• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3187-3190
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• 2013

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane receptor which contributes to many processes involved in cell survival, proliferation and inhibits apoptosis, that may lead to cancer development. Gastric cancer is one of the most common diseases of digestive system that has low 5-year-survival. The aim of this research was to determine the significance of EGFR tyrosine kinase domain gene polymorphisms in gastric cancer in Iran. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 83 patients with gastric cancer and 40 normal subjects were investigated for EGFR gene polymorphisms in exons 18-21 by PCR-SSCP. Then, DNA sequencing was conducted for different mobility shift bands. Finally the data were statistically analyzed using the chi-2 test and the SPSSver.16 program. Results: Exon 18 of EGFR gene showed three different bands in SSCP pattern and DNA sequencing displayed one mutation. SSCP pattern of Exons 19 and 21 did not show different migration bands. Exon 20 of EGFR gene revealed multiple migrate bands in SSCP pattern. DNA sequencing displayed 2 mutations in this exon: one mutation was caused amino acid change and another mutation was silent. Conclusion: It may be that EGFR tyrosine kinase gene polymorphisms differ between populations and screening could be useful in gastric cancer patients who might benefit from tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3041-3044
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• 2013

Background: The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase enzymes. Recent studies have shown that aspirin could be used as an anti-tumor drug. Triptolide, the major compound extracted from the Chinese herb Tripteryglum wilfordii Hook.f, has now been shown that it can inhibit tumor growth. The aim of this study was to analyze the anti-tumor efficiency of aspirin and triptolide in cervical cancer cells. Methods: Viability of cervical cancer cell lines was assessed by the MTT method at various concentrations of aspirin and triptolide. Siha and HeLa cell apoptotic analysis was performed by flow cytometry. Real time-PCR and Western Blotting were used to analyze the expression of Bcl-2/Bax, Cyclin D1 and p16. Results: Viability in the combination group was significantly decreased as compared with either drug used alone. Expression change of Bcl-2/Bax, CyclinD1 and p16 appeared to play an important role in the synergistic killing effect on cervical cancer cell apoptosis. Conclusion: Aspirin and triptolide combination treatment may have synergistic anti-tumor effects on cervical cancer cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2915-2918
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• 2013

Background: Recent studies have shown that 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep), a well-known histone methyltransferase inhibitor, disrupts polycomb-repressive complex 2 (PRC2), and induces apoptosis, while inhibiting proliferation and metastasis, in cancer cells, including acute myeloid leukemia, breast cancer and glioblastoma. However, little is known about effects of DZNep on ovarian cancer cells. Materials and Methods: We here therefore studied DZNep-treated A2780 ovarian cancer cells in vitro. Proliferation of ovarian cancer cells under treatment of DZNep was assessed by MTT and apoptosis by flow cytometry. Cell wound healing was applied to detect the migration. Finally, we used q-PCR to assess the migration-related gene, E-cadherin. Results: DZNep could inhibit the proliferation of A2780 and induce apoptosis Furthermore, it inhibited migration and increased the expression of E-cadherin (P<0.05). Conclusion: DZNep is a promising therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer cells, with potential to inhibite proliferation, induce apoptosis and decrease migration.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.678-683
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• 2008

Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum has traditionally been used for the treatment of water retention in the body. Administration of the aqueous extract of Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum has the efficiency of anti-inflammatory activity and modulates the intestinal immune system. However, the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action of Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum has not been clarified yet. In the present study, the effect of Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum against LPS-stimulated expressions of COX-2 and iNOS in cells of the murine RAW 264.7 macrophages was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), PGE2 immunoassay, and NO detection. The results of the present study indicate that Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum is a potent inhibitor of the LPS-induced NO and $PGE_{2}$ production by blocking iNOS and $NF{\kappa}B$ activation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. These findings suggest that Aconitum pseudo-laeve var. erectum is a potential therapeutic for the treatment of inflammatory syndrome.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1647-1655
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• 2005

Gamimahaenggamsuk-tang (GMHGST) is used for treatment of inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, regulatory activity of GMHGST on RA-mediated inflammatory responses was investigated in cultured human fiDroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), Levels of mRNAs encoding for inflammatory cytokines such as $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and IL-8 and NOS-II enzyme, which had been induced by $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ cotreatment, were decreased to the similar levels as those in cells treated with anti-inflammatory agent MTX. mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) as well as intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) were also downregulated by increasing doses of GMHGST in activated FLS. Moreover, GMHGST appeared to protect cells by decreasing NO levels, and inhibited cell proliferation which had been induced by inflammatory stimulation by $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-1. These results suggest that GMHGST is effective as an inhibitory agent for regulating inflammatory responses in activated FLS.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.622-627
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• 2012

