Polymers, containing 5-(4-O-methylacryloylbenzyl)thiazolidine-2,4-dione [MABTZD]; poly (MABTZD), poly(MABTZD-co-AA) and poly(MABTZD-co-AMAA), were prepared, and identified by FT-IR, $^1H-$ and $^{13}C-NMR$ spectra. The MABTZD unit contents in poly(MABTZD-co-AA) and poly(MABZD-co-AMAA) were 11.3 and $27.7 mol\%$, respectively. The number average molecular weights of the polymers, as determined by GPC, ranged from 16,800 to 22,300, and with polydispersity indices of $1.2\sim1.4$.

chial allylic ethers with a hydroxyl group attached to the $\pi-system$ and chlorosulfonyl isocyanate. The enantioselectivity of the CSI reaction with the chiral allylic and benzylic ethers was examined in various solvents and temperatures. Based on these results, it was proposed that the CSI reaction is a competitive reaction of a $S_{N}i$ (retention) and a $S_{N}1$ mechanism (racemization) according to the stability of the carbocation intermediate. This means that there is a greater proportion of retention with the less stable the carbocation intermediate and vise versa.

The allylthio group of allicin and other organosulfur compounds, isolated from garlic, is considered a pharmacophore, and a key structure component of the molecule, which affords biological activities. In the foregoing studies, various 3-alkoxy-6-allylthiopyridazine derivatives (K­compounds) were synthesized, and their biological activities tested in animals. As expected, the various derivatives showed good hepatoprotective activities on carbon tetrachloride-treated mice and aflatoxin B1-treated rats, and chemopreventive activities on hepatocarcinoma cells in rats. Other new pyridazine derivatives, with the oxygen atom at the 3-position of the 3-alkoxy­6-allylthiopyridazine displaced by sulfur (S), were synthesized, and their activities tested in vitro. Thio-K6, one of the sulfur-substituted compounds, showed better chemopreventive activity toward hepatocarcinoma cells.

From $70\%$ ethanol extract of the roots of Smilax bockii warb., seven flavonoids, kaempferol (1), $kaempferol-7-O-\beta-D-glucopyranoside$ (2), quercetin (3), isorhamnetin (4), (+)-dihydro­kaempferol (5), engeletin (6), isoengeletin (7), and $n-butyl-\beta-D-fructopyranoside$ (8), caffeic acid n-butyl ester (9) were isolated and identified by means of chemical and spectroscopic. Compounds 2, 4, and 6-9 were isolated for the first time from the roots of S. bockii and compounds 2, 8, and 9 were firstly isolated from the genus Smilax. In addition, using the SEAP (Secreted alkaline phosphatase) assay system, we investigated the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the $70\%$ ethanol extract of the roots of S. bockii, which showed moderate activity in inhibiting $TNF-\alpha-induced NF-{\kappa}B$ activation with an $IC_{50}$ value of $166.6 {\mu}g/mL$.

Activity-guided fractionation of a hexane-soluble extract of the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, using a mouse brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition assay, led to the isolation of two known naphthoquinones, acetylshikonin and shikonin, and a furylhydroquinone, shikonofuran E. These compounds were shown to inhibit MAO with $IC_{50}$ values of 10.0, 13.3, and $59.1 {\mu}M$, respectively. Although no specificity for MAO-A and MAO-B was shown by acetylshikonin and shikonin, a Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis indicated that the inhibition was competitive for both MAO-A and MAO-B activity.

A vanilloid receptor (VR1, now known as TRPV1) is an ion channel activated by vanilloids, including capsaicin (CAP) and resiniferatoxin (RTX), which are pungent ingredients of plants. Putative endogenous activators (anandamide and metabolites of arachidonic acid) are weak activators of VR1 compared to capsaicin and RTX, and the concentrations of the physiological condition of those activators are not sufficient to induce significant activation of VR1. One way to overcome the weak activation of endogenous activators would be the sensitization of VR1, with the phosphorylation of the channel being one possibility. The phosphorylation of VR1 by several kinases has been reported, mostly by indirect evidence. Here, using an in vivo phosphorylation method, the VR1 channel was shown to be sensitized by phosphorylation of the channel itself by multiple pathways involving PKA, PKC and acid. Also, in sensitizing VR1, BK appeared to show activation of PKC for the sensitization of VR1 by phosphorylation of the channel.

