• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.425-430
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• 2012

Rumex acetosa is a perennial herb that is widely distributed across eastern Asia. Although the hot water extract of R. acetosa has been used to treat gastritis or gastric ulcers as a folk medicine, no scientific report exists for the use of this plant to treat gastric ulcers. Hence, the present study was undertaken to assess the anti-ulcer activity of water and 70% ethanol extracts obtained from R. acetosa, using an HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in mice. Anti-inflammatory and free radical-scavenging activities of these two extracts were also evaluated and compared. As a result, the administration of R. acetosa extracts significantly reduced the occurrence of gastric ulcers. However, significant differences in protective activity against gastric ulcers were observed between the two samples. In the case of the group pretreated with an ethanol extract dosage of 100 mg/kg, the protective effect (90.9%) was higher than that of water extract (41.2%). Under histological evaluation, pretreatment with R. acetosa extracts reversed negative effects, such as inflammation, edema, moderate hemorrhaging and loss of epithelial cells, presented by HCl/ethanol-treated stomachs. Meanwhile, R. acetosa extracts showed potent DPPH radical-scavenging activity and decreased NO production in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cellular viability. The greater anti-ulcer and NO production inhibitory activities exhibited by ethanol extracts compared to water extracts could be ascribed to the higher emodin levels, a major anthraquinone component of this plant.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.109-114
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• 1975

Domestic seaweeds Gracilaria verrucosa collected from coastal areas of Namhae, Wando and Yeosoo, Korea were subjected to the examination of yield and quality of agar prepared according to various pretreatment conditions. In alkali treatment at high temperature, higher alkali concentration for one-hour period at $90^{\circ}C$ gave rise to higher yield of agar. In acid treatment, higher yield was obtained by higher acid concentration and longer treating period. Alkali treatment at room temperature gave rise to a slightly decreased yield at higher alkali concentration and longer treating time. Total nitrogen and crude ash of agar samples were greatly decreased by pretreatments. Jelly strength, gelation ability, gelation point and viscosity of agar samples tended to increase as the alkali-treating condition of seaweed became stronger. It was shown that sulfur content of agar had a high negative correlation with jelly strength of its gel. Various alkali treatments of seaweed at room temperature showed no marked difference in agar quality and did not exhibit any good effect comparable to alkali treatment at high temperature.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.190-197
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• 2010

Changes in the quality of buckwheat sprout treated with organic acid solutions such as ascorbic, citric and acetic acid were examined during storage in order to judge the feasibility of acid dipping as a pretreatment for extending shelf-life. Quality attributes of buckwheat sprout stored at $5^{\circ}C$ were measured in terms of microbial cell count, moisture content, soluble solids content, chromaticity, and sensory evaluation over different storage times. For microbial growth inhibition, combinations of 0.05% acetic acid and 0.5% citric acid or 1% ascorbic acid and 0.5% citric acid were more effective than other treatments. Slight changes were observed in moisture content among the treatments, whereas soluble solids content of each treatment was increased during storage. In chromaticity, the Hunter's a value of buckwheat sprout treated with acetic acid alone or acetic acid combinations showed the largest increase. Dipping treatment with ascorbic acid and citric acid produced only slight changes in color of the sprout. In the sensory evaluation of discoloration (head, stem and root), wilting and overall quality, ascorbic acid and citric acid treatments gave the highest scores. These results suggest that dipping treatment of buckwheat sprout with citric acid can confer more positive effects on storage stability than others.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.461-465
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• 2016

In order to prevent the blackening and texture softening of heated shrimp, the pH was adjusted by soaking shrimps in acidic and alkali solutions, and their qualities were evaluated. The lightness of shrimps pretreated with 0.2% (w/w) citric acid and 0.05% (w/w) ascorbic acid solution increased by 20% compared to that of the control. The strength of mechanical hardness of shrimps soaked in acetic acid and phosphate solution (pH 6.0) was significantly higher ($1209g_f$) compared to that of untreated shrimp ($801g_f$; p<0.05), and the overall preference of texture was 0.4 points higher than that of the control in the descriptive sensory evaluation (p<0.05). In contrast, soaking in solution of pH 8 exhibited a weak texture hardening effect ($855g_f$). Additionally, the hardness of the heated shrimp after soaking at an adjusted pH of 4.0 increased to $4046g_f$, but the yield based on weight decreased to 38% compared to that of untreated shrimp (70%; p<0.05).

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 1987

The use of alkylating agent cyclophosphamide(CY), a widely used antitumor drug is well known as a potent immunosuppressant and has been used as a probe for investigating the functional capabilities of lymphocyte subsets of both T and B cells that play an important role in the regulation of the immune response. The present study was undertaken in an effort to assess the effects of CY on immunological memory in murine model. CY, given as a single dose of CY(250mg/kg) before sensitization with sheep red blood cells(SRBC) enhanced the primary response of Arthus and delayed-type hypersensitivity(DTH), as measured by footpad swelling reaction, but suppressed their tertiary DTH response. The similar CY pretreatment enhanced both the primary and tertiary hemagglutinin(HA) responses to SRBC, and the tertiary antibody response against polyvinylpyrroridone(PVP), a thymus-independent antigen but not the primary response against PVP. CY, given as a single dose of 250mg/kg 2 days before the primary immunization and two doses of 100mg/kg 2 days before the secondary and tertiary immunization, markedly suppressed the tertiary DTH and HA responses to SRBC. However, CY, given as small multiple daily doses(10mg/kg) over 4 days before sensitization but not after sensitization, enhanced the secondary HA response to SRBC. Contact sensitivity to dinitrofluorobenzene(DNFB) was suppressed by the drug, given either as a single large dose(300mg/kg) or as multiple dose(10mg/kg) administered 2 days before, together with or after DNFB sensitization. This suppression was more pronounced and more significant when CY was given as multiple dose. However, the enhancement of the secondary contact sensitivity to DNFB by CY was not clear-cut. The splenectomy appears to increase the enhancing effect of CY on contact sensitivity. These results suggest that CY selectively influences the immune response depending on the time of the drug administration relative to immunization and that the secondary or tertiary immune response involve memory cells with different susceptibilities to CY. Moreover, these results suggest that multiple low doses may sesectivley inhibit suppressor T cell proliferation involving DTH, HA or contact sensitivity without effecting helper T cells, but high doses presumably inhibit helper T cells and suppressor T cells with effecting B cells.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup2
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• pp.221-227
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• 2001

Objective : The therapeutic impact of tumor resection in glioblastomas is poorly defined and still questionable. Therefore, we conducted the current study to verify the role of tumor resection in the treatment of these highly malignant tumors. Methods : A retrospective study was performed(1990-1999) to compare the treatment results of surgical resection plus radiotherapy(130 patients) with those of stereotactic biopsy plus radiotherapy(19 patients) in glioblastomas. Only adult patients with supratentorial, de novo glioblastoma located in one lobe were included. Survival time/rate was analysed with Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic variables were obtained from the univariate log-rank test and the multivariate Cox's proportional hazards model. Results : The resection group and the biopsy group did not differ in terms of age, gender, duration of symptoms, presenting symptoms, tumor location, tumor side, tumor size, and the frequency of midline shift. Patients in the biopsy group more often were found to have worse preoperative Karnofsky performance status(KPS)(p=0.001). On univariate analysis, age, KPS, and tumor side were associated with survival(p=0.0053, 0.0001, and 0.0331 respectively). Median survival time and 1-year survival rate were also statistically improved by tumor resection ; resection group - 13 months and 61.2%, and biopsy group - 8 months and 19.7%, respectively(p=0.0001). In patients with midline shift of the tumor, resection was highly effective comparing to biopsy(p=0.0001), but in patients without midline shift, external beam radiation alone was as effective as tumor resection(p=0.0605). Other prognostic variables did not affect survival. On multivariate analysis after variable selection, survival was independently associated with KPS(p=0.001), but not the surgical resection(p=0.2837). Even in biopsy group with midline shift of the tumor, survival rate was not different from that seen after tumor resection(p=0.3505). Conclusions : Radiotherapy alone was as effective as tumor resection plus radiotherapy in patients without midline shift of the tumor. Although there was not statistically significant, tumor resection looked like effective in patients with midline shift. For supratentorial, lobar glioblastoma patients without mass effect of the tumor, biopsy with radiotherapy is one of rational treatment strategies. We consider that tumor resection should be performed in patients with pretreatment midline shift.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1776-1788
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• 2019

Objective: The demands for measures to improve disease resistance and productivity of livestock are increasing, as most countries prohibit the addition of antibiotics to feed. This study therefore aimed to uncover functional feed additives to help enhance livestock immunity and disease resistance, using Acanthopanax sessiliflorus fruit extract (ASF). Methods: ASF was extracted with 70% EtOH, and total polyphenolic and catechin contents were measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu and vanillin assay, respectively. The 3D4/31 porcine macrophage cells ($M{\Phi}$) were activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and cell survival and growth rate were measured with or without ASF treatment. Flow-cytometric analysis determined the lysosomal activity, reactive oxygen species levels (ROS), and cell cycle distribution. Nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) protein expression levels were quantified by western blotting and densitometry analysis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was applied to measure the lipid metabolism-related genes expression level. Lastly, the antibacterial activity of 3D4/31 $M{\Phi}$ cells was evaluated by the colony forming unit assay. Results: ASF upregulated the cell viability and growth rate of 3D4/31 $M{\Phi}$, with or without PMA activation. Moreover, lysosomal activity and intracellular ROS levels were increased after ASF exposure. In addition, the antioxidant enzyme SOD2 expression levels were proportionately increased with ROS levels. Both ASF and PMA treatment resulted in upregulation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ protein, tumor necrosis factor $(TNF){\alpha}$ mRNA expression levels, lipid synthesis, and fatty acid oxidation metabolism. Interestingly, co-treatment of ASF with PMA resulted in recovery of $NF-{\kappa}B$, $TNF{\alpha}$, and lipid metabolism levels. Finally, ASF pretreatment enhanced the in vitro bactericidal activity of 3D4/31 $M{\Phi}$ against Escherichia coli. Conclusion: This study provides a novel insight into the regulation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity and lipid metabolism in $M{\Phi}$, and we anticipate that ASF has the potential to be effective as a feed additive to enhance livestock immunity.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.112-112
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• 2019

