• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.374-379
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• 2000

This study was attempted to evaluate an agonistic activity to benzodiazepine receptor of several medicinal pants, which have been used as sedatives in oriental medicine. The activities of the methanol extracts of composite preparation of oriental drugs were compared with those of the simple drugs, furthermore, the active fraction was found out from the simple preparation. Inhibitory effects of composite preparations, Cyperus rotundus/Acorus gramineus, Thuja orientalis/Euphoria longan, Thuja orientalis/Albizzia julibrissin, on the binding of ${[^3H]}$Ro15-1788, a selective benszodiazepine receptor antagonist to benzodiazepine receptor of rat cortices, were observed to be lower than those of corresponding simple preparations. These unexpected results suggest that some components of the composite druge may rather act as an obstacle, not to show the sinergistic effect. The methanol extracts of Cyperus rotundus having the highest activity were fractionated using polar and nonpolar solvents to give ethylacetate and hexane fractions, respectively. The ethylacetate fraction containing relatively polar components exhibited much higher activity than the hexane fraction, which consiste of nonpolar agonist, binding to benzodiazepine receptor. However, in the presence of GABA, this fraction inhibited ${[^3H]}$flunitrazepan binding, and these positive GABA shift supported the strong possibility of agonistic activity to benzodiazepine receptro. As a result, it may be concluded that the substance or substances with neurochemical properties as a benzodiazepine receptor agonist may contribute to the sedative property of Cyperus rotundus.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.178-183
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• 2023

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphoid cells that actively prevent neoplastic development, growth, and metastatic dissemination in a process called cancer immunosurveillance. Regulation of the cytotoxic activity of NK cells relies on integrated interactions between inhibitory receptors and numerous activating receptors that act in tandem to eliminate tumor cells efficiently. Conventional chemotherapy is designed to produce an anti-proliferative or cytotoxic effect on early tumor cell division. Therapies designed to kill cancer cells and simultaneously maintain host anti-tumor immunity are attractive strategies for controlling tumor growth. Depending on the drug and dose used, several chemotherapeutic agents cause DNA damage and cancer cell death through apoptosis, immunogenic cell death, or other forms of non-killing (i.e., mitotic catastrophe, senescence, autophagy). Among stress-induced immunostimulatory proteins, changes in the expression levels of NK cell activating and inhibitory ligands and tumor cell death receptors play an important role in the detection and elimination by innate immune effectors including NK cells. Therefore, we will address how these cytotoxic lymphocytes sense and respond to high and low concentrations of drug-induced stress to the drug cisplatin, among the various types of drugs that contribute to their anticancer activity.

• Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2017

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing worldwide. Patients with T2D suffer from various diabetes-related complications. Since there are many patients with T2D that cannot be controlled by previously developed drugs, it has been necessary to develop new drugs, one of which is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) based therapy. GLP-1 has been shown to ameliorate diabetes-related conditions by augmenting pancreatic ${\beta}-cell$ insulin secretion and having the low risk of causing hypoglycemia. Because of a very short half-life of GLP-1, many researches have been focused on the development of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists with long half-lives such as exenatide and dulaglutide. Now GLP-1R agonists have a variety of dosing-cycle forms to meet the needs of various patients. In this article, we review the physiological features of GLP-1, the effects of GLP-1 on T2D, the features of several GLP-1R agonists, and the therapeutic effect on T2D.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.122-128
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• 1982

In order to investigate the pharmacological action of combined preparation of crude drugs, 'Oyo-Tang' were studied. 'Oyo-Tang' consist of Glycyrrhizae Radix, Ephedrae Herba, Armenicae Semen, Platycodi Radix and Nepetae Herba. They have widely been prescribed in Oriental Medicine for controlling of cough, asthma, nasal abstraction, pharygeal pain and hoarseness. Experimental studies were implemented on analgesic, sedativc, anticonvulsive and ileum relaxing actions. The results of the studies were as follows; Significant anticonvulsive action was recognized by fraction IIII. Sedative and analgesic actions were noted by fraction I and III. Relaxing action was shown on the extracted ileum in mice, antagonistic actions were seen on $BaCl_2-induced$ contraction of the ileum of mice and Histamine-induced contraction of the ileum of guinea-pigs that the relaxing effect of the intestinal smooth muscle was recognized.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.17.1-17.5
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• 2020

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is affective a large portion of the world population prompting the need for extensive healthcare resources such as lifelong dialysis or kidney transplantation. The beneficial effect of conventional therapy in controlling the CKD progression remains a challenge due to their relative efficacy, safety, and accessibility. On the other hand, Unani medicine provides a therapeutic regimen that consists of a combination of treatment from rehabilitation to herbal pharmacotherapy. Methods: Two cases of chronic kidney disease were treated with dietotherapy, regimenal therapy ('bukhoor aam') and oral herbal drugs for 2-3 weeks. Endpoints of evaluation were symptoms and signs of the CKD, kidney function test, urine albumin, urine RBC, hemoglobin and liver function test. Result: Notable improvement was observed in the endpoints. Conclusion: Unani treatment was observed preliminarily beneficial in the treatment of chronic kidney disease. Rigorous pharmacological and clinical studies should be performed to warrant their efficacy and safety in CKD individuals.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.880-893
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• 2015

