• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.319-328
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• 2016

Objectives: Advancements in nanotechnology have led to nanoparticle (NP) use in various fields of medicine. Although the potential of NPs is promising, the lack of documented evidence on the toxicological effects of NPs is concerning. A few studies have documented that homeopathy uses NPs. Unfortunately, very few sound scientific studies have explored the toxic effects of homeopathic drugs. Citing this lack of high-quality scientific evidence, regulatory agencies have been reluctant to endorse homeopathic treatment as an alternative or adjunct treatment. This study aimed to enhance our insight into the impact of commercially-available homeopathic drugs, to study the presence of NPs in those drugs and any deleterious effects they might have, and to determine the distribution pattern of NPs in zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio). Methods: Homeopathic dilutions were studied using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy with selected area electron diffraction (SAED). For the toxicity assessment on Zebrafish, embryos were exposed to a test solution from 4 - 6 hours post-fertilization, and embryos/larvae were assessed up to 5 days post-fertilization (dpf ) for viability and morphology. Toxicity was recorded in terms of mortality, hatching delay, phenotypic defects and metal accumulation. Around 5 dpf was found to be the optimum developmental stage for evaluation. Results: The present study aimed to conclusively prove the presence of NPs in all high dilutions of homeopathic drugs. Embryonic zebrafish were exposed to three homeopathic drugs with two potencies (30CH, 200CH) during early embryogenesis. The resulting morphological and cellular responses were observed. Exposure to these potencies produced no visibly significant malformations, pericardial edema, and mortality and no necrotic and apoptotic cellular death. Conclusion: Our findings clearly demonstrate that no toxic effects were observed for these three homeopathic drugs at the potencies and exposure times used in this study. The embryonic zebrafish model is recommended as a well-established method for rapidly assessing the toxicity of homeopathic drugs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4409-4413
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• 2016

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common of malignancy found in Thai women. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major cause. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of HPV infection and association with abnormal cervical cytology in Thai women. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at the Gynecologic Clinic, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand. A total of 2,144 cases who underwent annual cervical cancer screening by co-testing (liquid based cytology and HPV testing, DNA versus mRNA) during the priod from July 2013 to June 2016 were recruited in this study. Results: Prevalence of positive high risk (HR) HPV DNA and mRNA test were 19.7 and 8.4%, respectively with a statistically significant difference. Majority of cases of abnormal cytology in this study were atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). In patients with ASC-US, positive HR HPV DNA was greater than in the mRNA group (10.1 and 4.5%, p<0.001). Nonetheless, there was no significant difference in participants with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). HPV mRNA test had slightly lower sensitivity but higher negative predictive value (NPV) than the DNA test to detect abnormal cytology during cervical cancer screening (p<0.001). Both HPV test (DNA and mRNA) had equally efficacy to detect high grade precancerous lesion or higher (CIN 2+). Conclusions: Prevalence of HR HPV DNA and mRNA were 19.7 and 8.4 percent, respectively. NPV of HPV mRNA was higher than DNA test. Both tests had equal efficacy to detect CIN 2+ with sensitivity and specificity of 63% vs 55.7% and 83% vs 92%, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2017

Recently the global epidemic problem of obesity has stimulated intense interest in the study of physiological mechanisms using animal models as a way to gain crucial data required for translation to human studies. Panax ginseng has been reported to have anti-obesity or antidiabetic effects in many animal studies; however, there have been few studies investigating human obesity. Herein, we will assess and examine the evidence supporting the anti-obesity effect of Panax ginseng in animal models with respect to anthropometric and metabolic outcomes. We will include controlled, comparative studies assessing the effect of Panax ginseng in preclinical studies of obesity. Panax ginseng will be administered during or following the induction of experimental obesity. The primary outcome measure will be anthropometric assessment and the secondary outcome measures will include adipose tissue weight, total amount of food consumed and metabolic parameters. We will search MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus without language, publication date, or other restrictions. Ethical approval will not be necessary as the data collected in this study will not be individual patient data, consequently there will be no concerns about violations of privacy. After finishing the whole procedure, the results will be disseminated by publication in a peer-reviewed journal or presented at a relevant conference. This protocol has been registered on the Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies (CAMARADES) website (http://www.camarades.info).

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.485-493
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• 2007

