• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2018

Objectives : Liver disease is an inflammatory reaction caused by oxidative stress, viral, alcohol, and drug properties. Inflammatory reaction causes hepatitis and chronic hepatitis is persistent, it progresses to liver fibrogenesis and liver cancer. The aim of this study was to confirm the hepatoprotective effect of Tongyuhwalhyeol-tang(Tongqiaohuoxue Decoction) (TH) and Gamtongyuhawlhyeol-tang(GTH) in TAA-induced liver injury animal model. Methods : The antioxidant activities were evaluated through in vitro experiments, such as 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays, total polyphenol and total flavonoid content measurement. To confirm the liver protective effect, induced by Thioacetamide (TAA) for 3 days injection at 200 mg/kg rats. TH and GTH were treated 3 days at 200 mg/kg/day. The changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS), peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), alanine aminotransferanse (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum were analyzed after experiment. Also, expression of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant related proteins were investigated by western blot analysis. Results : TH was inhibited the antioxidant activities. In the TAA-induced rat, TH decreased ROS, $ONOO^-$, ALT, AST level in serum. Inflammation related protein expressions increased in TAA-induced rat compared to normal rat. However, TH group inhibited the down expression of these proteins. Also, anti-oxidant related protein expressions increased in TH group compared TAA-induced rat. Conclusion : Therefor, these results suggested that TH provided hepatoprotective effects on the hepatic injury leading to the reduction of inflammatory response. In addition, the effect of TH was superior to that of GTH.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.454-464
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• 2018

Black soybeans are used as food sources as well as for traditional medicines because they contain an abundance of natural phenolic compounds. In this study, total phenolic contents (TPCs) of Korean black seed coat soybean varieties Socheongja (SCJ), Socheong 2 (SC2) and Cheongja 2 (CJ2) as well as their antioxidant capacities were investigated. Among them, TPCs were abundantly present in the order of CJ2$H_2O_2$-stimulated HaCaT human keratinocytes. Our results revealed that treatment with SCJ and SC2 prior to $H_2O_2$ exposure significantly increases the viability of HaCaT cells, indicating that the exposure of HaCaT cells to SCJ and SC2 conferred a protective effect against oxidative stress. SCJ and SC2 also effectively inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced apoptotic cell death through the blocking of mitochondrial dysfunction. SCJ and SC2 also attenuated the phosphorylation of Histone H2AX. Furthermore, they effectively induced the levels of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) 1, a potent antioxidant enzyme, which is associated with the induction of nuclear transcription factor erythroid-2-like factor 2 (Nrf2); however, the protective effects of SCJ and SC2 were significantly reversed by Auranofin, a TrxR inhibitor. These results indicate that they have protective activity through the blocking of cellular damage related to oxidative stress via the Nrf2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, our study indicated that SCJ and SC2 might potentially serve as novel agents for the treatment and prevention of skin disorders caused by oxidative stress.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.3 s.58
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• pp.181-191
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• 2006

