• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to determine new source of FRUTUS GLEDITSIAE and SPINA GLEDITSIAE. Methods : We observed the morphological features of fruit, spine, seed, and measured the length, weight of fruit, and removed from the bark and seed. Results : 1. The fruit of Gleditsia sinensis is almost straight. 2. The fruit of G. sinensis is 13-19cm long. 3. The fruit of G. sinensis is 11-22g. 4. The seed of G. sinensis is irregularly spherodical or compressed spherodical. 5. The fruit of G. sinensis can be removed from the bark and seed. Conclusion : The fruit of Gleditsia sinensis is the origin of FRUTUS GLEDITSIAE, and the spine of G. sinensis is the origin of SPINA GLEDITSIAE.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.55-69
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• 2008

Objective : This study was designed to investigated effects of Gleditsia spina (GS) on human derived melanoma cells Methods : The genetic profile for the effect of medicine on human derived melanoma cells of SK-MEL-2, was measured by using microarray technique, and the functional analysis on these genes was conducted. The network of total protein interactions was measured by using cytoscape program. Results : Total 253 genes were up-regulated and 439 genes down-regulated in cells treated with GS. Genes induced or suppressed by GS were all mainly concerned with metabolic process, regulation of biological process and protein binding. Conclusion : Suggest the possibility of GS as anti-cancer drug and cosmetic agent, and also suggest that related mechanisms are involved in regulation of intra-cellular metabolism in melanoma cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.57-64
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• 2015

Objectives : Oxidative stress is one of the most causes of hepatocyte injury. Gleditsia spina, the thorns ofGleditsia sinensisLam., has been known for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects in Korean medicine. The present study investigated hepatoprotective effect of Gleditsia spina water extract (GSE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA) + iron in HepG2 cells.Methods : To investigate cytoprotective effect of GSE, cells were pretreated with GSE and then subsequently exposed to 10 μM AA for 12 h, followed by 5 μM iron. Cell viability was monitored by MTT assay, and expression of apoptosis-related proteins was examined by immunoblot analysis. To identify responsible molecular mechanisms, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, GSH contents, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured. In addition, effect of GSE on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation was determined by immunoblot and antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven reporter gene assays.Results : GSE pretreatment prevented AA + iron-mediated cytotoxicity in concentration dependent manner. In addition, ROS production, glutathione depletion, and mitochondrial impairment by AA + iron were significantly inhibited by GSE. Furthermore, GSE promoted translocation of Nrf2 to nucleus, which acts as essential transcription factor for induction of antioxidant genes. Increased nuclear Nrf2 that caused by GSE treatment promoted transcriptional activity of ARE. Finally, GSE up-regulated sestrin-2 which was widely recognized as target gene of Nrf2.Conclusions : This study demonstrates that GSE protects hepatocytes from oxidative stress via activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.47-62
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• 2009

Glenditsia spina (GS) can resolve carbuncle, relive swelling, dispel wind and destroy parasites. For these reasons, GS has been widely used as dermatologic agent clinically. In this study, the specific pathways of anti-proliferative effect of GS on human derived melanoma cells were identified. The molecular profile was measured using microarray technique to identify up- or down-regulated genes in SK-MEL-2 cell line. Pathway analysis was done by listing percentage of pathway involvement, and the represented pathways were obtained from KEGG. The transcription factor binding sequences were obtained by Transfac database. By the promoter analysis, up-regulated genes by GS were mainly associated with MAPK, Regulation of actin cytoskeleton, Wnt, Focal adhesion and Long term potentiation pathway. Down-regulated genes by GS were mainly associated with MAPK and Antigen processing and presentation pathway. And some of the transcription factors like Sp1 and NF-Y in up-regulated genes and Oct-1 in down-regulated genes by GS also identified.