• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2017

Regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype plays an essential role in many cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, we provide evidence that $kr{\ddot{u}}ppel$-like factor 8 (KLF8) is essential for tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ ($TNF{\alpha}$)-induced phenotypic conversion of VSMC obtained from thoracic aorta from 4-week-old SD rats. Stimulation of the contractile phenotype of VSMCs with $TNF{\alpha}$ significantly reduced the VSMC marker gene expression and KLF8. The gene expression of KLF8 was blocked by $TNF{\alpha}$ stimulation in an ERK-dependent manner. The promoter region of KLF8 contained putative Sp1, KLF4, and $NF{\kappa}B$ binding sites. Myocardin significantly enhanced the promoter activity of KLF4 and KLF8. The ectopic expression of KLF4 strongly enhanced the promoter activity of KLF8. Moreover, silencing of Akt1 significantly attenuated the promoter activity of KLF8; conversely, the overexpression of Akt1 significantly enhanced the promoter activity of KLF8. The promoter activity of SMA, $SM22{\alpha}$, and KLF8 was significantly elevated in the contractile phenotype of VSMCs. The ectopic expression of KLF8 markedly enhanced the expression of SMA and $SM22{\alpha}$ concomitant with morphological changes. The overexpression of KLF8 stimulated the promoter activity of SMA. Stimulation of VSMCs with $TNF{\alpha}$ enhanced the expression of KLF5, and the promoter activity of KLF5 was markedly suppressed by KLF8 ectopic expression. Finally, the overexpression of KLF5 suppressed the promoter activity of SMA and $SM22{\alpha}$, thereby reduced the contractility in response to the stimulation of angiotensin II. These results suggest that cross-regulation of KLF family of transcription factors plays an essential role in the VSMC phenotype.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2014

Objectives : Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in a wide spectrum of diseases including chronic inflammation and cancer. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activities and anti-inflammatory effects of the extracts from the herbal teas such as Lonicera japonica Thunberg (L. japonica), Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat (C. morifolium), Mentha arvensis L. (M. arvensis), and P.rhizoma. Methods : Anti-oxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging assay and $Fe^{2+}$ chelating assay. And DNA cleavage assay was performed to evaluate an anti-oxidative effect. Anti-inflammatory effect was performed using NO generation assay and western blot in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cell line. Results : L. japonica scavenged DPPH radical by 9.8% at 12.5 ${\mu}g/ml$, 24.8% at 25 ${\mu}g/ml$, 34.3% at 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, 61.1% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 75.8% at 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, C. morifolium and M. arvensis removed DPPH radical by 15.6% and 10.4% at 12.5 ${\mu}g/ml$, 34.8% and 22.8% at 25 ${\mu}g/ml$, 66.9% and 43.3% at 50 ${\mu}g/ml$, 87.4% and 69.1% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, and 92.1% and 73.2% at 200 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. However, P. rhizoma did not affect on DPPH radical scavenging. The $Fe^{2+}$ chelating activity was highest in L. japonica, but lowest in P. rhizoma among the herbal teas. In addition, the extracts from L. japonica, C. morifolium and M. arvensis inhibited oxidative DNA damage via its anti-oxidant activity. In anti-inflammatory effect, the extracts from C. morifolium inhibited NO production. In addition, it suppressed the $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions : Together, this study indicates that L. japonica, M. arvensis and C. morifolium possess the protective effect against the oxidative DNA damage. Furthermore, C. morifolium exerts an anti-inflammatory effect.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2015

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a representative traditional herbal medicine with many different pharmacological properties including anticancer, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-diabetes, and anti-inflammatory activities. Only a few studies have explored the molecular mechanism of KRG-mediated anti-inflammatory activity. Methods: We investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the protopanaxadiol saponin fraction (PPD-SF) of KRG using in vitro and in vivo inflammatory models. Results: PPD-SF dose-dependently diminished the release of inflammatory mediators [nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and prostaglandin $E_2$], and downregulated the mRNA expression of their corresponding genes (inducible NO synthase, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and cyclooxygenase-2), without altering cell viability. The PPD-SF-mediated suppression of these events appeared to be regulated by a blockade of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and TANK (TRAF family member-associated NF-kappa-B activator)-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), which are linked to the activation of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) and interferon regulatory transcription factor 3 (IRF3). Moreover, this fraction also ameliorated HCl/ethanol/-induced gastritis via suppression of phospho-JNK2 levels. Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that the anti-inflammatory action of PPD-SF could be mediated by a reduction in the activation of p38-, JNK2-, and TANK-binding-kinase-1-linked pathways and their corresponding transcription factors (ATF2 and IRF3).

