• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.357-366
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• 2022

Background: Withania somnifera (Solanaceae), generally known as Indian ginseng, is a medicinal plant that is used in Ayurvedic practice for promoting health and longevity. This study aims to identify the bioactive metabolites from Indian ginseng and elucidate their structures. Methods: Withanolides were purified by chromatographic techniques, including HPLC coupled with LC/MS. Chemical structures of isolated withanolides were clarified by analyzing the spectroscopic data from 1D and 2D NMR, and HR-ESIMS experiment. Absolute configurations of the withanolides were established by the application of NMR chemical shifts and ECD calculations. Anti-adipogenic activities of isolates were evaluated using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with Oil Red O staining and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Results: Phytochemical examination of the roots of Indian ginseng afforded to the isolation of six withanolides (1-6), including three novel withanolides, withasilolides GeI (1-3). All the six compounds inhibited adipogenesis and suppressed the enlargement of lipid droplets, compared to those of the control. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of Fabp4 and Adipsin, the adipocyte markers decreased noticeably following treatment with 25 µM of 1-6. The active compounds (1-6) also promoted lipid metabolism by upregulating the expression of the lipolytic genes HSL and ATGL and downregulating the expression of the lipogenic gene SREBP1. Conclusion: The results of our experimental studies suggest that the withasilolides identified herein have anti-adipogenic potential and can be considered for the development of therapeutic strategies against adipogenesis in obesity. Our study also provides a mechanistic rationale for using Indian ginseng as a potential therapeutic agent against obesity and related metabolic diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 2016

Although the antioxidant and cardioprotective effects of NecroX-5 on various in vitro and in vivo models have been demonstrated, the action of this compound on the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system remains unclear. Here we verify the role of NecroX-5 in protecting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity during hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR). Necrox-5 treatment ($10{\mu}M$) and non-treatment were employed on isolated rat hearts during hypoxia/reoxygenation treatment using an ex vivo Langendorff system. Proteomic analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and non-labeling peptide count protein quantification. Real-time PCR, western blot, citrate synthases and mitochondrial complex activity assays were then performed to assess heart function. Treatment with NecroX-5 during hypoxia significantly preserved electron transport chain proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and metabolic functions. NecroX-5 also improved mitochondrial complex I, II, and V function. Additionally, markedly higher peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-$1{\alpha}$ ($PGC1{\alpha}$) expression levels were observed in NecroX-5-treated rat hearts. These novel results provide convincing evidence for the role of NecroX-5 in protecting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity and in preserving $PGC1{\alpha}$ during cardiac HR injuries.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.362-366
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to compare the anticancer activity of glucosinolates against four different cancer cells; SNU-251, SNU-354, SNU-C4, MCF-7 and to determine the amounts of glucosinolates in mustard leaves. Green and red mustard leaves were cultivated on the field of Rural Development Administration from May to July, 2010. After the leaves were harvest and lypophilized, the fine powder was extracted with boiling 70% methanol(v/v) for the measurement of anticancer activity and then applied to the cancer cells obtained from Korean Cell Line Bank(KCLB). The anticancer activity of red leaf mustard was higher than that of green mustard leaf, particularly in SNU-251 for 24 hr and in SNU-C4 for 48 hr. In both green and red mustard leaf, sinigrin was the most abundant glucosinolte and was determined as 4.71 and 3.06 mg/g dry wt., respectively, but glucoiberin only presented 0.14 mg/g dry wt. with minor amounts.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.361-369
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• 2015

