• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.171-178
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• 2023

Morus alba, a popular medicinal plant belonging to the family Moraceae, has long been used commonly in traditional medicine and has various physiological activities, including antidiabetic, anti-microbial, diuretic, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer activities. Morusinol was isolated from the root bark of M. alba; however, its biological effects have not yet been reported. Therefore, we examined the inhibitory effects of morusinol on human platelet aggregation, Ca²⁺ mobilization, and αIIb/β₃ activity. Our data showed that collagen-induced human platelet aggregation was inhibited by morusinol without cytotoxicity. In this study, we examined whether morusinol inhibits platelet aggregation through the regulation of integrin αIIb/β₃ and its associated signaling molecules. We observed that morusinol inhibited αIIb/β₃ activation by regulating vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, Akt (protein kinase B), and glycogen synthase kinase-3α/β. These results show that morusinol inhibited fibronectin adhesion, fibrinogen binding, and clot retraction. Taken together, morusinol shows strong antiplatelet and anti-clot retraction effects and is a potential therapeutic drug candidate to prevent platelet-related thrombosis and cardiovascular disease.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.149-155
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of mobilization on bone-implant interface prior to osseointegration of fixtures. Materials and methods: The experimental implants (3.75 mm in diameter, 4.0 mm in length) were made of commercially pure (Grade IV) titanium, and were treated with RBM ($MegaGen^{(R)}$: Ca-P). The 80 implants (two in each tibia) were inserted into the monocortical tibias of 20 rabbits which each weighed more than 3.5 kg (Female, New Zealand White). According to the removal torque interval, the groups were divided into 10 groups, Group I (6 wks), Group II (4 days+6 wks), Group III (4 days+1 wk+6 wks), Group IV (1 wk+6 wks), Group V (1 wk+1 wk+6 wks), Group VI (2 wks+6 wks), Group VII (2 wks+ 1 wk+6 wk), Group VIII (3 wks+6 wks), Group IX (3 wks+1 wk+6 wks) and Group X (10 wks). The control groups were Group I and X, the removal torque was measured at 6 wks and 10 wks with a digital torque gauge (Mark-10, USA). In the experimental groups, the removal torque was given once or twice before the final removal torque and the value was measured each time. After which, the implants were put back where they had been except the control groups. All the experimental groups were given a final healing time (6 wks) before the final removal torque test, in which values were compared with the control groups and the 1st and/or 2nd removal torque values in each experimental group. Results: In the final removal torque tests, the removal torque value of Group X (10 wks) was higher than that of Group I (6 wks) in the control groups but not statistically different. There were no significant differences between the experimental groups and control groups (P>.05). In the first removal torque comparison, the experimental groups (4 days or 1 wk) values were significantly lower than the other experimental groups (2 wks or 3 wks). In the comparison of each experimental group according to healing time, the final removal torque value was significantly higher than the 1st torque test value. Conclusion: Once or twice mobilization of fixture prior to osseointegration did not deter the final bone to implant osseointegration, if sufficient healing time was given.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of present investigation was to find out the influence of several times iatrogenic mobilization in the initial stage of implant installation on bone-implant osteointegration. Materials and methods: The experimental implants (3.75 mm in diameter, 8.0 mm in length) were made of commercially pure (Grade IV) titanium, and were treated with RBM ($MegaGen^{(R)}$: Ca-P) on lower 4.0 mm part. Only lower part of implant was inserted to bone and the implants were nonsubmerged. The 130 implants (two in each tibia) were inserted into the monocortical tibias of 33 rabbits which each weighed more than 3.5 kg (Female, New Zealand White). According to the removal torque interval, the groups were divided into 13 groups, group I (1 day), group II (1 day + 2 days), group III (1 day + 2 days + 3 days), group IV (1 day + 2 days + 3 days + 4 days), group V (2 days), group VI (2 days + 4 days), group VII (2 days + 4 days + 6 days), group VIII (2 days + 4 days + 6 days + 8 days), group IX (4 days), group X (4 days + 7 days), group XI (4 days + 7 days + 10 days), group XII (4 days + 7 days + 10 days + 14 days) and control group. In the control group, the removal torque was measured at 8 weeks with a digital torque gauge (Mark-10, USA). In the experimental groups, the removal torque was given once, twice, three times or four times by experiment design before the final removal torque and the value was measured each time. The implants were then screwed back to their original positions. All the experimental groups were given a final healing time of 8 weeks after placement, in which values were compared with the control groups and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th removal torque values in each experimental group. Results: In comparison of the final removal torque tests among experimental groups, the removal torque value of experimental groups except group XII were not statistically different that of control group. And the values of group I and II were significantly higher than the values of group VI, VIII, X, XI, and XII. In addition, the values of group III, IV, and V were significantly higher than group XI and XII. In comparison of the removal torque in the each experimental group, the final removal torque were significantly higher in all groups except group VIII, X, XI, and XII. Conclusion: If sufficient healing time was allowed, a few mobilization of fixture at the very early stage after the implant placement in the rabbits didn't interrupt the final bone to implant osseointegration.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.1_2
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• pp.33-40
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• 1978

