• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.60-79
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• 1994

The studies were conducted to investigate the combined effects of Tonics and Mitomycin C(MMC). The effects of Tonics and MMC on the proliferation of Molt-4 cells, human leukemic cell line, and activation of human lymphocytes were estimated by MTT colorimetric assays. Selected medicines among 9 kinds of Tonics by results of MTT assays were treated with MMC in mice. The Tonics itself enhanced the proliferation of Molt-4, but the anti-proliferative effect of MMC was not intercalated by the combined treatment of Tonic and MMC. Inhibitory action of MMC was augmented by Sa Kun Ja Tang(SKT). This result was due to the inhibition of DNA synthesis. Among 9 kinds of Tonics, Sip Jean Dae Bo Tang(SDT), Saeng Maek San(SMS) and Kwi Bi Tang(KBT) did not inhibit the action of MMC, but activated lymphocytes. When the mice were treated by MMC, the number of leukocytes was decreased significantly at the 1st day, but recovered at the 7th day. In the groups of MMC treated with SDT or KBT, the number of leukocytes was increased significantly than the group of MMC treated only at the 3rd day. Combined treatment of the Tonics(SDT, SMS) and MMC retained the body weight of mice at the level of normal mice. SDT, SMS and KBT did not change the number of plaque forming cells(PFC), but MMC treated group decreased the number of PFC. The combined treatment of MMC and SDT increased the number of PFC significantly than the MMC treated group. SDT, SMS and KBT did not influence the proliferation of T cells, but MMC treated group decreased the proliferation of T cells. The combined treatment of MMC and those tonics increased the T cell proliferation significantly than the MMC treated group. In conclusion, the results presented in this paper suggest that SDT, SMS and KBT can recover the side effects of MMC, such as weight loss, leukopenia and immunosuppresion, without any intercalating the anti-proliferative action of MMC in vivo.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2017

$C/EBP{\beta}$ and $C/EBP{\delta}$ are required for the initiation of adipogenesis and induce the expression of key adipogenic regulators, such as $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$. In the present study, we have examined the effects of silibinin and its possible molecular mechanisms in regulating adipocyte differentiation and expression of $C/EBP{\beta}$ and $C/EBP{\delta}$ in the early stage of adipogenesis. Silibinin statistically significantly inhibits intracellular lipid accumulation and the mRNA expression of various genes involved at different stages during adipogenesis. Silibinin also suppresses expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid binding protein 4 (AP2), and adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Thus, the anti-adipogenic effect of silibinin seems to originate from the ability to inhibit the expression of $C/EBP{\beta}$ and $C/EBP{\delta}$. Furthermore, silibinin decreases cell viability for differentiation period and induces apoptotic cell death through capspase-3 activation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.1201-1207
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• 2011

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been proposed as a potent tool to trigger apoptosis in cancer therapy. However, as many types of cancer cells remain resistant towards TRAIL-induced cytotoxicity, several combined therapy approaches aimed to sensitize cells to TRAIL have been developed. Genistein, a natural isoflavonoid phytoestrogen, has been shown to have anticancer activity by inducing cell cycle arrest at G2M phase as well as apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. In the present study, we showed that treatment with TRAIL in combination with subtoxic concentrations of genistein sensitized U937 human leukemia cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Combined treatment with genistein and TRAIL effectively activated caspases through Bid truncation (tBid) and down-regulation of cellular caspase-8 (FLICE)-like inhibitory proteinL ($cFLIP_L$). However, the apoptotic effects of co-treatment with genistein and TRAIL were significantly inhibited by specific caspase inhibitors, which demonstrates the important role of caspases in apoptosis induced by genistein and TRAIL. Overall, our results indicate that genistein can potentiate TRAIL-induced apoptosis through down-regulation of $cFLIP_L$ and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic tBid proteins.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.599-610
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• 2007

