• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.59-65
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• 2024

Dendritic cells play a very important role in the immune response as antigen-presenting cells that are critical for initiating both innate and acquired immunity. They recognize, process and present foreign antigens to other key immune cells to trigger and regulate the immune response. The ability to activate these dendritic cells can be used as a treatment for various immune diseases. Maqui berry has been reported to have anticancer, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its effect on the activity of dendritic cells has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of maqui berry extract in modulating dendritic cell activity. Treatment of dendritic cells with maqui berry extract induced the costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, and MHC class I and II in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the antigen-presenting capacity of dendritic cells was inhibited, which confirms their ability to present antigens, and the production of Interleukin (IL)-12, which is important for dendritic cell activity, was increased. These results indicated that Maqui berry extract activates dendritic cells maturation by inducing the production of co-stimulatory molecules and IL-12. These results suggest that maqui berry extract may act as an effective adjuvant to enhance dendritic cell-based immune responses.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.74-86
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• 2005

Background: There are increasing neuro-degenerative disorders with aging. Paeoniae Radix(PR) possesses various pharmacological effects such as sedative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress and neuro-protective actions. Also antiaging and anti-cancer effects of PR were reported. Our purpose was to investigate whether PR is useful on the treatment of Parkinson's disease, one of the neuro-degenerative disorders. Objective: We investigated whether Paeonia Radix possesses a protective effect against 1-methyl-4 phenylpyridine(MPP+)-induced cytotoxicity in neuronal cells. Methods: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay, flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), and Western blotting were performed on SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells. Results: Cells treated with MPP+ exhibited several apoptotic features, while cells pre-treated with Paeonia Radix prior to MPP+ exposure showed s decrease in the occurrence of apoptotic features. Conclusions: These results suggest that Paeonia Radix may exert a protective effect against MPP+-induced apoptosis in SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.364-370
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• 2013

Resveratrol (trans-3,4'-trihydroxystillbene), a naturally occurring polyphenolic antioxidant found in grapes and red wine, elicits diverse biochemical responses and demonstrates anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative effects in several cell types. Previously, resveratrol was shown to regulate differentiation and inflammation in rabbit articular chondrocytes, while the direct production of nitric oxide (NO) in these cells by treatment with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) led to apoptosis. In this study, the effect of resveratrol on NO-induced apoptosis in rabbit articular chondrocytes was investigated. Resveratrol dramatically reduced NO-induced apoptosis in chondrocytes, as determined by phase-contrast microscopy, the MTT assay, FACS analysis, and DAPI staining. Treatment with resveratrol inhibited the SNP-induced expression of p53 and p21 and reduced the expression of procaspase-3 in chondrocytes, as detected by western blot analysis. SNP-induced degradation of I-kappa B alpha ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) was rescued by resveratrol treatment, and the SN50 peptide-mediated inhibition of NF-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity potently blocked SNP-induced caspase-3 activation and apoptosis. Our results suggest that resveratrol inhibits NO-induced apoptosis through the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway in articular chondrocytes.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2007

The objective of this study is to prepare a stable delivery systems containing polyethoxylated retinamide(PERA) - derivatives of retinoic acid, effective anti-wrinkle and anti-acne agent. Cubic liquid crystalline phase gel (CLCPG) and cubosomes containing various concentrations of PERA were prepared to investigate the physicochemical properties. Furthermore, stability and transdermal absorption efficacy of the CLCPG containing PERA were investigated in comparison with oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions which are predominantly used as a topical formulation. CLCPG increase the stability of PERA in comparison with O/W emulsion. For tropical application, CLCPG containing PERA shows higher moisturizing effect than that of O/W emulsion. In skin permeation test, CLCPG shows higher PERA deposit on epidermis. With its specific physicochemical property caused by the glyceryl oleate, CLCPG itself could be used for stabilizer of various actives and applied as an effective delivery system for topical application. Cubosome, nano-sized dispersed CLCPG, is also expected to be applied in a various field of industry like food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2009

In recent year, We are concerned about anti-aging, disease-protection, long-life, many methods are used in solving this problem. And Those are related with antioxidative ability. Recently, We heard that Cucurbita moschata Duch. has anti-hypertensive effect and good for health. So I let made a experiment for this result of the anti-oxidant effect of Cucurbita moschata Duch. used for 3 methods, those are DPPH radical scavenging activity, Nitric oxide(NO) radical scavenging activity and Bovine serum albumin(BSA). The results of this study were as follows: We measured level of DPPH radical scavenging activity. And we obtained results that the ability of DPPH radical's elimination was increased when concentration of Cucurbita moschata Duch. was to $20\;mg/m{\ell}$. We measured level of Nitric oxide(NO) radical scavenging activity. And we founded that the ability of NO radical's elimination was increased when concentration of Cucurbita moschata Duch. was to $10\;mg/m{\ell}$. When we inspected antioxidation with Bovine serum albumin(BSA). And we obtained that antioxidative ability was increased after$2.5\;mg/m{\ell}$ of Cucurbita moschata Duch.. So I guess that Cucurbita moschata Duch. has effect of antioxidative ability. Hereafter we need differential experimental methods for evidence of antioxidative effect on Cucurbita moschata Duch.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.182-190
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• 2007

