• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.80-88
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• 2017

Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) is a standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves and has anti- atherosclerosis properties. Many patients with atherosclerosis disorders take Ginkgo biloba extracts to supplement current therapy. In addition, normal healthy individuals also take Ginkgo biloba extracts for prophylactic purposes. However, it is unknown whether supplementation of Gingko biloba extracts in healthy individuals offer a benefit. In this study, we assessed whether EGb 761 could provide beneficial effects on serum cholesterol levels in normal mice. Wild-type C56Bl/6 mice were orally administered EGb 761 at 25 mg/kg (Group 3) or 50 mg/kg (Group 4) every other day for 40 days. We found that the serum levels of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly increased in EGb 761 and lovastatin treated groups. Treatment with EGb 761 and lovastatin resulted in reduced serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) compared to control group. Serum lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) levels were higher in EGb 761 and lovastatin treated group compared to the control group. However, no difference was observed in serum APO A-I levels between the control group and treatment group. These results suggest that EGb 761 can increase HDL-C resulting in increased serum LCAT levels.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.59-67
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• 2001

Objective: The purpose of this report is to prove the clinical effect of Platycodon grandiflorum aqueous extract on pneumoniae patients. Methods: We used the aqueous extract of Platycodon grandiflorum to treat two pneumoniae patients. It was injected into five acupuncture points, which was Chondol(天突:CV22) 1 point, Pyesu(肺兪 : BL13) 2 point, and Kworumsu(厥陰兪: BL14) 2 point. Results & conclusions: We have used the aqueous extract of 24-year-old JK for treating the patients suffering from lung diseases, and have experienced the actual effects. Of the treated, two pneumonia-involved patients showed apparent improvement in simple chest X-ray and clinical symptoms. The patients were treated with JK (Jang-saeng platycodon) aqueous extract 25 and 22 times individually. The results were as follows. 1. The symptoms including coughing, phlegm, and fever were improved in two cases. 2. The lung infiltration in simple chest X-ray decreased and the WBC count was kept within normal range in two cases. 3. Side effect such as itching was not found in the process of JK aqueous extract treatment. 4. The criteria for pneumonia are fever, coughing with purulent phlegm, pleural chest pain, the evidence of new infiltration in simple chest X-ray, sign of lung sclerosis in auscultation, increase of WBC count, etc. But they may not be the proper objective diagnostic standards. So we had trouble in statistic process and numerical interpretation. Putting these results together, the JK aqueous extract is considered to be effective in treating patients for pneumonia, and the continuous research and accumulation of data is needed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.501-506
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• 2016

BACKGROUNG/OBJECTIVES: Corn silk (CS) extract contains large amounts of maysin, which is a major flavonoid in CS. However, studies regarding the effect of CS extract on cholesterol metabolism is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of CS extract on cholesterol metabolism in C57BL/6J mouse fed high-fat diets. MATERIALS/METHODS: Normal-fat group fed 7% fat diet, high-fat (HF) group fed 25% fat diet, and high-fat with corn silk (HFCS) group were orally administered CS extract (100 mg/kg body weight) daily. Serum and hepatic levels of total lipids, triglycerides, and total cholesterol as well as serum free fatty acid, glucose, and insulin levels were determined. The mRNA expression levels of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), cholesterol 7-alpha hydroxylase (CYP7A1), farnesoid X receptor (FXR), lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), low-density lipoprotein receptor, 3-hyroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), adiponectin, leptin, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ were determined. RESULTS: Oral administration of CS extract with HF improved serum glucose and insulin levels as well as attenuated HF-induced fatty liver. CS extracts significantly elevated mRNA expression levels of adipocytokines and reduced mRNA expression levels of HMG-CoA reductase, ACAT, and FXR. The mRNA expression levels of CYP7A1 and LCAT between the HF group and HFCS group were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: CS extract supplementation with a high-fat diet improves levels of adipocytokine secretion and glucose homeostasis. CS extract is also effective in decreasing the regulatory pool of hepatic cholesterol, in line with decreased blood and hepatic levels of cholesterol though modulation of mRNA expression levels of HMG-CoA reductase, ACAT, and FXR.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.286-290
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• 2012

The majority of laboratory animals were transported from commercial breeders to a research facility by ground transportation. During the transportation, many biological functions and systems can be affected by stress. In this experiment, the change of body weight during the transportation was measured and the recovery periods from the transportation stress established based on the body weight changes. Total 676 laboratory animals which were aged between 3 to 9 wk old were studied. The transportation time taken from container packing to unpacking the container was approximately 24 h. The temperature of animal container was constantly maintained by air-conditioning and heating equipment. Rats were found to be more sensitive than mice. The body weight of rats was significantly decreased 3.71% (p<0.05) compared to the body weight of mice which decreased 0.9% There was no significant difference between the strains in the same species. When the changes of body weights were compared between delivery days, C57BL/6 mice showed the most variable changes compared to other species and strains. Consequently, C57BL/6 was more sensitive to stress than the other strains and the transportation process needs to be standardized to reduce between day variability. To establish the recovery periods from transportation stress, the body weight changes were measured during the acclimation period. Although the body weight of animals decreased during transportation, animals recovered their weight loss after the next day.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.407-412
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• 2015

We investigated the effect of ultra-high molecular weight poly-γ-glutamic acid (UHMW γ-PGA) on hair loss in vitro and in vivo. 5-Alpha reductase is an enzyme that metabolizes the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. By performing an in vitro experiment to analyze the inhibitory effects of UHMW γ-PGA on 5-alpha reductase activity, we determined that UHMW γ-PGA did in fact inhibit 5-alpha reductase activity, indicating the use of UHMW γ-PGA as a potential 5-alpha reductase inhibitor in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. To evaluate the promotion of hair growth in vivo, we topically applied UHMW γ-PGA and minoxidil on the shaved dorsal skin of telogenic C57BL/6 mice for 4 weeks. At 4 weeks, the groups treated with UHMW γ-PGA showed hair growth on more than 50% of the shaved skin, whereas the control group showed less hair growth. To investigate the progression of hair follicles in the hair cycle, hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed. Histological observations revealed that the appearance of hair follicles was earlier in the UHMW γ-PGA-treated group than in the control group. The number of hair follicles on the relative area of shaved skin in the UHMW γ-PGA-treated group was higher than that observed on the shaved skin in the control group. These results indicate that UHMW γ-PGA can promote hair growth by effectively inducing the anagen phase in telogenic C57BL/6 mice.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.568-586
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• 1995

542 periodontal patients having early-onset periodontitis(EOP) have been reclassified into a more homogeneous phenotypic subsets by newly revised radiographic criteria. Representative patients of each EOP subform have been examined of serum IgG subclass antibodies against periodontopathic bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis(Pg) 381 and of genetic markers for IgG allotypes to clarify the relationship between these parameters and phenotype expression of each subform. The early onset periodontitis could be reclassified by the radiographic parameters combining the mean interproximal alveolar bone loss(BL) and the radiographic ratio(between 1st molars and the adjacent teeth: Ratio) with statistical significance(p<0.001 by MANOVA). Moreover these EOP subforms could clearly be delineated from adult periodontitis. Of subform I and II(localized type EOP) patients with minimal mean bone loss(BL<5.0), patients demonstrating disease activities in localized areas(Ratio.>1.5) showed the elevated responses in all the IgG subclasses against Pg compared with those of patients without disease activity(Ratio <1.5). There were gradual increase in the IgG2 and IgG4 titers against Pg as the disease developed into the generalized forms suggesting the possible role of these antibodies in modulating the phenotype expression. The genetic marker study for IgG allotype revealed that mean IgG2 and IgG4 subclass titers were significantly higher(p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively) in patients who were positive for G2m(n). This indicated that IgG subclass responsiveness against the bacterial antigens are under the immnuogenetic control. The observed frequencies of G2m(n) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in subfrom IV patients who had the characteristic features of classical rapidly progressing periodontitis indicating the possible genetic predisposition in these patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2001

Objective : There are many reports that acupuncture has thermoregulatory effects on human and animals. To investigate the effect and mechanism of antipyretic action of acupuncture, we observed the body temperature and cytokine expressions in the hypothalamus of rats. Methods : Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, i.p., 2.5mg/kg) was injected to conscious rats (Sprague-Dawley, male, n=4l) to cause hyperthermia and simple needling (stainless steel, 0.25 mm o.d., 5 mm insertion for 10 sec with no manipulation) was performed bilaterally with the measurement of rectal temperature. Next, we sacrificed rats to remove brain and determined the level of mRNA for interleukin-6 (IL-6), $interleukin-1{\beta}{\;}(IL-1{\beta})$, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and $interferon-{\gamma}{\;}(IFN-{\gamma})$ in the hypothalamus by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Resul1s : Needling on forepaw (acupoint HT8) and needling on hindpaw (acupoint BL66 and acupoint LR2) significantly inhibited LPS-induced fever of rats (P<0.01, 10 min after treatment respectively), but same treatment on proximal tail (non-acupoint) did not cause any change on fever. The levels of IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA in the hypothalamus was significantly enhanced by LPS-injection, while the level of IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA was markedly reduced after treatment on BL66 (P<0.01). Treatment on forepaw reduced it slightly, but not significantly. Equivalent stimulation on proximal tail did not cause any changes. Conclusions : Our results indicate that acupuncture stimulation on various body parts has differential thermoregulatory effects on LPS-induced fever of rats with site-specificity. And, we suggest that its antipyretic action might be accompanied with the suppression of hypothalamic production of pro-inflammatory cytokine of immune system, IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2011

