• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.460-467
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• 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the word. Although radiation and chemotherapy are generally effective, there are various side effects that greatly limit the effectiveness of these treatments. Therefore, traditional herbs may have potential as important resources for the discovery of liver cancer therapeutics. In this study, we selected three Korean herbal medicine formulas from the Donguibogam, namely Bigihwan (BGH), Daechilgithang (DCGT), and Mokwhyangbinranghwan (MHBRH), and evaluated their anti-cancer effects on HCC cells. According to our results of three ethanol extracts, BGH was more effective at suppressing HCC growth than DCGT or MHBRH. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis showed that inhibition of HCC proliferation by the three extracts was associated with the induction of apoptosis and autophagy. In particular, BGH significantly increased mitochondrial impairment and showed the possibility of inducing mitophagy in comparison with the other two extracts. BGH prominently upregulated the levels of microtubule-associated protein light chain-3 which was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 without altering the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax. In addition, the levels of PTEN-induced kinase 1 were also markedly increased in BGH-treated HCC cells. Moreover, autophagy blocking improved cell viability and reduced apoptosis after the three treatments, indicating that autophagy by these extracts enhances HCC cells against cytotoxicity. In conclusion, our findings show that BGH demonstrates the highest anti-cancer activity among the three formulas and inhibits the proliferation of HCC cells through autophagy induction.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.178-184
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• 1999

Bamboo salt has been used for the purpose of precaution and treatment of certain diseases including cancer. Therefore, present study was carried out to ascertain the effects of bamboo salt upon anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, and anti-diabetic activities as well. To examine the anti-cancer activity of bamboo salt, ICR mice implanted with 1$\times$l0$^{6}$ cells of sarcoma 180 intraperitoneally had been treated daily with bamboo salt A, crude salt, and reagent-grade NaCl (0.2, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg, p.o.) for 60 days using adriamycin (2 mg/kg) as a positive control. Neither survival rate nor body weight had been significantly influenced by all the treatments indicating that bamboo salt A did not exert the anti-cancer effect on ICR mice. Anti-hypertensive activity was examined in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) which had been administered with bamboo salt A, crude salt, and reagent-grade NaCl (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% in drinking water) for 28 days using hydralazin (2 mg/kg) as a positive control. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at 1, 3, and 4 weeks after the starting date. Significant anti-hypertensive activity was not observed in any treated group compared to the positive control group. In order to determine if bamboo salt had anti-diabetic activity, rats in which diabetes had been induced by streptozotocin (45 mg/kg, i.m.) were treated daily with bamboo salt A, crude salt, and reagent-grade NaCl (0.2, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg, p.o.) for 28 days using insulin (50 U/kg, s.c..) as a positive control. Blood samples were taken and analyzed at 1,2, and 4 weeks after the starting date. Bamboo salt did not cause any decreasing effect on the blood glucose levels. These results clearly demonstrated that bamboo salt A did not exert anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, or anti-diabetic activities in the present experimental animals.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2004

The aim of this study is to investigate anti-stress effect of Scutellaria baicalensis(SB). The experiments were performed with the use of young (9 weeks of age) male rats of SD strain and the male ICR mice (20-25 g) at the time of first treatment with SB. Animals of the normal group were not exposed to any stress and the control group were exposed to stress. The rats of the Ginseng, Diazepam(BZ) and SB supplementary group were orally administered once a day 100 mg of red ginseng extract, 5 mg of BZ or 100 mg of SB extract/kg body weight and they were exposed to stress. The mice of the Ginseng, BZ and SB supplementary group were given water containing 200 mg of red ginseng extract, 10 mg of BZ or SB extract/100 ml potable water and exposed to stress. Animals were given supplements for 7 days without stress, and then were given supplement for 5 days with restraining and electroshock stress. We recorded stress related behavioral changes of the experimental animals by stressing them using the Etho-vision system and measured levels of blood corticosterone and IL-2. SB supplementation partially blocked the stress effect on locomotion in the rats and mice, and also partially blocked stress-induced behavioral changes such as freezing, burrowing, grooming, smelling, and rearing behavior in the rats and smelling, grooming, tailing, and rearing in the mice. in elevated plus maze test, the staying time of the stressed rats and mice in the open area decreased while it increased in the closed area. But these changes also partially were blocked by SB-supplementation. SB-supplementation decreased levels of the blood corticosterone which was increased by stress in the rats but did not significantly increase levels of blood interleukin 2 which was decreased by stress in mice.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2004

