• 한국자원식물학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.220-227
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• 2019

Stevia rebaudiana (Asteraceae), a perennial plant, has been used as a low-calorie sweetener and is being developed as a therapeutic agent for diabetes, hypertension, myocardial diseases, and microbial infections. Despite the common use of its leaves and stem, the bioavailability of the components present in S. rebaudiana flowers, when used as ingredients of cosmetics, has not been well investigated. Herein, we investigated the antioxidative and antimelanogenic effects of an aqueous extract of S. rebaudiana flowers (Stevia-F). Total flavonoid and phenolic content in Stevia-F were determined to be $8.64{\pm}0.23mg$ of quercetin equivalents/100 g and $631.5{\pm}2.01mg$ of gallic acid equivalents/100 g, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ values of Stevia-F for reducing power, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate radical, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide scavenging activities were 5541.96, 131.39, 466.34, and $10.44{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Stevia-F showed inhibitory effects on the tyrosinase ($IC_{50}=134.74{\mu}g/mL$) and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase ($IC_{50}=114.81{\mu}g/mL$) activities. No significant cytotoxicity of Stevia-F was observed in B16F10 cells, treated with up to $100{\mu}g/mL$ of the extract for 24 and 48 h (p > 0.05). Stevia-F ($1-100{\mu}g/mL$) suppressed ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced melanin production in B16F10 cells (p < 0.05) and also inhibited the cellular tyrosinase activity (p < 0.05). Overall, our results show that Stevia-F possesses potential for inhibiting tyrosinase and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activities and has significant antioxidant capacity. The antimelanogenic potential of Stevia-F should extend the usage of S. rebaudiana flowers in the development of skin-whitening products.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.414-422
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• 2019

There is accumulating evidence that microRNAs are emerging as pivotal regulators in the development and progression of neuropathic pain. MicroRNA-15a/16 (miR-15a/16) have been reported to play an important role in various diseases and inflammation response processes. However, whether miR-15a/16 participates in the regulation of neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain development remains unknown. In this study, we established a mouse model of neuropathic pain by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerves. Our results showed that both miR-15a and miR-16 expression was significantly upregulated in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Downregulation of the expression of miR-15a and miR-16 by intrathecal injection of a specific inhibitor significantly attenuated the mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia of CCI rats. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-15a and miR-16 downregulated the expression of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor-necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), an important regulator in neuropathic pain and inflammation, was a potential target gene of miR-15a and miR-16. Inhibition of miR-15a and miR-16 markedly increased the expression of GRK2 while downregulating the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and $NF-{\kappa}B$ in CCI rats. Notably, the silencing of GRK2 significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-15a/16 inhibition in neuropathic pain. In conclusion, our results suggest that inhibition of miR-15a/16 expression alleviates neuropathic pain development by targeting GRK2. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and suggest potential therapeutic targets for preventing neuropathic pain development.

• 한국자원식물학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.109-115
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• 2019

이상의 연구 결과로 미루어 볼 때, 참식나무 기주 참나무겨우살이(TY-NS-B)는 $GSK3{\beta}$에 의한 ${\beta}$-catenin 인산화에 의존하지 않는 ${\beta}$-catenin의 분해 유도를 통해 암세포의 생육과 관련된 c-Myc의 발현을 억제하며, 이것은 비소세포성 폐암의 생육억제와 관련이 있는 것으로 판단된다. 또한, 본 결과는 항암을 위한 대체보완소재로 참식나무 기주 참나무겨우살이의 활용이 가능할 것으로 판단된다. 그러나 추가적 연구를 통해 참식나무 기주 참나무겨우살이가 어떻게 ${\beta}$-catenin의 분해 유도에 관여하는지에 대한 기전연구와 관련 활성물질의 분석연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.167-175
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• 2021

Far-infrared rays (FIR) are known to have various effects on atoms and molecular structures within cells owing to their radiation and vibration frequencies. The present study examined the effects of FIR on gene expression related to glucose transport through microarray analysis in rat skeletal muscle cells, as well as on mitochondrial biogenesis, at high and low glucose conditions. FIR were emitted from a bio-active material coated fabric (BMCF). L6 cells were treated with 30% BMCF for 24 h in medium containing 25 or 5.5 mM glucose, and changes in the expression of glucose transporter genes were determined. The expression of GLUT3 (Slc2a3) increased 2.0-fold (p < 0.05) under 5.5 mM glucose and 30% BMCF. In addition, mitochondrial oxygen consumption and membrane potential (ΔΨm) increased 1.5- and 3.4-fold (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001), respectively, but no significant change in expression of Pgc-1a, a regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, was observed in 24 h. To analyze the relationship between GLUT3 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis under FIR, GLUT3 was down-modulated by siRNA for 72 h. As a result, the ΔΨm of the GLUT3 siRNA-treated cells increased 3.0-fold (p < 0.001), whereas that of the control group increased 4.6-fold (p < 0.001). Moreover, Pgc-1a expression increased upon 30% BMCF treatment for 72 h; an effect that was more pronounced in the presence of GLUT3. These results suggest that FIR may hold therapeutic potential for improving glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function in metabolic diseases associated with insufficient glucose supply, such as type 2 diabetes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.59-69
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• 2022

