• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.453-460
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• 2020

Background: BIOGF1K, a fraction of Panax ginseng, has desirable antimelanogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antiphotoaging properties that could be useful for treating skin conditions. Because its potential positive effects on allergic reactions in skin have not yet been described in detail, this study's main objective was to determine its efficacy in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography was used to verify the compounds in BIOGF1K, and we used the (3-4-5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method to determine its cytotoxicity in RBL-2H3 and HMC-1 cell lines. RBL-2H3 cells were induced using both anti-DNP-IgE/DNP-BSA and calcium ionophore (A2187) treatments, whereas HMC-1 cells were induced using A2187 alone. To measure mast cell degranulation, we performed histamine (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and β-hexosaminidase assays. To quantify interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels in RBL-2H3 cells, we performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR); to quantify expression levels of IL-4 and IL-13 in HMC-1 cells, we used semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Finally, we detected the total and phosphorylated forms of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p-38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase proteins by immunoblotting. Results: BIOGF1K decreased the AD response by reducing both histamine and β-hexosaminidase release as well as reducing the secretion levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in RBL-2H3 cells and IL-4 and IL-13 in HMC-1 cells. In addition, BIOGF1K decreased MAPK pathway activation in RBL-2H3 and HMC-1 cells. Conclusions: BIOGF1K attenuated the AD response, hence supporting its use as a promising and natural approach for treating AD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.279-285
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• 2015

Background: Korean Red Ginseng has been used as a traditional oriental medicine to treat illness and to promote health for several thousand years in Eastern Asia. It is widely accepted that ginseng saponins, ginsenosides, are the major active ingredients responsible for Korean Red Ginseng's therapeutic activity against many kinds of illness. Although the crude saponin fraction (CSF) displayed antiplatelet activity, the molecular mechanism of its action remains to be elucidated. Methods: The platelet aggregation was induced by collagen, the ligand of integrin ${\alpha}_{II}{\beta}_I$ and glycoprotein VI. The crude saponin's effects on granule secretion [e.g., calcium ion mobilization and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release] were determined. The activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), and p38 MAPK, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt was analyzed by immunoblotting. In addition, the activation of integrin ${\alpha}_{II}b{\beta}_{III}$ was examined by fluorocytometry. Results: CSF strongly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and ATP release in a concentration-dependent manner. It also markedly suppressed $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization in collagen-stimulated platelets. Immunoblotting assay revealed that CSF significantly suppressed ERK1/2, p38, JNK, PI3K, Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 phosphorylation. In addition, our fraction strongly inhibited the fibrinogen binding to integrin ${\alpha}_{IIb}{\beta}_3$. Conclusion: Our present data suggest that CSF may have a strong antiplatelet property and it can be considered as a candidate with therapeutic potential for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders involving abnormal platelet function.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1285-1290
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• 2007

The present study aims to identify and characterize genes that cause differen genes between non-responders and responders to electroacupuncture (EA) on mechanical allodynia following peripheral nerve injury. Under sodium pentobarbital anesthesia, animals were subjected to unilateral transection of the superior caudal trunk at the level between S1 and S2 spinal nerves. EA stimulation (2Hz, 0.3 ms, 0.2-0.3 mA) was delivered to Zusanli (ST36) for 30 min 2 weeks after the surgery. The degree of mechanical allodynia was assessed quantitatively by touching the tail with von Frey hair (2.0 g) at 10 min intervals. The rats, which showed an EA-induced decrease of response frequencies under 10 %, were classified as non-responders and those displaying an EA-induced decrease of response frequencies 20 % or more were classified as responders. Results from oligonucleotide microarray, to which cDNAs from the spinal dorsal horn (DH) were applied, showed that hemoglobin beta chain complex and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-5 decreased and limbic system-associated membrane protein increased in the non-responder group, whereas calcium-independent alpha-Iatrotoxin receptor homolog-3 increased in the responder group. These results suggest that The functional abnormality of molecules regulating cell adhesion, intracellular signal transduction and cell differentiation in the spinal DH may be involved in the anti-allodynic effect of EA.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.109-112
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• 2002

