• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.967-983
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• 2020

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of Acanthopanax sessiliflorum Cheonghyeol plus (ASCP) on NF-κB and MAPK signaling and vascular adhesion factors associated with dyslipidemia in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: We measured the scavenging activity of DPPH radical and ABTS radical by ASCP in HUVECs. We measured the protein expression levels of NF-κB, IκBα, ERK, JNK, and p38 after treatment of HUVECs with TNF-α. We measured the expression levels of MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 mRNA and of MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 biomarkers after treatment of HUVECs with TNF-α. Results: The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity of ASCP increased in a concentration-dependent manner. NF-κB, IκB, ERK, p38 protein expression levels decreased following ASCP treatment at all concentrations compared to untreated control HUVECs. JNK protein expression levels decreased in ASCP-treated HUVECs compared to untreated controls at concentrations of 100 ㎍/mL. MCP-1 mRNA expression level decreased with ASCP treatment ≥200 ㎍/mL compared to the control. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA expression levels decreased at all concentrations compared to the control. MCP-1 protein expression level was reduced compared to the control at concentrations ≥200 ㎍/mL, ICAM-1 protein expression level was reduced compared to the control at concentrations ≥100 ㎍/mL, and VCAM-1 protein expression level was reduced at all concentrations. Conclusions: These results suggest that ASCP has an antioxidative and hypolipidemic effect and that ASCP could treat and prevent dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.372-379
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• 2020

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis) with functional contents has satisfactory effects on various diseases, including atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, healthy skin, cancer, diabetes, and anti-inflammation. In this study, the extraction yield and functional contents (ergothioneine and 𝛽-glucan) of white jelly fungus were compared based on the extraction conditions using response surface methodology. Results revealed the extraction conditions for optimization of the dependent variables to be 60℃ and 4.33 h, when 16.6 mg/mL of sample concentration was used. Under these conditions, the extraction yield was 24.9%, including ergothioneine (66.8 ㎍/g) and 𝛽-glucan (34.9 g/100 g). These results can be useful in understanding the functional ingredients and mass extraction process in mushroom.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.412-421
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• 2021

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly prevalent metabolic disease. Muscle is known to influence NAFLD development. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationships among low muscle mass, NAFLD, and hepatic fibrosis using various definitions of low muscle mass and NAFLD diagnostic methods, including magnetic resonance imaging-based proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 320 participants (107 males, 213 females) from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study on Atherosclerosis Risk of Rural Areas in the Korean General Population cohort. Muscle mass was assessed using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and adjusted for the height squared, body weight, and body mass index (BMI). NAFLD was diagnosed using ultrasonography (US), MRI-PDFF, and the comprehensive NAFLD score (CNS). Hepatic fibrosis was assessed using magnetic resonance elastography. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to determine the aforementioned associations. Results: According to US, 183 participants (57.2%) had NAFLD. Muscle mass adjusted for body weight was associated with NAFLD diagnosed using US (odds ratio [OR], 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70 to 5.31), MRI-PDFF (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.53), and CNS (OR, 3.39; 95% CI, 1.73 to 6.65) and hepatic fibrosis (males: β=-0.070, p<0.01; females: β=-0.037, p<0.04). Muscle mass adjusted for BMI was associated with NAFLD diagnosed by US (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.86) and CNS (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.04 to 3.65), whereas muscle mass adjusted for height was not associated with NAFLD. Conclusions: Low muscle mass was associated with NAFLD and liver fibrosis; therefore, maintaining sufficient muscle mass is important to prevent NAFLD. A prospective study and additional consideration of muscle quality are needed to strengthen the findings regarding this association.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.514-528
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• 2022