본 연구실의 선행 연구에서 항산화 활성이 가장 높았던 조팝나무 H₂O-EtOH (40:60) 분획물(SP60)의 항염 효능을 확인하여 기능성 소재로의 개발 가능성을 알아보고자 하였다. 항염활성 측정을 위해 RAW 264.7 세포에서 먼저 WST assay를 실시하여 SP60이 125 ㎍/mL 농도까지 세포 생존율에 영향을 미치지 않는 것을 확인하였다. Raw264.7 세포에 LPS와 SP60을 동시에 처리하여 NO, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β 생성과 iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB 발현을 측정하였다. SP60은 NO, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β 생성량을 모두 유의하게 억제시켰으며 western blot으로 iNOS, COX-2의 발현과 NF-κB의 활성을 측정한 결과 SP60을 처리한 군에서 농도 의존적으로 그 발현량과 활성을 억제하였다. 따라서 조팝나무 분획물은 항염 효능을 가진 것으로 판단되며 항염 관련 기능성 식품 및 소재로의 개발 가능성을 확인하였다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.97-107
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• 2023

Aristolochic acid (AA), extracted from Aristolochiaceae plants, plays an essential role in traditional herbal medicines and is used for different diseases. However, AA has been found to be nephrotoxic and is known to cause aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). AA-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome in AAN with a high morbidity that manifests mitochondrial damage as a key part of its pathological progression. Melatonin primarily serves as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. However, its mitochondrial protective role in AA-induced AKI is barely reported. In this study, mice were administrated 2.5 mg/kg AA to induce AKI. Melatonin reduced the increase in Upro and Scr and attenuated the necrosis and atrophy of renal proximal tubules in mice exposed to AA. Melatonin suppressed ROS generation, MDA levels and iNOS expression and increased SOD activities in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, the in vivo study revealed that melatonin decreased mitochondrial fragmentation in renal proximal tubular cells and increased ATP levels in kidney tissues in response to AA. In vitro, melatonin restored the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in NRK-52E and HK-2 cells and led to an elevation in ATP levels. Confocal immunofluorescence data showed that puncta containing Mito-tracker and GFP-LC3A/B were reduced, thereby impeding the mitophagy of tubular epithelial cells. Furthermore, melatonin decreased LC3A/B-II expression and increased p62 expression. The apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells induced by AA was decreased. Therefore, our findings revealed that melatonin could prevent AA-induced AKI by attenuating mitochondrial damage, which may provide a potential therapeutic method for renal AA toxicity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.199-209
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• 2023

Background: Due to the interrupted blood supply in cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS), ischemic and hypoxia results in neuronal depolarization, insufficient NAD+, excessive levels of ROS, mitochondrial damages, and energy metabolism disorders, which triggers the ischemic cascades. Currently, improvement of mitochondrial functions and energy metabolism is as a vital therapeutic target and clinical strategy. Hence, it is greatly crucial to look for neuroprotective natural agents with mitochondria protection actions and explore the mediated targets for treating CIS. In the previous study, notoginseng leaf triterpenes (PNGL) from Panax notoginseng stems and leaves was demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the potential mechanisms have been not completely elaborate. Methods: The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) was adopted to verify the neuroprotective effects and potential pharmacology mechanisms of PNGL in vivo. Antioxidant markers were evaluated by kit detection. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by ATP content measurement, ATPase, NAD and NADH kits. And the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and pathological staining (H&E and Nissl) were used to detect cerebral morphological changes and mitochondrial structural damages. Western blotting, ELISA and immunofluorescence assay were utilized to explore the mitochondrial protection effects and its related mechanisms in vivo. Results: In vivo, treatment with PNGL markedly reduced excessive oxidative stress, inhibited mitochondrial injury, alleviated energy metabolism dysfunction, decreased neuronal loss and apoptosis, and thus notedly raised neuronal survival under ischemia and hypoxia. Meanwhile, PNGL significantly increased the expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) in the ischemic regions, and regulated its related downstream SIRT1/2/3-MnSOD/PGC-1α pathways. Conclusion: The study finds that the mitochondrial protective effects of PNGL are associated with the NAMPT-SIRT1/2/3-MnSOD/PGC-1α signal pathways. PNGL, as a novel candidate drug, has great application prospects for preventing and treating ischemic stroke.