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with a decline in cognitive abilities. Dementia is one of the aged related mental problems and a characteristic symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Nootropic agents like piracetam and cholinesterase inhibitors like $Donepezil^{\circledR}$ are used in situations where there is organic disorder in learning abilities, but the resulting side-effects associated with these agents have limited their utility. Foeniculum (F.) vulgare Linn. is widely used in Indian traditional systems of medicines and also as a house remedy for nervous debility. The present work was undertaken to assess the potential of F. vulgare as a nootropic and anti-cholinesterase agent in mice. Exteroceptive behavioral models such as Elevated plus maze and Passive avoidance paradigm were employed to assess short term and long term memory in mice. To delineate the possible mechanism through which F. vulgare elicits the anti-amnesic effects, its influence on central cholinergic activity was studied by estimating the whole brain acetylcholinesterase activity. Pretreatment of methanolic extract of fruits of F. vulgare Linn. for 8 successive days, ameliorated the amnesic effect of scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg) and aging induced memory deficits in mice. F. vulgare extract significantly decreased transfer latencies of young mice and aged mice, increased step down latency and exhibited significant anti-acetyl cholinesterase effects, when compared to piracetam, scopolamine and control groups of mice. F. vulgare might prove to be a useful memory restorative agent in the treatment of dementia seen in the elderly.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2014

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound found in various natural products such as grapes and berries and possesses anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemia, and anti-aging properties. Recently, it has been reported that resveratrol inhibits ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating hormone signaling, viability, and migration in melanoma cells. However, these effects have not been confirmed in vivo, specifically brownish guinea pigs. To evaluate the potential of resveratrol as a regulator of melanin for hyperpigmentation therapy, the influence of resveratrol on pigmentation was investigated by ultraviolet B-induced hyperpigmentation in brownish guinea pig skin. We found that resveratrol reduced the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related proteins 1 and 2, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor in melanoma cells. Furthermore, topical application of resveratrol was demonstrated to significantly decrease hyperpigmentation on ultraviolet B-stimulated guinea pig skin in vivo. Based on our histological data, resveratrol inhibits melanin synthesis via a reduction in tyrosinase-related protein 2 among the melanogenic enzymes. This study is the first to provide evidence supporting resveratrol as a depigmentation agent, along with further clinical investigation of resveratrol in ultraviolet B-induced skin disorders such as hyperpigmentation and skin photoaging.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.215-221
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• 2017

Ginseng has been used in China for at least two millennia and is now popular in over 35 countries. It is one of the world's popular herbs for complementary and alternative medicine and has been shown to have helpful effects on cognition and blood circulation, as well as anti-aging, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic effects, among many others. The pharmacological activities of ginseng are dependent mainly on ginsenosides. Ginsenosides have a cholesterol-like four trans-ring steroid skeleton with a variety of sugar moieties. Nuclear receptors are one of the most important molecular targets of ginseng, and reports have shown that members of the nuclear receptor superfamily are regulated by a variety of ginsenosides. Here, we review the published literature on the effects of ginseng and its constituents on two main sex steroid hormone receptors: estrogen and androgen receptors. Furthermore, we discuss applications for sex steroid hormone receptor modulation and their therapeutic efficacy.

• Journal of Sasang Constitution and Immune Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.1-24
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• 2018

Objective This study was aimed to provide the information about Cheongsimyeonja-tang by domestic papers and theses. Method 50 Domestic papers related to Cheongsimyeonja-tang were selected according to the criteria. These papers were classified and analyzed by research designs, methods and results. Result The following results were obtained in this study. 1. 19 experimental studies on the effect of Cheongsimyeonja-tang were mainly focused on anti-aging, followed by anti-allergy, anti-inflammation, improvement of immune system. And there were 4 experimental studies on the safety of Cheongsimyeonja-tang, proving safety by acute toxicity test, nephrotoxicity test, drug interaction, and test of residual ingredients after decoction. 2. 25 clinical studies on the effect of Cheongsimyeonja-tang were mainly focused on cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases, followed by psychiatric and otologic disorder, dermatologic and musculoskeletal diseases. Also, there were 2 studies on the effect of Cheongsimyeonja-tang for diabetes insipidus, macular degeneration, digestive disorder in terminal cancer, drug-induced hepatitis. 3. More evidenced studies on Cheongsimyeonja-tang are needed and it is recommended that psychiatric questionnaire should be used for assessing the effects of Cheongsimyeonja-tang.

• 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.