysfunction, neurodevelopmental model, Kalirin, and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor(BDNF) and neuroanatomic abnormalities based on neuroimaging studies. In conclusion, schizophrenia influencing on broad impairment of human function such as activities of daily life, occupations, and relationships has been studied underlying causes and treatments, but still remained uncertainty. However, there are plenty of useful evidences available for the clinicians to make a good therapeutic choice.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2018

Objective: The role of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), CREB (cAMP response element binding) and VGF neuropeptide has been proved in antidepressant activity of long term saffron administration in the rat hippocampus. In this study we evaluated the role of these proteins in antidepressant activity of saffron in long term administration in the rat cerebellum. Methods: Saffron aqueous extract (40 and 80 mg/kg/day) and imipramine (10 mg/kg/day) were administered intraperitoneally for 21 days to rats. At the end of experiment, animals were sacrificed and cerebellums were separated. The protein levels of BDNF, VGF, CREB and P- CREB in the rat cerebellum were evaluated using western blot analysis. Results: Saffron aqueous extract (80mg/kg/day) caused significant increase in protein level of P-CREB in long term treatment in the rat cerebellum. The increases in the protein levels of VGF, CREB and BDNF were not significant. Conclusion: In summary, our results showed that antidepressant effect of saffron in rat cerebellum might be due to the enhanced phosphorylation of CREB.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.207-210
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• 2003

The locus coeruleus (LC) contains about half of the total number of noradrenergic neurons in the brain and those noradrenergic neurons from the LC innervate entire brain regions. The LC is a major common target region in several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Pakinson's and Huntington's diseases. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulate neuronal cell survival and differentiation of central nervous system neurons, including LC noradrenergic neurons. In this study, various small molecules and growth factors were tested as candidates to promote the production of BDNF in LC noradrenergic neuronal cells. The molecules tested include neuropeptides, cytokines, growth factors, neurotransmitters, and intracellular signaling agents. Four small molecules or growth factors, FGF8b, BMP-4, forskolin, and dibutyryl cGMP, were found to increase the release of BDNF in LC noradrenergic neurons. Especially, BMP-4 significantly enhanced BDNF production over 2.5-fold in LC noradrenergic neurons.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2020

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is caused by various factors, such as cholinergic dysfunction, regulation of neurotrophic factor expression, and accumulation of amyloid-beta. We investigated whether or not a combination of Carthamus tinctorius L. seed and Taraxacum coreanum (CT) has a protective effect on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in a mouse model. Methods and Results: Mice were orally pretreated with CT (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days, and scopolamine (1 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally before subjecting them to behavior tests. CT-administered mice showed better novel object recognition and working memory ability than scopolamine-treated control mice. In T-maze and Morris water maze tests, CT (100 and 200 mg/kg/day) significantly increased space perceptive ability and occupancy to the target quadrant, respectively. In addition, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of CT attenuated cholinergic dysfunction through inhibition of butyryl cholinesterase in brain tissue. Furthermore, CT-administered mice showed higher cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element-binding protein (CREB) levels and lower amyloid precursor protein (APP) levels compared to scopolamine-treated control mice. Conclusions: CT improved scopolamine-induced memory impairment through inhibition of cholinergic dysfunction, up-regulation of CREB, and down-regulation of APP. Therefore, CT could be a useful therapeutic agent for AD with protective effects on cognitive impairment.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.579-589
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• 2017

Anesthetics are used extensively in surgeries and related procedures to prevent pain. However, there is some concern regarding neuronal degeneration and cognitive deficits arising from regular anesthetic exposure. Recent studies have indicated that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) are involved in learning and memory processes. Genistein, a plant-derived isoflavone, has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects. The present study was performed to examine the protective effect of genistein against isoflurane-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Neonatal rats were exposed to isoflurane (0.75%, 6 hours) on postnatal day 7 (P7). Separate groups of rat pups were orally administered genistein at doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg body weight from P3 to P15 and then exposed to isoflurane anesthesia on P7. Neuronal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay and FluoroJade B staining following isoflurane exposure. Genistein significantly reduced apoptosis in the hippocampus, reduced the expression of proapoptotic factors (Bad, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3), and increased the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. RT-PCR analysis revealed enhanced BDNF and TrkB mRNA levels. Genistein effectively upregulated cAMP levels and phosphorylation of CREB and TrkB, leading to activation of cAMP/CREB-BDNF-TrkB signaling. PI3K/Akt signaling was also significantly activated. Genistein administration improved general behavior and enhanced learning and memory in the rats. These observations suggest that genistein exerts neuroprotective effects by suppressing isoflurane-induced neuronal apoptosis and by activating cAMP/CREB-BDNF-TrkB-PI3/Akt signaling.