• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.550-561
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• 2019

Background: Gastric ulcer (GU) is a common gastrointestinal disease that can be induced by many factors. Finding an effective treatment method that contains fewer side effects is important. 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg3 is a kind of protopanaxadiol and has shown superior antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects in many studies, especially cancer studies. In this study, we examined the treatment efficacy of 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg3 on GU. Methods: Three kinds of GU models, including an alcohol GU model, a pylorus-ligated GU model, and an acetic acid GU model, were used. Mouse endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in blood and epidermal growth factor (EGF), superoxide dismutase, and NO levels in gastric mucosa were evaluated. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of gastric mucosa and immunohistochemical staining of ET-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2), and epidermal growth factor receptors were studied. Ulcer index (UI) scores and UI ratios were also analyzed to demonstrate the GU conditions in different groups. Furthermore, Glide XP from $Schr{\ddot{o}}dinger$ was used for molecular docking to clarify the interactions between 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg3 and EGF and NOS2. Results: 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg3 significantly decreased the UI scores and UI ratios in all the three GU models, and it demonstrated antiulcer effects by decreasing the ET-1 and NOS2 levels and increasing the NO, superoxide dismutase, EGF, and epidermal growth factor receptor levels. In addition, high-dose 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg3 showed satisfactory gastric mucosa protection effects. Conclusion: 20 (S)-ginsenoside Rg3 can inhibit the formation of GU and may be a potential therapeutic agent for GU.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.183-189
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• 2008

The present study compared the feasibility of Caco-2 and MDCK cells as an efficient in-vitro model for the drug classification based on Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) as well as an in-vitro model for drug interactions mediated by P-gp inhibition or P-gp induction. Thirteen model drugs were selected to cover BCS Class I{\sim}IV$ and their membrane permeability values were evaluated in both Caco-2 and MDCK cells. P-gp inhibition studies were conducted by using vinblastine and verapamil in MDCK cells. P-gp induction studies were also performed in MDCK cells using rifampin and the P-gp expression level was determined by western blot analysis. Compared to Caco-2 cells, MDCK cells required shorter period of time to culture cells before running the transport study. Both Caco-2 and MDCK cells exhibited the same rank order relationship between in-vitro permeability values and human permeability values of all tested model compounds, implying that those in-vitro models may be useful in the prediction of human permeability (rank order) of new chemical entities at the early drug discovery stage. However, in the case of BCS drug classification, Caco-2 cells appeared to be more suitable than MDCK cells. P-gp induction by rifampin was negligible in MDCK-cells while MDCK cells appeared to be feasible for P-gp inhibition studies. Taken all together, the present study suggests that Caco-2 cells might be more applicable to the BCS drug classification than MDCK-cells, although MDCK cells may provide some advantage in terms of capacity and speed in early ADME screening process.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.7
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• pp.662-670
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• 2020

We have investigated the involvement of the pre-mRNA processing factor 4B (PRP4) kinase domain in mediating drug resistance. HCT116 cells were treated with curcumin, and apoptosis was assessed based on flow cytometry and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cells were then transfected with PRP4 or pre-mRNA-processing-splicing factor 8 (PRP8), and drug resistance was analyzed both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we deleted the kinase domain in PRP4 using Gateway™ technology. Curcumin induced cell death through the production of ROS and decreased the activation of survival signals, but PRP4 overexpression reversed the curcumin-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. PRP8 failed to reverse the curcumin-induced apoptosis in the HCT116 colon cancer cell line. In xenograft mouse model experiments, curcumin effectively reduced tumour size whereas PRP4 conferred resistance to curcumin, which was evident from increasing tumour size, while PRP8 failed to regulate the curcumin action. PRP4 overexpression altered the morphology, rearranged the actin cytoskeleton, triggered epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and decreased the invasiveness of HCT116 cells. The loss of E-cadherin, a hallmark of EMT, was observed in HCT116 cells overexpressing PRP4. Moreover, we observed that the EMT-inducing potential of PRP4 was aborted after the deletion of its kinase domain. Collectively, our investigations suggest that the PRP4 kinase domain is responsible for promoting drug resistance to curcumin by inducing EMT. Further evaluation of PRP4-induced inhibition of cell death and PRP4 kinase domain interactions with various other proteins might lead to the development of novel approaches for overcoming drug resistance in patients with colon cancer.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1996.10a
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• pp.131-132
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• 1996

