• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2020

The plant Dendropanax morbifera Léveille is effective folk medicines for the treatment of several conditions, such as infectious diseases, skin diseases, and other illnesses. Although the inhibitory effects of D. morbifera on the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have been shown in our previous study, its effects in vivo remain to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of the extracts from D. morbifera (EDM) on neointimal hyperplasia of rat carotid artery and explore the underlying mechanisms. We observed that the ratio of intima to media thickness (I/M) was significantly decreased in the EDM-treated groups by ~80% compared to that of the control. The expression of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen was decreased by ~70% in the EDM-treated groups compared to that of the control. In addition, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9 significantly reduced in the neointimal layer of the EDM-treated groups. Moreover, the decreased levels of contractile phenotypic markers of VSMCs, such as α-smooth muscle actin, myocardin, and smooth muscle-myosin heavy chain, were successfully restored by EDM treatment. Furthermore, the levels of synthetic phenotypic markers, cellular retinal binding protein 1 and connexin 43 were also restored to normal levels. These results suggest that EDM inhibits vascular neointimal hyperplasia induced by balloon injury in rats via phenotypic modulation of VSMCs. Therefore, EDM may be a potential drug candidate for the prevention of restenosis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.81-90
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• 2004

Sialic acid containing glycosphingolipids (gangliosides) have been implicated in the regulation of various biological phenomena such as atherosclerosis. Recent report suggeststhat exogenously supplied disialoganglioside (GD3) serves a dual role in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) proliferation and apoptosis. However, the role of the GD3 synthase gene in VSMC responses has not yet been elucidated. To determine whether a ganglioside is able to modulate VSMC growth. the effect of overexpression of the GD3 synthase gene on DNA synthesis was examined. The results show that the overexpression of this gene has a potent inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis and ERK phosphorylation in cultured VSMC in the presence of PDGF. The suppression of the GD3 synthase gene was correlated with the down-regulation of cyclinE/CDK2. the up-regulation of the CDK inhibitor p21 and blocking of the p27 inhibition,whereas up-regulation of p53 as the result of GD3 synthase gene expression was not observed. Consistently, blockade of GD3 function with anti-GD3 antibody reversed VSMC proliferation and cell cycle proteins. The expression of the CD3 synthase gene also led to the inhibition of TNF--induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression in VSMC as determined by zymography and immunoblot. Furthermore, GD3 synthase gene expression strongly decreased MMP-9 promoteractivlty in response to TNF-. This inhibition was characterized by the down-regulation of MMP-9,which was Iranscriptionally regulated at NF-B and activation protein-1 (AP-1) sites in the MMP-9promoter Finally, the overexpression of MMP-9 in GD3 synthase transfectant cells rescued VSMC proliferation. However MMP-2 overexpression was not affected the cell proliferation. These findings suggest that the fl13 synthase gene represents a physiological modulator of VSMC responses that may contribute to plaque instability in atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.86-93
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• 2007

Chronic inflammation has been known to have a close relationship with several diseases including periodontitis, colitis, hepatitis and arthritis. Recently anti-inflammatory agents have been developed from marine natural resources. In this study, Ecklonia cava (EC) was found to have anti-inflammatory effect. Ethanolic extract of EC belonging to brown algae exhibited an excellent inhibitory effect on the production of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, interleukin-6 and prostaglandin $E_2$ by RA W264.7 cells. Furthermore, in reporter gene assay and western blot analysis, EC extract exerted anti-inflammatory effect via inactivation of NF-${\kappa}B$ transcription factor that regulates the expression of these inflammatory mediators in macrophages. In addition, EC extract inhibited the activity of matrix metalloproteinase that play an important role in chronic inflammation. These results suggest that EC extract may provide a pharmaceutical potential in inhibiting chronic inflammation.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.2 s.57
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• pp.69-74
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• 2006

