• CELLMED
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.7
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• 2022

Background & Objectives: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the commonest endocrine abnormality in women of reproductive age affecting from 4% - 21% of the reproductive women and is characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of majoon idraare haiz in menstrual regulation and morphological changes in ovaries in poly cystic ovarian syndrome. Methods: A Pilot study was carried out in the department of Ilmul qabalat wa amraze niswan, National institute of unani medicine, hospital, Bengaluru. Fifteen Patients of PCOS aged 18-35 diagnosed using Rotterdam criteria were included in the study. Patients with insulin sensitizing treatment within 3 months, hormonal treatment and those with h/o diabetes mellitus, hypertension, pregnant and lactating women were excluded.Majoon idraare haiz was administered orally at a dose of 10 g with 20 ml arqbed mushk once daily from fifth day of cycle for 21 days for three consecutive cycles. Primary outcome measure was menstrual regularity while changes in USG pelvis(normal ovarian morphology) was considered as secondary outcome measure. In addition, duration of flow and changes in basal metabolic index (BMI), modified Ferriman Gallwey (mFG) score, acanthosis nigricanswere observed. Data were analyzed using, ANOVA, paired student 't' test, fisher exact test. Results: Changes in duration of cycle, duration and amount of flow was achieved in 93.3% patients with p<0.0001 and 46.6% patients showed normal findings on pelvic ultrasonography with p=0.006. In addition, significant changes were also observed in BMI, hirsutism and acanthosis nigricans with p value of 0.0001, p=0.003 and p=0.009 respectively Conclusion: Majoonidraare haiz can be used as an effective alternative in management of PCOS patients. It has significant effect on menstrual regulation and changes in polycystic ovarian morphology to normal.

• CELLMED
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• v.13 no.14
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• pp.18.1-18.13
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• 2023

Background and objectives: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is recognized as the most prevalent type of vaginal infection, impacting approximately 19-24% of women in their reproductive years. The recurrence rate of BV is significant, negatively impacting the well-being of affected women. This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of a polyherbal Unani formulation and metronidazole in treating bacterial vaginosis. Methodology: In this prospective patient blinded standard controlled trial, a total of 40 individuals with a clinical diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis were randomly assigned to receive either an active control treatment (n = 20) or a test drug (n = 20). In the test drug combination of Acacia catechu, Azadirachta indica and Quercus infectoria in tablet (1g) form in the dose of 2 tablets orally twice daily with water was administered for 3 weeks. In the active control standard drug, metronidazole 400 mg tablet, orally twice daily was given for one week. The primary outcome measure was clinical cure; H. negative Amsel's criteria and a reduction in subjective symptoms, while the secondary outcome measure was an improvement in SF-36 quality of life (QOL). Results and conclusion: Both the experimental treatment and the metronidazole demonstrated a significant clinical cure for bacterial vaginosis as well as an increase in health-related quality of life. Based on these findings, it appears that the test medication is a potent Unani formulation for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. A well conducted trial with a bigger sample size is required to corroborate these findings.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2024

Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment is recognized as the most typical symptom in patients with cancer that occurs during and following the chemotherapy treatment. Recently many studies focused on pharmaceutical strategies to control the chemotherapy side effects, however it is far from satisfactory. There may be a need for more effective treatment options. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of exercise on cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity. Eight-week-old C57BL6 mice were separated into three group: normal control (CON, n = 8); cisplatin injection control (Cis-CON, n = 8); cisplatin with aerobic exercise (Cis-EXE, n = 8). Cisplatin was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 3.5 mg/kg/day. The Cis-EXE group exercise by treadmill running (14-16 m/min for 45 min daily, 3 times/week) for 12 weeks. Compared to the CON group, the cisplatin injection groups showed significant decrease in body weight and food intake, indicating successful induction of cisplatin toxicity. The Cis-CON group showed significantly increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α in the hippocampus, while the Cis-EXE group was significantly decreased in the expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. In addition, compared to the CON group, the levels of synapse-related proteins including synapsin-1 and -2 were significantly reduced in the Cis-CON group, and there was a significant difference between the Cis-CON and Cis-EXE groups. Antioxidant and apoptosis factors were significantly improved in the Cis-EXE group compared with the Cis-CON group. This study suggest that exercise could be meaningful approach to prevent or improve cisplatin-induced cognitive impairment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.323-332
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• 2024

Background: Studies have reported that the combination of two or more therapeutic compounds at certain ratios has more noticeable pharmaceutical properties than single compounds and requires reduced dosage of each agent. Red ginseng and velvet antler have been extensively used in boosting immunity and physical strength and preventing diseases. Thus, this study was conducted to elucidate the skin-protective potentials of red ginseng extract (RGE) and velvet antler extract (VAE) alone or in combination on ultraviolet (UVB)-irradiated human keratinocytes and SKH-1 hairless mice. Methods: HaCaT cells were preincubated with RGE/VAE alone or in combination for 2 h before UVB (30 mJ/cm²) irradiation. SKH-1 mice were orally given RGE/VAE alone or in combination for 15 days before exposure to single dose of UVB (600 mJ/cm²). Treated cells and treated skin tissues were collected and subjected to subsequent experiments. Results: RGE/VAE pretreatment alone or in combination significantly prevented UVB-induced cell death, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species production, and DNA damage in keratinocytes and SKH-1 mouse skins by downregulating mitogen-activated protein kinases/activator protein 1/nuclear factor kappa B and caspase signaling pathways. These extracts also strengthened the antioxidant defense systems and skin barriers in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells and SKH-1 mouse skins. Furthermore, RGE/VAE co-administration appeared to be more effective in preventing UVB-caused skin injury than these extracts used alone. Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that the consumption of RGE/VAE, especially in combination, offers a protective ability against UVB-caused skin injury by preventing inflammation and apoptosis and enhancing antioxidant capacity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.379-386
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• 2024

Basophils and mast cells are specialized effector cells in allergic reactions. Haliotis discus hannai (abalone), is valuable seafood. Abalone male viscera, which has a brownish color and has not been previously reported to show anti-allergic activities, was extracted with acetone. Six different acetone/hexane fractions (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 100%) were obtained using a silica column via β-hexosaminidase release inhibitory activity-guided selection in phorbol myristate acetate and a calcium ionophore, A23187 (PMACI)-induced human basophils, KU812F cells. The 40% acetone/hexane fraction (A40) exhibited the strongest inhibition of PMACI-induced-β-hexosaminidase release. This fraction dose-dependently inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and calcium mobilization without cytotoxicity. Western blot analysis revealed that A40 down-regulated PMACI-induced MAPK (ERK 1/2, p-38, and JNK) phosphorylation, and the NF-κB translocation from the cytosol to membrane. Moreover, A40 inhibited PMACI-induced interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 production. Anti-allergic activities of A40 were confirmed based on inhibitory effects on IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production in compound (com) 48/80-induced rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. A40 inhibited β-hexosaminidase release and cytokine production such as IL-4 and TNF-α produced by com 48/80-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, it's fraction attenuated the IgE/DNP-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in the ears of BALB/c mice. Our results suggest that abalone contains the active fraction, A40 is a potent therapeutic and functional material to treat allergic diseases.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.214-227
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• 2022

