• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.184-192
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• 2014

${\beta}$-lapachone is a naturally occurring quinone that selectively induces apoptotic cell death in a variety of human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo; however, its mechanism of action needs to be further elaborated. In this study, we investigated the effects of ${\beta}$-lapachone on the induction of apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma AGS cells. ${\beta}$-lapachone significantly inhibited cellular proliferation, and some typical apoptotic characteristics such as chromatin condensation and an increase in the population of sub-G1 hypodiploid cells were observed in ${\beta}$-lapachone-treated AGS cells. Treatment with ${\beta}$-lapachone caused mitochondrial transmembrane potential dissipation, stimulated the mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway, as indicated by caspase-9 activation, cytochrome c release, Bcl-2 downregulation and Bax upregulation, as well as death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway, as indicated by activation of caspase-8 and truncation of Bid. This process was accompanied by activation of caspase-3 and concomitant with cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. The general caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, significantly abolished ${\beta}$-lapachone-induced cell death and inhibited growth. Further analysis demonstrated that the induction of apoptosis by ${\beta}$-lapachone was accompanied by inactivation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. The PI3K inhibitor LY29004 significantly increased ${\beta}$-lapachone-induced apoptosis and growth inhibition. Taken together, these findings indicate that the apoptotic activity of ${\beta}$-lapachone is probably regulated by a caspase-dependent cascade through activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways, and that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling may contribute to ${\beta}$-lapachone-mediated AGS cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.77-104
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• 2001

The effects of the oriental herbal medicine Saenghyetang(SHT, 生慧湯), which consists of Rehmanniae Radix (熟地黃 九蒸: was made by 9th steam) 40g, Corni Fructus(山茱黃) 16g, Polygalae Radix(遠志) 8g, Zizyphi Spinosae Semen(酸棗仁) 2g, Biotae Semen(柏子仁 去油: oil ingredient was removed) 20g, Poria Cocos(茯笭) 12g, Ginseng Radix(人蔘) 12g, Acori Graminei Rhizoma(石菖蒲) 2g, Sinapis Semen(白芥子) 8g, on learning ability and memory were investigated. Hot water extract(HWE) and ethanol extract(EE) from SHT were used for the studies. Learning ability and memory are related to modifications of synaptic strength among neurons that interactive. Enhanced synaptic coincidence detection leads to improved learning ability and memory. If the NMDA receptor, a synaptic coincidence detector, acts as a graded switch for memory formations, enhanced signal detection by NMDA receptors should enhance learning ability and memory. It was shown that NR2B was increased in the forebrains of oriental medicine-administrated mice, leading to enhanced activation of NMDA receptors and facilitating synaptic potentiation in response to stimulation at 10-100 Hz. These HWE-SHT treated mice exhibited that superior ability in learning and memory when performing various behavioral tasks, showing that NR2B is enhanced by HWE-SHT treatment and also is critical in gating the age-dependent threshold for plasticity and memory formation. NMDA receptor-dependent modifications, which were mediated in part by HWE administration, of synaptic efficacy, therefore, represent a mechanism for associative learning ability and memory. Results suggest that oriental medical enhancement of NR2B contributes to increase intelligence and memory in mammals On the other hand, to examine the effects of EE-SHT on the learning ability and memory in experimental mice, EE-SHT was tested on passive and active avoidance responses. The EE-SHT ameliorated the memory retrieval deficit induced by ethanol in mice, but not other memory impairments. EE-SHT(10, 20mg/100 g, p.o.) did not affect the passive avoidance responses of normal mice in the step through and step down tests, the conditioned and unconditioned avoidance responses of normal mice in the shuttle box, lever press performance tests and the ambulatory activity of normal mice in a normal condition. However, EE-SHT at 20 mg/kg significantly decrease the spontaneous motor activity during the shuttle box test, and also to extend the sleeping time induced by pentobarbital in mice. These results suggest that SHT has an ameliorating effect on memory retrieval impairments and a weak tranquilizing action.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.67-85
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• 2006