Selaginella tamariscina with the popular Korean name Keoun Back, is a traditional medicinal plant for therapy of advanced cancer patients in the Orient. In this study, we evaluated anti-aging activity of S. tamariscina using processed technology and investigated diverse biological activities of processed S. tamariscina (PST) as an anti-aging ingredient of cosmetics. PST, heated with sand, used to different purpose compared with origin in medicine. PST raises total phenol concentration and enhances the DPPH radical scavenging activity. For testing intracellular ROS scavenging activity, the cultured human dermal fibroblasts were analyzed by increase in dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence upon exposure to UVB $20 mJ/cm^2$ after treatment of PST. UVA-induced MMP-1 expression in human dermal fibroblasts was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by PST. Taken together, 4hese results suggest that PST may act as an anti-aging agent by preventing the skin cell from damage induced by UV irradiation, and imply that PST may be useful as a new ingredient for anti-aging cosmetics.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.431-436
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• 2016

Background: Although numerous studies of the anticancer activities of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) have been performed, the therapeutic effect of KRG on leukemia has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the antileukemia activities of KRG and its cellular and molecular mechanisms. Methods: An established leukemia tumor model induced by xenografted T cell lymphoma (RMA cells) was used to test the therapeutic activity of KRG water extract (KRG-WE). Direct cytotoxic activity of KRG-WE was confirmed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The immunomodulatory activities of KRG-WE were verified by immunohistochemistry, nitric oxide production assay. The inhibitory effect of KRG-WE on cell survival signaling was also examined. Results: Orally administered KRG-WE reduced the sizes of tumor masses. Levels of apoptosis regulatory enzymes and cleaved forms of caspases-3 and -8 were increased by this extract. In addition, expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9, a metastasis regulatory enzyme, was decreased by KRG-WE treatment. The proportion of CD11c+ cells was remarkably increased in the KRG-treated group compared to the control group. However, KRG-WE did not show significant direct cytotoxicity against RMA cells. Conclusion: Our results strongly suggest that the KRG might have antileukemia activity through CD11c+ cell-mediated antitumor immunity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2008

Objective : Skin aging is commonly observed in patients with diabetes mellitus, which can be accessed by the amount of skin collagen and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). In the present study, anti-skin-aging effects of Root Cortex of Paeonia Suffruticosa Andrews (PSA), which has been widely used to treat diabetes mellitus, are investigated. Methods : Streptozotocin (STZ) was intraperitoneally injected to rats to induce diabetes. Body weights, feed intake, organ weights, blood glucose, and other biochemical index are determined in both normal and diabetic rats. In order to study the effect of PSA on skin aging, the amount of skin collagen was measured in diabetic rats after PSA treatments. Also, MMP-1 synthesis in UVB-irradiated human skin fibroblasts was investigated. Results : 1. When PSA was administered to STZ-induced diabetic rats, feed intake was significantly increased and blood glucose and total cholesterol were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. However, there are no differences in individual organ weights, GOT, and GPT. 2. A decrease of skin collagen in diabetic rats was significantly suppressed when PSA was treated. 3. PSA also inhibited MMP-1 synthesis in UVB-irradiated normal human skin fibroblasts, similar to retinoid, a well-known effective anti-skin-aging substance. Conclusion: PSA suppressed a collagen decrease in diabetic rats and inhibited MMP-1 synthesis in UVB-irradiated human skin fibroblasts. Therefore, the treatment of PSA is very effective to slow down the skin aging process.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.466-473
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• 2013