1) The authors studied the effect of increasing age on the contraction and relaxation mechanism in the ureteral smooth muscle of the guinea pig. 2) Two to three week old, three month old, and two to three year old guinea pig ureters were used and the consistent amplitude of contratile responses were induced by using train stimulation. 3) After mounting the specimens in Tyrode's solution containing 2.6mM $Ca^{++}$, the ureter was stimulated, of which amplitude was initial contraction and next continuously superfused with $Ca^{++}$-free Tyrod's solution. When the contractile response stopped by electrical field stimulation, the muscle specimens was superfused with Tyrode's solution 0.25mM $Ca^{++}$ for 15min and stimulated with the same parameters. Thereafter, the contraction of $Ca^{++}$ in the solution was increased step by step up to 2.7mM. 4) The ureters of 2-3 week old guinea pigs needed less $Ca^{++}$ for the recovery of contractile response than those of three month and two to three year old did. In 2.7mM $Ca^{++}$, the ureters of 2-3 week and 3 month old guinea pigs recovered the contractile response of over 90% but those of 2-3 year old recovered the contractility of 77.2%. 5) Isoproterenol inhibited in dose dependent manner from $10^{-7}$ to $10^{-5}\;M$ ureteral contractility of both 2-3 week and 2-3 year old guinea pigs. The inhibition of the old ureter by isoproterenol was significantly less (P<0.025) than that of the younger ureter. However theophylline showed the strong inhibition independent of the function of age. 6) Dibutyryl cyclic AMP showed dose-dependent inhibition of the contraction of ureters of 2-3 week old guinea pigs but there was shown no inhibition in the old ureters. Further, the content of endogenous cyclic AMP in the two week old ureter was higher by 73% than that of 17 month old ureter. Cyclic GMP contents was not much different between two groups. 7) The ureteral smooth muscle of the younger guinea pig had more efficiency than that of the older animals in the mobilization and storage of calcium which concerned itself in the contraction and relaxation mechanism.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.463-469
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• 2012

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the skin with increased transepidermal water loss. Both an abnormal inflammatory response and a defective skin barrier are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Protease activated receptor 2 (PAR2) belongs to a family of G-protein coupled receptors and is activated by both trypsin and a specific agonist peptide, SLIGKV-$NH_2$. PAR2 is expressed in suprabasal layers of the epidermis and regulates inflammatory responses and barrier homeostasis. In this study, we show that nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) inhibits the PAR2-mediated signal pathway and plays a role in skin barrier recovery in atopic dermatitis. Specifically, NDGA reduces the mobilization of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in HaCaT keratinocytes by down-regulating inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-8, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 in HaCaT keratinocytes. Also, NDGA decreases the protein expression of involucrin, a differentiation maker of keratinocyte, in both HaCaT keratinocytes and normal human epidermal keratinocytes. We examined NDGA-recovered skin barrier in atopic dermatitis by using an oxazolone-induced atopic dermatitis model in hairless mice. Topical application of NDGA produced an increase in transepidermal water loss recovery and a decrease in serum IgE level, without weight loss. Accordingly, we suggest that NDGA acts as a PAR2 antagonist and may be a possible therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.223-230
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• 2007

We have previously reported that green tea catechins(GTC) displayed potent antithrombotic effect, which was due to the antiplatelet activity. In the present study, the antiplatelet activity of each green tea catechin components was compared in vitro. Galloylated catechins including (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (-)-catechin gallate (CG), significantly inhibited collagen $(5{\mu}g/mL)-induced$ rabbit platelet aggregation with $IC_{50}$ values of 79.8, 63.0, 168.2 and $67.3{\mu}M$, respectively. EGCC GCG and CG also significantly inhibited arachidonic acid (AA, $100{\mu}M$)-induced rabbit platelet aggregation with $IC_{50}$ values of 98.9, 200.0 and $174.3{\mu}M$, respectively. However catechins without gallate moiety showed little inhibitory effects against rabbit platelet aggregation induced by collagen or AA compared with galloylated catechins. These observations suggest that the presence of gallate moiety at C-3 position may be essential to the antiplatelet activity of catechins and the presence of B ring galloyl structure may also contribute to the antiplatelet activity of GTC. In line with the inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation, EGCG caused concentration-dependent decreases of cytosolic calcium mobilization, AA liberation and serotonin secretion. In contrast, epigallocatechin (EGC), a structural analogue of EGCG lacking a galloyl group in the 3' position, although slightly inhibited collagen-stimulated cytosolic calcium mobilization, failed to affect other signal transductions as EGCG in activated platelets. Taken together, these observations suggest that the antiplatelet activity of EGCG may be due to inhibition of arachidonic acid liberation and inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization and that the antiplatelet of EGCG is enhanced by the presence of a gallate moiety esterified at carbon 3 on the C ring.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 1983

Contractile responses of myocardium and vascular smooth muscle to angiotensin II were studied in isolated rabbit papillary muscles and aortic helical strips, with respect to the sensitivity and the mechanism of action. All experiments were performed in $HCO-_3\;-buffered Tyrode solution which was aerated with $3%\;CO_2-97%\;O_2$ and kept pH 7.35 at $35^{\circ}C$. Action potentials were measured by conventional microelectrode technique in the papillary muscles. Helical strips of vascular smooth muscle were prepared from the descending thoracic aorta of the rabbit. Angiotensin II elicited a positive inotropic effect in doses from $10^{-8}$ to $10^{-6}\;M$, and this effect was dose-dependent and characterized by a symmetrical increase of maximum dP/dt during contraction and relaxation phase. Slow responses (or slow action potentials) were induced by A. II $(10^{-6}\;M)$ in the papillary muscle hypopolarized by 27 mM $K^+$. These A. II-induced slow action potentials were eliminated by verapamil (2 mg/l), but not affected by propranolol $(10^{-5}\;M)$. In aortic helical strips, contractile force was increased dose-dependently in the range of $10^{-10}{\sim}10^{-7}\;M$ A. II. $ED_{50}$ in aorta was $3{\times}10^{-9}\;M$ A. II, whereas that in paillary muscle was $2.5{\times}10^{-7}\;M$ A. II. A. II contracted vascular smooth muscle in depolarizing concentration of $K^+$ (100 mM $K^+$), and also produced a sustained contraction even in the presence of verapamil and regitine. The results of this experiment suggest that the primarily important physiological role of A. II is the action on the blood vessel, and the positive inotropic effect of A. II in papillary muscle results from the increase of slow inward $Ca^{++}$ current, and that A. II-induced contraction of aorta is independent of transmembrane potential and associated with promoting bet transmembrane $Ca^{++}\;-influx$ and the mobilization of cellular $Ca^{++}$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 1997

A gene, $phbC_{2.4.1}$ encoding poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) synthase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 was cloned by employing heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. R. sphaeroides chromosomal DNA partially digested with MboI was cloned in pUC19 followed by mobilization into E. coli harbouring $phbA,B_{AC}$ in pRK415, which code for ${\beta}$-ketothiolase and acetoacetyl CoA reductase of Alcaligenes eutrophus, respectively. Two E. coli clones carrying R. sphaeroides chromosomal fragment of $phbC_{2.4.1}$ in pUC19 were selected from ca. 10,000 colonies. The PHB-producing colonies had an opaque white appearance due to the intracellular accumulation of PHB. The structure of PHB produced by the recombinant E. coli as well as from R. sphaeroides 2.4.1 was confirmed by [$H^{+}$]-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Restriction analysis of the two pUC19 clones revealed that one insert DNA fragment is contained as a part of the other cloned fragment. An open reading frame of 601 amino acids of $phbC_{2.4.1}$ with approximate M.W. of 66 kDa was found from nucleotide sequence determination of the 2.8-kb SaiI-PstI restriction endonuclease fragment which had been narrowed down to support PHB synthesis through heterologous expression in the E. coli harbouring $phbA,B_{AC}$. The promoter (s) of the $phbC_{2.4.1}$ were localized within a 340-bp DNA region upstream of the $phbC_{2.4.1}$ start codon according to heterologous expression analysis.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2006

Diesel exhausted particles (DEP), a kind of fine particles with aerodynamic diameters less than $2.5{\mu}m$ (PM2.5), is of great concern to human health because they remain in atmosphere for long periods, invade an indoor air environment, and can be breathed most deeply into lung and reached the alveoli because of their small size ($0.1{\sim}0.4\;{\mu}m$ in diameter). Epidemiological and experimental studies suggested that DEP may play an active role in the increased respiratory mortality and morbidity. In addition to their physical characteristics, the chemical components including polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) are regarded as a carcinogen causing pulmonary tumors. PLD plays an important role in cell proliferation with various physiological phenomena and affects other enzymes by activating signal transduction pathway. We investigated the cytotoxic mechanism of DEP on RAW 264.7 cells focusing on the role in activation of PLD. Our results suggested DEP induced PLD activity through a specific signaling pathway involving phospholipase $A_2$, PLC, PKC and $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.11a
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• pp.75-84
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• 1996

Platelets from a patient with a mild inherited bleeding disorder and abnormal platelet aggregation and secretion show reduced generation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP$_3$), mobilization of intracellular Ca$\^$2+/, and phosphorylation of pleckstrin in response to several G protein mediated agonists, suggesting a possible defect at the level of phospholipase C (PLC) activation. A procedure was developed that allows quantitation of platelet PLC isozymes. After fractionation of platelet extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography, seven, out often known PLC isoforms were detected by immunoblot analysis. The amount of these isoforms in normal platelets decreased in the order PLC-${\gamma}$2 > PLC-${\beta}$2 > PLC-${\beta}$3 > PLC-${\beta}$l > PLC-${\gamma}$ > PLC-$\delta$1 > PLC-${\beta}$4. Compared with normal platelets, platelets from the patient contained approximately one-third the amount of PLC-${\beta}$2, whereas PLC-${\beta}$4 was increased threefold. These results suggest that the impaired platelet function in the patient in response to multiple G protein mediated agonists is attributable to a deficiency of PLC-${\beta}$2. They document for the first time a specific PLC isozyme deficiency in human platelets and provide an unique opportunity to understand the role of different PLC isozymes in normal platelet function.