Objective: To examine the effects of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maximowicz extract (TE) and Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxi mowicz Cheonghyeol Plus Phellinus linteus Cheonghyeol plus (TCP) on anti-inflammatory factor expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: HUVECs were activated with TNF-α and then treated with TE and TCP. The expression levels were then measured for intracellular genes (KLF2, eNOS, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1), proteins (KLF2, eNOS, MCP-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, ERK, and JNK, p38), and extracellular biomarkers (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1). Results: 1. TCP at concentrations of 100 ㎍/mL or greater significantly increased the expression of KLF2 and eNOS intracellular genes and significantly decreased the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1 genes compared to the control group. 2. TCP at concentrations of 100 ㎍/mL or greater significantly increased the expression of KLF2, eNOS proteins compared to the control group, and significantly reduced the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, MCP-1, ERK, and p38 proteins. However, JNK protein phosphorylation showed no significant change compared to the control group. 3. TCP at concentrations of 100 ㎍/mL or more significantly decreased the production of MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 extracellular biomarkers compared to the control group. 4. TE at a concentration of 100 ㎍/mL did not cause any significant change in the expression of intracellular genes or proteins, in the production of the extracellular biomarker MCP-1, or in the amount of JNK protein compared to the control group. Other intracellular genes, proteins, and extracellular biomarker expression showed the same trend as observed with TCP exposure. Conclusion: This study experimentally confirmed that TE and TCP could be effective in preventing or inhibiting various inflammatory vascular diseases due to their anti-inflammatory effects.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-32
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• 2020

■ Objectives 당귀작약산 단회 복용으로 정상인의 총경동맥 탄력도에 미치는 영향을 평가하고자 하였다. ■ Methods 본 연구는 정상인 남성을 대상으로 한 전향적 무작위 대조군 교차시험연구다. 모든 대상자들은 임의로 당귀작약산 복용군과 비복용군인 대조군으로 나누어졌다. 1주일 간격으로 총 2회 방문하며, 첫 번째 방문 시에 당귀작약산 복용군은 당귀작약산 1포(2.5g)과 물을 제공받고, 대조군은 물만 제공받아 복용하였다. 두 번째 방문 시 첫 번째 방문과 반대로 당귀작약산을 복용했던 복용군은 물만 제공받고, 물만 복용했던 피험자들은 당귀작약산 1포와 물을 제공받았다. 물은 100 cc로 매번 동일하게 제공되었다. 모든 대상자들은 복용 직전과 복용 2시간, 4시간 후에 총경동맥 탄력도, 혈압, 총경동맥 내막-중막 두께와 맥박수를 측정하였다. ■ Results 총 20명의 정상인 남성이 모집되었으며, 시간에 따라 당귀작약산 복용 후의 총경동맥 탄력도가 대조군에 비하여 유의하게 상승한 것이 확인되었다. 내막-중막 두께, 혈압 및 맥압, 맥박은 유의한 변화가 나타나지 않았다. ■ Conclusion 당귀작약산의 단회 복용으로 총경동맥 탄력도가 즉시 개선되는 것을 확인하였고, 이로써 당귀작약산이 동맥 경직도 완화 및 탄성의 개선에 영향을 미친다는 것을 알 수 있었다.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.107-114
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• 2012

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects of water extract from leaves of Ligustrum japonicum (WLJ) in db/db mouse. Methods : The db/db mice were treated orally with WLJ (300 mg/kg/day) for 10 weeks to examine the long-term effects on hyperglycemia and glomerular tissue as well as biochemical and functional abnormalities in the kidney. Results : WLJ treatment markedly reduced plasma levels of glucose, triglyceride, creatinine, and systolic blood pressure in diabetic db/db mouse. Treatment of WLJ significantly increased plasma level of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. We also found that overexpressions of vascular cellular adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and endothelin (ET)-1 were observed in aortic tissue of db/db mouse, whereas, WLJ suppressed both expression of VCAM-1 and ET-1 in aorta. In renal tissue, overexpressions of ICAM-1 and TGF-${\beta}1$ were found in untreated db/db mouse, however, significantly decreased those levels by WLJ treatment. The insulin immunoreactivity of the pancreatic islets remarkably increased in WLJ treated db/db mouse compared with untreated db/db mouse. Taken together, WLJ treatment ameliorated hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia via improvement of insulin secretion and lipid metabolism, respectively. Furthermore, WLJ treatment also ameliorated hypertension via inhibition of inflammatory process in vascular and renal tissues. Conclusions : Ligustrum japonicum has an anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects in db/db mouse. Thus, these results suggested a beneficial effect of Ligustrum japonicum in treatment with diabetes and diabetic vasculopathy.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.59-67
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• 2018

Objectives : Ojeoksan, originally recorded in an ancient Korean medicinal book named "Donguibogam" and has been used for the treatment of circulation disorder of blood which was called blood accumulation (血積) in Korean medicine. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the beneficial effect of OJS on vascular inflammation in HUVECs. Methods : We evaluated the effect of OJS on the expression of cell adhesion molecules and protective role in HUVEC stimulated by TNF-${\alpha}$ by using Western blot. Results : Pretreatment with OJS decreased the adhesion of HL-60 cells to TNF-${\alpha}$-induced HUVEC. OJS suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression level of cell adhesion molecules such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), and endothelial cell selectin (E-selectin). Moreover, OJS significantly decreased TNF-${\alpha}$-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS); and inhibited the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ in the cytoplasm compared to the experimental group. Pretreatment with OJS inhibited the trans-location of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 to the nucleus. OJS also inhibited phosphorylation of MAPKs compared to the experimental group. OJS significantly increased the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. Conclusions : Ojeoksan has a protective effect on vascular inflammation, and might be a potential therapeutic agent for early atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.295-303
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• 2023

Immune and metabolic systems are important factors in maintaining homeostasis. Immune response and metabolic regulation are highly associated, so, when the normal metabolism is disturbed, the immune response changed followed the metabolic diseases occur. Likewise, obesity is highly related to immune response. Obesity, which is caused by an imbalance in energy metabolism, is associated with metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver diseases, atherosclerosis and hypertension. As known, obesity is characterized in chronic low-grade inflammation. In obesity, the microenvironment of immune cells became inflammatory by the unique activation phenotypes of immune cells such as macrophage, natural killer cell, T cell. Also, the immune cells interact each other in cellular or cytokine mechanisms, which intensify the obesity-induced inflammatory response. This phenomenon suggests the possibility of regulating the activation of immune cells as a pharmacological therapeutic strategy for obesity in addition to the common pharmacological treatment of obesity which is aimed at inhibiting enzymes such as pancreatic lipase and α-amylase or inhibiting differentiation of preadipocytes. In this review, we summarize the activation phenotypes of macrophage, natural killer cell and T cell, and their aspects in obesity. We also summarize the pharmacological substances that alleviates obesity by regulating the activation of immune cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.39-50
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• 2009

Objectives : Smilacis glabrae rhizoma (SG) has been traditionally used as a herbal medication of musculoskeletal disorders like arthritis, pain, convulsions, and syphilis in traditional Korean medicine. This study was investigated anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect of fractionated extracts of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC). Methods : SG extract prepared with methanol, and then fractionated with hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, n-butanol and water. Inhibitory effect of SG onto free radical generation was determined by measuring DPPH, superoxide anions and nitric oxide scavenging activities in vitro. Cytotoxic activity of extracts on RAW 264.7 cells was measured using 5-(3-caroboxymethoxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. Intracelluar oxidation was analysed by DCF-DA assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. The levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression were confirmed by western blot. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. Results : Our results indicated that fractionated extracts, especially ethyl acetate (EA) extract, significantly inhibited free radical generation, the TNF-$\alpha$-induced intracellular oxidation. Furthermore, the EA extract protected TNF-$\alpha$-induced adhesion to THP-1, expression of adhesion molecules accompanied by an attenuation of IL-6 and IL-8 formation in HUVEC. Conclusions : These results indicate that EA extract of SG have potential as an agent of atherosclerosis and other chronic inflammatory diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2006

Objectives : Uwhangchungsimwon (UC) is one of the famous herbal medicine frequently used for stroke, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, etc. Therefore, we intended to examine if UC could have therapeutic effect on arterial stiffness by assessing Cardio-Ankle Vascular lndex (CAVI). Methods : We enrolled 38 healthy male subjects (28±4.41 years old) and divided them into two groups (UC and control group). The UC group (N=22) were treated with 1 pill of UC and monitored by CAVI every hour for 6 hours. The control group(N=16) did not receive any medicine and were also monitored by CAVI the same manner as the UC group. In both group, we also assessed each subject's Yin-Yang pattern score by the diagnostic scoring system. In analysis, we compared the difference of CAVIs between the UC and the control group considering subject's Yin-Yang pattern. Results : There was no significant difference in the change of CAVI between the UC and the control group. After excluding Yang-pattern subjects in both group, however, we could observe that CAVI decreased significantly 5 hours after UC administration compared with the corresponding CAVI in the control group (P=0.025). In the repeated measure analysis, the between-subjects effect had statistical significance (P=0.035). Conclusion : According to these results, we suggest that UC have therapeutic effect on arterial stiffness especially after taking oriental medical diagnosis into consideration.