• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 2006

We evaluated therapeutic and preventive properties of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a weak androgenic steroid, against isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy. The cardiomyopathy was induced by daily i.p. administration of isoproterenol to rats for five days. One group of rats were given with daily s.c. for 5 days during isoproterenol and the other group with daily s.c. DHEA for total 10 days, including 5 days before and during isoproterenol. The animals were killed after each treatment, and cardiac muscle failure was evaluated using histopathologic examination and biochemical indices. DHEA was found to reduce the damaged area and inhibit the elevation in the serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), skeletal muscle creatine kinase (CK) and heart creatine kinase (CK-MB) induced by isoproterenol. We also assayed widely used oxidative stress parameters, including thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathion peroxidase (GPx). DHEA decreased the escalated level of TBARS and enhanced the anti oxidant defense reaction with an increase in Mn-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD. On the other hand, the treatment with DHEA did not affect catalase and GPx activity. The present study indicates that DHEA has a therapeutic and preventive effect against isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy and its effects may depend largely on the increase in SOD activity.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2010

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis on the MeOH extract of Ligularia stenocephala leaves identified six caffeoylquinic acids, viz. 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-mucoquinic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and 3-Ocaffeoylquinic acid using standard compounds, and determined the quantity of each extract. Percentage of total caffeoylquinic acids of the MeOH extract and its BuOH fraction were calculated as $67.83{\pm}3.79%$ and $94.52{\pm}1.84%$, respectively. Since the caffeoylquinic acid-rich MeOH extract exhibited a potent peroxynitrite-scavenging effect in vitro ($IC_{50}=0.87{\pm}0.33\;{\mu}g/ml$ (mean $\pm$ SEM)), the experiment was designed to identify whether or not that extract has an anti-obesity effect on rat obesity induced by high fat diet. Oral administration of the MeOH extract and its BuOH fraction abundant in caffeoylquinic acid decreased the rat body weight to the level of untreated group and decreased abdominal fat pad weight. The atherogenic index and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) values were restored by treatment, indicating that the caffeoylquinic acid-rich extract probably inhibited hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress caused by high fat diet. These results suggest that L. stenocephala in vegetable form or its caffeoylquinic acid-rich fraction (BuOH fraction) as an agent can be used for treatment or prevention of obesity.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2015

This study was carried out to evaluate the preventive effect of three forms of Korean ginseng roots (fresh, white and red) against bisphenol A (BPA) toxicity in mouse male germ cells (GC-2spd, TM3, TM4). ROS (reactive oxygen species) generation were measured by DCF-DA (2',7'-dichlorohydrofluorescein diacetate) assay. Also, semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to quantify the mRNA expression levels of apoptosis-related genes, Bax (pro-apoptotic gene) and Bcl2 (anti-apoptotic gene). ROS generation was increased by $50{\mu}M$ BPA, but definitely decreased by treatment with Korean ginseng extracts (fresh, white and red) in mouse male germ cells. In especial, Korean fresh ginseng extract reduced significantly ROS production to normal control. In addition, Korean fresh and white ginseng extracts suppressed the apoptosis of mouse male germ cells by fine-tuning mRNA levels of apoptotic genes changed by BPA. In general, Korean fresh ginseng extract was more effective than white ginseng extract for reducing BPA-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in mouse male germ cells. Therefore, Korean fresh and white ginseng may help to alleviate biphenol A toxicity in mouse male germ cells.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2012

Objectives : The gnarl of Pinus densiflora, called Songjeol in Korea, has been used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases such as arthralgia, myalgia and bruise. However, the molecular actions and mechanisms have not been clearly investigated. The aim of this study was to clarify the anti-inflammatory activity of Pinus densiflora gnarl pharmacopuncture (PDGP) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Methods : Cytotoxicity was assessed by XTT assay. The amount of nitric oxide (NO) production was determined by nitrite assay. The mRNA expressions of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were analyzed by RT-PCR. Reactive oxidative species (ROS) generation was measured using the fluorescence microscopy. In addition, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and redox factor-1 (Ref-1) protein expressions were detected by Western blotting. Results : PDGP inhibited NO production and ROS generation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. At the mRNA level, PDGP suppressed IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and COX-2 expression. On the other hand, PDGP induced HO-1 mRNA expression. Furthermore, PDGP suppressed iNOS and Ref-1 protein expression. Conclusions : This result suggests that PDGP can act as a suppressor agent on NO and iNOS through induction of HO-1, and play an useful role in blocking inflammatory responses.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.295-300
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• 2008