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.2024-2028
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• 2007

우리나라의 물관련 이슈는 수자원뿐만 아니라 사회, 경제 환경 등의 범위까지 확대되어 복합적이며, 기존 방법론과 기술만으로는 해결에 어려움이 있다. 따라서 새로운 기술적/방법론적 도구 개발의 필요성에 따라 통합수자원관리가 하나의 방법으로 받아들여지고 있다. 통합수자원관리는 지속가능한 수자원관리를 목표로하며, 물과 이와 관련 다양한 요소를 고려하는 통합적인 방법론이다. 그러므로 의사결정에 있어 전체론적인 접근이 필요하며, 세부적인 요소와 요소간의 연관관계를 파악하는 것이 중요하다. 이를 위하여 본 연구에서는 통합수자원관리의 기반 도구 중의 하나인 통합수자원관리 모델링 환경인 WaterRing 시범시스템을 개발하였다. WaterRing은 모델연계에 있어 필수적인 표준성, 사용편의성 및 모델공유를 제공하며, 모델코드 자체보다 모델의 개발에 많은 노력을 기울일 수 있도록 설계되었다. 따라서 수자원분야 및 다양한 분야의 모델을 연계할 수 있다. 모델의 연계를 위하여 기본모델단위를 설정하고 각각의 기본모델단위의 결합을 통하여 보다 큰 시스템으로 구성할 수 있도록 하였다. 기본모델단위는 입력/상태/출력의 세 가지 기본요소와 내부수행 루틴으로 구성되어 있다. 기본모델단위 사이의 결합을 정의하기 위하여 BPM(Business Process Management)(Arkin, 2002)와 STELLA의 모델 결합방식을 활용하였다. 기본모델단위는 독립적인 수행단위로 표준적인 입력과 출력을 수행한다. 따라서 입력과 출력의 속성이 같은 기본모델단위는 결합할 수 있다. 본 연구에서 시범적으로 개발된 수자원통합모델링환경 WaterRing은 통합수자원관리의 실현에 있어 평가, 계획에 이용될 수 있다. 그러므로 향후 시스템의 개발이 완료되면 우리나라의 통합수자원관리의 실현을 위한 기반도구로서 많은 역할이 기대된다. 홍수기에 측정된 성과를 바탕으로 고수위대의 수위-유량관계 곡선식을 개발하여야 할 것으로 판단된다. 본 연구를 통해 일부 확인된 바와 같이, 일반적인 자연하천이 아닌 감조하천의 경우는, 각각의 수위대별 유량 값의 변화가 발생하는 바 기간별 혹은 간조와 만조부를 포함하여 유량측정을 하여야 할 것으로 판단된다. 청폐화담탕(淸肺化痰湯)은 LPS로 유도된 macrophage에서 NO와 염증Cytokine 생성량을 억제하였고 murine macrophage에서 NF-${\kappa}$B 활성을 억제함으로써 iNOS와 염증Cytokine 유전자 발현을 하향조절 하였다. 이러한 청폐화담탕(淸肺化痰湯)의 항염작용으로 천식, 기관지염, 폐렴, 결핵, 산후감모 등의 호흡기 질환에 응용할 수 있으리라 사료된다.im}$5개월), 9.44${\pm}$1.05 6${\sim}$ll개월)으로 개월에 관계없이 전반적으로 유사한 비율을 나타내었다. 분획물(첨가농도 15.6 ${\mu}$g/ml)은 60%의 저해효과를 나타내면서 농도 의존적으로 그 저해효과가 컸으며 250 ${\mu}$g/ml 농도에서는 80%의 저해효과를 관찰 할 수가 있었다. 에틸아세테이트분회물의 경우 디글로로메탄 분회물에 비해 다소 낮은 저해효과를 나타내었지만 250 ${\mu}$g/ml 농도에서 약 60%의 세포독성 효과를 나타내었다. 디클로로메탄 분획물과 에틸아세테이트 분획물에 의한 면역 활성 증진 효과를 검토한 결과, 디글로로메탄 분획물은 첨가농도 1 ${\mu}$g/ml에서 94%로 Yac-1표적세포를 사멸시켰으며 에틸아세테이트 분획물도 동일 농도에서 96%의 억제효과를 나타내었다. CTLL세포를 이용

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.149-164
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• 2007

