• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 2015

Most of the axons in the vertebrate nervous system are surrounded by a lipid-rich membrane called myelin, which promotes rapid conduction of nerve impulses and protects the axon from being damaged. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the CNS characterized by infiltration of immune cells and progressive damage to myelin and axons. One potential way to treat MS is to enhance the endogenous remyelination process, but at present there are no available treatments to promote remyelination in patients with demyelinating diseases. Sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating drug that is used in rheumatology and inflammatory bowel disease. Its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties prompted us to test the ability of sulfasalazine to promote remyelination. In this study, we found that sulfasalazine promotes remyelination in the CNS of a transgenic zebrafish model of NTR/MTZ-induced demyelination. We also found that sulfasalazine treatment reduced the number of macrophages/microglia in the CNS of demyelinated zebrafish larvae, suggesting that the acceleration of remyelination is mediated by the immunomodulatory function of sulfasalazine. Our data suggest that temporal modulation of the immune response by sulfasalazine can be used to overcome MS by enhancing myelin repair and remyelination in the CNS.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.493-497
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• 2013

This study was designed to analyze the chemical composition of essential oil in 'Shiranuhi' immature fruit and to test their biological activities. 'Shiranuhi' immature essential oils (SIEO) were obtained by steam distillation from fruits collected from Jeju Island and were analyzed using gas chromatograph (GC)-flame ionization detectors (FID) and GC-MS. Fourteen components were identified in the essential oil. Limonene (75.21%) and terpineol (8.68%) were the major components in SIEO. Since acne vulgaris is the combined result of a bacterial infection and the inflammatory response to that infection, we examined whether SIEO possessed antibacterial against skin pathogens. As a result, SIEO showed excellent antibacterial activities against drug-susceptible and -resistant Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, which are acne-causing bacteria. In this study, SIEO was examined on DPPH radical scavenging activities, which showed moderate antioxidant activity ($SC_{50}$, $15.36{\mu}L/mL$). In order to determined whether SIEO can be safely applied to human skin, the cytotoxicity effects of SIEO were determined by colorimetric MTT assays in normal human fibroblasts and keratinocyte HaCaT cells. They exhibited low cytotoxicity at $0.5{\mu}L/mL$ in both celllines. Based on these results, we suggest the possibility that essential oil of 'Shiranuhi' maybe considered as an antibacterial and antioxidant agent.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.121-130
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• 1999

Oriental medicine prescription has been used for the treatment of various clinical symptoms associated with cerebral apoplexy. However, single herb drug does not used cerebral apoplexy and there mechanisms of action have not been defined, and it is not yet known what effects they have on the hemodynamics of cerebral circulation. The study was aimed to investigate the effect batryticatus bombycis(BB) on the vascular systems including changes in blood pressure (BP), and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and of male Sprague-Dawely rats. The changes in rCBF were determinated by laser-Doppler flowmetry. 1. Blood pressure was not affected by BB in rats. 2. rCBF was increased by BB in a dose-dependent manner. 3. Pretreatment with methylene blue(1mg/kg), and propranolol(1mg/kg) did not inhibited BB induced increased in rCBF. 4. Pretreatment with propranolol(1mg/kg) was increased by BB in a dose-dependent manner in blood perssure. 5. Pretreatment with ODQ($10{\mu}g/kg$) and L-NNA(1mg/kg) were inhibited BB induced increased in rCBF. 6. Pretreatment with L-NNA(1mg/kg) was increased rCBF in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that BB causes a diverse response of blood pressure and regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF). The increased in rCBF is also mediated by nitric oxide synthease and guanylate cyclase.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.51-62
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• 2007

Objectives . The types of Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM) have definite effect on response to herbal drugs. The majority of human P45O dependent xenobiotic metabolism is carried out by polymorphic enzymes which can cause abolished, altered or enhanced metabolism. Therefore, we evaluated the relation of major CYP2C19, 2D6 polymorphism with Sasang types. Methods : 214 healthy subjects were recruited with informed consent; 172 among them had Sasang diagnosis by QSCC2. CYP2D6, 2C19 polymorphism were determined by PCR-RFLP method. Results : None of the Sasang types showed significant difference in CYP2D6, 2C19 polymorphism. However, the Tae-um type showed relatively low frequency of CYP2D6 $^{*}$10/$^{*}$10 polymorphisms with low activity (p=0.110). In the So-yang type, specific $^{*}$3/$^{*}$3 genotype which is a poor metabolizer of CYP2C19$^{*}$3 was detected (p=0.078).Conclusion . These results suggest that the Tae-um type which is said to have high liver function in SCM has the tendency of high drug-metabolizing enzyme activity. With further study, the CYP polymorphism could serve as a scientific tool for SCM diagnosis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.124-142
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aimed to learn what should be considered in [Guideline of Clinical Trial with Herbal Medicinal Product for Gastric Cancer)] by analyzing the existing guidelines and clinical trials. Methods: The development committee searched guidelines for herbal medicinal product or gastric cancer developed already. Then, clinical trials for gastric cancer using herbal medicine were searched. The searched trials were analyzed in terms of inclusion and exclusion of participants, intervention, comparator, outcomes and trial design. Then, we compared the results of analysis with the regulations and guidelines of Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to suggest the issue that we will have to consider when making the [Guideline of Clinical Trial with Herbal Medicinal Product for Gastric Cancer]. Results: As a result, few guidelines for anti-tumor agent and clinical trial with herbal medicinal product were searched in the national institution homepage. In addition, 10 articles were searched by using the combination following search term; 'stomach neoplasm', 'herbal medicine', 'Medicine, Korean traditional', 'Medicine, Chinese Traditional', 'TCM', 'TKM', 'trial'. Most trials included gastric cancer participants with medical history of operation. The type of intervention was various such as decoction, granules, and fluid of intravenous injection. Comparators were diverse such as placebo, conventional treatment including chemotherapy and nutritional supplement. The most frequently used outcome for efficacy was quality of life. Besides, the symptom score, tumor response, and survival rate were used. Safety was investigated by recording adverse events. Conclusion: We found out some issue by reviewing the existing guidelines and comparing it with clinical trials for gastric cancer and herbal medicinal products. These results will be utilized for developing [Guideline of Clinical Trial with Herbal Medicinal Product for Gastric Cancer].

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.111-116
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• 2011

Childhood chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a rare hematologic disease, with limited literature on the methods of treatment. Previously, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was considered the only curative treatment for this disease. Treatment with imatinib, a selective inhibitor of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase (TKI), has resulted in prolonged molecular response with limited drug toxicity. Imatinib is now implemented in the primary treatment regimen for children, but the paucity of evidence on its ability to result in permanent cure and the potential complications that may arise from long-term treatment with TKIs have prevented imatinib from superseding HSCT as the primary means of curative treatment in children. The results of allogeneic HSCT in children with CML are similar to those observed in adults; HSCT-related complications such as transplant-related mortality and graft-versus-host disease remain significant challenges. An overall consensus has been formed with regards to the need for HSCT in patients with imatinib resistance or those with advanced-phase disease. However, issues such as when to undertake HSCT in chronic-phase CML patients or how best to treat patients who have relapsed after HSCT are still controversial. The imatinib era calls for a reevaluation of the role of HSCT in the treatment of CML. Specific guidelines for the treatment of pediatric CML have not yet been formulated, underscoring the importance of prospective studies on issues such as duration of imatinib treatment, optimal timing of HSCT and the type of conditioning utilized, possible treatment pre-and post-HSCT, and the role of second-generation TKIs.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.552-563
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the dietary habits and nutritional knowledge of elementary school students (boy : 250, girl : 250) by gender. Frequency of skipping breakfast was high in both boys and girls. Duration of mealtime was significantly higher for boys compared with girls (p<0.001). Regularity of meals was not significantly different between boys and girls. Reason for irregular meals was 'no appetite' for both boys (39.6%) and girls (40.0%). Unbalanced diet was high in both boys (60.8%) and girls (59.6%), and problems related to dietary habits were in order of 'unbalance diet', 'irregular mealtime', 'overeating', 'skip a meal frequently', and 'eat out frequently'. Frequency of snack intake was significantly higher for girls compared to boys(p<0.05). The criterion for selecting snacks was higher for 'nutrition' compared to 'good taste' for both boys and girls. Frequency of eating out was statistically insignificant, and eating out preferences were in the order of 'Korean food', 'western food', and 'Chinese food'. Eating behavior 'eat meat, fish, egg, tofu every meal' was significantly higher for boys compared to girls (p<0.01). 'Healthful' response rates were 57.6% for boys and 58.8% for girls. Practice level of nutritional knowledge was significantly higher in girls compared to boys (p<0.001). To establish good eating behaviors, we should develop systematic and continuous education programs.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2009

Cyclosporin A (CsA) has been used clinically as an immunosuppressive drug to prevent organ transplant rejection and in basic research as a mitochondrial permeability blocker. It has been reported that CsA has a protective role in severed neurons and a neurotrophic effect in neuronal cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the stimulation of neuronal cell proliferation by CsA have not yet been elucidated. In our current study, we investigated CsA responsive proteins in PC12 cells using a systematic proteomic approach. The viability of these cells following CsA treatment increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Proteins in the CsA-treated PC12 cells were profiled by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of flight (MALDI-TOF) and electrospray ionization quadupole time-of-flight mass spectrometries (EIQ-TOFMS). This differential expression analysis showed significant changes for 10 proteins (6 up-regulated and 4 down-regulated) upon CsA treatment that were related to cell proliferation, metabolism and the stress response. These proteomics data further our understanding of the proliferation mechanisms of PC12 cells exposed to CsA and demonstrate that our methodology has potential to further elucidate the mechanisms and pathways involved.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.13-21
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• 2020

Objective : The genus Glycyrrhiza has been used in food and traditional herbal medicine. Many experimental studies reported that Glycyrrhiza species possess several pharmacological properties. Glycyrrhiza new varieties WONGAM and SINWONGAM have been developed by Korea Rural Development Administration doing research for registration on Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. During the evaluations about pharmacological effect of Glycyrrhiza new varieties WONGAM and SINWONGAM, we focused the anti-allergic effect in this study. Methods : We investigated the anti-allergic effect of WONGAM and SINWONGAM compared with Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer and G. glabra L. using anti-dinitrophenyl-immunoglobulin E (IgE)/human serum albumin-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells and compound 48/80-induced anaphylaxis mice model. We analyzed the effect on the expression of various cytokines, and IgE from mast cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms of WONGAM and SINWONGAM in presented models. Results : WONGAM and SINWONGAM showed the inhibitory effect on the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells or human mast cells without cytotoxicity. WONGAM and SINWONGAM blocked anaphylactic shock and decreased the IgE production. Furthermore, WONGAM and SINWONGAM inhibited the productions of TNF-α and IL-6 in compound 48/80-induced anaphylaxis mice model. Conclusion : These results indicated that WONGAM and SINWONGAM would have protect effect on allergic responses through the inhibition of allergic mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study may facilitate the development on Glycyrrhiza new varieties for allergy.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2010

Methylprednisolone (MPD) is a synthetic glucocorticoid drug used in treatment of many neurological diseases and neurotraumas, including spinal cord injuries. Little is known of the mechanism of MPD in neuronal cells, particularly the genetic expression aspect. DD-PCR was used in identification of genes expressed during MPD treatment of PC12 cells. We have isolated 3 predicted up- or down-regulated genes, which are differentially expressed in neurons by MPD. One of these genes, USP16 (ubiquitin specific protease 16), is the deubiquitinating enzyme that is up-regulated by MPD in neurons. In order to observe the effect of MPD on USP16 gene expression, PC12 cells were treated under several experimental conditions, including endoplasmic reticulum stress drugs. We have isolated the total RNAs in PC12 cells and detected USP16 and ER related genes by RT-PCR. Because its expression pattern is similar to expression of ER chaperons, USP16 gene expression is strongly associated with unfolded protein response. A meaningful negative effect on each tissue treated by methylprednisolone is not shown in vivo. USP16 gene expression is suppressed by LY294002 (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor), which suggests that USP16 gene expression is regulated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway.