• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.75-80
• /
• 2011

Objectives : The aim of the present study is to investigate the hypotensive effect of Samhwangsasim-tang (SHSST), Samigangap-tang (SMGAT) and Bangtan-tang (BTT) in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP). Methods : SHR-SP rats were treated with SHSST, SMGAT and BTT at dose of 200 mg/kg/day orally for 5 weeks, respectively. Results : Treatment SHR-SP rats with SMGAT significantly lowered blood pressure but not in the SHSST or BTT treat groups. On the other hand, SHSST, SMGAT and BTT ameliorated endothelium-dependent and independent vascular relaxation in the phenylephrine-precontracted aorta and carotid artery, respectively. Conclusions : These results indicated that SMGAT has an antihypertensive effect and SHSST, SMGAT and BTT improve vascular function in stroke-prone hypertensive rat model, respectively.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.211-216
• /
• 2001

This studs was carried out to evaluate KBrO$_3$-induced acute toxicity by clinical pathological parameters in rats. Fourty rats were divided into 4 groups including normal group and three KBrO$_3$-treated groups with doses of 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg, p. o., respectively. Creatinine and BUN were increased remarkably by KBrO$_3$ at 400 mg/kg, respectively (p<0.05, p<0.01). Phosphorus content increased two times the control at 400 mg/kg (p<0.05). Osmolarity was increased, whereas $CO_2$ content showed decrease at 400 mg/kg, respectively (p<0.01, p<0.05). Histopathological findings also showed dose-dependent renal failure. On the other hand, AST was increased three times the control at 400 mg/kg (p<0.01). WBC was increased by KBrO$_3$ depending on the dosage. Platelet was decreased at 200 mg/kg, whereas it was increased at 400 mg/kg (p<0.05). The results above suggest that clinical pathological parameters could be used as indices for the evaluation of KBrO$_3$-induced acute toxic reponse occuring in not only kidney but other organs including liver, when the dosage is as high as 400 mg/kg.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.722-729
• /
• 2006

Recently, we have reported that 3-hydrogenkwadaphnin (3-HK), a diterpene ester isolated from Dendrostellera lessertii (Thymealeaceae), is very effective against leukemia cell lines without any detectable effects on normal cells (Moosavi et al., 2005b). In this study, we report that 3-HK induces $G_1$ cell-cycle arrest, differentiation and apoptosis in APL NB4 cell line. Indeed, the drug between 24 to 96 h induced 7-65% growth inhibition of NB4 cells. Cell viability was also decreased by 2-55% between 24 to 96 h treatments with the drug, respectively. These effects of the drug were also dose-dependent. According to flow cytomtry results, 3-HK (15 nM) induced a significant G1-arrest up to 24 h which was consequently followed with appearance of sub-$G_1$ peak at 72 to 96 h. Hoechst 33258 staining and DNA fragmentation assays confirmed the occurrence of apoptosis among the treated cells. On the other hand, NBT reducing assay, Wright-Giemsa staining, phagocytic activity and expression of cell surface markers (CD11b and CD14) confirmed that the inhibition of proliferation is associated with differentiation especially toward macrophage-like morphology. Interestingly, 3-HK at 5 and 10 nM enhanced the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in NB4 cells. Based on these results, 3-HK might become an ideal candidate for treatment of APL patients pending full exploration of its biological functions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.28 no.10
• /
• pp.1723-1729
• /
• 2018

The aim of this work is to investigate the protective efficacy of emodin, an active, naturally-occurring anthraquinone derivative of several traditional Chinese herbs, against Brucella abortus infection in macrophages. Brucella were incubated with different concentrations of emodin and showed that bacterial survival rates were markedly reduced in a dose-dependent manner at increasing incubation time points. Through bacterial infection assay, the highest non-cytotoxic concentration of emodin demonstrated attenuated invasion of Brucella into macrophages, however it did not inhibit the growth of these pathogens within the host cells. On the other hand, emodin effectively decreased the number of bacteria that adhered to host cells, which indicated its potential as an anti-adhesin agent. Furthermore, using immunoblotting and FACS assay for detecting MAPK signaling proteins and F-actin polymerization, respectively, the results showed that the emodin-incubated cells displayed modest reduction in the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and inhibition of F-actin polymerization as compared to control cells. These findings indicate the potential use of emodin as a naturally-occurring alternative method for the prevention of animal brucellosis although this requires confirmation of safe clinical doses.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.25-30
• /
• 2006

