• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.474-485
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• 2013

Pharmacological studies and clinical practices have indicated that Radix Astragali, a dried root of Astragalus membranaceus possesses a lot of biological activities, including antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, tonic, diuretic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and immunological activities. These biological activities approved by the modern pharmacological studies are mainly due to the constituents of Astragalus membranaceus including polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, amino acids, and trace elements. In resent, the main constituents in the root part showing a lot of biological activities has been isolated also from the aboveground parts such as leaves and sprouts in our laboratory. However, the safety evaluation for the aboveground parts of Astragalus membranaceus should be checked before expanding their application as one of food. In the study, a 90-day rat oral gavage study has been conducted with the extracts from Astragalus membranaceus-above-ground parts at doses of 1000, 3000, and 5000mg/kg/day. The following endpoints were evaluated: clinical observations, body weight, gross and microscopic pathology, clinical chemistry, and hematology. Based on the analysis of these endpoints, it was estimated that NOEL (no observed effect level) for male rats and NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) for female rats are 5000mg/kg/day of the water-extracts from Astragalus membranaceus-aboveground parts.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.1629-1636
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• 2015

The edible mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill is known to have many physiological functions, including antitumor, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. Aqueous extracts were obtained by extracting A. blazei in water at $90^{\circ}C$ for 15 h, followed by spray-drying with dextran at a 70:30 ratio. In this study, we examined the immunomodulatory effect of A. blazei Murill water extract (ABM) in BALB/c mice. Mice were administered orally with 4, 20, and 100 mg/kg of ABM for 21 days. ABM-treated mice did not show significant differences in body and organ weights compare to saline-treated control mice. Splenocytes isolated from ABM-administered mice revealed similar levels of cellularity and proliferation compared to control mice, whereas they showed increased natural killer (NK) cell activity and decreased IL-4 and IL-12 production. Different from in vivo results, splenocytes isolated from normal mice showed increased proliferation and $INF-{\gamma}$ production following ABM treatment in vitro. In addition, ABM treatment enhanced macrophage proliferation and nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner. However, ABM had no effect on LPS-induced NO production. These results suggest that A. blazei modulates immune function by increasing NK cell activity and macrophage function.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.418-425
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• 2013

This case report describes about recurrent herpetic stomatitis mimicking post-root resection complication. A 49 year-old male patient was diagnosed vertical root fracture of the mesiobuccal root of his left maxillary first molar (#26). The mesiobuccal root was resected following root canal treatment of the same tooth. 19 months later, the patient presented with pain on left hard palate after a barbecue party. Intra oral examination revealed a gum boil-like blister at the hard palate corresponding to the apex of the palatal root of #26. On clinical examination, there was bleeding on probing and the periodontal pocket depth was measured less than 5 mm with no tooth mobility. On a periapical radiograph, periodontal ligament space widening was observed. Tracing the sinus tract with gutta percha cone was attempted, however, it was impossible. Extending the field of vision, small multiple round ulcerations were observed at the palate front which caused pain to the patient. Therefore, the pain was considered a non odontogenic and the patient was referred to the department of oral medicine. The patient was diagnosed recurrent herpetic stomatitis and after 3 days of antiviral medication, the pain and ulceration were subsided.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.210-215
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• 2015

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare complication in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that can be triggered by infections. Due to the fact that MAS may mimic clinical features of underlying rheumatic disease, or be confused with an infectious complication, its detection can prove challenging. This is particularly true when there is an unknown/undiagnosed disease; and could turn into an even greater challenge if MAS and SLE are combined with a viral infection. A-14-year-old female came to the hospital with an ongoing fever for 2 weeks and a painful facial skin rash. Hepatomegaly, pancytopenia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, elevated serum ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase were reported. No hemophagocytic infiltration of bone marrow was reported. The patient was suspected for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Her skin rashes were eczema herpeticum, which is usually associated with immune compromised conditions. With the history of oral ulcers and malar rash, positive ANA and low C3, C4 and the evidence of hemolytic anemia, she was diagnosed as SLE. According to the diagnostic guideline for MAS in SLE, she was diagnosed MAS as well, activated by acute HSV infection. After administering steroids and antiviral agent, the fever and skin rash disappeared, and the abnormal laboratory findings normalized. Therefore, we are reporting a rare case of MAS triggered by acute HSV infection as the first manifestation of SLE.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2014

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play an important role in impairing the function of T cells. We characterized MDSCs in two chronic hepatitis C (CHC) cohorts: a cross-sectional group that included 61 treatment-naive patients with CHC, 14 rapid virologic response (RVR) cases and 22 early virologic response (EVR) cases; and a longitudinal group of 13 cases of RVR and 10 cases of EVR after pegylated-interferon-${\alpha}$/ribavirin treatment for genotype 1b HCV infection. Liver samples from 32 CHC patients and six healthy controls were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis. MDSCs frequency in treatment-naive CHC was significantly higher than in RVR, EVR, or healthy subjects and was positively correlated with HCV RNA. Patients infected with HCV genotype 2a had a significantly higher frequency of MDSCs than those infected with genotype 1b. Decreased T cell receptor (TCR) ${\zeta}$ expression on $CD8^+$ T cells was significantly associated with an increased frequency of MDSCs in treatment-naive CHC patients and was restored by L-arginine treatment in vitro. Increased numbers of liver arginase-$1^+$ cells were closely associated with the histological activity index in CHC. The TCR ${\zeta}$ chain was significantly downregulated on hepatic $CD8^+$ T cells in CHC. During antiviral follow up, MDSCs frequency in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was directly correlated with the HCV RNA load in the plasma and inversely correlated with TCR ${\zeta}$ chain expression in $CD8^+$ T cells in both RVR and EVR cases. Notably, the RVR group had a higher frequency of MDSCs at baseline than the EVR group. Collectively, this study provides evidence that MDSCs might be associated with HCV persistence and downregulation of CD8 ${\zeta}$ chain expression.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2004

Background: To develop a novel treatment strategy for hepatitis B virus infection, a major cause of liver chirosis and cancer, we aimed to make human monoclonal antibodies inhibiting RNase H activity of P protein playing in important role in HBV replication. In this regard, phage display technology was employed and demonstrated as an efficient cloning method for human monoclonal antibody. So this study analysed the usability of human monoclonal antibody as protein based gene therapy. Methods: RNase H of HBV was expressed as fusion protein with maltose binding protein and purified with amylose resin column. Single chain Fv (scFv) phage antibody library was constructed by PCR cloning using total RNAs of PBMC from 50 healthy volunteers. Binders to RNase H were selected with BIAcore 2000 from the constructed library, and purified as soluble antibody fragment. The affinity and sequences of selected antibody fragments were analyzed with BIAcore and ABI automatic sequencer, respectively. And finally RNase H activity inhibiting assay was carried out. Results: Recombinant RNase H expressed in E. coli exhibited an proper enzyme activity. Naive library of $4.46{\times}10^9cfu$ was screened by BIAcore 2000. Two clones, RN41 and RN56, showed affinity of $4.5{\times}10^{-7}M$ and $1.9{\times}10^{-7}M$, respectively. But RNase H inhibiting activity of RN41 was higher than that of RN56. Conclusion: We cloned human monoclonal antibodies inhibiting RNase H activity of P protein of HBV. These antibodies can be expected to be a good candidate for protein-based antiviral therapy by preventing a replication of HBV if they can be expressed intracellularly in HBV-infected hepatocytes.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.773-780
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• 2015

3D8 single chain variable fragment (scFv) is a recombinant monoclonal antibody with nuclease activity that was originally isolated from autoimmune-prone MRL mice. In a previous study, we analyzed the nuclease activity of 3D8 scFv and determined that a HeLa cell line expressing 3D8 scFv conferred resistance to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and pseudorabies virus (PRV). In this study, we demonstrate that 3D8 scFv could be delivered to target tissues and cells where it exerted a therapeutic effect against PRV. PRV was inoculated via intramuscular injection, and 3D8 scFv was injected intraperitoneally. The observed therapeutic effect of 3D8 scFv against PRV was also supported by results from quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, southern hybridization, and immunohistochemical assays. Intraperitoneal injection of 5 and $10{\mu}g$ 3D8 scFv resulted in no detectable toxicity. The survival rate in C57BL/6 mice was 9% after intramuscular injection of 10 $LD_{50}$ PRV. In contrast, the 3D8 scFv-injected C57BL/6 mice showed survival rates of 57% ($5{\mu}g$) and 47% ($10{\mu}g$). The results indicate that 3D8 scFv could be utilized as an effective antiviral agent in several animal models.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.16-27
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• 2004

