• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.303-309
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• 2014

The fruit of Gleditsia sinensis has been extensively used as a key ingredient of an herbal remedy for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases in traditional Korean Medicine. However, the reason of using the fruit of G. sinensis for the remedy is unclear. Since Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is a key anti-inflammatory transcription factor, which is activated by the fruit of G. sinesis, we examined whether other plant parts of G. sinensis are also capable of suppressing inflammatory responses by activating Nrf2. Water extracts of various parts of G. sinensis were prepared and tested for Nrf2 activation by reporter assay and western blot analysis. Our results show that the hull of G. sinensis is the most potent in activating Nrf2. Sequential organic solvent extraction of the hull show that all the fractions had a higher potency in activating Nrf2 than the water extract, albeit differential degrees. The hull originated from Korea in general activated Nrf2 strongly compared to that of China. Chloroform fraction of the hull was further examined, showing that the fraction induced nuclear localization of Nrf2, indicative of activated Nrf2, and Nrf2-dependent gene expression including NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and heme oxygenase - 1 (HO-1). Therefore, our results show that, among other plant parts examined in this study, the hull of G. sinensis is the most potent, providing the experimental basis for the use of the hull of G. sinensis as an active ingredient for an anti-inflammatory remedy.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.782-788
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• 2013

Chrysanthemum zawadskii Herbich var. latilobum Kitamura (Compositae), colloquially known "Gujulcho" in Korea, has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases, including cough, common cold, bladder-related disorders, gastroenteric disorders, hypertension, and inflammatory diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, pharyngitis, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) However, the effect of Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum on breast cancer invasion is unknown. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum extract (CZE) on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression and cell invasion, as well as the molecular mechanisms involved in MCF-7 cells. CZE were not cytotoxic up to 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ concentration in the MCF-7 cell line. CZE decreased MMP-9 expression. TPA substantially increased NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA binding activity. Pre-treatment with CZE inhibited TPA-stimulated NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity and NF-${\kappa}B$ related protein expression. To identify invasion ability of MCF-7 cells decreased by CZE, we used martrigel invasion assay. As a result, it is significantly decreased cell invasion. These results indicate that CZE-mediated inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion involves the suppression of the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway in MCF-7 cells. Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum may have potential value in restricting breast cancer metastasis.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.159-175
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• 1998

In order to investigate the antitumor effect by Chungsangbohahwan after B-16 cells were transplanted in C57BL/6 mice, and the immune responses in mice induced by methotrexate, the extract of Chungsangbohahwan was orally administered to the mice for 21 days. Experimental studies were performed for measurance of metastasis, cell cytotoxicity in vitro, natural killer cell activity, productivity of interleukin-2. The results were summarized as follows: 1. Inhibition of metastasis in Chungsangbohahwan-treated group was higher than control group with significance on 7th day and 14th day. 2. On the MTT assay, cell viability was significantly inhibited by $5{\mu}g/well$, $2.5{\mu}g/well$, $1.25{\mu}g/well$, and $0.625{\mu}g/well$ of Chungsangbohahwan concentration inhibited cell viability significantly(P<0.05). $IC_{50}$ for cell viability was $2.17{\mu}g/well$. 3. Natural killer cell activity in Chungsangbohahwan-treated group was significantly increased on 100:1, 50:1 E/T(effect cell/target cell) ratio(P<0.05). 4. Production of interleukin-2 in Chungsangbohahwan-treated group was significantly increased(P<0.05).

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.986-992
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• 2009

Type I interferons (IFNs) are critical mediators of the innate immune system to defend viral infection. Interferon regulatory factor (IRF) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) play critical roles in type I IFN production in response to viral infection. Luteolin is natural polyphenolic compounds that have anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective and anti-carcinogenic effects. However, the mechanism of action and impact of luteolin on innate immunity is still unknown. In this study, we examined the effects of luteolin on the lipopolysacchride (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses. Luteolin inhibited Type I IFNs expression of mRNA and increased interleukin(IL)-10 expression of mRNA. Next, we examined the protective effects of IL-10 using IL-10 neutralizing antibody (IL-10NA). Blockade of IL-10 action didn't cause a significant reduction of Type I IFNs than LPS-induced luteolin pretreatment. Pretreatment of luteolin inhibited the level of IRF-1, and IRF-7 mRNA and the nuclear translocation of IRF-3. Also, luteolin reduced the activation of STAT - 1, 3. Theses results suggest that luteolin inhibits LPS-induced the production of Type I IFNS by both IRFs and STATs not IL-10 and may be a beneficial drug for the treatment of inflammatory disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1106-1115
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• 2009

