• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.56-74
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• 1996

Prostaglandin $H_2$ synthase is the pharmacological target site of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenase activity of the synthase by extracts prepared from herbal medicines and wild plants in Korea have been estimated. Sixteen species out of 612 species exhibited more than 50% of inhibition on the enzyme activity. The active extracts prepared from Carex humilis, Celastrus orbiculatus, Eugenia caryophyllata, Gleditsia japonica var. koraiensis, Glycyrrhiza grabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Gyrophora exculenta, Lespedeza maximowiczii, Morus alba, Persicaria conspicua, Prunus salicina, pterocarya stenoptera, Rheum undulatum, Vitis amurensis, and Vitis coignetiae have been sequentially washed with methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, n-butanol. Among the solvent fractions of the active herbal extracts, ethyl acetate fraction of Carex humilis exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on the cyclooxygenase activity of prostaglandin $H_2$ synthase.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.227-234
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• 1996

This study was designed to characterize endotoxin-induced prostaglandin production in primary cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The time course for prostaglandin synthesis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated VSMC showed that the maximum production was reached in 12 hours. LPS induced prostaglandin H2 synthase (PGHS) activity in VSMC and the time course profile in the changes of PGHS activity paralleled that of total prostaglandin production. Differential treatment showed that 4 hours' exposure to LPS was enough for the maximum effect on the prostaglandin production and this effect was completely inhibited by the co-treatment of actinomycin D, a transcription inhibitor. These results suggest that LPS effect might be determined within 4 hours. Actinomycin D increased PGHS activity without affecting prostaglandin production if added 4 hours after LPS treatment. On the other hand, cyclogeximide, a translation inhibitor, augmented LPS-induced prostaglandin production if treated during first four hours, but it inhibited LPS-induced PGHS activity regardless of treatment schedule. These results suggest the existence of multiple regulating mechanisms in the LPS-induced prostaglandin synthesis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1295-1302
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• 2006

Our preliminary aim is to elucidate the pharmacokinetic features of the PNS(Panax notoginseng Buck F.H. Chen. (Arialiaceae) root). First, we assessed the prevention of neurtrophil functions. A Panax notoginseng inhibited neutrophil functions, including degranulation, superoxide generation, and leukotriene B4 production, without any effect on 5-lipoxygenase activity. This Panax notoginseng reduced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 production in mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, whereas no influence on the activity of inducible NO synthase, cyclo-oxygenase-2 or cyclo-oxygenase-1 was observed. Panax notoginseng significantly reduced mouse paw oedema induced by carrageenan. The results indicate that Panax notoginseng exerts anti-inflammatory effects related to the inhibition of neutrophil functions and of NO and prostaglandin E2 production, which could be due to a decreased expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclo-oxygenase-2.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.384-388
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• 2010

Human microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) catalyzes the conversion of prostaglandin $H_2$ ($PGH_2$) into prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$). To establish a stable and efficient method to assess the activity of mPGES-1, a coupled enzyme assay system using mPGES-1, 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) and phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) was developed. In this assay system, $PGH_2$ was converted to $PGE_2$ by mPGES-1, and then $PGE_2$ was further transformed to the 15-keto-$PGE_2$ by 15-PGDH accompanying the production of NADH, which was easily detected by fluorescence spectrometry in a multi-well plate format. During the reaction, spontaneous oxidation of $PGH_2$ was prevented by PMA. Using this novel assay, the $K_m$ value of mPGES-1 for $PGH_2$ and the $IC_{50}$ value of the previously characterized inhibitor, MK-886, were determined to be 0.150 mM and $2.8\;{\mu}M$, respectively, which were consistent with the previously reported values. In addition, low backgrounds were observed in the multi-wall plate screening of chemical compounds.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.793-798
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• 2006

The quality characteristics of semen are important indicators of the fertility of a boar. Development of genetic markers for the semen quality in boars will be beneficial to the improvement of porcine fertility. We investigated the relationship between the polymorphisms of epidermal growth factor (EGF), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) genes, and semen quality traits in boars. The genomic DNA of 233 boars (157 Duroc and 86 Landrace) from a central testing station was subjected to genotyping for surveying gene frequency. The EGF, PTGS2 and PRLR genotypes were determined using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Thirty-seven normal, mature Duroc boars from an AI center were also genotyped and their semen quality traits were collected. The effect of genotype on semen quality traits was analyzed by the least-squares means method using data corrected for season. The frequencies of the AA genotype of EGF, PTGS2 and PRLR in Duroc boars were 0.14, 0.01 and 0.66, respectively. In Landrace, the frequencies of the AA genotype were 0.03, 0.09 and 0.62, respectively. Boars with the BB genotype in EGF, with the AB genotype in PTGS2 and with the AA genotype in PRLR had significantly better semen quality with a higher percentage of normal sperm and a lower percentage of immature sperm than those with other genotypes. These findings imply that polymorphisms of EGF, PTGS2 and PRLR genes might be used as markers for improving the semen quality of boars.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.214-220
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• 1999

Present study was aimed to examine whether indomethacin affected the production of NO in the rat paw exudate by carrageenin. Paw edema and nitrite/nitrate levels in the paw exudate were maximal after 4 h and remained elevated up to 10 h, whereas indomethacin (10 mg/kg, po) significantly inhibited the carrageenin-induced paw edema and levels of nitrate in the paw exudate. However, paw edema and nitrite/nitrite levels were increased thereafter for 10 h. Indomethacin also enhanced the expression of iNOS mRNA and protein 4 h after carrageenin infection. Indomethacin inhibited the level of $PGE_2$ in the paw exudate in a time-dependent manner. These results suggest the possibility that indomethacin may potentiate expression of iNOS and subsequently increase nitrite/nitrate level in the late phase of carrageenin-induced rat paw inflammation possibly by suppressing cycloxygenase activity.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2016

This study was to investigate effect of progesterone ($P_4$) on prostaglandin (PG) synthases and plasminogen activators (PAs) system in bovine endometrium during estrous cycle. Endometrium tissues were collected from bovine uterus on follicular and luteal phase and were incubated with culture medium containing 0 (Control), 0.2, 2, 20 and 200 ng/ml $P_4$ for 24 h. The $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ synthase (PGFS), $PGE_2$ synthase (PGES), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), urokinase PA (uPA), and PA inhibitors 1 (PAI-1) mRNA in bovine endometrium were analyzed using reverse transcription PCR and PA activity was measured using spectrophotometry. In results, COX-2 was higher at 2 ng/ml $P_4$ group than control group in luteal phase (p<0.05), but, it did not change in follicular phase. Contrastively, PGES was significantly increased in 2 ng/ml $P_4$ group compared to control group in follicular phase, but there were no significant differ among the treatments in luteal phase. uPA was no significant difference between $P_4$ treatment groups and control group in both of different phase. PAI-1 was decreased in 20 ng/ml $P_4$ group compared to control group in follicular phase (p<0.05). PA activity was decreased in 2 ng/ml $P_4$ group compared to other groups in follicular and luteal phase (p<0.05). In conclusion, we suggest that $P_4$ may influence to translation and post-translation process of PG production and PA activation in bovine endometrium.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.782-788
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• 1997

This study was designed to characterize glucose-enhancing effects on endotoxin-induced prostaglandin production in primary cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). High glucose treatment significantly augmented prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated VSMC and this effect was maximal at the concentration of 4mg/ml. It has been reported that increases in glucose metabolism through sorbitol pathway could alter the cytosolic $NADH/NAD^+$ ratio and this change favors de novo synthesis of diacylglycerol (DAG) and, in turn. Results in the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in vascular tissues. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, staurosporin and H7, blocked the glucose enhancing effect, and DAG, a PKC activator, significantly increased the PG production stimuated by LPS. Sodium pyruvate, which can reverse the alteration in cytosolic NADH/NAD+ ratio, reduced the high glucose effect on PG production. And also, zopolrestat, a strong aldose reductase inhibitor, almost completely blocked the augmentation effect of glucose on PG synthesis. Arachidonic acid release was significantly increased in high glucose treated group, which implied the increase in $PLA_2$ activity was associated with glucose enhancing effect. Metabloic, labeling study clearly showed that de novo synthesis of prostaglandin H synthase-2 (PGHS-2) is greatly increased in high glucose treated group and this was mitigated by the treatment of zopolrestat. Taken together, the activation of PKC through sorbitol pathway increased the activities of $PLA_2$ and PGHS which resulted in the augmentation in LPS-induced PG production in high glucose treated VSMC.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.724-729
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• 2006

Many traditional herbal remedies exhibit several beneficial effects including anti-inflammation. The exact mechanism of the a-inflammato action of Panax notoginseng Buck F.H. Chen. however, has not been determined. In the present study, we have isolted the acting compound, emodin, from P. notoginseng and examined the effects of p. notoginseng and emodin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression in RAW264.7 macrophages. The results indicated that p. notoginseng concentration-dependently inhibited LPS-induced NO production. Furthermore, P. notoginseng inhibited the expression of LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 proteins without an appreciable cytotoxic effect on RAW264.7 cells. Emodin also inhibited LPS-induced iNOS protein as potently as P. notoginseng. This was consistent with the findings that P. notoginseng but not emodin inhibited prostaglandin E2 synthesis induced Dy LPS.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1327-1333
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• 2006

Many traditional herbal remedies exhibit several beneficial effects including anti-inflammation. Panax notoginseng Buck F.H. Chen. is used as a therapeutic agent to stop haemorrhages and a tonic to promote health in Korean and Chinese medicine. The pharrnacokinetic profiles of the main P. notoginseng are still not accurately investigated. The exact mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action of P. notoginseng, however, has not been determined. In the present study, we examined the effect of P. notoginseng on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression in RAW264.7 macrophages. The results indicated that P. notoginseng concentration-dependently inhibited LPS-induced NO production. Furthermore, P. notoginseng inhibited the expression of LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 proteins without an appreciable cytotoxic effect on RAW264.7 cells. Berberine also inhibited LPS-induced iNOS protein as potently as P. notoginseng. This was consistent with the findings that P. notoginseng and also berberine inhibited prostaglandin E2 synthesis induced by LPS.