• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2017

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by recurrent and unpredictable seizures that are usually controlled with antiepileptic/anticonvulsive drugs. However, most antiepileptic drugs produce various side effects such as tolerance and sedation. Thus, there is a growing interest for alternative anticonvulsive drugs, preferably from natural or herbal sources. In this study, we evaluated the anticonvulsive effects of Rehmannia glutinosa (RG). The anticonvulsive effect of RG extract was evaluated using electroshock- and chemical-induced seizure tests in mice. To identify its probable mechanism of action, the effects of RG extract on $Cl^-$ influx was measured in vitro. We found that RG extract has anticonvulsive effects against electroshock-induced seizures, as indicated by an increased seizure threshold in mice. The RG extract also decreased the percentage of seizure responses induced by the GABAergic antagonist, pentylenetetrazole. These results suggest that the anticonvulsive effects of RG extract are mediated through a GABAergic mechanism. In support of this mechanism, our in vitro test showed that RG extract increases intracellular $Cl^-$ influx. Furthermore, RG extract did not show sedative and/or muscle relaxant effects in the open-field and rota-rod tests. Altogether, these results confirm that RG extract could be a herbal anticonvulsant and a potential alternative for clinical use.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.1
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• pp.20-30
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• 2020

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a threat to public health and is the leading cause of death globally. Isoniazid (INH) is an important first-line agent for the treatment of TB considering its early bactericidal activity. Resistance to INH is now the most common type of resistance. Resistance to INH reduces the probability of treatment success and increases the risk of acquiring resistance to other first-line drugs such as rifampicin (RIF), thereby increasing the risk of multidrug-resistant-TB. Studies in the 1970s and 1980s showed high success rates for INH-resistant TB cases receiving regimens comprised of first-line drugs. However, recent data have indicated that INH-resistant TB patients treated with only firs-tline drugs have poor outcomes. Fortunately, based on recent systematic meta-analyses, the World Health Organization published consolidated guidelines on drug-resistant TB in 2019. Their key recommendations are treatment with RIF-ethambutol (EMB)-pyrazinamide (PZA)-levofloxacin (LFX) for 6 months and no addition of injectable agents to the treatment regimen. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of excluding resistance to RIF before starting RIF-EMB-PZA-LFX regimen. Additionally, when the diagnosis of INH-resistant TB is confirmed long after starting the first-line TB treatment, the clinician must decide whether to start a 6-month course of RIF-EMB-PZA-LFX based on the patient's condition. However, these recommendations are based on observational studies, not randomized controlled trials, and are thus conditional and based on low certainty of the effect estimates. Therefore, further work is needed to optimize the treatment of INH-resistant TB.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2006

Drug dependence deals a heavy socioeconomic burden to the society. For adolescents, the damage from drug dependence is greater than adults considering their higher susceptibility to drug effect and increasing chance for violence leading to criminal punishment process. Habitual drug use depends on genetic and environmental factors and the complex interactions between the two. Mammalian model systems have been useful in understanding the neurochemical and cellular impacts of abused drugs on specific regions of the brain, and in identifying the molecular targets of drugs. More elucidation is required whether biological effects of drugs actually cause the habitual dependence at the cellular level. Although there is much insight available on the nature of drug abuse problems, none of the systems designed to help drug dependent individuals is efficient in screening functional ingredients of the drug, and thus resulting in the failure of helping drug dependent individuals recover from drug dependence. Alternative model systems draw the attention of researchers, such as the invertebrate model systems of nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) and fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). These models should provide new insight into the mechanisms leading to the behavior of drug users (even functional studies analyzing molecular mechanism), and screening useful components to help remove drug dependence among drug users. The relatively simple anatomy and gene expression of the invertebrate model systems should enable researchers to coordinate current knowledge on drug abuse. Furthermore, the invertebrate model systems should facilitate advance in experiments on the susceptibility of specific genetic backgrounds and the interaction between genetic factors to drug dependence.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.77-89
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• 2009