Introduction: Although several types of calcium-phosphate coumpound have been frequently applied to osseous defects at maxillofacial area for many years, there is a controversy about its efficiency on bone conductivity comprared to xenograft bone substitute. Alloplastic carbonapatite has been introduced to improve disadvantages of hydroxyapatite and to mimic natural bone containing carbon elements. However, a preclinical study about its efficiency of osteoconductivity has not been reported. This study was performed to evaluate the early osteoconductive potential of synthetic carbonapatite with multiple pores relative to anorganic bovine xenograft. Materials and methods: Total 5 beagle dogs were used for maxillary augmentation model. The control (anorganic bovine xenograft) and experimental groups (synthetic carbonapatite) were randomly distributed in the mouth split design. After bone graft, all animals were sacrificed 4 weeks after surgery. Histological specimens with Masson Trichrome staining were made and histomorphometrically analysed with image analyser. The statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test. Results: In both groups, all animals had no complications. The experimental group showed relatively much new bone formation around and along the bone substitutes, whereas it was clearly reduced in the control group. The ratios of new bone area to total area, to material area and to the residual area excluding materials were higher in the experimental group ($0.13{\pm}0.03,\;0.40{\pm}0.13,\;0.20{\pm}0.06$ respectively) than in the control group ($0.01{\pm}0.01,\;0.03{\pm}0.02,\;0.03{\pm}0.03$, respectively). And the differences between both groups were statistically significant (p<0.001, <0.01, <0.01, respectively), while the ratio of material area to total area in two groups was not significant. Conclusion: Carbonapatite showed a high osteoconductivity in the early stage of bone healing compared to bovine derived anorganic bone substitute. This study suggests that this bone materials can be applied as a reliable bone substitute in the clinical treatment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.222-228
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• 2020

Background: 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 (C₄₂H₇₂O₁₃), a natural triterpenoid saponin, is extracted from red ginseng. The increasing use of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 has raised product safety concerns. Methods: In acute toxicity, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 was singly and orally administrated to Kunming mice and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at the maximum doses of 1600 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg, respectively. In the 26-week toxicity study, we used repeated oral administration of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 in SD rats over 26 weeks at doses of 0, 20, 60, or 180 mg/kg. Moreover, a 4-week recovery period was scheduled to observe the persistence, delayed occurrence, and reversibility of toxic effects. Results: The result of acute toxicity shows that oral administration of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 to mice and rats did not induce mortality or toxicity up to 1600 and 800 mg/kg, respectively. During a 26-week administration period and a 4-week withdrawal period (recovery period), there were no significant differences in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, urinalysis parameters, biochemical and hematological values, or histopathological findings. Conclusion: The mean oral lethal dose (LD₅₀) of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3, in acute toxicity, is above 1600 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg in mice and rats, respectively. In a repeated-dose 26-week oral toxicity study, the no-observed-adverse-effect level for female and male SD rats was 180 mg/kg.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.59-69
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• 2024

This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Indigo Naturalis (IN) in treating a Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The objective is to comprehensively examine the effects and pharmacological mechanisms of IN on IBD, assessing its potential as an novel treatment for IBD. Analysis of 11 selected papers is conducted to understand the effects of IN, focusing on compounds like indirubin, isatin, indigo, and tryptanthrin. This study evaluates their impact on Disease Activity Index (DAI) score, colon length, mucosal damage, and macrophage infiltration in Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice. Additionally, It investigate into the anti-inflammatory mechanisms, including Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) pathway activation, Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB)/nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)/Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) inhibition, and modulation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MYD88)/NF-κB and Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathways. Immunomodulatory effects on T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg cell) balance and Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3-β) expression are also explored. Furthermore, the study addresses the role of IN in restoring intestinal microbiota diversity, reducing pathogenic bacteria, and increasing beneficial bacteria. The findings reveal that IN, particularly indirubin and indigo, demonstrates significant improvements in DAI score, colon length, mucosal damage, and macrophage infiltration in DSS-induced colitis mice. The anti-inflammatory effects are attributed to the activation of the AhR pathway, inhibition of inflammatory pathways, and modulation of immune responses. These results exhibit the potential of IN in IBD treatment. Notably, the restoration of intestinal microbiota diversity and balance further supports its efficacy. IN emerges as a promising and effective treatment for IBD, demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects and positive outcomes in preclinical studies. However, potential side effects necessitate further investigation for safe therapeutic development. The study underscores the need for future research to explore a broader range of active ingredients in IN to enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.70-81
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• 2000

DA-5018 is a synthetic capsaicin derivative under development as a non-narcotic a analgesic ag$\varepsilon$nt. DA-50 18 showed a potent analgesic activity against acute and chronic pain m model(Tablel, 2.), but it had a narrow margin of safety. DA-5018 did not bind to opioid(${\kappa}, {\delta}, {\mu}$), NKl, CGRP receptors in vitro and its analgesic effect was not antagonized by naloxone, a and it did not develop analgesic tolerance. In addition DA-5018 had no inhibitory effects against c cyclooxygenase and 5-lipooxygenase activities. DA-5018 significantly increased the relcase of substance P from the slices of the rat spinal cord. These results suggest that DA-50 18 is not a narcotic nor aspirin-like analgesic and the release of substance P is one of analgesic mechanism of action of DA-5018. We found that DA-5018 was almost ten times more potent and was at l least IOO-times less irritable compared to capsaicin. Accordingly development of topical formula was adopted. Topical formula was desiged and screened by flux test of DA-5018 using hairless mouse skin and several formulas were selected. With these topical formulas we a assessed the analgesic efficacy and carried out the toxicity, skin irritation and pharmacokinetic studies. In streptozotocin-induced hyperalgesic rat and 50 % galactose-fed hyperalgesic rat as diabetic pain models, DA-5018 cream increased the pain thresh이ds up to 77.0% and 24.4% respectively, while Zostrix-HP(capsaicin cream) incr$\varepsilon$as cd by 65.9% and 21.0%. DA-5018 c cream showed a good analgesic effect as welI in FCA-induced arthritic rat. DA-5018 cream did not show any toxicological signs in acute and chronic toxicity test and had little skin irritation in car swclIing and scratching t$\varepsilon$st. Pharmacokinetics of DA-50 18 were studied after topical application of ${14}^C$-Iabelled or unlabelIed DA-5018 cream. Plasma and skin concentrations c except applied skin wcre below the dctection limit and after 7-day cummulative application, plasma concentrations were also below detection limit DA-50 18 may have an advantag$\varepsilon$ ov$\varepsilon$r c capsaicin and is now being developed as a topical agent for the treatment of pains. DA-50 18 cream was approved for Korean IND and is now under a Phase II clinical study for arthritic pain a after finising Phase I study. DA-50 18 was also liscensed out to Stiefel Company in America in

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.316-321
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• 2013

Gastric cancer remains the main cause of cancer death all around the world, and upregulated activation of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase c-SRC (SRC) is a key player in the development. In this study, we found that expression of Src is also increased in clinical gastric cancer samples, with the protein level increased more significantly than that at the RNA level. Further study revealed that miR34a and miR203, two tumor suppressive miRNAs, inversely correlate with the expression of Src. Restoration of miR34a and miR203 decreased Src expression in gastric cancer cell lines, which in turn inhibited cell growth and cell migration. In summary, our study here revealed that posttranscriptional regulation of Src contributes to the deregulated cell growth and metastasis in gastric cancer, and targeting Src by miR34a or miR203 mimics would be a promising strategy in therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.257-264
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• 1992

Diagnostic approaches such as angiography, ultrasound, computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance have limitation for contributing to the early clinical diagnosis of atherosclerosis. Recently, $^{99m}Tc-labelled$ low density lipoprotein was developed to detect early atherosclerotic lesion by external imaging with gamma camera. To determine whether $^{99m}Tc-LDL$ scintigraphy can visualize the active atherosclerotic lesion, rabbits were injected with $^{99m}Tc-LDL$, 3 months after feeding dietary fat (lanolin) and we obtained following results. 1) Labelling efficiency of $^{99m}Tc-LDL$ was $79\sim88%$. 2) Biodistribution study of normal rabbits with $^{99m}Tc-LDL$ revealed the high activities in spleen, adrenal gland, liver, kidney which are major organs of high metabolic rate of LDL. 3) Three months after feeding lanolin, serum cholesterol was markedly increased from $74{\pm}17mg/dl$ to $979{\pm}153mg/dl$ and histologic study of aorta after sacrificing the rabbit demonstrated marked atherosclerotic changes. 4) Atherosclerotic lesion of abdominal aorta which was confirmed with histologic study could be demonstrated in $^{99m}Tc-LDL$ scintigraphy after feeding lanolin for 3 months. In conclusion, the results of this preliminary investigation suggest that it may be possible to image active atheromatous lesion with $^{99m}Tc-LDL$. It is anticipated that this promising agent may allow the in vivo monitoring of preclinical atherosclerotic lesions and may be useful to evaluate the metabolic pathway of LDL in humans.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.859-865
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• 2006

With an approach to study the anti-tumor effects and mechanism of selenium compound, we investigated the anti-tumor activity and mechanism of $Na_5SeV_5O_{18}{\cdot}3H_2O$ (NaSeVO) in K562 cells. The results showed that $0.625{\sim}20\;mg/L$ NaSeVO could significantly inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells in vitro in a time- and concentration-dependent manner as determined by microculture tetrazolium (MTT) assay, the IC50 values were 14.41 (4.45-46.60) and 3.45 (2.29-5.22) mg/L after 48 hand 72 h treatment with NaSeVO respectively. In vivo experiments demonstrated that i.p. administration of 5, 10 mg/kg NaSeVO exhibited an significant inhibitory effect on the growth of transplantation tumor sarcoma 180 (S180) and hepatoma 22 (H22) in mice, with inhibition rate 26.8% and 58.4% on S180 and 31.3% and 47.4% on H22, respectively. Cell cycle studies indicated that the proportion of G0/G1 phase was increased at 2.5 mg/L while decreased at 10 mg/L after treatment for 24, 48 h. Whereas S phase was decreased at 2.5-5 mg/L and markedly increased at 10 mg/L after treatment for 48 h. After treatment for 24 h, 10 mg/L NaSeVO also markedly increased S and G2/M phases. Take together, the result clearly showed that NaSeVO markedly increased S and G2/M phases at 10 mg/L. The study of immunocytochemistry showed that the expression bcl-2 is significantly inhibited by 10 mg/L NaSeVO, and bax increased. Morphology observation also revealed typical apoptotic features. NaSeVO also significantly caused the accumulation of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mg^{2+}$, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the reduction of pH value and mitochondrial membrane potential in K562 cells as compared with control by confocal laser scanning microscope. These results suggest that NaSeVO has anti-tumor effects and its mechanism is attributed partially to apoptosis induced by the elevation of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$ and ROS concentration, and a reduction of pH value and mitochondria membrane potential (MMP).