This study was aimed to investigate the memory enhancing effect of Jeongjihwan against scopolamine-induced amnesia in C57BL/6 mice. To determine the effect of Jeongjihwan on the memory and cognitive function, we have injected scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) into C57BL/6 mice 30 min before beginning of behavior tests. We have conducted Y-maze, Morris water-maze, passive avoidance and fear conditioning tests to compare learning and memory functions. Scopolamine-induced behavior changes of memory impairment were significantly restored by oral administration of Jeongjihwan (100 or 200 mg/kg/day). To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the memory enhancing effect of Jeongjihwan, we have examined the antioxidant defense system and neurotrophic factors. Jeongjihwan treatment attenuated intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species and up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of antioxidant enzymes as assessed by RT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Jeongjihwan also increased protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) compared with those in the scopolamine-treated group. Furthermore, as an upstream regulator, the activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) via phosphorylation was assessed by Western blot analysis. Jeongjihwan elevated the phosphorylation of CREB (p-CREB), which seemed to be mediated partly by extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and protein kinase B/Akt. These findings suggest that Jeongjihwan may have preventive and therapeutic potential in the management of amnesia.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.89-97
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• 2015

Bacillus subtilis HK176 with high fibrinolytic activity was isolated from cheonggukjang, a Korean fermented soyfood. A gene, aprE176, encoding the major fibrinolytic enzyme was cloned from B. subtilis HK176 and overexpressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) using plasmid pET26b(+). The specific activity of purified AprE176 was 216.8 ± 5.4 plasmin unit/mg protein and the optimum pH and temperature were pH 8.0 and 40℃, respectively. Error-prone PCR was performed for aprE176, and the PCR products were introduced into E. coli BL21(DE3) after ligation with pET26b(+). Mutants showing enhanced fibrinolytic activities were screened first using skim-milk plates and then fibrin plates. Among the mutants, M179 showed the highest activity on a fibrin plate and it had one amino acid substitution (A176T). The specific activity of M179 was 2.2-fold higher than that of the wild-type enzyme, but the catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_m) of M179 was not different from the wild-type enzyme owing to reduced substrate affinity. Interestingly, M179 showed increased thermostability. M179 retained 36% of activity after 5 h at 45℃, whereas AprE176 retained only 11%. Molecular modeling analysis suggested that the 176^th residue of M179, threonine, was located near the cation-binding site compared with the wild type. This probably caused tight binding of M179 with Ca²⁺, whichincreased the thermostability of M179.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.406-416
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• 2011

In this study, we have verified the memory and cognitive enhancing effect of Longanae Arillus, the fruit of Euphoria longana Lamarck, which has been used as a tonic and for the treatment of amnesia, insomnia, and palpitations in oriental medicine. To investigate the effect of Longanae Arillus water extract(LAE) on the memory and cognitive dysfunction, scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected in C57BL/6 mice and several behavior tests including Y-maze, Morris water-maze, passive avoidance and fear conditioning tests were conducted. Administration of LAE (100 or 200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) effectively improved scopolamine-induced memory impairment and dysfunction. To further determine the possible molecule mechanism of LAE, we have examined the activity and/or mRNA expression of diverse proteins involved in the acetylcholine metabolism. LAE particularly increased the amount of acetylcholine in the cortex which was mediated by suppression of acetylcholine esterase (AchE) activity. In addition, LAE elevated the mRNA expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAchRs) without affecting the mRNA levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholine esterase (AchE). In another experiment, LAE effectively inhibited mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL1-${\beta}$), which seemed to be mediated by inhibition of upstream transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$ and extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). These results demonstrate that Longanae Arillus can increase acetylcholine amount the cortex via regulation of AchE activity as well as mAchRs expression and decrease pro-inflammatory responses via inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway, thereby having therapeutic potential to improve memory and cognitive deficit in amnesia.