We previously demonstrated the ability of ginseng saponins (active ingredients of Panax ginseng) to enhance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current. The mechanism for this ginseng saponin-induced enhancement was proposed to be the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from $IP_{3}-sensitive$ intracellular stores through the activation of PTX-insensitive $G\alpha_{q/11}$ proteins and PLC pathway. Recent studies have shown that calmodulin (CaM) regulates $IP_{3}$ receptor-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ release in both $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ and -independent manner. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of CaM on ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current responses in Xenopus oocytes. Intraoocyte injection of CaM inhibited ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement, whereas co-injection of calmidazolium, a CaM antagonist, with CaM blocked CaM action. The inhibitory effect of CaM on ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement was dose- and time-dependent, with an $IC_{50} of 14.9\pm3.5 {\mu}M$. The inhibitory effect of CaM on saponin's activity was maximal after 6 h of intraoocyte injection of CaM, and after 48 h the activity of saponin recovered to control level. The half-recovery time was calculated to be $16.7\pm4.3 h$. Intraoocyte injection of CaM inhibited $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement and also attenuated $IP_{3}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement. $Ca^{2+}$/CaM kinase II inhibitor did not inhibit CaM-caused attenuation of ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement. These results suggest that CaM regulates ginseng saponin effect on $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement via $Ca^{2+}$-independent manner.

In order to understand the renal reabsorption mechanism of neutral amino acids via amino acid transporters, we have isolated human L-type amino acid transporter 2 (hLAT2) and human T-type amino acid transporter 1 (hTAT1) in human, then, we have examined and compared the gene structures, the functional characterizations and the localization in human kidney. Northern blot analysis showed that hLAT2 mRNA was expressed at high levels in the heart, brain, placenta, kidney, spleen, prostate, testis, ovary, lymph node and the fetal liver. The hTAT1 mRNA was detected at high levels in the heart, placenta, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney, pancreas, spleen, thymus and prostate. Immunohistochemical analysis on the human kidney revealed that the hLAT2 and hTAT1 proteins coexist in the basolateral membrane of the renal proximal tubules. The hLAT2 transports all neutral amino acids and hTAT1 transports aromatic amino acids. The basolateral location of the hLAT2 and hTAT1 proteins in the renal proximal tubule as well as the amino acid transport activity of hLAT2 and hTAT1 suggests that these transporters contribute to the renal reabsorption of neutral and aromatic amino acids in the basolateral domain of epithelial proximal tubule cells, respectively. Therefore, LAT2 and TAT1 play essential roles in the reabsorption of neutral amino acids from the epithelial cells to the blood stream in the kidney. Because LAT2 and TAT1 are essential to the efficient absorption of neutral amino acids from the kidney, their defects might be involved in the pathogenesis of disorders caused by a disruption in amino acid absorption such as blue diaper syndrome.

Human cytochromes P450 (GYP) 2A6 and 2E1 are of great interest because of their important roles in the oxidation of numerous drugs and carcinogens. Bacterial expression systems, especially Escherichia coli cells, have been widely used for the production of various GYP enzymes in order to obtain high yield of proteins. The expression methods usually employ longer culture time (30-72 h) at lower temperature (usually under $30^{\circ}C$). Expression levels of GYPs 2A6 and 2E1 at $37^{\circ}C$ were compared to those at $28^{\circ}C$, which is a usual temperature used in most bacterial expression systems for human GYP expression. Within 18 h the expression levels of GYPs 2A6 and 2E1 reached up to 360 and 560 nmol per liter culture at $37^{\circ}C$, respectively, which are compatible with those of 36 h culture at $28^{\circ}C$. The activities of GYPs expressed at $37^{\circ}C$ were also comparable to those expressed at $28^{\circ}C$. The present over-expression system can be useful for rapid production of large amounts of active human GYPs 2A6 and 2E1 in E. coli.