In this study, we investigated the anti-oxidative, anti-wrinkle and whitening effects of 36 plant extracts collected from self-growing plants in Jeju island. Their anti-oxidant activities were measured by free radical scavenging activity using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical), reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay, and cell protecting activities using the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes. In addition, the inhibitory activities of tyrosinase for whitening effect and elastase for anti-wrinkle were investigated. The results showed that the Rumex crispus (all grass) extract has the most significant free radical scavenging activity ($FSC_{50};\;10{\mu}g/mL$), Plantago asiatica and Rumex crispus extracts for the prominent ROS scavenging activity ($OSC_{50};\;0.006{\mu}g/mL$, $0.04{\mu}g/mL$ respectively), Rumex crispus ($\tau_{50};\;1,140 min $at $50{\mu}g/mL$), Machilus thunbergii leaf (216 min), and Celastrus orbiculatus (200 min) for cell protecting effects, Morus alba stem for the inhibitory activity on tyrosinse (94.8% at $200{\mu}g/mL$), Rumex crispus (81.8% at $200{\mu}g/mL$), Morus alba (74.6%), and Celastrus orbiculatus leaf/stem/flower (63.1%) for the activity on elastase. These results indicated that the extracts of Rumex crispus, Plantago asiatica, Machilus thunbergii leaf, Morus alba stem, Celastrus orbiculatus leaf/stem/flower could have the functional effects when they are added as ingredients in cosmetics. Thus, it is concluded that further experiments are needed to apply for cosmetic products.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.41-51
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effects of $LR_3$ and $SP_6$ acupuncture on renal damage in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Methods : ICR male mice were stabilized for a week and divided into four groups: a normal mice group(N), no-acupuncture diabetic mice group(Control), $LR_3$ acupuncture diabetic mice group($LR_3$), and $SP_6$ acupuncture diabetic mice group($SP_6$). Diabetes was experimentally induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ(150 mg/kg) in citrate buffer(pH 4.5). For two weeks, $LR_3$ and $SP_6$ acupunctures were administered bilaterally at each point once a day. After two weeks, the animals' weight was measured and they underwent a laparotomy. Serum glucose and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) were measured from the blood taken from the heart. We measured glucose, reactive oxygen species(ROS), peroxynitrite($ONOO^-$) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) in the kidney and compared expression levels of superoxide dismutases(SOD), glutathione peroxidase(GPx), nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-${\kappa}B$), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and Interleukin-1 beta(IL-$1{\beta}$). Results : BUN significantly decreased in $LR_3$, $SP_6$ compared to the control group. $LR_3$ showed significantly decreased glucose compared to the control group. $LR_3$, $SP_6$ significantly decreased in ROS and $ONOO^-$ compared to the control group. $LR_3$ significantly decreased in TBARS compared to the control group. $SP_6$ significantly increased in expressions of SOD-1, catalase, and GPx compared to the control group. $LR_3$, $SP_6$ significantly decreased in COX-2 compared to the control group. $SP_6$ significantly decreased in IL-$1{\beta}$ compared to the control group. Conclusions : This study suggests that $LR_3$ acupuncture may be effective in controlling glucose and lipid peroxidation and that $SP_6$ acupuncture may have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects on renal damage in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.69-78
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Gongjin-dan (Gongchen-dan, here in after GJD) in order to obtain the evidence for clinical application. Methods The GJD-related articles published from 1990 to 2013 were searched using "Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal", "Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS)", "Korean Association of Medical Journal Edition (Koreamed)", "Research Information Services (RISS4U)", "Korean Medicine Database (KMbase)", "National Discovery for Science Leader (NDSL)", "PubMed", "China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)". The search keywords were "Gongjin-dan", "Gongchen-dan". Thirty-nine articles were obtained. After excluding the eighteen article which did not meet inclusion criteria, finally twenty-one articles were included; five clinical articles and sixteen experimental articles. Results In clinical studies, GJD has the various effectiveness in cardiovascular diseases, alcoholic hepatitis, mild dementia, anemia. Also experimental studies related to the GJD show a variety of effects, such as anti-oxidative activity, neuroprotective activity, hepatoprotective activity, anti-inflammatory activity, immunological activity, reproductive recovery activity with fewer side-effects. Conclusions It has been suggested that there are various effects of GJD in treating a wide-range disease. However, in order to put GJD to use for many kinds of diseases in more reasonable ways, it is needed to publish well-design clinical trial based on the variety of results of experimental studies.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.36 no.4 s.143
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• pp.318-323
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• 2005

