• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.59-74
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• 2008

목적 : 이 연구는 봉약침의 봉독과 그 주요성분인 멜리틴이 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성억제와 세포자멸사 관련 단백질의 발현 조절을 통하여 세포자멸사를 유도하고 전립선 암세포주인 LNCaP 세포의 성장을 억제하는지를 확인하고 해당 기전을 살펴보고자 하였다. 방법 : 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리한 후 LNCaP의 성장억제를 관찰하기 위해 WST-1 assay, CCK-8 assay를 시행하였고, 세포자멸사의 관찰에는 DAPI, TUNEL staining assay를 시행하였으며, 세포자멸사 조절단백질의 변동 관찰에는 western blot analysis를 시행하였고, 세포자멸사와 연관된 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성 변화를 관찰하기 위해 EMSA를 시행하였으며, LNCaP에서 봉독이나 멜리틴과 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 상호작용을 관찰하기 위해 transient transfection assay를 시행 시 세포생존율과 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성 변동을 측정하였다. 결과 : LNCaP 세포에 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리한 후, 전립선암세포의 성장, 세포자멸사의 유발, 세포자멸사 관련 단백질의 발현, $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성, $NF-{\kappa}B$의 p50 치환 후 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성과 LNCaP 세포 증식에 미치는 영향을 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. LNCaP 세포에서 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리한 후 세포자멸사가 유도되어 세포성장이 억제되었고, 세포자멸사 관련 단백질 중 분리된 PARP, caspase-9, Bax는 유의한 증가를, Bcl-2, p-Akt, MMP 13, XIAP, cXIAP는 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 2. LNCaP 세포에서 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리한 후 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성의 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 3. LNCaP 세포에서 $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50를 치환하여 작용기를 없애고 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리하였을 경우에도 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성의 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 결론 : 이상의 결과는 봉독이나 멜리틴이 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성 억제를 통하여 인간 전립선암세포주인 LNCaP의 세포자멸사를 유발함으로써 증식억제 효과가 있음을 입증한 것으로 전립선암의 예방과 치료에 대한 효과적인 치료제 개발에 도움이 될 것으로 기대된다. 다만 그 기전에서 봉독이나 멜리틴은 기존연구와 달리 $NF-{\kappa}B$ p50의 작용기와 직접적으로 상호작용을 하지는 않는 것으로 보이므로 심화 연구를 요한다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.107-119
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Bee Venom and melittin on the lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and sodium nitroprusside(SNP)-induced expressions of Cell viability, nitric oxide(NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), extra-signal response kinase(ERK), jun N-terminal Kinase(JNK) and p38 kinase(p38)- mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK) Family- in RAW 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line. Methods : The expressions of cell viability by MTT assay, NO by Nitrite assay and iNOS, ERK, JNK and p38 were determined by Western blotting. Results : 1. Compared with the control group, 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin increased cell viability of RAW 264.7 induced by LPS and SNP significantly respectively. 2. Compared with the control group, 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin inhibited expression of NO induced by LPS and SNP significantly respectively. 3. Compared with the control group, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin inhibited expression of iNOS induced by LPS significantly and 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin inhibited expression of iNOS induced by SNP significantly. 4. Compared with the control group, the expression of ERK induced by LPS and SNP decreased significantly in the treatment groups of $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin, which of p-ERK by LPS also did in 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin, but which of p-ERK by SNP did not decrease. 5. Compared with the control group, the. expression of JNK induced by LPS and SNP decreased significantly in the treatment groups of 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin, which of p-JNK by LPS in 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin and by SNP in $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin decreased significantly. 6. Compared with the control group, the expression of p38 induced by LPS did not have significant difference, which induced by SNP decreased significantly in the treatment groups of 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin. p-p38 induced by LPS decreased significantly in the treatment group of $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of melittin, which induced by SNP also decreased significantly in 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ melittin.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.179-190
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• 2004

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Bee Venom and Melittin acupuncture solution on the lipopolysaccharide and sodium nitroprusside- induced expression of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and calcium concentration in RAW 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line. Methods : The expression of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ was determined by western blotting with corresponding antibodies, and the generation of intracellular calcium concentration was investigated by delta scan system in RAW 264.7 cells. Results : 1. Compared with control, expressions of lipopolysaccharide-induced cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ were decreased significantly by $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin acupuncture solution and decreased by 0.5, $1{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom. 2. Compared with control, expressions of sodium nitroprusside-induced phospholipase $A_2$ were decreased significantly by 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and by 5, $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin acupuncture solution. 3. Compared with control, expressions of lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ were decreased significantly by $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin acupuncture solution and were not changed significantly by 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and $5{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin acupuncture solution. 4. Compared with control, expressions of sodium nitroprusside-induced tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ were decreased significantly by 1, $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin acupuncture solution and decreased by $0.5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom 5. Compared with control, lipopolysaccharide-induced intracellular calcium concentrations were decreased by 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin acupuncture solution and increased by $5{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin acupuncture solution. 6. Compared with control, sodium nitroprusside-induced intracellular calcium concentrations were decreased by 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and 5, $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin acupuncture solution.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.38-55
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was designed to find out the anti-cancer effects of Samultang-Gami which was composed of Rehmanniae Radix(RR), Angelicae Gigantis Radix(AGR), Cnidii Rhizoma(CR), Paeoniae Radix(PR), Cortex Moutan Radicis(CMR), Hedyotis Diffusa(HD) and Caesalpinia Sappan on HeLa, HepG2 and AGS cells. Methods: Various cancer cell lines including HeLa, HepG2 and AGS cells, were used. In vitro anti-cancer effects were measured by MTT assay using cancer cell lines treated with various concentrations of 70% ethanol extract of Samultang-Gami. Expression of cell cycle arrest mediators including Bax, Bcl-2, p53 and DARP-1 proteins were measured by Western blot analysis. Results: 1. Samultang-Gami decreased the viability of HeLa and HepG cells in a dosedependent manner. 2. AGR, CMR, PR and HD decreased the viability of HeLa, HepG2 and AGS cells. 3. We could observe that the decreased Bax and Bcl-2 expression level and the increased PARP-1 expression level by Samultang-Gami extracts treated in HeLa cells. 4. We could observe that the decreased Bcl-2 expression level and the increased Bax, p53 and PARP-1 expression level by RR extracts treated in HeLa cells. and also could observe that the reduction of the protein level of Bcl-2, p53 and PARP-1 and the increase of the protein level of Bax by PR in HeLa cells. 5. We could observe that the increased p53 expression level, the decreased PARP-1's that and the unchanged Bax and Bcl-2's that by Samultang-Gami extracts treated in HepG2 cells. 6. We could observe that the reduced Bcl-2 expression level by each of RR extracts and PR extracts in HepG2 cells. 7. The treatment of Samultang-Gami in AGS cells didn't have any effect on the expression level of Bax, Bcl-2, p53 and PARP-1. 8. We could observe that the increased p53 and PARP-1 expression level by each of CR, RR and PR extracts in AGS cells. Conclusion: Taken together, we suggest that Samultang-Gami exhibits cytotoxic effects on HeLa, HepG2 and AGS cells, causing apoptosis. The results showed that Samultang-Gami may do so by regulating the expression of specific target molecules that promote efficient apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.7 s.80
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• pp.1235-1242
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• 2006

Sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate derived from hydrolysis of glucoraphanin in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, was shown to induce phase II detoxification enzymes and inhibit chemically induced mammary tumors in rodents. Recently, sulforaphane is known to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human canter cells, however its molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In tile present study, we demonstrated that sulforaphane acted to inhibit proliferation and induce morphological changes of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Treatment of HepG2 cells with $10{\mu}M\;or\;15{\mu}M$ sulforaphane resulted in significant G2/M cell cycle arrest as determined by DNA flow cytometry. Moreover, $20{\mu}M$ sulforaphane significantly induced the population of sub-G1 cells suggesting that sulforaphane induced apoptosis. This anti-proliferative effect of sulforaphane was accompanied by a marked inhibition of ryclin A, cyclin 31 and Cdc2 protein. However, the levels of tumor suppressor p53 and Cdk inhibitor p21 mRNA and protein expression were significantly increased by sulforaphane treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. Although further studies are needed, the present work suggests that sulforaphane may be a potential rhemoprevetiveichemotherapeucc agent for the treatment of human cancer cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.164-174
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• 2011

Objective: The antiplatelet agent aspirin has been widely used for treating atherosclerosis in western medicine, and its efficacy has been proven in cardiac and extracardiac vascular diseases. On the other hand, Hyeolbuchukeo-tang has been widely used for treating blood stasis syndrome in traditional medicine. Therefore we investigated whether Hyeolbuchukeo-tang could have a synergic effect along with aspirin. Methods & Materials: Male $ApoE^{(-/-)}$ mice were randomly divided into three different experimental groups: a non-treated group(Control group), an aspirin-treated group(AP group), and an aspirin with Hyeolbuchukeo-tang-treated group(APH group). The control group was fed only an atherogenic diet, the AP group an atherogenic diet plus Aspirin 5 mg/kg, and the APH group an atherogenic diet plus Aspirin 5 mg/kg with Hyeolbuchukeo-tang 100 mg/kg. We investigated plasma lipid with liver function test, and performed the histological investigation of liver and abdominal aorta. Results: 1. We investigated photomicrographic changes of liver and abdominal aorta tissue. They showed that histological injury of aorta and lipid accumulations of the liver were lower in the AP and APH groups than in the control group. 2. In the APH group, plasma triglyceride levels were significantly lower than those in the control and AP groups. 3. There were no differences in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels among the control, AP and APH groups. Conclusion: The above results show that a combined treatment of Hyeolbuchukeo-tang and aspirin has a somewhat synergic effect in terms of inhibiting vessel injury and decreasing lipid deposits on liver cells without liver toxicity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.401-412
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• 2013

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is an oriental herbal preparation obtained from Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae). To expand our understanding of the action of KRG on central nervous system (CNS) function, we examined the effects of KRG on tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression in rat primary astrocytes. KRG extract was treated in cultured rat primary astrocytes and neuron in a concentration range of 0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL and the expression of functional tPA/PAI-1 was examined by casein zymography, Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. KRG extracts increased PAI-1 expression in rat primary astrocytes in a concentration dependent manner (0.1 to 1.0 mg/mL) without affecting the expression of tPA itself. Treatment of 1.0 mg/mL KRG increased PAI-1 protein expression in rat primary astrocytes to $319.3{\pm}65.9%$ as compared with control. The increased PAI-1 expression mediated the overall decrease in tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Due to the lack of PAI-1 expression in neuron, KRG did not affect tPA activity in neuron. KRG treatment induced a concentration dependent activation of PI3K, p38, ERK1/2, and JNK in rat primary astrocytes and treatment of PI3K or MAPK inhibitors such as LY294002, U0126, SB203580, and SP600125 (10 ${\mu}M$ each), significantly inhibited 1.0 mg/mL KRG-induced expression of PAI-1 and down-regulation of tPA activity in rat primary astrocytes. Furthermore, compound K but not other ginsenosides such as Rb1 and Rg1 induced PAI-1 expression. KRG-induced up-regulation of PAI-1 in astrocytes may play important role in the regulation of overall tPA activity in brain, which might underlie some of the beneficial effects of KRG on CNS such as neuroprotection in ischemia and brain damaging condition as well as prevention or recovery from addiction.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2016

Objectives : The Knee degenerative osteoarthritis patients are not satisfied with the conventional therapies of KDOA, which results in the use of alternative therapies. The miniscalpel acupuncture is effective in treating chronic soft tissue, releasing contractures. However, there is little scientific evidence supporting the use of miniscalpel acupuncture in knee degenerative osteoarthritis. This study was designed to obtain basic data for a further large-scale trial as well as provide information about the feasibility of miniscalpel acupuncture in knee degenerative osteoarthritis patients. Methods : We describe the protocol for a randomized controlled pilot clinical trial of 5 weeks duration. Twenty patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to two treatment groups: miniscalpel acupuncture treatment(experimental group); and acupuncture and electro-acupuncture treatment(control group). Miniscalpel acupuncture will be performed once with a 1-week interval for 3 weeks. Electro-acupuncture will be administered twice per week for a period of 3 weeks. The primary outcomes will be measured by visual analogue scale and range of motion. The secondary outcomes will be short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Both primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline and at 1, 2, 3 and 5 weeks(i.e. 2 weeks after treatment completion). Conclusions : This pilot study will provide a basic foundation for a future large-scale trial as well as information about the feasibility of miniscalpel acupuncture in knee degenerative osteoarthritis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.121-128
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• 2015

Objectives : Ojeok-san (OJS), an oriental herbal formula, has been used in Asian countries including Korea, China and Japan to treat the common cold and illnesses including fatigue and gastrointestinal disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-obesity effect and molecular mechanism of OJS, on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Also, the effects of OJS in obese mice fed a high-fat diet on adiposity were examined.Methods : Preferentially, we analyzed the component of OJS and measured the stability of its component in OJS according to study periods using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with OJS (50 to 200 μg/mL) during differentiation for 8 days. The accumulation of lipid droplets was determined by Oil Red O staining. The expressions of genes related to adipogenesis were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. For anti-obesty effect in vivo, we experimented for 8 weeks with four group (normal diet (CON), high-fat diet (HF), high-fat diet with OJS (HF+OJS) and high-fat diet with Bang-pung-tong-sung-san (HF+BTS) in comparison group HF+OJS).Results : OJS showed inhibitory activity on adipocyte differentiation at 3T3-L1 preadipocytes without affect cell toxicity as assessed by measuring fat accumulation and adipogenesis. In addition, OJS significantly reduced the expression levels of several adipocyte marker genes including proliferator activated receptor-γ(PPAR-γ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α(C/EBP-α). Also OJS-administered mice showed significant inhibitory of body weights and abdominal adipose tissue weights.Conclusions : This study showed that traditional medicine OJS has an anti-obesity effect in vitro and in vivo. Thus, OJS could be developed as a supplement for reduction of body weight gain induced by an obesity.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.278-284
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• 2008

The X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is a member of a novel family of inhibitors of apoptosis and has several BIR domains (BIR1, BIR2, and BIR3) and a carboxy-terminal RING zinc-finger. Since suppressionof apoptosis is fundamentally important for carcinogenesis and tumor growth, we investigated the expression and function of XIAP in DEN-induced carcinogenesis using rat model. Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with DEN at a dose of 50 mg/kg in twice a week for 12 weeks (Group II) and 16 weeks (Group III) followed by the recovery periods, respectively. The evaluation of DEN-induced carcinogenesis carried out the blood, RT-PCR, histopathological and western blot analysis. The level of blood chemistry including GOT/GPT, albumin, and total bilirubin were significantly exchanged comparing to control and Group I/Group II. The expression of albumin and collagen mRNA were significantly exchanged (P<0.05) in both groups. In addition, AFP mRNA expression decreased more after recovery periods than Group II. XIAP was expressed constitutively in normal rat liver as well as DEN-induced Groups I and Group II. In addition, XIAP expression increased more in Group I with 4 weeks recovery periods than Group I. However, XIAP expression shown to increase in Group lI, otherwise, it was decreased in Group II with 10 weeks repair periods. Taken together, these results suggest the alteration of XIAP expression could be involved in hepatocellular carcinogenesis.