• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2014

Cardiovascular disease is the prime cause of morbidity and mortality and the population ages that may contribute to increase in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. Arginase upregulation is associated with impaired endothelial function in aged vascular system and thus may contribute to cardiovascular disease. According to recent research, Korean Red Ginseng water extract (KRGE) may reduce cardiovascular disease risk by improving vascular system health. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanisms contributing to age-related vascular endothelial dysfunction and to determine whether KRGE improves these functions in aged mice. Young ($10{\pm}3$ weeks) and aged ($55{\pm}5$ weeks) male mice (C57BL/6J) were orally administered 0, 10, or 20 mg/mouse/day of KRGE for 4 weeks. Animals were sacrificed and the aortas were removed. Endothelial arginase activity, nitric oxide (NO) generation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) coupling, vascular tension, and plasma peroxynitrite production were measured. KRGE attenuated arginase activity, restored nitric oxide (NO) generation, reduced ROS production, and enhanced eNOS coupling in aged mice. KRGE also improved vascular tension in aged vessels, as indicated by increased acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation and improved phenylephrine-stimulated vasoconstriction. Furthermore, KRGE prevented plasma peroxynitrite formation in aged mice, indicating reduced lipid peroxidation. These results suggest KRGE exerts vasoprotective effects by inhibiting arginase activity and augmenting NO signaling and may be a useful treatment for age-dependent vascular diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1659-1665
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• 2005

Gamipaidok-san(GPDS) is the Hyungbangpaidok-san prescription fortified with the additional ingredients known to be effective for dermatitis. So it has been used for atopic dermatitis in the clinic work actually. In this study, we investigated the effects of GPDS on in vitro and in vivo anti-allergic effect on RBL-2H3 rat basophilic leukemia Cells and on IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of GPDS in RAW 264.7 cells was investigated. GPDS potently inhibited $\beta$-hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 and the IgE-mediated PCA reaction in mice. GPDS inhibited LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production in a dose-dependent manner Furthermore, It also inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression in RAW 264.7 cells, and the activation of the transcription factor, NF-kB, in nuclear fraction. The antiallergic action of GPDS may originate from anti-inflammatory activities, and can improve the inflammation caused by allergies.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.31-37
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• 2011

Objectives : Chrysanthemum boreale flower is widely distributed in Korea, Japan, China, and Eastern countries. C. boreale flower is also one of the herbs used for the treatment of various inflammatory disease in Korean Medicine. So, this research was designed to study anti-inflammatory effect of C. boreale flower and its mechanism. Methods : We investigated nitro oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production by ELISA. And expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ P50/65 (NF-${\kappa}B$ P50, NF-${\kappa}B$ P65) were measured in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells induced by LPS. Results : MeOH ex., EtOAc fr., $CHCl_3$ fr. and Water fr. of C. boreale flower showed anti-inflammatory effect through inhibition of NO and PGE expression respectively. Among them, EtOAc fr. and $CHCl_3$ fr. inhibited production of NO and $PGE_2$ through inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression. And MeOH ex., EtOAc fr. and $CHCl_3$ fr. inhibited translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ P65, NF-${\kappa}B$ P50 by inhibiting phosphrylation of $I{\kappa}B$. Conclusions : MeOH ex. EtOAc fr, $CHCl_3$ fr., and Water fr. of the C. boreale flower have anti-inflammatory activity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

Objectives : This study investigated the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Changchulgeumryeontang (CCGRT) extract. Methods : The macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 cells were used and MTT assay was performed to measure the cell viabilities at the various concentrations of CCGRT ($25-200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$). Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) were measured in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Expressions of iNOS, $NF-{\kappa}B$, $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were also performed by real-time PCR. The anti-oxidant activities of CCGRT was measured by DPPH radical scavenging activity. Results : 1. there was no cytotoxicity in RAW264.7 cells treated with CCGRT compared to the control. 2. CCGRT treated group significantly inhibited NO and $PGE_2$ production compared to the LPS treated group. 3. CCGRT treated group significantly decreased mRNA expressions of iNOS, $NF-{\kappa}B$, $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 compared to the LPS treated group. 4. CCGTR was found to have high DPPH free radical scavenging ability. Conclusions : According to the above results, CCGRT may be a potentional choice for the treatment of inflammatory skin disease. Conclusions : According to the above results, CCGRT may be a potentional choice for the treatment of inflammatory skin disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.92-110
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• 2015

Objectives : The water extract of Bowon-tang composited with thePanax, AstragalusandGlycyrrhiza Radixhas been traditionally used for treatment of a sickly child and smallpox in oriental medicine. However, little is known about the regulatory effects of Bowon-tang on the production, expression and activity of immune mediators [nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, inducible nitric oxide synthetase, cyclooxygenase-2], the macrophage activation factor production, the proliferation, subset expression, the killing activity, and the capping in immune cells.Methods : In this study, we investigated the effects of water extracts from Bowon-tang,Panax, AstragalusorGRin mouse immune cells or human Jurkat T cells. Each extract (25-200 ㎍/㎖)perse had no cytotoxic effect in unstimulated macrophages, but concentration-dependently regulated NO and PGE₂production, iNOS expression, and COX-2 activity in mouse peritoneal macrophages with MAF stimulation. These regulatory effects were synergistically increased by their combination (Bowon-tang).Results : The extract of Bowon-tang concentration-dependently regulated T cell proliferation, CD4⁺and CD8⁺expression, and NK killing activity in mouse splenocytes and capping in Jurkat T cells.Conclusions : These results suggest that the water extract of Bowon-tang composited with thePanax, AstragalusandGRmay be useful for therapeutic drugs against a sickly constitution and immune diseases, probably by regulating the production of immune mediators.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.487-496
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• 2014

