• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.84-84
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• 2001

The heartwood of Rhus verniciflua has been known to be effective for lingering intoxication and diabetes mellitus and rheumatoidal arthritis in traditional folk medicine in Korea. We have previously reported that antimutagenic effect of flavonoids derived from the heartwood extract of R. verniciflua, and sulfuretin was the active component. Recently, we have demonstrated that sulfuretin could be an anti-inflammatory principle of the R. verniciflua heartwood partially dependent on cyclooxigenase-inhibitory activity. The present study was undertaken to demonstrate the anti-rheumatoidal arthritis effect of the R. verniciflua heartwood extract, its EtOAc fraction and the main flavonoids, sulfuretin and fustin. All the test samples showed variably significant inhibitory effects on hind paw edema induced by Freund's complete adjuvant reagent (FCA reagent). Sulfuretin treatment with 10 mg/kg (i.p.) for seven days showed the inhibitory effect of 54.2${\pm}$3.0%, Similar trends in RA- and CRP tests, vascular permeability test and trypsin inhibitor test were also found. In addition, no dead mouse was found even when the dose was increased up to 5,000 mg/kg (i.p.). Treatment with 250-1,500 mg/kg on normal rats did not show any marked toxicological significances in the tests of body weight gain, wet weight of organs and hepatic functions. These results suggested that the heartwood of R. verniciflua could be an adequate crude drug for rheumatoidal arthritis with an active component of sulfuretin. The toxicological safety of the heartwood of R, verniciflua is contrasted to known severe allergenic action of the stem bark or its exudate.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.347-352
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• 2002

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-rheumatoidal arthritis effect of the R. verniciflua heartwood extract, its EtOAc fraction, and its primary flavonoids, sulfuretin and fustin. All test samples showed variably significant inhibitory effects on hind paw edema and trypsin inhibitor activity induced by Freund's complete adjuvant reagent (FCA reagent), and on vascular permeability caused by acetic acid. Treatment with 10 mg/kg (i.p.) sulfuretin for seven days inhibited edema formation by 54.2$\pm$3.0%. Test samples, especially sulfuretin, shifted the values of biochemical parameters such as serum-cholesterol, serum-triglyceride and serum-total protein toward the normal and restored the numbers of leucocytes and platelets. These results suggest that the heartwood of R. verniciflua reduces immunological injuries caused by FCA reagent provides evidence that suluretin is an active anti-rheumatoid arthritis agent.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.47-61
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• 2010

Objective : The aim of this present study is to evaluate the inhibitory effect of allergen removed Rhus verniciflua (ARV) on Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) which is considered to have a clinically important role in tumor metastasis. Methods : The inhibitory effects of standardized extract of ARV on the MMP-2, MMP-9 were investigated by spectrofluorometer while the inhibitory effects on the active MMP-2, pro MMP-2, pro MMP-9 were investigated by zymography. Antimetastatic effect of standardized extract of ARV was investigated in vitro on human fibrosarcoma cell (HT1080)'s invasion through Matrigel. Results : The standardized extract of ARV showed inhibitory effects on the active MMP-2 (IC50, $1.01{\mu}g$/ml), active MMP-9 (IC50, $2.5{\mu}g$/ml) depending on concentrations which was determined by spectrofluorometer. The standardized extract of ARV showed inhibitory effects on the active MMP-2, pro MMP-2, pro MMP-9 depending on concentrations which was determined by zymography. However its inhibitory effect on pro MMP-9 was relatively weaker rather than active MMP-2, pro MMP-2. The standardized extract of ARV showed inhibitory effects in vitro on human fibrosarcoma cell (HT1080)'s invasion through Matrigel according to concentration. Conclusions : These results indicate that standardized extract of ARV has antimetastatic effect through inhibit again MMP-2, MMP-9. Also its inhibitory effect is more powerful on active MMP-2, pro MMP-2 than on active MMP-9, pro MMP-9. It is necessary to conduct further studies on other MMP families, TIMP, and each component of standardized extract of ARV.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.701-709
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• 2006

The Rhus verniciflua Stokes (乾漆-RVS) has been used in traditional East Asia medicine for the therapy of gastritis, stomach cancer, although the mechanism for the biological activity is unclear. In the present study aims to investigate RVS extract contributes to growth inhibitory effect and it's the molecular mechanism on the human gastric cancer cells. AGS (gastric cancer cells) and RIEI (normal cells) were treated to different concentrations and periods of RVS extract $(10{\;}{\sim{{\;}100{\;}ug/mil)$. Growth inhibitory effect was analyzed by measuring FACS study and MTS assay. Cell cycle inhibition was confirmed by measuring CDK2 kinase activity by immunoprecipitation and kinase assay. And apoptosis was confirmed by surveying caspase cascades activation using a pan caspase inhibitor Exposure to RVS extract (50 ug/mll) resulted in a synergistic inhibitory effect on cell growth in AGS cells. Growth inhibition was related with the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. The extract induces Gl -cell cycle arrest through the regulation of cyclins, the induction of p27kip1, and the decrease CDK2 kinase activity. And upregulated p27kip1 level is caused by protein stability increment by the reduction of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2), a key molecule related with p27kip1 ubiquitination and degradation, and do novo protein synthesis. Besides, 乾漆 extract induces apoptosis through the expression of Bax, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and activation of caspase-3. RVS extract induces Gl -cell cycle arrest via accumulation of p27kip1 and apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells but not in normal cells, therefore we suggest that the extract can be used as a novel class of anti-cancer drugs.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2004

This study was carried out to confirm the phylogenetic relationships in Korean Rhus species. Sequences from internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA and rbcL gene of chloroplast DNA were determined. Cotinus coggygria was selected as outgroup because it is closest allied with Rhus in Anacardiaceae. Also, ingroup was limited as six Korean Rhus species. ITS 1 sequences in six species of Rhus and one species of Cotinus ranged from 246 to 253 bp and ITS 2 sequences from 234 to 244 bp. Concerning the G+C content of the studied taxa, ITS 1 sequences ranged from 58.0 to 68.13% and ITS 2 from 59.75 to 68.46%. On the other hand, rbcL sequences were same size in the all species examined by 1,428 bp. G+C contents of rbcL sequences were ranged from 43.56 to 43.77% which means there are nearly no different from interspecies each other. Phylogenetic tree strongly supports the colse relationships between R. succedanea and R. sylvestris. Rhus javanica and Cotinus coggygria were also closely allied with each other in ITS and rbcL trees. Therefore, R. javanica was regarded as most primitive species among the Korean Rhus species. ITS 1 region of nuclear ribosomal DNA was suggested as very useful taxonomical marker for genus Rhus.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2012

Objective : This study reports one case of a patient diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung cancer with bone metastasis. Methods : A 56-year old male patient was diagnosed as squamous cell lung cancer in 1997 and received chemotherapy. The chemotherapy stopped after one cycle because of toxicity and the lung abscess. After four months from the diagnosis, rib metastasis was found and received the radiation therapy for two weeks. After the treatment, adverse effects such as nausea and anorexia appeared. The patient visited K. Korean Medicine Hospital and started the treatment with the allergen removed Rhus verniciflua stokes (aRVS) since December, 1997. Results and Conclusion : During treatment, the patient's quality of life had improved, and he had survived for 14 years after the administration of aRVS. This case suggests that aRVS can be an alternative treatment for the advanced NSCLC patients with bone metastasis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumor. 5-FU is commonly used for the treatment of CRC. However, the development of drug resistance in tumor chemotherapy can seriously reduce therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU. Recent data show that FoxM1 is associated with 5-FU resistance in CRC. FoxM1 plays a critical role in the carcinogenesis and drug resistance of several malignancies. It has been reported that urushiol V isolated from the cortex of Rhus verniciflua Stokes is cytotoxic to several types of cancer cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for its antitumor activity and its potential to attenuate the chemotherapeutic resistance in CRC cells remain unknown. Here, we found that urushiol V could inhibit the cell proliferation and induced S-phase arrest of SW480 colon cancer cells. It inhibited protein expression level of FoxM1 through activation of AMPK. We also investigated the combined effect of urushiol V and 5-FU. The combination treatment reduced FoxM1 expression and consequently reduced cell growth and colony formation in 5-FU resistant colon cancer cells (SW480/5-FUR). Taken together, these result suggest that urushiol V from Rhus verniciflua Stokes can suppress cell proliferation by inhibiting FoxM1 and enhance the antitumor capacity of 5-FU. Therefore, urushiol V may be a potential bioactive compound for CRC therapy.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.114.1-114.1
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• 2000

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.188.2-189
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• 2000

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.89 no.1
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• pp.116-125
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• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of CEPA(2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) on bark physiology and anatomy of lactree(Rhus verniciflua Stokes). Sample trees of similar size and growth rate were selected from 7-year-old lactree plantation located in Hyengsung-kun, Kangwon-do. Lanolin pastes containing 0.1, 1, or 10% CEPA were put into the bark-removed hole made by corer(${\phi}1cm$) on the main stem at 1.2m above the ground on June 16, 1995. Five weeks after application of CEPA, bark thickness was markedly increased as a result of the increase in the amount of phloem and intercellular spaces, and correlated with the increased production of urushiol. By the application of 10% CEPA, bark thickness was increased approximately 2.5 times, and the urushiol content within bark was increased 2.8 times compared to that of untreated trees because CEPA stimulated the accumulation of urushiol within bark. Treatment of 10% CEPA also increased the size and the total number of secretory canals, and induced an increase in ray width. The phloem parenchyma cells of CEPA-treated trees were well-developed and closely packed with little intercellular space.