The precise mechanism underlying the therapeutic efficacy of an extraction powder of Angelica gigas (AGE) for the treatment of degenerative osteoarthritis was investigated in primary cultured rabbit chondrocytes and in a monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. The treatment with AGE (50 μg/mL) effectively inhibited NF-B activation. The anti-inflammatory mechanism was clarified by gelatin zymography and western blotting measurements of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activities. The AGE (50 μg/mL) treatment significantly reduced MMP-9 activity. The constituents of AGE— decursinol, decursin, and decursinol angelate—were determined by LC-MS/MS after a 24 hr treatment of rabbit chondrocytes. The contents of the major products, decursin and decursinol angelate, were 3.62±0.47 and 2.14 ±0.36 μg/mg protein, respectively in AGE-treated (50 μg/mL) rabbit chondrocytes. An in vivo animal study on rats fed a diet containing 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg AGE for 3 weeks revealed a significant inhibition of the MMPs in the MIA-induced rat articular cartilage. The genetic expression of arthritic factors in the articular cartilage was examined by RT-PCR of collagen Type I, collagen Type II, aggrecan, and MMP (MMP3, MMP-9, MMP13). Specifically, AGE up-regulated the expression of collagen Type I, collagen Type II, and aggrecan and inhibited MMP levels at all tested concentrations. Collectively, AGE showed a strong specific site of action on MMP regulation and protected against the degeneration of articular cartilage via cellular regulation of MMP expression both in vitro and in vivo.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-12
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• 2012

Background: Cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride, is an ester-type oral cephem antibiotic. This study was performed to compare the pharmacokinetics and evaluate the bioequivalence of two cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride 75 mg formulations. Method: In a randomized $2{\times}2$ crossover study, sixty healthy male volunteers were randomly assigned into two groups. After a single dose of 75 mg cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride oral administration, blood samples were collected at specific time intervals from 0-12 hours. The plasma concentrations of cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride were determined by LC-MS/MS. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from the plasma concentration-time profiles of both formulations. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_{last}$, $AUC_{inf}$ and $C_{max}$, were calculated and the 90% confidence intervals for test/reference ratio for pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained by analysis of variance on logarithmically transformed data. Results: The mean value for $AUC_{last}$ in test and reference drug was $4053.1{\pm}876.5\;ng{\cdot}hr/mL$ and $3595.7{\pm}1029.1\;ng{\cdot}h/mL$, respectively. The mean value for $C_{max}$ in test and reference drug was $1324.9{\pm}321.4$ ng/mL and $1159.1{\pm}335.9$ ng/mL, respectively. The 90% confidence intervals of the $AUC_{last}$ and $C_{max}$ ratio for test drug and reference drug were log 1.09-log1.22 and log 1.09-log1.24, respectively. No adverse events were reported by subjects or found on analysis of vital signs or laboratory tests. Conclusion: This single dose study found that the test and reference products met the regulatory criteria for bioequivalence in these health volunteers. Both formulations were safe and well tolerated in 75 mg of cefcapene pivoxil hydrochloride.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.89-100
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• 2014

Objective : The co-administration effects of Gongjindan (GJD) on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of sorafenib were observed as a process of the comprehensive and integrative medicine. Methods : After sorafenib treatment, GJD was administered within 5 min. The plasma were collected at 30min before administration, 30min, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 24hrs after end of GJD treatment, and plasma concentrations of sorafenib were analyzed using LC-MS/MS methods. PK parameters of sorafenib ($T_{max}$, $C_{max}$, AUC, $t_{1/2}$ and $MRT_{inf}$) were analysis as compared with sorafenib single administered rats. Results : The absorption of sorafenib were significantly increased at 30min, 1, 6 and 6hrs after co-administration with GJD as compared with sorafenib single treated rats. Accordingly, the $AUC_{0-t}$ (47.20%) of sorafenib was significantly increased but $t_{1/2}$ (-30.63%) and $MRT_{inf}$ (-34.11%) in co-administered rats were non-significantly decreased. These findings are considered as direct evidences that GJD increased the oral bioavailability of sorafenib through increase of the absorption, when they co-administered within 5min. Conclusion : Based on the results, co-administration of GJD increased the oral bioavailability of sorafenib through increase of the gastrointestinal absorption. It is considered that the more detail pharmacokinetic studies should be tested to conclude the effects of GJD on the pharmacokinetics of sorafenib, when they were co-administered, like the effects after co-administration with reasonable intervals considering the $T_{max}$ of sorafenib (about 3.5hr-intervals) and after repeated co-administrations.Hence, concomitant uses of GJD with sorafenib may require close monitoring for potential drug interactions.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2012

