• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2023

Oxidative stress brings about apoptosis through various mechanisms. In particular, oxidative stress in neuronal cells can causes a variety of brain diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Bidens tripartita on oxidative stress in neuronal cells. B. tripartita has traditionally been used in Russia as a medicine for diseases such as rhinitis, angina and colitis. Over-production of glutamate induces oxidative stress. When the oxidative stress occurs in the cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca²⁺ increase. In addition, the abrupt decline of mitochondrial membrane potential and the decrease of glutathione related enzymes such as glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) are also observed. The samples used in the experiment showed cytoprotective effect in the MTT assay. It also lowered the ROS and Ca²⁺ level, and increased degree of mitochondrial membrane potential, GR and GPx. As a result, B. tripartita had a positive effect against oxidative stress. Thus, it is expected to have potential for treatment and prevention of degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.119-132
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• 2018

Despite the fact that pharmacotherapy depressive disorders have proven efficacy, a substantial number of patients are resistant to conventional management. As neuroscientific research about pathophysiology of depression have accumulated, repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have emerged as an important mechanism-based treatment modality. This overview provides a review of therapeutic application of rTMS and tDCS in patients with depression. The clinical and basic studies of rTMS and tDCS in depression were reviewed and integrated using a literature review and interview with experts. rTMS is a noninvasive procedure of a localized pulsed magnetic field to the surface of the head to cause a depolarization of neurons in the brain cortex. tDCS has a mechanism of modulating cortical excitability in a polarity-specific manner without eliciting action potentials. rTMS and tDCS seem promising for treating depression. Although therapeutic parameters and further technical improvement remain to be systematically investigated, rTMS and tDCS would be a safe and effective intervention to treat depression.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.981-991
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• 2023

Monkeypox (Mpox) virus, a member of the Poxviridae family, causes a severe illness similar to smallpox, which is characterized by symptoms such as high fever, rash, and pustules. Human-to-human transmission cases have been reported but remained low since the first recorded case of human infection occurred in the Congo in 1970. Recently, Mpox has re-emerged, leading to an alarming surge in infections worldwide since 2022, originating in the United Kingdom. Consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the '2022-23 Mpox outbreak'. Currently, no specific therapy or vaccine is available for Mpox. Therefore, patients infected with Mpox are treated using conventional therapies developed for smallpox. However, the vaccines developed for smallpox have demonstrated only partial efficacy against Mpox, allowing viral transmission among humans. In this review, we discuss the current epidemiology of the ongoing Mpox outbreak and provide an update on the progress made in diagnosis, treatment, and development of vaccines for Mpox.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.31-42
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• 2023

Objectives This study aimed to conduct a systematic review evaluating the effectiveness of muscle energy technique(MET) in temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). Methods Searches were conducted in 11 electronic databases until October 2023. Randomized controlled trials(RCT) comparing the effect of MET for TMD were included. All studies were evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results Nine documents that fulfilled all the criteria were obtained for analysis. All studies showed some concerns in high risk of bias, but showed a significant improvement in pain and maximum mouth opening compared to baseline of MET or control group. MET was not better than extracorporeal shock wave therapy or myofascial release in some outcomes. Conclusions MET seems to be an effective treatment for TMD in some regards, however, can be considered as an adjunct therapy which has weak evidence. Further studies are required due to the inconclusive data and poor homogeneity found in this review.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2023

Objectives This case study aimed to investigate efficacy of Chuna manual therapy (CMT) on acute neck pain patients with abnormal cervical curvature. Methods CMT was administered to five patients with abnoraml cervical curvature in the Department of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation, College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University Korean Hospital from June 2018 to May 2023. Cervical angle, Jackson's angle, Jochumsen method, Ishihara index and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were evaluated before and after treatment. Results In cases 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the cervical angle, Jackson's angle, Jochumsen method, Ishihara index all increased, while VAS scores decreased after CMT. Conclusions The observed improvements suggest that CMT is effective in restoring the cervical curvature and alleviating neck pain in patients with acute neck pain.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2020.12a
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• pp.3-13
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• 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous gram-negative bacterium causing serious infections. The P. aeruginosa T3SS is a syringe-like apparatus on the bacterial surface, with 4 effector toxins: ExoS, ExoT, ExoY, and ExoU. Here, we investigated the effect of ExoS and ExoT of the T3SS of P. aeruginosa K strain (PAK). The type three secretion system (T3SS) is a major virulence system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The effector protein Exotoxin S (ExoS) produced by P. aeruginosa is secreted into the host cells via the T3SS. For the purpose of screening the inhibitors with regard to ExoS secretion, we developed the sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system. PAK clinical strains induce proinflammatory cytokine production through the T3SS, and this involves NF-κB activation in pneumonia mouse models. We tried to confirm the role of the NF-κB transcription factor in ExoS- and ExoT-induced pneumonia mouse models. pro-inflammatory cytokines induction in response to ExoS and ExoT infection relied on NF-κB activation. Our findings highlight the roles of natural poduct in inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine expression during ExoS and ExoT exposure in PAK infections, paving the way for a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of pulmonary infections.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.13.1-13.24
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• 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is one of the most consequential global health crises in over a century. Since its discovery in 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to mutate into different variants and sublineages, rendering previously potent treatments and vaccines ineffective. With significant strides in clinical and pharmaceutical research, different therapeutic strategies continue to be developed. The currently available treatments can be broadly classified based on their potential targets and molecular mechanisms. Antiviral agents function by disrupting different stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection, while immune-based treatments mainly act on the human inflammatory response responsible for disease severity. In this review, we discuss some of the current treatments for COVID-19, their mode of actions, and their efficacy against variants of concern. This review highlights the need to constantly evaluate COVID-19 treatment strategies to protect high risk populations and fill in the gaps left by vaccination.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.181-189
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• 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic has increased demand for chlorine-based sanitizing solutions, most of which contain hypochlorous acid (HOCl) as an active agent. Free chlorine (HOCl) in these sanitizers is crucial for their efficacy. Disposable test strips are affordable and convenient tools for determining various qualitative and quantitative parameters. In this study, disposable opto-chemical test strips were developed by physically immobilizing 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and o-dianisidine (o-D) reagents on chromatography and filter paper-based test strips for the visualization and detection of free chlorine in the form of HOCl. The reagents undergo a rapid color change upon reaction with chlorine through a redox reaction. The paper-based test strips showed rapid color change within a minute and a low sample volume requirement (1 ml). This portable, disposable paper-based test strip is a simple and cost-effective way to rapidly detect the presence of HOCl sanitizers for home and field applications. Both TMB and o-D successfully detected chlorine. Chromatography paper proved to be the more efficient option among the two papers used as substrates for the reagents (TMB and o-D). It exhibited high retention capacity and high performance in terms of color transformation when reacting with HOCl, even after two months of storage.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.266-275
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• 2024

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare subpopulation of cancer cells that exhibit stem cell-like characteristics, including self-renewal and differentiation in a multi-stage lineage state via symmetric or asymmetric division, causing tumor initiation, heterogeneity, progression, and recurrence and posing a major challenge to current anticancer therapy. Despite the importance of CSCs in carcinogenesis and cancer progression, currently available anticancer therapeutics have limitations for eradicating CSCs. Moreover, the efficacy and therapeutic windows of currently available anti-CSC agents are limited, suggesting the necessity to optimize and develop a novel anticancer agent targeting CSCs. Ginseng has been traditionally used for enhancing immunity and relieving fatigue. As ginseng's long history of use has demonstrated its safety, it has gained attention for its potential pharmacological properties, including anticancer effects. Several studies have identified the bioactive principles of ginseng, such as ginseng saponin (ginsenosides) and non-saponin compounds (e.g., polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, and phenolic compounds), and their pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifatigue, and neuroprotective effects. Notably, recent reports have shown the potential of ginseng-derived compounds as anti-CSC agents. This review investigates the biology of CSCs and efforts to utilize ginseng-derived components for cancer treatment targeting CSCs, highlighting their role in overcoming current therapeutic limitations.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.92-104
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• 2024

Managing multiple non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) with gingival recession and dentin hypersensitivity can be challenging. Herein, we present two cases of successful treatment procedure for multiple NCCLs with gingival recession and dentin hypersensitivity using an envelope coronally advanced flap with CTG and composite resin restoration. Through the combined approach of restorative and periodontal procedure, both patients showed adequate extent of gingival coverage and esthetic outcome based on the Modified Root Coverage Esthetic Score (MRES) at 6 months postoperatively. Also, dentin hypersensitivity was reduced effectively during the follow up period. Although the pocket depth slightly increased in patient 1, possibly due to the amount of restoration located sub-gingivally, pocket depth remained within 3 mm. This suggest that re-establishing the clinical CEJ and performing partial restoration is advantageous for periodontal tissue and is expected to contribute to maintain gingival height in the long term. These case reports emphasize the efficacy of the combined approach for treating multiple NCCLs with gingival recession and dentin hypersensitivity, highlighting the importance of careful restoration planning for optimal clinical and aesthetic outcomes.