• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.273-289
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• 2010

Objectives : To investigate the anti-cancer effect of Baekduong-tang(BDOT) against cancer cells, the signaling pathway of apoptosis was explored in human colon cancer cells. Materials and Methods : Human colon cancer cell lines, including HT-29 and HCT-116 cells, were used. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was determined by DAPI nuclei staining and flow cytometry in HCT-116 cells treated with 0.25 mg/$m{\ell}$ Baekduong-tang for 48 hrs. Results : Baekduong-tang induced the apoptosis of p53 positive HCT-116 cells with G2/M phase arrest. Treatment with Baekduong-tang led to increased expression and phosphorylation of p53 and decreased expression of CDK2 and CDK6 in HCT-116 cells. It also activated caspase-3 through caspase-10 and caspase-9 activation. Finally, Baekduong-tang induced production $H_2O_2$, superoxide anion ($O_2^-$) and NO and modulated proteins expression including SOD, NOS, Bax and Bcl-2. Conclusions : These results indicate Baekduong-tang induces apoptotic death of HCT-116 cells through G2/M phase arrest and disturbance of intracellular redox status in a p53-dependent manner.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.618-624
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• 2017

Betulinic acid (BA), a natural pentacyclic triterpene found in many medicinal plants is known to have various biological activity including tumor suppression and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the cell-death induction effect of BA was investigated in BV-2 microglia cells. BA was cytotoxic to BV-2 cells with $IC_{50}$ of approximately $2.0{\mu}M$. Treatment of BA resulted in a dose-dependent chromosomal DNA degradation, suggesting that these cells underwent apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis further confirmed that BA-treated BV-2 cells showed hypodiploid DNA content. BA treatment triggered apoptosis by decreasing Bcl-2 levels, activation of capase-3 protease and cleavage of PARP. In addition, BA treatment induced the accumulation of p62 and the increase in conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II, which are important autophagic flux monitoring markers. The increase in LC3-II indicates that BA treatment induced autophagosome formation, however, accumulation of p62 represents that the downstream autophagy pathway is blocked. It is demonstrated that BA induced cell death of BV-2 cells by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting autophagic flux. These data may provide important new information towards understanding the mechanisms by which BA induce cell death in microglia BV-2 cells.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 2007

The mechanism of cytotoxicity of doxifluridine, a prodrug fluorouracil (5-FU), has been ascribed to the misincorporation of fluoropyrimidine into RNA and DNA and to the inhibition of the nucleotide synthetic enzyme thymidylate synthase. Increased understanding of the mechanism of 5-FU has led to the development of strategies that increases its anticancer activity or predicts its sensitivity to patients. Using GeneChip?? Rhesus Macaque Genome arrays, we analyzed gene expression profiles of doxifluridine after two weeks repeated administration in cynomolgus monkey. Kegg pathway analysis suggested that cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell adhesion remodeling were commonly occurred in colon, jejunum, and liver. However, expression of genes encoding extracellular matrix was distinguished colon from others. In colon, COL6A2, COL18A1, ELN, and LAMA5 were over-expressed. In contrast, genes included in same category were down-regulated in jejunum and liver. Interestingly, MMP7 and TIMP1, the key enzymes responsible for ECM regulation, were overexpressed in colon. Several studies were reported that both gene reduced cell sensitivity to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Therefore, we suggest they have potential as target for modulation of 5-FU action. In addition, the expression of genes which have been previously known to involve in 5-FU pathway, were examined in three organs. Particularly, there were more remarkable changes in colon than in others. In colon, ECGF1, DYPD, TYMS, DHFR, FPGS, DUT, BCL2, BAX, and BAK1 except CAD were expressed in the direction that was good response to doxifluridine. These results may provide that colon is a prominent target of doxifluridine and transcriptional profiling is useful to find new targets affecting the response to the drug.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.103-107
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• 2009

