• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.199-207
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of NXP031, an inhibitor of oxidation by specifically binding to the complex of DNA aptamer/vitamin C, on dopaminergic neurons loss and the reaction of microglia in an animal model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced subchronic Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: A subchronic PD mouse model was induced via an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of MPTP 30 mg/kg per day for five days. NXP031 (vitamin C/aptamer at 200 mg/4 mg/kg) and vitamin C at 200 mg/kg were administered via IP injections at one hour after performing MPTP injection. This process was performed for five days. Motor function was then evaluated with pole and rotarod tests, after which an immunohistochemical analysis was performed. Results: NXP031 administration after MPTP injection significantly improved motor functions (via both pole and rotarod tests) compared to the control (MPTP injection only) (p<.001). NXP031 alleviated the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and striatum caused by MPTP injection. It was found to have a neuroprotective effect by reducing microglia activity. Conclusion: NXP031 can improve impaired motor function, showing neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons in the SN and striatum of MPTP-induced subchronic Parkinson's disease mouse model. Results of this study suggest that NXP031 has potential in future treatments for PD and interventions for nerve recovery.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.70-78
• /
• 2014

Objectives : Hoechunyanggyeok-san (HYS) is a traditional herbal medicine, which has been clinically used for treating febrile and inflammatory diseases. HYS has been reported to be a useful treatment for diabetes, atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia in the type 1 diabetic model. However, the mechanism of the effects of HYS against hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the underlying mechanism of ameliorative effect of HYS on hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in vivo. Methods : HYS (10, 50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was administered every day for 2 weeks to db/db mice and its effect was compared with vehicle-treated db/db mice. To confirm serum glucose and triglyceride (TG) changes, serological testing was performed. The levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) activity and Sirtuin1 (SIRT1), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase ${\alpha}$ ($ACC{\alpha}$) expression were analyzed by western blot analysis. Results : The administration of HYS significantly decreased the elevated serum glucose and TG in db/db mice. HYS administration increased the levels of SIRT1 and AMPK expression compared with the vehicle-treated group. Moreover, HYS treatment significantly inhibited SREBP-1 activity and $ACC{\alpha}$ expression in the liver, while the vehicle-treated group exhibited their increase. Conclusions : In conclusion, HYS is suggested to have an improvement effect on hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia by activating the SIRT1/AMPK signaling pathway and inhibiting SREBP-1.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.1132-1141
• /
• 2020

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an increasing global burden and a predisposing factor to colorectal cancer. Although a number of treatment options are available, the side effects could be considerable. Studies on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as an IBD intervention protocol require further validation as the underlying mechanisms for its attenuating effects remain unclear. This study aims to demonstrate the ameliorative role of FMT in an ulcerative colitis (UC) model induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and elucidate its relative mechanisms in a mouse model. It was shown that FMT intervention decreased disease activity index (DAI) levels and increased the body weight, colon weight and colon length of experimental animals. It also alleviated histopathological changes, reduced key cytokine expression and oxidative status in the colon. A down-regulated expression level of genes associated with NF-κB signaling pathway was also observed. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that FMT intervention restored the gut microbiota to the pattern of the control group by increasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes and decreasing the abundances of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. The relative abundances of the genera Lactobacillus, Butyricicoccus, Lachnoclostridium, Olsenella and Odoribacter were upregulated but Helicobacter, Bacteroides and Clostridium were reduced after FMT administration. Furthermore, FMT administration elevated the concentrations of SCFAs in the colon. In conclusion, FMT intervention could be suitable for UC control, but further validations via clinical trials are recommended.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.303-311
• /
• 2015

