• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.65-71
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• 2019

The propose of this study has been conducted to examine expression of c-Myc and Thymosin-${\beta}4$ in liver cirrhosis model from liver fibrosis and For the method of study, the experiment was conducted in 2 groups; liver cirrhosis model experiment group due to liver fibrosis and control group with distilled water. This study outcome showed that liver cirrhosis model experiment group had significantly higher expression of c-Myc and Thymosin-${\beta}4$. with changes to hepatic tissue of special staining and electron microscopy. In conclusion, in clinical tests regarding liver function, molecular evaluation of c-Myc and Thymosin-${\beta}4$ and their expression along with serological change and histological assessment can be utilized as a reference for diagnosing liver disease for prevention and diagnosis of the disease, Based on this research in the future, we will carry out an in-depth study by adding the types of experimental groups and related genes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.635-644
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• 2019

Background: To increase the pharmacological effects of red ginseng (RG, the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer), RG products modified by heat process or fermentation have been developed. However, the antiallergic effects of RG and modified/fermented RG have not been simultaneously examined. Therefore, we examined the allergic rhinitis (AR)-inhibitory effects of water-extracted RG (wRG), 50% ethanol-extracted RG (eRG), and bifidobacteria-fermented eRG (fRG) in vivo. Methods: RBL-2H3 cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate/A23187. Mice with AR were prepared by treatment with ovalbumin. Allergic markers IgE, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-5 were assayed in the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, and colon using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mast cells, eosinophils, and Th2 cell populations were assayed using a flow cytometer. Results: RG products potently inhibited IL-4 expression in phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate/A23187-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Of tested RG products, fRG most potently inhibited IL-4 expression. RG products also alleviated ovalbumin-induced AR in mice. Of these, fRG most potently reduced nasal allergy symptoms and blood IgE levels. fRG treatment also reduced IL-4 and IL-5 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, nasal mucosa, and reduced mast cells, eosinophils, and Th2 cell populations. Furthermore, treatment with fRG reduced IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels in the colon and restored ovalbumin-suppressed Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria populations and ovalbumin-induced Firmicutes population in gut microbiota. Treatment with ginsenoside Rd significantly alleviated ovalbumin-induced AR in mice. Conclusion: fRG and ginsenoside Rd may alleviate AR by suppressing IgE, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 expression and restoring the composition of gut microbiota.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.59-67
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• 2021

Objectives : Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids and anthocyanins and is known to have anti-inflammatory activity and anti-aging function of the skin, but there is no study on its effect on the skin barrier. This study aim to investigate the positive effect on the skin barrier by confirming the effect of water extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (WEHS) on the tight junction-related gene expression. Methods : The antioxidant efficacy of WEHS was investigated through ABTS and DPPH assays, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium was performed to examine the effect on cell viability. quantitative Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analysis were performed to confirm the effect of WEHS on the expression of tight junction-related genes, and immunofluorescence microscopy was used to confirm the movement of Claudin 1 protein into tight junctions. Results : WEHS showed strong antioxidant activity and induced an increase in both mRNA and protein expression levels of Claudin 1 among tight junction-related genes. The strong localization of Claudine 1 protein increased by WEHS to the tight junction was confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Conclusions : Hibiscus was confirmed through this study to show antioxidant activity and the function of promoting the expression of the tight junction Claudin 1 gene, suggesting that Hibiscus can be used as a material for the prevention and treatment of skin moisturizing and atopy, which have an important influence on tight junction.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.1-20
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• 2021

