• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.76-83
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• 2009

Rehmannia Radix Preparata (RRP) used to nourish Eum and enrich blood for consumptive fever, aching, and limpness of the loins and knees, and to replenish essence for tinnitus, premature greying of beard and hair. In the present study, we studied about the protective effect of RRP on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in human vascular endothelial cells. ECV304 cells were preincubated with RRP (100, 200, 300 and $400{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) for 12hr and then treated with $600{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$ for 12hr. The protective effects of RRP on $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis in ECV304 cells was determined by using MTT assay, FDA-PI staining, flow cytometric analysis, caspase-3 activity assay, ROS assay and western blot. The results of this experiment showed that RRP inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis and ROS production in ECV304 cells. Moreover, RRP increased ERK activation that decreased in $H_2O_2$-treated ECV304 cells, and inhibited p38 and JNK activation. Furthermore, RRP increased expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in $H_2O_2$-treated ECV304 cells. Also, HO-1 protein expression induced by RRP was reduced by the addition of ERK inhibitor (PD98059) in $H_2O_2$-treated ECV304 cells. These results suggest that protective effect of RRP on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in ECV304 cells may be associated with increase of ERK activation and HO-1 protein, and reduction of p38 and JNK activation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.952-957
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• 2008

We evaluated the effects of various factors (e.g., serum, inhibitors of protein synthesis, and cytoskeleton and protein kinases) on early PMA-induced THP-1 cell adhesion using an adhesion assay with Sulforhodamine B (SRB) staining, which was used to assess the proliferation of the attached cells. THP-1 cell adhesion to a plastic substrate was detected 1 hr after exposure to Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate (PMA) and peaked after 18 hr. At concentrations > 25 nM PMA, the level of adhesion did not change. Based on our preliminary results, we used 25 nM PMA and 5 hr of culture as standard assay conditions. Early PMA-induced cell adhesion was not affected by the presence of serum or PD 98059 in the culture medium, but was affected by the addition of PKC inhibitors and cycloheximide. In the presence of actin inhibitor with PMA, the cell adhesion increased when comparing with PMA treatment only. Thus, early PMA-induced adhesion of THP-1 cells does not require serum in the culture medium, MAP-kinase activation, or actin polymerization, but does require de novo protein synthesis and PKC activation. Our SRB-based cell adhesion assay may be used to screen other PKC inhibitors.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.976-983
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• 2015

Achyranthoside C dimethyl ester (ACDE) is an oleanolic acid glycoside from Achyranthes japonica which has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of edema and arthritis. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of ACDE in RAW264.7 macrophages. ACDE significantly induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression in RAW264.7 cells, while ACDE improved LPS-induced toxicity of cells. And ACDE induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that regulates HO-1 expression. Further study demonstrated that ACDE-induced expression of HO-1 was inhibited by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) (LY294002), c-Jun kinase (JNK) (SP600125), extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) (PD98059) and p38 kinase (SB203580). Moreover, ACDE phosphorylated Akt, JNK, ERK, and p38 MAPK. In addition, ACDE inhibited LPS-induced NO secretion as well as inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of ACDE on iNOS expression were abrogated by small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knock-down of HO-1. Therefore, these results suggest that ACDE suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory mediator such as NO by inducing HO-1 expression via PI-3K/Akt/MAPK-Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings could help us to understand the active principle included in the roots of A. japonica and the molecular mechanisms underlying anti-inflammatory action of ACDE.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2017

Died Gardenia jasminoides fruit is used as a dye in the food and clothes industries in Asia. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract of G. jasminoides fruits (GJ) in BV-2 microglial cells. GJ inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) secretion, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and reactive oxygen species production, without affecting cell viability. Furthermore, GJ increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of GJ on iNOS expression was abrogated by small interfering RNA-mediated knock-down of HO-1. In addition, GJ induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that regulates HO-1 expression. GJ-mediated expression of HO-1 was suppressed by LY294002, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor, and SB203580, a p38 kinase inhibitor, but not by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor PD98059 or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125. GJ also enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt and p38. These results suggest that GJ suppresses the production of NO, a pro-inflammatory mediator, by inducing HO-1 expression via PI-3K/Akt/p38 signaling. These findings illustrate a novel molecular mechanism by which extract from G. jasminoides fruits inhibits neuroinflammation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.899-906
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• 2014

Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) promotes tumor-persistent inflammation, frequently resulting in cancer. Curcumin is a diphenolic turmeric that inhibits carcinogenesis and induces apoptosis. $PGE_2$ inhibits curcumin-induced apoptosis; however, the underlying inhibitory mechanisms in colon cancer cells remain unknown. The aim of the present study is to investigate the survival role of $PGE_2$ and whether addition of exogenous $PGE_2$ affects curcumininduced cell death. HCT-15 cells were treated with curcumin and $PGE_2$, and protein expression levels were investigated via Western blot. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation, and intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels were confirmed using specific dyes. The nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) DNA-binding was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). $PGE_2$ inhibited curcumin-induced apoptosis by suppressing oxidative stress and degradation of PARP and lamin B. However, exposure of cells to the EP2 receptor antagonist, AH6809, and the PKA inhibitor, H89, before treatment with $PGE_2$ or curcumin abolished the protective effect of $PGE_2$ and enhanced curcumin-induced cell death. $PGE_2$ activates PKA, which is required for cAMP-mediated transcriptional activation of CREB. $PGE_2$ also activated the Ras/Raf/Erk pathway, and pretreatment with PD98059 abolished the protective effect of $PGE_2$. Furthermore, curcumin treatment greatly reduced phosphorylation of CREB, followed by a concomitant reduction of $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50 and p65) subunit activation. $PGE_2$ markedly activated nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$. EMSA confirmed the DNA-binding activities of $NF-{\kappa}B$ subunits. These results suggest that inhibition of curcumin-induced apoptosis by $PGE_2$ through activation of PKA, Ras, and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways may provide a molecular basis for the reversal of curcumin-induced colon carcinoma cell death.

• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.581-602
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• 2012

For developing mathematics teachers' professionalism, it is necessary to construct PDS to provide training programs which are appropriate for Korean context and needed by mathematics teachers. This study is a preliminary study for constructing PDS and aims to design PDS model for Korean mathematics teachers. Firstly, components of model were elicited by theoretical review. Secondary, focus group discussion with 8 teachers and individual interview with 1 educational profession and 3 foreign mathematics education researchers were conducted. Finally, by reflecting FGD and interview results, the final version of PDS model was designed. The final model is constructed by 3 components, which are life cycle, program types, and participants. In addition, professional development topics for each life cycle according to PDS model are presented.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.40.3-41
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• 2017

Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute The observation of particles and waves using a single satellite inherently suffers from space-time ambiguity. Recently, such ambiguity has often been resolved by multi-satellite observations; however, the inter-satellite distances were generally larger than 100 km. Hence, the ambiguity could be resolved only for large-scale (> 100 km) structures while numerous microscale phenomena have been observed at low altitude satellite orbits. In order to resolve those spatial and temporal variations of the microscale plasma structures on the topside ionosphere, SNIPE mission consisted of four (TBD) nanosatellites (~10 kg) will be launched into a polar orbit at an altitude of 700 km (TBD). Two pairs of satellites will be deployed on orbit and the distances between each satellite will be from 10 to 100 km controlled by a formation flying algorithm. The SNIPE mission is equipped with scientific payloads which can measure the following geophysical parameters: density/temperature of cold ionospheric electrons, energetic (~100 keV) electron flux, and magnetic field vectors. All the payloads will have high temporal resolution (~ 16 Hz (TBD)). This mission is planned to launch in 2020. The SNIPE mission aims to elucidate microscale (100 m-10 km) structures in the topside ionosphere (below altitude of 1,000 km), especially the fine-scale morphology of high-energy electron precipitation, cold plasma density/temperature, field-aligned currents, and electromagnetic waves. Hence, the mission will observe microscale structures of the following phenomena in geospace: high-latitude irregularities, such as polar-cap patches; field-aligned currents in the auroral oval; electro-magnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves; hundreds keV electrons' precipitations, such as electron microbursts; subauroral plasma density troughs; and low-latitude plasma irregularities, such as ionospheric blobs and bubbles. We have developed a 6U nanosatellite bus system as the basic platform for the SNIPE mission. Three basic plasma instruments shall be installed on all of each spacecraft, Particle Detector (PD), Langmuir Probe (LP), and Scientific MAGnetometer (SMAG). In addition we now discuss with NASA and JAXA to collaborate with the other payload opportunities into SNIPE mission.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1568-1574
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• 2012

Three Holstein steers in the growing phase, each with a ruminal cannula, were used to test the hypothesis that the synchronization of the hourly rate of carbohydrate and nitrogen (N) released in the rumen would increase the amount of retained nitrogen for growth and thus improve the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (EMPS). In Experiment 1, in situ degradability coefficients of carbohydrate and N in feeds including Korean rice wine residue (RWR) were determined. In Experiment 2, three total mixed ration (TMR) diets having different rates of carbohydrate and N release in the rumen were formulated using the in situ degradability of the feeds. All diets were made to contain similar contents of crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) but varied in their hourly pattern of nutrient release. The synchrony index of the three TMRs was 0.51 (LS), 0.77 (MS) and 0.95 (HS), respectively. The diets were fed at a restricted level (2% of the animal's body weight) in a $3{\times}3$ Latin-square design. Synchronizing the hourly supply of energy and N in the rumen did not significantly alter the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, NDF or acid detergent fiber (ADF) (p>0.05). The ruminal $NH_3$-N content of the LS group at three hours after feeding was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the other groups; however, the mean values of ruminal $NH_3$-N, pH and VFA concentration among the three groups were not significantly different (p>0.05). In addition, the purine derivative (PD) excretion in urine and microbial-N production (MN) among the three groups were not significantly different (p>0.05). In conclusion, synchronizing dietary energy and N supply to the rumen did not have a major effect on nutrient digestion or microbial protein synthesis (MPS) in Holstein steers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4791-4794
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• 2013

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Javanica oil emulsion injection (Yadanzi$^{(R)}$) combined with pemetrexed and platinum (PP) for treating patients with advanced lung cancer. Patients and Methods: From June 2011 to June 2013, we recruited 58 patients with advanced lung cancer, and divided them into two groups. Twenty eight patients received Yadanzi$^{(R)}$ (from ZheJiang Jiuxu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) together with PP chemotherapy (combined group), while the others were given only PP chemotherapy (control group). After two cycles of treatment, efficacy and safety of treatment were evaluated. Results: The overall respnse rate [(CR+PR+SD)/(CR+PR+SD+PD)] of the combined group was higher than that of control group (89.7% vs. 86.2%, p>0.05). Regarding rate of life improvement, it was 82.8% in combined group, and 51.7% in the control group (p<0.05). In terms of side effects, leukopenia in combined group was less frequent than that in control group (p<0.05). More patients in the control group were found to suffer liver toxicity. Conclusions: Javanica oil emulsion injection combined with chemotherapy could be considered as a safe and effective regimen in treating patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. It can improve the quality of life and reduce the possibility of leukopenia. Further clinical trials with a large sample size should be conducted to confirm whether addition of Yadanzi$^{(R)}$ to chemotherapy could increase the response rate, reduce toxicity, enhance tolerability and improve quality of life for patients with advanced lung cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 2009

Coptis japonica (C. japonica) is a perennial medicinal plant that has anti-inflammatory activity. C. japonica contains numerous biologically active alkaloids including berberine, palmatine, epi-berberine, and coptisine. The most well-known anti-inflammatory principal in C. japonica is berberine. For example, berberine has been implicated in the inhibition of iNOS induction by cytokines in microglial cells. However, the efficacies of other alkaloids components on microglial activation were not investigated yet. In this study, we investigated the effects of three alkaloids (palmatine, epi-berberine and coptisine) from C. japonica on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation. BV2 microglial cells were immunostimulated with LPS and then the production of several inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were examined as well as the phosphorylation status of Erk1/2 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). Palmatine and to a lesser extent epi-berberine and coptisine, significantly reduced the release of NO, which was mediated by the inhibition of LPS-stimulated mRNA and protein induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) from BV2 microglia. In addition to NO, palmatine inhibited MMP-9 enzymatic activity and mRNA induction by LPS. Palmatine also inhibited the increase in the LPS-induced MMP-9 promoter activity determined by MMP-9 promoter luciferase reporter assay. LPS stimulation increased Erk1/2 phosphorylation in BV2 cells and these alkaloids inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of Erk1/2. The anti-inflammatory effect of palmatine in LPS-stimulated microglia may suggest the potential use of the alkaloids in the modulation of neuroinflammatory responses, which might be important in the pathophysiological events of several neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD) and stroke.