This study investigates the effect of supercritical fluid extract (CMPB803-C) of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, shikonin and acetylshikonin isolated from Lithospermum erythrorhizon on IL-$1{\beta}$-induced chondrocytes and monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis in rat. Shikonin ($50{\mu}m$) and acetylshikonin ($3{\mu}M$) treatment reduced significantly the mRNA expression and enzyme activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -3 and -13 in IL-$1{\beta}$-induced SW1353 chondrosarcoma cells. The chondro-protective effects of CMPB803-C and acetylshikonin were than analyzed in a rat OA model using a single intra-articular injection of MIA (1mg) in the right knee joint. CMPB803-C (200mg/kg) or acetylshikonin (5mg/kg) was orally administered daily for two weeks starting after 1 week of MIA injection. In the histological observation, CMPB803-C and acetylshikonin clearly improved OA lesions being comparable to or better that control group. Our results demonstrated that CMPB803-C and acetylshikonin as active compound of Lithospermum erythrorhizon have a strong chondro-protective effect in OA rats, which likely attributes to its anti-inflammatory activity and inhibition of MMPs production.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.36-47
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• 2010

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of skin application with Gelidium amansii extract on skin with deep second degree burns in mice. Methods: BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: normal (NOR) group; burn-elicited mice (CON) group, Silmazine-treated mice after burn elicitation (ST) group, and Gelidium amansii-extract treated mice after burn elicitation (GT) group. To examine the skin recovery effect after burn, changes of burn area, angiogenesis and histologic structure were analyzed. To measure effect of edema regulation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was analyzed. To estimate the skin regenerative & stable effect, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and substance P were analyzed. Results: 2 weeks later, 1. The size of burn area decreased in the GT and ST groups more than the CON group. 2. Alleviation of angiogenesis appeared in the GT and ST groups more than in the CON group. 3. Blood clot, epithelial cell hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration declined in the GT and ST groups more than in the CON group. 4. MMP-9, BrdU, and substance P positive reaction decreased in the GT and ST groups more than in the CON group 5. In the comparative study, the GT group was superior to the ST group. Conclusion: The skin application of Gelidium amansii extract could lessen skin damage by the medium of regulation MMP-9 activation. This skin stabilization was induced in mice with deep second degree burns.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1583-1591
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• 2014

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation alters multiple molecular pathways in the skin, thereby inducing skin damage, including photoaging. In recent years, probiotics have gained interest due to their beneficial effects on skin health, such as inhibiting atopic dermatitis and improving skin immunity or inflammation. However, little is known about the effects of probiotics on UVB-induced photoaging. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum HY7714 against UVB-induced photoaging in human dermal fibroblasts and hairless mice. The results showed that L. plantarum HY7714 treatment effectively rescued UVB-reduced procollagen expression through the inhibition of UVB-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression in human dermal fibroblasts. Data from a western blot showed that L. plantarum HY7714 inhibited the phosphorylation of Jun N-terminal kinase, thereby suppressing the UVB-induced phosphorylation and expression of c-Jun. Oral administration of L. plantarum HY7714 clearly inhibited the number, depth, and area of wrinkles in hairless mouse skin. Histological data showed that L. plantarum HY7714 significantly inhibited UVB-induced epidermal thickness in mice. Western blot and zymography data also revealed that L. plantarum HY7714 effectively inhibited MMP-13 expression as well as MMP-2 and -9 activities in dermal tissue. Collectively, these results provide further insight regarding the skin biological actions of L. plantarum HY7714, a potential skin anti-photoaging agent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.1645-1652
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• 2015

We investigated the anti-wrinkle efficacy of hydrolysate from oyster protein by Protamex and Neutrase for the purpose of finding materials to assist skin health originating from marine organisms. There were about 7.9% free amino acids in the oyster hydrolysate, and contents of urea, taurine, alanine, and glycine were high. Oyster hydrolysate also showed collagenase inhibitory activity and was not toxic to CCD986sk human fibroblast cells. Yield of the fractions according to the molecular weight of oyster hydrolysate was 40% for less than 1,000 Da and 60.4% for less than 5,000 Da, respectively. Antioxidative effect, procollagen production, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 inhibitory activity were highest in 1,000~3,000 Da fractions. We observed that oyster hydrolysate and its less than 5,000 Da fraction are potential functional compounds for skin health and for improving wrinkles.