• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.171-177
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• 2010

Appetite is inhibited by the anorexigenic neuropeptides POMC (proopiomelanocortin) and CART (cocaine-amphetamine-regulated transcript) in the hypothalamus. The present study was performed to examine the inhibitory effects of baicalin against food intake and the upregulation of POMC/CART. Short-term food intake (48 h) was significantly inhibited by treatment with baicalin (10 mg/kg, p<0.05) in C57BL/6 mice. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that baicalin upregulated POMC and CART levels in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. These effects were also examined using an in vitro system. pPOMC-Luc or pCART-Luc plasmids were transformed into mouse N29-2 neuronal and human SH-SY5Y cells, and the activities of baicalin were examined in these cells. Baicalin increased POMC and CART promoter-driven luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxic effects. These results suggest that baicalin downregulates short-term food intake while upregulating POMC and CART expression.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.70-82
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• 2008

Objective : The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Baickbujasan(BB) on the skin damage and depigmentation. Method : The inhibition of tyrosinase activity, melanogenesis and cell viability in cultured B16 melanoma cells were measured. In order to test effects of reduction of melanogenesis, B16 F-10 mouse melanoma stem line was employed to extract melanin from cultured cell, where BB was added or not, and was dissolved in alkali for colorimetric analysis. Also, in order to test skin alteration in C57BL/6 after UV irradiation, the animals were grouped into a UV urradiation group and UV irradiation after BB application group. Dopa oxidase tissue staining was excuted to invesitage the change in the distribution of active melanin cell. The distribution of active melanin cell in inner skin of iNOS after damage from UVB irradiation and the manifestation condition of P53 which takes part in natural death of keratinocyte were examined. Result : The results indicate that BB has significant effects on tyrosinase activity, and melanogenesis in vivo test. BB seems to reduce C57BL/6, external dermatological damage, for instance, erythematous papule, eczema, loss of keratinocyte, reduction in pus, and relieves dermatological damages. Conclusion : BB can be applied externally for UV protection and depigmentation.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.275-280
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• 2013

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Origanum vulgare extracts on cell proliferation of human hair dermal papilla cell (HHDPC) using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) method, expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) by analyzing reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and hair growth in a shaving animal model of C57BL/6 mice topically applying with an amount of 0.1 mL once a day for 3 weeks. The mice were divided into 4 groups including normal group (saline, N), negative control group (dimethyl sulfoxide, NC), positive control group (5 mg/mL minoxidil, PC), and experimental group (Origanum vulgare extracts, OV). Treatment of OV didn't show cytotoxicity in HHDPC up to 10 ${\mu}g/mL$ and exhibited antioxidant activity with $IC_{50}$ of 31.0 ${\mu}g/mL$. IGF-1 expression in the skin was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the PC and OV compared to the N or NC. PC and OV also showed a prominently promoted hair regrowth compared to the N or NC in hair growth observation. The hair regrowth of OV was significantly higher than that of PC (p<0.05). Therefore, these results indicate that O. vulgare extracts effectively stimulated hair growth in an animal model.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.518-526
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• 2005

Hwanggumgung (HGG) is a hair-care product which is composed of several plant extracts used in oriental medicine. This study was carried out to investigate effect of HGG on hair regrowth in a shaving model of C57BL6 mice. Five-week-old mice were acclimated for 1 week under 23$\pm$3$^{\circ}C$, 50$\pm10\%$ relative humidity and 12 h of a light/dark cycle before beginning experiment. There were four experimental groups including distilled water (D.W., control), 10$\%$ ethanol (EtOH, vehicle control), a positive control of 3$\%$ minoxidil (MXD), and HGG for female and male mice, respectively; Six-weeks old mice were trimmed by electric clippers so as not to damage the skin. The next day; mice without visible scraches were selected, randomized and separated in groups of 11 mice. The test compounds were topically treated with 0.15ml per mouse per day for 21 days. The hair regrowth was photographically and histologically determined during the experimental period of 21 days. Enzyme activities of $\gamma$-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase were also determined using a rate assay method. There were no clinical signs in all experimental groups. The topical application of 3$\%$ MXD and HGG in female mice promoted hair regrowth earlier and faster than the control groups. In male mice, the topical application of 3$\%$ MXD and HGG also accelerated hair growth compared with the controls. Ten percent ethanol also promoted hair growth faster than D.W group. The histology of hair growth in experimental groups was strongly associated with the hair regrowth. 3$\%$ MXD and HGG promoted elongation of hair follicles compared with the controls in both female and male mice. Activities of alkaline phosphatase and $\gamma$-glutamyl transpeptidase, enzymes related to hair growth, significantly increased after treatments of 3$\%$ MXD and HGG for 2 weeks in both female and male mice (p < 0.05). These results suggest that HGG has hair growth promoting activities and it can be for treatment for alopecia.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2002.06a
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• pp.58-58
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• 2002

Currently, the technique of pronuclear microinjection is the most successful and most widely-used method for producing transgenic animals. Among this technique, surperovulation and embryo transfer are the crucial steps for obtaining a large number of fertilized eggs and birth as much as potential founders from the transferred embryos. (omitted)

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.825-831
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of induced diabetes by streptozotocin (STZ) administration on gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue of C57/BL6 mice fed either a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD). Four diabetic mice groups (16- or 26-week-old mice fed either ND or HFD) and four control groups of age and diet matched non-diabetic mice were used. By real-time PCR, gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were examined in adipose tissue. The results demonstrated that gene expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ was significantly or marginally increased in STZ induced diabetic mice groups compared with non-diabetic groups. On the other hand, MCP-1 gene expression tended to be decreased in diabetic mice compared with non-diabetic controls. Especially, MCP-1 expression level in 16w diabetic mice on HFD was about 26% of that in age and diet matched non-diabetic controls (p<0.001). In addition, MCP-1 gene expression in adipose tissue was correlated with plasma insulin levels (p=0.0002). These results suggest that gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue is differentially regulated in mouse models of diabetes. The basic data in this study will be useful for elucidating basic mechanisms of inflammatory state and increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue in obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.47-55
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• 2017

Objectives : Obesity is caused by the excess accumulation of fat in the body due to energy imbalance, and it causes various diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate an anti-obesity efficacy and an antioxidant activity of water from herbal mixture extract (SM17). Methods : The antioxidant activities were evaluated through radical scavenging assays using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals. To evaluated anti-obesity effect of SM17, we used a high fat diet fed mouse model. The SM17 (150 mg/kg body weight/day, p.o.) was treated every day for 6 weeks to C57BL/6 mice. Body weight and food intake were measured every day. The changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alanine aminotransferanse (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglycerids (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in serum were analyzed after experiment. Also, expression of lipid metabolism related proteins were investigated by western blot analysis. Results : It was effective in antioxidant measurements, SM17 administration inhibited the biomarkers of lipid metaboism in serum and tissues. The administration of SM17 showed a significant reduction of body and tissue weight. Morever, it decreased ROS, ALT, AST, TG and TC in serum, compared with those of the obese mice. Adipogenesis-related protein expressions increased in obese mice compared to normal mice. However, SM17 group exhibited the down-expression of these proteins. Conclusion : A SM17 aqueous extract has a great effect on the stimulation (AMPK) activation, and may have a benefit to reduce a fatty acid metabolism through inhibition of lipid accumulation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2001

