• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.620-631
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• 2024

Bone marrow toxicity is a side effect of chemotherapy with anticancer drugs or the exposure to chemicals, such as benzene. When myelotoxicity occurs, the number of white blood cells decreases, which reduces immune functioning and increases the risk of infection or the development of tumors. Angelica gigas Nakai extract (AGNEX) and green coffee bean extract (GCBE) have many effects, such as anti-cancer and antioxidant effects, as well as effects on the immune functioning. In this experiment, the preventive effect of AGNEX and GCBE against benzene-induced bone marrow toxicity was confirmed in Sprague Dawley rats (SD rats) in vivo. Benzene (1 ml/kg mixed with corn oil 1:1) was intraperitoneally administered to SD rats (six weeks, N = 9/group) once a day, and AGNEX (12 mg/kg) and GCBE (6, 12, and 24 mg/kg) were administered orally daily for five weeks. To determine the preventive effect, AGNEX (12 mg/kg) and GCBE (6, 12, and 24 mg/kg) were administered orally before the administration of benzene. Consequently, AGNEX 12 mg/kg and GCBE 12 mg/kg were effective at reducing leukocytes and lymphocytes, specifically granulocyte. Additionally, the treatment also showed protective effects specifically on spleen and liver weight changes and spleen damage. Through this protective effect, AGNEX and GCBE were confirmed to prevent bone marrow toxicity by enhancing the functioning of the immune system.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.153-169
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect and the effect on cell growth and apoptosis in YJCGT, YJCGT YSO and YJCGT YSCO on thioacetamide-induced rat liver tissue and the immortalized human hepatic cell line LX2. Materials and Methods : LX2 cells were treated with various concentrations (0, 50, 150, 300 ug/ml) of YJCGT, Y+YSO, and Y+YSCO extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours. After the treatment, cell viability was measured by using MTT assay. Caspase inhibitor assay, and cell viability were determined by a colorimetric assay with PMS/MTS solution. Rat liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal thioacetamide injection 150 mg/kg 3 times a week for 5 weeks. After the treatment, body weight, liver & spleen weights, liver function test, the complete blood cell count and the change of portal pressure were studied. After YJCGT, Y+YSO, and Y+YSCO treatment, percentages of collagen in thioacetamide-induced rat liver tissue were measured. Results : The viability of the LX2 cell decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Exposure of LX2 cells to YJCGT, YJCGT+YSO and YJCGT+YSCO induced caspase-3 activation, but co-treatment of YJCGT, YJCGT+YSO and YJCGT+YSCO with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK, and the caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVE-FMK, blocked apoptosis. There was no difference in rat body weight between the thioacetamide only group and the YJCGT, YJCGT+YSO and YJCGT+YSCO groups. In the YJCGT, YJCGT YSO and YJCGT YSCO groups, the serum level of GPT significantly went down compared with the thioacetamide only group. In the YJCGT, Y+YSO, Y+YSCO groups, white blood cell elevated by thioacetamide injection decreased but RBC, Hgb, and Hct increased. In the Y+YSO group, the portal pressure elevated by thioacetamide injection significantly decreased. In the histological finding, thioacetamide injections caused severe fibrosis, but YJCGT, Y+YSO, and Y+YSCO treatment significantly reduced the amounts of hepatic collagens. Conclusions : YJCGT, Y+YSO, and Y+YSCO inhibit the growth of LX2 cells by inducing apoptosis through caspase activity. YJCGT, Y+YSO, and Y+YSCO have beneficial effects on the treatment of cirrhotic patients as well as patients with chronic hepatitis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.482-489
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• 2021

