• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.11-18
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• 2016

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Myrrh 80% ethanol extract on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cell.Methods : Myrrh was prepared by extracting with 80% ethanol. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay using 3T3-L1 cells. Anti-obesity activity was measured in lipid droplets and triglyceride (TG) accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. We also analyzed the expression of C/EBPβ, C/EBPα, PPARγ, SREBP1c, and aP2 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, we observed the production of fatty acid, acetyl-CoA carboxylase and Oil-red O stainingResults : No cytotoxicity from Myrrh 80% ethanol extracts was observed at the concentration of 1, 10, 100 (㎍/㎖) in 3T3-L1 cells. Treatment with Myrrh significantly suppressed the terminal differentiation of 3T3-L1 in a dose-dependent manner, as confirmed by a decrease in triglyceride and Fatty acid and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Also, Myrrh exhibited potential adipogenesis inhibition and downregulated the expression of pro-adipogenic transcription factors, such as sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins α (C/EBPα) and C/EBPβ, and adipocyte expressed genes, such as adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2) and Fas. In addition, lipid accumulation determined by Oil-red O staining showed that Myrrh extract had inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells.Conclusions : These results suggest that Myrrh suppresses obesity factors in 3T3-L1 cells. Myrrh may be a useful medical herbs for attenuating metabolic diseases such as obesity.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.509-517
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• 2008

Gyejijakyakjimo-tang is a multi-herbal formula that is composed of nine medicinal herbs. Gyejijakyakjimo-tang has been reported to have antipyretic and analgesic effects. Gyejijakyakjimo-tang has traditionally been used for goat and rheumatoid arthritis. However, analgesic and antiinflammatory effects of Gyejijakyakjimo-tang has not been clarified yet. In this study, we investigated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of the aqueous extract of Gyejijakyakjimo-tang. We evaluated the aqueous extract of Gyejijakyakjimo-tang on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in murine raw 264.7 macrophage cells. For this study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) immunoassay, and nitric oxide (NO) detection were performed. Gyejijakyakjimo-tang suppressed $PGE_2$ synthesis and NO production by inhibiting the LPS-induced expressions of COX-2 and iNOS mRNA in murine raw 264.7 macrophage cells. These results show that Gyejijakyakjimo-tang has the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect by mostly suppressing COX-2 and iNOS expressions, and resulting in the inhibition of $PGE_2$ synthesis and NO production.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.180-186
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• 2018

Purpose: Despite the availability of molecular methods, identification of the causative virus in children with acute respiratory infections (ARIs) has proven difficult as the same viruses are often detected in asymptomatic children. Methods: Multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to detect 15 common respiratory viruses in children under 15 years of age who were hospitalized with ARI between January 2013 and December 2015. Viral epidemiology and clinical profiles of single virus infections were evaluated. Results: Of 3,505 patients, viruses were identified in 2,424 (69.1%), with the assay revealing a single virus in 1,747 cases (49.8%). While major pathogens in single virus-positive cases differed according to age, human rhinovirus (hRV) was common in patients of all ages. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus (IF), and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) were found to be seasonal pathogens, appearing from fall through winter and spring, whereas hRV and adenovirus (AdV) were detected in every season. Patients with ARIs caused by RSV and hRV were frequently afebrile and more commonly had wheezing compared with patients with other viral ARIs. Neutrophil-dominant inflammation was observed in ARIs caused by IF, AdV, and hRV, whereas lymphocyte-dominant inflammation was observed with RSV A, parainfluenza virus, and hMPV. Monocytosis was common with RSV and AdV, whereas eosinophilia was observed with hRV. Conclusion: In combination with viral identification, recognition of virus-specific clinical and laboratory patterns will expand our understanding of the epidemiology of viral ARIs and help us to establish more efficient therapeutic and preventive strategies.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.130-137
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• 2002

Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the most important viruses in many field crops in Korea. In this study, 31 PVY isolates were isolated from infected potato (Solanum tuberosum), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), pea (Pisum sativum), and weeds (Veronica persica, Lamium amplexicause and Capsella bursa-pastoris) showing different mosaic symptoms in Jeonbuk, Chungnam, Gangwon, and Gyeongbuk areas in Korea. The 640 nucleotide region containing the C-terminal portion of coat protein (CP) gene and 3'non-translated region (NTR) was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using PVY-specific oligonucleotide primers. Sequence analyses of the amplified DNA fragments showed that the C-terminal portion of CP gene was not significantly different from that of previously reported PVY strains from potato (PVY-OK and -T) and tobacco (PVY-VN) in Korea. Homologies of the deduced CP amino acid sequences were 93.3-99.0% to corresponding regions of the other PVY strains including PV $Y^{N}$, PV $Y^{o}$ , PV $Y^{OK}$ , PV $Y^{T}$ , and PV $Y^{VN}$ . In contrast the sequences located at the 3'-NTR showed more diverse sequence homologies (76.4-99.7%). These results indicate that the C-terminal portion of the CP gene was relatively conserved while sequences at the 3'NTR were more diverse and variable over the host species and the regions where they were isolated.e isolated.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2017

Angelica decursiva has been utilised as remedy for controlling the airway inflammatory diseases in folk medicine. We investigated whether nodakenin, columbianadin, and umbelliferone isolated from the roots of Angelica decursiva inhibit the gene expression and production of MUC5AC mucin from human airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with nodakenin, columbianadin or umbelliferone for 30 min and then stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) for 24 h. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression was measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Production of MUC5AC mucin protein was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results were as follows: (1) Nodakenin did not affect the expression of MUC5AC mucin gene induced by EGF, PMA or $TNF-{\alpha}$. Columbianadin inhibited the expression of MUC5AC mucin gene induced by EGF or PMA. However, umbelliferone inhibited the expression of MUC5AC mucin gene induced by EGF, PMA or $TNF-{\alpha}$; (2) Nodakenin also did not affect the production of MUC5AC mucin protein induced by EGF, PMA or $TNF-{\alpha}$. Columbianadin inhibited the production of MUC5AC mucin protein induced by PMA. However, umbelliferone inhibited the production of MUC5AC mucin protein induced by EGF, PMA or $TNF-{\alpha}$. These results suggest that, among the three compounds investigated, umbelliferone only inhibits the gene expression and production of MUC5AC mucin stimulated by various inducers, by directly acting on airway epithelial cells, and the results might explain the traditional use of Angelica decursiva as remedy for diverse inflammatory pulmonary diseases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.229-238
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• 2012

Cyclooxygenase(COX-2) is an inducible enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) from arachidonic acid. Over-expression of COX-2 has been reported to be associated with progressive hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatic C infection and rat liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride($CCl_4$). Recently, it is well known that mast cell products can stimulate the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and key players in liver fibrosis. But little is known regarding their role in $CCl_4$-induced liver fibrosis in rat. Our aim was to investigate the relation between COX-2 expression and mast cells during liver fibrosis after $CCl_4$ treatment. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into five groups (non-treated 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8-week after $CCl_4$-treatment). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA), collagen-1 and COX-2 in liver tissue from $CCl_4$-treated rats. The density of collagen and mast cells were determined using a computerized image analysis system in liver sections stained with picrosirius red and toluidine blue, respectively. The expression levels of ${\alpha}$-SMA, collagen-1 and COX-2 mRNA were significantly higher at 2 wk in $CCl_4$-treated groups than non-treated group. The number of mast cells in liver tissues increased gradually from 2 wk to 6 wk depending on the fibrosis severity but decreased abruptly at 8 wk. The significant increase of collagen-1 and ${\alpha}$-SMA mRNA expression in $CCl_4$-treated rats was continued until 6 wk while the COX-2 mRNA was significantly decreased at 8 wk. These results suggest that increased mast cells are closely associated with COX-2 over-expression during hepatic fibrogenesis of $CCl_4$-treated rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.785-791
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• 2005

Corydalis Tuber has traditionally been used for the treatment of water retention in the body. Administration of the aqueous extract of Corydalis Tuber has been known to be effective for the control of pain and treatment of arthritis. It was reported that Corydalis Tuber possesses anti-inflammatory activity and modulates the intestinal immune system. The effect of Corydalis Tuber against LPS-stimulated expressions of COX-2, iNOS, and $IL-1{\beta}$ in cells of the murine RAW 264.7 macrophages was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), $PGE_2$ immunoassay, and NO detection. The aqueous extract of Corydalis Tuber was shown to suppress $PGE_2$ production by inhibition on the LPS-stimulated enhancement of COX-2 enzyme activity, $IL-1{\beta}$, and iNOS expression in the RAW 264.7 macrophages. Present results suggest that Corydalis Tuber exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects probably by suppressing of COX-2, iNOS, and $IL-1{\beta}$ expressions, resulting in inhibition of $PGE_2$ synthesis. Corydalis Tuber has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects probably by suppressing of COX-2, iNOS, and $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA expressions, resulting in inhibition of $PGE_2$ and NO synthesis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.239-245
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• 2014

We investigated whether luteolin affects the gene expression, secretion and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes, as well as production of MMP-3 in the rat knee to evaluate the potential chondroprotective effects of luteolin. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured in a monolayer and IL-$1{\beta}$-induced gene expression levels of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), ADAMTS-5 and type II collagen were measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Effects of luteolin on interleukin- $1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$)-induced secretion and enzyme activity of MMP-3 in rabbit articular chondrocytes were investigated by western blot analysis and casein zymography, respectively. The effect of luteolin on MMP-3 protein production was also examined in vivo. The results were as follows: (1) luteolin inhibited the gene expression levels of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5. However, it increased the gene expression level of collagen in rabbit articular chondrocytes; (2) luteolin inhibited the secretion and activity of MMP-3; (3) luteolin inhibited in vivo production of MMP-3 protein. These results suggest that luteolin can regulate the gene expression, secretion and activity of MMP-3, by directly acting on articular chondrocytes.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2002

Endocrine disruptors have been reported to adversely affect reproduction and embryonic development in wild animals. One of the major abnormalities observed during early embryonic development is cellular fragmentation. In this study, we exposed mouse preimplantation embryos to PCB, BPA and DDT in vivo or in vitro. Embryos exposed to endocrine disrupter showed a variety of morphological abnormalities such as fragmentation, irregular blastomeres and cracked empty zonae pellucidae. To investigate the levels of gene expression related which genes contribute to apoptosis in preimplantation mouse embryos, we carried out the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to assess mRNA levels far apoptotic gene. Bcl-2, bad and bax expression levels were compared between control group and endocrine disrupter treated group. Expression level of bcl-2 gene tended to be lower in the treated group than control while expression levels of bad and bax genes were higher in the treated group. Results of this study may provide a useful tool for rapidly screening developmental toxicants in preimplantation embryos exposed to endocrine disruptors in vivo or in vitro.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.213-219
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• 2017

Objectives: Based on data from Chinese and Indian traditional herbal medicines, gum resin of Ferula assa-foetida (sometimes referred to asafetida or asafoetida) has several therapeutic applications. The authors of various studies have claimed that asafetida has cytotoxic, antiulcer, anti-neoplasm, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidative effects. In present study, the anti-aging effect of asafetida on senescent human dermal fibroblasts was evaluated. Methods: Senescence was induced in in vitro cultured human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) through exposure to $H_2O_2$, and the incidence of senescence was recognized by using cytochemical staining for the activity of ${\beta}$-galactosidase. Then, treatment with oleo gum resin of asafetida was started to evaluate its rejuvenating effect. The survival rate of fibroblasts was evaluated by using methyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot assays were performed to evaluate the expressions of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers. Results: Our experiments show that asafetida in concentrations ranging from $5{\times}10^{-8}$ to $10^{-7}g/mL$ has revitalizing effects on senescent fibroblasts and significantly reduces the ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity in these cells (P < 0.05). Likewise, treatment at these concentrations increases the proliferation rate of normal fibroblasts (P < 0.05). However, at concentrations higher than $5{\times}10^{-7}g/mL$, asafetida is toxic for cells and induces cell death. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that asafetida at low concentrations has a rejuvenating effect on senescent fibroblasts whereas at higher concentrations, it has the opposite effect of facilitating cellular apoptosis and death.