Purpose : Changes in the balance between MMP and TIMP can have a profound effect on the composition in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and affect various cellular functions including adhesion, migration, differentiation of cells, and fibrosis and invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Radiation therapy is a popular treatment modality for benign and malignant tumor, but the study for radiation effect on MMP and TIMP is scarce. In the current study, we have examined the expression of TIMP in fibrosis-prone (C57BL/6) mice after radiation. Methods and Materials : Adult female mice of $10\~12$ weeks were used. The whole body were irradiated using a Varian CL-4/100 with 2 and 10 Gy. Immunohistochemical staining was peformed according to Avidin Biotin complex method and evaluated by observing high power field. For TIMP-1, TIMP-2 antibodies, reactivity was assessed in the parenchymal cell and in the stromal cell. The scale of staining was assessed by combining the quantitative and qualiative intensity of staining. Results : TIMP-1 immunoreactivity did not change in lung. But, in liver, TIMP-1 immunoreactivity was localized in cytoplasm of hepatocyte and Kupffer cell. in kidney, TIMP-1 immunoreactivity was localized in cytoplasm of some tubular cell. Temporal variations were not seen. Dose-response relationship was not seen except kidney. TIMP-2 immunoreactivity in lung was a score (++) at 0 Gy and elevated to a score (+++) at 2 Gy. TIMP-2 immunoreactivity was a score (++) in liver at 0 Gy. TIMP-2 immunoreactivity was localized in cytoplasm of hepatocyte and Kupffer cell as same as patterns of TIMP-1 immunoreactivity. The TIMP-2 immunoreactivity in liver was elevated to (+++) at 2 Gy. Immunoreactivity to TIMP-2 in kidney was a score (+++) at 0 Gy and was not changed at 10 Gy. The score of TIMP-2 immunoreactivity was reduced to (++) at 2 Gy. TIMP-2 immunoreactivity was confined to tubules in kidney. Temporal variation of TIMP-2 immunoreactivity was irregular. Dose-response relationship of TIMP-2 immunoreactivity was not seen. Conclusions : Differences between intensity of expression of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in each organ was present. Expression of TIMP was localized to specific cell in each organ. Irradiation increased TIMP-1 immunoreactivity in the liver and the kidney. Irradiation increased TIMP-2 immunoreactivity in the lung. But, in the liver and the kidney, TIMP-2 expression to radiation was irregular. Temporal variation of TIMP-2 immunoreactivity was irregular. Dose-response relationship of TIHP-2 immunoreactivity was not seen. In the future, we expect that the study of immunohistochemical staining of longer period of postirradiation and quantitative analysis using western blotting and northern blotting could define the role of TIMP in the radiation induced tissue fibrosis.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.146-152
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• 2001

Purpose : To investigate the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle in mouse brain irradiation. Materials and Methods : 8-week old male mice, C57B1/6J were given whole body $\gamma-radiation$ with a single dose of 25 Gy using Cobalt 60 irradiator. At different times 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24hr after irradiation, mice were killed and brain tissues were collected. Apoptotic cells were scored by TUNEL assay. Expression of p53, Bcl-2, and Bax and cell cycle regulating molecules; cyclins Bl, Dl, E and cdk2, cdk4, $p34^{cdc2}$ were analysed by Western blotting. Cell cycle was analysed by Flow cytometry. Results : The peak of radiation induced apoptosis is shown at 8 hour after radiation. With a single 25 Gy irradiation, the peak of apoptotic index in C57B1/6J is $24.0{\pm}0.25$ (p<0.05) at 8 hour after radiation. Radiation upregulated the expression of p53/tubulin, Bax/tubulin, and Bcl-2/tubulin with 1.3, 1.1 and 1.45 fold increase, respectively were shown at the peak level at 8 hour after radiation. The levels of cell cycle regulating molecules after radiation are not changed significantly except cyclin D1 with 1.3 fold increase. Fractions of Go-Gl, G2-M and S phase in the cell cycle does not specific changes by time. Conclusion : In mouse brain tissue, radiation induced apoptosis is particularly shown in a specific area, subependyma. These results and lack of radiation induced changes in cell cycle ofter better understanding of radiation response of noraml brain tissue.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.467-483
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• 2016

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of IUS (Inulsan, an extract of Artemisiae capillaris (茵蔯), Curcumae longae (鬱金), and Crataegi fructus (山査)) on anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation.Method: We administered water extracts of Artemisiae capillaris, Curcumae longae, and Crataegi fructus for three weeks to db/db mice (C57BL/Ks), animal models induced with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mice were divided into three groups: normal (C57BL/6J mice group), control group (db/db mice without administration of IUS) and IUS group (db/db mice treated with IUS). Then we measured total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride in the serum after the oral administration of IUS.Results: 1. IUS did not show any cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells. 2. IUS decreased AST, ALP, and creatinine levelsand did not show any liver or renal toxicity in the db/db mice. 3. IUS increased DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity and decreased ROS production in RAW 264.7 cells. 4. IUS significantly decreased IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α production in RAW 264.7 cells. 5. IUS increased HDL cholesterol and significantly decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride in db/db mice. 6. IUS significantly decreased the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor. 7. In contrast with the control group, fat infiltration in the liver and aorta decreased in IUS treated mice. The cell nucleus was located in the central area in H&E staining of liver. And endomembranes also were more thinner than the control group in H&E staining of aorta.Conclusions: These results suggest that IUS might be effective in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia.