• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.207-212
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• 2005

Tetragonia tetragonoides (Aizoaceae) has been known as an anti-cancer agent. The activation of proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) by trypsin appears to play a role in inflammation. In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effects of Tetragonia tetragonoides water extract (TTWE) on the production of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$ and tryptase in trypsin-stimulated human leukemic mast cells (HMC-1) expressing PAR-2. HMC-1 cells were stimulated with trypsin in the presence or absence of TTWE (10, 100, and $1000\;{\mu}g/ml$). The level of $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion from HMC-1 cells was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). $TNF-{\alpha}$ and tryptase mRNA expression were examined by reverse transcription-PCR. Also, extracellular signal-regulated kinese (ERK) activation was assessed by Western blot analysis. Trypsin activity was measured using the substrate Bz-DL-Arg-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA). It was observed that $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion, tryptase mRNA and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression in trypsin-stimulated HMC-1 cells were inhibited by pretreatment of TTWE ($1000\;{\mu}g/ml$). Furthermore, the pretreatment of TTWE ($1000\;{\mu}g/ml$) resulted in the reduction of ERK phosphorylation and trypsin activity. These results suggest hat TTWE might have the inhibitory effects on the PAR-2-dependent inflammation processes and it is likely to function as PAR-2 antagonist.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.315-319
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• 2009

Astragalus Membranaceus (AM) is a useful Korean herb that has been clinically prescribed for stress-related illness. The objective of the present study was to examine the anti-stress effects of AM on repeated stress-induced alterations of anxiety, learning and memory in rats. Restraint stress was administered for 14 days (2h/day) and AM (400mg/kg) given by oral administration, in the AM group, for the same period. Starting on the eighth day, the rats were tested for spatial memory on the Morris water maze test (MW) and for anxiety on the elevated plus maze (EPM). Changes of expression on immunohistochemistry were studied for cholineacetyl transferase (ChAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the brain. The results showed that the rats treated with AM had significantly reduced stress-induced deficits on learning and memory on the spatial memory tasks. In addition, the ChAT immunoreactivities were increased. In the EPM, treatment with AM increased the time spent in the open arms (p<0.001) compared to the control group. In addition, AM treatment also normalized increases of TH expression in the LC (p<0.001). In conclusion, administration of AM improved spatial learning and memory and reduced stress-induced anxiety. Thus, the present results suggest that AM is able to recover behavioral and neurochemical impairments induced by stress.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.54-64
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was to investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect of Lonicera japonica water extracts (LE) on Ulcerative Colitis Induced by DSS (Dextran Sulfate Sodium) in Mice. Methods : Colitis was induced by DSS in Balb/c mice. The sample group was divided into three. The mice in control group were not inflammation-induced. The pathological group was composed of untreated colitis elicited mice. The experimental group was administered Lonicera japonica water extracts (LE) after colitis elicitation. The effects on ulcerative colitis were evaluated the anti-oxidant effect, inhibition of COX-2 mRNA expression, the morphological change of colonic mucosa, decrease effect of HSP 70 and COX-2 in mucosa. Results : The SOD ability of LE was dose-dependently increased and the LPS-induced COX-2 mRNA expression of LE was dose-dependently decreased. LE showed the protective effects on DSS-induced experimental colitis. LE inhibited shortening of colon length, the hemorrhagic erosion in colonic mucosa. LE also showed the decrease effect for HSP70 and COX-2 in mucosa. Conclusions : The current results demonstrate the clinical utility of LE in traditional medicine and indicate the possible treatments for ulcerative colitis from natural products. Further investigations for exact mechanisms will be needed.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.437-443
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• 2011

Salt signals in tongue are relayed to the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST). This signaling is very important to determine whether to swallow salt-related nutrition or not and suggests some implications in discrimination of salt concentration. Salt concentration-dependent electrical responses in the chorda tympani and the NST were well reported. But salt concentration-dependency and spatial distribution of c-Fos in the NST were not well established. In the present study, NaCl signaling in the NST was studied in urethane-anesthetized rats. The c-Fos immunoreactivity in the six different NST areas along the rostral-caudal axis and six subregions in each of bilateral NST were compared between applications of distilled water and different concentrations of NaCl to the tongue of experimental animals. From this study, salt stimulation with high concentration (1.0 M NaCl) induced significantly higher c-Fos expression in intermediate NST and dorsal-medial and dorsal-middle subregions of the NST compared to distilled water stimulation. The result represents the specific spatial distribution of salt taste perception in the NST.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.99-107
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to authenticate whether fractionated extract of Rumex japonicus HOUTT. (RJ) has anti-inflammatory effects in mouse macrophage, RAW264.7 cells. Methods : Roots of RJ were extracted by methanol for 48hours. The methanol that gained was filtered and freeze dried. The methanol extract was dissolved in water and dichloromethane (DCM). After that, two layers were separated. Ethyl acetate (EA) added to the water layer and separated again. All the layers were filtered and freeze dried and the extracts were tested. Cytotoxic activity of extracts on RAW 264.7 cells was measured using MTS assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured and proinflammatory cytokines and $PGE_2$ were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), I ${\kappa}$-B-${\alpha}$ and nuclear NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 expression were detected by western blot. Results : Our results indicated that DCM and EA extracts of RJ inhibited the LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$ production and iNOS, COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells most effectively. DCM and EA extracts also had suppression effects of LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs activation. Conclusions : This results demonstrate that fractionated extract of RJ has anti-inflammatory effects and among the fractioned extract, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extract have best anti-inflammatory effects.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.1-13
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• 2014

Objectives This study was to investigate the antioxidative capacity, antiobesity effect and anti-diabetes effects of Mori Fructus and dried Mori Fructus in Raw 264.7 cells and 3T3-L1 cells. Methods 3 different types of Mori Fructus extracts (water 100%, ethanol 30%, ethanol 100%) were used in this study. And 3 different types of dried Mori Fructus extracts (water 100%, ethanol 30%, ethanol 100%) were used in this study. Total polyphenol compund, total favonoid compound, DPPH radical scavenging, ROS activity, NO, cell proliferation were measured in the experiment. Expressions of adipogenic transcription factors including $C/EBP-{\alpha}$, $C/EBP-{\beta}$, $PPAR-{\alpha}$, $PPAR-{\gamma}$, $AMPK-{\alpha}$ were analyzed by Real time PCR. Results Mori Fructus extracts measurements are higher than dried Mori Fructus extracts measurements at Total flavonoid compound and total flavonoid compound. Mori Fructus extracts measurements are lower than dried Mori Fructus extracts measurements at DPPH radical scavenging, ROS activity, NO. In RT-PCR analysis, there is a tendency that dried Mori Fructus extracts inhibit the expression of $C/EBP-{\alpha}$, $C/EBP-{\beta}$ genes. In RT-PCR analysis, there is a tendency that dried Mori Fructus extracts promote the expression of $PPAR-{\alpha}$, $PPAR-{\gamma}$, $AMPK-{\alpha}$ genes. Conclusions Mori Fructus is effective on inhibiting the oxidation and dried Mori Fructus is effective on inhibiting the obesity and diabetes.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.15-21
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• 2015

The skin plays a key role in protecting the body from the environment and from water loss. Cornified envelope (CE) and natural moisturizing factor (NMF) are considered as the primary regulators of skin hydration and barrier function. The CE prevents loss of water from the body and is formed by cross-linking of several proteins. Among these proteins, filaggrin is an important protein because NMF is produced by the degradation of filaggrin. Proteases, including matriptase and prostasin, stimulate the generation of filaggrin from profilaggrin and caspase-14 plays a role in the degradation of filaggrin. This study elucidated the effects of an ethanol extract of Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schltr., known as fingerroot, and its active compound panduratin A on CE formation and filaggrin processing in HaCaT, human epidermal keratinocytes. B. pandurata extract (BPE) and panduratin A significantly stimulated not only CE formation but also the expression of CE proteins, such as loricrin, involucrin, and transglutaminase, which were associated with $PPAR{\alpha}$ expression. The mRNA and protein levels of filaggrin and filaggrin-related enzymes, such as matriptase, prostasin, and caspase-14 were also up-regulated by BPE and panduratin A treatment. These results suggest that BPE and panduratin A are potential nutraceuticals which can enhance skin hydration and barrier function based on their CE formation and filaggrin processing.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권15호
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• pp.6417-6421
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• 2015

Viscum album var (VAV) also known as mistletoe, has long been categorized as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia. In addition to its immunomodulating activities, mistletoe has also been used in the treatment of chronic hepatic disorders in China and Korea. There are numerous reports showing that VAV possesses anti-cancer effects, however influence on human hepatocarcinoma has never been elucidated. In the present study, hot water extracts of VAV was evaluated for its potential anti-cancer effect in vitro. SK-Hep1 cells were treated with VAV (50-400ug/ml) for both 24 and 48 hours then cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure the proportion of SK-Hep1 in the different stages of cell cycle. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were conducted to measure expression of cell cycle arrest related genes and proteins respectively. VAV dose dependently inhibited the proliferation of SK-Hep1 cells without any cytotoxicity with normal Chang liver cell (CCL-13). Flow cytometry analysis showed that VAV extract inhibited the cell cycle of SK-Hep1 cells via G1 phase arrest. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis both revealed that cyclin dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) and cyclin D1 gene expression were significantly down regulated while p21 was upregulated dose dependently by VAV treatment. Combined down regulation of Cdk2, Cyclin D1 and up regulation of p21 can result in cell death. These results indicate that VAV showed evidence of anti-cancer activity through G1 phase cell cycle arrest in SK-Hep1 cells.

• 한국물환경학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.379-386
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• 2002

In this study, estimation model for iron compound originated from upflow, anaerobic fixed bed reactor, which treats sewage domestic wastewater, was developed. The estimation model was formulated by a mathematical expression which was based on the mass balance. Below the HRT of 60 minute, sulfide concentration combining with iron $FeS_2$ is the highest because the maximum sulfate consumption rate $V_{maxS}$ and half-saturation constant of sulfate $K_{mS}$ exert an important effect on the estimation model as temperature was increased. But increment of $FeS_2$ concentration is weakened above the HRT of 60 minutes and represent the lowest value at the HRT of 108 minutes. It implies that liquid phase distribution ratio of sulfide ${\alpha}r$ becomes lower as temperature was increased. While phosphorus concentration combining with iron $Fe_3(PO_4)_3$ is increased as HRT and temperature are increased, which is affected by phosphorus removal rate constant $k_p$. As the result of estimating the iron concentrations of corrosion by the model, the concentration of iron corrosion is higher than any other at the HRT of 108 minute and $20^{\circ}C$. The predicted values were compared with measured ones at different HRT(13.5, 27, 54, 108 min) and temperature(20, 25, $30^{\circ}C$). The experimental data could be fitted with the simulated curves. Therefore, the mathematical expression could be applicable to design full-scale wastewater treatment plants.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.13-17
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• 2015

Objectives : Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahlstedt has been reported to have several biological properties such as skin hydration and antiinflammation. The purpose of this study was to examine the antidepressive effects of water extract of T. platycarpum (WTP) on an animal model of depression. Methods : In the present study, normal ICR mice (4 weeks) were used, and orally administered with WTP (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Depression-like behavior was monitored the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice. The locomotor activity was evaluated to eliminate the false-positive activity in the open field test (OFT). Fluoxetine, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, as a positive control was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 15 mg/kg at 30 min before starting the behavioral test. Moreover, we evaluated the effects of WTP on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/ cyclic AMP response-element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in the hippocampus using Western blot. Results : The administration of WTP (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05, respectively) reduced the immobility time during FST and TST without accompanying changes in locomotor activity by OFT. Furthermore, WTP at dose of 100 mg/kg increased the BDNF expression and the phosphorylation of ERK and CREB in the hippocampus region. Conclusions : These results suggest that WTP has a useful anti-depressant effect through the regulation of BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling pathway.