• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1202-1209
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• 2008

Peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$) and nitric oxide (NO) are cytotoxic because they can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. They have been implicated in the aging processes, and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ojunghwan on the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$), and on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory proteins in ob/ob mice. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups have received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 30 and 90 mg Ojung-hwan per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blot was performed using anti-phospho $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, $anti-IKK-{\alpha}$, $anti-NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS, anti-VCAM-1 and anti-MMP-9 antibodies, respectively. Ojunghwan inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse kidney postmitochondrial fraction in vitro. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO, ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$ and $PGE_2$ were inhibited in the Ojunghwan-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas that were improved in the Ojunghwan-administered groups. Ojunghwan inhibited the expression of $phospho-I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, $IKK-{\alpha}$, $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), COX-2, iNOS, VCAM-1 and MMP-9 genes. These results suggest that Ojunghwan is an effective scavenger of $ONOO^-$, ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$, NO and $PGE_2$, and has an inhibitory effect on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory genes in ob/ob mice. Therefore, Ojunghwan might be used as a potential therapeutic drug against the inflammation process and inflammation- related diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2014

Bone homeostasis is maintained by balance between bone resorbing-osteoclasts and bone forming-osteoblasts. Excessive osteoclastic bone resorption plays a critical role in bone destruction in pathological bone diseases such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and periodontal disease. Many compounds derived from natural products have pharmacological applications and have therapeutic value for treating or preventing several bone diseases characterized by excessive bone resorption. To discover new compounds that can act as anti-resorptive agents, we screened for natural compounds that regulate osteclast differentiation, and found that water extract of Ziziphus Jujuba Mill (WEZJ) has inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation. In this study, WEZJ clearly inhibits the osteoclast differentiation in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor kB (RANKL), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) without cytoxicity by blocking activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)c1, and c-Fos. In signaling pathway, the phosphorylation of Akt, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and the expression of osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), tartrate-resistant acid phosphates (TRAP), Integrin av, Integrin b3, Cathepsin K are suppressed, too. These result suggest that WEZJ may have therapeutic value for treating or preventing several bone diseases characterized by excessive bone destruction.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2004

Objectives : Recently, Herbal-acupuncture therapeutics has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Especially, we have been interested in chemical mediators concerned with inflammation such as prostaglandin, cytokine, nitrous oxide. The purpose of this study is investigated that the effect of Chelidonii Herbal-acupuncture solution in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, performed several expeimental items : those are prostaglandin $E_2$, nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase-2. Methods : The cytotoxicity of Chelidonii Herbal-acupuncture solution in RAW 264.7 macrophages were measured by MTT-based cytotoxicity assay. In order to observe cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, RT-PCR was used. Prostaglandin $E_2$ formation and nitric oxide production was measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay and Griess assay. Results : 1.The MTT assay demonstrated that cytotoxic effect of Chelidonii Herbal-acupuncture solution in RAW 264.7 macrophages were not appeared before concentration of 1mg/ml. 2.Chelidonii Herbal-acupuncture solution inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. 3. Chelidonii Herbal-acupuncture solution inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. 4. Chelidonii Herbal-acupuncture solution inhibited prostaglandin $E_2$ formation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Conclusions : On the basis of these results, It was shown that Chelidonii Herbal-acupuncture solution is significantly able to inhibit the production of $PGE_2$ and NO, as well as COX-2 mRNA expression. Our results may provide new mechanism by which Chelidonii Herbal-acupuncture solution accounts for its beneficial effect on accelerating wound healing and anti-inflammation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.651-656
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• 2006

Activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ is known to be a trigger of various cellular disorders including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Numerous approaches are ongoing within laboratories to identify potential therapeutic agents which inhibit the $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation. In this study, we have tested the inhibitory effects of five traditional medicines on the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ by NIK. Among three medicines which exhibited inhibitory effect on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ repoter plasmid, we investigated further the inhibitory mechanism of Dichroa febrifuga in connection with IKKY activity. Wild type $IKK{\gamma}$ inhibited the $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation by NIK but the C-terminal deletion mutant of IKKY did not show the inhibitory effect, indicating that the C-terminal leucine zipper domain of $NF-{\kappa}B$ is important for the inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation. The water extract of Dichroa febrifuga(DFE) also strongly inhibited the $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation by NIK. The inhibitory activity of DFE appeared to be independent of the expression of $IKK{\gamma}$, suggesting that the pathways of inhibition by Dichroa febrifuga and $IKK{\gamma}$ are different. Our results suggest that Dichroa febrifuga can be used as a medicine for inhibition of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation in a wide range of cells without relation to the expression of $IKK{\gamma}$.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.669-673
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• 2011

To prevent and treat the osteoporotic fracture, more attention should be paid in old age patients. Osteoclast which has ability to bone resorption is originated from hematopoietic cell line and plays a key role osteoporotic bone loss. Rubi Fructus has been widely used in Oriental medicine. Extracts of the leaves and fruit of Rubus species have been used in various countries as natural remedies to treat diabetes, infections, colic, and burns. However, the effect of extract of Rubi Fructus (fruit of Rubus coreanus Miq.) in osteoclast differentiation remains unknown. Thus, we evaluated the effect of Rubi Fructus on receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. Here we found that Rubi Fructus significantly inhibited osteoclast differentiation induced by RANKL. Rubi Fructus suppressed the activation of p38 pathway and NFkB in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) treated with RANKL. Also, Rubi Fructus significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of c-Fos, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)c1 and cathepsin K in BMMs treated with RANKL. Particularly, Rubi Fructus greatly inhibited the protein expression of c-fos and NFATc1. especially in the case of NFATc1 expression, a master transcription factor of the differentiation of osteoclasts is very important step for osteoclastogenesis. Taken together, our results demonstrated that Rubi Fructus may be useful treatment option of bone-related disease such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2001

Background: Primary malignant lymphoma of the parotid gland is a rare disease and defined as any malignant lymphoma that first manifests in the parotid gland, regardless of the subsequent stage of the diseases, whether it arises in the parenchyma or intraglandular lymph nodes. This study was performed to review the clinicopathological characteristics of primary parotid lymphoma and identify its optimal treatment modality. Materials and Methods: Six cases with parotid mass as first presentation of malignant lymphoma between 1988 and 2000, were studied on the basis of clinical features, diagnostic tools, treatment modality, treatment outcomes, and clinical stage by Ann Arbor Criteria. All were microscopically reevaluated and classified by NCI working formulation. Results: All patients were males and mean age was 36.7 years (2-66 years). Rapid growing non-tender mass was presented in all the cases and cervical lymphnodes were palpated in 4 cases. However, there was not any evidence of concurrent autoimmune disease such as Sjogren's syndrom or Rheumatoid arthritis. One case was confirmed by surgical specimen after superficial parotidectomy, 2 by excisional biopsy, and 3 by incisional biopsy. The stage of disease by NCI working formulation was IE in 1 patient, IIE in 4 and IV in 1. All were classified into non-Hodgkin' lymphoma, of which there were 5 cases of B-cell type and 1 case of T-cell type. There were 3 diffuse large cell lymphomas, 1 Burkitt lymphoma, 1 MALT lymphoma and 1 T-lymphoblastic lymphoma. Three cases were treated by chemotherapy only, 2 by radiotherapy only and 1 by chemo-radiotherapy. One case with Burkitt lymphoma was died from the disease and one case was lost to follow-up. The others are alive with no evidence of recurrence. Conclusions: Although primary parotid lymphoma is rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively, most were detected in early stage and showed a relatively good response to the chemotherapy or radiotherapy like other types of extranodal malignant lymphoma.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 2016

Angiogenesis is essential for the pathophysiological processes of embryogenesis, tissue growth, diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis, wound healing, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and tumor growth. Inhibition of angiogenesis represents an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of angiogenic diseases such as cancer. However, uncontrolled angiogenesis is also necessary for tumor development and metastasis. Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, a critical factor in the induction of angiogenesis, cause robust and rapid changes in blood vessels of tumors and therefore VEGF constitutes a target for such anti-angiogenic therapy. Recently, since natural compounds pose significantly less risk of deleterious side effects than synthetic compounds, a great many natural resources have been assessed for useful substance for anti-angiogenic treatment. Here we evaluated the anti-angiogenic effects of a hot water extract of Scutellaria baicalensis (SBHWE) using in vitro assays and ex vivo animal experiments. Our results show that SBHWE dose-dependently abrogated vascular endothelial responses by inhibiting VEGF-stimulated migration and invasion as well as tube formation in a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model, without cytotoxicity, as determined by a cell viability assay. Further study revealed that SBHWE prevented VEGF-induced neo-vascularization in a rat aortic ring sprouting model. Taken together, our findings reveal an anti-angiogenic activity of Scutellaria baicalensis and suggest that SBHWE is a novel candidate inhibitor of VEGF-induced angiogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.519-525
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• 2013

The Opuntia extract has been traditionally used to treat diabetes, inflammation, and rheumatoid arthritis in oriental medicine. The purpose of this study is to investigate characteristics of biological activity between Opuntia humifusa and Opuntia ficus-indica which is cultivating in korea using cell-free system or cell-based assay. O. humifusa extract effectively inhibited ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity or improved the immune function, and its biological activity was more effective than O. ficus-indica extract. The scavenging activity of DPPH radical and the inhibitory effect of tyrosinase similarly showed by O. humifusa and O. ficus-indica extract, however neuroprotective effect only showed a tendency to increase compared with control in PC12 cells. Therefore the results suggest that O. humifusa can be a useful agent for treatment of diabetes and immunodeficiency.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.485-490
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• 1999

The mechanism of action of fish oil (FO), currently used in different chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is not completely understood, although it is thought that it could alter the metabolism of endogenous autacoids. In addition, we hypothesized that the known capability of fatty acids (FA) of stabilizing serum albumin and perhaps other proteins, may be of pharmacological relevance considering that it is shared by other anti-rheumatic agents (e.g. nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs). Thus, we studied the effect of oral administration of FO and corn oil (CO), a vegetable oil with a different composition, on the stability of rat serum proteins, evaluated buy a classical in vitro method based on heat-induced protein denaturation. FO, and, to a lower extent, CO inhibited heat-induced denaturation of rat serum (RS): based on the inhibitory activity (EC50) of the major fatty acids against heat-induced denaturation of RS in vitro, it was possible to speculate the in vivo effects of palmitic acid (C16:0) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5, n-3) may be more relevant than that of linolenic acid (C18:2). To better investigate this phenomenon, we extracted albumin from the serum of animals treated or not with FO with a one-step affinity chromatography technique, obtaining high purity rat serum albumin preparations (RSA-CTRL and RSA-FO), as judged by SDS-PAGE with Coomassie blue staining. When these RSA preparations were heated at $70^{\circ}C$ for 30 min, it was noted that RSA-FO was much more stable than RSA-CTRL, presumably due to higher number of long chain fatty acids (FA) such as palmitic acid or EPA. In conclusion, we provided evidences that oral administration of FO in the rat stabilizes serum albumin, due to an increase in the number of protein bound long chain fatty acids (e.g. palitic acid and EPA). We speculate that the stabilization of serum albumin and perhaps other proteins could prevent changes of antigenicity due to protein denaturation and glycosylation, which may trigger pathological autoimmune responses, suggesting that this action may be involved in the mode of action of FO in RA and other chronic inflammatory diseases.