Obiecnves : The purpose of this study was to examine the analgesic effect of moxi-tar on a rat model of carrageenan-induced arthritis and the relations between moxi-tar-induced analgesia and endogenous NO and iNOS, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord. Methods : Carrageenan-induced arthritis rat model was used to test the effect of moxi-tar as a chronic pain model. After the induction of arthritis, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for at least the next 4 days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful knee, since oral injection of indomethacin produced temporary improvement of weight bearing. Moxi-tar dissolved in ethyl alcohol was injected several acupoints. After the treatment, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 12 hours. Results : Moxi-tar produced significant improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis lasting at least 9 hours. The magnitude of this improvement was equivalent to that obtained after an oral injection of 3 mg/kg of indomethacin and this improvement of stepping force was interpreted as an analgesic effect. Moxi-tar produced the improvement of stepping force of the affected hindlimb in a dose-dependent manner. Both NO production and iNOS, COX-2 protein expression increased by arthritis were suppressed by moxi-tar. moxi-tar on combination with electroacupuncture (EA) produced more powerful and longer lasting improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis than either moxi-tar or EA did. Conclusion : The present study suggest that moxi-tar produces a potent analgesic effect on the chronic knee arthritis pain model in the rat and that moxi-tar-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of iNOS/COX-2 protein expression.

• 한국한의학연구원논문집
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.101-109
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• 2009

The Pulse diagnosis is in the boundary of the Four Examinations, and it is called 切診, or palpation. It has a great impact on people in reminding of the Traditional Medicine that it is probably the first thing that people think of when they hear about Traditional Medicine. Hu-Jun quoted in the Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine "東醫寶鑑" that the doctor finds out the deficiency and the excess of the meridian of the patiant through the pulse, and that it is of the utmost necessity to know the "deficiency and the excess" of the meridian to decide the formula (君臣佐使) of the herbal medicine and the acupuncture/moxibustion treatment. The research on the studies of pulse diagnosis have been concentrated on the origin, history, and the theory of the pulse diagnosis throughout the years; however, the number of research on the image from the classics on pulse diagnosis have been less. With this in mind, this paper was written to study more on the origin and the history of the pulse diagnosis as well as to study on the image of pulse diagnosis shown on the classics on Traditional Medicine in China and Korea. The history of the pulse diagnosis has its root on the attempt to find out what is happening inside the body through the indication of the small changes of the pulse that is shown on the outer boundaries of the body. There were various kinds of pulse diagnosis including "Three positions and nine indicators method" and "Carotid pulsation and wrist pulse method" in the ancient period, and wrist pulse-taking method became the most popular since the completion of studying on palpation by 初보. The image of the palpation helps the rudimentary practitioners of Traditional Medicine. They are divided into two large categories, which are the area of diagnosis and the shape of the pulse itself. The historical classics including the image of the pulse diagnosis can be found since the Song Dynasty of China. There are various kinds of image of pulse diagnosis in the classic such as "The picture of the hand meridian" from "脈訣指掌病式圖說", "The picture of the image of meridian" from "察病指南", "The picture of the Seven exterior and Eight interior" from "校正圖注脈訣", and "The picture of the six parts of meridian" from Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine "東醫寶鑑". The Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine "東醫寶鑑" have analyzed the basic theories and made up the standards of pulse diagnosis by establishing "The picture of the six parts of meridian" based on "The method of placing the viscera and bowels corresponding to cun-guan-qi, or the meridian".