A series of 3-[1-(4-(2-methylpropyl) phenyl) ethyl]-1,2,4-triazole-5-thione (I) and its bicyclic condensed derivatives 6-benzylidenethiazolo[3,2-b]-1, 2,4-triazole-5(6H)-ones (IIa-IIf) were investigated for the prevention of ethanol-induced oxidative stress in liver and brain of mice. Administration of ethanol (0.1 mL/mice, p.o.) resulted in a drop of total thiol groups (T-SH) and non-protein thiol groups (NP-SH), and an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in both liver and brain tissue of mice (p<0.001). Among the compounds investigated (at a dose of 200 mg/kg, p.o.), I and IId ameliorated the peroxidative injury in these tissues effectively. Compounds IIa, IIc and IIe improved the peroxidative tissue injury only in brain. These findings suggest that certain condensed thiazolo-triazole compounds may contribute to the control of ethanol-induced oxidative stress in an organ selective manner.

In the present study, we have characterized the choline transport system and examined the influence of various amine drugs on the choline transporter using a conditionally immortalized rat brain capillary endothelial cell line (TR-BBB) in vitro. The cell-to-medium (C/M) ratio of $[^3{H}]choline$ in TR-BBB cells increased time-dependently. The initial uptake rate of $[^3{H}]choline$ was concentration-dependent with a Michaelis-Menten value, $K_{m}$, of $26.2\pm2.7{\mu}M$. The $[^3{H}]choline$ uptake into TR-BBB was $Na^{+}-independent$, but was membrane potential-dependent. The $[^3{H}]choline$ uptake was susceptible to inhibition by hemicholinium-3, and tetraethy-lammonium (TEA), which are organic cation transporter substrates. Also, the uptake of $[^3{H}]choline$ was competitively inhibited with $K_{i}$ values of $274 {\mu}M, 251 {\mu}M and 180 {\mu}M$ in the presence of donepezil hydrochloride, tacrine and $\alpha-phenyl-n-tert-butyl nitrone$ (PBN), respectively. These characteristics of choline transport are consistent with those of the organic cation transporter (OCT). OCT2 mRNA was expressed in TR-BBB cells, while the expression of OCT3 or choline transporter (CHT) was not detected. Accordingly, these results suggest that OCT2 is a candidate for choline transport at the BBB and may influence the BBB permeability of amine drugs.

Experimental studies have demonstrated that the triple combination of amantadine (A)/ ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, U)/ biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB, D) might have a preferential antiviral effect compared with that observed in interferon-induced antiviral signal pathways, such as those of $STAT1\alpha$ and the 6-16 genes. To confirm the results, this study examined whether th signal transduction for the antiviral activity in HepG2 2.2.15 was induced dependently or independently of interferon. To accomplish this, the correlation between the $STAT1\alpha$ and 6-16 genes, and nitric oxide, for the mediation of the antiviral activity was assessed. The increase in nitric oxide in the UDCA groups suggests that the inhibition of viral gene replication was enhanced by the amantadine combinations (AU and AUD), and might be more effective if incubated for longer periods. It was found that $STAT1\alpha$ was activated by the amantadine combination, although to a lesser extent than that of $interferon-\alpha$, and the primary endpoints examined for the inhibition of gene expression (HBsAg and HBcAg) were remarkably well regulated. This suggests that the amantadine triple, or at least the double, combination had better clinical benefits than those of $IFN-\alpha$ and the nucleoside analogue single treatment. This demonstrates that the amantadine combination might be a substitute for the existing HBV therapy if the results of in vivo and in vitro studies concur.