Background: Asthma is an incurable hyper-responsive disease of the pulmonary system that is caused by various allergens, including indoor and outdoor stimulators. According to the Global Asthma Network, 339 million people suffered from asthma in 2018, with particularly severe forms in children. Numerous treatments for asthma are available; however, they are frequently associated with adverse effects such as growth retardation, neurological disorders (e.g., catatonia, poor concentration, and insomnia), and physiological disorders (e.g., immunosuppression, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and osteoporosis). Methods: Korean Red Ginseng has long been used to treat numerous diseases in many countries, and we investigated the anti-asthmatic effects and mechanisms of action of Korean Red Ginseng. Eighty-four BALB/c mice were assigned to 6 treatment groups: control, ovalbumin-induced asthma group, dexamethasone treatment group, and 3 groups treated with Korean Red Ginseng water extract (KRGWE) at 5, 25, or 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Anti-asthmatic effects of KRGWE were assessed based on biological changes, such as white blood cell counts and differential counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum IgE levels, and histopathological changes in the lungs, and by examining anti-asthmatic mechanisms, such as the cytokines associated with Th1, Th2, and Treg cells and inflammation pathways. Results: KRGWE affected ovalbumin-induced changes, such as increased white blood cell counts, increased IgE levels, and morphological changes (mucous hypersecretion, epithelial cell hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration) by downregulating cytokines such as IL-12, IL-4, and IL-6 via GATA-3 inactivation and suppression of inflammation via NF-κB/COX-2 and PGE₂ pathways. Conclusion: KRGWE is a promising drug for asthma treatment.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.511-519
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• 2011

Dietary intake of whole grains reduces the incidence of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In an earlier study, we showed that Panicum miliaceum L. extract (PME) exhibited the highest anti-lipogenic activity in 3T3-L1 cells among extracts of nine different cereal grains tested. In this study, we hypothesized that PME in the diet would lead to weight loss and augmentation of hyperlipidemia by regulating fatty acid metabolism. PME was fed to ob/ob mice at 0%, 0.5%, or 1% (w/w) for 4 weeks. After the experimental period, body weight changes, blood serum and lipid profiles, hepatic fatty acid metabolism-related gene expression, and white adipose tissue (WAT) fatty acid composition were determined. We found that the 1% PME diet, but not the 0.5%, effectively decreased body weight, liver weight, and blood triglyceride and total cholesterol levels (P < 0.05) compared to obese ob/ob mice on a normal diet. Hepatic lipogenic-related gene ($PPAR{\alpha}$, L-FABP, FAS, and SCD1) expression decreased, whereas lipolysis-related gene (CPT1) expression increased in animals fed the 1% PME diet (P < 0.05). Long chain fatty acid content and the ratio of C18:1/C18:0 fatty acids decreased significantly in adipose tissue of animals fed the 1% PME diet (P < 0.05). Serum inflammatory mediators also decreased significantly in animals fed the 1% PME diet compared to those of the ob/ob control group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that PME is useful in the chemoprevention or treatment of obesity and obesity-related disorders.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.314-330
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• 2010

Objective : This study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect and changes of inflammation-related genes by YBR I and YBR II (YBR I: Arteisiae Capillaris Herba, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Hoelen/ YBR II: YBR I +Sanguisorbae Radix, Biotae Cacumen, Cirsii Japonici Herba) on HSC(hepatic stellate cells)-T6 and TAA-induced rat liver tissue. Materials and Methods : HSC-T6 were treated with various concentrations of distilled-water extract YBR I and YBR II extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, procollagen levels and IL-6 levels were measured by using MTT Assay, BrdU Assay, Procollagen Type 1 C-peptide EIA kit, and Murine IL-6 ELISA Development kit. Rat liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal TAA injection of 150mg/kg 3 times a week for 6 weeks. After the treatment, body weight, liver & spleen weights, liver function test, complete blood cell count and change of portal pressure were studied. In addition, gene expressions of ASMA, IL-6, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, all of which are known to be associated with liver fibrosis, were analyzed by using Real-Time PCR. After YBR I and YBR IItreatment, percentages of collagen in TAA-induced rat liver tissue were measured. Results : The viability and proliferation of the HSC-T6 decreased as the concentration increased. The production of procollagen decreased as the concentration increased. The production of IL-6 was little influenced by YBR I and YBR II. There was no difference in rat body weight between the TAA-only group and the YBR groups. Compared with rat liver weight of TAA-only group, that of the YBR groups increased. In the YBR I group, the serum level of AST elevated by TAA injection significantly decreased and in the YBR I and II group, the serum level of ALP and ALT elevated by TAA injection decreased. In the YBR I group, white blood cell count elevated by TAA injection decreased but platelets increased. In the YBR I group, the portal pressure elevated by TAA injection significantly decreased. Decreases in the gene expression of ASMA and MMP-2 were observed in the YBR I group. The gene expression of IL-6 was little influenced by YBR I and YBR II -treated groups. In the histological finding, TAA injections caused severe fibrosis, but YBR I and YBR II treatment significantly reduced the amounts of hepatic collagens. Conclusions : These results suggest that YBR I and II have inhibitory effects on the hepatic fibrogenesis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.779-786
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• 2022

This study is designed to examine the effects of Dioscorea Quinqueloba extract as a natural radiation protection agent on the prostate and heart of male rats. Dioscorea Quinqueloba extract is well known to prevent the male-specific disease and heart disease. In this study, the Gamma-ray 10 Gy was irradiated in whole body of male rat to identify radioprotective effect by Dioscorea Quinqueloba extract. After irradiation, tissue change, SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) activity changes and hematological changes were observed. DQ+IR group showed higher lymphocyte, white blood cell, platelet levels than the IR group. In the NC and DQ groups, the number of prostate gland cells and the gap between cells were relatively narrow. But in the IR group, the cells died significantly and the gap widened. In the DQ+IR group, the gap between cells increased similarly to the IR group, but the number of dead cells was noticeably smaller. In the NC and DQ groups, the cardiovascular and myocardium are clearly separated, and cell nuclei are in good condition. But in the IR group, the cardiovascular and myocardium boundaries were disrupted, and the number of dead cell nuclei was high. In the DQ+IR group, although the boundaries were widened, but not disrupted and the number of dead cell nuclei was high. Therefore, Dioscorea Quinqueloba extract is judged to have radioprotective properties for the prostate and cardiovascular.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2001

When mammalian oocytes undergo maturation, cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte exhibit remodeling of their structure known as cumulus expansion. Many molecules including hyaluronic acid participate in this remodeling. The present study aimed to investigate a possible existence of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) in the extracellular matrix(ECM) of human oocyte-cumulus complex. ECM was extracted from the human oocyte-cumulus complex. Gelatin gel zymogram of ECM exhibited 7 gelatinases having molecular weight of 300kDa, 240kDa, 200kDa, 180kDa, 116kDa, 97kDa, and 84kDa. This gelatinase profile was very different from that of ovarian mural granulosa cell extract or white blood cell extract, indicating that the oocyte-cumulus complex donating ECM was free from other than cumulus cells. When ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or 1', 10'-phenanthroline was added to the reaction buffer during zymographic development, almost gelatinase activities were abolished, suggesting that they were MMPs. Following incubation of ECM in the presence of aminophenylmercuric acetate, an activator of proMMPs, 4 gelatinases of 240kDa, 180kDa, 97kDa, and 84kDa disappeared with the concomitant appearance of 80kDa, 65kDa, and 60kDa gelatinases. Based upon these observation, it is suggested that ECM of the human oocyte-cumulus complex consists of gelatinases, presumed to be MMP-2 and MMP-9 isoforms.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.323-329
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• 2007

We investigated the immunomodulatory actions of water extract from Acanthopanax senticosus in male ICR mice. The mice were treated with fermented milk containing three added doses of freeze dried extract: 3 mg/kg (A), 9 mg/kg (B), and 27 mg/kg (C) of body weight with Acanthopanax senticosus: Codonopsis lanceolata (8:2) for 7 and 10 weeks, respectively. Organ weights, plaque-forming cell tests, agglutination tests, IgG tests, differential white cell counts, and histological tests were performed at the 7th and 10th weeks of dietary treatment. There were no significant differences in body weight and organ weight. The spleen indices of group B at 7 weeks and group C at 10 weeks were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.05). For the plaque-forming cell test, groups B and C at 7 weeks, and group C at 10 weeks, showed significant increases over the control group (p<0.05). The agglutination test decreased with an extended experimental period. Groups A, B, and C at 7 weeks, and groups B and C at 10 weeks, had greater antibody responses to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) than the control group. The IgG antibody production of group C at 7 weeks and groups B and C at 10 weeks were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). In groups B and C, lymphocyte percentage was higher than the control group, and their spleen and thymus tissues showed active immune reactions.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.65-81
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• 2014

Objectives This study was carried out to find out the anti-osteoarthritic effects of Mahwangbujaseshin- tang (Mahuangfuzixixintang ) on the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rats. Methods Osteoarthritis was induced by injecting MIA ($50{\mu}l$) into the knee joint of rats. Rats were divided into a 3 groups (n=7). The injection did not fit the normal group. A week later, after the injection of MIA, while control group took normal saline 2 ml, the extract of Mahwangbujaseshin-tang (Mahuangfuzixixintang ) (MBST) (200 mg/kg) was injected to treated group. After that, we examined hind paw weight bearing ability, functions of liver and kidney, serum TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, $PGE_2$, $LTB_4$, TIMP-1, MMP-9 and hematology. Volume of cartilage was measured by micro CT arthrography. Injury of synovial tissue was measured by H & E, Safranin-O immunofluorescence. Results 1) DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity of MBST was increased according to concentration of MBST and total phenolic contents were in high level. 2) In RAW 264.7 cells, ROS production was significantly decreased in MBST (at 10, $100{\mu}g/ml$) and NO was also decreased but meaningless in MBST (at $100{\mu}g/ml$). 3) In RAW 264.7 cells, IL-6 production was significantly decreased in MBST (at $100{\mu}g/ml$) and TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production were also decreased but meaningless in MBST (at $100{\mu}g/ml$). 4) In hind legs weight-bearing measurement, level of weight-bearing was increased. 5) Functions of liver and kidney were not affected. 6) TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, $PGE_2$, $LTB_4$, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 production were significantly decreased. 7) In hematology, the levels of neutrophils, monocytes were significantly decreased and the levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes were also decreased but meaningless. 8) In micro CT-arthrography, cartilage volume was significantly increased. 9) Histopathologically, injury on cartilage and synovial membrane of MBST group was decreased. Conclusions Based on all results mentioned above, Mahwangbujaseshin-tang (Mahuangfuzixixintang) is believed to be meaningful for suppressing the progress of osteoarthritis. And it is related to inhibiting the activity of inflammatory cytokine and injury of volume in cartilage.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.187-192
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of herbal medicine complex (HMC) containing Camellia sinensis L., Duchoesna chrysantha, Houttuynia cordata Thunberg, Poncirus trifoliata Rafinesque on skin inflammation and atopic dermatitis. First, we examined the anti-inflammatory effect of HMC in TNF-α induced human keratinocytes (HaCaT cell). Real-time PCR and western blotting were performed to evaluate the expression of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, IL-8) mRNA and protein. Four-weeks old male NC/Nga mice were treated with 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) solution and used as an atopic dermatitis mice model. And, HMC (200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg) was administered directly into the stomach of mice for 4 weeks, and blood or serum analysis, tissue staining were performed after oral gavage. As a result HMC inhibited the mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, and IL-8, which had been increased by TNF-α in HaCaT cells. In addition, the protein expression was also significantly suppressed in the same way as the mRNA expression results. The in vivo experiment results showed that, HMC administration reduced thickening of the epidermis and infiltration of eosinophil into the skin stratum basale compared to DNCB treatment. In addition, HMC administration significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-13) production and immunocyte (white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, and eosinophil) count compared to DNCB treatment. Moreover, the serum IgE and histamine level was decreased by HMC administration. These results suggest that HMC can be used as effective herbal medicine extract for skin inflammation and atopic dermatitis. And this study may contribute to the development of the herbal medicine-based drug for the treatment of skin inflammation and atopic dermatitis.