• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2008

In order to investigate the potential of a Angelica keiskei Koidzumi extract and its fractions as an active ingredient for whitening cosmetics, we prepared Angelica keiskei Koidzumi extract(70% ethanol), and the aqueous suspension was successively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate(EA), and n-butanol fraction. We measured their inhibitory effects on mushroom tyrosinase and melanin synthesis in B16 melanoma cells and normal human kerationocytes in vitro. They did not show inhibitory activity against mushroom tyrosinase and the melanin synthesis except hexane and EA fractions. Hexane and EA fractions markedly inhibited cellular tyrosinase activity at a lower concentration(25 and 5 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively) than arbutin(250 ${\mu}g/mL$). We also quantified the released amount of endothelin-1(ET-1), a mitogen of melanocyte, and interleukin-$1{\alpha}$(IL-$1{\alpha})$, a mediator of UVB-induced inflammation. Hexane and EA fractions did not affect IL-$1{\alpha}$ production, but they decreased UVB-induced ET-1 production in normal human keratinocytes in a dose dependant manner. As a result, hexane and EA fractions could inhibit the melanogenesis through the inhibition of UVB-induced ET-1 production in normal human keratinocytes. This result suggests that hexane and EA fractions of Angelica keiskei Koidzumi extract could be used as an active ingredient for cosmetics.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.262-270
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• 2016

Purpose: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to right ventricular failure (RVF) as well as an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Our purpose was to study the effect of sildenafil on right ventricular remodeling in a rat model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced RVF. Methods: The rats were distributed randomly into 3 groups. The control (C) group, the monocrotaline (M) group (MCT 60 mg/kg) and the sildenafil (S) group (MCT 60 mg/kg+ sildenafil 30 mg/kg/day for 28 days). Masson Trichrome staining was used for heart tissues. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Results: The mean right ventricular pressure (RVP) was significantly lower in the S group at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The number of intra-acinar arteries and the medial wall thickness of the pulmonary arterioles significantly lessened in the S group at week 4. The collagen content also decreased in heart tissues in the S group at week 4. Protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X, caspase-3, Bcl-2, interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), endothelin (ET)-1 and ET receptor A (ERA) in lung tissues greatly decreased in the S group at week 4 according to immunohistochemical staining. According to Western blotting, protein expression levels of troponin I, brain natriuretic peptide, caspase-3, Bcl-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, IL-6, MMP-2, eNOS, ET-1, and ERA in heart tissues greatly diminished in the S group at week 4. Conclusion: Sildenafil alleviated right ventricular hypertrophy and mean RVP. These data suggest that sildenafil improves right ventricular function.