• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.79-84
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• 2016

Objective : Nypa fruticans Wurmb. Fruit (NF) has been used as a conventional medicine to treat inflammatory peridontal diseases in Myanmar and Eastern Asia. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of NF aqueous extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses was not well-investigated. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of NF on LPS-induced inflammatory responses on RAW 264.7 cells.Methods : To induce inflammation on the macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells were treated with 500 ng/mL of LPS. Water extracts of NF was treated 1 h prior to treatment of LPS. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Production of nitrite was measured with Griess assay and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukine (IL)-1β and IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, we examined the inhibitory mechanisms of NF by western blot and immunocytochemistry.Result : Water Extract from NF itself did not have any cytotoxic effect at the concentration of 200 ㎍/ml in RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment of NF inhibited the production of nitrite, and pro-inflammatory cytokines inlcuding IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in a dose dependant. In addition, NF treatment inhibited the LPS-induced activation and translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB.Conclusion : In summary, our result suggest that treatment of NF could reduce the LPS-induced inflammatory responses via deactivation of NF-κB. This study could suggest that NF could be a beneficial drug or agent to prevent inflammation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.23-29
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• 2011

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract from Scolopendrae Corpus (SC) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response. Methods : To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of SC, we examined the inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, inteleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6) on RAW 264.7 cells. We also examined molecular mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and inhibitory kappa B a ($I{\kappa}$-Ba) using western blot. Furthermore, we also investigated the effect of SC on LPS-induced endotoxin shock. Results : Extract from SC itself had not any cytotoxic effect in RAW 264.7 cells. Aqueous extract from SC inhibited LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression. SC pre-treatment also inhibited IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells. To investigate inhibitory effects of SC on inflammatory mediators, activation of MAPKs was examined. SC inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 kinases (p38), c-Jun $NH_2$-terminal kinase (JNK) and also the degradation of $I{\kappa}$-$B{\alpha}$ in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. Furthermore, SC administration reduced LPS-induced endotoxin shock. Conclusion : SC down-regulated LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators through inhibition of activation of p38, JNK and degradation of $I{\kappa}$-$B{\alpha}$. Taken together, our results suggest that SC may be a beneficial drug against inflammatory diseases such as sepsis.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.542-548
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• 2005

In recent years, propolis has attracted much attention as an useful substance in medicine and functional food, even if it is known as a natural remedy in folk medicine since ancient times. propolis was registered as natural food since 1995 on Korean Food Act by Korean Food and Drug Administration(KFDA). The present study demonstrated the optimization of isolation of crude propolis by ethanol, and tumoricidal effect of pro polis. The optimal concentration of ethanol to separate a high quantity of propolis was $60\%$. The cytotoxic effect of ethanol extracted propolis against various cancer cell lines including murine lymphoma (Sarcoma-180), murine T-lymphoma (YAC-1), human breast carcinoma (MCF-7), human gastric carcinoma (KATOIII) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) and human lung adenocarcinoma (A-549) was observed using SRB and MIT assay. In order to investigate the curative activity by oral administration of propolis on tumor, ICR mice was subcutaneously implanted Sarcoma 180. In 300mg/kg and 600mg/kg propolis administered group, development of implanted tumors was inhibited by $40.9\%\;and\;67.9\%$ at 16th day, respectively. In the same dose of propolis administered group, development of implanted tumors was inhibited more strongly with dose dependent manner. Therefore, these data suggested propolis may show tumoricidal effects. In conclusion, these results indicate that propolis, one of the few natural remedies, can be used as functional food with tumoricidal effects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.24-36
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• 2002

Objectives: The chemotherapeutic potential of Gagamgilgyung-tang for the treatment of human lung cancer, the antitumorigenic effects of Gagamgilgyung-tang on the proliferation and apoptosis of human lung cancer cell line A427 were investigated using molecular biological approaches, Methods: To determine Gagamgilgyung-tang concentrations which do not evoke cytotoxic damage to the cell line, cell viability was examined by MTT assay. To prove Gagamgilgyung-tang's antitumorigenic potential to human lung cancer, [3H]thymidine incorporation assay, trypan blue exclusion and Cpp32 protease activity assays and quantitative RT-PCR analysis were examined. Results: While A427 cells treated with $0.1-2.0{\mu\textrm{g}}/ml$ of Gagamgilgyung-tang showed no recognizable effect, marked reductions of cell viability were detected at concentrations over $5.0{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$. DNA replication of A427 cells was inhibited by Gagamgilgyung-tang in a dose-dependent manner and Gagamgilgyung-tang induced the G1 cell cycle arrest through inhibition of DNA replication. Gagamgilgyung-tang triggered apoptotic cell death of A427 and enhanced the apoptotic sensitivity of the cells that were injured by a DNA damage-inducing chemotherapeutic drug etoposide. Gagamgilgyung-tang induces expression of growth-inhibiting genes such as p53 and p21/Wafl whereas it inhibited expression of growth-promoting genes such as c-Myc and Cyclin D1. Expression of a representative apoptosis-inducing gene Bax was also found to be induced by Gagamgilgyung-tang while apoptosis-suppressing Bcl-2 expression was not changed. Conclusions: Gagamgilgyung-tang could suppress the abnormal growth of tumor cells by suppressing the survival of genetically altered cells via induction of apoptosis. This study suggests that Gagamgilgyung-tang might have an antitumorigenic potential to human lung cancer cells, which might be associated with its growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing properties.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.430-435
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• 2013

Multidrug resistance, especially multidrug efflux mechanisms that extrude structurally unrelated cytotoxic compounds from the cell by multidrug transporters, is a serious problem and one of the main reasons for the failure of therapeutic treatment of infections by pathogenic microorganisms as well as of cancer cells. Streptococcus mutans is considered one of the primary causative agents of dental caries and periodontal disease, which comprise the most common oral diseases. A fragment of chromosomal DNA from S. mutans KCTC3065 was cloned using Escherichia coli KAM32 as host cells lacking major multidrug efflux pumps. Although E. coli KAM32 cells were very sensitive to many antimicrobial agents, the transformed cells harboring a recombinant plasmid became resistant to several structurally unrelated antimicrobial agents such as tetracycline, kanamycin, rhodamin 6G, ampicillin, acriflavine, ethidium bromide, and tetraphenylphosphonium chloride. This suggested that the cloned DNA fragment carries a gene encoding a multidrug efflux pump. Among 49 of the multidrug-resistant transformants, we report the functional gene cloning and characterization of the function of one multidrug efflux pump, namely MdeA from S. mutans, which was expressed in E. coli KAM32. Judging from the structural and biochemical properties, we concluded that MdeA is the first cloned and characterized multidrug efflux pump using the proton motive force as the energy for efflux drugs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.86-92
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• 2012

The glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults. Despite combination treatments of radiation and chemotherapy, the survival periods are very short. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the potential of ginsenoside $F_2$ (F2) to treat GBM. In in vitro experiments with glioblastoma cells U373MG, F2 showed the cytotoxic effect with $IC_{50}$ of 50 ${\mu}g/mL$ through apoptosis, confirmed by DNA condensation and fragmentation. The cell population of cell cycle sub-G1 as indicative of apoptosis was also increased. In xenograft model in SD rats, F2 at dosage of 35 mg/kg weight was intravenously injected every two days. This reduced the tumor growth in magnetic resonance imaging images. The immunohistochemistry revealed that the anticancer activity might be mediated through inhibition of proliferation judged by Ki67 and apoptosis induced by activation of caspase-3 and -8. And the lowered expression of CD31 showed the reduction in blood vessel densities. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 for invasion of cancer was also inhibited. The cell populations with cancer stem cell markers of CD133 and nestin were reduced. The results of this study suggested that F2 could be a new potential chemotherapeutic drug for GBM treatment by inhibiting the growth and invasion of cancer.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.5
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• pp.197-207
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• 1996

As a mood-altering drug, long-term alcohol consumption have significant harmful effects on the human body and people's mental functioning. This study observed that the suppression of cell mediated immunity induced in spleen of ICR mouse by long-term alcohol administration. After 8% alcohol voluntary administered for 120 days, the splenic tissue irnmunohistochemically stained by following ABC method that used monoclonal antibody including L3T4(CD4), Ly-2(CD8), IL-2 receptor(CD25R) and NK-1.1(CD56) after embedding with paraffin. The results were as follows. 1. The size of marginal zone in splenic white pulp was diminished and the number of macrophage in marginal zone was decreased in test group than control group. 2. After alcohol administration, the number of Helper T lymphocyte, cytotoxic T lymphocyte, and IL-2 receptor were decreased in periarterial lymphatic sheaths of white pulp and penicilla artery of red pulp and the degree of CD4, CD8, and CD25R positive reaction were soften. 3. In test group, the number of NK cell were decreased. These results indicated that the secretion of lymphokine as IL-2 was inhibited by long-term alcohol administration and subsequently prevent to activate and proliferate splenic T lymphocytes and NK cells as cell mediated immunity component.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.39-47
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• 2006

Objective : It has long been known about the anticancer effect of GRR-HAS, however, it has not been systemically determined the differentially regulated genes by GRR-HAS in cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to screen the GRR-HAS mediated differentially expressed genes in cancer cells such as SNU484 gastric cancer cell lines. Oligonucleotide microarray approache was employed to screen the differential expression genes. Methods : GRR-HAS was prepared by boiling and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ until use. Cells were treated with various concentrations of GRR-HAS(0.1, 0.5, 1.5, 10, 20mg/ml) for 24 h. Cell toxicity was tested by MTT assay. To screen the differentially expressed genes in cancer cells, cells were treated with 1.5mg/ml of GRR-HAS. For oligonucleotide microarray assay, total RNA was used for gene expression analysis using oligonucleotide Genechip (Human genome Ul33 Plus 2.0., Affimatrix Co.). Results : It has no cytotoxic effects on both HepG2 and SNU484 cells in all concentrations(0.1, 0.5, 1.5, 10, 20mg/ml). In oligonucleotide microarray assay, in SNU484 cells, the number of more than twofold up-regulated genes was 346. The number of more than twofold down-regulated genes was 9. Discussion : This study showed the comprehensive gene expression analysis using oligonucleotide microarray for the screening of GRR-HAS mediated differentially regulated genes. These results will provide a better application of GRR-HAS in cancer field and drug target development.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.74-86
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aimed to assess the scientific evidence for the use of Hwanglyeonhaedok-tang, a traditional herbal formula, in the treatment of rhinitis, and prepare the basis for the investigational new drug application by analyzing the experimental studies. Methods : Ten electronic databases were searched up to December, 2016 without language limitation. Experimental studies on the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of Hwanglyeonhaedok-tang against rhinitis were included. We extracted data about study design, characteristics of intervention, outcomes, and pharmacological effects from the included studies and summarized them. Results : Eight hundred and thirty-three potentially relevant studies were identified, of which 18 experimental studies met our inclusion criteria. Of 18 included studies, 5 had conducted cell viability test, and all studies had reported that Hwanglyeonhaedok-tang was non-cytotoxic. Hwanglyeonhaedok-tang exhibits anti-inflammatory effect by regulating the inflammation-related cytokines including nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$, interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$ in vitro and in vivo. Hwanglyeonhaedok-tang exhibits anti-allergic effect by suppressing eosinophil, and histamine levels. Hwanglyeonhaedok-tang helps in the recovery of nasal mucous membrane by supressing goblet cells, heat shock protein 70, and substance P. Conclusions : This study suggests that Hwanglyeonhaedok-tang has the potential to be developed as therapeutic agent for rhinitis. Further experimental and clinical studies needed to be performed to prove the safety and efficacy.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.613-618
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• 2019

Microglial cells are known as the main immune cells in the central nervous system, both regulating its immune response and maintaining its homeostasis. Furthermore, the antioxidant ${\alpha}-lipoic$ acid (LA) is a recognized therapeutic drug for diabetes because it can easily invade the blood-brain barrier. This study investigated the effect of ${\alpha}-LA$ on the inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated BV-2 microglial cells. Our results revealed that ${\alpha}-LA$ significantly attenuated several inflammatory responses in BV-2 microglial cells, including pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6, and other cytotoxic molecules, such as nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species. In addition, ${\alpha}-LA$ inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK and p38 and its pharmacological properties were facilitated via the inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway. Moreover, ${\alpha}-LA$ suppressed the activation of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, multiprotein complexes consisting of NLRP3 and caspase-1, which are involved in the innate immune response. Finally, ${\alpha}-LA$ decreased the genes accountable for the M1 phenotype, $IL-1{\beta}$ and ICAM1, whereas it increased the genes responsible for the M2 phenotype, MRC1 and ARG1. These findings suggest that ${\alpha}-LA$ alleviates the neuroinflammatory response by regulating microglial polarization.