• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.7
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• pp.703-709
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• 2006

Since the advent of growth hormone(GH), children with a wide variety of growth disorders have received GH treatment. In GH deficiency(GHD), Turner syndrome, chronic renal failure, children born small for gestational age, Prader-Willi syndrome, and idiopathic short stature, the therapeutic effects and safety profile of GH are reviewed. GH therapy has been clearly shown to improve height velocity and final adult height in a variety of pediatric conditions in which growth is compromised irrespective of GHD. Early initiation and individualization of GH treatment has the potential to normalize childhood growth. The supra-physiological doses of GH have been shown to increase height velocity during childhood and final height in non-GHD conditions. Adverse events during GH therapy are uncommon and often not drug related. However continued surveillance into adult life is crucial, especially in children receiving supra-physiological doses or whose underlying condition increases their risk of adverse effects.

• CELLMED
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.7
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• 2013

The present review investigates the role of the cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in human diseases and explores strategies for its clinical use. In recent years, there has been a growing evidence, for the beneficial effects of some phytoconstituents via induction of HO-1 expression, contained in commonly used spices, fruits, and herbs, in preventing various pathologic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. HO-1 catalyzes the rate-limiting step in heme catabolism to generate ferrous iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin. HO-1 is reported to play crucial roles in cellular protection, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects. These evidences indicate that HO-1 may functions as a potential therapeutic target in various human diseases. The article highlights the current status of the development of the HO-1 modulation pathway using dietary phytoconstituents.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2016

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease, which destroys the connective tissue and the alveolar bone. Recently, it has been suggested that the effect of natural substances could be induced into an anti-inflammatory environment. However, the effect of Safflower seed extract (SAF-M) associated with periodontitis has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of SAF-M. Cytotoxicity was assessed through MTS analysis using hGF and hPDL cells. Periodontitis was induced by injecting LPS into gingival tissue on the maxillary molars of rats ($45{\mu}g$ LPS/one time, 3 times a week for 3 weeks). SAF-M was administered daily at 30 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. Alveolar bone resorption was evaluated through the micro-CT. hGF and hPDL cells showed differential cytotoxicity in response to SAF-M at 5 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml concentrations. Micro-CT showed reduction of the alveolar bone resorption in the SAF-M treatment group. These results suggested that SAF-M is a potential therapeutic agent for periodontitis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.9
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• pp.474-487
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• 2016

Itch is one of the most distressing sensations that substantially impair quality of life. It is a cardinal symptom of many skin diseases and is also caused by a variety of systemic disorders. Unfortunately, currently available itch medications are ineffective in many chronic itch conditions, and they often cause undesirable side effects. To develop novel therapeutic strategies, it is essential to identify primary afferent neurons that selectively respond to itch mediators as well as the central nervous system components that process the sensation of itch and initiate behavioral responses. This review summarizes recent progress in the study of itch, focusing on itch-selective receptors, signaling molecules, neuronal pathways from the primary sensory neurons to the brain, and potential decoding mechanisms based on which itch is distinguished from pain.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.201-212
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• 2010

Self-organized nanogels from polysaccharide derivatives offer a promising approach in treatment of cancer due to their flexibility in chemistry and their ability to improve the therapeutic index of a drug by modifying biodistribution by their preferential localization at target sites and lower distribution in normal healthy tissues. These properties have promoted studies of active cancer targeting by self-organized nanogels for even better accumulation in solid tumors. However although many researchers have reported their potential by using cell culture systems and small animal tumor models in cancer therapy, these nanogels need more decoration such as conjugation with targeting moiety and endowment of stimuli-sensitivity for precise targeting of the cancer site. In this review, we summarize the recent efforts in developing novel targeting approaches via active endocytosis and stimuli-sensitive systems responding to hyperthermic or acidic tumor pH conditions.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.139-143
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• 2012

For human including newborn baby, the intestinal microbiota can play an important role in the development of the intestinal mucosa and in maintaining the balance of the immune cells. Important functions of the intestinal microbiota include the inhibition of the colonization of the intestine by potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, the research of probiotics have been focused on the prevention and treatment of disorders associated with the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including pathogen infection, traveler's diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and constipation. Probiotics have also been suggested as therapeutic agents against irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases. An increasing amount of evidence from clinical studies suggests that they are effective in the prevention of atopic allergies and may have potential anti-carcinogenic effects. Until recent years many scientific research for this use has been based on empirical observations. Therefore, probiotics in the form of fermented milk products have been long part of attempts to maintain good health in world wide.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.681-687
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• 2010

Sibjeondaebo-tang (SJDBT) is an oriental medicinal prescription for the treatments of diverse symptoms including neurological disorders. In order to investigate its potential role for neural regulation following nerve injury, neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in culture was investigated. In DRG neurons which were preconditioned by sciatic nerve injury, neurite outgrowth was enhanced by SJDBT treatment. When preconditioned DRG neurons were co-cultured with astrocytes prepared from injured spinal cord tissue, neurite outgrowth was similarly facilitated by SJDBT. Astrocytes in co-culture showed more intense signals of vimentin protein by SJDBT compared to saline control. Sukjihwang (SJH), a conventional herbal component of SJDBT prescription, did not induce any significant changes in neurite extension of DRG neurons compared to control cells. These data suggest that SJDBT may be the therapeutic agent for nervous system disorders related to nerve damage.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2013

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a major cellular energy sensor and master regulator of metabolic homeostasis. On activation, this cellular fuel sensing enzyme induces a series of metabolic changes to balance energy consumption via multiple downstream signaling pathways controlling nutrient uptake and energy metabolism. This pivotal role of AMPK has led to the development of numerous AMPK activators which might be used as novel drug candidates in the treatment of AMPK related disorders, diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic diseases. Consequently, a number of patents have been published on AMPK activators from natural products and other sources. This review covers the patented AMPK activators from natural products and their therapeutic potential in treatment or prevention of metabolic diseases including diabetes and obesity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.403-406
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• 2009

Rev is an essential regulatory protein for HIV-1 replication. Rev (11-20) is known as the significant region regarding the function of a nuclear entry inhibitory signal (NIS) of Rev. In this study, anticandidal effects and mechanism of action of Rev (11-20) were investigated. The result exhibited that Rev (11-20) contained candidacidal activities. To understand target site(s) of Rev (11-20), the intracellular localization of the peptide was investigated. The result showed that Rev (11-20) rapidly accumulated in the fungal cell surface. The cell wall regeneration test also indicated that Rev (11-20) exerted its anticandidal activity to fungal plasma membrane rather than cell wall. The fluorescent study using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) further confirmed the membrane-disruption mechanism(s) of Rev (11-20). The present study suggests that Rev (11-20) possesses significant potential regarding therapeutic agents for treating fungal diseases caused by Candida species in humans.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.209-214
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• 2010

Metastasis is the primary cause of from breast cancer mortality. Cell migration and invasion play important roles in neoplastic metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays an important role in cancer cell invasion. NF-${\kappa}B$ is transcription factor important in the regulation of MMP-9, as the promoter of MMP-9 gene contains binding sites for NF-${\kappa}B$. Brazilin, an active component of sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan), decreases TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and invasion in MCF-7 cells. Also, brazilin suppressed NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in TPA-treated MCF-7 cells. Taken together, we demonstrated that the inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion by brazilin is mediated by the suppression of the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway in MCF-7 cells. This result suggest brazilin provide a potential therapeutic app roach for the treatment of breast cancer.