• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.285-291
• /
• 2018

Gremlin-1 (GREM1) has been defined as an antagonist of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), particularly during embryonic development and tissue differentiation. However, recent studies have shown that GREM1 has BMPs-dependent or -independent functions in diverse human diseases. GREM1 plays a key role in the process of organ fibrosis, including lungs, kidneys, and so on. The GREM1-induced fibrosis typically promotes the development of other diseases, such as pulmonary hypertension, renal inflammation, and diabetic nephropathy. More recently, considerable evidence has been reported showing that GREM1 is involved in the promotion and/or progression of tumors in vitro and in vivo. It also performs an oncogenic role in the maintenance of cancer stem cells. Although GREM1 is known to function in a variety of diseases, here we focus on the role of GREM1 in cancer, and suggest GREM1 as a potential therapeutic target in certain types of cancer.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.285-290
• /
• 2018

Harmine, a beta-carboline alkaloid isolated from the seeds of Peganum harmala has been reported as a promising drug candidate for cancer therapy. However, the effect of harmine on breast cancer remains still unclear. In this study, the effect of harmine on the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer MDA-MB231 cells and the underlying mechanism were investigated. The results indicated that harmine inhibited the proliferation MDA-MB231 cells in a dose-dependent manner and markedly suppressed migration and invasion of MDA-MB231 cells. The mechanism involved in part through Notch signaling. The Notch activity was significantly inhibited by harmine treatment and harmine suppressed the expression of Jagged1 which is a key ligand to activate Notch signaling. These findings suggest a novel mechanism of harmine on anti-cancer activity and harmine may act as a potential therapeutic drug for breast cancer treatment.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.16-23
• /
• 2018

Positional Release Techniques (PRTs) are an umbrella term for manual therapies harnessing spontaneous musculoskeletal balancing mechanism of the body facilitated by finding and maintaining therapeutic position. PRT has its origin in the Strain Counterstrain (SCS) technique by Dr. Jones but encompasses diverse related techniques that stemmed off from the SCS. PRT emphasizes postural balance within the body and innate healing potential of the body including the postural balance of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This study briefly reviews concepts, history, and contemporary study reports on PRT with a focus on the yin-yang balance based approach of PRT.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.149-153
• /
• 2018

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into various cell lineages. Stem cells are responsible for the development of organs and regeneration of damaged tissues. The highly regenerative nature of the human endometrium during reproductive age suggests that stem cells play a critical role in endometrial physiology. Bone marrow-derived cells migrate to the uterus and participate in the healing and restoration of functionally or structurally damaged endometrium. This review summarizes recent research into the potential therapeutic effects of bone marrow-derived stem cells in conditions involving endometrial impairment.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.107-117
• /
• 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate target messenger RNAs. In multicellular eukaryotes, numerous miRNAs perform basic cellular functions, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. Abnormal expression of miRNAs weakens or modifies various apoptosis pathways, leading to the development of human cancer. Cell death occurs in an active manner that maintains tissue homeostasis and eliminates potentially harmful cells through regulated cell death processes, including apoptosis, autophagic cell death, and necroptosis. In this review, we discuss the involvement of miRNAs in regulating cell death pathways in cancers and the potential therapeutic functions of miRNAs in cancer treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.437-443
• /
• 2021

Objective: This study explored the clinical usefulness of Nangan-jeon decoction to treat refractory functional dyspepsia. Methods: A 61-year-old female had been suffering from severe functional dyspepsia for about 40 years, but the dyspeptic symptoms rapidly improved after taking Nangan-jeon decoction. The clinical outcome was assessed by the numerical rating scale (NRS) and the self-reporting method. Result: After there was no improvement from various herbal treatments in a department of a Korean college hospital, the patient moved to the author's clinic. She had been diagnosed with the pattern identification of "liver-kidney deficiency cold" and prescribed with Nangan-jeon decoction. This herbal drug rapidly improved her dyspeptic symptoms, from NRS 10 to NRS 2 (after 3 weeks) and NRS 1 (after 7 weeks). Conclusion: This case report is the first to present the potential of Nangan-jeon decoction to improve refractory functional dyspepsia.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.63 no.4
• /
• pp.339-345
• /
• 2020

Euchrestaflavanone A (EFA) is a flavonoid found in the root bark of Cudrania tricuspidata. C. tricuspidata extract, widely used throughout Asia in traditional medicine, has been investigated phytochemically and biologically and is known to have anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. It has been reported that C. tricuspidata extract also possesses anti-platelet effects; however, the mechanism of its anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic activities is yet to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of EFA on the modulation of platelet function using collagen-induced human platelets. Our results showed that EFA markedly inhibited platelet aggregation. Furthermore, it downregulated glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (αIIb/β3)-mediated signaling events, including platelet adhesion, granule secretion, thromboxane A2 production, and clot retraction, but upregulated the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent pathway. Taken together, EFA possesses strong anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic properties and is a potential therapeutic drug candidate to prevent platelet-related thrombosis and cardiovascular disease.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.133.1-133.1
• /
• 2003

Cathepsin K (CK) is a cysteine protease that plays a major and essential role in osteoclast-mediated degradation of collagen matrix of bone. Its tissue-limited distribution and pivotal contribution to bone resorption meet the requirements as the potential therapeutic target of the disease with excessive bone loss such as osteoporosis. In a search for potent CK inhibitors. we found OST-5440 that effectively inhibited bone resorption in vivo as well as in vitro. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2003.10b
• /
• pp.248.1-248.1
• /
• 2003

Keloids are characterized by abnormal proliferation of fibroblasts and overproduction of collagen. Recently, it is reported that transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) and its signaling molecule, SMAD3 are related to the mitogenic effect of fibroblasts and a stimulatory factor for collagen synthesis. Cationic SLN was developed to improve the complex formation of DNA/SLN and enhance the uptake efficiency to cells. SLN was formulated by DC-Chol, DOPE, trimyristin as a solid core and other surfactant. The physical properties of the SLN and the ATS-SLN complex were characterized. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.253.2-253.2
• /
• 2002

Apicidin. a natural product HDAC inhibitor. is recently isolated from Fusarium sp. at Merk Research Laboratories, induces therapeutic applications as a broad spectrum antiprotozoal agent to muti-drug resistant malaria and a potential antitumor agent. The biological activity of apicidin appears to be apicocomplexan HDAC at low nanomolar concentrations. (omitted)