The leaves (KPL) of Kalopanax pictus (KP) are used as a vegetable or a functional food in Korean society. The stem bark (Kalopanacis Cortex, KPS) has been traditionally used to treat neurotic pain, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetic disease. This research was undertaken to demonstrate that the leaf extract of KP (KPL) has also the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects like the extract (KPS) of Kalopanacis Cortex and to compare the activity levels of several extracts obtained from KP. Antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects were measured against the extracts described as followings; KPL-1 (the MeOH extract obtained from the leaf shoot of KP collected on May), KPL-2 (the MeOH extract from KP collected on June), KPL-3 (the MeOH ectract from KP with no thorns), KPS-1 (MeOH extract from KPS of a Korean habitat), KPS-2 (MeOH extract from KPS of a Chinese habitat). The antimociceptive test undertaken by acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate-, and tail-flick methods using mice. The anti-inflammatory test was also undertaken by measuring the edema in the carrageenan-induced test. The order of activity potency in the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory assays was commonly shown as followings: KPL-3>KPS>1>KPS-2>KPL-1>KPL-2. This order was also observed in acetic acid-induced vascular permeability test. The antiinflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced assay was also observed as the following order: KPL-3>KPS- 1>PS-2>KPL-1>KPL-2. In addition, adjuvant-induced rats were used for a model to assess the oxidative stress. Treatment of the rat with the extracts reduced serum thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), hydroxy radical(OH) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity caused by FCA together together with the inhibition of hepatic TBARS level and lipofuscin content. The above finding suggests that the leaf extract has the antinociceptive and antinflammatory activity. It is also suggested that KPL-3 with more potent activity than other tested extracts could be developed for a new available biomaterial.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.17-32
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• 2021

Objectives The present study was designed to find out the therapeutic effects and possible underlying mechanism of Buja-tang, a herbal complex formula on experimental monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis. Methods Osteoarthritis models were created via intra-joint injection of MIA (50 μL with 80 mg/mL) in rats. Rats were divided into five groups and each group consisted of seven. Normal group was not injected MIA and did a normal diet. Control group injected MIA and received distilled water. Indo injected MIA and oral administration of 5 mg/kg of indomethacin. BJTL injected MIA and oral administration of 100 mg/kg of Buja-tang. BJTH injected MIA and oral administration of 200 mg/kg of Buja-tang. We analyzed weight-bearing ability of hind paws, oxidative stress related factor, antioxidant protein, inflammatory protein, inflammatory messenger and cytokine in joint tissue. Pathological observation of knee cartilage tissue structures was also performed with hematoxylin & eosin and safranin-O chromosomes. Results Weight-bearing ability of hind paws showed a tendency to reduce pain. The incidence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and p22phox in articular tissue was significantly reduced, and the incidence of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 and superoxide dismutases was significantly increased. The incidence of phosphorylated inhibitor of κBα, nuclear factor-kappa B p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β decreased significantly. In pathological observation, cartilage tissue damaged by MIAs in biopsy has significantly recovered from Buja-tang administration. Conclusions Buja-tang has anti-inflammation, antioxidation and pain relief effects. So this is thought to inhibit the progress of osteoarthritis in rat caused by the MIA.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.368-378
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• 2024

Cordycepin, a valuable bioactive component isolated from Cordyceps militaris, has been reported to possess anti-cancer potential and the property to enhance the effects of chemotherapeutic agents in various types of cancers. However, the ability of cordycepin to chemosensitize cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells to gemcitabine has not yet been evaluated. The current study was performed to evaluate the above, and the mechanisms associated with it. The study analyzed the effects of cordycepin in combination with gemcitabine on the cancer stem-like properties of the CCA SNU478 cell line, including its anti-apoptotic, migratory, and antioxidant effects. In addition, the combination of cordycepin and gemcitabine was evaluated in the CCA xenograft model. The cordycepin treatment significantly decreased SNU478 cell viability and, in combination with gemcitabine, additively reduced cell viability. The cordycepin and gemcitabine co-treatment significantly increased the Annexin V+ population and downregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression, suggesting that the decreased cell viability in the cordycepin+gemcitabine group may result from an increase in apoptotic death. In addition, the cordycepin and gemcitabine co-treatment significantly reduced the migratory ability of SNU478 cells in the wound healing and trans-well migration assays. It was observed that the cordycepin and gemcitabine cotreatment reduced the CD44^highCD133^high population in SNU478 cells and the expression level of sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox-2), indicating the downregulation of the cancer stem-like population. Cordycepin also enhanced oxidative damage mediated by gemcitabine in MitoSOX staining associated with the upregulated Kelch like ECH Associated Protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression ratio. In the SNU478 xenograft model, co-administration of cordycepin and gemcitabine additively delayed tumor growth. These results indicate that cordycepin potentiates the chemotherapeutic property of gemcitabine against CCA, which results from the downregulation of its cancer-stem-like properties. Hence, the combination therapy of cordycepin and gemcitabine may be a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of CCA.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2014

