• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.33-41
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of pharmacologic treatment of amatoxin poisoning patients. Methods: Literature was accessed through PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, KoreaMed, KISS and KMBASE. Studies relevant to human use of pharmacologic therapy including silymarin, penicillin and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for amanita poisoning were included. Case reports, letters, editorials and papers with insufficient information were excluded. Comparison of clinical outcomes (especially mortality and liver transplantation rate) in each study was analyzed. Results: The final analysis included 13 retrospective studies. None of these studies showed direct comparisons of individual agents. Among 12 studies comparing silymarin vs penicillin, eight showed clinical superiority of silymarin. Among eight studies comparing silymarin with NAC, six showed clinical superiority of silymarin. Among seven studies of NAC vs penicillin, five showed clinical superiority of NAC. Conclusion: This systematic review suggested that clinical superiority of various pharmacological agents used to treat amatoxin poisoning is debatable. Nevertheless, the available evidence suggests it is reasonable to consider combinations of multiple agents for patients with amanita poisoning. Further studies are required to establish a treatment regimen for amanita poisoning.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.8-14
• /
• 2020

Bilobalide isolated from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba has several pharmacological activities such as neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant. However, the effect of bilobalide on cancer has not been clearly established. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of bilobalide on cell growth and apoptosis induction in FaDu human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This was examined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, nuclear 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride staining, DNA fragmentation analysis, and immunoblotting. Bilobalide inhibited the growth of FaDu cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. Treatment with bilobalide resulted in nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation in FaDu cells. Furthermore, it promoted the proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3/-7/-8/-9 with increase in the amount of cleaved caspase-3/-7/-8/-9. Bilobalide-induced apoptosis in FaDu cells was mediated by the expression of Fas and the activation of caspase-8, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Immunoblotting revealed that the antiapoptotic mitochondrial protein Bcl-2 was downregulated, but the proapoptotic protein Bax was upregulated by bilobalide in FaDu cells. Bilobalide significantly increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These results suggest that bilobalide inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in FaDu human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma via both the death receptor-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway and the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

• CELLMED
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.17.1-17.5
• /
• 2012

Ayurveda is a nearly 3000 years old traditional medical system of India. Most of the time, people turn to ayurvedic physicians in desperate conditions. Here clinical practices of Ayurveda were initially found effective in the management of migraine among few patients. Later, it was developed as an ayurvedic treatment protocol (ATP) which consists of four herbo-mineral formulations (HMF), three meals and three snacks in a day with eight hours sleep at night. ATP brought significant relief in reducing the frequency, intensity of pain and associated symptoms in the migraine patients. IHS diagnostic criteria was followed to establish the diagnosis of migraine and uniform ATP was prescribed to each patient who were primarily treated by the ayurvedic physicians at their respective clinics. Such observations were presented at appropriate international forums. In an effort to validate the above, the present study carries the details of nine migraine patients who were first diagnosed and treated for migraine by a leading headache expert at Mumbai in India and were then referred to receive ATP. A total number of nine subjects volunteered to this program. Out of those, seven subjects completed 120 days of ATP. Five subjects reported significant improvement in overall symptoms of migraine. All subjects were followed up periodically for four years. No Grade II side effects were observed in any treated case. HMF has also been proved to be safe in experimental studies. Further pharmacological and randomized controlled clinical studies are in progress at the respective departments of a premier medical institute in India.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.107-115
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Glehnia littoralis has been used to treat ischemic stroke, phlegm, cough, systemic paralysis, antipyretics and neuralgia. The pharmacological mechanisms of Glehnia littoralis include calcium channel block, coumarin derivatives, anticoagulation, anti-convulsive effect, as well as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Alpha-amanitin (${\alpha}$-amanitin) is a major toxin from extremely poisonous Amanita fungi. Oxidative stress, which may contribute to severe hepatotoxicity was induced by ${\alpha}$-amanitin. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Glehnia littoralis ethyl acetate extract (GLEA) has the protective antioxidant effects on ${\alpha}$-amanitin -induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: Human hepatoma cell line HepG2 cells were pretreated in the presence or absence of GLEA (50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/ml$) for 4 hours, then exposed to $60{\mu}mol/L$ of${\alpha}$-amanitin for an additional 4 hours. Cell viability was evaluated using the MTT method. AST, ALT, and LDH production in a culture medium and intracellular MDA, GSH, and SOD levels were determined. Results: GLEA (50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/ml$) significantly increased the relative cell viability by 7.11, 9.87, and 14.39%, respectively, and reduced the level of ALT by 10.39%, 34.27%, and 52.14%, AST by 9.89%, 15.16%, and 32.84%, as well as LDH by 15.86%, 22.98%, and 24.32% in culture medium, respectively. GLEA could also remarkably decrease the level of MDA and increase the content of GSH and SOD in the HepG2 cells. Conclusion: In the in vitro model, Glehnia littoralis was effective in limiting hepatic injury after ${\alpha}$-amanitin poisoning. Its antioxidant effect is attenuated by antidotal therapy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.559-569
• /
• 2021

As one of the major types of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Treatments for NSCLC includes surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Among the targeted therapies, resistance to inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is common and remains a problem to be solved. MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) amplification is one of the major causes of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance. Therefore, there exists a need to find new and more efficacious therapies. Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) extracted from Anthriscus sylvestris roots exhibits various pharmacological activities including anti-inflammation and anti-cancer effects. In this study we sought to determine the anti-cancer effects of DPT on HCC827GR cells, which are resistant to gefitinib (EGFR-TKI) due to regulation of EGFR and MET and their related signaling pathways. To identify the direct binding of DPT to EGFR and MET, we performed pull-down, ATP-binding, and kinase assays. DPT exhibited competitive binding with ATP against the network kinases EGFR and MET and reduced their activities. Also, DPT suppressed the expression of p-EGFR and p-MET as well as their downstreat proteins p-ErbB3, p-AKT, and p-ERK. The treatment of HCC827GR cells with DPT induced high ROS generation that led to endoplasmic-reticulum stress. Accordingly, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis by multi-caspase activation were observed. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the apoptotic effects of DPT on HCC827GR cells and signify the potential of DPT to serve as an adjuvant anti-cancer drug by simultaneously inhibiting EGFR and MET.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2019.04a
• /
• pp.121-121
• /
• 2019

In Islamic dietary guidelines, Halal foods are allowed as edible blessed food. Most foods were categorized within halal for Muslims. The main point of Halal food is that foods are clean in every process and based on Halal standard which might be different in each country. Most pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells synthetize, store, and release insulin. Specific molecular, functional as well as ultrastructural traits of pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells could control their insulin secretion properties and survival phentoype. Insulin-secreting pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells are essential regulators of mammalian metabolism. In addition, the pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell plays an important role in the pathogenesis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes as improving glucose homeostasis by preserving, expanding and improving the function of this key cell type. However, the pharmacological effect of halal food has not been unclear yet, especially food habit-dependent diabetes. The aim of the this study was to determine the preventive effect of Iran plants extract (Almond, Garlic, Cumin, Ginkgo biloba, Holy basil, Psyllium, Satureja khuzistanica, Fenugreek, Green tea, Ipomoea betatas, Blueberry) on RINm5F cells and MIN6 cells as pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell line. The cytotoxicity of the extracts of Iran plants on RINm5F cells and MIN6 cells were measured by using MTT assays. The preventive effects of Iran plant extracts were measured by WST-8 cell proliferation assay on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced cell death in MIN6 cells. In presented result showed that all extract of Iran plants (0.01-10mg/ml) did not show cytotoxicity in RINm5F cells and MIN6 cells. Among non-cytotoxic extract, the protective effects could be detect in high dose concentration. These results suggest that the extract of Iran plants may serve as a potential therapy for diabetes.

• Integrative Medicine Research
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.333-340
• /
• 2018

Background: Traditional Korean medicine (TKM) is widely used to treat children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Korea; however, studies investigating factors that influence the use of TKM are scarce. Thus, we investigated the clinical factors that might influence the use of TKM. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional, multicenter survey was performed from August 2014 to May 2016. The history of TKM use, type and severity of CP, current treatment characteristics, presence of accompanying disabilities or other health problems not directly related to CP, and monthly cost for the treatment of CP were surveyed. Results: In total, 182 children were recruited, and 78 children (42.9%) had used TKM. Among these 78 children, 50 (64.1% of the TKM-use group) had used both acupuncture and herbal medication, 15 (19.2%) had used acupuncture only, and 13 (16.7%) had used herbal medication only. Children with non-typical CP, accompanying disabilities and general health problems tended to use TKM. The monthly cost of treatment for CP was significantly higher in the TKM-use group than that in the no-TKM-use group, suggesting that economically disadvantaged children may have difficulty in accessing TKM. Dietary supplements, conventional pharmacological treatments, and rehabilitation therapies did not affect TKM use. Conclusion: Children with non-typical symptoms or those with poor overall health status are likely to use TKM. Additionally, TKM use leads to increased treatment costs. Studies investigating the motivation for starting or ceasing TKM therapy, socioeconomic factors and the attitude of parents towards complementary and alternative medicine should be performed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.108-115
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Glehnia littoralis has been reported to have several pharmacological properties but no in vivo reports describing the protective effects of this plant on${\alpha}$-amanitin-induced hepatotoxicity have been published. ${\alpha}$-Amanitin is a peptide found in several mushroom species that accounts for the majority of severe mushroom poisonings leading to severe hepatonecrosis. In our previous in vitro study, we found that ${\alpha}$-amanitin induced oxidative stress, which may contribute to its severe hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Glehnia littoralis acetate extract (GLEA) has protective antioxidant effects on ${\alpha}$-amanitin-induced hepatotoxicity in a murine model. Methods: Swiss mice (n=40 in all groups) were divided into four groups (n=10/group). Three hours after giving ${\alpha}$-amanitin (0.6 mg/kg, i.p.) to the mice, they were administered silibinin (50 mg/kg/d, i.p.) or Glehnia littoralis ethyl acetate extract (100 mg/kg/d, oral) therapies once a day for 3 days. After 72 hours of treatment, each subject was killed, cardiac blood was aspirated for hepatic aminotransferase measurement, and liver specimens were harvested to evaluate the extent of hepatonecrosis. The degree of hepatonecrosis was assessed by a pathologist blinded to the treatment group and divided into 4 categories according to the grade of hepatonecrosis. Results: GLEA significantly improved the beneficial functional parameters in ${\alpha}$-amanitin-induced hepatotoxicity. In the histopathological evaluation, the toxicity that was generated with ${\alpha}$-amanitin was significantly reduced by GLEA, showing a possible hepatoprotective effect. Conclusion: In this murine model, Glehnia littoralis was effective in limiting hepatic injury after ${\alpha}$-amanitin poisoning. Increases of aminotransferases and degrees of hepatonecrosis were attenuated by this antidotal therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.93-103
• /
• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to report a case of a pregnant woman diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation that improved in lumbar pain and radiating leg pain through combined korean medical treatment including pharmacopuncture at lumbar facet joints in situations surgical and pharmacological treatment is limited due to pregnancy. Methods: A combination of treatment including pharmacopuncture at lumbar facet joints, acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine was provided for 1 month to a woman at 21 weeks pregnant who was diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation. Her progress was assessed with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5Dimension (EQ-5D) before and after treatment. Results: After the treatment, the pain decreased and the quality of life was enhanced. No adverse events were observed. Conclusions: The findings indicate that combined korean medical treatment including pharmacopuncture at lumbar facet joints can be safe and effective alternative to treat lumbar disc herniation during pregnancy.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.418-422
• /
• 2022

α-pinene is a natural volatile organic compound secreted by coniferous trees to protect themselves from attacks by insects, microorganisms, and viruses. Recently, studies have reported that α-pinene possesses pharmacological effects on various biological reactions such as anxiolytic, sleep-enhancing, anti-nociceptive, and inflammatory activity. Thus, forest bathing has recently received great attention as a novel therapy for treating severe diseases as well as psychological issues. However, appropriate places and timings for effective therapies are still veiled, because on-site monitoring of α-pinene gas in forests is barely possible. Although portable chemosensors could allow real-time analysis of α-pinene gas in forests, the α-pinene sensing properties of chemosensors have never been reported thus far. Herein, we report for the first time, the α-pinene sensing properties of an oxide semiconductor gas sensor based on rhombohedral In₂O₃ (h-In₂O₃) nanoparticles prepared by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal reaction. The h-In₂O₃ nanoparticle sensor showed a high response to α-pinene gas at ppm levels, even under humid conditions (for example, relative humidity of 50 %). The purpose of this research is to identify the potential of oxide semiconductor gas sensors for implementing portable devices that can detect α-pinene gas in forests in real-time.