• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.73-82
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• 2023

Purpose : Cymbopogon citratus, also known as lemongrass, has widely spread around the world and its essential oil is usually applied in food, perfume, and other industrial purposes. In addition, C. citratus has also been used for the treatment of inflammation, digestive disorders, and diabetes in traditional medicine. In this study, the antioxidative activity of C. citratus ethanol extract (CCEE) was analyzed in RAW 264.7 cells through the induction of one of phase II enzymes, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 by nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor (Nrf)2, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt. Methods : The antioxidative activity of CCEE against oxidative stress and its underlying molecular mechanisms were analyzed by the cell viability assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation assay, and Western blot analysis in RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The results exhibited that CCEE potently attenuated tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced intracellular ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. CCEE treatment significantly induced the expression of HO-1 which is known for its antioxidative capacity. In addition, CCEE treatment significantly upregulated the expression of Nrf2, a corresponding transcription factor for the regulation of antioxidative enzymes, which was in accordance with the HO-1 overexpression. MAPK and PI3K/Akt were also evaluated for their important roles in the regulation of cellular redox homeostasis against oxidative damage. As a result, the potent HO-1 expression was mediated by not extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK), p38, but phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) phosphorylation. To confirm the antioxidative activity of CCEE-induced HO-1 expression, oxidative damage was initiated by t-BHP and attenuated by CCEE treatment, which was identified by HO-1 selective inhibitor and inducer. Conclusion : Consequently, CCEE potently induced the HO-1-mediated antioxidative potential through the modulation of Nrf2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that CCEE could be a promising strategy for the mitigation against cellular oxidative damage.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2000

Objectives : The effects of cotreatment of adriamycin and ethanol extract of herb (Palgin-tang hab Hwajuck-hwan a traditional medicine for cancer treatment in oriental medicine) on the induction of apoptotic cell death were investigated in human liver origin cell lines, Chang. Methods : Chang(ATCC) liver cells were cultured in RPMI-1640(Gibco SRL Co, Gaithersburg, MD) badge including 10% fetal bovine serum. Chang liver cells were treated with various concentrations(from 10 to $0.16{\mu}l$) of adriamycin and herb extract(from 500 to $31.25{\mu}l$) After 48h later, the cells were tested for viability by Crystal violet staining assay. Adriamycin and Herb extract induced ladder pattern of DNA fragmentation in Chang cells. Genomic DNA was isolated and separated on 1.5% agarose gels. The DNA was stained with ethidium bromide and visualized under UV light. Results : The death of Chang cells was synergistically induced by the cotreatment of adriamycin and ethanol extract of herb. In addition, the cotreatment-induced cell death of Chang cells was mediated by apoptotic death signal processes. The phosphotransferase activity of JNK1 remained in a basal level in Chang cells which was treated individually with the adriamycin and ethanol extract of herb. However, it was markedly increased in Chang cells which was cotreated with adriamycin and ethanol extract of herb. In addition, the expression of Fas and FasL was markedly induced by the cotreatment of adriamycin and herb extract. For a while, the expression of Sax was a eminently increased by the ethanol extract of herb. However, Scl2 expression was not affected by the individual or cotreatment of adriamycin and herb extract. Conclusions : our results suggest that the cotreatment of adriamycin aM ethanol extract of herb induces synergistic apoptotis of human liver origin Chang cells via the upregulation of JNK, Fas, FasL and Bax.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.317-322
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• 2015

Alcohol-induced fatty liver (steatosis) results from excessive generation of reducing equivalents by ethanol metabolism. Generally, chronic ethanol treatment causes hepatosteatosis by regulating sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), which increases the synthesis of hepatic lipids. The effect of ethanol on SREBP-1c is mediated through mammalian sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1), a NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylase that regulates hepatic lipid metabolism. Ginseng is a widely used herbal medicine that is used in Asia for its anti-diabetes and anti-obesity effects. The pharmacological and therapeutic effects of ginseng are primarily produced by bioactive constituents known as ginsenosides. Here, we examined the regulatory effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts on SREBP-1c and SIRT-1 on lipid homeostasis in AML-12 mouse hepatocytes. AML-12 cells were treated with ethanol and/or KRG extracts (0 - 1,000 μg/ml). Lipid droplets were assayed using Oil red O staining, and western blotting was used to measure SIRT-1 and SREBP-1 expression. Treatment with KRG extracts restored SIRT-1 expression and reduced SREBP-1c expression in ethanol-treated cells. We also showed that KRG extract and ginsenosides Rb₂ and Rd significantly decreased SREBP-1 acetylation in ethanol-treated cells. These results show that treatment with KRG extract and its active ginsenoside constituents Rb₂ and Rd protected against alcohol-related hepatosteatosis via regulation of SIRT-1 and downstream acetylation of SREBP-1c, which altered hepatic lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.279-288
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• 2016