The signal pathways involved in the regulation of AP-1 DNA binding activity in long-term nicotine stimulated bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin (BAMC) cells have not been well characterized. To understand the involvement of second messengers in the regulation of AP-1 DNA binding activity, the present study was designed to define the time-course for inhibition of nicotine-induced responses by cholinergic antagonists, $Ca^{2+}$ and calmodulin (CaM) antagonists, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) II inhibitor using electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Nicotine $(10{\mu}M)$ stimulation increased AP-1 DNA binding activity at 24 hr after treatment. Posttreatment with hexamethonium (1 mM) plus atropine $(1{\mu}M)$ (HA), nimodipine $(1{\mu}M),$ or calmidazolium $(1{\mu}M)$ at 0.5, 3, and 6 hr after the nicotine treatment significantly inhibited the AP-1 DNA binding activity increased by long-term nicotine stimulation. However, posttreatment with HA, nimodipine, or calmidazolium at 9 or 12 hr after the nicotine treatment did not affect the nicotine-induced increase of AP-1 DNA binding activity. The pretreatment of BAMC cells with various concentrations of KN-62 inhibited the increase of AP-1 DNA binding activity induced by nicotine in a concentration-dependent manner. KN-62 $(10{\mu}M)$ posttreatment beginning at 0.5, 3, or 6 hr after the nicotine treatment significantly inhibited the increase of AP-1 DNA binding activity. However, KN-62 posttreatment beginning at 9 or 12 hr after the nicotine treatment did not affect the increase of AP-1 DNA binding activity. This study suggested that stimulation (for at least 6 hr) of nicotinic receptors on BAMC cells was necessary for increase of AP-1 DNA binding activity, and activation of $Ca^{2+},$ CaM, and CaMK II up to 6 hr at least seemed to be required for the increase of nicotine-induced AP-1 DNA binding activity.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.308-313
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• 2011

Purpose: Beta-tricalcium phosphate (${\beta}$-TCP) is a synthetic calcium phosphate ceramic that has widely been used as a bone material to repair bone defects. Despite many clinical studies, the molecular mechanism whereby this biomaterial alters the gene expression in osteoblasts to promote bone formation is poorly understood. Thus, we attempted to address this question by using microarray techniques to identify the genes that are differentially regulated in osteoblasts exposed to ${\beta}$-TCP. Methods: By using DNA microarrays, we identified several genes whose expression levels were significantly up- or down-regulated in osteoblast-likeMG-63cells cultured with ${\beta}$-TCP at a concentration of 100 mg/10 ml for 24 hours. Results: The differentially expressed genes covered a broad range of functional activities: signal transduction, transcription, cell cycle regulation, vesicular transport, apoptosis, immunity, cytoskeletal elements and cell proliferation and differentiation. Conclusion: The gene expression changes related to cell proliferation and differentiation, vesicle transport, immunity and defense could affect the osteogenic activities of osteoblasts for bone regeneration. However, further studies will be required to verify the relative importance of these genes in bone formation, their temporal and spatial expression patterns and their interactions with each other.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2016

Osteoporosis is a bone pathology leading to increased fracture risk and challenging the quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an anthraquinone glycoside, aloin, on osteogenic induction of MC3T3-E1 cells. Aloin increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, an early differentiation marker of osteoblasts. Aloin also increased the ALP activity in adult human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSC), indicating that the action of aloin was not cell-type specific. Alizarin red S staining revealed a significant amount of calcium deposition in cells treated with aloin. Aloin enhanced the expression of osteoblast differentiation genes, Bmp-2, Runx2 and collagen 1a, in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis revealed that noggin and inhibitors of p38 MAPK and SAPK/JNK signals attenuated aloin-promoted expressions of Bmp-2 and Runx2 proteins. siRNA mediated blocking of Wnt-5a signaling pathway also annulled the influence of aloin, indicating Wnt-5a dependent activity. Inhibition of the different signal pathways abrogated the influence of aloin on ALP activity, confirming that aloin induced MC3T3-E1 cells into osteoblasts through MAPK mediated Wnt and Bmp signaling pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1551-1556
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• 2014

Background: Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), a principle membrane receptor involved in calcium ion influx and cell signal transduction, has been found to be up-regulated in some cancer types, including melanomas. Efficiency of menthol, an agonist of TRPM8, in killing melanoma cancer cells has been reported previously, but the mechanisms remain unclear. We here determined whether in vitro cytotoxic effects of menthol on A-375 human malignant melanoma cells might be related to TRPM8 transcript expression. Materials and Methods: The $PrestoBlue^{(R)}$ cell viability assay was used to assess the in vitro cytotoxic effect of menthol after 24h of treatment. RT-PCR was used to quantify TRPM8 transcript expression levels in normal and menthol-treated cells. Cell morphology was observed under inverted phase contrast light microscopy. Results: TRPM8 transcript expression was found at low levels in A-375 cells and down-regulated in a potentially dose-dependent manner by menthol. Menthol exerted in vitro cytotoxic effects on A-375 cells with an $IC_{50}$ value of 11.8 ${\mu}M$, which was at least as effective as 5-fluorouracil ($IC_{50}=120{\mu}M$), a commonly applied chemotherapeutic drug. Menthol showed no dose-dependent cytotoxicity on HeLa cells, a TRPM8 non-expressing cell line. Conclusions: The cytotoxic effects on A-375 cells caused by menthol might be related to reduction of the TRPM8 transcript level. This suggests that menthol might activate TRPM8 to increase cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ levels, which leads to cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ imbalance and triggers cell death.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.237-244
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• 2006

Samultang has been believed for prevention and remedy various blood diseases such as menstrual irregularity, anemia, and metrorrhagia. However, the mechanism that accounts for anti-inflammatory effects of the Samultang is still not fully understood. This study was designed to evaluate whether and how the Samultang could modulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 treated-human mast cell line, HMC-1. Samultang inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-6, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in HMC-1. Maximal inhibition rate of $TNF-\alpha$, IL-6, GM-CSF, and VEGF by 0.1 mg/ml Samultang was about $70.73{\pm}3.0%,\;51.49{\pm}4.14%,\;54.03{\pm}2.09%$, and $47.95{\pm}7.86%$, respectively. Samultang partially blocked PMA plus A23187-induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression. In addition, Samultang inhibited activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kB, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation. These results suggest that anti-inflammatory effect of Samulatng may be mediated by the suppression of cytokine production and COX-2 activation via down-regulation of NF-kB and ERK activation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.435-441
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• 2013

Emodin, a naturally occurring anthraquinone derivative isolated from Polygoni cuspidati radix, has several beneficial pharmacologic effects, which include anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the authors examined the effect of emodin on the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6, in mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus the calcium ionophore A23187. To investigate the mechanism responsible for the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production by emodin, the authors assessed its effects on the activations of transcriptional factor nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Emodin attenuated the nuclear translocation of (NF)-${\kappa}B$ p65 and its DNA-binding activity by reducing the phosphorylation and degradation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$ kinase B (IKK). Furthermore, emodin dose-dependently attenuated the phosphorylations of MAPKs, such as, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38 MAP kinase, and the stress-activated protein kinases (SAPK)/c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK). Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of emodin on PMA plus A23187-stimulated BMMCs are mediated via the inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and of the MAPK pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 2015

Cancer, a serious public health problem in worldwide, results from an excessive and uncontrolled proliferation of the body cells without obvious physiological demands of organs. The gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach and intestine, is a unique organ system. It has the highest cancer incidence and cancer-related mortality in the body and is influenceed by both genetic and environmental factors. Among the various chemical elements recognized in the nature, some of them including zinc, iron, cobalt, and copper have essential roles in the various biochemical and physiological processes, but only at low levels and others such as cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, and nickel are considered as threats for human health especially with chronic exposure at high levels. Cadmium, an environment contaminant, cannot be destroyed in nature. Through impairment of vitamin D metabolism in the kidney it causes nephrotoxicity and subsequently bone metabolism impairment and fragility. The major mechanisms involved in cadmium carcinogenesis could be related to the suppression of gene expression, inhibition of DNA damage repair, inhibition of apoptosis, and induction of oxidative stress. In addition, cadmium may act through aberrant DNA methylation. Cadmium affects multiple cellular processes, including signal transduction pathways, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Down-regulation of methyltransferases enzymes and reduction of DNA methylation have been stated as epigenetic effects of cadmium. Furthermore, increasing intracellular free calcium ion levels induces neuronal apoptosis in addition to other deleterious influence on the stability of the genome.