Objectives : Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease in the gastrointestinal tract. The sources and pathologic mechanisms of IBD are still unknown. Moreover conventional therapies for IBD are not always effective, and they often have serious side effects. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of Moxi-tar herbal acupuncture in IBD affected mice. Methods : Mice were treated with 5 % 2, 4, 6 - trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) on day 1 and day 7. To assume the preemptive effect and therapeutic effect, herbal acupuncture was practiced with Moxi-tar at BL25 (Daejangsu) on day 0, day 3, and day 6. The end of day in treatment with Moxi-tar herbal acupuncture, the mortality and the inflammatory factors of the colon were measured by the various methods. Results TNBS induced high mortality but herbal acupuncture with Moxi-tar at BL25 sup-pressed the mortality caused by TNBS. TNBS induced infiltration of immune cells in all layers of the colon and increased myeloperoxygenase (MPO) activity, while the treatment with Moxi-tar herbal acupuncture at BL25 suppressed the infiltration of immune cells and the increase of MPO activity caused by TNBS to normal levels, Herbal acupuncture with Moxi-tar regulated $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity, which is an important factor for the pathogenesis of chronic colitis, and reduced the expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and ICAM-1 in the colons of TNBS treated mice. Furthermore herbal acupuncture suppressed macro- and micro- colonic damages caused by TNBS. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that herbal acupuncture with Moxi-tar at BL25 isa potential preemptive and/or therapeutic method targeting the chronic IBD.

• Gut and Liver
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.682-693
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Intestinal barrier dysfunction is a hallmark of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) such as ulcerative colitis. This dysfunction is caused by increased permeability and the loss of tight junctions in intestinal epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether estradiol treatment reduces colonic permeability, tight junction disruption, and inflammation in an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colon cancer mouse model. Methods: The effects of $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) were evaluated in ICR male mice 4 weeks after AOM/DSS treatment. Histological damage was scored by hematoxylin and eosin staining and the levels of the colonic mucosal cytokine myeloperoxidase (MPO) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To evaluate the effects of E2 on intestinal permeability, tight junctions, and inflammation, we performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Furthermore, the expression levels of mucin 2 (MUC2) and mucin 4 (MUC4) were measured as target genes for intestinal permeability, whereas zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), occludin (OCLN), and claudin 4 (CLDN4) served as target genes for the tight junctions. Results: The colitis-mediated induced damage score and MPO activity were reduced by E2 treatment (p<0.05). In addition, the mRNA expression levels of intestinal barrier-related molecules (i.e., MUC2, ZO-1, OCLN, and CLDN4) were decreased by AOM/DSS-treatment; furthermore, this inhibition was rescued by E2 supplementation. The mRNA and protein expression of inflammation-related genes (i.e., KLF4, NF-${\kappa}B$, iNOS, and COX-2) was increased by AOM/DSS-treatment and ameliorated by E2. Conclusions: E2 acts through the estrogen receptor ${\beta}$ signaling pathway to elicit anti-inflammatory effects on intestinal barrier by inducing the expression of MUC2 and tight junction molecules and inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1157-1167
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• 2014

In order to compare the anti-inflammatory effects of five selected cereal grains-proso millet, hwanggeumchal sorghum, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, and adlay-the inhibitory activities of 80% ethanol (EtOH) extracts obtained from the individual grains on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation were investigated in RAW264.7 cells. The EtOH extract of barnyard millet (Echinochloa crus-galli var. frumentacea) grains exhibited more potent anti-inflammatory activity than that of the other grains. When the EtOH extract of barnyard millet grains was sequentially fractionated with n-hexane, methylene chloride (MC), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol, the majority of the anti-inflammatory activity was detected in the MC fraction, followed by the EtOAc fraction. Pretreatment with the MC fraction caused downregulation of the expression levels of iNOS- and COX-2-specific transcripts and proteins, as well as proinflammatory cytokine gene transcripts (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, the MC fraction could suppress not only the LPS-induced nuclear translocation of cytosolic NF-kB, but also the LPS-induced activation of MAPKs, such as ERK, JNK, and p38MAPK. Further analysis of the MC fraction by HPLC identified kaempferol, biochanin A, and formononetin as the major phenolic components. Both kaempferol and biochanin A, but not formononetin, could exert anti-inflammatory effect at the same concentrations as those of the MC fraction. Consequently, these results indicate that kaempferol and biochanin A are among the most effective anti-inflammatory phenolic components in barnyard millet grains. This finding suggests that barnyard millet grains and the MC extract enriched in kaempferol and biochanin A could be beneficial functional food sources that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.6159-6164
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• 2013