Mast cells and basophils are important effector cells in immunoglobulin-E (IgE)-mediated allergic reactions. Using the human basophilic KU812F cells, we assessed the inhibitory effects of 6-methoxyluteolin, isolated from Chrysanthemum zawadskii, in the $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated allergic reaction. We determined that 6-methoxyluteolin inhibited anti-$Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ ${\alpha}$ chain antibody (CRA-1)-induced histamine release, as well as elevation of intracellular calcium concentration $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of 6-methoxyluteolin on the cell surface expression and the mRNA level of the $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ ${\alpha}$ chain were determined by flow cytometric analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. Therefore, these results show that 6-methoxyluteolin is a potent inhibitor of histamine release and calcium influx via down-regulation of the $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ ${\alpha}$ chain.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2013

Leptin is one of the adipocytokines produced from adipose tissue but its functions in periodontal tissue have not previously been investigated. In our current study, we examined the effects of leptin on the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and gingival fibroblasts. Leptin receptor expression was evaluated by RT-PCR and the production of cytokines was measured by ELISA. The phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 was assessed by western blotting. mRNA of long and short form leptin receptors were detected in both PDL cells and gingival fibroblasts. Leptin was found to increase the production of IL-6 and IL-8 in both of these cell types, an effect which was not blocked by polymyxin B, an inhibitor of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Leptin did not alter the production of IL-6 and IL-8 induced by LPS in PDL cells but increased Akt and Erk1/2 phosphorylation in these cells. These results suggest that leptin acts as an inducer of IL-6 and IL-8 in PDL cells and gingival fibroblasts.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.33-45
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• 2009

Objective : Lacca Sinic: Exsiccate (LSE) extracted from Rhus vemicitlus Stokes (RVS) has been used traditionally as a remedy for inflammation in Korea, China, and Japan. However, as yet there is no clear explanation of how LSE affects the production of inflammatory cytokines. This study was to determine the effects of LSE on the mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses. Method : We measured the amount of inflammatory cytokine production induced by the phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore(A231S7) in the human mast cell line (HMC-l) incubated with various concentrations of Laces Sinica Exsiccate (LSE). The $TNF-\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8 secreted protein levels were measured by the ELISA assay. The $TNF-\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA levels were measured by the RT-PCR analysis. Nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins were examined by Western blot analysis. The NF-${\kappa}B$ promoter activity was examined by a luciferase assay. Result : LSE inhibited the PMA + A231S7-induced $TNF-\alpha$, IL-6, and IL-8 expression and suppressed NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in the stimulated-HMC-1. In addition, LSE inhibited induction of NF-${\kappa}B$ promoter-mediated luciferase activity. Conclusion : In this study, we have found that LSE is an inhibitor of NF-${\kappa}B$ and cytokines on the mast cell-mediated inflammatory responses.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.295-299
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• 1998

Oligonucleotide primers were designed and successfully applied to amplify DNA fragments of P450 hydroxylase genes from actinomycetes which produce a large variety of medically important metabolites. Primers were designed based on several regions of strong similarities in amino acid sequence of P450 hydroxylases from a variety of actinomycetes, primarily in the regions of an oxygen binding site and a heme ligand pocket. These primers were used to amplify DNA fragments from seven different actinomycetes species producing a variety of different compounds. The deduced amino acid sequences of the isolated fragments revealed significant similarities to known P450 hydroxylase including the product of the suaC or subC genes from Streptomyces griseolus that is capable of metabolizing a number of sulfonylurea herbicides, and to the product of the $P450_{sca2}$ from S. carbophilus that produces a specific HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. This method should help researchers in cloning the P450 hydroxylase genes involved in the biosynthesis of useful compounds.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

This Dietary cholesterol augments lipid profile and primes production and activation of platelets, leading to development of atherosclerosis which produce several detrimental effects on cardiovascular health. Ethnomedicine and Mediterranean diet are natural sources and cost effective modes against several ailments including cardiovascular diseases while fermented foods have gained interest due to their increased nutrient profile, enhanced bioavailability and efficacy. Garlic has been known to reduce cholesterol and inhibit platelet activation. We examined whether fermented garlic ameliorates effects of hypercholesterolemia and platelet functions in rats. Methodology: Male SD rats were fed with hypercholesterolemia diet and treated with spirulina, fermented and non-fermented preparations of garlic for one month. Platelet aggregation and granule secretion were assessed to evaluate platelet activation. Liver and kidney weights, lipid and enzymatic profile of serum and whole blood analysis was performed. Expressions of SREBP, ACAT-2 and HMG-CoA were assessed using RT-PCR while liver and adipose tissues were analyzed for histological changes. Both fermented and non-fermented garlic inhibited platelet aggregation and granule secretion while fermented garlic showed greater inhibitor tendency. Fermented garlic significantly reduced liver weight and triglycerides concentrations than non-fermented garlic. Similarly, fermented garlic greatly abrogated the detrimental effects of steatosis on liver and adipose tissues. Fermented garlic significantly improved lipid profile and modulated platelet functions, thereby inhibiting atherosclerosis and platelet related cardiovascular disorders.