• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.211-217
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• 2021

The treatments of nervous system diseases (NSDs) have long been difficult issues for researchers because of their complexity of pathogenesis. With the advent of aging society, searching for effective treatments of NSDs has become a hot topic. Ginseng polysaccharides (GP), as the main biologically active substance in ginseng, has various biological properties in immune-regulation, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation and etc. Considering the association between the effects of GP and the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, many related experiments have been conducted in recent years. In this paper, we reviewed previous studies about the effects and mechanisms of GP on diseases related to nervous system. We found GP play an ameliorative role on NSDs through the regulation of immune system, inflammatory response, oxidative damage and signaling pathway. Structure-activity relationship was also discussed and summarized. In addition, we provided new insights into GP as promising neuroprotective agent for its further development and utilization.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.248-254
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• 2021

Ulcerative colitis (UC), chronic inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by severe inflammation in the colon. Tea is one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide. Pu-erh tea, a unique Chinese tea produced by microbial activities, possesses a broad range of health-promoting effects, including anti-aging, anti-Alzheimer's disease, antioxidation and anti-obesity. However, the inhibitory effect of Pu-erh tea on intestinal inflammation and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. The present study was designed to evaluate the regulatory effect of Pu-erh tea extract (PTE) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis clinical signs by analyzing the weight loss and colon length in mice. The inhibitory effects of PTE on inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were also determined in DSS-treated colitis tissue. We observed that PTE treatment significantly inhibited the DSS-induced clinical symptoms of weight loss, decrease,in colon length, and colon tissue damage in mice. Moreover, PTE attenuated the DSS-induced levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in colon tissue. We also demonstrated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PTE by suppressing the activation of NF-κB in DSS-treated colon tissues. Collectively, the findings provide experimental evidence that PTE may be effective in preventing and treatment of intestinal inflammatory disorders, including UC.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.391-398
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• 2022

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a typical inflammatory colon disorder. Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) is known to exert various beneficial effects including anti-oxidative and anti-bacterial properties and improvements in liver function. However, the improving effect and mechanism of PG on intestinal inflammation are not fully understood. The present research was designed to investigate the effect of PG on the clinical signs of DSS-induced colitis in mice. The ameliorative effects of PG on inflammatory cytokine expression and the activation of hypoxia-inducible-factor (HIF)-1α in DSS-treated colon tissue were also determined. Our results showed that mice treated with DSS displayed the main clinical symptoms of colitis, including weight loss, bloody stools, decrease in colon length and diarrhea and PG treatment significantly improved the clinical features induced by DSS in mice. PG inhibited the increase in the levels of inflammatory cytokines caused by DSS in colon tissues. We also showed that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PG involved suppressing the activation of HIF-1α in DSS-treated colon tissues. Collectively, the findings of this study indicate the prospect of developing new drugs from PG for UC treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Intestinal disorders often co-occur with inflammation and dysmotility. However, drugs which simultaneously improve intestinal inflammation and co-occurring dysmotility are rarely reported. Atractylodin, a widely used herbal medicine, is used to treat digestive disorders. The present study was designed to characterize the effects of atractylodin on amelioration of both jejunal inflammation and the co-occurring dysmotility in both constipation-prominent (CP) and diarrhea-prominent (DP) rats. The results indicated that atractylodin reduced proinflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in the plasma and inhibited the expression of inflammatory mediators iNOS and NF-kappa B in jejunal segments in both CP and DP rats. The results indicated that atractylodin exerted stimulatory effects and inhibitory effects on the contractility of jejunal segments isolated from CP and DP rats respectively, showing a contractile-state-dependent regulation. Atractylodin-induced contractile-state-dependent regulation was also observed by using rat jejunal segments in low and high contractile states respectively (5 pairs of low/high contractile states). Atractylodin up-regulated the decreased phosphorylation of 20 kDa myosin light chain, protein contents of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), and MLCK mRNA expression in jejunal segments of CP rats and down-regulated those increased parameters in DP rats. Taken together, atractylodin alleviated rat jejunal inflammation and exerted contractile-state-dependent regulation on the contractility of jejunal segments isolated from CP and DP rats respectively, suggesting the potential clinical implication for ameliorating intestinal inflammation and co-occurring dysmotility.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.263-273
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• 2020