In the traditional Chinese medicine, Drynariae Rhizoma (DR) has been reported as a good enhancer for bone healing. DR, a plant widely used in the traditional medicinal systems of Korea, has been reported to possess antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Modulation of immune response to alleviate disease has been of interest for a long time. Plant extracts have been widely investigated for possible immunomodulatory properties. Thus, I have evaluated the anticellular and immunomodulatory properties of ethanolic extract of DR. DR extract inhibited proliferation of mitogen (phytohaemagglutinin; PHA) and antigen (purified protein derivative; PPD)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In addition, DR inhibited growth of several cell lines of mouse and human origin. It also inhibited production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$. Intracytoplasmic $interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ and expression of cell surface markers, CD16 and HLA-DR, on human PBMC, were not affected on treatment with DR but CD25 expression was down regulated. This study demonstrates the antiproliferative and immunosuppressive potential of ethanolic extract of DR in vitro.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.45-63
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics in children and adolescents with peripheral facial palsy that was treated with Korean medicine. Methods The study was conducted based on 284 cases that consisted of 261 children (less than 19 years old) who visited the hospital of Korean medicine from August 2010 to August 2014. Then, this study was analyzed by reviewing the patients' charts. Results The incidence of facial palsy in pediatric patients was more common in boys than in girls and the mean age was 11.2 years. The prevalence of facial palsy was more common in winter and most were diagnosed with Bell's palsy. Recurrence was identified in 12.6% of the patients. The average age of the first attack was 9.5 years. It took about 3.2 years for recurrence to occur from the first onset. It took about 5 days to visit the hospital of Korean medicine from the onset. 81% of the patients came within 1 week from the onset. 50.7% of the cases did not receive any treatment before and 49.3% were previously treated at other hospitals. More than half of the patients (65.1%) received Korean medicine first. 54.6% of the patients were hospitalized and 45.4% received outpatient treatments in the hospital of Korean medicine. Outpatient treatments were administered about 11.5 times while hospitalized patients were treated for an average of 16.6 days. In general, hospitalized patients were treated more often than the outpatient group. An overall average duration of treatment was 70.6 days from the onset of facial palsy until the last day of treatment, and 53.0 days from the first day of treatment until the last day of treatment. 41.5% of the cases were treated only with Korean medicine and 49.0% were treated with a combination of Korean and Western medicine. The types of Korean medicine treatment used for facial palsy in descending order of frequency were acupuncture, Infra red, herbal medicine, SSP therapy, electro-acupuncture, carbone, hot pack, cupping, and moxibustion. The treatments that were most frequently used from Western medicines were steroid as monotherapy (61.7%) and a combination of steroids and antiviral therapy (37.6%). Conclusions This result showed that the risk of facial palsy recurrence among children is relatively high and that facial palsy requires a long-term treatment. It's helpful to explain about prognosis, treatment duration, and recurrence potential in children. Facial palsy in children is treated in various ways but more studies about the therapeutic effects of Korean medicine, Western medicine, and combination of Korean-Western medicine in children are needed.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.350-357
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• 2013

Lichens are symbiotic organisms composed of fungi, algae, or cyanobacteria which are able to survive in extreme environmental conditions ranging from deserts to polar areas. Some lichen symbionts produce a wide range of secondary metabolites that have many biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory etc. Among the symbionts of lichens, of the bacterial communities of lichen symbionts little is known. In this study, we isolated 4 microbial species from the Arctic lichen Stereocaulon spp. and evaluated their antioxidant properties using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl assay as well as 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) assay. Total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents were also measured. A potent radical scavenging activity was detected in a number of the lichen extracts. Among the 4 species tested in this study, the ethyl acetate extract of Bosea vestrisii 36546(T) exhibited the strongest free radical scavenging activity, with an inhibition rate of 86.8% in DPPH and 75.2% in ABTS assays. Overall, these results suggest that lichen-bacteria could be a potential source of natural antioxidants.