To observe the potential hepatoprotective effects of Gongjin-dan on the acute ethanol (EtOH)-induced liver damages in C57BL/6 mice with its possible action mechanisms. EtOH-mediated acute hepatic damages were induced by oral administration of EtOH total 3 doses. The changes on the body weight, liver weight, albumin, TG, AST, ALP, ALT, hepatic TG contents, hepatic antioxidant defense system, TNF-α, CYP 2E1 activity and mRNA expressions of hepatic lipogenic genes - SREBP-1c, SCD1, ACC1, FAS, PPARγ and DGAT2 or genes involved in fatty acid oxidation - PPARα, ACO and CPT1 were observed with final liver histopathological inspections after 15 days of continuous administration of silymarin 200 mg/kg, Gongjin-dan (GJD) 400, 200 and 100 mg/kg. The results were compared with silymarin 200 mg/kg treated mice. Marked decreases of body and liver weights, increases of serum AST, ALT, Albumin and TG levels, hepatic TG contents, TNF-α level, CYP 2E1 activity and mRNA expressions of hepatic lipogenic genes or decreases mRNA expressions of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation were observed with histopathological changes related hepatosteatosis increases of immunolabelled hepatocytes, as the results of a binge drinking of EtOH in the present study. Also destroys of hepatic antioxidant defense systems were demonstrated in EtOH control mice as compared with intact vehicle control mice, respectively. The results suggest that oral administration of 400, 200 and 100 mg/kg of GJD favorably protected the liver damages from acute mouse EtOH intoxications.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.250-258
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• 2001

For a long time Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) has traditionally been used as a herbal plant. It is known to contain various biological activities. Previously, a crude ethanol extract from RVS was reported to have antioxidant effects, and antiproliferative activities, on human cancer cell lines. In this report, we prepared a highly purified ethanol extract from RVS, which did not contain the urushiol derivatives, named REEE-1 ($\underline{R}$hus $\underline{e}$thanol $\underline{e}$luted $\underline{e}$xtract-1), to investigate the mechanisms of the scavenging activity of hydroxyl radicals using mouse thymocytes. The results from the deoxyribose, DNA nicking, and glucose/glucose oxidase enzyme assays showed that REEE-1 contained a strong scavenging activity of oxygen free radicals, especially of hydroxyl radicals. However, interestingly, REEE-1 also showed cytotoxicity against the thymocytes, although the effect was variable, depending on the concentrations and times of treatment. The REEE-1-mediated cytotoxicity against thymocytes, which has been used as one of the well-characterized models for apoptosis studies, was verified to be apoptotic. This was proven by the following: the appearance of DNA laddering, increases in DNA fragmentation, low fluorescence intensity in the nuclei after propidium iodide staining, and positive Annexin V staining of the cells. These results suggested that REEE-1 had both antioxidative activity and cytotoxicity against the thymocytes, although the effect of the cytotoxicity was variable, depending on the dose and time of the treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1112-1119
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to develop a potential process for bioethanol production from Hydrodictyon reticulatum (HR), a filamentous freshwater alga, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae (KCTC7017). From the sugar solutions prepared by the four different hydrolysis methods, bioethanol production ranged from 11.0 g/100 g dried material (acid hydrolysis) to 22.3 g/100 g dried material (enzymatic hydrolysis, EH). Bioethanol was fermented from a highly concentrated sugar solution obtained by a decompression-mediated (vacuum) enrichment method (VE). As the results, ethanol was more efficiently produced from HR when sugar solutions were concentrated by VE following EH (EH/VE). Using multiple feeding of the sugar solution prepared by EH/VE from HR, ethanol reached up to a concentration of 54.3 g/l, corresponding to 24.9 g/100 g dried material, which attained the economic level of product concentration (approximately 5%). The results indicate that by using HR, it is feasible to establish a bioethanol production process, which is effective for using microalgae as the raw material for ethanol production.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2015

Objectives : Alcohol-related liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The present study was undertaken to determine whether Ganoderma lucidum pharmacopuncture(GLP) could protect against chronic liver injury induced by ethanol intoxication in rats. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: normal, control, normal saline pharmacopuncture(NP), and GLP, with 8 animals in each. Each group, except normal, received ethanol orally. The NP and GLP groups were treated daily with NP and GLP respectively. The control group was not treated. All rats except the normal group were intoxicated for 4 weeks by oral administration of EtOH(6 g/kg BW). Two acupuncture points were used: Qimen($LR_{14}$) and Taechung($LR_3$). Body weight, histopathological analysis, liver function, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and immunohistochemistry were assessed. Results : GLP reduced the histological changes due to chronic liver injury induced by EtOH and significantly reduced the increase in the alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) enzymes. It significantly reversed the superoxide dismutase(SOD) and the catalase activities(CAT). It also significantly decreased BAX and increased Bcl-2 immunoreactivity expression. Conclusions : This study showed the protective efficacy of GLP against EtOH-induced chronic liver injury in SD rats by modulating ethanol metabolizing enzymes activity, attenuating oxidative stress, and inhibiting mitochondrial damage-mediated apoptosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.91-102
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• 1995