The water content of skin was determined using a FT near infrared (NIR) spectrometer. NIR diffuse reflectance spectra were collected from hairless mouse, in vitro, and from human inner arm, in vivo. It was found that the variation of NIR absorbance band 1450 nm from OH vibration of water and 1940 nm from the combination involving OH stretching and OH deformation, depending on the absolute water content of separated hairless mouse skin, in vitro, using the FT NIR spectrometer. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was applied to develop a calibration model. The PLS model showed good correlation. For practical use of the evaluation of human skin moisture, the PLS model for human skin moisture was developed in vivo on the basis of the relative water content of stratum corneum from the conventional capacitance method. The PLS model predicted human skin moisture with a standard errors of prediction (SEP) of 3.98 at 1130-1830 nm range. These studies showed the possibility of a rapid and nondestructive skin moisture measurement using FT NIR spectrometer.

The purpose of the present study was to develop a standard protocol for imidapril hydrochloride bioequivalence testing. For this reason, a specific LC-MS method was developed and validated for the determination of imidapril in human plasma. A solid-phase extraction cartridge, $Sep-pak^{R}$ C18, was used to extract imidapril and ramipril (an internal standard) from deproteinized plasma. The compounds were separated using a XTerra $MS^{R}$?C18 column ($3.5 {\mu}m, 2.1\times150 mm$) and $acetonitrile-0.1\%$ formic acid (67:33, v/v) adjusted to pH 2.4 by 2 mmol/L ammonium formic acid, as mobile phase at 0.3 mL/min. Imidapril was detected as m/z 406 at a retention time of ca. 2.3 min, and ramipril as m/z 417 at ca. 3.6 min. The described method showed acceptable specificity, linearity from 0.5 to 100 ng/mL, precision (expressed as a relative standard deviation of less than $15\%$), accuracy, and stability. The plasma concentration-versus-time curves of eight healthy male volunteers administered a single dose of imidapril (10 mg), gave an $AUC_{12hr}$ of imidapril of $121.48\pm35.81 ng mL^{-1} h$, and $C_{max} and T_{max}$ values of $32.59\pm9.76 ng/mL and 1.75\pm0.27 h$. The developed method should be useful for the determination of imidapril in plasma with sufficient sensitivity and specificity in bioequivalence study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a cotreatment of bamboo concentrates (Jukcho solution; 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0 mL/kg) with the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel on the bioavailability of orally administered paclitaxel (50 mg/kg) in rats. The effect of a pretreatment of bamboo concentrates (1.5 and 3.0 mL/kg for 1.0 h or a consecutive 3 day) was also examined. The paclitaxel plasma concentrations of rats orally administered paclitaxel plus bamboo concentrates (coadministration, 3.0 mL/kg and pretreatment, 1.5 and 3.0 mL/kg) were significantly higher than those of rats treated with paclitaxel alone. Plasma concentrations of paclitaxel in groups pretreated with bamboo concentrates for 3 day were markedly higher than those of a paclitaxel control group at the measured time points. The areas under plasma concentration-time curves (AUCs) of paclitaxel in groups pretreated with bamboo concentrates were elevated and the absolute bioavailability ($AB\%$) and relative bioavailability ($RB\%$) of paclitaxel were also significantly higher than those in the control group. The peak concentration ($C_{max}$), half-life ($t_{1/2}$), and the elimination rate constant ($K_{el}$) of paclitaxel after 3 day of pretreatment with bamboo concentrates were also significantly higher than those in the control, but the time required to reach the maximum plasma concentration ($T_{max}$) of paclitaxel was unaffected by the bamooo concentrates. Western blot analyses demonstrated that the level of CYP3A4 was increased in the livers of rats treated orally with paclitaxel, but this was reversed by pretreating with bamboo concentrates. These results show that bamboo concentrates enhance the bioavailability of orally administered paclitaxel and this effect may be associated with a diminished expression of CYP3A4 in the liver.