Objective : This study set out to combine the treatment efficacy of Taraxacum with Dongchimi fermentation and investigate Taraxacum's effects on protection of liver cell and controlling nitric oxide(NO) through experiments, thus checking whether it had values as a physiological active matter. The experimental materials include Taraxacum Dongchimi (TD) and Taraxacum fermented by Dongchimi (TDF). As for methodology, experiments were carried out to compare TD and TDF in components, protection effects for liver cells, anticancer effects on liver cells, and protection effects for brain cells in the aspects of liver function and immunity enhancement. Method : The experimental materials include Taraxacum Dongchimi (TD) and Taraxacum fermented by Dongchimi (TDF). As for methodology, experiments were carried out to compare TD and TDF in components, protection effects for liver cells, anti-cancer effects on liver cells, and protection effects for brain cells in the aspects of liver function and immunity enhancement. Results : As shown in the chromatogram results, each valid component content increased in Taraxacum fermented by Dongchimi (TDF) for each time section. Of them, the valid component content at 36.80 minutes was approximately 2.7 times higher in TDF at 21.8% than in Taraxacum Dongchimi (TD) at 8.28%. TDF generated more excellent protection effects against the toxicity that caused oxidative damage to the liver cell(HepG2) with t-BHP than TD. The survival rate was low in TD of $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $300{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and increased to 23.3% in TDF of $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The survival rate was the highest at $300{\mu}M$ with a significant difference of 68.1%(P<0.05). Both TD and TDF showed effects of controlling nitric oxide production according to concentration with TDF recording a higher rate of controlling nitric oxide production than TD. There were significant differences(P<0.05) in the effects of controlling nitric oxide production at 200 ug/ml, 400 ug/ml in both groups. Especially the result TDF of $400{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ was thus similar to those of butein, the positive control group. Conclusion : The result of this studies is that Taraxacum fermented by Dongchimi (TDF) increased the valid component content compared with the simple mixture(TD). The findings clearly show that it is a material with the effects of improving immunity and liver cell protection. If fermentation methods are further developed to use it as a functional material, it will be subject to more opportunities of being used in other functional foods and make a contribution to integrated medicinal food development.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.555-560
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to investigate levels of serum creatinine, CuSOD and MnSOD protein expression in the kidney after renal ischemic reperfusion with pre-exercise using heat shock protein 70.1 in knock-out mice (KO). The C57/BL6 strain (Wild type: WT) and KO were divided into 4 groups as follows: Sham control group (Sham), pre-exercise group (Ex), pre-exercise +ischemia group (Ex+IR), and ischemia group (IR). CuSOD and MnSOD expression were significantly decreased (p<0.01, p<0.05) and blood creatinine concentration was significantly increased (p<0.01) in the IR group of KO. In contrast, CuSOD and MnSOD expression in the Ex+IR group of KO were higher than the IR group, while creatinine concentration was significantly lower. These results suggest that Hsp70 is directly correlated to renal ischemic reperfusion injury. Pre-exercise in renal ischemia might prevent or inhibit positive oxidative stress inhibitory effects by increasing anti-oxidative enzymes (CuSOD, MnSOD) within the kidney and improve to prevent renal function. Thus, pre-exercise may have a protective role against renal injury after renal ischemia.