Spirulina is a microscopic and filamentous cyanobacterium that contains essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidative components. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of spirulina intervention in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes. The subjects were 37 type 2 diabetic patients who visited a diabetic clinic in Seoul and randomly assigned into spirulina (8 g/day) or control group. During the intervention period of 12 weeks, subjects were asked to keep usual diet and prohibited to take any functional foods or dietary supplements. Spirulina supplementation for 12 weeks did not affect anthropometric parameters, however, lowered plasma triglycerides level significantly (p<0.05). Spirulina supplementation also resulted in a significant reduction in plasma malondialdehyde level (p<0.05) and an increase in plasma adiponectin level (p<0.1). The lipid lowering effect of spirulina supplementation was different according to serum lipid levels of the subjects before entering the intervention. The subjects with higher initial triglyceride level showed higher reduction in plasma triglyceride and blood pressure. The subjects with higher initial total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol level showed higher reduction in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, IL-6, and blood pressure. It seems that spirulina supplementation is more effective in subjects with dyslipidemia. This study provides the evidence for beneficial effects of spirulina supplementation on blood lipid profiles, inflammatory variables, and antioxidant capacity in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes. The results suggest that spirulina is a promising agent as a functional food for diabetes management.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.119-124
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• 2014

Physalis alkekengi var. francheti Hort. is known as an insecticide and traditional remedy for liver related diseases. Therefore, this study investigated the chemopreventive effects of extracts and several solvent fractions (n-hexane, dichloromethane, n-butanol, water) of Physalis alkekengi var. francheti Hort. First, their cytotoxicity and NQO1 activity were measured using an MTT assay, plus a quinone reductase [NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone); NAD(P)H: (quinone acceptor) oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.99.2]-inducing activity assay was performed using cultured murine hepatoma cells (Hepa1c1c7) and its mutant cells(BpRc1). The reduction of electrophilic quinones by NQO1 is an important detoxification pathway and major mechanism of chemoprevention. When compared with the other solvent soluble fractions with different polarities, the dichloromethane fraction of Physalis alkekengi var. francheti Hort. showed a higher NQO1-inducing activity that was also dose-dependent. Moreover, the dichloromethane fraction of Physalis alkekengi var. francheti Hort. induced ARE-luciferase activities in HepG2-C8 cells that were generated by transfecting the ARE-luciferase gene construct, suggesting the Nrf2-ARE-mediated induction of anti-oxidative enzymes. In conclusion, the dichloromethane-soluble fraction of Physalis alkekengi var. francheti Hort. showed a relatively strong induction of detoxifying enzymes, thereby meriting further study to identify the active components and evaluate their potential as cancer preventive agents.

• The Journal of Traditional Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 2006

To study on antioxidant effects in the liver of 40-week-old mouse, the sample were orally pretreated 5mg/kg/day for 5 days with red ginseng saponin components(total saponin, protopanaxadiol saponin, protopanaxatriol saponin, ginsenoside-Rd, ginsenoside-Re, compound-K) for 5 days. The ability of saponin to protect the mouse liver from oxidative damage was examined by determining the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione peroxidase(GPx) and the contents of glutathione, the level of malondialdehyde, The only protopanaxadiol among the ginseng saponin fractions was significantly increased the hepatic SOD activity(p<0.01). The red ginseng saponin induced a slight increase of GPx activity, especially ginsenoside Rd, compound K and protopanaxatriol treatments significantly increased its activity. The content of glutathione was significantly increased by total saponin, protopanaxadiol and ginsenoside Rd(p<0.01), but the oxidized glutathione level was lowered in all the red ginseng saponin. Finally, the level of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased by ginsenoside Rd and protopanaxadiol. In conclusion, protopanaxadiol and ginsenoside Rd among the saponin fraction were especially increased in the activity of hepatic antioxidative enzyme and decreased the lipid peroxidation that was expressed in term of MDA formation. This comprehensive antioxidant effects of red ginseng saponin seems to be by a certain action of saponin other than a direct antioxidant action.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.292-298
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• 2018

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune central nervous system disease characterized by inflammation with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate an anti-inflammatory effect of Ishige okamurae on EAE-induced paralysis in rats. An ethanolic extract of I. okamurae significantly delayed the first onset and reduced the duration and severity of hind-limb paralysis. The neuropathological and immunohistochemical findings in the spinal cord were in agreement with these clinical results. T-cell proliferation assay revealed that the ethyl-acetate fraction of I. okamurae suppressed the proliferation of myelin basic protein reactive T cells from EAE affected rats. Flow cytometric analysis showed $TCR{\alpha}{\beta}^+$ T cells was significantly reduced in the spleen of EAE rats with I. okamurae treatment with concurrent decrease of inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and cyclooxygenase-2. Collectively, it is postulated that I. okamurae ameliorates EAE paralysis with suppression of T-cell proliferation as well as decrease of pro-inflammatory mediators as far as rat EAE is concerned.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.51-62
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the macrophages polarization of traditional Korean medicine on cardiac pain about Geum-Gwe-Yo-Ryak's two prescriptions including Kwaruhaebaekbanha-tang (KHB) and Kwaruhaebaekpaekju-tang (KHP). Materials and methods: Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure the changes in the ratio of M1 type and M2 type macrophages. Protein expression of nuclear factor-like 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were measured by Western Blot, and ABCA1 and SR-B1 were detected by real time PCR (RT-PCR). Intracellular lipid accumulation was measured by Oil Red O staining (ORO staining). Results: KHB and KHP increase anti-oxidative activity related protein levels including Nrf2 and HO-1. Furthermore, KHB and KHP inhibit lipid accumulation on intracellular levels through induction of ATP binding receptor cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) and scavenging receptor class B member 1 (SR-B1), respectively. Finally, KHB and KHP also blocked pro-inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), iNOS and COX-2 expression. Conclusion: This study suggests that KHB and KHP potently regulate the M1/M2 macrophage polarization.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.90-94
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• 2019

Objectives: Paclitaxel (PTX) as an anticancer drug used against solid cancers, possesses adverse reactions such as neuropathic pain which has confined its use. PTX-induced neuropathic pain is mediated via activation of oxidative stress. Berberine (BER), an isoquinoline phytochemical found in several plants, exerts strong antioxidant and painkilling properties. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate pain-relieving effect of BER in a mouse model of PTX-induced neuropathic pain. Methods: This study was done using 42 male albino mice that were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 7) as follow: Sham-operated (not treated with PTX), negative control group (PTX-treated mice receiving normal saline), BER 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg (PTX-treated mice receiving BER) and positive control group (PTX-treated mice receiving imipramine 10 mg/kg). Neuropathic pain was induced by intraperitoneal administration of four doses of PTX (2 mg/kg/day) on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. Then, on day 7, hot plate test was done to assess latency to heat to measure possible anti-neuropathic pain effect of BER. Results: Four doses of PTX 2 mg/kg/day induced neuropathy that was reduced by BER at all time-points (i.e. 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min) after injection (P < 0.001 in comparison to control). The statistical analysis of data showed significant differences between groups (P < 0.001 in comparison to negative control), at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after injection of BER 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg; in other words, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after BER administration, neuropathic pain was significantly reduced as compared to normal saline-treated mice. Conclusion: Altogether, our results showed that PTX could induce neuropathic pain as reflected by hyperalgesia and BER could alleviate PTX-induced thermal hyperalgesia.