We investigated the pharmacokinetics of 11-hydroxyaclacinomycin X (ID-6105), a novel anthracycline, after intravenous (i.v.) bolus administration at a multiple dose every 24 h for 5 days in rats. To analyze ID-6105 levels in biological samples, we used an HPLC-based method which was validated in a pharmacokinetic study by suitable criteria. The concentrations of ID-6105 after the multiple administration for 5 days were not significantly different from the results after the single administration. The $t_{1/2\alpha}, t_{l/2\beta}, V_{dss}, and CL_{t}$ after the multiple administration were not significantly different from the values after the single administration. Moreover, the concentrations of ID-6105 1 min at day 1-5 after i.v. bolus multiple administration did not show the significant difference. Of the various tissues, ID-6105 mainly distributed to the kidney, lung, spleen, adrenal gland, and liver after i.v. bolus multiple administration. ID-6105 concentrations in the kidney or lung 2 h after i.v. bolus administration were comparable to the plasma concentration shortly after i.v. bolus administration. However, the ID-6105 concentrations in various tissues 48 h after i.v. bolus administration decreased to low levels. ID-6105 was excreted largely in the bile after i.v. bolus multiple administration at the dose of 3 mg/kg. The amounts of ID-6105 found in the bile by 12 h or in the urine by 48 h after the administration were calculated to be $14.1\% or 4.55\%$ of the initial dose, respectively, indicating that ID-6105 is mostly excreted in the bile. In conclusion, ID-6105 was rapidly cleared from the blood and transferred to tissues, suggesting that ID-6105 might not be accumulated in the blood following i.v. bolus multiple dosages of 3 mg/kg every 24 h for 5 days. By 48 h after i.v. bolus administration, ID-6105 concentrations in various tissues had decreased to very low levels. The majority of ID-6105 appears to be excreted in the bile.

The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic changes of verapamil and its major metabolite, norverapamil, after oral administration of verapamil (10 mg/kg) in rabbits with slight, moderate and severe hepatic failure induced by carbon tetrachloride. The plasma verapamil concentrations in all groups of hepatic failure were significantly higher (p<0.01) than the control. However, the plasma norverapamil concentrations in severe hepatic failure were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the control. The peak concentrations ($C_{max}$) and the areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of verapamil in the rabbits were significantly (p<0.01) higher than the control. The absolute bioavailability ($F_{A.B}$) and the relative bioavailability ($F_{R.B}$) of verapamil in the rabbits with hepatic failure were significantly higher ($13.6-22.2\% and 150-244\%$, respectively) than the control ($9.1\% and 100\%$, respectively). Although the AUC and $C_{max}$ of its major metabolite, norverapamil, in slight, moderate hepatic failure were not significantly lower than the control, the metabolite-parent AUC ratio in all groups of hepatic failure was decreased significantly (p<0.05, in slight group; p<0.01, in moderate and severe group) than the control. This could be due to decrease in metabolism of verapamil in the liver because of suppressed hepatic function in the hepatic failure groups because verapamil is mainly metabolized in the liver. From our data, it would seem appropriate that in patients with liver disease, doses of verapamil should be decreased by degree of hepatic failure.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the bioequivalence of two haloperidol 5 mg tablets, Myung In haloperidol (Myung In Pharm. Co., Ltd., test drug) and $Peridol^{R}$(Whanin Pharm. Co., Ltd., reference drug), and also to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters of haloperidol in Korean volunteers. The bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of haloperidol tablets were examined on 24 healthy volunteers who received a single oral dose of each preparation in the fasting state in a randomized balanced 2 way crossover design. After an oral dosing, blood samples were collected for a period of 60 h. Plasma concentrations of haloperidol were determined using a liquid chromatographic electrospray mass spectrometric (LC-MS) method. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. The geometric means of $AUC_{0-60h} and C_{max}$ between test and reference formulations were $17.21\pm8.26 ng\cdot/mL vs 17.31\pm13.24 ng\cdot/mL and 0.87\pm0.74 ng/mL vs 0.85\pm0.62 ng/mL$. respectively. The $90\%$ confidence intervals of mean difference of logarithmic transformed $AUC_{0-60h} and C_{max} were log0.9677{\sim}log1.1201 and log0.8208{\sim}log1.1981$, respectively. It shows that the bioavailability of test drug is equivalent with that of reference drug. The geometric means of other pharmacokinetic parameters ($AUC_{inf}. t_{1/2}, V_{d}/F, and CL/F$) between test drug and reference drug were $21.75\pm8.50 ng{\cdot}h/mL vs 21.77\pm15.63 ng{\cdot}h/mL, 29.87\pm8.25 h vs 29.60\pm7.56 h, 11.51\pm5.45 L vs 12.90\pm6.12 L and 0.26\pm0.09 L/h vs 0.31\pm0.17 L/h$, respectively. These observations indicate that the two formulation for haloperidol was bioequivalent and, thus, may be clinically interchangeable.