Despite controversies, no earlier study has systematically summarized findings from earlier studies on the effect of artichoke supplementation on blood pressure. Therefore, current systematic review and meta-analysis was done on the effect of artichoke supplementation on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in adults. Five databases were searched from inception to January 2022 using relevant keywords. All randomized clinical trials investigating the impact of oral artichoke supplementation on any of the blood pressure parameters including SBP or/and DBP were included. Out of 1,507 citations, 7 trials that enrolled 472 subjects were included. Artichoke supplementation resulted in significant reduction in SBP (weighted mean difference [WMD], -2.01 mmHg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.78, -0.24; p = 0.026) and DBP (WMD, -1.45 mmHg; 95% CI, -2.81, -0.08; p = 0.038). Greater effects on SBP were detected in trials using ≤ 500 mg artichoke, lasted > 8 weeks, participants aged < 50 years' old and sample size ≤ 70. There was also a similar impact of artichoke on DBP. However, significant non-linear associations were found between artichoke supplementation dosage and study duration with both SBP (for dosage: p_{non-linearity} = 0.002, for duration: p_{non-linearity} = 0.016) and DBP (for dosage: p_{non-linearity} = 0.005, for duration: p_{non-linearity} = 0.003). We found a significant reduction in both SBP and DBP following artichoke supplementation in adults. It could be proposed as a hypotensive supplement in hypertension management.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.70-74
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• 2011

Purpose: In the Nuclear Medicine department of Asan Medical Center, radioactive waste has been disposed of by using several disposal boxes designed for nuclear waste. However, some quantity of radioactivity has been detected occasionally due to some radiologists' carelessness not only from radioactive waste, but also from medical waste such as uncontrolled radioactive waste related to patients, poly gloves or saline solution bottles from radiopharmaceuticals laboratory. Thus, this study is going to suggest a solution to maintain the medical wastes made from controlled areas that can be below maximum permissible surface dose limits by finding the cause of radioactive contamination. Materials and methods: This study was taken place in 17 different places-2 medical wastebaskets in the waiting room, 2 medical wastebaskets in the PET room, 5 medical wastebaskets in the in vitro laboratory and 6 medical wastebaskets in the radiopharmaceuticals laboratory of the East building, 2 medical wastebaskets in the waiting room of the New building of Nuclear Medicine Department in Asan Medical Center from April to August 2010. Mean radioactivity and its standard deviation of each place have been found by measuring surface contamination of medical wastebaskets and backgrounds twice a week, totaling 30 times. An independent t-test of SPSS (Ver. 12.0) statistic program has been used for statistical analysis. Swabs, saline solution bottles and poly gloves collected from each place also measured 30 times, respectively. Results: This study analyzed medical waste and the backgrounds of each place by using survey meter detectors that significant differences of five places did not exist, but existed statistically in twelve places (p<0.05). Also, swabs, saline solution bottles and poly gloves collected from each radioactive waste partly exceed the legal dose limit as a result of measuring by a gamma counter. Conclusion: Backgrounds and the surface doses of radioactive disposal box in all 17 places measured by the survey meter did not exceed the legal dose limit; however, it obviously showed that there were prominent differences in 12 places. Assuming that the cause of the differences was swabs, saline solution bottles and gloves, we examined them by gamma counter, and the results showed remarkably high doses of radioactivity. Consequently, swabs and poly gloves which are normally disposed in the general medical waste box should be disposed in the radioactive waste box furnished by radiopharmaceuticals laboratory. Also, saline solution discharged from radioactive pharmaceutical places is considered as radioactive liquid waste so that it should be disposed of by the septic tank specifically designed for radioactive liquid.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 2004

The expression of CYP3A4 gene is induced by a variety of structurally unrelated xenobiotics including the antibiotic rifampicin, pregnenolone 16-carbonitrile (PCN), and endogenous hormones, that might mediate through steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR) system. The molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of CYP3A4 gene expression have not been understood. In order to gain the insight of the molecular mechanism of CYP3A4 gene expression, study has been undertaken to investigate if the histone deacetylation is involved in the regulation of CYP3A4 gene expression by proximal promoter in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Also we have investigated to see if SXR is involved in the regulation of CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. HepG2 cells were transfected with a plasmid PCYP3A4-Luc containing ${\~}1kb$ of the CYP3A4 proximal promoter region (-863 to +64 bp) in front of a reporter gene, luciferase, in the presence or absence of pSAP-SXR. In HepG2 cells, CYP3A4 inducers, such as rifampicin, PCN and RU486 showed minimal stimulation of CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity in the absence of SXR and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. 4-Dimethylamino-H-[4-(2-hydroxycarbamoylvinyl)benzyl]benzamide (IN2001), a new class HDAC inhibitor significantly increased CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity over untreated control cells and rifampicin concomitant treatment with IN2001 increased further CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity that was stimulated by IN2001 The results of this study demon-strated that both HDAC inhibitors and SXR are essential to increase of CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity by CYP3A4 inducers such as PCN, rifampicin, and RU486. Especially SXR seems to be important for the dose dependent response of CYP3A4 inducing chemicals to stimulate CYP3A4 proximal promoter activity. Also this data suggested that HDAC inhibitors seemed to facilitate the CYP3A4 proximal promoter to be activated by chemicals.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.873-878
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• 2002

OA-8159, a new Phosphodiesterase (PDE) 5 inhibitor, has exhibited potent erectogenic potential in a penile erection test in rats and anesthetized dogs. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of its erectogenic activity by measuring the activity of OA-8159 against a various PDE isozymes and assessing cGMP and cAMP formation in a rabbit corpus cavernosum in vitro. DA-8159 inhibited the PDE 5 activity in rabbit and human platelets, which the $IC_{50}$ was 5.84$\pm$1.70 nM and 8.25$\pm$2.90 nM, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ of DA-8159 on PDE 1, PDE2, PDE 3 and PDE 6 were 870$\pm$57.4 nM, $101\pm$5 $\mu$M, 52.0$\pm$3.53 $\mu$M and 53.3$\pm$2.47 nM, respectively. This suggests that DA-8159 is a potent, highly selective, competitive inhibitor of PDE 5-catalyzed cGMP hydrolysis. The rates of cGMP hydrolysis catalyzed by human platelets-derived PDE 5 as a function of the cGMP concentration (5~100 nM) and two-fixed DA-8159 concentration (11.3 and 18.8 nM) were investigated in order to characterize the mode of PDE 5 inhibition by DA-8159. DA-8159 increased the apparent 4K_{m}$ value for cGMP hydrolysis but had no effect on the apparent $V_{max}$, indicating a competitive mode of inhibition. DA-8159 increased the cGMP concentrations in the rabbit corpus cavernosum dose dependently. In the presence of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), DA-8159 significantly sti\mulated the accu\mulation of cGMP when compared to the control level. This indicated that the enhancement of a penile erection by DA-8159 involved the relaxation of the cavernosal smooth \muscle by NO-sti\mulated cGMP accu\mulation. In conclusion, DA-8159 is a selective inhibitor of PDE 5-catalyzed cGMP hydrolysis and the enhancement of a penile erection by DA-8159 is mediated by the relaxation of the cavernosal smooth \muscle by the NO-sti\mulated cGMP accu\mulation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.426-432
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• 2002

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of female death from cancer worldwide with about 500,000 deaths per year. A strong association between certain human papilloma viruses (HPV type 16 and 18) and cervical cancer has been well known. An extract of Saururus chinensis, named as PE-46, has been used to investigate whether this agent has the ability of inhibiting the oncogenes E6 and E7 of HPV type 16. PE-46 inhibited the proliferation of human cervical cancer cell lines in a dose response manner. PE-46 also inhibited the in vitro binding of E6 and E6AP which are essential for the binding and degradation of the tumor suppressor p53. In addition, PE-46 inhibited the in vitro binding of E7 and Rb which is essential tumor suppressor for the control of cell cycle. The levels of mRNA for E6 and E7 were also decreased by PE-46. SiHa cells treated with PE-46 induced G0/G1 arrest, resulting in inhibition of growth. Our study showed that the PE-46 can inhibit the cervical carcinomas via both inhibition of bindings between oncogenes and tumor suppressors, and inhibition of G1longrightarrowS transition. PE-46 inhibited the oncogenecity of E6 and E7 of HPV 16 type, thus could be used as a putative modulating agent for the treatment of cervical carcinomas caused by HPV.