Baicalein is one of the main flavonoids derived from roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a traditional Oriental medicine. Although baicalein has high antitumor effect on several human carcinomas, the mechanism responsible for this property is not unclear. In this study, the data revealed that baicale-ininduced growth inhibition was associated with the induction of apoptosis connecting with cytochrome c release, down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xl and increased the percentage of cells with a loss of mitochondria membrane permeabilization. Baicalein also induced the proteolytic activation of caspases and cleavage of PARP; however, blockage of caspases activation by z-VAD-fmk inhibited baicalein-induced apoptosis. In addition, baicalein enhanced the formation of autophagosomes and up-regulated LC3-II/LC3-I ratio. Interestingly, the pretreatment of bafilomycin A1 recovered baicalein-induced cell death suggesting that autophagy by baicalein roles as protective autophagy. Taken together, our results indicated that this flavonoid induces apoptosis and cell protective autophagy. These data means combination treatment with baicalein and autophagy inhibitor might be a promising anticancer drug.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.271-279
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• 2019

The lamina II, also called the substantia gelatinosa (SG), of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc), is thought to play an essential role in the control of orofacial nociception. Glycine and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) are the important neurotransmitters that have the individual parts on the modulation of nociceptive transmission. However, the electrophysiological effects of 5-HT on the glycine receptors on SG neurons of the Vc have not been well studied yet. For this reason, we applied the whole-cell patch clamp technique to explore the interaction of intracellular signal transduction between 5-HT and the glycine receptors on SG neurons of the Vc in mice. In nine of 13 neurons tested (69.2%), pretreatment with 5-HT potentiated glycine-induced current ($I_{Gly}$). Firstly, we examined with a $5-HT_1$ receptor agonist (8-OH-DPAT, $5-HT_{1/7}$ agonist, co-applied with SB-269970, $5-HT_7$ antagonist) and antagonist (WAY-100635), but $5-HT_1$ receptor agonist did not increase $I_{Gly}$ and in the presence of $5-HT_1$ antagonist, the potentiation of 5-HT on $I_{Gly}$ still happened. However, an agonist (${\alpha}$-methyl-5-HT) and antagonist (ketanserin) of the $5-HT_2$ receptor mimicked and inhibited the enhancing effect of 5-HT on $I_{Gly}$ in the SG neurons, respectively. We also verified the role of the $5-HT_7$ receptor by using a $5-HT_7$ antagonist (SB-269970) but it also did not block the enhancement of 5-HT on $I_{Gly}$. Our study demonstrated that 5-HT facilitated $I_{Gly}$ in the SG neurons of the Vc through the $5-HT_2$ receptor. The interaction between 5-HT and glycine appears to have a significant role in modulating the transmission of the nociceptive pathway.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2019

Background: Dysregulation of hepatic glucose production (HGP) contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Telmisartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB), has various ancillary effects in addition to common blood pressure-lowering effects. The effects and mechanism of telmisartan on HGP have not been fully elucidated and, therefore, we investigated these phenomena in hyperglycemic HepG2 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Methods: Glucose production and glucose uptake were measured in HepG2 cells. Expression levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase ${\alpha}$ ($G6Pase-{\alpha}$), and phosphorylation levels of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and protein kinase C ${\zeta}$ ($PKC{\zeta}$) were assessed by western blot analysis. Animal studies were performed using HFD-fed mice. Results: Telmisartan dose-dependently increased HGP, and PEPCK expression was minimally increased at a $40{\mu}M$ concentration without a change in $G6Pase-{\alpha}$ expression. In contrast, telmisartan increased phosphorylation of IRS-1 at Ser302 ($p-IRS-1-Ser^{302}$) and decreased $p-IRS-1-Tyr^{632}$ dose-dependently. Telmisartan dose-dependently increased $p-PKC{\zeta}-Thr^{410}$ which is known to reduce insulin action by inducing IRS-1 serine phosphorylation. Ectopic expression of dominant-negative $PKC{\zeta}$ significantly attenuated telmisartan-induced HGP and $p-IRS-1-Ser^{302}$ and -inhibited $p-IRS-1-Tyr^{632}$. Among ARBs, including losartan and fimasartan, only telmisartan changed IRS-1 phosphorylation and pretreatment with GW9662, a specific and irreversible peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) antagonist, did not alter this effect. Finally, in the livers from HFD-fed mice, telmisartan increased $p-IRS-1-Ser^{302}$ and decreased $p-IRS-1-Tyr^{632}$, which was accompanied by an increase in $p-PKC{\zeta}-Thr^{410}$. Conclusion: These results suggest that telmisartan increases HGP by inducing $p-PKC{\zeta}-Thr^{410}$ that increases $p-IRS-1-Ser^{302}$ and decreases $p-IRS-1-Tyr^{632}$ in a $PPAR{\gamma}$-independent manner