• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.279-287
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• 2010

In this study we examined the effects of water extract of garlic on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury, and demonstrated increased beneficial enzyme and anti-oxidant activity as well as histopathological changes (by Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining, Trichrome staining, and TEM examination), and showed that the treatment was dose-dependent and safe. A total of 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally (n=7) into six groups. To induce hepatotoxicity in these subjects, carbon tetrachloride diluted in an equal volume of olive oil was intraperitoneally administrated at 0.5 ml/kg (0.20 g/kg/day) once a day for five days. Water extract of Korean-grown garlic was administered via a stomach sonde once a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks. Groups received 0.35 g/kg (E1), 0.70 g/kg (E2), or 1.40 g/kg (E3), with the dose adjusted for body weight. Administration of garlic extract resulted in positive physiological effects in terms of reduced oxidative stress and toxicity, and induced functional changes in the liver. Comparing the subject groups (E1, E2, E3) administered different doses of garlic extract, the importance of morphological analysis in further studies is emphasized, because morphological changes indicating hepatotoxicity could occur, even though beneficial enzyme activities were found to be elevated.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4169-4172
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• 2015

Background: Oral carcinoma (OC) remains as one of the most difficult malignancies to cure. Hesa-A is an Iranian herbal-marine compound that has shown promising anti-tumor properties on various human cancer cells, although the mechanisms of action remain to be addressed. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two doses of Hesa-A on mRNA expression of p53 as a main prognosticator of OC. Materials and Methods: 60 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 12 animals each. Rats in carcinoma groups received 0, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of Hesa-A three times a day. The two other groups considered as treated and untreated healthy groups. At the end of experiment, animals were sacrificed and tongue tissues subjected to H and E staining and real time PCR. Results: Our results indicated that compared to healthy group, p53 over expressed ~ 40% in untreated carcinoma group. After treatment with 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg body weights of Hesa-A, p53 level dropped by 53.4% and 13.6 %, respectively, compared to untreated carcinoma group (p<0.05, p<0.0001). Moreover, there was a significant relation between p53 mRNA content and observed pathological changes in studied groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: These data provide insights into the mechanism(s) by which Hesa-A improves clinical outcome of oral carcinoma by modulation of p53 expression.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.363-367
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• 2003

Oriental pear was used as treatment of asthma, control of blood pressure tonic medicine vasoaction, diabetes in oriental medicine. In this study, it was investigated that pear phenolic compound effects on cardiovascular system as blood pressure and renin and atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) in plasma, Cardiac hypertrophy. The experiments were performed on Sprague Dawley rats, 2K1C hypertension model was prepared by constricting the left renal artery with a sliver clip. Animals were then divided into four groups, 5mg/Kg(PPC-A) 10mg/Kg(PPC-B) 15mg/Kg(PPC-c) and control group. Pear phenolic compound solution were supplied with them for 3weeks, a day's interval. The results are that The blood pressure was significantly decreased at 15days in PPC-A group than control group. The plasma ANP was increased in PPC-A and PPC-C group, and cardiac hypertrophy was significantly decrease in PPC-C group compared with control group.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.529-539
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• 1998

The effects of membrane surface charge originated from lipid head groups on ion channels were tested by analyzing the activity of single large conductance $Ca^{2+}-activated\;K^+$ (maxi K) channel from rat skeletal muscle. The conductances and open-state probability ($P_o$) of single maxi K channels were compared in three types of planar lipid bilayers formed from a neutral phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) or two negatively-charged phospholipids, phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylinositol (PI). Under symmetrical KCl concentrations $(3{\sim}1,000\;mM)$, single channel conductances of maxi K channels in charged membranes were $1.1{\sim}1.7$ times larger than those in PE membranes, and the differences were more pronounced at the lower ionic strength. The average slope conductances at 100 mM KCl were $251{\pm}9.9$, $360{\pm}8.7$ and $356{\pm}12.4$ $(mean{\pm}SEM)$ pS in PE, PS and PI membranes respectively. The potentials at which $P_o$ was 1/2, appeared to have shifted left by 40 mV along voltage axis in the membranes formed with PS or PI. Such shift was consistently seen at pCa 5, 4.5, 4 and 3.5. Estimation of the effect of surface charge from these data indicated that maxi K channels sensed the surface potentials at a distance of $8{\sim}9\;{\AA}$ from the membrane surface. In addition, similar insulation distance ($7{\sim}9\;{\AA}$) of channel mouth from the bilayer surface charge was predicted by a 3-barrier-2-site model of energy profile for the permeation of $K^+$ ions. In conclusion, despite the differences in structure and fluidity of phospholipids in bilayers, the activities of maxi K channels in two charged membranes composed of PS or PI were strikingly similar and larger than those in bilayers of PE. These results suggest that the enhancement of conductance and $P_o$ of maxi channels is mostly due to negative charges in the phospholipid head groups.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2017