This study aimed to assess the effects of tree manures in comparison with NPK fertilizer on growth of Acacia senegal seedlings. It was conducted in the nursery of the Faculty of Forestry, University of Khartoum, Shambat (Lat.: $15^{\circ}$ 39' 387" N and Long.: $32^{\circ}$ 30' 871" E), during August 2008 and January 2009. The growing media were prepared by mixing ground foliage of trees with sandy soil (weight/volume) as follows, Albizia lebbeck (AL): 25 g, 50 g and 75 g; Azadirachta indica (AZ): 25 g, 50 g and 75 g; Khaya senegalensis (KH): 25 g, 50 g and 75 g; NPK fertilizer: 30 g per seedling. Albizia lebbeck and Azadirachta indica manures and NPK fertilizer have stimulated the Acacia senegal seed germination percentage in comparison with the control, with respective values of 89, 82.7, 81 and 71%. Khaya senegalensis manure has suppressed the Acacia senegal seed germination percentage with a value of only 49%. Effects of treatments on the seedlings growth parameters varied in the following percentages, in comparison to the control, shoot height: AZ 62.9%, AL 46%, KH 9.9% and NPK 27.8%; root length: AZ 25.8%, AL 31.5%, KH 30.6% and NPK 4.4%; diameter: AZ 75.2%, AL 37.1%, KH 34.3% and NPK 20%; Shoot biomass: AZ 319%, AL 195.2%, KH 57.1% and NPK 42.9%; root biomass: AZ 288.9%, AL 116.7%, KH 55.6% and NPK 16.7%%;. Thus, the effectiveness of the used substrates on the growth performance of Acacia senegal seedlings occurred in the following descending order: Azadirachta indica> Albizia lebbeck>Khaya senegalensis>NPK fertilizer. These results assert clearly the ameliorative and fertilizing characteristics of tree manures that can be reliably used for raising seedlings stocks in the nurseries.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.347-355
• /
• 2020

Cognitive impairment is considered to be key research topics in the field of neurodegenerative diseases and in understanding of learning and memory. In the present study, we investigated neuroprotective effects of Schisandra chinensis (SC) and Ribes fasciculatum (RF) extracts in hydrogen peroxide-induced neuronal cell death in vitro and scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in Sprague Dawley^® (SD) rat in vivo. Apoptotic cell death in neuroblastic PC12 cell line was induced by hydrogen peroxide for 1 hour at 100 μM. However, mixture of SC and RF treatment prevented peroxide induced PC12 cell death with no neurotoxic effects. For in vivo experiment, the effect of SC and RF extracts on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in SD rat was evaluated by spontaneous alternation behavior in Y-Maze test. After 30 min scopolamine injection, the scopolamine-induced rats presented significantly decreased % spontaneous alteration and acetylcholine level, compared to non-induced group. However, treatment of SC+RF extracts rescued the reduced % spontaneous alteration with acetylcholine concentration from hippocampus in scopolamine-induced rats. These results suggested that mixture of SC and RF extract may be a potential natural therapeutic agent for the prevention of cognitive impairment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.350-361
• /
• 2020

Background: Black ginseng (BG) is a type of Korean ginseng prepared by steaming and drying raw ginseng to improve the saponin content. This study examined the effects of BG on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in HepG2 cells and diet-induced obese mice. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with free fatty acids to induce lipid accumulation before supplementation with BG. NAFLD-induced mice were fed different doses (0.5%, 1%, and 2%) of BG for 8 weeks. Results: BG significantly reduced lipid accumulation and expression of lipogenic genes, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, and fatty acid synthase in HepG2 cells, and the livers of mice fed a 45% high-fat diet with 10% fructose in the drinking water (HFHF diet). BG supplementation caused a significant reduction in levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, while antioxidant enzymes activities were significantly increased in 45% high-fat diet with 10% fructose in the drinking water diet-fed mice. Expression of proliferator-activated receptor alpha and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I were upregulated at the transcription and translation levels in both HepG2 cells and diet-induced obese mice. Furthermore, BG-induced phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and acetyl CoA carboxylase in both models, suggesting its role in AMP-activated protein kinase activation and the acetyl CoA carboxylase signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our results indicate that BG may be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention of NAFLD.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.83-91
• /
• 2019

This study was undertaken to investigate the therapeutic effect of Angelica acutiloba on allergic dermatitis, which Angelica acutiloba is traditionally known to have antiinflammatory effects. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into five groups: normal control group, experimental allergic dermatitis group (vehicle group), low dose of Angelica acutiloba extract (low-dose group), high dose of Angelica acutiloba extract (high-dose group), and antihistamine treated group with experimental dermatitis (antihistamine group). Total leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil counts were significantly higher in the vehicle group than in the control group, but these variables were significantly lower in the low- and high-dose groups than in the vehicle group. The platelet/lymphocyte ratio in the red blood cell index was significantly lower in the low- and high-dose groups than in the vehicle group. Low and high doses of the Angelica acutiloba extract did not have toxic effects on liver and kidney. Serum NO, iNOS and levels were highest in the vehicle group but significantly lower in the low- and high-dose groups, especially in the high-dose group. The results of this study suggested that the Angelica acutiloba extract had the effect of alleviating or treating the experimental allergic dermatitis, and it was concluded that the high dose was more effective.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.179-185
• /
• 2019

Background: Oxidative stress induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play important causative roles in various pathological conditions. Black ginseng (BG), a type of steam-processed ginseng, has drawn significant attention due to its biological activity, and is more potent than white ginseng (WG) or red ginseng (RG). Methods: We evaluated the protective effects of BG extract (BGE) against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage, in comparison with WG extract (WGE) and RG extract (RGE) in a cell culture model. Ethanolic extracts of WG, RG, and BG were used to evaluate ginsenoside profiles, total polyphenols, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity. Using AML-12 cells treated with $H_2O_2$, the protective effects of WGE, RGE, and BGE on cellular redox status, DNA, protein, lipid damage, and apoptosis levels were investigated. Results: BGE exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant potential, as well as total flavonoid and polyphenol contents. ATP levels were significantly higher in BGE-treated cells than in control; ROS generation and glutathione disulfide levels were lower but glutathione (GSH) and NADPH levels were higher in BGE-treated cells than in other groups. Pretreatment with BGE inhibited apoptosis and therefore protected cells from oxidative stress-induced cellular damage, probably through ROS scavenging. Conclusion: Collectively, our results demonstrate that BGE protects AML-12 cells from oxidative stress-induced cellular damages more effectively than WGE or RGE, through ROS scavenging, maintenance of redox status, and activation of the antioxidant defense system.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.59-70
• /
• 2013

Objectives : Hyangsayangyi-tang (香砂養胃湯) is a polyherbal formula, has been used as one of the representative So-eumin (少陰人) prescriptions in Sasang-medicine (四象醫學), a famous Korean medicinal theory. The aqueous extract of Hyangsayangyi-tang (HSYYT) was evaluated for its possible ameliorative effect in the regulation of hypothyroidism related reproductive organ damages in propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced rat model. Methods : HSYYT aqueous extracts were administered, once day for 42 days from 2 weeks before start of PTU treatment as an oral dose of 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg (bodyweight), and hypothyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous treatment of PTU 10 mg/kg for 28days. Results : PTU induced hypothyroidism and related male reproductive organ (testis, epididymis and prostate) damages were favorably and dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of HSYYT 500 and 250 mg/kg, and they also effectively regulated the PTU-induced abnormal antioxidant defense system changes in the testis. No effective or any harmful changes on the PTU induced hypothyroidism and related male reproductive organ damages were observed in HSYYT 125 mg/kg treated rats as compared with PTU control in this experiment. Conclusions : The results obtained in this study suggest that oral administration of 500 and 250 mg/kg of HSYYT showed favorable effects on the hypothyroidism and related reproductive organ damages through augmentation of antioxidant defense system in the testis, and it is considered that HSYYT may be help to ameliorate the hypothyroidism and related organ damages in clinics.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.419-434
• /
• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common prostate disease and one of the most common chronic diseases caused by aging in men. On the other hand, there has been no research on BPH using Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai (A. distichum). Therefore, this study investigated the effects of A. distichum on BPH. MATERIALS/METHODS: A. distichum leaves were extracted with distilled water, 70% ethanol, and 95% hexane as solvents. Subsequently, the inhibitory effects of each A. distichum extract on androgen receptor (AR) signaling were evaluated in vitro. The testosterone-induced BPH model was then used to confirm the efficacy of A. distichum leaves in 70% ethanol extract (ADLE). RESULTS: ADLE had the strongest inhibitory effect on AR signaling. A comparison of the activity of ADLE by harvest time showed that the leaves of A. distichum harvested in autumn had a superior inhibitory effect on AR signaling to those harvested at other times. In the BPH rat model, the administration of ADLE reduced the prostate size and prostate epithelial cell thickness significantly and inhibited AR signaling. Subsequently, the administration of ADLE also reduced the expression of growth factors, thereby inactivating the PI3K/AKT pathway. CONCLUSIONS: An analysis of the efficacy of ADLE to relieve BPH showed that the ethanol extract grown in autumn exhibited the highest inhibitory ability of the androgen-signaling related factors in vitro. ADLE also inhibited the expression of growth factors by inhibiting the expression of the androgen-signaling related factors in vivo. Overall, ADLE is proposed as a functional food that is effective in preventing BPH.