Objectives : Mistletoe extracts have been in use for around 85 years, predominantly in the area of cancer therapy. Today mistletoe preparations are among the most prescribed drugs in cancer medicine, thus constituting a standard biological therapy in the area of oncology. The purpose of this study is to analyze the practical implications of mistletoe cancer therapy, their clinical status, their preparation techniques and companies. Contents : Mistletoe therapy for cancer has been developed within the context of anthroposophical medicine. One major effect of mistletoe extract is that it stimulates the immune system and cancer defences. In Germany, a total of eight different mistletoe preparations are available, five developed by Anthroposophic Medicine and three evolved from research in phytotherapy. Therapy always consists of an introductory phase in order to test the patient's tolerance, find the right dosage and choose the most suitable preparation. This paper covers the background of mistletoe medical plant materials, mistletoe therapy for cancer, the anthroposophical medicine and clinical research, the practical regulation of treatment, preparation of mistletoe drugs. Result & suggestion : Mistletoe extracts are a complementary teratment of cancer, widely used in intergrative cancer care. The study of the integration of korean mistletoe extracts to oriental cancer medicine, its development and feasibility in Korea are urgently needed. The products, substances, compositions of european mistletoe drugs are very similar to those of oriental medicine theory. Applying the mistletoe cancer therapy and its preparation techniques to oriental medicine, the herbal acupuncture preparation should be modernized and korean mistletoe products are to be developed. To this end, government and herbal acupuncture society need to interact each other for the development of oriental mistletoe cancer medicine.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2023

Background and Objective: With the advancement of cancer treatments and increased life expectancy, managing breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) is essential to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. This study aimed to compare the major rapid onset opioids in Korea based on their characteristics and costs to determine the best option for each patient. Methods: Based on sales information from IQVIA-MIDAS, sublingual fentanyl tablet (SLF), fentanyl buccal tablet (FBT), and oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) were selected as the top three drugs for the treatment of BTcP in Korea, considering them the most comparable drugs. The cost and cost-pain relief ratio of the drugs for short-term (1 month) and long-term (1 year) treatment were compared and the ease of administration based on various factors, including pharmacokinetics, onset of action, and administration procedures were evaluated. Results: SLF was evaluated as the best overall in terms of rapid onset of action, ease of administration, and drug cost and also had the highest market share. SLF had the lowest cost pain relief ratio for both the initial and supplemental treatment for the 1-month pain intensity difference 15 (PID15) ratio. However, for the 1-month PID30 ratio, SLF was not superior to OTFC or FBT. The longer the breakthrough cancer pain duration, the more cost-effective the other rapid onset opioids. Conclusion: The rapid onset opioids that fit the patient's breakthrough cancer pain pattern have the best cost-effectiveness.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2023

Objectives: In this study, the safety of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHSs) for quasi-drugs and cosmetics was investigated by analyzing the ethanol content, which is an active ingredient with a sterilizing effect, and methanol, which is toxic. Methods: Forty-one ABHSs were purchased at large supermarkets and online stores. Ethanol quantification was performed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector, and methanol quantification was performed by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The ethanol content of ABHS in quasi-drugs was 49.6-67.8%, which was suitable for standard manufacturing procedures for external disinfectants, and the ethanol content of ABHS in cosmetics was 9.1-61.3%. The methanol content of ABHS in quasi-drugs ranged from not detected(N.D.)-131.8 ppm, which was suitable for the methanol detection standard of ethanol raw materials in the Korean Pharmacopoeia. The methanol content of ABHS in cosmetics was 23.4-859.7 ppm, which was suitable for the detection limit of methanol in cosmetics. Conclusions: The ethanol and methanol content of ABHS was judged to be safe. When selecting an ABHS to be used for sterilization, it seems necessary to check the content of ethanol, an active ingredient, and use it according to its intended purpose.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.392-399
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• 2007

Objective : Arsenic trioxide ($As_2O_3$) has been used as an anticancer agent in traditional Chinese medicine for thousand years and berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid present that has indicated significant antimicrobial activity. We have examined the combined anticancer effects of $As_2O_3$ and berberine against the human neuroblastoma (HNB) SH-SY5Y cells in vitro, and to elucidate underlying molecular mechanism. Methods : HNB SH-SY5Y cells were treated with $2\;{\mu}M\;As_2O_3$ and $75\;{\mu}g/ml$ berberine, and their survival, cell death mechanism as well as synergistic cytotoxic effects were estimated by using MTT assay, DAPI staining, agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometric analysis, and western blot analysis. Results : The combined treatment of two drugs also markedly decreased cell viability. The cytotoxic effects of two drugs were revealed as apoptosis characterized by chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The apoptotic cytotoxicity was accompanied by activation of caspase-3 protease as well as decreased the expression of Bcl-2, Bid, and Bcl-x/L. In addition, the cells treated with combination of two drugs also showed significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and lipid peroxidation compared to cells $As_2O_3$or berberine only. Conclusion : Combined treatment of $As_2O_3$ with berberine induced activation of apoptotic signaling pathways in HNB SH-SY5Y cells. These results suggest that the possibility of the combined treatment of two chemotherapeutic agents with low concentration improving cytotoxic effect for cancer cells with minimal side effects.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.369-377
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• 2014

Obesity increases oxidative stress, which could contribute to the development of insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and antioxidant effect of sanchae-namul (SN) in mice with diet-induced obesity. Five-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a basal or high-fat and high-sucrose (HFHS) diet with or without 3% freeze-dried SN powder composed of chamnamul, daraesoon, miyeokchwi, bangpung namul, and samnamul for 12 weeks after a 1-week adaptation. After sacrifice, serum glucose and insulin were measured and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was determined as well. Hepatic lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH), and activities of the antioxidant enzymes were determined. SN given at 3% of the total diet did not significantly influence body weight and food intake in mice fed the HFHS diet. Serum glucose and insulin levels, as well as HOMA-IR values, were significantly lower in the SN group than those in the HFHS group. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in the liver were decreased significantly in the SN group compared with those in the HFHS group. SN significantly increased the GSH levels and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the liver compared with those in the HFHS group. Overall, these findings suggest that SN may be useful in alleviating insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in mice fed HFHS diet; further, the improvement of insulin resistance could partly occur by reducing the oxidative stress.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.3444-3450
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• 2013

Three phase hollow fiber-liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME), which is faster, simpler and uses a more environmentally friendly sample-preparation technique, was developed for the analysis of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in human urine. For the effective simultaneous extraction/concentration of NSAIDs by three phase HF-LPME, parameters (such as extraction organic solvent, pH of donor/acceptor phase, stirring speed, salting-out effect, sample temperature, and extraction time) which influence the extraction efficiency were optimized. NSAIDs were extracted and concentrated from 4 mL of aqueous solution at pH 3 (donor phase) into dihexyl ether immobilized in the wall pores of a porous hollow fiber, and then extracted into the acceptor phase at pH 13 located in the lumen of the hollow fiber. After the extraction, 5 ${\mu}L$ of the acceptor phase was directly injected into the HPLC/UV system. Simultaneous chromatographic separation of seven NSAIDs was achieved on an Eclipse XDB-C18 (4.6 mm i.d. ${\times}$ 150 mm length, 5 ${\mu}m$ particle size) column using isocratic elution with 0.1% formic acid and methanol (30:70) at a HPLC-UV/Vis system. Under optimized conditions (extraction solvent, dihexyl ether; $pH_{donor}$, 3; $pH_{acceptor}$, 13; stirring speed, 1500 rpm; NaCl salt, 10%; sample temperature, $60^{\circ}C$; and extraction time, 45 min), enrichment factors (EF) were between 59 and 260. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) in the spiked urine matrix were in the concentration range of 5-15 ng/mL and 15-45 ng/mL, respectively. The relative recovery and precision obtained were between 58 and 136% and below 15.7% RSD, respectively. The calibration curve was linear within the range of 0.015-0.96 ng/mL with the square of the correlation coefficient being more than 0.997. The established method can be used to analyse of NSAIDs of low concentration (ng/mL) in urine.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.125-139
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• 2009

Purpose: This experiment was designed to find out increasing effects of S. barbata. co-treatment with anti-cancer drugs at cancer cell's growth inhibition effect. Methods: Divergent observational study of the S. barbata. co-treatment with Cisplatin treatment on HeLa cell. Cell viability using MTT assay, Cell Culture and Cytotoxicity Studies, Cell Cycle Analysis, Annexin V-FITC/PI assay, Cell morphological assessment, PARP cleavage using Western blotting analysis when HeLa cell were co-treated with Cisplatin and Scutellaria Barbata extracts. Results: When HeLa cell were co-treated with Cisplatin and Scutellaria Barbata extracts, we found out viability of HeLa cell, changing in the distribution of cell cycle, Annexin V-FITC staining, DAPI staining, PARP clavage protein assay by Western-blot. So Scutellaria Barbata extracts have increased apoptosis Conclusion: When co-treated Scutellaria Barbata extracts with anti-cancer drugs, the anti-cancer effects were increased. We still not sure which constituent apoptosis at cancer cells and activates anti-cancer effects suppressing, but we believe that it'll be revealed here after with following experiments.