• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1349-1357
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate the effects of Shigyungbanha-tang(SGT) on the lipopolysaccharide(LPS) induced acute lung injury(ALI) in mice. 1 and 24 h before LPS intratracheal instillation, control group was taken distilled water orally. Treated groups was taken each concentrate SGT(2.5 g/kg, 6.7 g/kg) by orally as same times. Normal group was not instilled with LPS and was taken distilled water. 24 h after LPS intratracheal instillation, lung histology was performed in inflated-fixed lungs in 3 mice of each groups. The other mice of each groups, bronchoalveolar lavege fluids(BALF) was obtained to measure proinflammatory cytokines(TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6) and blood sample was obtained to measure white blood cell(WBC). In vitro, the effect of SGT($100\;ug/m{\ell}$, $500\;ug/m{\ell}$, $1000\;ug/m{\ell}$) on the release of RANTES, TARC induced by TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-4 in human alveolar epithelial cell(A549) was examined. Histopathologically, SGT prevented LPS-induced lung injury. SGT decreased protein, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 according to concentrations. In vitro, $500\;ug/m{\ell}$, $1000\;ug/m{\ell}$ concentrate SGT suppressed the expression of RANTES and TARC on A549 cells. On the basis of these results, SGT had a markedly anti-inflammatory effect in a clinically relevant model of ALI. Nevertheless, further investigations are required to determine the potential clinical usefulness of SGT in the adjunctive therapy of ALI.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.339-347
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• 2007

SMEDDS is mixture of oils, surfactants, and cosurfactants, which are emulsified in aqueous media under conditions of gentle agitation and digestive motility that would be encountered in the gastro-intestinal(GI) tract. The main purpose of this work is to prepare self-microemulsifying drug delivery system(SMEDDS) for oral bioavailability enhancement of a poorly water soluble drug, atorvastatin calcium. Solubility of atorvastatin calcium was determined in various vehicles. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to identity the efficient self-emulsification region and particle size distributions of the resultant micro emulsions were determined using a laser diffraction sizer. Optimized formulations for in vitro dissolution and bioavailability assessment were $Capryol^{(R)}$ 90(50%), Tetraglycol(16%), and $Cremophor^{(R)}$ EL(32%). The release rate of atorvastatin from SMEDDS was significantly higher than the conventional tablet ($Lipitor^{(R)}$), 2-fold. Our studies illustrated the potential use of SMEDDS for the delivery of hydrophobic compounds, such as atorvastatin calcium by the oral route.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.749-755
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• 2001

High Electromagnetic Field (EMF) with an intensity of 1 mT (Tesla) inhibited the growth of both human normal lung and immune T cell down to $20-30\%$, compared to that of an unexposed case. The human T-cells, Jurkat, were more severely affected by EMF than the human lung cells, which showed a relatively slow cell growth and substantial releas of $Ca^+2$ (3.5 times higher than the human T-cells). However, the growth of hepatoma carcinoma, Hep3B, was enhanced by twice that of an unexposed case. The EMF intensity and exposure time did not affect the growth of the cancer cells very much, while it significantly affected the growth of normal cells. Accordingly, it is possible that EMFs may play a role in the initiation of cancer. The EMFs disturbed the signal transduction and membrane systems, such that a five times higher amount of PKC-${\alpha}$ was released from the cell membrane than in the control. Extended exposure to EMFs, for more than 48 hours, also led to 1 $90\%$ necrotic death pattern from apoptotic cell death. Finally, EMF at an intensity of 1mT with a 24-T exposure promoted the differentiation of HL-60 cells to monocytes/macrophages, possibly causing potential acute leukemia.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.1367-1374
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• 2016

The present study evaluated the total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of three cultivars of Actinidia arguta Planch. kiwi berries; cv. Mansoo (Mansoo), cv. Chiak (Chiak), and cv. Haeyeon (Haeyeon). In addition, the anti-inflammatory effects of the three cultivars of kiwi berries were investigated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line. Mansoo had the highest total phenolic content and TAC among the three cultivars, whereas Chiak had the highest total flavonoid content. The total antioxidant capacities of the kiwi berry extracts were more strongly correlated with total phenolic content than with total flavonoid content. The kiwi berry extracts suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The release of nitrite, an indirect indicator of nitric oxide, was also ameliorated by pre-treatment with the kiwi berry extracts in a dose-dependent manner. Cellular-based measurements of antioxidant capacity exhibited that the kiwi berry extracts had cellular antioxidant capacities. Such cellular antioxidant effects are possibly attributed to their direct antioxidant capacity or to the inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation via anti-inflammatory effects. Our findings suggest that kiwi berries are potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2005

Polystyrene (PS) particles containing the phase change material (PCM) were synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization. The polymer particles prepared with different parameters were investigated in terms of average particle size, particle distribution, and latent heat storage of encapsulated paraffin wax (PW) as PCM. The morphology and particle features of PS particles were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and particle size analyzer, respectively. As a result, the diameters of PS particles were adjusted with manufacturing conditions. The stable and spherical PS particles of nanosize were obtained by miniemulsion polymerization, which could be attributed to the prevention of Ostwald ripening by cosurfactant. Thermal properties of PS particle containing PCM were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. From DSC freeze-thaw cycle, PCM coated with PS exhibited the thermal energy storage and release behaviors, and the latent heat was found to be a maximum 145 J/g. It was noted that PS particles containing PCM showed a good potential as a thermal energy storage medium.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.802-808
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to develop an aloin-loaded wound dressing with an enhanced healing effect. The cross-linked hydrogel films were prepared with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) using a freeze-thawing (F-T) method. Their gel properties, release of drug, in vivo wound healing effect and histopathology were then evaluated. In the wound healing test, this aloin loaded PVA/CMC hydrogel showed faster healing of the wound made in rat dorsum than the aloin carbomer 934 gel or the control (carbomer 934 gel) due to phytochemical activity of aloin and moisture of CMC. In conclusion, the aloin-loaded wound dressing composed of 5% PVA, 5% CMC and 0.125% aloin is a potential wound dressing with enhanced wound healing effect.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.166-173
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• 2010

Oxidative stress to proteins, lipids, or DNA is higher in human autopsy tissue and in rodent models of a number of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. On the basis of this information, we established a screening system using N18-RE-105 cells to identify therapeutic agents that can protect cells from glutamate toxicity. During the course of our screening program, we recently isolated the active compound 9-hydroxy-$\alpha$-tocopherone ($\alpha$-TP), which prevents glutamate-induced cell death, from Viola mandshurica. The chemical structure of $\alpha$-TP was identified using spectroscopic methods and by comparison with literature values. Antioxidant activity and protective effects of $\alpha$-TP were evaluated by DPPH radical-scavenging assay, morphological assay, MTT reduction assay, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. These results suggest that $\alpha$-TP could be a new potential chemotherapeutic agent against neuronal diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.319-324
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• 2005

Estuarine sediments are frequently polluted with hydrocarbons from fuel spills and industrial wastes. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are components of these contaminants that tend to accumulate in the sediment due to their low aqueous solubility, low volatility, and high affinity for particulate matter. The toxic, recalcitrant, mutagenic, and carcinogenic nature of these compounds may require aggressive treatment to remediate polluted sites effectively. In petroleum-contaminated sediments near a petrochemical industry in Gwangyang Bay, Korea, in situ PAH concentrations ranged from 10 to 2,900 ${\mu}g/kg$ dry sediment. To enhance the biodegradation rate of PAHs under anaerobic conditions, sediment samples were amended with biostimulating agents alone or in combination: nitrogen and phosphorus in the form of slow-release fertilizer (SRF), lactate, yeast extract (YE), and Tween 80. When added to the sediment individually, all tested agents enhanced the degradation of PAHs, including naphthalene, acenaphthene, anthracene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, and benzo [a] pyrene. Moreover, the combination of SRF, Tween 80, and lactate increased the PAH degradation rate 1.2-8.2 times above that of untreated sediment (0.01-10 ${\mu}g$ PAH/ kg dry sediment/day). Our results indicated that in situ contaminant PAHs in anoxic sediment, including high molecular weight PAHs, were degraded biologically and that the addition of stimulators increased the biodegradation potential of the intrinsic microbial populations. Our results will contribute to the development of new strategies for in situ treatment of PAH-contaminated anoxic sediments.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1019-1030
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• 2003

Platycodi Radix, the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, commonly known as Doraji, is used as a traditional oriental medicine. Extracts from the roots of P. grandiflorum have been reported to have wide ranging health benefits. In the present study, we investigated the effects of an aqueous extract from the roots of P. grandiflorum (AEPG) on the growth of human lung carcinoma A549 cells. Results obtained are as fellow; AEPG treatment resulted in the inhibition of the cell viability of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Upon treatment with AEPG, A549 cells developed many of the hallmark features of apoptosis, including condensation of chromatin. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that AEPG increased populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase. Western blot and RT-PCR analyses indicated that the expressions of Bcl-2 was down-regulated but Bax was up-regulated in AEPG-treated A549 cells. AEPG-induced apoptotis of A549 cells was associated with rroteolytic cleavage and activation of caspase-3, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol and down-regulation of Akt and phospho-Akt proteins in a dose-dependent manner. Induction of apoptosis by AEPG treatment was associated with inhibition and/or degradation of apoptotic target proteins such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, β-catenin and phospholipase C-γ 1. AEPG treatment inhibited the levels of cyclooxygenases protein of A549 cells, which was associated with the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 accumulation in a concentration-dependent fashion. Taken together, these findings suggest that P. grandiflorum has strong potential for development as an agent for prevention against human lung cancer.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 1996

Primary culture of cerebellar neuronal cells derived from 8-day old Long-Evans rats was used. Pure granule cells, astrocytes or mixed cells culture systems were prepared. These cells were differentiated and developed synaptic connections. And the astrocytes were identified by immunostaining with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Methamphetamine (MAP), which acts on dopaminergic system and cadmium (Cd), a toxic heavy metal, were applied and biochemical assays and electrophysiological studies were performed. $LC_50$ values estimated by MTT assay of MAP and Cd were 3 mM and 2$\mu M$ respectively. Cells were treated with 1 mM or 2 mM MAP and 1$\mu M$ $CdCl_2$ for 48 hour, and the incubation media were analyzed for the content of released LDH. MAP (2 mM) and Cd significantly increased the LDH release. Cell viability was decreased in both groups and some cytopathological changes like cell swelling or vacuolization were seen. The cerebellar granule cells were used for measuring membrane currents using whole-cell clamp technique. Sodium and potassium currents were not affected by MAP neither Cd, but calcium current was significantly reduced by Cd but not affected by MAP. Therefore, in vitro neurotoxicity test system using neuronaI cells and astrocytes cultures were established and can be used in screening of potential neurotoxic chemicals.