Antifungal compounds from Bacillus polyfermenticus CJ6 were purified using SPE, preparative HPLC, and reverse phase-HPLC. Antifungal compounds from B. polyfermenticus CJ6 were separated into three fractions (8, B, C) using preparative HPLC. LC/MS analysis of antifungal peaks suggested that B. polyfermenticus CJ6 produces lipopeptides; two kinds of iturin A ($C_{14}$, $C_{15}$), three kinds of surfactins ($C_{13}$, $C_{14}$, $C_{15}$), four kinds of fengycin A ($C_{14}$, $C_{15}$, $C_{16}$, $C_{17}$) and two kinds fengycin B ($C_{16}$, $C_{17}$). The antifungal activity of fraction 8, which was presumed as inturin A, was found to be stable after the pH, heat or proteolytic enzyme treatment, but it was unstable at 50-$70^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr. The antifungal activity of fraction B, which presumed as surfactins and fengycin A, was found to be stable after the heat treatment, but it was unstable in the pH 3.0 and after the protease (type I) or ${\alpha}$-chymotrypsin treatment. The antifungal activity of fraction C, which was presumed as fengycin A and B, was found to be stable in the pH 3.0-9.0 range and the heat treatment, but it was unstable with the treatment of protease (type I). The amino acid composition of the purified peaks 8-1 and 8-2 were Asx, Tyr, Gln, Pro, and Ser in a molar ratio of 3:1:1:1:1, which showed the same amino acid composition as iturin. From these results, we confirmed that antifungal compounds from B. polyfermenticus CJ6 most likely belonged to iturin A as well as surfactins and fengycins. As lipopeptides are known to act in a synergistic manner, the antifungal compounds from B. polyfermenticus CJ6 might have potential uses in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical applications.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.559-565
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• 2003

An analytical method the determination of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and its hydroxylated metabolites, 1-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene (1-OHBaP), 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene (3-OHBaP), benzo(a)pyrene-4,5-dihydrodiol (4,5-diolBaP) and benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol (7,8-diolBaP), in rat urine and plasma has been developed by HPLC/FLD and GC/MS. The derivatization with alkyl iodide was employed to improve the resolution and the detection of two mono hydroxylated metabolites, 1-OHBaP and 3-OHBaP, in LC and GC. BaP and its four metabolites in spiked urine were successfully separated by gradient elution on reverse phase ODS $C_{18}$ column (4.6 mm I.D., 100 mm length, particle size 5 ㎛) using a binary mixture of MeOH/H₂O (85/15, v/v) as mobile phase after ethylation at 90 ℃ for 10 min. The extraction recoveries of BaP and its metabolites in spiked samples with liquid-liquid extraction, which was better than solid phase extraction, were in the range of 90.3- 101.6% in n-hexane for urine and 95.7-106.3% in acetone for plasma, respectively. The calibration curves has shown good linearity with the correlation coefficients (R²) varying from 0.992 to 1.000 for urine and from 0.996 to 1.000 for plasma, respectively. The detection limits of all analytes were obtained in the range of 0.01-0.1 ng/mL for urine and 0.1-0.4 ng/mL for plasma, respectively. The metabolites of BaP were excreted as mono hydroxy and dihydrodiol forms after intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg of BaP to rats. The total amounts of BaP and four metabolites excreted in dosed rat urine were 3.79 ng over the 0-96 hr period from adminstration and the excretional recovery was less than 0.065% of the injection amounts of BaP. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of BaP and its hydroxylated metabolites in rat urine and plasma for the pharmacokinetic studies.