• 대한화학회지
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.57-62
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• 2011

가끔 먼 지역 거주자들은 현대 의약품이나 의학 서비스에 있어서 불충분하거나 접근할 수 없다. 그들은 개똥쑥의 선택된 품종을 경작하고 차 제조의 적절한 방법에 따라 식물로부터 차나 달인즙을 만드는 것에 의해 말라리아에 대항한 치료의 관점에서 이익을 얻을 수 있다. 아르테미시닌에 대한 최대 추출 효율을 위해, 개똥쑥의 차제조의 다른 방법들은 발달된 DPP방법을 적용하여 연구되었고 이 논문에 서술되었다. 차는 시간을 다르게 하여 3가지 다른 방법으로 제조된다(굽기, 섞거나 섞지 않으면서 굽지 않기 그리고 마이크로 웨이브 오븐). 결과로부터, 아르테미시닌의 더 높은 농도(84.7%)는 15분 동안 섞으면서 굽지 않는 차 제조법에 의해 도달될 수 있다는 것을 발견했다(R.S.D. 2.34%). 아르테미시닌의 농도는 마이크로 웨이브 오븐에서 1.5분 이상 구울 때 감소한다. 최대한도의 추출(88.9%)은 증류수에서 5%에탄올과 함께 섞는 추출방법에서 가능했다(R.S.D. 2.28%).

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.1497-1501
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• 2006

The therapeutic anti-diabetic effect of Nelumbo Folium and a poly herbal formula (NOC) was evaluated in the streptozotocin (STZ 60 mg/kg, I.p.) induced diabetic rats. For this study, test articles were orally administrated once a day from 7 d after STZ-injection for 3 weeks. The fasting blood glucose, body weight, pancreas weight changes, oral glucose tolerance test, hemoglobin Alc (Hb A1c) level changes and the histopathological changes were observed. WNL-treated rat had lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to control group and NOC-treated rat had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels, compared to control group (p < 0.05). After 21 days of extract treatment, body weight in control was reduced (p < 0.001). WNL and NOC groups were also reduced compared to control group but insignificantly. Pancreas weight of control group was reduced (p < 0.001), but the weight of NOC group were increased (P< 0.05). During the 2 h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), WNL group were improved compared to control group (P < 0.05). NOC group were improved compared to control group but insignificantly. WNL and NOC groups had lower Hb Alc level compared to control group. In addition, atrophy of islet and decrease of insulin-producing cells were detected in STZ induced diabetes rats. However, these diabetic changes were decreased in WNL and NOC groups. These results suggest that N. Folium and NOC have favorable effects to inhibit the changes on the fasting blood glucose levels, pancreas weight, glucose tolerance, hemoglobin Alc and the histopathological changes of pancreas in STZ-induced diabetes.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권11호
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• pp.1404-1408
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• 2013

본 연구에서는 마우스 췌장의 선포세포(primary acinar cell)에서 에탄올에 의해 유도된 염증성 손상에 미치는 녹차의 생리활성 물질인 EGCG의 효과를 췌장분비 효소의 활성과 선포세포에서의 기능 회복 관련 마크로 알려진 유전자들(AMPK, RKIP 및 Reg1)의 발현 조절 측면에서 조사하였다. 대조군에 비해 에탄올이 처리된 세포에서는 ${\alpha}$-amylase와 chymotrypsin의 활성이 증가되었지만, EGCG 처리에 의하여 그들 활성이 유의적으로 감소하였다. 세포 생존 및 보호와 관련 있는 AMPK 인산화 수준은 에탄올 단독 처리시 그 발현이 감소하였지만, EGCG 처리에 의하여 유의적으로 회복되었다. 세포 사멸과 세포독성 조절과 연관이 있는 RKIP 또한 그 발현 경향이 AMPK인산화 변화의 정도와 유사하였다. 또한 베타세포 재생에 관여하는 Reg1 발현은 에탄올이 처리된 선포세포에 EGCG를 처리하였을 경우 그 발현량이 유의적으로 증가하였다. 이상의 결과들을 종합하여, 항산화성 폴리페놀인 EGCG는 알코올성 췌장염으로 인한 세포의 손상이나 당뇨병 예방과 회복에 치료적 효과를 가질 수 있다고 제안한다.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.357-365
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• 2015