Effect of solvents on physical characteristics and release characteristics of monolithic acetaminophen (APAP) hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) matrix granules and tablets were examined. Various types and amounts of solvents were employed for granulation and coating. APAP and other excipients were mixed and were then wet-granulated in a high-speed mixer. The dried granules were then directly compressed and film-coated with low viscosity grade HPMC. As the amount of water increased, the size of granules also increased, showing more spherical and regular shape. However, manufacturing problems such as capping and lamination in tableting occurred when water was used alone as a granulating solvent. The physical properties of HPMC matrix granules were not affected by the batch size. The initial release rate as well as the amount of APAP dissolved had a tendency to decrease as the water level increased. Addition of nonaqueous solvent like ethanol to water resulted in good physical properties of granules. When compared to water/ethanol as a coating solvent, the release rate of film-coated HPMC matrix tablets was more sensitive to the conditions of coating and drying in methylene chloride/ethanol. Most of all, monolithic HPMC matrix tablet when granulated in ethanol/water showed dual release with about $50\%$ drug release immediately within few minutes followed by extended release. It was evident that the type and amount of solvents (mainly water and ethanol) were very important for wet granulation and film-coating of monolithic HPMC matrix tablet, because the plastic deforming and fragmenting properties of material were changed by the different strengths of the different solvents.

Titrated extract of Centella asiatica (TECA) contains three principal ingredients, asiaticoside (AS), asiatic acid (AA), and madecassic acid (MA). These components are known to be clinically effective on systemic scleroderma, abnormal scar formation, and keloids. However, one problem associated with administration of TECA is its low solubility in aqueous as well as oil medium. In this study, various nonionic surfactants and bile salts as anionic surfactant were tested and screened for solubilizing TECA with a view to developing topical hydrogel type of ointment which is stable physicochemically, and has better pharmacological effects. When TECA was incorporated into various nonionic surfactant systems, labrasol had the most potent capacity for solubilizing TECA. In cases of bile salt systems, Na-deoxycholate (Na-DOC) had foremost solubilizing capacity, even more than labrasol. In differential scanning calorimetric study, the peaks of AA, MA, AS and Na-DOC disappeared at the coprecipitate of $1\%$ TECA and $1\%$ Na-DOC, suggesting the optimum condition of Na-DOC for solubilizing TECA. When the physicochemical stability of hydrogel containing this mixture was assessed, it was stable at room temperature for at least one month. Pharmacologically it significantly decreased the size of wound area at the $9^{th}$ day when applied to the wound area of rat dorsal skin. Taken together, solubility of TECA was dramatically improved by using non ionic and anionic surfactant systems, and Na-DOC was found to be the most effective solubilizer of TECA in formulating a TECA-containing hydrogel typed ointment. Moreover this gel was considered to be applicable to clinical use for wound healing effect.