• 문화기술의 융합
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.717-724
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• 2023

사플라워와 마더워트 등 에탄올복합추출물(SEC)을 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)로 유도된 마우스 대식세포주인 RAW264.7 세포와 마우스 폐포 대식세포주인 MH-S 세포에서 사플라워와 마더워트 등 에탄올복합추출물((SEC)의 항균과 항염증 활성 효과를 조사하였다. 그 결과 SEC(500 ㎍/mL)의 전처리 LPS 자극 세포에서 iNOS 단백질 및 염증성 사이토카인 mRNA 발현을 크게 억제하였다. 사플라워와 마더워트 등 에탄올복합추출물(SEC)에 의한 항염증활성 효과는 다음과 같이 관찰되었다. 사플라워와 마더워트 등 에탄올복합추출물(SEC)은 IκB-α 인산화의 억제를 통해 시토졸에서 핵으로의 NF-κB의 전좌를 억제하고 또한 LPS로 자극된 NF-κB 전사 활성을 억제하였다. 이러한 결과는 사플라워와 마더워트 등 에탄올복합추출물(SEC)이 항염증 작용을 발휘 하고 사플라워와 마더워트 등 에탄올복합추출물(SEC)의 잠재적인 치료 가치성 및 기본 메커니즘을 규명 할 수 있었다. 결론적으로 사플라워와 마더워트 등 에탄올복합추출물(GRP)이 다양한 항염증 활성성분 함유 및 천연 항염증제의 잠재적 공급원으로 활용 가능성이 있음을 시사 하였다.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.30-50
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• 2023

Objectives : To investigate the active compounds and therapeutic mechanisms of Atractylodes Lancea(Thunb.) D.C. and Magnolia Officinalis Rehder et Wilson in the treatment of dermatitis accompanied by pruritus, as well as their potential to complement or replace standard drugs. Methods : We conducted the network pharmacological analysis. We selected effective ingredients among the active compounds of research target herbs. Then we explore pathway/terms of the common target proteins among research target herbs, fexofenadine and disease. Results : We selected 9 active compounds are selected from Atractylodes lancea and identified 231 target proteins. Among them, 74 proteins are associated with inflammatory skin diseases that cause pruritus. These proteins are involved in various pathways including, 'Nitric-oxide synthase regulator activity', 'Hydroperoxy icosatetraenoate dehydratase activity, Aromatase activity', 'RNA-directed DNA polymerase activity', 'Arachidonic acid metabolism', 'Peptide hormone processing', 'Chemokine binding' and 'Sterol biosynthetic process'. Additionally, coregenes are involved in 'IL-17 signaling pathway'. Similarly, we selected 2 active compounds from Magnolia officinalis and identified 133 target proteins. Among them, 33 proteins are related to inflammatory skin diseases that cause pruritus. These proteins are primarily involved in 'Vascular associated smooth muscle cell proliferation' and 'Arachidonic acid metabolism'. There is no significant difference between the pathways in which coregenes are involved. Conclusions : It is expected that Atractylodes Lancea will be able to show direct or indirect anti-pruritus and anti-inflammatory effects on skin inflammation accompanied pruritus through suppressing inflammation and protecting skin barrier. Meanwhile, it is expected that Magnolia Officinalis will only be able to show indirect anti-inflammation effects. Therefore, Atractylodes Lancea and fexofenadine are believed to complement each other, whereas Magnolia Officialinalis is expected to provide supplementary support on skin disease.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.469-482
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• 2023

본 연구에서는 ob/ob 마우스를 이용한 비만유발 동물모델에서 단호박분말 투여가 체지방 감소에 효과적인지 확인하기 위하여 6주간 식이를 통해 10% 단호박분말을 투여하였다. 그 결과, 단호박분말과 열처리 단호박분말을 섭취한 ob/ob 마우스에서 식이섭취량이 증가하였음에도 불구하고 체중과 지방조직 무게가 감소되었음을 확인하였으며 비만에 의한 인슐린 저항성과 이상지질혈증을 예방할 수 있음을 확인하였다. 체중 감소 효능의 기전을 확인하기 위해 지방합성과 지방분해에 관여하는 인자들의 mRNA와 단백질 발현을 관찰한 결과, 단호박 분말과 열처리 단호박분말을 섭취한 ob/ob 마우스에서 지방합성 인자들의 활성이 감소되었고, 지방분해에 관련하는 효소의 활성이 증가되었음을 확인하였다 (Fig. 6). 따라서 본 연구의 결과를 통해 단호박분말 섭취는 비만이 유도된 ob/ob 마우스에서 지방조직의 지방분해 증가와 지방합성 감소를 통해 체중 감소 효능 및 비만에 의한 대사질환 발생을 예방할 수 있다고 제안한다.