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), which accumulates in atherosclerotic arteries, has been reported to inhibit endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) in many different species. However, the underlying mechanism of LPC-induced inhibition of EDR is still uncertain. In the present study, we measured simultaneously both isometric tension and cytosolic free $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) in rabbit carotid strips, and examined the effect of LPC on tension and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. In carotid strips with intact-endothelium, high $K^+$ (70 mM) increased both tension and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, and cumulative addition of acetylcholine (ACh) from 0.1 to $10{\mu}M$ induced dose dependent increase of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ with concomitant relaxation. In the presence of L-NAME (0.1 mM), ACh increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ without affecting the amplitude of high $K^+-induced$ tension. These ACh-induced change of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension was abolished by removal of endothelium or 10 nM 4-DAMP (muscarinic receptor antagonist) pretreatment. Pretreatment of LPC ($10{\mu}M$) inhibited ACh ($10{\mu}M$)-induced change of tension and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in endothelium-intact carotid artery. On the other hand, LPC had no effect on ACh-induced change of tension and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in endothelium denuded artery. In $Ca^{2+}$-free external solution, ACh transiently increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, and pretreatment of LPC significantly inhibited ACh-induced transient $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ change. Based on the above results, it may be concluded that LPC inhibits the ACh-induced $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ change through inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in vascular endothelial cells, resulting in decreased production of NO and concomitant inhibition of endotheliumdependent vascular relaxation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.865-871
• /
• 2005

The Wenbing tiaobian(온병조변) is the first systematic disease monograph on warm factor disease(온병), written by Wu Jutong(오국통). It was most influenced by the Linzheng zhinan yian(임증지남의안), which was a book of gathering medical case records of Ye tianshi(엽천사). Therefore, there are plenty of quotations from this book in the Wenbing tiaobian. This study investigates the quotations from Linzheng zhinan yian, especially focusing on the way of transformation and correction of the original medical case records on the warm factor disease. The results are as follows: About 104 of 265 provisions in the Wenbing tiaobian were directly quoted from the Linzheng zhinan yian. The provisions quoted from Ye's case records were rearranged according to the categories of the triple burners pattern differentiation(삼초변증) and the causes of warm factor disease. And eve case record was transformed into more general descriptive form in order to put it into the book. For example, the specific figures, and some patients' peculiar symptoms, causes, sex and disease names were omitted. On the other hand, the tongue moss, pulse shape and some symptoms, which were necessary for differentiating patterns, were added. In the case of the formula, some formulas originated from Ye's case records were named newly. And the dose of each herb consisting a formula was determined, and therapeutic principle, taking method and detailed explanation was added to every formula.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.118-124
• /
• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Grateloupia elliptica, a seaweed native to Jeju Island, Korea, on the prevention of hair loss. When immortalized rat vibrissa dermal papilla cells were treated with extract of G. elliptica, the proliferation of dermal papilla cells significantly increased. In addition, the G. elliptica extract significantly inhibited the activity of $5{\alpha}$-reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a main cause of androgenetic alopecia. On the other hand, the G. elliptica extract promoted $PGE_2$ production in HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner. The G. elliptica extract exhibited particularly high inhibitory effect on LPS-stimulated IL-12, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. The G. elliptica extract also showed inhibitory activity against Pityrosporum ovale, a main cause of dandruff. These results suggest that G. elliptica extract has the potential to treat alopecia via the proliferation of dermal papilla, $5{\alpha}$-reductase inhibition, increase of $PGE_2$ production, decrease of LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibitory activity against Pityrosporum ovale.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.219-227
• /
• 1992

The influence of phenobarbital (PB) pretreatment (75 mg/kg/day, i.p. for 4 days) on the pharmacokinetics of diltiazem (DTZ) and its metabolite, desacetyldiltiazem (DAD), was investigated in rats. DTZ was injected via femoral (3 mg/kg) or portal (10 mg/kg) vein to the control and PB-pretreated rats. DAD was also injected separately via femoral (3 mg/kg) vein to both groups of rats. The intrinsic hepatic plasma clearance of DTZ was found to be significantly increased (6.8-fold) by the PB pretreatment. However, the fraction of an intravenous DTZ dose converted to DAD $(F_mi)$ was only slightly (6%) increased and calculated metabolic rate constant of DTZ to DAD was not affected by the pretreatment. On the other hand, plasma free fraction of DTZ was increased (1.8-fold) from $4.24{\pm}0.25%$ to $7.45{\pm}0.54%$ by the pretreatment. However, the l.8-fold increase in the free fraction of DTZ would not explain the 6.8-fold increase in the hepatic intrinsic clearance of DTZ. Therefore, the increase in either the hepatic blood flow or the metabolism other than to DAD was expected as the probable mechanism(s) of the increased hepatic clearance of DTZ. Sequential metabolism of DAD to further metabolites, however, would be a more potential cause of the apparently unchanged metabolism of DTZ to DAD by the PB-pretreatment.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.209-216
• /
• 2001

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of l-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) in vivo. The plasma concentration and liver concentration of ANS were determined after its i.v. bolus administration at a dose of $30\;{\mu}mol/kg$ in rats. The hepatic uptake clearance $(CL_{uptake})$ of ANS was 0.1 ml/min/g liver. On the basis of the unbound concentration of ANS, the permeability-surface area product $(PS_{influx})$ was calculated to be l0.4 ml/min/g liver, being comparable of in vitro data. On the other hand, we determined the plasma concentration, liver concentration and biliary excretion rate of ANS at steady-state after its i. v. infusion $(0.2-1.6\;{\mu}mol/min/kg)$ in rats. The excretion clearance $(CL_{excretion})$ of ANS showed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with increasing the infusion rate. The permeability-surface area product $(PS_{excretion})$ based on the unbound concentration in the liver was calculated to be 0.0165 ml/min/g liver, which is negligible compared with the intrinsic clearance $(CL_{int}=3.3\;ml/min/g\;liver)$ by rat liver microsomes. The sequestration process of ANS, therefore, was considered to be mainly due to the metabolic process in the liver $(PS_{seq}{\risingdotseq}CL_{int})$. Furthermore, $PS_{efflux}$ value calculated from $PS_{influx}$ and $PS_{seq}$ was 4.4 ml/min/g liver, which was comparable of in vitro data. In conclusion, in vivo parameters such as $PS_{influx}$, $PS_{efflux}$ and $PS_{seq}$ in the present study showed good in vivo-in vitro relationship. Thus, the kinetic analysis method proposed in the present study would be useful to analyze the hepatic transport of drugs in vivo.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.10-17
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Boswellic acid (BA), a compound isolated from the gum-resin of Boswellia carterii, is a pentacyclic terpenoid that is active against many inflammatory diseases, including cancer, arthritis, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and memory impairment, but the mechanism is poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of boswellic acid on spatial learning and memory impairment induced by trimethyltin (TMT) in Wistar rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Normal group, TMT-administrated rats (8.0 mg/kg, Intraperitoneally, i.p.) and TMT + BA (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg, i.p.)-administrated rats. BA was used daily for 21 days. To evaluate the cognitive improving of BA, we performed the Morris water maze test. Moreover, to investigate the neuroprotective effect of BA, we determined the acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and the glutathione (GSH) content in the cerebral cortex. Results: Treatment with TMT impaired learning and memory, and treatment with BA at a dose of 160 mg/kg produced a significant improvement in learning and memory abilities in the water maze tasks. Consistent with behavioral data, the activity of AChE was significantly increased in the TMT-injected rats compared to the control group (P < 0.01) whereas all groups treated with BA presented a more significant inhibitory effect against AChE than the TMT-injected animals. In addition, TMT reduced the GSH content and increased the MDA level in the cerebral cortex as compared to the control group) P < 0.01). On the other hand, treatment with BA at 160 mg/kg slightly increased the GSH content and reduced the MDA level in comparison to the TMT-administered group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The above results suggest that the effect of BA in improving the cognitive function may be mediated through its antioxidant activity.