Three traditional Chinese medicines, Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb, Grifola umbellata (pers.) Pilat, and Gambogia, are combined to form a compound extract, AGC. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of AGC on human gastric carcinoma MGC-803 cells were demonstrated, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are investigated. Our results indicate that AGC inhibited MGC-803 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner as measured by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, with an $IC_{50}$ of about $6.045{\pm}0.69{\mu}g/mL$. In vivo, AGC inhibited growth of human gastric carcinoma in xenograft tumors in nude mice, and the inhibitory rate reached 55.2% at 300 mg/kg. The pro-apoptotic activity of AGC was attributed to its ability to decrease the expression of Bcl-2 and Pro-caspase3 and increase the expression of Bax. These results demonstrate that AGC can effectively induce programmed cell death and may be a promising anti-tumor drug in human gastric carcinoma.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2015

Objectives: It was investigated the cytoprotective efficacies of isorhamnetin, a flavonoid originally derived from Hippophae rhamnoides L., against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in C2C12 myoblasts. Methods: The effects of isorhamnetin on cell growth, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion assay, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining and flow cytometry. The levels of apoptosis-regulatory and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway-related proteins, and caspase activities (caspase-3 and -9) were determined by Western blot analysis and colorimetric assay, respectively. Results: Our results revealed that treatment with isorhamnetin prior to hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) exposure significantly increased the C2C12 cell viability and, indicating that the exposure of C2C12 cells to isorhamnetin conferred a protective effect against oxidative stress. Isorhamnetin also effectively attenuated $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis and ROS generation, which was associated with the restoration of the upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl-2 induced by $H_2O_2$. In addition, $H_2O_2$ enhanced the activation of caspase-9 and -3, and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase, a typical substrate protein of activated caspase-3; however, these events were almost totally reversed by pretreatment with isorhamnetin. Moreover, isorhamnetin increased the levels of heme oxygenase-1, a potent antioxidant enzyme, associated with the induction of Nrf2. Conclusions: Our data indicated that isorhamnetin may potentially serve as an agent for the treatment and prevention of muscle disorders caused by oxidative stress.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.17-30
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• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study was to find out the effects of ChondroT on arthralgia of the Collagenase-induced osteoarthritis in rats. Methods Osteoarthritis was induced into rat by injecting Collagenase in its knee joint. Rats are divided into a total of 8 groups (n=6). Normal group was not induced for osteoarthritis whereas control groups were induced for osteoarthritis by Collagenase. Positive-A (Indomethacin) was injected with Collagenase and after 8 days, 2 mg/kg of Indomethacin was medicated. Positive-B (JOINS TAB) was injected with Collagenase and after 8 days, 20 mg/kg of JOINS TAB was medicated. Experimental groups (Chondro T) at three dose levels (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) were injected with Collagenase and after 8days they were medicated with 10 ml/kg. Indomethacin, JOINS TAB and ChondroT were medicated each substances once a day for 10 days. Thereafter, the changes in plantar withdrawal response of osteoarthritis rats by dynamic plantar aesthesiometer were observed and then RT-PCR analysis was done to investigate the expression of related proteins. Results 1. ChondroT significantly decreased withdrawal response of mechanical allodynia compared with control group in all of the experimental groups (ChondroT-A, ChondroT-B, ChondroT-C). 2. ChondroT significantly reduced Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in all of the experimental groups (ChondroT-A, ChondroT-B, ChondroT-C). 3. ChondroT significantly reduced the expression of INF-${\gamma}$ compared with control group in group ChondroT-B, ChondroT-C. Conclusions This results suggest that ChondroT may be meaningful for suppressing the pain of osteoarthritis. Further study is needed to conduct a rigorous clinical research.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2015

Objectives : Alcohol-related liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The present study was undertaken to determine whether Ganoderma lucidum pharmacopuncture(GLP) could protect against chronic liver injury induced by ethanol intoxication in rats. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: normal, control, normal saline pharmacopuncture(NP), and GLP, with 8 animals in each. Each group, except normal, received ethanol orally. The NP and GLP groups were treated daily with NP and GLP respectively. The control group was not treated. All rats except the normal group were intoxicated for 4 weeks by oral administration of EtOH(6 g/kg BW). Two acupuncture points were used: Qimen($LR_{14}$) and Taechung($LR_3$). Body weight, histopathological analysis, liver function, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and immunohistochemistry were assessed. Results : GLP reduced the histological changes due to chronic liver injury induced by EtOH and significantly reduced the increase in the alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) enzymes. It significantly reversed the superoxide dismutase(SOD) and the catalase activities(CAT). It also significantly decreased BAX and increased Bcl-2 immunoreactivity expression. Conclusions : This study showed the protective efficacy of GLP against EtOH-induced chronic liver injury in SD rats by modulating ethanol metabolizing enzymes activity, attenuating oxidative stress, and inhibiting mitochondrial damage-mediated apoptosis.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.97-113
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• 2002