Taurine is an abundant amino acid in many animals, including humans. Relatively large amounts of taurine are found in leukocytes, heart, muscles, retinas, kidneys, bones, and liver. Taurine has antioxidant effects; it reacts with hydrogen peroxide to prevent oxidation of the cell membrane. Taurine enhances the effects of anticancer drugs, while also reducing side effects, and taurolidine, a taurine derivative, has been shown to exhibit anti-cancer effects without notable side effects in several types of cancer. Taurine aids in cholesterol metabolism by increasing the rate of synthesis of bile acids, and, thus, reduces triglyceride levels. In addition, taurine is involved in the growth and differentiation of nerve cells and is associated with some neurological disorders. Taurine aids in bone formation and prevents bone dissolution. Moreover, taurine prevents liver damage from a variety of drugs and, thus, protects the liver. Taurine is involved in the development and function of the retina and lens. It also has anti-atherosclerotic and anti-thrombotic effects that protect against cardiovascular disease. Taurine may have additional physiological functions, and warrants further investigation.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 1985

Experimental studies were conducted to investigate for the effect of Tongkyu-tang on analgesic, antipyretic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, isolated ileum and anti-histamine actions. Tongkyu-Tang was composed of sixteen crude drugs including Astragali Radix, which has been used for the treatment of common cold, headache, rhinitis, nasal obstruction, rhincospasm, etc. The following results have been obtained; analgesic and antipyretic actions were obtained. Prolonged action against the hypnotic duration of pentobarbital were significantly noted in mice. Anti-inflammatory effects in the paw edema induced by 1% carrageenin and 1% dextran were significantly shown in rats. Spontaneous motilities of isolated ileum of mice were strongly suppressed, and contractions of isolated ileum of mice and guinea-pigs induced by acetylcholine chloride, barium chloride and histamine were remarkably inhibited. Antihistamine actions were noted. Considering the above experimental results, it is suggested that effects of Tongkyu-tang based on the Oriental Medical References were similarly consistent with the actual experimental results.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 1969

In order to investigate the effect of autonomic nervous system on salivary gland, the authors have observed the effects of various drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system to the rat submaxillary gland by comparing the changes of gland weight, the amylase activity and various electrolyte contents with control group. The results are as follows; 1. The pilocarpine, physostigmine, norepinephrine, atropine and DMPP increased the rat submaxillary gland weight. 2. The amylase activities of rat submaxillary gland were increased by pilocarpine, physostigmine and norepinephrine, but decreased by atropine and DMPP. 3. Calcium contents of rat submaxillary gland were highly increased by pilocarpine and physostigmine, hut slightly increased by norepinephrine. 4. Magnesium contents of rat submarillary gland were increased by DMPP, but decreased by pilocarpine, physostigmine and norepinephrine. 5. Sodium contents of rat subnaxillary gland were increased by pilocarpine, physostigmine, norepinephrine and DMPP, but decreased by atropine. 6. Potassium contents of rat submaxillary gland were highly increased by atropine, and slightly increased by DMPP and norepinephrine, but decreased by pilocarpine and physostigmine.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.247-251
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• 1991

Effects of aluminum magnesium hydroxide (A) and cimetidine (C) on the pharmacokinetics of minocycline (M) were investigated in female rats. Blood samples were collected at various time intervals until 36 hrs following oral dosing of drugs. Plasma minocycline concentrations were determined by HPLC. Control group (M), $T_1$ group (M+A), $T_2$ group (A+M after 2 hrs), $T_3$ group (M+A after 2 hrs), $T_4$ group (M+C) and $T_5$ group (C+M after 2 hrs) were divided to examine interaction of the drugs with minocycline. Plasma minocyline level-time curves were well described by two-compartment open model with first-order absorption in rats. Antacid treatment was associated with reduced of 71.0, 45.9, 35.7% in minocycline absorption rate $constant(K_{\alpha})$, maximum plasma $concentration(C_{max})$, and relative $bioavailability(F_{rel})$, respectively. Cimetidine treatment group exhibited no significant changes in plasma level-time curve when compared with control group and did not affect minocycline absorption as by any of these three parameters.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.80-90
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of tuberculosis-related knowledge and family support on medication adherence in tuberculosis patients. Methods: The data were collected from 175 patients diagnosed with tuberculosis at three general hospitals located in two provincial cities in South Korea from September 1 to November 31, 2020. The 160 questionnaires were analyzed using IBM SPSS WIN 25.0. Results: The patients' average score for tuberculosis-related knowledge was 15.85±5.87 (out of 25), for family support it was 22.03±9.20 (out of 35), and for medication adherence it was 5.11±2.68 (out of 8). There were significant differences in tuberculosis-related knowledge, family support, and medication adherence according to patients' general characteristics and significant positive relationships among tuberculosis-related knowledge, family support, and medication adherence. Factors affecting patients' tuberculosis medication adherence were history of stopping the medication, the importance of treatment among tuberculosis-related knowledge and family support, and these factors could explain 78% of patients' taking tuberculosis drugs. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the importance of tuberculosis treatment and family support are very important for improving patients' rates of medication adherence. Therefore, medical staffs caring for tuberculosis patients need to manage patients' medication of tuberculosis drugs with continuous consultation.