• 대한임상약리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.12a
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• pp.5-5
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• 2005

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.306-311
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• 2016

Objective: This study was performed to compare the changes in the blood concentrations of tacrolimus when either itraconazole or voriconazole is together with tacrolimus to prevent or treat invasive aspergillus pneumonia (IAP) in patients with lung transplants. Therefore we can compare the degree of drug-drug interactions between tacrolimus and itraconazole against tacrolimus and voriconazole. Methods: Patients who were admitted and had lung transplants in a territory referral hospital from September 2012 to May 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The effects of itraconazole and voriconazole on the plasma concentrations of tacrolimus were analyzed. Results: Mean tacrolimus concentrations was $10.49{\pm}2.35ng/mL$ vs. $10.95{\pm}2.98ng/mL$ (p=0.722), and mean concentration of tacrolimus over the dose of tacrolimus per day was $8.510{\pm}5.890(ng/mL)/(mg/d)$ vs. $15.45{\pm}28.47(ng/mL)/(mg/d)$ (p=0.947) in itraconazole vs. voriconazole group each. The ratio of the number of the results out of target tacrolimus concentrations to the total number of tacrolimus concentration results was $18.0{\pm}13.3%$ vs. $24.4{\pm}18.5%$ (p=0.185). Conclusion: There were no significant differences between itraconzaole and voriconazole to have influences on mean concentrations of tacrolimus over tacrolimus dose per weight per day. However voriconazole tended to raise tacrolimus plasma concentrations more than itraconazole. Safer and more effective drug management to prevent and treat fungal infections should be done by therapeutic drug monitoring not only of tacrolimus but of itraconazole and voriconazole in lung transplant patients.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2016

Although propolis is one of the most popular functional foods for human health, there have been no comprehensive studies of herb-drug interactions through cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition. The purpose of this study was to determine the inhibitory effects of propolis on the activities of CYP1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4 using pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs). Propolis inhibited CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP2C19 with an $IC_{50}$ value of 6.9, 16.8, and $43.1{\mu}g/mL$, respectively, whereas CYP2A6, 2B6, 2C9, 2D6, and 3A4 were unaffected. Based on half-maximal inhibitory concentration shifts between microsomes incubated with and without nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, propolis-induced CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and CYP2E1 inhibition was metabolism-independent. To evaluate the interaction potential between propolis and therapeutic drugs, the effects of propolis on metabolism of duloxetine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, were determined in HLMs. CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 are involved in hydroxylation of duloxetine to 4-hydroxy duloxetine, the major metabolite, which was decreased following propolis addition in HLMs. These results raise the possibility of interactions between propolis and therapeutic drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.455-465
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• 2001