Angiotensinogen (AGT), the precursor of angiotensin I, is known to be involved in tumor angiogenesis and associated with the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. This study was undertaken to determine the role played by AGT in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in tumor progression and metastasis. It was found that the number of EPC colonies formed by AGT heterozygous knockout ($AGT^{+/-}$) cells was less than that formed by wild-type (WT) cells, and that the migration and tube formation abilities of $AGT^{+/-}$ EPCs were significantly lower than those of WT EPCs. In addition, the gene expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Flk1, angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2, Tie-2, stromal derived factor (SDF)-1, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), and of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were suppressed in $AGT^{+/-}$ EPCs. Furthermore, the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-$1{\alpha}$and $-2{\alpha}$ were downregulated in $AGT^{+/-}$ early EPCs under hypoxic conditions, suggesting a blunting of response to hypoxia. Moreover, the activation of Akt/eNOS signaling pathways induced by VEGF, epithelial growth factor (EGF), or SDF-$1{\alpha}$ were suppressed in $AGT^{+/-}$ EPCs. In $AGT^{+/-}$ mice, the incorporation of EPCs into the tumor vasculature was significantly reduced, and lung tumor growth and melanoma metastasis were attenuated. In conclusion, AGT is required for hypoxia-induced vasculogenesis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.384-389
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• 2017

The Nogo-B receptor (NgBR) is necessary for not only Nogo-B-mediated angiogenesis but also vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -induced angiogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory role of the VEGF-NgBR axis in angiogenesis are not fully understood. Here, we report that miR-26a serves as a critical regulator of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis through directly targeting NgBR in endothelial cells (ECs). Stimulation of ECs by VEGF increased the expression of NgBR and decreased the expression of miR-26a. In addition, miR-26a decreased the VEGF-induced migration and proliferation of ECs. Moreover, miR-26a overexpression in ECs decreased the VEGF-induced phosphorylation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the production of nitric oxide, which is important for angiogenesis. Overall, these data suggest that miR-26a plays a key role in VEGF-mediated angiogenesis through the modulation of eNOS activity, which is mediated by its ability to regulate NgBR expression by directly targeting the NgBR 3'-UTR.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1200-1210
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• 2006

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of the CMT and MCMT hot water extract & ultra-fine powder on microglia and memory deficit model. The effects of the CMT and MCMT hot water extract on expression of IL-l${\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, NOS-II, COX-2, IL-10, TGF-${\beta}$1 mRNA and production of IL-lP, IL-6, TNF-a, NO, ROS in BV2 microglial cell line treated by lipopolysacchaide(LPS) ; serum glucose, uric acid, AChE activity of the memory deficit mice induced by scopolamine , behavior of the memory deficit mice induced by scopolamine and were investigated, respectively. The CMT and MCMT hot water extract suppressed the expression of IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, NOS-II, COX-2 mRNA, production of IL-l${\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, NO, ROS and increased the expression of IL-10, TGF-${\beta}$l mRNA in BV2 microglial cell line treated by LPS. The MCMT hot water extract & ultra-fine powder increased glucose, decreased uric acid and AChE significantly in the serum of the memory deficit mice induced by scopolamine. The CMT and MCMT hotwater extract & ultra-fine powder groups showed significantly inhibitory effect on the scopolamine-induced impairment of memory in the experiment of Morris water maze. According to the above result, it is suggested that the CMT and MCMT hot water extract & ultra-fine powder might be usefully applied for prevention and treatment of dementia.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.997-1008
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• 2006

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of the CMT and PCMT hot water extract & ultra-fine powder on microglia and memory deficit model. The effects of the CMT and PCMT hot water extract on expression of $IL-l{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}$, NOS-II, COX-2, IL-10, $TGF-{\beta}1$ mRNA and production of $IL-l{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}$, NO, ROS in BV2 microglial cell line treated by lipopolysacchaide(LPS) , serum glucose, uric acid, AChE activity of the memory deficit mice induced by scopolamine , behavior of the memory deficit mice induced by scopolamine and were investigated, respectively. The CMT and PCMT hot water extract suppressed the expression of $IL-l{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}$, NOS-11, COX-2 mRNA, production of $IL-l{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}$, NO, ROS and increased the expression of IL-10, $TGF-{\beta}1$ mRNA in BV2 microglial cell line treated by LPS. The PCMT hot water extract & ultra-fine powder increased glucose, decreased uric acid and AChE significantly in the serum of the memory deficit mice induced by scopolamine. The CMT and PCMT hot water extract & ultra-fine powder groups showed significantly inhibitory effect on the scopolamine-induced impairment of memory in the experiment of Morris water maze. According to the above result, it is suggested that the CMT and PCMT hot water extract & ultra-fine powder might be usefully applied for prevention and treatment of dementia.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2012

Oxidative stress has been implicated in cutaneous damage in various inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis. The present study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of the extract of Duchesnea chrysantha (DCE). DEC was prepared by extracting with 80% ethanol. Total flavonoids and polyphenols were measured by a colorimetric assay. The free radical scavenging activity of the extract was analyzed by the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and Griess reagent assay. An oxidative product of nitric oxide (NO), was measured in the culture medium by the Griess reaction. The level of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were measured by Western blot analysis. Total flavonoid and polyphenol contents of DCE were included $24.73{\pm}0.45$ and $178.77{\pm}2.65$, respectively. DCE significantly increased electron donating ability (DPPH), nitrite scavenging (NO) and ABTS reducing activity in dose dependant. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of DCE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. DCE significantly suppressed NO and prdstaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in dose dependant. Furthermore, the levels of iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions were markedly suppressed by the treatment with DCE in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that DEC may has value as natural product with its high quality functional components, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.