Objectives: Boswellic acid (BA), a compound isolated from the gum-resin of Boswellia carterii, is a pentacyclic terpenoid that is active against many inflammatory diseases, including cancer, arthritis, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and memory impairment, but the mechanism is poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of boswellic acid on spatial learning and memory impairment induced by trimethyltin (TMT) in Wistar rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Normal group, TMT-administrated rats (8.0 mg/kg, Intraperitoneally, i.p.) and TMT + BA (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg, i.p.)-administrated rats. BA was used daily for 21 days. To evaluate the cognitive improving of BA, we performed the Morris water maze test. Moreover, to investigate the neuroprotective effect of BA, we determined the acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and the glutathione (GSH) content in the cerebral cortex. Results: Treatment with TMT impaired learning and memory, and treatment with BA at a dose of 160 mg/kg produced a significant improvement in learning and memory abilities in the water maze tasks. Consistent with behavioral data, the activity of AChE was significantly increased in the TMT-injected rats compared to the control group (P < 0.01) whereas all groups treated with BA presented a more significant inhibitory effect against AChE than the TMT-injected animals. In addition, TMT reduced the GSH content and increased the MDA level in the cerebral cortex as compared to the control group) P < 0.01). On the other hand, treatment with BA at 160 mg/kg slightly increased the GSH content and reduced the MDA level in comparison to the TMT-administered group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The above results suggest that the effect of BA in improving the cognitive function may be mediated through its antioxidant activity.

• CELLMED
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.11.1-11.7
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• 2016

The aimed of the presence study was to determine the antiulcer potential of virgin coconut oil (VCO), either extracted by wet process (VCO_A) or fermentation process (VCO_B), and to compare their effectiveness against the copra oil (CO) using the HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model. Earlier, the oils underwent chemical analysis to determine the free fatty acids composition, physicochemical properties and anti-oxidant capability. In the antiulcer study, rats (n=6) were pre-treated orally for 7 consecutive days with distilled water (vehicle), 100 mg/kg ranitidine (positive group) or the respective oils (10, 50, and 100% concentration). One hour after the last test solutions administration on Day 7^th, the animals were subjected to the gastric ulcer assay. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses were performed on the collected rat's stomachs. From the results obtained, the chemical analysis revealed i) the presence of high content of lauric acid followed by myristic acid and palmitic acid in all oils and; ii) the significant (^*p< 0.05) different in anisidine- and peroxide-value, percentage of free fatty acid, total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity among the oils. The animal study demonstrated that all oil possess significant (^*p< 0.05) antiulcer activity with VCO_B being the most effective oil followed by VCO_A and CO. The macroscopic observations were supported by the microscopic findings. Interestingly, all oils were more effective than 100 mg/kg ranitidine (reference drug). In conclusion, coconut oils exert remarkable antiulcer activity depending on their methods of extraction, possibly via the modulation of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Pathology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2001

This study was conducted to assess the chemopreventive effects of sodium selenite in the rat medium-term multi-organ bioassay using a DMBDD model (DEN+MNU+BBN+DMH+DHPN). Seventy five,6-week-old, male SD rats were divided into 3 groups. The animals in group 1 received DEN(diethylnitrosamine,100 mg/kg bw, single i.p., in saline), MNU (N-methyl-nitrosourea,20 mg/kg bw, i.p.,4 times for 2 weeks), BBN (N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine, 0.2% in drinking water for 2 weeks), DMH (1,2-dimethylhydrazine, 40 mg/kg bw, s.c., in saline.4 times (or 2 weeds), and DHPN (N-bis(2-hydroxy-pro-pal)nitrosamine,0.1% in drinking water for 2 weeks), then were placed on sodium selenite (4 ppm in drinking water) for 22 weeks from weeks 4 to 26. The animals in group 2 were given DMBDD alone. The animals in group 3 were given sodium selenite alone. Animals were sacrificed at week 12 for ACF quantitative analysis and at week 26 for tumor induction. The body weights in the group 1 were significantly decreased compared with those of group 2. The tumor multiplicities of large intestine in the group 1 were significantly decreased compared with those of group 2 (P<0.05). These results indicate that sodium selenite may have a potential as chemopreventive agents of colon carcinogenesis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.255-260
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• 2007

Bone marrow (BM) derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are pluripotent cells which can differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic and other lineages. In spite of the broad interest, the information about the changes in BM cell composition, in particularly about the variation of MSC number and their properties in relation to the age of the donor is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the age associated changes in variations of BM cell composition, phenotype and differentiation capacities of MSC using a rat model. Cell populations were characterized by flow cytometry using light scattering parameters, DNA content and a set of monoclonal antibodies. Single cell analysis was performed by conventional fluorescent microscopy. In vitro culture of MSC was established and their phenotype and capability for in vitro differentiation into osteogenic and adipogenic cells was shown. Age related changes in tibiae and femurs, amount of BM tissue, BM cell composition, proportions of separated MSC and yield of MSC in 2 weeks of in vitro culture were found. At the same time, neither change in phenotype no in differentiation capacities of MSC was registered. Age-related changes of the number of MSC should be taken into account whenever MSC are intended to be used for investigations.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.220-228
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• 1998

The effects of herbal medicine on travecular bone area were studied using ovariectomized rat as an animal model of Type I osteoporosis and SAM P6 as that of Type II. We counted red blood cells(RBC), hemoglobin(Hb), and hematocrit(Hct) using Couter`sR method. Each traditional boiling water extract of Achyrathis Radix, Psoraleae Fructus, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, and Cornii Fructus and a systemic water extract of Astragali Ractiex was given 5g/kg/day, p.o., for 30 days in a group of 4-5 ovariectormized rats. One ml of blood was taken by tail vein at day 0, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days after administration of the extract. The traditional hot water extract of Cervi parvumn Corni (Cervi) was given the same dose as described above for 14 days in a group of 10 SAM P6 mice and systemic water extract of Astragali Radix was administered as the same dose as above for 30 days in 10 SAM P6 mice. Travecular bone area was measured 5 mcm decalcified and stained thin bone slice by image analysis using a digitalizer. In Type I, ovariectomized rats, administration of Astragali Radix, Rhemanniae Radix Preparat, and Corni Fructus decreased in RBC, Hb and Hct. In Type II, administration of Cervi increased in RBC and Hct and that of Astragali Radix was also elevated RBC. In Type I, any administration of herbal medicine used in this study did not elevate travecular bone area significantly except Corni Fructus showed a trend of increase in travecular bone area. However, Type II, Cervi and Astragali Radix increased in both mean and total travecular bone area. Thus, there are significant difference in response of herbal medicine in different types of osteoporosis.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 1993

The influence of phenobarbital(PB) pretreatment(75mg/kg/day, Lp. for 4 days) on the hepatic clearance of indocyanine green(ICG) as a model compound of organic anionic drugs was investigated in rats in order to elucidate the relative contributions of change in the hepatic blood flow versus increase in the hepatic intrinsic activity to remove ICG due to PB pretreatment. ICG(1mg/kg) was injected single bolus via femoral or portal vein to the control and the PB-pretreated rats. The initial hepatic uptake clearance$(V_{d.c.}K_{12})$ obtained from plasma concentration-time data was increased by $38.4\% in the PB-pretreated rats, which may be due to the increased hepatic blood flow by PB pretreatment. Using a pharmacokinetic approach, hepatic blood flows were estimated of 67.5ml/min/kg in control rats and 91.9ml/min/kg in PB-pretreated rats. They were in good agreement with other's blood flow estimates observed experimentally. It may be concluded that the $38\%$ increased initial hepatic uptake clearance of ICG was due to the $36\%$ increased hepatic blood flow with phenobarbital, and that the increased hepatic blood flow and the activated hepatic intrinsic clearance with phenobarbital contributed to $49\%\;and\;51\%$ of the increased systemic clearance of ICG, respectively.