• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2012

Objective : Nelumbinis Folium (NF) is used for diarrhea, headache and dizziness in traditional medicine. In this paper, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of the methanol extract of NF in mouse macrophages. Methods : Peritoneal macrophages from thioglycollate medium-injected mice were cultured and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS) or LPS/interferon(IFN)-${\gamma}$ for viability assay, cytokine measurement and Western blotting. Results : NF methanol extract suppressed the levels of nitric oxide (NO) through reduction of inducible NO synthase in a concentration-dependent manner. The extract reduced LPS/IFN-${\gamma}$-stimulated STAT1 phosphorylation and LPS-induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation through inhibition of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ kinase activation. The extract also inhibited p38, JNK/SAPK and ERK1/2 activation. Conclusions : Our findings suggested that NF has anti-inflammatory activity, and have a potential for therapeutic application. Further research is required to investigate its anti-inflammatory active compounds.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.562-572
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• 2015

We previously reported the role of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) in response to anti-cancer drugs. The decreased expression of HDAC3 in anti-cancer drug-resistant cancer cell line is responsible for the resistance to anti-cancer drugs. In this study, we investigated molecular mechanisms associated with regulation of HDAC3 expression. MG132, an inhibitor of proteasomal degradation, induced the expression of HDAC3 in various anti-cancer drug-resistant cancer cell lines. Ubiquitination of HDAC3 was observed in various anti-cancer drug-resistant cancer cell lines. HDAC3 showed an interaction with SIAH2, an ubiquitin E3 ligase, that has increased expression in various anti-cancer drug-resistant cancer cell lines. miRNA array analysis showed the decreased expression of miR-335 in these cells. Targetscan analysis predicted the binding of miR-335 to the 3'-UTR of SIAH2. miR-335-mediated increased sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs was associated with its effect on HDAC3 and SIAH2 expression. miR-335 exerted apoptotic effects and inhibited ubiquitination of HDAC3 in anti-cancer drug-resistant cancer cell lines. miR-335 negatively regulated the invasion, migration, and growth rate of cancer cells. The mouse xenograft model showed that miR-335 negatively regulated the tumorigenic potential of cancer cells. The down-regulation of SIAH2 conferred sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs. The results of the study indicated that the miR-335/SIAH2/HDAC3 axis regulates the response to anti-cancer drugs.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2412-2420
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• 2018

The thermal degradation of low density polyethylene (LDPE) will accelerate the production of carbonyl groups (C=O), which can act as the induced dipoles under high voltage. In this paper, we researched the dielectric properties and space charge behavior of LDPE after thermal aging, which can help us to understand the correlation between carbonyl groups (C=O) and electrical properties of LDPE. The spectra results show that LDPE exhibit obvious thermooxidative reactions when the aging time is 35 days and the productions mainly contain carboxylic acid, carboxylic eater and carboxylic anhydride, whose amount increase with the increasing of aging time. The dielectric properties show that the real permittivity of LDPE is inversely proportional to temperature before aging and subsequently become proportional to temperature after thermal aging. Furthermore, both the real and imaginary permittivity increase sharply with the increasing of aging time. The fitting results of imaginary permittivity show that DC conductivity become more sensitive about temperature after thermal aging. On this basis, the active energies of materials calculated from DC conductivity increase first and then decrease with the increasing of aging time. In addition, the space charge results show that the heterocharges accumulated near electrodes in LDPE change to the homocharges after thermal aging and the mean volume charge density increase with the increasing of aging time. It is considered that the overlaps caused by electrical potential area is the main reason for the increase of DC conductivity.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.954-960
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• 2004

Expression of the NF-$textsc{k}$B-dependent genes responsible for inflammation, such as TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), contributes to chronic inflammation which is a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases (i.e. Alzheimer＇s disease). Although NF-$textsc{k}$B plays a biphasic role in different cells like neurons and microglia, controlling the activation of NF-$textsc{k}$B is important for its negative feedback in either activation or inactivation. In this study, we found that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) inhibited I$textsc{k}$B$\alpha$ degradation to block expression of the NF-$textsc{k}$B-dependent genes in microglia when activated by $\beta$-amyloid peptide (A$\beta$). We also showed that when microglia is activated by $A\beta$42, the expression of A20 is suppressed. These findings place A20 in the category of ' protective ' genes, protecting cells from pro-inflammatory reper-toires induced in response to inflammatory stimuli in activated microglia via NF-$textsc{k}$B activation. In light of the gene and proteins for NF-$textsc{k}$B-dependent gene and inactivator for NF-$textsc{k}$B (I$textsc{k}$B$\alpha$), the observations now reported suggest that UDCA plays a role in supporting the attenuation of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO via inactivation of NF-$textsc{k}$B. Moreover, an NF-$textsc{k}$B inhibitor such as A20 can collaborate and at least enhance the anti-inflammatory effect in microglia, thus giving a potent benefit for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.uch as AD.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.8 no.2 s.9
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• pp.95-107
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• 2002

Yukmijihwang-tang(YM) is a noted herbal prescription in Chinese and Korean traditional medicines, and it has been known to reinforce the vital essence and has been widely used for a variety of disease such as stroke, osteoporosis, anti-tumor, and hypothyrodism. Regarding its traditional use, YM has been known to reinforce the Yin (vital essence) of liver and kidney. Also it has been known to reinforce nutrition and biological function in brain. Recently, studies suggested that YM increase antioxidant activities and exert the protective effect against oxidant-induced liver cell injury. We investigated the high-throughput gene expression analysis on the Yukmijihwang-tang administrated in SD rats. Microarray data were validated on a limited number of genes by semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. The recent availability of microarrays provides an attractive strategy for elaborating an unbiased molecular profile of large number of genes in drug discovery This experimental approach offers the potential to identify molecules or cellular pathways not previously associated with herbal medicine. Total RNA from normal control brain and Yukmijihwang-tang administrated brain were hybridized to microarrays containing 10,000 rat genes. The 52 genes were found to be up-regulated(twice or more) excluding EST gene. The nine genes were found to be down-regulated(twice or more) excluding EST gene. Gene array technology was used to identify for the first time many genes expression pathway analysis that arecell cycle pathway, apoptosis pathway, electron transport chain pathway, cytoplasmic ribosomal protein pathway, fatty acid degradation pathway, and TGF-beta signaling pathway. These differentially expressed genes pathway analysis have not previously been iavestigated in the context of herbal medicine efficacy and represent novel factors for further study of the mechanism of herbal medicine efficacy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5265-5271
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• 2015

Background: The effects of plant products on cancer cells has become a field of major importance. Many substancesmay induce apoptosis in anti-cancer treatment. Pectins, a family of complex polysaccharides, and their degradation products may for exasmple exert apoptotic effects in cancer cells. Apples and citrus fruits are the main sources of pectin which can be applied for anti-cancer research. The present study concerned an intact form of pectic-oligoshaccharide named pectic acid (poly galactronic acid). Materials and Methods: Inhibition of cell proliferation assays (MTT), light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy (acridin orange/ethidium bromide), DNA fragmentation tests, cell cycle analysis, annexin PI and Western blotting methods were applied to evaluate apoptosis. Results: The results indicated that pectic acid inhibited cell growth and reduced cell attachment after 24h incubation. This did not appear to be due to necrosis, since morphological features of apoptosis were detected with AO/EB staining and cell cycling was blocked in the sub-G1 phase. Annexin/PI and DNA fragmentation findings indicated that apoptosis frequency increased after 24h incubation with pectic acid. In addition, the data showed pectic acid induced caspase-dependent apoptosis. Conclusions: These data indicate that apple pectic acid without any modification could trigger apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells and has potential to improve cancer treatment as a natural product.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2007