Effect of dietary krill meal levels on the cellular immunity was studied in broiler chicks activated immune response. One day old male broiler chicks(Ross) were fed the experimental krill meal 0.0(basal), 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% diets for 3wks. Blood TNF-α activity, ovotransferrin level and Con A induced proliferation of PBMC and splenocytes after 24 hr(21 d age) of the croton oil 10㎕ injection intra- musculary at the age of 20 days compared to the control olive oil. Krill meal diets did not affect growth performance of broiler chicks and plasma ovotransferrin levels but decreased significantly(p<0.0001) TNF-α like activity and proliferation of PBMC relative to krill meal 0.0% diet. And the proliferation of splenocytes were significantly(p<0.05) increased in birds fed krill meal 1.0% diet relative to krill meal 0.5 and 2.0% diets. The croton oil injection induced a significant(p<0.0001) increases in the TNF-α activity or the PBMC proliferation and enhanced circulating ovotransferrin levels relative to the olive oil. In birds injected with the croton oil the proliferation of PBMC was reduced linearly with the increase of dietary krill meal levels, and the proliferation of splenocytes was decreased in the krill meal 1.0 and 2.0% diets relative to olive oil. These results indicated that dietary krill meal changed the innate and cellular immunity in broiler chicks activated by the injection of croton oil.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.499-503
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• 2015

We investigated the anti-obesity effects of ethanolic extract (ID1216) of Polygonatum sibiricum rhizome and its potential underlying mechanism in an animal model. ID1216 treatment decreased body weight gain and white adipose tissue weight in the prevention study. The mRNA levels of sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ coactivator-$1{\alpha}$ ($PGC1{\alpha}$), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\alpha}$ ($PPAR{\alpha}$) significantly increased in the epididymal white adipose tissue of ID1216-administered mice. The stimulation effects of ID1216 on these gene expressions were also observed in a cell-based assay using differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, similar to orlistat, ID1216 treatment improved weight gain and reduced epididymal fat in the treatment model. These results suggest that ID1216 has potential as an anti-obesity agent by modulating the expression of genes related to thermogenesis, lipid metabolism and fatty acid oxidation.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.27 no.4 s.91
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• pp.293-298
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• 1999

An one percent sodium carbonate extract prepared from sclerotia of Poria cocos activated the proliferation of the T lymphocytes as measured by mixed lymphocyte responses(MLR). The active fraction, PCSC22, was isolated from an one percent sodium carbonate extract by a combination of fractionation procedures, including ethanol precipitation and chromatographies on column of DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G50. Carbohydrate and peptide contained in PCSC22 were 78 : 22% in ratio. On employing gel filtration high performance liquid chromatography, PCSC22 exhitited a homogeneous peak with an average molecular weight of 8 kDa. The sugar moiety of PCSC22 was composed with mannose (92%), galactose (6.2%) and arabinose (1.3%), which might be indicated as heteromannan. Fifteen amino acids were found in peptide moiety of the polysaccharide and aspartic acid, serine, and valine were major components. PCSC22 activated the primary proliferation of T lymphocytes measured by mixed lymphocyte responses, the antibody production of the B lymphocytes and the secretion of nitric oxide from macrophage cell line, RAW264.7.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2012

The Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway regulates diverse developmental processes and adult tissue homeostasis. Inappropriate regulation of this pathway has been associated with human diseases, such as cancers, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Using a cell-based chemical screening with natural compounds, we discovered silybin, a plant flavonoid isolated from the Silybum marianum, which activated the Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway in a synergy with Wnt3a-conditioned medium (Wnt3a-CM). In the presence of Wnt3a-CM, silybin up-regulated ${\beta}$-catenin response transcription (CRT) in HEK293-FL reporter cells and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes through stabilization of intracellular ${\beta}$-catenin protein. Silybin and Wnt3a-CM synergistically reduced expression of important adipocyte marker genes including peroxisome-proliferator-activated $receptor{\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CAATT enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$ (C/$EBP{\alpha}$) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, accompanied by the activation of Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings indicate that silybin is a small-molecule synergist of the Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway and can be used as a controllable reagent for investigating biological processes that involve the Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.390-396
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• 2020

We investigated the anti-obesity effect of Gelidium elegans extract (GE) on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and a high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced mouse model. The results of the present study demonstrated that GE prevents weight gain induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) by modulating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-PR domain-containing 16 (PRDM16)-uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) pathway in a mice model. Moreover, in vitro results show that GE suppressed adipocyte differentiation by modulating adipogenic regulators, stimulated lipolysis by activating ATGL, and inhibited adipogenesis by downregulating various enzymes associated with triglyceride synthesis. GE was also found to upregulate AMPK phosphorylation as well as the expression of UCP1 and PRDM16 proteins, leading to measurable changes in the beige-like phenotype differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest the role of GE as a functional food ingredient extracted from Gelidium elegans to increase energy expenditure and anti-obesity efficacy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.73-82
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• 2023

Purpose : Cymbopogon citratus, also known as lemongrass, has widely spread around the world and its essential oil is usually applied in food, perfume, and other industrial purposes. In addition, C. citratus has also been used for the treatment of inflammation, digestive disorders, and diabetes in traditional medicine. In this study, the antioxidative activity of C. citratus ethanol extract (CCEE) was analyzed in RAW 264.7 cells through the induction of one of phase II enzymes, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 by nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor (Nrf)2, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt. Methods : The antioxidative activity of CCEE against oxidative stress and its underlying molecular mechanisms were analyzed by the cell viability assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation assay, and Western blot analysis in RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The results exhibited that CCEE potently attenuated tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced intracellular ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. CCEE treatment significantly induced the expression of HO-1 which is known for its antioxidative capacity. In addition, CCEE treatment significantly upregulated the expression of Nrf2, a corresponding transcription factor for the regulation of antioxidative enzymes, which was in accordance with the HO-1 overexpression. MAPK and PI3K/Akt were also evaluated for their important roles in the regulation of cellular redox homeostasis against oxidative damage. As a result, the potent HO-1 expression was mediated by not extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK), p38, but phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) phosphorylation. To confirm the antioxidative activity of CCEE-induced HO-1 expression, oxidative damage was initiated by t-BHP and attenuated by CCEE treatment, which was identified by HO-1 selective inhibitor and inducer. Conclusion : Consequently, CCEE potently induced the HO-1-mediated antioxidative potential through the modulation of Nrf2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that CCEE could be a promising strategy for the mitigation against cellular oxidative damage.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.231-239
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• 2020

Many benefits of silk protein fibroin (SPF) have been suggested in biomedical applications; and notably, significant SPF effects have been observed for metabolic syndromes that are directly linked to insulin resistance, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Based on our previous findings, we believe that SPF from spiders exhibits outstanding glucose-lowering effects in diabetic BKS.Cg-m+/+Lepr^db mice. In order to evaluate the dietary effects of SPF in diabetic animals, we generated several lines of transgenic rice (TR) that expresses SPF, and the feeding of TR-SPF to diabetic animals decreased blood glucose levels, but did not change insulin levels. Western blot analyses of hepatic proteins showed that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) expression and phosphorylation both decreased in TR-SPF-fed groups, compared with controls. This finding suggests that the glucose-lowering effects in this diabetic animal model might be AMPK-independent. In contrast, six-transmembrane protein of prostate 2 (STAMP2) was upregulated after TR-SPF exposure. Together with STAMP2, the Akt protein phosphorylation increased after TR-SPF exposure, which indicates that STAMP2 leads to Akt phosphorylation and thus increases insulin sensitivity in hepatocytes. Importantly, the hepatic steatosis that was seen in the liver of diabetic mice was remarkably alleviated in TR-SPF-fed mice. Hepatocytes that were immunopositive for STAMP2 were overwhelmingly observed in hepatic tissues from TR-SPF-fed mice compared to the control. Taken together, these results suggest that feeding diabetic mice with TR-SPF upregulates STAMP2 expression and increases Akt phosphorylation in hepatic tissues and thus potentially alleviates insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis.