• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.20.1-20.6
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• 2020

The Karafs is a dried herb of whole plant of Apium graveolens L. from Apiaceae (carrot family). The seeds (fruits) of Apium graveolens are known as Tukhm-e- Karafs in Unani Medicine. Karafs is known as Celeri in French, Apio in Spanish, Selderiji in Dutch, Syelderey in Russian and Chin in Chinese. It is cultivated in different parts of the world for its seeds as spice and green leaves and root as salad crop. Its seeds are also used for medicinal purposes in complementary and alternative medicines. In Unani it is used as a single drug or as an ingredient in compound formulations used for management in various ailments. The seeds have various pharmacological actions like hepatoprotective, diuretic and lithotriptic etc. It is commonly found in Western Asia, Europe, North Africa and various parts of India like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh etc. In Unani its actions are described as Mudirr-i-Bawl (Diuretic), Mufattit-i-Hasāh (Lithotriptic), Dafi'-i-Tashannuj (Antispasmodic) and Kāsir-i-Riyāh (Carminative). It is used for the treatment of Hasah al-Kulya (Nephrolithiasis), Nafkh al-Mi'da (Flatulence), Istisqā' (Oedema) and Ihtibās al-Bawl (Retention of urine) etc.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1977-1981
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• 2012

Houttuynia cordata Thunb (HCT) is a native herb found in Southeast Asia which features various pharmacological activities against allergy, inflammation, viral and bacterial infection, and cancer. The aims of this study were to determine the cytotoxic effect of 6 fractions obtained from silica gel column chromatography of alcoholic HCT extract on human leukemic Molt-4 cells and demonstrate mechanisms of cell death. Six HCT fractions were cytotoxic to human lymphoblastic leukemic Molt-4 cells in a dose-dependent manner by MTT assay, fraction 4 exerting the greatest effects. Treatment with $IC_{50}$ of HCT fraction 4 significantly induced Molt-4 apoptosis detected by annexinV-FITC/propidium iodide for externalization of phosphatidylserine to the outer layer of cell membrane. The mitochondrial transmembrane potential was reduced in HCT fraction 4-treated Molt-4 cells. Moreover, decreased expression of Bcl-xl and increased levels of Smac/Diablo, Bax and GRP78 proteins were noted on immunoblotting. In conclusion, HCT fraction 4 induces Molt-4 apoptosis cell through an endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.89-101
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• 2005

Obesity is increasing worldwide and has become a major health burden in Western societies affecting every third American and every fifth European. Obesity makes a major contribution to morbidity and mortality, predisposing individuals to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Many new substances are currently being investigated for their usefulness in the pharmacotherapy of obesity. Most anti-obesity drugs can be divided into four groups: those that reduce food intake; those that alter metabolism; those that increase thermogenesis; and those that regulate hormone involved in feeding behavior. In this article we review these and other agents available in various countries for the treatment of obesity. Perhaps more importantly, we have focussed on areas of potential productivity in the future. Over the last 5 or so years, this impetus in obesity research has provided us with exciting new drugs targets involved in the regulation of feeding behavior and cellular mechanism involved in energy expenditure. Recent development in the quest for control of human obesity include the discovery of hormones, neuropeptides, receptors and transcription factors involved in feeding behavior, metabolic rate and adipocyte development. For developing new, perhaps even more specific pharmacological agents, further research is needed to understand the individual different genetic and physiological basis of obesity. It remains the hope of research scientists that in the not too distant future we shall see a new class of anti-obesity drugs arising logically from the molecular biology revolutions.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.141-146
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• 2007

The roots of Aristolochia elegans Mast.(Aristolochiaceae) are widely used in Mexican traditional medicine as a remedy for scorpion venom. Current experimental evidence supports its purported antidote properties. However, collection from the wilderness has lead to local extinction of natural populations. In order to contribute to species preservation, cultivation, and standardization of morphological and pharmacological properties, a micropropagation method was developed. This includes in-vitro germination of seeds to produce aseptic plantlets, induction of multiple budding, and acclimatization. The treatment with benzylamino purine(10 ${\mu}M$) induced the highest number of buds(3.1 on average) in both types of explants. On the other hand, indolebutyric acid(1.5 ${\mu}M$) caused the highest root index(11.8) per explant. One hundred percent of the micropropagated plantlets developed vigorously after the acclimatization process.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.355-366
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• 1997

Although cerebellar Purkinje cells display spontaneous electrical activity in vivo and in slice experiments, the mechanism of the spontaneous activity generation has not been clearly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether cerebellar Purkinje cells of postnatal rats generate spontaneous electrical activity without synaptic inputs. Dissociated cerebellar Purkinje cells were used for reducing synaptic inputs in the present study. Cerebellar Purkinje cells with dendrites were dissociated from postnatal rats using enzymatic treatment followed by mechanical trituration. Spontaneous electrical activities were recorded from dissociated cells without any stimulus using whole-cell patch clamp configuration. Two types, spontaneously firing or quiescent, of dissociated Purkinje cells were observed in postnatal rats. Both types of cells were identified as Purkinje cells using immunocytochemical staining technique with anti-calbindin after recording. Spontaneously active cells displayed two patterns of firing, repetitive and burst firings. Two thirds of dissociated Purkinje cells displayed repetitive firing and the rest of them did burst firing under same recording condition. Repetitive firing activities were maintained even after further isolation using either physical or pharmacological techniques. Neither high magnessium solution nor excitatory synaptic blockers, AP-5 and DNQX, block the spontaneous activity. These results demonstrate that spontaneous electrical activity of isolated cerebellar Purkinje cells in postnatal rats is generated by intrinsic membrane properties rather than synaptic inputs.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.229-234
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• 2013

Phytoestrogens exist in edible compounds commonly found in fruits or plants. For long times, phytoestrogens have been used for therapeutic treatments against human diseases, and they can be promising ingredients for future pharmacological industries. Kaempferol is a yellow compound found in grapes, broccoli and yellow fruits, which is one of flavonoid as phytoestrogens. Kaempferol has been suggested to have an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. In past decades, many studies have been performed to examine anti-toxicological role(s) of kaempferol against human cancers. It has been shown that kaempferol may be involved in the regulations of cell cycle, metastasis, angiogenesis and apoptosis in various cancer cell types. Among them, there have been a few of the studies to examine a relationship between kaempferol and apoptosis. Thus, in this review, we highlight the effect(s) of kaempferol on the regulation of apoptosis in diverse cancer cell models. This could be a forecast in regard to use of kaempferol as promising treatment against human diseases.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.225-230
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• 2018

3',4'-Disenecioylkhellactone is one of khellactone-type coumarins isolated from the roots of Peucedanum japonicum Thunb. However, its pharmacological effects are still little understood. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of 3',4'-disenecioylkhellactone on growth of gastric cancer cells. 3',4'-Disenecioylkhellactone strongly suppressed cell proliferation and induced caspase-mediated apoptosis in AGS human gastric cancer cells. Analysis of phospho-antibody arrays revealed 3',4'-disenecioylkhellactone effectively suppressed signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) tyrosine phosphorylation. 3',4'-Disenecioylkhellactone decreased STAT3 translocation to the nucleus and expression of STAT3 target genes. In addition, we examined the level of STAT3 activation in several gastric cancer cells and found that the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation by 3',4'-disenecioylkhellactone was associated with gastric cancer cell proliferation. Taken together, this study provides evidence for the first time that 3',4'-disenecioylkhellactone may be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention or treatment of gastric cancer.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2020

When blood vessels are damaged, a fast hemostatic response should occur to minimize blood loss and maintain normal circulation. Platelet activation and aggregation are essential in this process. However, excessive platelet aggregation or abnormal platelet aggregation may be the cause of cardiovascular diseases such as thrombosis, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Therefore, finding a substance capable of regulating platelet activation and suppressing agglutination reaction is important for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. 6,7-Dimethoxy-2H-chromen-2-one (Scoparone), found primarily in the roots of Artemisia or Scopolia plants, has been reported to have a pharmacological effect on immunosuppression and vasodilation, but studies of platelet aggregation and its mechanisms are still insufficient. This study confirmed the effect of scoparone on collagen-induced human platelet aggregation, TXA₂ production, and major regulation of intracellular granule secretion (ATP and serotonin release). In addition, the effect of scoparone on the phosphorylation of the phosphoproteins PI3K/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) involved in signal transduction in platelet aggregation was studied. As a result, scoparone significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK, which significantly inhibited platelet aggregation through TXA₂ production and intracellular granule secretion (ATP and serotonin release). Therefore, we suggest that scoparone is an antiplatelet substance that regulates the phosphorylation of phosphoproteins such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK and is of value as a preventive and therapeutic agent for platelet-derived cardiovascular disease.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2018

Artemisiae Capillaris Herba is a dried aerial part of Asteraceae capillaris Thunb.(Compositae), which has been used in Korean traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. It has a variety of pharmacological activities and has been evaluated for potential as an active ingredient in cosmeceutical products. In the cosmetics industry, animal experiments is besides the major concern of ethics, there are few more disadvantages of animal experimentation like demand of skilled manpower, time consuming protocols and high cost. Therefore, various alternatives to animal experiments have been proposed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the skin permeation characteristics of chlorogenic acid and dimethyleculetin, which are constituent of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba by using Franz diffusion cell. As a result, skin permeability was characterized by flux(penetration rates) and $K_p$(permeability coefficient) value, chlorogenic acid had lower flux and $K_p$ than dimethylesculetin. According to the definitions of Marzulli, chlorogenic acid and dimethylesculetin would be classified as 'Moderate' and 'Very fast' respectively. In conclusion, skin permeation characteristics of chlorogenic acid and dimethylesculetin were confirmed through Franz diffusion cell, and suggests the direction of alternative method for skin permeation of natural compounds.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2007

Premenstural dysphoric disorder(PMDD) imposing 4-5% of women is possibly caused by an enhanced responsiveness to the changes of sex steroid hormones and the decrease of serotonin, melatonin and GABA. The common clinical features between PMDD and depression, seasonal affective disorder, panic disorder and anorexia nervosa suggest a relatedness between PMDD and each of them. The diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV-Tr for PMDD requires psychological symptoms, that commonly include irritability, anger, depression, mood swing, affect lability, tension, anxiety, fatigue and food craving. As of today, the best pharmacological treatment for PMDD is the selective serotonin reuptake inhibiter, and leuprolide, danazol, estradiol, spironolactone and bromocriptine are possible alternatives. Nonpharmacological treatments for patients with mild to moderate symptom severity are diet, exercise, light therapy, psychotherapy and keeping a diary.