• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.159-169
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• 2023

Purpose : Though other Citrus spp. have reported their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities in previous studies, the biological activity of Kiyomi (Citrus unshiu × C. sinensis) has not been reported yet. Therefore, this study attempted to analyze the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Kiyomi leaf ethanol extract (KLEE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : The cytotoxic effect of KLEE in RAW 264.7 cells was determined by WST-1 assay. Bacterial endotoxin, the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was analyzed by the Griess reaction. In addition, Western blot analysis was applied to measure the protein expression level of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). The phosphorylated status of the critical inflammatory transcription factor, nuclear factor (NF)-𝜅B, and its upstream signaling molecules, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt as well as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), were also measured by Western blot analysis. Results : KLEE was not cytotoxic up to a concentration of 200 ㎍/㎖, and protein expression levels of iNOS and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, enzymes that counteract NO and prostaglandin (PG) E2 production, were inhibited by KLEE treatment. The phosphorylated status of PI3K/Akt as well as MAPKs including extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun NH2kinase (JNK), and p38, were significantly attenuated by KLEE treatment in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, one of phase II enzymes, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 which has known for its anti-inflammatory capacity, was strongly induced by KLEE treatment. Conclusion : Consequently, KLEE treatment significantly attenuated the production of NO as well as the expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The inflammatory transcription factor, NF-𝜅B, as well as its upstream signaling molecules, PI3K/Akt and MAPKs, were also diminished by KLEE treatment with statistical significance in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that KLEE might be a promising candidate for the attenuation of inflammatory disorders.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.49-56
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• 2009

Objectives : Inflammation is important event in the development of vascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and restenosis. Bodusan (BDS) was a traditional Korean herbal medicine and widely used in treatment of gastrointestinal complaint and stomach ulcer. The aim of this study was to determine whether BDS and its components inhibit production of nitrite, PGE2 and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of BDS and its components on RAW 264.7 cells was using 5-(3caroboxymcrophages. eth-oxyphenyj)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were detected by western blot. Results : Our results indicated that BDS and its components significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production. Moreover. BDS and its components inhibited iNOS and COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-11${\beta}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 formation in macrophages. Conclusions: These results indicate that BDS and its components have potential as an anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.543-551
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• 2023

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer is a representative Chinese herbal medicine with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol (PPD) has been isolated from ginseng and shown to have promising pharmacological activities. However, effects of PDD on pulmonary fibrosis (PF) have not been reported. We hypothesize that PDD may reverse inflammation-induced PF and be a novel therapeutic strategy. Methods: Adult male C57BL/6 mice were used to establish a model of PF induced by bleomycin (BLM). The pulmonary index was measured, and histological and immunohistochemical examinations were made. Cell cultures of mouse alveolar epithelial cells were analyzed with Western blotting, coimmunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, siRNA transfection, cellular thermal shift assay and qRT-PCR. Results: The survival rate of PPD-treated mice was higher than that of untreated BLM-challenged mice. Expression of fibrotic hallmarks, including α-SMA, TGF-β1 and collagen I, was reduced by PPD treatment, indicating attenuation of PF. Mice exposed to BLM had higher STING levels in lung tissue, and this was reduced by phosphorylated AMPK after activation by PPD. The role of phosphorylated AMPK in suppressing STING was confirmed in TGF-b1-incubated cells. Both in vivo and in vitro analyses indicated that PPD treatment attenuated BLM-induced PF by modulating the AMPK/STING signaling pathway. Conclusion: PPD ameliorated BLM-induced PF by multi-target regulation. The current study may help develop new therapeutic strategies for preventing PF.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.589-601
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• 2023

Purpose: Baicalein, a natural flavone found in herbs, exhibits diverse biological activities. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an irreversible condition often associated with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of baicalein on the development of NASH in mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups. Three groups were fed a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet to induce NASH and were simultaneously treated with baicalein (at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg) or vehicle only (sodium carboxymethylcellulose) through oral gavage for 4 weeks. The control group was fed a methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS) diet without the administration of baicalein. Results: The baicalein treatment significantly reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, suggestive of reduced liver damage. Histological analysis revealed a marked decrease in nonalcoholic fatty liver activity scores induced by the MCD diet in the mice. Similarly, baicalein treatment at both doses significantly attenuated the degree of hepatic fibrosis, as examined by Sirius red staining, and hepatocellular death, as examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Baicalein treatment attenuated MCD-diet-induced lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by lower levels of hepatic malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal, demonstrating a reduction in oxidative stress resulting from lipid peroxidation. Moreover, baicalein treatment suppressed hepatic protein levels of 12-lipoxygenase (12-Lox) induced by the MCD diet. In contrast, baicalein enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Additionally, baicalein treatment significantly reduced hepatic non-heme iron concentrations and hepatic ferritin protein levels in mice fed an MCD diet. Conclusion: To summarize, baicalein treatment suppresses hepatic lipid peroxidation, 12-Lox expression, and iron accumulation, all of which are associated with the attenuation of NASH progression.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.307-318
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• 2023