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential acute toxicity of CKD-602 by a single intravenous dose in Sprague-Dawley rats. Ten males females were used in each test groups: a vehicle control, 34.7, 4l.7, 50.0, 60.0 and 72.0 mg/kg groups, and were given different single intravenous doses of CKD-602 to the test animals. Mortalities, clinical findings, and body weight changes were monitored for the 14-day period following the administration. At the end of l4-day observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete gross postmortem examinations were performed. One, 1, 2, 8 and 9 cases of deaths occurred in the male dose groups of 34.7, 41.7, 50.0, 60.0 and 72.0 mg/kg, respectively, and 1, 5 and 9 cases in the female dose groups 50.0, 60.0 and 72.0 mg/kg, respectively. An increase in the incidence of clinical signs such as alopecia, skin pallor skin ulcerations, emaciation and change of fecal material was found in the both sexes of all treatment groups. A decrease or Suppression in the body weight was also observed in a dose-dependent manner. In autopsy, male and/or female rats of the treatment groups showed treatment-related gross findings such as splenomegaly, atrophy of the testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles, ovary, uterus and thymus which were dose-dependent in incidence and severity. Based on these results, it was concluded that a single intravenous injection of CKD-602 to rats caused significant toxicities in gastrointestinal, hematopoietic, and reproductive systems. The $LD_{50}$ value was 53.8 (95% confidence limit: 48.5~60.6) mg/kg for males and 60.l (95% confidence limit: 55.3~65.8) mg/kg for females. The $LD_{10}$ value was 39.9 (95% confidence limit: 3l.7~44.8) mg/kg for males and 50.3 (95% confidence limit: 40.6~54.8) mg/kg for females.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.187-194
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• 2011

Atherosclerosis and post-angiography restenosis are associated with intimal thickening and concomitant vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Obovatol, a major biphenolic component isolated from the Magnolia obovata leaf, is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. The goal of the present study was to enhance the inhibitory effects of obovatol to improve its potential as a preventive or therapeutic agent in atherosclerosis and restenosis. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) was examined in the presence or absence of a newly synthesized obovatol derivative, OD78. The observed anti-proliferative effect of OD78 was further investigated by cell counting and [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation assays. Treatment with 1-4 ${\mu}M$ OD78 dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation and DNA synthesis of 25 ng/ml PDGF-BB-stimulated RASMCs. Accordingly, OD78 blocked PDGF-BB-induced progression from the $G_0/G_1$ to S phase of the cell cycle in synchronized cells. OD78 decreased the expression levels of CDK4, cyclin E, and cyclin D1 proteins, as well as the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen; however, it did not change the CDK2 expression level. In addition, OD78 inhibited downregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) $p27^{kip1}$. However, OD78 did not affect the CKI $p21^{cip1}$ or phosphorylation of early PDGF signaling pathway. These results suggest that OD78 may inhibit PDGF-BB-induced RASMC proliferation by perturbing cell cycle progression, potentially through $p27^{kip1}$ pathway activation. Consequently, OD78 may be developed as a potential anti-proliferative agent for the treatment of atherosclerosis and angioplasty restenosis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.261-266
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• 2011

As recent reports suggest that nanoparticles may penetrate into cell membrane and effect DNA condition, it is necessary to assay possible cytotoxic and genotoxic risk. Three different sizes of magnetic nanoparticle silica (MNP@$SiO_2$) (50, 100 and 200 nm diameter) were tested for cytotoxicity and DNA damage using L5178Y cell. MNP@$SiO_2$ had constant physicochemical characteristics confirmed by transmission electron microscope, electron spin resonance spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer for 48 h. Treatment of MNP@$SiO_2$ induced dose and time dependent cytotoxicity. At 6 h, 50, 100 or 200 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ decreased significantly cell viability over the concentration of 125 ${\mu}g/ml$ compared to vehicle control (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Moreover, at 24 h, 50 or 100 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ decreased significantly cell viability over the concentration of 125 ${\mu}g/ml$(p<0.01). And treatment of 200 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ decreased significantly cell viability at the concentration of 62.5 ${\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.05) and of 125, 250, 500 ${\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.01, respectively). Furthermore, at 48 h, 50, 100 or 200 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ decreased significantly cell viability at the concentration of 62.5 ${\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.05) and of 125, 250, 500 ${\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.01, respectively). Cellular location detected by confocal microscope represented they were existed in cytoplasm, mainly around cell membrane at 2 h after treatment of MNP@$SiO_2$. Treatment of 50 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ significantly increased DNA damage at middle and high dose (p<0.01), and treatment of 100 nm or 200 nm significantly increased DNA damage in all dose compared to control (p<0.01). Taken together, treatment of MNP@$SiO_2$ induced cytotoxicity and enhanced DNA damage in L5178Y cell.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.252-260
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• 2007