In this study, in order to confirm the ameliorative effects of onion (Allium cepa L.) flesh and peel on amyloidbeta (Aβ)-induced cognitive dysfunction, we evaluated their in vitro neuroprotection and in vivo cognitive functions. As the result of in vitro neuroprotection, the protective effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of onion flesh (EOF) on Aβ-induced cytotoxicity was similar to that of the ethyl acetate fraction of onion peel (EOP). In the behavioral tests, the EOF and EOP effectively improved the Aβ-induced learning and memory impairments. For this reason, it could be concluded that the EOF and EOP improved the antioxidant activities (superoxide dismutase, oxidized glutathione/total glutathione, and malondialdehyde) in brain tissue. In addition, the EOF and EOP effectively activated mitochondrial functions by protecting the mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP, mitochondria-mediated protein (BAX and cytochrome c), and caspase 3/7 activities. The EOF and EOP also improved the cholinergic system (acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholine). Therefore, we suggest that onion could be used for management of Aβ-induced cognitive dysfunction.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.880-888
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• 2010

The ameliorative effect of salts and ascorbic acid polyphosphate supplementation on heat stress was studied in buffaloes. Adult buffaloes of either sex were randomly divided into 2 groups of 4 animals each. Group I served as control and Group II was supplemented with sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate and ascorbic acid polyphosphate. All the animals were exposed to two conditions of temperature and humidity: hot-dry and hot-humid in a psychrometric chamber for 4 h daily for 10 days. Blood was collected on day 1, 5 and 10 of treatment. The activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), concentrations of serum glutathione (GSH), cortisol, sodium, potassium, and chloride and lipid peroxidation were estimated in serum. Lymphocyte proliferation was assessed in blood. The activities of catalase and SOD, serum concentration of GSH, sodium, potassium and chloride decreased while lipid peroxidation and serum cortisol increased in both groups when subjected to heat stress. Dietary supplementation resulted in further decreasing of the enzyme activities but increasing of the serum concentrations of GSH, sodium, potassium and chloride. Lipid peroxidation and serum cortisol increased in the supplemented group in both types of stress. Dietary supplementation caused an increase in lymphoproliferative response to con A. Thus, supplementation of ascorbate in addition to electrolytes relieves the animals of oxidative stress and boosts cell mediated immunity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2014

The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of selective $ET_A$ receptor antagonist, ambrisentan on hyperhomocysteinemia-induced experimental vascular dementia. L-methionine was administered for 8 weeks to induce hyperhomocysteinemia and associated vascular dementia in male rats. Ambrisentan was administered to L-methionine-treated effect rats for 4 weeks (starting from $5^{th}$ to $8^{th}$ week of L-methionine treatment). On $52^{nd}$ day onward, the animals were exposed to the Morris water maze (MWM) for testing their learning and memory abilities. Vascular endothelial function, serum nitrite/nitrate levels, brain thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), brain reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were also measured. L-methionine-treated animals showed significant learning and memory impairment, endothelial dysfunction, decrease in/serum nitrite/nitrate and brain GSH levels along with an increase in brain TBARS levels and AChE activity. Ambrisentan significantly improved hyperhomocysteinemia-induced impairment of learning, memory, endothelial dysfunction, and changes in various biochemical parameters. These effects were comparable to that of donepezil serving as positive control. It is concluded that ambrisentan, a selective $ET_A$ receptor antagonist may be considered as a potential pharmacological agent for the management of hyperhomocysteinemia-induced vascular dementia.

• CELLMED
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.2.1-2.4
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• 2019

With the improvement of economic status and the desire for beauty, the interest in health and skin care is increasing. For these demands, since ages medicinal plants are in vogue. A variety of plants, cosmetics and foods with novel bioactive ingredients for skin care and beauty are under constant research and development. Skin is influenced by various factors such as Ultra-violet rays, stress, hormones and aging which together lead skin to lose elasticity, changes in pigmentation and wrinkle formation. Many medicinal plants have proven effects in skin care and beauty treatment. From this list of medicinal plants, one which is famous for its beauty, flavor and fragrance is Rosa damascene. Rosa damascene has many therapeutic action and postulated pharmacological studies such as anti-arthritic, anti-microbial, cardio protective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, immune-modulator, gastro-protective, and skin ameliorative effect. Research in the field of Cosmetology has proven the effect of Rosa damascene in rehydrating skin, reducing scars and stretches, acne management, lowering skin pigmentation, delaying wrinkling and is recommended as a skin vitalizing agent. In this review, the morphology, chemical constituents, and some pharmacological activity are discussed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.63-74
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• 2018

Objectives: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease with the destruction of periodontal ligament, alveolar bone loss and inflammation of gingva, leading to teeth loss. Eclipta prostrata L. (Ecliptae Herba) has been used to treat the inflammatory disease as a Korean traditional medicine. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of E. prostrata L. on periodontitis. Methods: E. prostrata L. was extracted with water and lyophilized. The aqueous extract of E. prostrata L. (EP) was topically applied to the periodontal lesion for 2 weeks. To induce the periodontitis, a 3-0 nylon ligature was placed around the cervix of the lower first molar in rat. Rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 7); NL group (non-ligatured and non-treated), L group (ligatured and vehicle-treated) and EP group (ligatured and EP-treated). After sacrifice, the mandibles was dissected and stained with methylene blue solution to analyze the alveolar bone loss. The expression of MMP-9 was determined in gingival tissues. To confirm the effect of EP on recovery of gingiva, mRNA expressions of type I pro-collagen and MMP-9 levels were investigated in LPS-treated HS68 fibroblast cells. In addition, inflammatory mediators were evaluated in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Results: Alveolar bone loss was significantly inhibited by EP treatment. The mRNA expression of MMP-9 was attenuated in rats treated with EP. In addition, treatment with EP increased the expression of type I pro-collagen, while the expression of MMP-9 was decreased in LPS-stimulated HS68 fibroblast cells. Furthermore, EP down-regulated the LPS-induced IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, COX-2 and iNOS production in RAW264.7 cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that EP have ameliorative effects on periodontitis through inhibiting alveolar bone loss and modulating the inflammatory mediators. Therefore, E. prostrata L. may be an alternative on patients with periodontitis.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.647-653
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• 2017

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is linked with high mortality rate. Several agents have been developed so far to reduce the risk of HIRI. In this study, we investigated the effects of Acanthopanax senticosus extract (AS) on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion. To explore the protective effects of A. senticosus extract injection (ASI) on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury rats animal model were used. After the development of HIRI by using clamping method rats were then randomly divided into five groups. Different doses of AS were administered in HIRI rat model. The level of ALT, AST, and MDA content in serum were detected in sham and HIRI groups. The activity of SOD, MPO and $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$, content of MDA, and cAMP in hepatic tissue were also measured. Expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein were detected by immunohistochemical staining method. Compared with sham group, ASI has the protective effect on the HIRI model in rats. Blood levels of ALT, AST, SOD, MPO, and MDA were significantly lower in ASI group compared with HIRI. Indeed SOD and $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ activities, MDA content, and cAMP level were improved in ASI group. Furthermore, Bcl-2 and Bax protein were improved in ASI group compared with only HIRI group. These results suggest that AS may provide potential ameliorative therapy by inhibiting the damage signaling mechanism in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury model.