Objective To study the effectiveness of Yuldahansotang against Allergic Contact Dermatitis, the change of cutaneous shape, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and distribution of apoptotic cells was researched. materials and methods 4-month-old rats were divided into three groups of 10. One is a contrastive group which has applied Acetone olive oil only. Another is ACD group which has intentionally activated Allergic Contact Dermatitis by DNCB. And the other is YST group which has given medication of Yangkyuksanhawtang extract. Each group of mice were observed after 24, 48 and 72 hours. results 1. With the result of Contact hypersensitivity assay, YST group shows appreciably less ear swelling than ACD group. 2. Comparing YST and ACD groups to each other regarding general change of skin, YST group shows less hyperplasia of epidermis, less migration of inflammatory cells and less damage of epidermis than ACD group. 3. Regarding the change of collagen fiber, ACD group has appeared to be low in number of collagen fiber while YST shows similarity with the contrastive group. 4. In dermis YST group has showed lower number of mastocyte than ACD group and is granulated type. 5. In dermis YST group has showed less MAC-1,IL-1, $IL-2R-{\alpha}$, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 than ACD group. 6. The distribution of apoptotic cells has appeared littler in YST group than in ACD 7. Among signal molecule of apoptosis Bcl-2 has distributed more in YST group than ACD group and Bax and Fas has distributed less in YST group than ACD group.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.401-412
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• 2018

Oxymatrine (OMT) often used in treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus infection in clinic. However, OMT-induced liver injury has been reported. In this study, we aim to investigate the possible mechanism of OMT-induced hepatotoxicity in human normal liver cells (L02). Exposed cells to OMT, the cell viability was decreased and apoptosis rate increased, the intracellular markers of oxidative stress were changed. Simultaneously, OMT altered apoptotic related proteins levels, including Bcl-2, Bax and pro-caspase-8/-9/-3. In addition, OMT enhanced the protein levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress makers (GRP78/Bip, CHOP, and cleaved-Caspase-4) and phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), as well as the mRNA levels of GRP78/Bip, CHOP, caspase-4, and ER stress sensors (IREI, ATF6, and PERK). Pre-treatment with Z-VAD-fmk, JNK inhibitor SP600125 and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, partly improved the survival rates and restored OMT-induced cellular damage, and reduced caspase-3 cleavage. SP600125 or NAC reduced OMT-induced p-JNK and NAC significantly lowered caspase-4. Furthermore, 4-PBA, the ER stress inhibitor, weakened inhibitory effect of OMT on cells, on the contrary, TM worsen. 4-PBA also reduced the levels of p-JNK and cleaved-caspase-3 proteins. Therefore, OMT-induced injury in L02 cells was related to ROS mediated p-JNK and ER stress induction. Antioxidant, by inhibition of p-JNK or ER stress, may be a feasible method to alleviate OMT-induced liver injury.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1409-1415
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• 2009

Obesity is especially a serious health problem in industrialized countries, because it is considered to be a risk factor associated with the genesis or development of various metabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tanshinone IIA from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge on induction of apoptossis and inhibition of adipogenesis in in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes. The results demonstrated that tanshinone IIA decreased cell population growth of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, assessed with the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) assay. Flow cytometric analysis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes exposed to tanshinone IIA showed that apoptotic cells increased in a timeand dose-dependent manner. Treatment with tanshinone IIA decreased the number of normal cells and increased the number of apoptotic cells in a dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by tanshinone IIA was mediated through the activation of caspase-3 and Bax, and then through the cleavage of PARP and the down-regulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, tanshinone IIA significantly decreased the amount of intracellular triglycerides and GPDH (glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results suggest that tanshinone IIA efficiently induces apoptosis and inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes.