• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.818-824
• /
• 2009

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas, a therapy for stroke patients with constipation in the oriental medicine, on the ischemic brain damage of the rats. The ischemic brain damage was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), Natrii sulafas was administered once after the MCAO. After 48 hours, expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, c-Fos, and HSP72 on the brain tissues were observed by immunohistochemistrical methods or technique. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas attenuated the excess of Bax expression caused by the ischemic brain damage. It was significant statistically in the penumbra of cerebral cortex, but not in the caudate putamen, of the MCAO rats. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas did not attenuate the excess of Bcl-2 expression caused by the ischemic brain damage. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas did not attenuate the excess of c-Fos expression caused by the ischemic brain damage. Purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas attenuated the excess of HSP72 expression caused by the ischemic brain damage. It was significant statistically in the penumbra of cerebral cortex, but not in the caudate putamen, of the MCAO rats. These results suggest that purgation therapy with Natrii sulfas has a neuroprotective effect on the ischemic brain damage and an anti-apoptotic effect.

• Journal of Photoscience
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.162-165
• /
• 2002

Rice is widely cultivated in various regions throughout Asia. Over a five-year period, we investigated the effects of supplemental UVB radiation on the growth and yield of Japanese rice cultivars in the field. The findings of that study indicated that supplemental UVB radiation has inhibitory effects on the growth and grain development. Furthermore, we investigated the sensitivity to UVB radiation of rice cultivars of 5 Asian rice ecotypes, and found that rice cultivars vary widely in UVB sensitivity. The aim of our study is improving UVB resistance in plants by bioengineering or breeding programs. In order to make it, there is need to find the molecular origin of the sensitivity to UVB. Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) is major UV-induced DNA lesions. Plants possess two mechanisms to cope with such DNA damage. The first is the accumulation of UV-absorbing compounds. Our previous data showed that the steady-state CPD levels in leaves of rice grown under chronic radiation in any culture were not so greatly influenced by the increased UV-absorbing compounds content, although there was a significant positive correlation between the CPD levels induced by challenge UVB exposure and the UV-absorbing compounds content. The other is the repair of DNA damage. Photorepair is the major pathway in plants for repairing CPD. We found that the sensitivity to UVB could seriously correlate with the low ability in CPD photorepair in rice plants. These results suggest that photo lyase might be an excellent candidate for restoration by way of selective breeding or engineering in rice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.379-383
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of silkworm extracts (SWE) on reactive oxygen species formation in mice (C57BL/6). Mice were administrated intraperitoneally with SWE (20 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. All animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last SWE treatment and then extracted the blood and brain tissue in mouse. The researcher measured several parameters related to reactive oxygen species formation, malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) contents in serum, whole brain, cerebral cortex and cerebellum. The results showed that MDA content of pre-SWE treatment was decreased significantly in serum, mitochondrial and cytosolic fraction of whole brain and cerebellum (P<0.01). The $H_2O_2$ content of pre-SWE treatment was decreased significantly in mitochondrial fraction of whole brain, cerebral cortex and cerebellum (P<0.01). These results suggest that SWE plays an important role for inhibition of oxidative damage of cells as well as antioxidant effect, aging delay and cells protected from irradiation.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.41-50
• /
• 2017

Until today, success in germline cells and tissue cryopreservation is limited mainly due to the poor understanding of the complex physiological processes can lead to cell damage during cryopreservation. Germline cells, from both male and female, have unique ability to differentiate into one or more cell lines and thus it becomes a crucial point to store them in subzero temperature with the minimal damage of their functional properties and maximum recovery of unchanged and viable cells when thawed. In the past three decades, a vast research has been performed using various different animal models which in fact have led to development of new methodologies and optimization of older one. However, successful use of animal model has provided the opportunity in research with human germline cells and tissues preservation, but not in all the cases. Therefore, the use of new cryo-protective chemicals and modified protocols have been often found in different groups of researchers based on the types, physical structures, utility and animal species of the specimens to be cryopreserved. This review discusses about the basics of different types of cryopreservation methodologies and commonly used optimized protocols and cryoprotectants for germline cells and tissues preservation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.475-484
• /
• 2015

In this paper, we studied the anti-oxidative capacities and protective effects of water extract of Gagam-Danguieumja(GDE) against Ultraviolet B(UVB)-induced oxidative damage in human keratinocytes(HaCaT). To evaluate the anti-oxidative activities of GDE, we measured scavenging activities on DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, lipid peroxidation and reducing power of GDE. To detect the protective effects of GDE against UVB, we irradiated with 40 mJ/㎠`s UVB to HaCaT cells then we measured reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation, apoptotic bodies and cell viability using DCFH-DA assay, Hoechst 33342 staining and MTT assay. GDE showed the anti-oxidative activities by scavenging DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, lipid peroxidation. Also GDE showed high reducing values. GDE reduced oxidative stress conditions by inhibition of ROS expression. Also the cell apoptosis by UVB-induced oxidative conditions was decreased by GDE treatment. These results could suggest that GDE had anti-oxidative activities and exhibited protective effects against UVB on HaCaT cells. GDE would be useful for the development of cosmetics treating UVB-induced skin aging.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.194-200
• /
• 2013

Korean red ginseng (KRG) is prepared by the process of steaming the roots of Panax ginseng. In this study, the feeding effects of KRG-water extract (KRGE) on ethanol-induced liver damage were elucidated by measuring serum biomarkers in rats. Serum ${\gamma}$-glutamyltranspeptidase (g-GT) activity and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly increased by short-term and long-term ethanol treatment in rats, whereas the activities of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) did not respond. Pretreatment with KRGE maintained the activity of serum GPT, and the MDA concentration induced by short-term ethanol ingestion remained within the normal range. However, co-feeding of KRGE to rats decreased the concentration of MDA but failed to modulate the serum ${\gamma}$-GT activity induced by long-term ethanol treatment. Our studies suggest that in rats, it appears that KRGE does not sufficiently reverse the physiological response evoked by long-term ethanol ingestion to maintain normal conditions, in view of the serum biomarker ${\gamma}$-GT, regardless of KRGE's favorable antioxidant activity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.40-46
• /
• 2012

Cigarette smoking is known to be associated with various chronic pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases ranging from inflammation to cancer. Not only first-hand smoke but also second-hand smoke is suggested to be a factor of health risk. This study was to investigate whether Platycodi Radix extract administration would alter oxidative stress in lung leading to protection of cigarette smoke-induced lung damage. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups; Intact, Smoke+PR and Smoke+Vehicle. In Smoke+PR and Smoke+Vehicle group, the exposure to cigarette smoke was performed for 15 min/day for 4 weeks in ventilated smoking chamber. The Platycodi Radix extract and saline were orally administrated to Smoke+PR and Smoke+Vehicle group each. The rats of Intact group were just kept in ventilated chamber without cigarette smoke. After the experiment for 4 weeks, the lung tissues were collected for histological observation and immunohistochemistry. In Results, airspace enlargement and goblet cell hyperplasia were observed after 4 weeks' exposure to cigarette smoke. Whereas, the oral administration of Platycodi Radix extract for 4 weeks reduced airspace enlargement and goblet cell hyperplasia. Moreover, the alterations of BAX/Bcl-2 proteins in lung tissues were observed. These results suggest that Platycodi Radix extract ameliorates lung damage in cigarette smoke-exposed rats and has protective effects on second-hand smoke injury.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.73-83
• /
• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanism of 'Joy impairs the Heart'. Methods : "Huangdineijing" was searched in relation to 'Joy' and 'Heart', then Joy was divided into physiological and pathological joy. After examination of the similarities and differences between the two, the mechanism of 'Joy impairs the Heart' was drawn out. Results : 1. Excessive Joy not only relaxes Qi(氣), but also disperses Shen(神). 2. Impairment of Heart damages heart locally and Impairment of Yang not only damages Qi or Shen focally, but also damages Yang of the whole body and the degree of damage is thought to be more extensive than "Joy impairs the Heart". 3. "Too much joy and pleasure can cause the Shen(神) to scatter and not remain stored." not only relaxes Qi, but also disperses Shen(神), and the degree of damage is less than "Sudden joy damages Yang". Conclusions : Excessive or Sudden Joy impairs the Heart by disturbing Heart's property of maintaining Taiyang by scattering Shen(神) or not maintaining high Yang density. Forced expression of Joy impairs the Heart by relaxing and stagnating Qi.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.385-403
• /
• 2023

Male fertility is affected by multiple endogenous stressors, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), which greatly deteriorate the fertility. However, physiological levels of ROS are required by sperm for the proper accomplishment of different cellular functions including proliferation, maturation, capacitation, acrosomal reaction, and fertilization. Excessive ROS production creates an imbalance between ROS production and neutralization resulting in oxidative stress (OS). OS causes male infertility by impairing sperm functions including reduced motility, deoxyribonucleic acid damage, morphological defects, and enhanced apoptosis. Several in-vivo and in-vitro studies have reported improvement in quality-related parameters of sperm following the use of different natural and synthetic antioxidants. In this review, we focus on the causes of OS, ROS production sources, mechanisms responsible for sperm damage, and the role of antioxidants in preserving sperm fertility.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.893-898
• /
• 2002

Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium extract(CRVP) have been used in oriental medicine for many centuries as a therapeutic agent for smoothing the liver and regulating the circulation of qi, and promoting digestion and removing stagnated food. The effects of CRVP on the inhibition of brain damage in cerebral ischemia is not known. Therefore, this Study was designed to investigate the cerebral protective effects of CRVP on the transient cerebral ischemia using modern techniques, and further to provide the possibility of scientification of oriental medicine. The size of cerebral infarct size was measured by morphometry, and brain edema was measured by morphometry and brain water content determination. The results were a$ follows ; 1. Water fraction of CRVP was reduced infect area of rats brain slices which were subjected to a transient cerebral ischemia in a dose-dependent manner. 2. Methylene chloride fraction and hexane fraction of CRVP was significantly reduced infarct area of rats brain slices which were subjected to a transient cerebral ischemia in a dose-dependent manner. 3. Methylene chloride fraction and hexane fraction of CRVP was significantly reduced infarct volume of rats brain which was subjected to a transient cerebral ischemia in a dose-dependent manner. 4. Methylene Chloride fraction and hexane fraction of CRVP was significantly decreased brain edema induced by a transient cerebral ischemia in a dose-dependent manner. 5. Methylene chloride fraction and hexane fraction of CRVP was significantly decreased brain water content of rats which were subjected to a transient cerebral ischemia. It is suggested that CRVP has an anti-ischemic effect through the inhibition of brain damage in a transient cerebral ischemia, and that in future further development of main effective constituent in CRVP can provide a novel therapeutic strategy for cerebral ischemia.