As it is needed to assay possible feasibility of extrapolation between in vivo and in vitro systems and to develop a new in vitro method for toxicity testing, we investigated global gene expression from both animal and cell line treated with thioacetamide (TAA) and compared between in vivo and in vitro genomic profiles. For in vivo study, mice were orally treated with TAA and sacrificed at 6 and 24 h. For in vitro study, TAA was administered to a mouse hepatic cell line, BNL CL.2 and sampling was carried out at 6 and 24 h. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by analyzing hepatic enzymes and histopathological examination (in vivo) or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and morphological examination (in vitro). Global gene expression was assessed using microarray. In high dose TAA-treated group, there was centrilobular necrosis (in vivo) and cellular toxicity with an elevation of LDH (in vitro) at 24 h. Statistical analysis of global gene expression identified that there were similar numbers of altered genes found between in vivo and in vitro at each time points. Pathway analysis identified several common pathways existed between in vivo and in vitro system such as glutathione metabolism, bile acid biosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, butanoate metabolism for hepatotoxicty caused by TAA. Our results suggest it may be feasible to develop toxicogenomics biomarkers by comparing in vivo and in vitro genomic profiles specific to TAA for application to prediction of liver toxicity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.406-413
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• 2014

to valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy produces ASD-like core behavioral phenotypes as well as hyperactivity in offspring both in human and experimental animals, which makes it a plausible model to study ASD-related neurobiological processes. In this study, we examined the effects of two of currently available attention defecit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications, methylphenidate (MPH) and atomoxetine (ATX) targeting dopamine and norepinephrine transporters (DAT and NET), respectively, on hyperactive behavior of prenatally VPA-exposed rat offspring. In the prefrontal cortex of VPA exposed rat offspring, both mRNA and protein expression of DAT was increased as compared with control. VPA function as a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that the acetylation of histone bound to DAT gene promoter was increased in VPA-exposed rat offspring suggesting epigenetic mechanism of DAT regulation. Similarly, the expression of NET was increased, possibly via increased histone acetylation in prefrontal cortex of VPA-exposed rat offspring. When we treated the VPA-exposed rat offspring with ATX, a NET selective inhibitor, hyperactivity was reversed to control level. In contrast, MPH that inhibits both DAT and NET, did not produce inhibitory effects against hyperactivity. The results suggest that NET abnormalities may underlie the hyperactive phenotype in VPA animal model of ASD. Profiling the pharmacological responsiveness as well as investigating underlying mechanism in multiple models of ASD and ADHD may provide more insights into the neurobiological correlates regulating the behavioral abnormalities.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2010

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophic factor involved in neuronal differentiation, plasticity, survival and regeneration. BDNF draws massive attention mainly due to the potential as a therapeutic target in neurological diseases such as depression and Alzheimer's disease. In a primary screening for the natural compounds enhancing BDNF release from cultured rat primary cortical neuron, we found that compounds such as baicalein, tanshinone IIa, cinnamic acid, epiberberine, genistein and wogonin among many others increased BDNF release. All the compounds at $0.1{\mu}M$ of concentration barely showed stimulatory effect on BDNF induction, however, their combination (mixture 1; baicalein, tanshinone IIa and cinnamic acid, mixture 2; epiberberine, genistein and wogonin) showed synergistic increase in BDNF release as well as mRNA and protein expression. The level of BDNF expression was comparable to the maximum BDNF stimulation attainable by a positive control oroxylin A ($20{\mu}M$) without cell toxicity as determined by MTT analysis. Both mixtures synergistically increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) as well as cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), an immediate and essential regulator of BDNF expression. Similar to these results, mixture of these compounds synergistically inhibited the up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induced by lipopolysaccharide treatments in rat primary astrocytes. These results suggest that the combinatorial treatment of natural compounds in lower concentration might be a useful strategy to obtain sufficient BDNF stimulation in neurological disease condition such as depression, while minimizing potential side effects and toxicity of higher concentration of a single compound.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2010

Activation of JNK has long been associated with the apoptotic response induced by various anti-cancer drugs including doxorubicin, vinblastine, and etoposide. In this study, we examined and compared patterns of apoptosis and JNK activation according to three different anti-cancer drugs (daunorubicin, vinblastine, and etoposide) and two different sources of HL60 cells (Jackson Laboratory and ATCC). HL60 cells from Jackson Laboratory (HL60/RPMI) were maintained in RPMI 1640 containing 5% fetal bovine serum and those from ATCC (HL60/IMDM) in IMDM containing 20% fetal bovine serum as to each manufacture's guideline. In general, HL60/RPMI cells were more sensitive to anti-cancer drugs compared to HL60/IMDM cells, demonstrated by the XTT and flow cytometric analyses. Apoptotic pathways after treatment with anti-cancer drugs seemed to be different between HL60/RPMI (daunorubicin and etoposide, caspase 3 dependent, but caspase 8 or 9 independent; vinblastine, caspase 3 independent) and HL60/IMDM (caspase 3 and caspase 9 dependent). The expression of apoptotic protein, BID, was consistent with caspase 3 activation. Immunoblotting of phospho-JNK and JNK kinase assay showed JNK activation by all three anti-cancer drugs in HL60/RPMI, while JNK activation was observed only in vinblastine-treated cells in HL60/IMDM. Our study results suggest that in vitro environmental conditions have a significant influence on JNK mediated apoptosis of HL60 cells by anti-cancer drugs and in vitro culture conditions are important factors in JNK or possibly other MAPK related studies.