Objective : The object of this study was to assess the efficacy of hydrolysate from Phellinus igniarius(HPI) on anti-aging activities in vitro measurement and mini clinical study performed on 5 subjects. Methods : To evaluate skin anti-aging efficacy of HPI, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging activity, type I collagen synthesis, inhibition of nitric oxide(NO) production, inhibiton of tyrosinase, hyaluronan synthase(HAS)2, 3 mRNA expression were measured in vitro. Also, mini clinical study of skin hydration was performed on 5 subjects using HPI in distilled water(DW) and 1,3-butylene glycol diluted solution(30% in DW). Results : 1. DPPH radical scavenging activity of HPI was increased in a dose-dependant. 2. Type I collagen synthesis was increased in 50, 100 and 500㎍/㎖ of HPI. 3. NO production was not inhibited in all concentrations of HPI. 4. Tyrosinase was inhibited in 500, 1000, 2500 and 5000㎍/㎖ of HPI. 5. HAS2 mRNA expression was increased in 50, 100, 150 and 200㎍/㎖ of HPI, HAS3 mRNA expression was increased in 100, 150, and 200㎍/㎖ of HPI. 6. In the mini clinical study of 5 subjects, there was a difference in skin hydration over time for each solutions, but it was not statistically siginificant. Conclusions : HPI increased DPPH radical scavenging activity, type I collagen synthesis, and HAS2, HAS3 mRNA expression. HPI also suppressed tyrosinase. The findings of this study suggest that HPI can be used as an skin anti-aging material.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.55-61
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this research was to determine the diverse effects of Lithospermi Radix Water Extract (LR) on human keratinocyte HaCaT cells, and to examine whether those effects could be applied to the human skin. Methods : We examined effect of LR on the cell viability of using the MTS assay in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. The antioxidation effect of LR was analyzed relative to the well-known antioxidant resveratrol, using an ABTS assay. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that, in HaCaT cells, LR influenced the mRNA expression of tight-junction genes associated with skin moisturization. Furthermore, a wound-healing assay demonstrated altered cell migration in LR-treated HaCaT cells. Result : The cytotoxicity was confirmed to be higher in LR at a concentration of $800{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ using the MTS assay in HaCaT cells. In comparison to $100{\mu}M$ resveratrol, $1,600{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ LR showed either a similar or superior antioxidation effect. LR treatment in HaCaT cells reduced the mRNA expression levels of claudin 3, claudin 4, claudin 6, claudin 8, and ZO-2 to less than 0.80-fold, whereas JAM-A and Tricellulin mRNA expression level increased more than 1.33-fold. In addition, HaCaT cells migration was decreased to 83.9% by LR treatment. Conclusions : LR of antioxidation activity will have an anti-aging effect on the skin by reducing oxidative stress. Further studies are required to address the implications for human skin, given LR's effects of altering mRNA expression of tight junction-related gene and decreasing cell migration of HaCaT cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.75-82
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• 2019

Objectives : In this study, various biological effects of Curcuma longa L. have been studied, however, beneficial effect of Curcuma longa L. in skin health remain still unclear. In this study, Curcuma longa L. water extract (CLE) was prepared. Inhibitory effect of CLE on melanin accumulation of B16F10 cells and expression levels of skin fibril-related proteins of human skin fibroblasts (HSF) were evaluated. Methods : The cytotoxic effect of CLE in B16F10 cells and HSF were examined by MTT assay. Inhibitory effect of CLE on the ${\alpha}-MSH-$ and IBMX-induced melanin accumulation and tyrosinase activity were evaluated in B16F10 cells. The expression levels of connective tissue growth factor (CCN2), Smad2, procollagen $1{\alpha}2$, collagen $1{\alpha}2$, and fibronectin in CLE-treated HSF were analyzed by western blotting. Results : The CLE treatment (concentrations 10 to $400{\mu}g/ml$) for 72 h did not affect to the B16F10 viability. However, 200 and $400{\mu}g/ml$ of CLE treatment for 24 h showed cytotoxic effect in HSF. Therefore, the concentrations 10, 50, and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of CLE were chosen in this study. The CLE treatment for 72 h dose dependently and significantly suppressed melanin accumulation and tyrosinase activity of B16F10 cells. In addition, the CLE treatment up-regulated expression levels of skin fibril-related proteins such as CCN2, Smad2, procollagen $1{\alpha}2$, collagen $1{\alpha}2$, and fibronectin. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that the CLE could be used as a natural material for skin health.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.283-293
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• 2023

Objectives : Native to East Asia, Japan, and Korea, Cinnamomum japonicum Siebold (CJ) is renowned for its aromatic leaves and bark. We previously assessed the antioxidant activity of fractionated CJ branches (CJB:70% EtOH extract), including hexane (CJB1), chloroform (CJB2), ethyl acetate (CJB3), butanol (CJB4), and water (CJB5). Our findings revealed that CJB3 exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. Here, we aimed to investigate whether CJB3 possesses cytoprotective effects and induces the activity of antioxidant enzymes in hepatocytes. Methods : As HepG2 cells were the first to exhibit the key characteristics of hepatocytes, we investigated the hepatoprotective effects of CJB3 on HepG2 cells. Results : Before conducting the cell experiment, we checked that CJB3, up to a concentration of 100 ㎍/mL, did not exhibit cytotoxicity toward HepG2 cells. ROS production increased because of t-BHP treatment decreased in a concentration-dependent manner upon CJB3 treatment. We confirmed that CJB3 inhibited t-BHP-induced cell death. CJB3 was found to reverse the expression of proteins associated with t-BHP-induced apoptosis. We also observed that CJB3 induced Nrf2 phosphorylation and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2. And, CJB3 treatment caused a time-dependent enhancement of GCL and NQO1 protein expression. We further confirmed that CJB3 increased the expression of Nrf2 target genes, and this effect was associated with the activation of JNK, p38, and AMPK. Conclusion : CJB3 prevents t-BHP-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis and enhances the expression of Nrf2 target genes via JNK, p38, and AMPK activation. These results suggest that CJB3 is a promising candidate for the treatment of liver diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.27-33
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• 2024

Objective : Obesity is a disease caused by energy imbalance and increases the risk of complications such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Additionally, a recent study reported that excessive production of ROS stimulates the expression of transcription factors related to adipogenesis, such as PPAR-𝛾, C/EBP-𝛼 and 𝛽, in 3T3-L1 cells. In this study, Paeonia anomala L. (PAL) was selected as a candidate for improving and preventing obesity from Mongolian medical literature, and its effect on fat metabolism was observed in vitro. Methods : The activity of PAL extract against lipid accumulation was measured in 3T3-L1 cells through Oil red O staining. Additionally, the expression of lipid metabolism-related proteins was measured by western blot. Results : Intracellular lipid accumulation was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group. In addition, pAMPK/AMPK protein expression in the treatment group tended to increase in a concentration-dependent manner, and PPAR-𝛾 protein expression in the treatment group showed a significant decrease in a concentration-dependent manner compared to the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that PAL extract may have an anti-obesity effect, and it is believed that it can be used to develop functional materials for the treatment of obesity.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2004

Aquaporins(AQPs) are a family of transmembrane water channel proteins that are widely distributed in various tissues throughout the body and play a major role in Oanscellular and Oansepithelial water movement. Uterine endometrium undergoes recurrent uterine stromal edema in response to hormonal stimuli, however, the mechanism regulating the fluid transport during the estrous cycle has not been fully understood. To investigate the possible role of AQPs in water movement in uterus during the estrous cycle, expression patterns of AQP -1, -3, -4, -5, -8, and -9 UMh in mouse uterus were analyzed by using semiquantitative reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction(RT-nR). We employed a combination of laser capture microdissection(LCM) and RT-PCR to examine the expression patterns in specific uterine cell types luminal epithelial cells(LE) and stromal cells(S). Our results showed that the level of AQP-4 mRNA was significantly increased while the level of AQP-3 mRNA was significantly decreased during the proestous through the estrus stage. In addition LCM revealed that AQP-4 and -8 mRNAs were highly expressed in LE compared with S. Taken together, these results suggest that AQPs may have an important function in physiological changes of mouse uterus during the estrous cycle.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.195-204
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• 2011

Introduction: This study examined the regulatory mechanism underlying the meal-induced changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal gland (HPA) axis activity. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) were hired for two different experiments as follows; 1) rats received either 8% sucrose or 0.2% saccharin ad libitum after 48 h of food deprivation with the gastric fistula closed (real feeding) or opened (sham feeding). 2). rats received 5 ml of intra-oral infusion with 0.2% saccharin or distilled water after 48 h of food deprivation. One hour after food access, all rats were sacrificed by a transcardiac perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde. The brains were processed for c-Fos immunohistochemistry and the cardiac blood was collected for the plasma corticosterone assay. Results: Real feedings with sucrose or saccharin and sham feeding saccharin but not sucrose, following food deprivation decreased the plasma corticosterone level. c-Fos expression in the nucleus tractus of solitarius (NTS) of the fasted rats was increased by the consumption of sucrose but not saccharin, regardless of the feeding method. On the other hand, the consumption of sucrose or saccharin with real feeding but not the sham, induced c-Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the fasted rats. The intra-oral infusion with saccharin or water decreased the plasma corticosterone level of the fasted rats. Intra-oral water infusion increased c-Fos expression in both the PVN and NTS, but saccharin only in the NTS in the fasted rats. Conclusion: Neither restoration of the fasting-induced elevation of plasma corticosterone nor the activation of neurons in the PVN and NTS after refeeding requires the palatability of food or the post-ingestive satiety and caloric load. In addition, neuronal activation in the hypothalamic PVN may not be an implication in the restoration of the fasting-induced elevation of the plasma corticosterone by oropharyngeal stimuli of palatable food.