Objectives: Bacterial biofilm is regarded as a significant threat to the production of safe food and the arise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the quorum sensing inhibitory effect of Nepeta curviflora methanolic extract. Methods: The effectiveness of the leaves at sub-inhibitory concentrations of 2.5, 1.25, and 0.6 mg/mL on the virulence factors and biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa was evaluated. The effect of N. curviflora methanolic extract on the virulence factors of P. aeruginosa, including pyocyanin, rhamnolipid, protease, and chitinase, was evaluated. Other tests including the crystal violet assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swarming motility, aggregation ability, hydrophobicity and exopolysaccharide production were conducted to assess the effect of the extract on the formation of biofilm. Insight into the mode of antiquorum sensing action was evaluated by examining the effect of the extract on the activity of N-Acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) and the expression of pslA and pelA genes. Results: The results showed a significant attenuation in the production of pyocyanin and rhamnolipid and in the activities of protease and chitinase enzymes at 2.5 and 1.25 mg/mL. In addition, N. curviflora methanolic extract significantly inhibited the formation of P. aeruginosa biofilm by decreasing aggregation, hydrophobicity, and swarming motility as well as the production of exopolysaccharide (EPS). A significant reduction in AHL secretion and pslA gene expression was observed, indicating that the extract inhibited quorum sensing by disrupting the quorum-sensing systems. The quorum-sensing inhibitory effect of N. curviflora extract appears to be attributed to the presence of kaempferol, quercetin, salicylic acid, rutin, and rosmarinic acid, as indicated by LCMS analysis. Conclusion: The results of the present study provide insight into the potential of developing anti-quorum sensing agents using the extract and the identified compounds to treat infections resulting from quorum sensing-mediated bacterial pathogenesis.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.75-86
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• 1994

선천성 고혈압 흰쥐(SHR)와 정상혈압 흰쥐에서 교감신경성 신경전달에 미치는 부신수질 및 renin-angiotensin계의 역할을 알아보기 위해, 부신수질을 제거하거나 angiotensin 변환 효소 억제제를 장기간 처치한 뒤 중추신경계가 파괴된 상태에서 절전신경을 자극했을 때 나타나는 승압반응과 대동맥의 catecholamine농도 및 angiotensin 변환 효소 활성도의 변화를 비교 검토하였다. 부신수질을 제거하더라도 중추신경계를 파괴하기 전후의 혈압에는 영향을 주지 못했으며, 절전 신경 자극에 의한 승압반응은, 자극 주파수에 의존적으로 증가하였으며 prazosin 전처치로서 거의 완전히 억제되었다. 정상혈압 흰쥐에서와는 달리, 선천성 고혈압 흰쥐에서는 부신수질을 제거했을 때는 절전신경 자극에 의한 승압반응이 부신수질을 제거하지 않는 군(이하 대조군)에 비하여 유의하게 약화되었다. SHR에서 부신수질 제거로 부신 catecholamine 함량은 현저히 감소되었고, 혈청의 angiotensin 변환 효소 활성도는 감소되는 경향을 나타내었다. 그러나 혈장 및 대동맥 절편의 catecholamine 함량, 대동맥 절편의 angiotensin 변환 효소의 활성도는 대조군과 유의한 차이가 없었다. 그러나 WKY에서는 부신수질이 제거된 군에서 대동맥 절편의 angiotensin 변환 효소의 활성도와 catecholamine함량이 대조군에 비해 유의하게 증가되어 있었다. Enalapril처치에 의해서 선천성 고혈압 흰쥐 평균 혈압은, 부신 catecholamine 함량 및 대동맥 절편의 angiotensin 변화 효소의 활성도와 함께 현저히 저하되어 정상혈압 흰쥐와 유사하였다. 그리고 선천성 고혈압 흰쥐에서 부신수질의 제거로 절전신경 자극에 의한 승압반응이 대조군에 비하여 약화되는 현상은 enalapril을 처치하였을 때는 관찰되지 않았다. 이상의 결과로 미루어보아 교감신경성 신경전달을 항진시키는 부신수질의 작용은 renin-angiotensin계의 활성화에 의존적이었으며, 부신수질의 제거로 정상혈압 흰쥐에서는 renin-angiotensin계가 보상적인 조절이 일어났으나, 선천성 고혈압 흰쥐에서는 보상적인 조절이 일어나지 않았다.

• 한국마린엔지니어링학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국마린엔지니어링학회 2011년도 전기공동학술대회 논문집
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• pp.235-235
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• 2011

태평양 해양 지각판과 인도-호주 대륙 지각판간 섭입작용에 의해 형성된 남태평양 라우분지는 활동성 후열도분지로서 해저열수광상이 부존할 가능성이 매우 높은 지역이다. 한국해양연구원은 지난 2004년부터 2006년까지 북동 라우분지의 확장대와 활동성 해저산을 대상으로 열수활동을 추적하여 열수분출 지역을 확인하였다. 본 연구에서는 2009년 통가 해역 라우분지의 열수 광상 가능성이 있는 해산들에 대하여 해양탄성파탐사가 수행되었다. 그 중 해상자력탐사와 탄성파탐사를 동시에 수행한 TA 12 해산에 대해 기반암과 상부 층서들을 규명하기 위한 자료처리를 실시하고 해산에서 나타나는 잡음특성을 분석하였다. 자료처리의 주요과정은 bandpass필터, f-K필터, 디콘볼루션 등을 수행하여 주변 지형의 후방산란과 다중반사파 등의 잡음을 제거하였으며 해산의 경사에 의해 따른 반사점 보정을 위해 마이그레이션등을 수행하였다. 본 연구에서 기반암과 상부 층서들을 확인할 수 있었으며 향후 다중음향측심자료 등을 이용하여 열수광상 가능성이 있는 해산의 정확한 속도모델을 도출하여 해상자력탐사결과와 비교해야 할 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국지구물리탐사학회 2008년도 공동학술대회
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• pp.97-100
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• 2008

일본 후지산은 역사적, 지질학적, 그리고 최근의 지진학적 징후로부터 화산활동의 재개에 의한 재해가능성이 있어 화산감시연구가 집중되고 있다. 후지산 감시활동의 일환으로 축적된 방대한 주변지역 지진자료를 바탕으로 단일산란모델에 의한 코다감쇠상수($Q_c^{-1}$)와 다중시간창분석에 의한 고유 및 산란감쇠상수 ($Q_i^{-1}$, $Q_s^{-1}$)를 측정하였다. 본 연구는 후지산 아래에 존재하는 것으로 여겨지고 있는 용암체의 감쇠구조에 초점을 맞추기 위해 정상에서 반경 5km 이내의 지대를 지진파가 통과하는 '후지산 근방', 지진파 통과지역이 모두 반경 20 km 바깥인 '먼 후지산'으로 자료를 분류하였다. 본 연구는 자료가 풍부하여 비교적 작은 오차범위를 나타내고 있는데, '후지산 근방'의 모든 감쇠상수 수 $Q^{-1}$는 '먼 후지산'에 비해 컸으며, 두 지대 공히 고주파 영역에서의 $Q_i^{-1}$값은 $Q_s^{-1}$ 값에 비해 높은 값이었다. 그러나, '후지산 근방'의 $Q_i^{-1}$ 값은 다른 화산지역에 비해 낮았는데, 이는 하와이화산과 같은 활동적인 화산에 비해 용융도의 비율이 낮거나 마그마활동이 덜한 것으로 해석된다.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.413-420
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• 2005

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.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.199-207
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fermented Laminaria japonica (FL), a type sea tangle used as a functional food ingredient, has been reported to possess cognitive improving properties that may aid in the treatment of common neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia. MATERIALS/METHODS: We examined the effects of FL on scopolamine (Sco)- and ethanol (EtOH)-induced hippocampus-dependent memory impairment, using the Passive avoidance (PA) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. To examine the underlying mechanisms associated with neuroprotective effects, we analyzed acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, brain tissue expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), and immunohistochemical analysis, in the hippocampus of mice, compared to current drug therapy intervention. Biochemical blood analysis was carried out to determine the effects of FL on alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels. 7 groups (n = 10) consisted of a control (CON), 3 Sco-induced dementia and 3 EtOH-induced dementia groups, with both dementia group types containing an untreated group (Sco and EtOH); a positive control, orally administered donepezil (Dpz) (4mg/kg) (Sco + Dpz and EtOH + Dpz); and an FL (50 mg/kg) treatment group (Sco + FL50 and EtOH + FL50), orally administered over the 4-week experimental period. RESULTS: FL50 significantly reduced EtOH-induced increase in AST and ALT levels. FL50 treatment reduced EtOH-impaired step-through latency time in the PA test, and Sco- and EtOH-induced dementia escape latency times in the MWM test. Moreover, anticholinergic effects of Sco and EtOH on the brain were reversed by FL50, through the attenuation of AChE activity and elevation of ACh concentration. FL50 elevated ERK1/2 protein expression and increased p-CREB (ser133) in hippocampus brain tissue, according to Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, these results suggest that FL may be considered an efficacious intervention for Sco- and EtOH-induced dementia, in terms of reversing cognitive impairment and neuroplastic dysfunction.