• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.232-236
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• 2006

In this study, we investigated the effect of Phellinus baumii (PB) on immediate-type allergic reaction and inflammatory cytokine secretion. PB inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic reactions in mice. PB inhibited compound 48/80-induced plasma histamine release. In addition, PB also inhibited the immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated local allergic reaction. Furthermore, PB decreased the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated tumor necrosis $factor-\alpha$ and interleukin-6 secretion in human mast cells. These results indicate that PB may be beneficial in the treatment of immediate-type allergic reactions.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.216-220
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• 2011

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) characterized by increased proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition is identified as the major pathological feature of hepatic cirrhosis. Therefore, suppression of HSC activation has been proposed as an important antifibrotic therapeutic strategy. In the present study, we investigated the antiproliferative activity of root barks of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (Ulmaceae) by employing HSC-T6 hepatic stellate cells as an in vitro assay system. Further investigation of the n-hexane and $CHCl_3$ fractions of root barks of U. davidiana var japonica led to the isolation of six triterpenoids: friedelin (1), epifridelanol (2), oleanolic acid (3), maslinic acid (4), ${\beta}$-amyrin (5) and ${\alpha}$-amyrin (6), together with ${\beta}$-sitosterol (7) and daucosterol (8). Among these compounds, 2, 3 and 4 significantly inhibited HSC proliferation. In addition, 4 inhibited HSC proliferation in time- and concentration-related manners, via a partially direct toxic effect, as assessed by morphological changes and release of lactate dehydrogenase.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.125-141
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of myofascial release(MFR) technique and Taping therapy on the pain level in whiplash injury patients. Pain level were assessed prior treatment, after first treatment, after second treatment, after third treatment, after fourth treatment, and after fifth treatment. All 6 times were calculated pain level. To find out the effectiveness of MFR and Taping therapy, we were divide two groups. The one group was consisted of 25 patients that were treated with H/P, electrical therapy and MFR, and the other group was consisted of 25 patients that were treated with H/P, electrical therapy, and Taping therapy. The results were as follow: 1. There were statistical significance on the pain level in MFR group during all treatment periods(p<0.05). 2. There were statistical significance on the pain level in Taping group all during treatment periods(p<0.05). 3. Taping group had more statistical significance than MFR group on the pain level during all treatment periods(p<0.05). Consequently, this study suggest that Taping therapy has a very effectiveness to the whiplash injury patients.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.169-174
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• 2010

Hydrolysate silk fibroin (HSF) is a fibrous protein composed of parallel $\beta$-structures and is made from pure silk elements including 18 amino acids, with glycine, alanine, and serine comprising of over 80% of the amino acids. Numerous studies have documented a range of effects of HSF, including moisturizing, antioxidant activity, nervous system disorders, and many more. We investigated whether HSF has anti-obesity effects in vitro. The effects of HSF inhibition on lipid accumulation and acceleration of lipid degradation in 3T3-L1 cells were studied. Treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with HSF caused significant inhibition of cell viability, an increase in glycerol release, and a decreased in adipocyte differentiation. Moreover HSF stimulated downregulated of adipogenic enzyme expressions (PPAR${\gamma}$ and C/EBP${\alpha}$) and up-regulated of fatty oxidation enzyme expressions (CPT-1 and UCP-2). Based on these results, hydrolysate silk fibroin can be suggested as a potential therapeutic substance as part of a prevention or treatment strategy for obesity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.1004-1011
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• 2010

This study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of Dodamtanggami-bang (DDTG) on tunicamycin induced cell death by ER stress in C6 glial cells. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and LDH release. Apoptosis was determined by caspase activity and flow cytometry in C6 glial cells. Expression of ER stress mediators including, GRP78 and CHOP proteins were measured by Western blot analysis. Tunicamycin induced the apoptosis of C6 glial cells, which was characterized as nucleic acid and caspase-3 activation, PARP cleavage, and sub-G0/G1 fraction of cell cycle increase. However, pretreatment with DDTG protected C6 glial cells from tunicamycin. Treatment with tunicamycin resulted in the increased the expression of GRP78 and CHOP protein and produced ROS generation. However, pretreatment with DDTG inhibited the ER stress pathway, including increase of the expression of GRP78, CHOP proteins in C6 glial cells treated with tunicamycin. Taken together, these data suggest that DDTG is able to protect C6 glial cells from tunicamycin with marked inhibition of ER stress.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2006

Atrial chambers serve as mechanosensory systems during the haemodynamic or mechanical disturbances, which initiates arrhythmia. Atrial myocytes, lacking t-tubules, have two functionally separate sarcoplasmic reticulums (SRs): those at the periphery close to the surface membrane, and those at the cell interior (center) not associated with the membrane. To explore possible role of fluid pressure (FP) in the regulation of atrial local $Ca^{2+}$ signaling we investigated the effect of FP on subcellular $Ca^{2+}$ signals in isolated rat atrial myocytes using confocal microscopy. FP was applied to whole area of single myocyte with pressurized automatic micro-jet (200-400 $mmH_2O$) positioned close to the cell. Application of FP enhanced spontaneous occurrences of peripheral and central $Ca^{2+}$ sparks with larger effects on the peripheral release sites. Unitary properties of single sparks were not altered by FP. Exposure to higher FP often triggered longitudinal $Ca^{2+}$ wave. These results suggest that fluid pressure may directly alter excitability of atrial myocytes by activating $Ca^{2+}$-dependent ionic conductance in the peripheral membrane and by enhancing spontaneous activation of central myofilaments.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.414-420
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• 2015

Flavonoids, such as fisetin (3,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone), are plant secondary metabolites. It has been reported that fisetin is able to perform numerous pharmacological roles including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer activities; however, the exact anti-inflammatory mechanism of fisetin is not understood. In this study, the pharmacological action modes of fisetin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage-like cells were elucidated by using immunoblotting analysis, kinase assays, and an overexpression strategy. Fisetin diminished the release of nitric oxide (NO) and reduced the mRNA levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells without displaying cytotoxicity. This compound also blocked the nuclear translocation of p65/nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$. In agreement, the upstream phosphorylation events for NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, composed of Src, Syk, and I${\kappa}B{\alpha}$, were also reduced by fisetin. The phospho-Src level, triggered by overexpression of wild-type Src, was also inhibited by fisetin. Therefore, these results strongly suggest that fisetin can be considered a bioactive immunomodulatory compound with anti-inflammatory properties through suppression of Src and Syk activities.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2016

To determine the protective effect of aloe-emodin (AE) from high glucose induced toxicity in RIN-5F (pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell) cell and restoration of its function was analyzed. RIN-5F cells have been cultured in high glucose (25 mM glucose) condition, with and without AE treatment. RIN-5F cells cultured in high glucose decreased cell viability and increased ROS levels after 48 hr compared with standard medium (5.5 mM glucose). Glucotoxicity was confirmed by significantly increased ROS production, increased pro-inflammatory (IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-$1{\beta}$,) & decreased anti-inflammatory (IL-6&IL-10) cytokine levels, increased DNA fragmentation. In addition, we found increased Bax, caspase 3, Fadd, and Fas and significantly reduced Bcl-2 expression after 48 hr. RIN-5F treated with both high glucose and AE ($20{\mu}M$) decreased ROS generation and prevent RIN-5F cell from glucotoxicity. In addition, AE treated cells cultured in high glucose were transferred to standard medium, normal responsiveness to glucose was restored within 8hr and normal basal insulin release within 24 hr was achieved when compared to high glucose.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.359-366
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• 2012

Accurate predictions about the water quality of a river have great importance in identifying in-stream flow and water supply requirements and solving relevant environmental problems. In this study, the effect of water release from upstream dam on the downstream water quality has been investigated by applying a hydological model combined with QUAL2E to Geum River basin. The ESP (Ensemble Stream Prediction) method, which has been validated and verified by lots of researchers, was used to predict reservoir and tributary inflow. The input parameters for a combined model to predict both hydrological characteristics and water quality were identified and optimized. In order to verify the model performance, the simulated result at Gongju station, located at the downstream from Daecheong Dam, has been compared with measured data in 2008. As a result, it was found that the proposed model simulates well the values of BOD, T-N, and T-P with an acceptable reliability.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2009

Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi was investigated to check its modulatory effects on the activation of macrophages upon inflammatory conditions treatment. For this purpose, we examined several inflammatory responses such as nitric oxide (NO) production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cytoprotection and phagocytosis under the treatment of methanol extract from P. lobata (Pl-ME). Pl-ME dose-dependently blocked NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- stimulated RAW264.7 cells but not sodium prusside (SNP)-generated NO release. The NO inhibition seemed to be due to blocking inducible NO synthase (iNOS), since Pl-ME suppressed its expression in a NF-${\kappa}B$-independent manner. Similarly, this extract also effectively protected RAW264.7 cells from LPS-induced cytotoxicity. However, Pl-ME did not block ROS generation and rather it enhanced. Finally, this extract negatively modulated FITC-dextran uptake. Therefore, our data suggested that Pl-ME may be involved in negatively regulating some macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses such as NO production and phagocytic uptake.