Mori Ramulus has multiple applications in Korean traditional medicine prescription because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by reducing macrophage activities. Yet, no studies on the anti-arthritic activity of EMR (extract of Mori Ramulus) have been reported in vitro and in vivo. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease with chronic inflammation characterized by hyperplasia of synovial cells in affected joints, which ultimately leads to the destruction of cartilage and bone. Because collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is similar to RA in pathological symptoms and immune reactions, there have been several reports concerning RA using CIA mouse model. Here, we investigated the effects of Mori Ramulus on RA using CIA mice. The importance of CD4+ Th1 cells in RA progress was previously indicated and studies further showed that Th17 cells play a prime role in severity of disease. Accordingly, the present study was focused on CIA associated with CD4+ Th1 cells and Th1 7 cells. DBA/1OlaHsd mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen (CII). After a second collagen immunization, mice were treated with EMR once a day for 4 weeks. The severity of arthritis within the paw joints was evaluated by histological assessment of cartilage destruction and pannus formation. Immune cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), draining lymph node (DLN) and paw joints, cytokine production and gene expression were assessed from CIA mouse using ELISA, FACS and real-time PCR analysis. Administration of EMR significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and inhibited the production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-17 in the serum. The erosion of cartilage was dramatically reduced in mouse knees after treatment with EMR. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that EMR significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and that this action was mediated by the decreased production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-17 and collagen II-specific antibody in the serum. EMR suppressed Th17 cells and reduced level of IL-6 via B cell suppression, and thus, the levels of autoantibodies produced from B cells were decreased. Furthermore, EMR suppressed NKT cells which directly stimulate B cells and develop imbalance of Th1/Th2 cell. Oral administration of EMR (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the progression of CIA, which is comparable to that of methotrexate (MTX, 0.3 mg/kg) used as a positive control. We are currently studying the mechanism underlying the therapeutic role for EMR in CIA mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1193-1198
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• 2009

Pulse diagnosis is a central diagnosis method used in traditional Oriental medicine. To standardize and modernize the pulse diagnosis method, it is essential to develop an instrument-based reinterpretation of the clinically used pulse images in terms of the physical quantities such as the strength, period, width, length, and depth of the pulse. As a step towards such standardization, we conducted a clinical study on the floating/sinking pulses based on an automated palpation instrument (3D-MAC, Daeyo Medi, Korea) for 213 female subjects in their 20s and 174 female subjects in their 60s. The floating/sinking pulses are the two representative pulse images depending only on the depth of the pulse, and can be conveniently scaled by the coefficient of the floating-sinking pulse ($C_{fs}{\in}(0,1)$), which represents how strong one should apply the hold-down pressure to obtain the maximal pulse strength. As a result, primarily we found that it tends to appear more floating-like pulse ($C_{fs}{\rightarrow}0$) at Gwan and more sinking-like pulse ($C_{fs}{\rightarrow}1$) at Cheek, at both age groups and at both wrists. This result is consistent with a previous study on the geometrical structure of the blood vessel by an ultrasonograph. Second, the pulse tends to be more sinking-like in the age group of 60s than 20s. Finally, the pulses at the right palpation positions were found to be more sinking-like than the left, at both age groups.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.116-129
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• 2018

Living creatures possess long-conserved mechanisms to maintain homeostasis in response to various stresses. However, chronic and continuous exposure to stress can result in the excessive production of stress hormones, including catecholamines, which have harmful effects on health. Studies on the relationship between the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and cancer have been conducted based on the traditional hypothesis that stress can promote cancer progression. Many preclinical and epidemiological studies have suggested that the regulation of ${\beta}$-adrenergic signaling, which mediates SNS activity, can suppress the progression of solid tumors. SNS activation has highly pleiotropic effects on tumor biology, as it stimulates oncogenes, survival pathways, the epithelial - mesenchymal transition, and invasion. Moreover, it inhibits DNA repair and programmed cell death and regulates the tumor microenvironment, including immune cells, endothelial cells, the extracellular matrix, mesenchymal cells, and adipocytes. Although targeted therapies on the molecular basis of tumor proliferation are currently receiving increased attention, they have clinical limitations, such as the compensatory activation of other signaling pathways, emergence of drug resistance, and various side effects, which raise the need for pleiotropic cancer regulation. This review summarizes the effects of the SNS on the development and progression of cancer and discusses the clinical perspectives of ${\beta}$-blockade as a novel therapeutic strategy for this disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.724-731
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• 2012

This study was designed to elucidate whether combination with Korean red ginseng and Morus alba L. (MPM), traditional treatment for diabetes, ameliorates on high fructose-induced steatohepatitis and vascular inflammation. Animals were divided into four groups; Control receiving tap water, fructose-fed, rosiglitazone-treated fructose-fed rats, and MPM-treated fructose-fed rats both receiving supplemented with 60% fructose (n=10). The MPM or rosiglitazone groups initially received a high-fructose diet alone for 8 weeks, with supplementation with MPM or rosiglitazone, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) agonist, occurring during the final 6 weeks. Treatment with MPM significantly prevented the increase in c-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the high fructose group. MPM suppressed high fructose diet-induced vascular inflammation marker expression such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin. MPM also reduced intima/media thickness of thoracic aorta. Histologic observation and oil red O staining demonstrated hepatic tissue damage and lipid accumulation were severe in high fructose group. Treatment with MPM ameliorated hepatic tissue morphology with minimized steatosis. In addition, MPM attenuated hepatitis by inhibition of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression. MPM-fed group showed lower serum GOT and GPT levels comparing with high fructose group. MPM and rosiglitazone (positive control) significantly decreased the size of epididymal adipocytes. Taken together, the administration of MPM inhibited high fructose-induced steatohepatitis and vascular inflammation. These results suggested that MPM is useful in the prevention or treatment of metabolic syndrome-related disorders such as fatty acid metabolism and vascular homeostasis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2018

Korean Red Ginseng (RG) are used as a traditional treatment for improve blood circulation. This experimental study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effects of Korean red ginseng on lipid metabolism in high fat/cholesterol diet (HFCD)-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Sprague Dawley rats were fed the HFCD diet with/without fluvastatin (Flu, positive control) 3 mg/kg/day, and RG 125 or 250 mg/kg/day, respectively. All groups received regular diet or HFCD diet, respectively, for 13 weeks. The last three groups treatment of Flu and RG 125, and RG 250 orally for a period of 9 weeks. Group 1, reular diet; group 2, HFCD diet; group 3, Flu + HFCD diet; group 4, RG 125 + HFCD diet; group 5, RG 250 + HFCD diet. As a result, treatment with low or high doses of RG markedly attenuated plasma levels of triglycerides and augmented plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in HFCD-fed rats. RG and Flu also led to an increase in lipoprotein lipase activity in the HFCD group. On the other hand, RG and Flu led to an decrease in fatty acid synthase and free fatty acid activity in the HFCD group. Treatment with RG suppressed increased expressions of $PPAR-{\alpha}$ and AMPK in HFCD rat liver or muscle. In addition, the RG attenuated triglyceridemia by inhibition of $PPAR-{\gamma}$ and FABP protein expression levels and LXR and SREBP-1 gene expression in liver or muscle. The RG significantly prevented the development of the metabolic disturbances such as hypertriglyceridemia and hyperlipidemia. Taken together, the administration of RG improves hypertriglyceridemia through the alteration in suppression of triglyceride synthesis and accentuated of triglyceride decomposition. These results suggested that RG is useful in the prevention or treatment of hypertriglyceridemia.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.152-157
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of traditional Korean medical therapy in patients with functional dyspepsia evaluted using multi-channel electrogastrography. Before the treatment, the EGG of 14 outpatients (male 3, female 11) with functional dyspepsia were recorded and their dominant frequency(DF), percentage of gastric slow waves, percentage of Power ratio, and percentage of slow wave couplings were analysed. For 8 weeks, the patients received acupuncture treatment. After 8 weeks, EGG was rechecked and compared with the previous data. After treatment, normogastria was significantly increased in channel 1 and channel 3($53.70{\pm}18.94$% vs $72.64{\pm}15.49$% in channel 1, P<0.05; $79.74{\pm}18.09$ vs $90.86{\pm}8.86$ in channel 3, P<0.05). arrythmia was significantly decreased in channel 3($14.34{\pm}15.21$ vs $5.93{\pm}6.90$, P<0.05). The patients who had less severe decrease in EGG indexes showed improvement of those indexes through 8 weeks of outpatient care. EGG channel 3 was shown to be the most adequate standard of evaluation. But there was no significant improvement in slow wave coupling rate which is a new index of multichannel EGG.