The role of neurohumoral mechanisms in the regulation of cardiovascular functions and the effects of ethanol (EOH) on these mechanisms were examined in hemorrhaged conscious Wistar rats. The rats were bled at a constant rate (2 ml/kg/min) through the femoral artery until mean arterial pressure (MAP) was reduced by 30 mmHg. We studied the responses to hemorrhage 1) under normal conditions (Normal), and after pretreatments with 2) neural blockade (NB), pentolinium, 3) arginine vasopressin V1-receptor antagonist (AVPX) + NB, 4) angiotensin II ATI-receptor antagonist (AngIIX) + NB, 5) combined humoral blockade (HB), and 6) neurohumoral blockade. Intravenous administration of 30% EOH (6.3 ml/kg) attenuated the baroreceptor reflex sensitivity, and enhanced the depressor action of AngIIX. During hemorrhage, NB produced a faster fall ill MAP than Normal both in the saline and EOH groups. However, HB accelerated the rate of fall in MAP only in the EOH group. The recovery from hemorrhagic hypotension was not different between NB and Normal rats, but was attenuated in HB rats in the saline group. Under NB, AngIIX, but not AVPX, retarded the recovery rate compared with NB alone. EOH attenuated the recovery of MAP after hemorrhage in Normal rats, but completely abolished the recovery in HB rats. We conclude that 1) the maintenance of MAP during hemorrhage is mediated almost entirely by the autonomic functions, 2) angiotensin II plays an important role in the recovery from hemorrhagic hypotension, but AVP assumes little importance, 3) AVP release largely depends on the changes in blood volume, whereas renin release depends on the changes in blood pressure rather than blood volume, and 4) EOH increases the dependence of cardiovascular regulation on angiotensin II and impairs the recovery from hemorrhagic hypotension through the attenuation of autonomic functions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.344-362
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• 2022

Objective: In this study, the antioxidant activity of Ojayeonjong-hwan extracts was compared, and the following results were obtained. Methods: For hydrothermal and ethanol extracts, DPPH free radical and ABTS cationic radical erasing activity and reducing power using the FRAP method were compared, and the association between the antioxidant power of each extract and total phenol content was investigated. Significant results were obtained through in vitro apoptosis analysis through FFITC staining, mitochondrial membrane potential analysis, and ROS level measurement using C2C12 myoblastoma. Results: 1. In a comparison of DPPH free radical and ABTS cationic radical scavenging activity, water, and 70% ethanol extracts of Ojayeonjong-hwan (WEO and EEO) showed superior radical scavenging ability. 2. In the results of reducing power using the FRAP method, WEO and EEO showed antioxidant activity, which was shown to be dependent on the total phenol content contained in the extracts. 3. In comparison to the protective effect against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts, water extracts had no significant effect, but 70% ethanol extracts inhibited H₂O₂-mediated cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. 4. The cytotoxic protective effect of EEO against oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts was correlated with its inhibitory effects on H₂O₂-induced apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest. 5. In H₂O₂-treated C2C12 myoblasts, the apoptosis inhibitory effects of EEO were associated with the suppression of mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage. 6. The protective effects of EEO against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts were directly related to the inhibition of ROS generation. Conclusions: Ojayeonjong-hwan extracts all have protective potential against oxidative stress.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.157-164
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• 2018

This study was designed to investigate the mechanism of the synergistic anticancer effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and Adenophora triphylla var. japonica (AT) in H1299 human lung carcinoma cells. A combined treatment of ethanol extract of AM (EAM) and AT (EAT) explosively increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in H1299 cells compared to the single treatment of each of them. Co-treatment of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) with EAM and EAT markedly enhanced the cell viability and suppressed apoptosis in H1299 cells, suggesting that ROS generation contributed to the anticancer effect of EAM and EAT. Interestingly, the combined treatment of EAM and EAT down-regulated p-AKT in H1299 cells, which was abrogated by NAC treatment. These results clearly indicated that ROS generation mediated the inactivation of AKT. Co-treatment of LY294002 with EAM and EAT significantly reduced the cell viability at a concentration which EAM and EAT didn't show any cytotoxicity. In addition, the recovery of cell viability by co-treatment of NAC with EAM and EAT was quite reversed by LY294002 treatment, which confirmed that the inactivation of AKT played a pivotal role in ROS-mediated apoptosis. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the synergistic anticancer effect of EAM and EAT was mediated by ROS generation and inactivation of AKT. We provide a valuable preclinical data for the development of more effective combination of AM and AT to treat lung cancer.