• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.145-155
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• 2022

Multidrug resistance of tumors has been a severe obstacle to the success of cancer chemotherapy. The study wants to investigate the reversal effects of imperatorin (IMP) on doxorubicin (DOX) resistance in K562/DOX leukemia cells, A2780/Taxol cells and in NOD/SCID mice, to explore the possible molecular mechanisms. K562/DOX and A2780/Taxol cells were treated with various concentrations of DOX and Taol with or without different concentrations of IMP, respectively. K562/DOX xenograft model was used to assess anti-tumor effect of IMP combined with DOX. MTT assay, Rhodamine 123 efflux assay, RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis were determined in vivo and in vitro. Results showed that IMP significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of DOX and Taxol toward corresponding resistance cells. In vivo results illustrated both the tumor volume and tumor weight were significantly decreased after 2-week treatment with IMP combined with DOX compared to the DOX alone group. Western blotting and RT-PCR analyses indicated that IMP downregulated the expression of P-gp in K562/DOX xenograft tumors in NOD/SCID mice. We also evaluated glycolysis and glutamine metabolism in K562/DOX cells by measuring glucose consumption and lactate production. The results revealed that IMP could significantly reduce the glucose consumption and lactate production of K562/DOX cells. Furthermore, IMP could also remarkably repress the glutamine consumption, α-KG and ATP production of K562/DOX cells. Thus, IMP may sensitize K562/DOX cells to DOX and enhance the antitumor effect of DOX in K562/DOX xenograft tumors in NOD/SCID mice. IMP may be an adjuvant therapy to mitigate the multidrug resistance in leukemia chemotherapy.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.187-197
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to find a reasonable solution to a current status of drug classification between the drugs of western conventional (allopathic) medicine and Korean medicine. A clear and distinct concept on the drugs of allopathic medicine and Korean medicine based on reasonable concepts and broad consensus is a pressing issue in Korea, and will facilitate the development of herbal medicinal products and pharmaceutical industry. Methods : Considering the issue of drug classification from domestic and international regulations, we reviewed the current Drug Law of Korea and China, Guidance for Industry, Botanical Drug Products of USA, Directive 2004/24/EC of the European parliament and of the council. Results : In Korea, the drug classification of allopathic medicine and Korean medicine is quite vague even though differential licensure system is enforced for the clinicians of allopathic medicine and Korean medicine field. According to the definition in the Drug Law, the scope of Korean medicine drug is so broad that even a drug made of single-compound material, as well as herbal extract of crude mixture, is regarded as a drug of Korean medicine, as long as the material may be separated from medicinal herbs, animal tissues, or mineral resources. Only new compound not found in natural resources are outside of the scope of Korean medicine drug. In USA and EU, medicinal products manufactured from herbs are approved by separate regulations for the herbs with special waivers. In China, the category of new medicine and the definition of allopathic medicine and traditional chinese medicine are clearly specified and classified. Conclusions : As medicines are validated therapeutic materials for efficacy and toxicity, we suggest that generally the concept of conventional medicines is based on a single compound that has been synthesized and individually validated and that of Korean medicines is based on a compound extracted from natural materials or a complex of compounds that has been validated as a whole in its totality.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2009

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is highly prevalent worldwide. The major challenge for current antiviral treatment is the elevated drug resistance that occurs via rapid viral mutagenesis. In this study, we developed AAV vectors to simultaneously deliver two or three shRNAs targeting different HBV-related genes. These vectors showed markedly better antiviral effects than ones that delivered a single shRNA in vitro. A dual shRNA expression vector (AAV-157i/1694i), which simultaneously expressed two shRNAs targeted the S and X genes of HBV, reduced HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA levels by $87{\pm}4$, $80.3{\pm}2.6$ and $86.2{\pm}7%$ respectively, eight days post-transduction. In a mouse model of prophylactic treatment, HBsAg and HBeAg were reduced to undetectable levels and the serum HBV DNA level was reduced by at least 100 fold. These results indicate that AAV-157i/1694i generates potent anti-HBV effects and that the strategy of constructing multi-shRNA expression vectors may lead to enhanced anti-HBV efficacy and overcome the evading mechanism of the virus and thus the development of drug resistance.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.159-162
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• 1998

'Hae Dong Gye Meong Hwan' is a Chinese patent medicine, which is used as a cough remedy or an expectorant, for asthma, bronchitis, and so on in Korea. This powdery medicine consist of 14 kinds of crude drugs. For the identification of individual ingredients in the preparation, microscopic method may advantageously be used as it requires only a small amount of specimens. In this paper, the effectiveness of this method is exemplified by the identification of the ingredients.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.179-185
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• 1985

Total ethanol extract of chinese drugs was administered to mice for 4 weeks (small dosage group) and 3 days (large dosage group), and its antifatigue effects and hepatonic activities were compared with those of P. ginseng and A. sessiliflorum. 1. In the long-term administration of extracts, the swimming performance peaked at 2 weeks, and the recovery effects on the intoxicated liver appeared to be significant in the extracts of P. officinale, P. cocos and A. cochinchinensis among tested chinese drugs. 2. The large dose administration of extracts gave high improvement of recovery effect on the intoxicated liver.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.836-842
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• 2015

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest and the most physiologically important membrane protein family that recognizes a variety of environmental stimuli, and are drug targets in the treatment of numerous diseases. Recent progress on GPCR structural studies shed light on molecular mechanisms of GPCR ligand recognition, activation and allosteric modulation, as well as structural basis of GPCR dimerization. In this review, we will discuss the structural features of GPCRs and structural insights of different aspects of GPCR biological functions.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.34 no.3 s.134
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• pp.197-200
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• 2003

'Chong Myung So(聰明素)' is Chinese patent medicine, which is used for nervous prostration and neuritis in Korea. This preparation consists of 18 kinds of powdered crude drugs. For the identification of individual ingredients in such powdery mixtures, microscopic method may advantageously be used as it requires only a small amount of specimens. In this study, it is demonstrated that the microscopic method is very effective for the identification of 18 crude ingredients including in 'Chong Myung So'.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.371-379
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• 2021

Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis and prognosis of many common disorders, including neurodegeneration, stroke, myocardial infarction, tumor, and metabolic diseases. Ginsenosides, the major bioactive constituents of Panax ginseng (P. ginseng), have been reported to play beneficial roles in the molecular pathophysiology of these diseases by targeting mitochondrial dysfunction. In this review, we first introduce the types of ginsenosides and basic mitochondrial functions. Then, recent findings are summarized on different ginsenosides targeting mitochondria and their key signaling pathways for the treatment of multiple diseases, including neurological disorders, cancer, heart disease, hyperglycemia, and inflammation are summarized. This review may explain the common targets of ginsenosides against multiple diseases and provide new insights into the underlying mechanisms, facilitating research on the clinical application of P. ginseng.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.2-12
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• 2020

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI), including herbal and dietary supplement hepatotoxicity, is often passed lightly; however, it can lead to the requirement of a liver transplant or may even cause death because of liver failure. Recently, the American College of Gastroenterology, Chinese Society of Hepatology and European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of DILI have been established, and they will be helpful for guiding clinical treatment decisions. Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method scoring is the most commonly used method to diagnose DILI; however, it has some limitations, such as poor validity and reproducibility. Recently, studies on new biomarkers have been actively carried out, which will help diagnose DILI and predict the prognosis of DILI. It is expected that the development of new therapies such as autophagy inducers and various other technologies of the fourth industrial revolution will be applicable to DILI research.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 1987

Evaluation method of crude drug preparations was studied in Saengmaek-san. Zig-zag TLC scanning profiles and high performance liquid chromatograms were obtained from Saengmaek-san and its each crude drug. A method using TLC densitometry and high performance liquid chromatography was established for the precise determination of ginsenoside $Rb_1$ in Saengmaek-san containing Ginseng Radix. Consequently, ginsenosicle $Rb_1$ content was 0.45-0.48 mg per g of Saengmaek-san. This method was found to be useful for the quality evaluation of oriental medicinal preparations.