• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.133-145
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• 2008

Objectives: The aim of present study was to investigate recovery effects of Hirudo, which has been used clinically in diabetes therapy. Methods: We established three groups: normal, control, Hirudo, and assigned 6 rats to each group. The normal group was not treated by any process and fed by normal saline. The control & Hirudo groups were administered streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. Hirudo extract was orally administered to the Hirudo group for 10 days. After 8 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and their body weight, 24hrs urinary protein excretion, glucose, albumin, BUN, creatinine, total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride in blood, and level of glycation end-product (AGE) and transforming growth factor (TGF-${\beta}1$) in serum were measured. Morphological profiles and morphometric studies of the kidney cortex, renal transforming growth factor (TGF-${\beta}1$) expression, and renal receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) expression were studied. Results: The following results were obtained. The protein amount in urine per 24hrs of the Hirudo-treated group as compared to the control group was significantly reduced. The BUN and creatinine level in serum of the Hirudo-treated group as compared to the control group was significantly inhibited. The construction change in kidney of the Hirudo-treated group as compared to the control group was significantly inhibited. The factor of the Hirudo-treated group as compared to the control group was significantly inhibited, which induced the construction change in kidney. Conclusions: The above results suggest that Hirudo partially improved the function of the kidney.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.485-489
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• 2015

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage failure of the kidney, but the efficacy of currently available strategies for the prevention of DN remains unsatisfactory. In this study, we investigated the effects of free anthraquinones (FARs) extract, which was extracted from the rhubarb and purified by macroporous resin DM130 with gradient mixtures of ethanol/water as the lelution solvents, in high glucose-cultured glomerular mesangial cells (MCs). The cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay, the levels of TGF-${\beta}1$, CTGF, ColIV and FN proteins in the supernatant of MCs were measured by ELISA assays, and the mRNA levels of these four genes were detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that the increased proliferation of MCs, the mRNA levels and protein expression of TGF-${\beta}1$, CTGF, ColIV and FN induced by high glucose were inhibited after the treatment with the FARs extract. This indicated that FARs extract could inhibit cell proliferation and the expression of main extracellular matrix induced by high glucose in MCs. The FARs extract exhibited potential values for prophylaxis and therapy of DN.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 1998

Peroxisome proliferators induce hepatic peroxisome proliferation and hepatic tumors in rodents. These chemicals increase the expression of the peroxisomal $\beta$-oxidation pathway and the cytochrome P-450 4A family, which metabolizes lipids, including eicosanoids. Peroxisome proliferators transiently induce increased cell proliferation in vivo. However, peroxisome proliferators are weakly mitogenic and are not co-mitogenic with epidermal growth factor (EGF) in cultured hepatocytes. Earlier study found that the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate is cornitogenic with eicosanoids. In order to study possible mechanisms of the comitogenicity of peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate and eicosanoids' we hypothesized that the co-mitogenicity may result from synergistic or additive increases of second messengers in mitogenic signal pathways. We therefore examined the effect of the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate, prostaglandin $F_2_{\alpha}$($PGF_2{\alpha}$) and the combination of ciprofibrate and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ with or without growth factors on the protein kinase C (PKC) activity, and inositol-1, 4, 5-triphosphate ($IP_{3-}$) and intracellular calcium ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) concentrations in cultured rat hepatocytes. The combination of ciprofibrate and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ significantly increased particulate PKC activity. The combination of ciprofibrate and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ also significantly increased EGF, transforming growth factor-$\alpha$ ($TGF_2{\alpha}$) and hepatic growth factor (HGF)-induced particulate PKC activity. The combination of ciprofibrate and $PGF_2_\alpha$greatly increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. However, the increases of PKC activity and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ by ciprofibrate and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ alone were much smaller. Neither ciprofibrate or $PGF_2{\alpha}$ alone nor the combination of ciprofibrate and $PGF_2{\alpha}$ significantly increased the formation of $IP_3$. The combination of ciprofibrate and $PGF_2{\alpha}$, however, blocked the inhibitory effect of $TGF-{\beta}$ on particulate PKC activity and formation of $IP_3$ induced by EGF. These results show that co-mitogenicity of the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate and eicosanoids may result from the increase in particulate PKC activity and intracellular calcium concentration but not from the formation of $IP_3$.

• CELLMED
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.8.1-8.7
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• 2017

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the major diseases of the urinary system in older men. WSY-0702 is the extracted from the traditional medicinal plant; Seoritae, and it has effects of anti-obesity, chronic cervical pain, and anti-oxidant. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of WSY-0702 in the prevention and treatment of BPH. Several parameters including inflammatory mediators, hormones, and oxidative stress (OS) have been considered to play a role in the development of BPH. Prostate tissue damage and OS may lead to compensatory cellular proliferation with resulting hyperplastic growth. An in vitro study showed that proliferation inhibited the human prostate epithelial cell line RWPE-1 in a dose-dependent manner. In cell line, the cell cycle at the G2/M and G0/G1 phase and downregulated the expression of CyclineB1 (CCNB1) and CyclineD1 (CCND1). In addition, we measured the $H_2O_2$-induced OS damage using RWPE-1 cells. We examined the relative expression of protein involved in the regulation of prostate apoptosis: transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$, a negative growth factor able to induced prostate apoptosis under physiological conditions. These results suggest that WSY-0702 that can inhibit the growth of prostate epithelial cell by a mechanism that may involve arresting the cell cycle and downregulating CCNB1 and CCND1 expression. In addition, WSY-0702 exposure resulted in significant protective effects in $H_2O_2$-stressed PWPE-1 cells by reduction in TGF-${\beta}$ levels.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2019

Swertiamarin (STM) is an iridoid compound that is present in the Gentianaceae swertia genus. Here we investigated antiapoptotic effects of STM on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver injury and its possible mechanisms. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group, an STM 200 mg/kg group, a $CCl_4$ group, a $CCl_4+STM$ 100 mg/kg group, and a $CCl_4+STM$ 200 mg/kg group. Rats in experimental groups were subcutaneously injected with 40% $CCl_4$ twice weekly for 8 weeks. STM (100 and 200 mg/kg per day) was orally given to experimental rats by gavage for 8 consecutive weeks. Hepatocyte apoptosis was determined by TUNEL assay and the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 proteins were evaluated by western blot analysis. The expression of $TGF-{\beta}1$, collagen I, collagen III, CTGF and fibronectin mRNA were estimated by qRT-PCR. The results showed that STM significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells compared with the $CCl_4$ group. The levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 proteins, and $TGF-{\beta}1$, collagen I, collagen III, CTGF, and fibronectin mRNA were significantly reduced by STM compared with the $CCl_4$ group. In addition, STM markedly abrogated the repression of Bcl-2 by $CCl_4$. STM also attenuated the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in the liver. These results suggested that STM ameliorated $CCl_4$-induced hepatocyte apoptosis in rats.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• v.59 no.9
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• pp.1064-1071
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• 2018

Purpose: To explore the influence of S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100A4) knockout (KO) on methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice. Materials and Methods: S100A4 KO mice (n=20) and their wild-type (WT) counterparts (n=20) were randomly divided into KO/MCD, Ko/methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS), WT/MCD, and WT/MCS groups. After 8 weeks of feeding, blood lipid and liver function-related indexes were measured. HE, Oil Red O, and Masson stainings were used to observe the changes of liver histopathology. Additionally, expressions of S100A4 and proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, while hepatocyte apoptosis was revealed by TUNEL staining. Results: Serum levels of aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, and total cholesterol in mice were increased after 8-week MCD feeding, and hepatocytes performed varying balloon-like changes with increased inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fibers; however, these effects were improved in mice of KO/MCD group. Meanwhile, total NAFLD activity scores and fibrosis were lower compared to WT+MCD group. Compared to WT/MCS group, S100A4 expression in liver tissue of WT/MCD group was enhanced. The expression of proinflammatory ($TGF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6) and profibrogenic cytokines ($TGF-{\beta}1$, COL1A1, ${\alpha}-SMA$) in MCD-induced NAFLD mice were increased, as well as apoptotic index (AI). For MCD group, the expressions of proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines and AI in KO mice were lower than those of WT mice. Conclusion: S100A4 was detected to be upregulated in NAFLD, while S100A4 KO alleviated liver fibrosis and inflammation, in addition to inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.9-18
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was performed to determine the transdermal effects of ethanol extract from medicinal herbal mixture (SHJ) on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice and melanogenesis in melanoma cells. Methods : Mice were divided into 3 experimental groups including vehicle (CON), SHJ extract and 5% minoxidil (MNXD, positive control)-treated group. SHJ was applied topically on the hair-shaved skin of C57BL/6 mice everyday for 15 days. The thickness and density of hair with a folliscope and morphometry of hair follicle with a H&E staining were monitored at last day. Also then, hair growth-associated gene expressions were measured by immunoblot assay. Results : The MNXD or SHJ-treated group promoted on hair growth compared to that of vehicle-treated group (CON). Hair density and thickness of MNXD or SHJ treated-group increased compared to that of vehicle application on the 15 days, respectively. Induction of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were also accelerated by application of SHJ extract compared to those of CON group. But expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ decreased in SHJ treated-group compared to that of CON group. Furthermore, SHJ extract showed to increase melanin contents in a dose-dependent manner. Tyrosinase activity significantly increased in SHJ-treated group compared with CON group in dose-dependant manner. Conclusions : These results suggest that SHJ can be used as a component of cosmeceuticals for hair care via promoting growth and melanogenesis of hair.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.303-312
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• 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory pruritic skin disease worldwide, characterized by the infiltration of multiple pathogenic T lymphocytes and histological symptoms such as epidermal and dermal thickening. This study aims to investigate the effect of vinpocetine (Vinp; a phosphodiesterase 1 inhibitor) on a 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like model. DNCB (1%) was administered on day 1 in the AD model. Subsequently, from day 14 onward, mice in each group (Vinp-treated groups: 1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg and dexamethasone-treated group: 2 mg/kg) were administered 100 µl of a specific drug daily, whereas 0.2% DNCB was administered every other day for 30 min over 14 days. The Vinp-treated groups showed improved Eczema Area and Severity Index scores and trans-epidermal water loss, indicating the efficacy of Vinp in improving AD and enhancing skin barrier function. Histological analysis further confirmed the reduction in hyperplasia of the epidermis and the infiltration of inflammatory cells, including macrophages, eosinophils, and mast cells, with Vinp treatment. Moreover, Vinp reduced serum concentrations of IgE, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-13, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1. The mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, Thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) were reduced by Vinp treatment. Reduction of TGF-β protein by Vinp in skin tissue was also observed. Collectively, our results underscore the effectiveness of Vinp in mitigating DNCB-induced AD by modulating the expression of various biomarkers. Consequently, Vinp is a promising therapeutic candidate for treating AD.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1698-1704
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• 2024

Therapeutic advancements in treatments for cancer, a leading cause of mortality worldwide, have lagged behind the increasing incidence of this disease. There is a growing interest in multifaceted approaches for cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, but due to their low efficacy and severe side effects, there is a need for the development of new cancer therapies. Recently, the human microbiome, which is comprised of various microorganisms, has emerged as an important research field due to its potential impact on cancer treatment. Among these microorganisms, Bifidobacterium infantis has been shown to significantly improve the efficacy of various anticancer drugs. However, research on the role of B. infantis in cancer treatment remains insufficient. Thus, in this study, we explored the anticancer effect of treatment with B. infantis DS1685 supernatant (BI sup) in colorectal and breast cancer cell lines. Treatment with BI sup induced SMAD4 expression to suppress cell growth in colon and breast cancer cells. Furthermore, a decrease in tumor cohesion was observed through the disruption of the regulation of EMT-related genes by BI sup in 3D spheroid models. Based on these findings, we anticipate that BI sup could play an adjunctive role in cancer therapy, and future cotreatment of BI sup with various anticancer drugs may lead to synergistic effects in cancer treatment.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.543-551
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• 2021

Nocardiopsis species produce bioactive compounds, such as antimicrobial and anti-cancer agents and toxins. However, no reports have described their anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects during nasal polyp (NP) formation. In this study, we investigated whether marine-derived bacterial Nocardiopsis sp. 13G027 exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced NP-derived fibroblasts (NPDFs). Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) levels were analyzed. Extract from Nocardiopsis sp. 13G027 significantly inhibited the upregulation of NO and PGE₂ in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages was evaluated; smooth muscle alpha-actin (α-SMA), collagen type I (Col-1), and fibronectin also phosphorylated small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) 2 and 3 in TGF-β1-stimulated NPDFs. The Nocardiopsis sp. 13G027 extract suppressed the phosphorylation of MAPKs and Akt and the DNA-binding activity of activator protein 1 (AP-1). The expression of pro-fibrotic components such as α-SMA, Col-1, fibronectin, and SMAD2/3 was inhibited in TGF-β1-exposed NPDFs. These findings suggest that Nocardiopsis sp. 13G027 has the potential to treat inflammatory disorders, such as NP formation.