The highly potent cytotoxic DNA-DNA cross-linker consists of two cyclopropa[c]pyrrolo[3,4-3]indol-4(5H)-ones insoles [(+)-CPI-I] joined by a bisamido pyrrole (abbreviated to "Pyrrole"). The Pyrrole is a synthetic analog of Bizelesin, which is currently in phase II clinical trials due to its excellent in vivo antitumor activity. The Pyrrole has 10 times more potent cytotoxicity than Bizelesin and mostly form DNA-DNA interstrand cross-links through the N3 of adenines spaced 7 bp apart. The Pyrrole requires a centrally positioned GC base pair for high cross-linking reactivity (i.e., $5^1$-T$AT_2$A*-$3^1$), while Bizelesin prefers purely AT-rich sequences (i.e., $5^1$-T$AT_4$A*-$3^1$, where /(equation omitted) represents the cross-strand adenine alkylation and A* represents an adenine alkylation) (Park et al., 1996). In this study, the high-field $^1$H-NMR and rMD studies are conducted on the 1 1-mer DNA duplex adduct of the Pyrrole where the 5′(equation omitted)TAGTTA*-3′sequence is cross-linked by the drug. A severe structural perturbation is observed in the intervening sequences of cross-linking site, while a normal B-DNA structure is maintained in the region next to the drug-modified adenines. Based upon these observations, we propose that the interplay between the bisamido pyrrole unit of the drug and central C/C base pair (hydrogen-bonding interactions) is involved in the process of cross-linking reaction, and sequence specificity is the outcome of those interactions. This study suggests a mechanism for the sequence specific cross-linking reaction of the Pyrrole, and provides a further insight to develop new DNA sequence selective and distortive cross-linking agents.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.129-137
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• 2012

Objective : Herb-drug interactions have become an important issue because of the consumption of herbal remedies has increased in the world. Yangguksanhaw-tang (Liang ge san huo-tang) and Taeumjowi-tang (Tai yin tiao wei-tang) are typical herbal formulas on Sasang constitution medicine (four-constitution medicine). This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of Yangguksanhaw-tang and Taeumjowi-tang on drug metabolizing enzymes, cytochrome P450 (CYP450) isozymes. Methods : Vivid$^{(R)}$ CYP450 Screening Kits were used to measure of CYP3A4, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP2E1 activities. This method is based on the use of fluorescent CYP450 substrates that are efficiently metabolized by specific CYP450 isozymes to yield a product with altered fluorescent properties. The percent inhibitions of CYP450s by herbal formulas were calculated. Results : Yangguksanhaw-tang inhibited CYP2C19 and CYP2E1 activities higher than that other CYP450 isozymes. The $IC_{50}$ values of CYP2C19 and CYP2E1 were 159.83 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 261.40 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The CYP2E1 activity was inhibited ($IC_{50}=215.17{\mu}g/mL$) higher than that other CYP450 isozymes by Taeumjowi-tang. Conclusions : These results suggest that Yangguksanhaw-tang may inhibit the metabolism of co-administered drugs whose primary route of metabolism is via CYP2C19 or CYP2E1. Taeumjowi-tang could inhibit the metabolism of co-administered drugs, which are substrates for CYP2E1. Therefore, co-administration of the herbal formulas and other conventional drugs should be undertaken with care.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.247-256
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• 2023

Objectives: Enterococcus faecalis is a gram positive diplococci, highly versatile and a normal commensal of the gut microbiome. Resistance to vancomycin is a serious issue in various health-care setting exhibited by vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) due to the alteration in the peptidoglycan synthesis pathway. This study is thus aimed to detect the VRE from the patients with root caries from the clinical isolates of E. faecalis and to evaluate the in-silico interactions between vanA and the Aegles marmelos bio-compounds. Methods: E. faecalis was phenotypically characterized from 20 root caries samples and the frequency of vanA and vanB genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Further crude methanolic extracts from the dried leaves of A. marmelos was assessed for its antimicrobial activity. This is followed by the selection of five A. marmelos bio-compounds for the computational approach towards the drug ligand interactions. Results: 12 strains (60%) of E. faecalis was identified from the root caries samples and vanA was detected from two strains (16%). Both the stains showed the presence of vanA and none of the strains possessed vanB. Crude extract of A. marmelos showed promising antibacterial activity against the VRE strains. In-silico analysis of the A. marmelos biocompounds revealed Imperatonin as the best compound with high docking energy (-8.11) and hydrogen bonds with < 140 TPSA (Topological polar surface area) and zero violations. Conclusion: The present study records the VRE strains among the root caries with imperatorin from A. marmelos as a promising drug candidate. However the study requires further experimentation and validation.