민간요법 유해사례란 예로부터 민간에 전해 내려오는 질병 치료법인 민간요법 사용 중에 발생되는 바람직하지 않거나 의도되지 않은 모든 불편감이다. 본 연구는 인터넷 뉴스기사를 통해 민간요법 유해사례의 형태와 위험성을 분석하고자 하였다. 인터넷트렌드(www.internettrend.co.kr)의 웹사이트 분석평가에 의한 점유율 상위 3개 포털 사이트인 네이버(NAVER), 다음(DAUM), 네이트(NATE)를 검색 대상으로 선정하여 최근 5년간(2009년 1월 1일부터 2014년 2월 28일까지) 민간요법 유해사례의 신문기사를 검색하였다. 총 973건의 신문기사가 검색되었고 18건이 포함기준에 만족되었다. 유해사례를 경험한 사람은 총 27명으로 연령은 4개월부터 76세까지이고, 남녀 모두에게 발생하였다. 2회 이상 반복적인 유해사례를 일으킨 민간요법으로는 독성 약재인 봉삼 또는 초오를 재료로 사용하여 복용한 요법, 피부에 외용하는 식초요법, 시술자에 의한 벌침 또는 부항요법이었다. 중대한 유해사례로서 사망이 11명이 있었으며 자신이 직접 복용한 1명을 제외하고는 모두 의료인이 아닌 무자격자의 시술에 의한 사망이었다. 국내에서 대중적인 민간요법은 인터넷 상에서 정보가 활발히 상호 교류되며 전문 의료인의 지도 없이 오, 남용되고 있는 것이 현실이다. 국민의 보건의료측면에서 국가나 의료계가 민간요법 유해사례에 대한 위험성 홍보 및 올바른 건강정보 제공 계획을 세우고 나아가 유해사례를 보고 및 감시하는 체계도 확립해야 할 필요성이 있음을 지적하는 바이다.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.101-108
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• 2021

Objectives : A root of Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng et T. M. Ai (D. asperoides) has been traditionally used as a medicinal resource in several Asian countries, including Korean and traditional Chinese medicine that has been traditionally used for treating several medical conditions including pain, arthritis, and bone fractures in Korea. In the present study, we investigated potential subacute toxicities of D. asperoides extract. Methods : C57BL/6 mice (male, 7weeks) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 5 mice. Except for the control group, the mice were orally administrated D. asperoides extract at doses of 50, 150, or 450 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, all mice were euthanized, and the following parameters were examined: mortality, body weight, clinical signs, gross findings, hematology, serum biochemistry, organ weight, and histopathology. Results : There were no abnormalities in mortality, clinical signs, body weight, gross findings, or organ weight after repeated administration of D. asperoides extract for 2 weeks, compared with the control group. In addition, there were no significant changes in hematological, serum biochemical, and histopathological parameters between the control group and D. asperoides extract administrated groups with doses of up to 450 mg/kg/day. Conclusion : In this study, D. asperoides extract showed no significant toxicities at a dose of up to 450 mg/kg/day in mice. Although we could not confirm the toxic dose of D. asperoides extract, it can be considered safe for further pharmacological use.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권11호
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• pp.1501-1507
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• 2021

Lagerstroemia ovalifolia Teijsm. & Binn. (LO) (crape myrtle) has reportedly been used as traditional herbal medicine (THM) in Java, Indonesia. Our previous study revealed that the LO leaf extract (LOLE) exerted anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Based on this finding, the current study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of LOLE in a mouse model of LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI). The results showed that treatment with LPS enhanced the inflammatory cell influx into the lungs and increased the number of macrophages and the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice. However, these effects were notably abrogated with LOLE pretreatment. Furthermore, the increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in the lung tissues of mice with ALI was also reversed by LOLE. In addition, LOLE significantly suppressed the LPS-induced activation of the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway and led to heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction in the lungs. Additionally, in vitro experiments showed that LOLE enhanced the expression of HO-1 in RAW264.7 macrophages. The aforementioned findings collectively indicate that LOLE exerts an ameliorative effect on inflammatory response in the airway of ALI mice.