Background: Phytochemical compounds are emerging as a new generation of anticancer agents with limited toxicity in cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effcts of thymoquinone, caffeic acid phenylester (CAPE) and resveratrol on inflammatory markers, oxidative stress parameters, mRNA expression levels of proteins and survival of lung cancer cells in Vitro. Materials and Methods: The A549 cell line was treated with benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene plus caffeic acid phenylester (CAPE), benzo(a)pyrene plus resveratrol (RES), and benzo(a)pyrene plus thymoquinone (TQ). Inflammatory markers, oxidative stress parameters, mRNA expression levels of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins and cell viability were assessed and results were compared among study groups. Results: TQ treatment up-regulated Bax and down-regulated Bcl2 proteins and increased the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. CAPE and TQ also up-regulated Bax expression. RES and TQ down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2. All three agents decreased the expression of cyclin D and increased the expression of p21. However, the most significant up-regulation of p21 expression was observed in TQ treated cells. CAPE, RES and TQ up-regulated TRAIL receptor 1 and 2 expression. RES and TQ down-regulated the expression of NF-kappa B and IKK1. Viability of CAPE, RES and TQ treated cells was found to be significantly decreased when compared with the control group (p=0.004). Conclusions: Our results revealed up-regulation of the key upstream signaling factors, which ultimately cause increase in their regulatory p53 levels affecting the induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Overall these results provide mechanistic insights for understanding the molecular basis and utility of the anti-tumor activity of TQ, RES and CAPE.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.224-231
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• 2008

We examined the effect of indole-3-carbinol (I3C, $C_9H_9NO$), an autolysis product of a glucosinolate and a glucobrassicin in vegetables, on MMP-2, -9 activities and TIMP-l and -2 inductions via microtubule-associated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in prostate cancer cell line, PC3 cells. Our results indicated that I3C inhibited cell growth of PC3 cells in dose (0,50, 100 ,${\mu}M$) and time (0,24,48 and 72 h) dependent manners. Using gelatin zymography for MMP activity, we demonstrated that I3C significantly decrease MMP-2 and -9 activities in PC3 cells. We also observed that I3C decreased the proteins and mRNA levels of MMP-2 and -9 in PC3 cells as well. Inversely, expressions of TIMP-l and -2 protein and mRNA in PC3 cells were increased by I3C in a dose dependent manner. In another experiment, we showed that I3C inhibited PC3 cells invasiveness by using marigel invasion assay and we also found that I3C suppressed MMP transcriptional activity by MAPK signaling pathways. Taken together, our results suggest that I3C may contribute to the potential beneficial food component to prevent the cancer metastasis in prostate cancer cells. (KoreanJNutr2008; 41(3): 224~23I)

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.224-241
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of Sargassum (Sargassum pallidum (TURN.) C. AG.; SP) on the experimental colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in mice. Methods : ICR mice were divided into 7 groups (NOR, CON, $SS50\times5$, $SP20\times3$, $SP50\times3$, $SP20\times5$, $SP50\times5$). TNBS processing was intrarectally applied to all experimental groups on the 3rd experiment day, except the normal group (NOR). For investigating the prophylactic effect, SP at doses of 20 mg/kg ($SP20\times5$) and 50 mg/kg ($SP50\times5$) were orally administered for 5 days. The SP at doses of 20 mg/kg ($SP20\times3$) and 50 mg/kg ($SP50\times3$) were orally administered for 3 days after the colitis induction in order to check the effect of treatment. As a positive control group, sulfasalazine 50 mg/kg ($SS50\times5$) was administrated. Macroscopic findings of epithelial tissue on mice were measured by colon length and macroscopic score. Histologic findings were also checked by crypt cell, epithelial cell, inflammatory cell and edema of submucosa. We measured the ability of SP to inhibit lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase activity. We also measured levels of the inflammatory markers, interleukin (IL)-$1\beta$ and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), its transcription factor activation, phospho-NF-${\kappa}B$ (pp65), in the colon by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot analysis. We measured activation of fecal bacterial enzyme, $\beta$-glucuronidase and degradation activation of fecal glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and hyaluronic acid. Results : Oral administration of SP on mice inhibited TNBS-induced colon shortening and myeloperoxidase activity in the colon of mice as well as IL-$1\beta$ and COX-2 expression. SP also inhibited TNBS-induced lipid peroxidation and pp65 activation in the colon of mice. SP inhibited $\beta$-glucuronidase activation and fecal hyaluronic acid degradation activation as well. Conclusions : SP could be a possible herbal candidate and preventive prebiotic agent for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Further experiments to differentiate effects of SP on IBD, such as other solutions and extracting times, might be promising.