Stem cells have been the subject of increasing scientific interest because of their utility in numerous biomedical applications. Stem cells are capable of renewing themselves; that is, they can be continuously cultured in an undifferentiated state, giving rise to more specialized cells of the human body. Therefore, stem cells are an important new tools for developing unique, in vitro model systems to test drugs and chemicals and a potential to predict or anticipate toxicity in humans. In the present study, in vitro cultured F3 immortalized human neural stem cell line and in vivo adult Sprague Dawley rats was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of anticancer drug paclitaxel. In vitro apoptotic activity of paclitaxel was evaluated in F3 cell line by a MTT assay and DAPI test. The cell death was induced with the treatment of 20 nM paclitaxel and chromatin degradation was detected by DAPI staining, which was analyzed by fluorescent microscope. In vivo studies, we also observed nestin immunoreactivity on subventricular zone, which is stem cell rich region in the adult brain of the SD rat. Immunofluorescent staining result shows that pixel intensities of nestin were decreased in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that paclitaxel is able to induce cytotoxic activity both in F3 neural stem cell line and neural stem cell in SD rat brain.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.489.2-489.2
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• 2014

The planar type flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEH) based on PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT) thin films on the flexible substrates are demonstrated to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. The planar type energy harvesters have been realized, which have an electrode pair on the PZT thin films. The PZT thin films were deposited on double side polished sapphire substrates using conventional RF-magnetron sputtering. The PZT thin films on the sapphire substrates were transferred by PDMS stamp with laser lift-off (LLO) process. KrF excimer laser (wavelength: 248nm) were used for the LLO process. The PDMS stamp was attached to the top of the PZT thin films and the excimer laser induced onto back side of the sapphire substrate to detach the thin films. The detached thin films on the PDMS stamp transferred to adhesive layer coated on the flexible polyimide substrate. Structural properties of the PZT thin films were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To measure piezoelectric power generation characteristics, Au/Cr inter digital electrode (IDE) was formed on the PZT thin films using the e-beam evaporation. The ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were measured by a ferroelectric test system (Precision Premier-II) and piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM), respectively. The output signals of the flexible PEHs were evaluated by electrometer (6517A, Keithley). In the result, the transferred PZT thin films showed the ferroelectric and piezoelectric characteristics without electrical degradation and the fabricated flexible PEHs generated an AC-type output power electrical energy during periodically bending and releasing motion. We expect that the flexible PEHs based on laser transferred PZT thin film is able to be applied on self-powered electronic devices in wireless sensor networks technologies. Also, it has a lot of potential for high performance flexible piezoelectric energy harvester.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.275-282
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• 2011

Inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) have been implicated in various inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of Chondria crassicaulis ethanolic extract (CCE) by measuring its effects on the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. CCE significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the LPS-induced release of nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_2$, and suppressed the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, without causing any cytotoxicity. It also inhibited the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, treatment with CCE strongly suppressed nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) promoter-driven expression in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. CCE treatment blocked nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-${\kappa}B$ by preventing proteolytic degradation of inhibitor of ${\kappa}B-{\alpha}$. These results indicate that CCE regulates iNOS and COX-2 expression through NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent transcriptional control, and identifies potential candidates for the treatment or prevention of inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2008

AIF has been formulated using three herbs known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-osteolytic effects. In this study, the potential therapeutic effects of AIF for osteoarthritis were assessed in vitro and in vivo. The effects of AIF on the cartilage and bone protection (MMP-13 expression, GAG degradation, OPG release) were examined, in vitro. In addition, the therapeutic effect of AIF was evaluated using a chemical-induced osteoarthritis rat model. Rats were injected with iodoacetate intraarticularly in one knee joint and treated with the oral administration of 100 mg/kg AIF-glucosamine once a day for 3 weeks. And then, destruction of cartilage and bone was evaluated by histopathological assessment. AIF significantly inhibited the production of MMP13 and GAG in a dose dependent manner in vitro. Also, AIF increased the production of OPG. In OA rat model, the AIF-glucosamine treated group reduced cartilage destruction, compared to vehicle or glucosamine treated group. AIF showed potent protective effects for the destruction of cartilage and bone, in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that AIF contains effective compound(s) which may modify the progression of arthritis.