• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.128-133
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• 2000

This study was designed to verify the efficacy of garlic extracts for protecting the infecton of influenza and Japanese B encephalitis virus. Influenza virus (AO/PR8 strain) and Japanese B encephalitis virus (JaGAr O1 strain) were used to attack mouse through nasal route and each vaccines were injected subcutaneously. 0.002 and 0.2 mL/day of garlic extracts were orally administered to mice. The blood and serum samples were taken from the mice to measure LD50, Defense Index (DI), virus-neutralizing antibody for comparing virus influence inhibiting activities. Defense indices of the male and female mice were not significantly different at every experiment. Vaccination effectively inhibited the influence of influenza virus and 0.002 mL/day garlic extract (0.55$\pm$0.05) resulted in significantly higher DI than the control (0$\pm$0.05) (p<0.05). Although 0.002 mL/day garlic extract (0.55$\pm$0.05) resulted in significantly lower DI than the vaccination (1.10$\pm$0.05), 0.2 mL/day garlic extract (2.05$\pm$0.05) resulted in 10 times higher DI than the vaccination (1.10$\pm$0.05). Garlic extract did not affect DI in Japanese B encephalitis virus influence of the vaccinated mouse, but significantly reduced DI of the non-vaccinated mouse (p<0.05). Garlic extracts did not affect the production of the neutralizing antibody against influenza by vaccination. However, neutralizing antibody production of Japanese B encephalitis was accelerated by vaccination. Consequently, the current study proved the efficacy of garlic on inhibition of influenza virus. Finally, it is very hard to show the higher preventing effect on flu through ingestion of garlic as a food than vaccination.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to investigate expression patterns of the prolactin (PRL) and c-fos genes by 17$\beta$-estradiol (17$\beta$-E) and stress in the mouse pituitary. In the pituitary, the levels of PRL mRNA were found high with some fluctuation at 30, 50, and 90 min whereas the levels of PRL mRNA were low at 120 min when ovariectomized female mice were injected with 17$\beta$-E or vehicle. PRL mRNA levels began to increase again at 4 h and remained high up to 24 h only in the 17$\beta$-E- treated mice. The overall changes in c-fos mRNA by 17$\beta$-E were very similar to those in PRL mRNA in the pituitary. Subsequent study revealed that these high initial levels of PRL and c-fos mRNAs were caused by stress during Injection, not by 17$\beta$-E, since vehicle injection alone into the ovariectomized mice could increase the levels of PRL and c-fos mRNAs. The stress-induced elevations of PRL and c-fos mRNAs were inhibited by bromocriptin, a dopamine agonist, suggesting that the dopaminergic system is involved in the action route of injection stress. In addition, the induced levels of c-fos mRNA by 17$\beta$-E and stress in the pituitary were very low compared with those in the uterus. The time course changes in c-fos mRNA level were different between the pituitary and uterus. Taken together, these data indicate that PRL and c-tos gene expression in the pituitary are regulated by 17$\beta$-E and stress in a parallel manner, supporting the notion that c-Fos plays a role in regulation of PRL gene expression.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1042-1048
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• 2006

Plasmid DNA vaccines encoding the hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface and hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope antigens, respectively, were constructed, and attempt were made to find the possibility of a divalent vaccine against HBV and HCV. The expression of each plasmid in Cos-1 cells was confirmed using immunocytochemistry. To measure the induced immune response by these plasmids in vivo, female BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly with $100\;{\mu}g$ of either both or just one of the plasmids. Anti-HBV and HCV-specific antibodies and related cytokines were evaluated to investigate the generation of both humoral and cellular immune responses. As a result, specific anti-HBV and anti-HCV serum antibodies from mice immunized with these plasmids were observed using immunoblot. The levels of IL-2 and RANTES showing a $Th_{1}$ immune response were significantly increased, but there was no change in the level of IL-4 ($Th_{1}$ immune response) in any of the immunized groups. Compared with each plasmid DNA vaccine, the combined vaccine elicited similar immune responses in both humoral and cell-mediated immunities. These results suggest that the combined DNA vaccine can induce not only comparable immunity experimentally without antigenic interference, but also humoral and $Th_{1}$ dominant cellular immune responses. Therefore, they could serve as candidates for a simultaneous bivalent vaccine against HBV and HCV infections.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.957-965
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• 2006

This study was peformed to evaluate antithrombotic activities and anti-inflammatory effects of Kami-BoyangHwanoh-Tang(KBHT). The major findings were summarized as follows. In experiment of anti-thrombotic effect; KBHT inhibited human platelet aggregation induced by ADP and epinephrine as compared with the control group and inhibited pulmonary embolism induced by collagen and epinephrine (inhibitory rate is 50 %). KBHT increased platelet number significantly and also KBHT shortened PT and APTT significantly as compared with the control group in thrombus model induced by dextran. In experiment of anti-inflammatory effect; KBHT inhibited $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, COX-2 and NOS-II mRNA expression as compared with the control group in a concentration-dependent degree, and inhibited NO production significantly at 50, $100\;{\mu}g/^{ml}$, and also inhibited ROS production in a concentration-dependent degree as compared with the control group in RAW 264.7 cell line. KBHT inhibited $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production significantly in serum of acute inflammation-induced mice, and decreased $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production in spleen tissue, and also decreased IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production in liver tissue, but increased $IL-1{\beta}$ production in liver tissue of acute inflammation-induced mice. KBHT increased survival rate at 3rd day in mice with lethal endotoxemia induced by LPS. These results suggest that KBHT can be useful in treating diverse female diseases caused by thrombosis and inflammation such as endometrosis, myoma, pelvic congestion, chronic cervicitis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and so on.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2010

Halogenated organic compounds, such as 1-bromobutane (1-BB), have been used as cleaning agents, agents for chemical syntheses or extraction solvents in workplace. In the present study, immunotoxic effects of 1-BB and its conjugation with glutathione (GSH) were investigated in female BALB/c mice. Animals were treated orally with 1-BB at 375, 750 and 1500 mg/kg in corn oil once for dose response or treated orally with 1-BB at 1500 mg/kg for 6, 12, 24 and 48 hr for time course. S-Butyl GSH was identified in spleen by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Splenic GSH levels were significantly reduced by single treatment with 1-BB. S-Butyl GSH conjugates were detected in spleen from 6 hr after treatment. Oral 1-BB significantly suppressed the antibody response to a T-dependent antigen and the production of splenic intracellular interlukin-2 in response to Con A. Our present results suggest that 1-BB could cause immunotoxicity as well as reduction of splenic GSH content, due to the formation of GSH conjugates in mice. The present results would be useful to understand molecular toxic mechanism of low molecular weight haloalkanes and to develop biological markers for exposure to haloalkanes.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.258-262
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• 2006

To investigate additive effects of endocrine disruptors, we have histopathologically studied the exchanges of the reproductive organ to ovariectomized ICR mice. Female ICR mice were ovariectomized and then treated with endocrine disruptors after two weeks. Macroscopic exchanges, which were body weight, feed and water intake, of all groups were not seen during experiment period. Histopathological changes of uterine epithelial cells, vaginal epithelial cells, mammary glands and the diameter in uterine tubles were observed. In the results, the histopathological sensitivity to endocrine disruptors effect was more seen to the vaginal epithelial cell height than others. The additive estrogenic effects of endocrine disruptors, which were combinations of DEHP, DBP and BPA, were seen with E2 and BPA treatments. These results offers a sysmatic and mechanistically informative approach to assessing estrogenicity. It provides a useful profile of activity using a reasonable amount of resources and is compatible with the study of individual chemicals as well as the investigation of interactions among combinations of chemicals.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.49-68
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of Cheongyeoljohyeoltangkamibang water extract (CYJHT). Methods: In the study of anti-inflammatory effects. CYJHT was investigated using cultured cells and murine models. As for the parameters of inflammation. levels of several inflammatory cytokines and chemical mediators which are known to be related to inflammation were determined in mouse lung fibroblast cells(mLFCs). RAW 264.7 cells and acute inflammation-induced mice. Results: 1. CYJHT showed a safety in cytotoxicity and toxicity of liver. 2. CYJHT effected scavenging activity on 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) free radical, superoxide dismutase(SOD) and superoxide anion radical(SAR). 3. CYJHT in RAW 264.7 cell decreased IL-l$\beta$ mRNA expression at 100, 50 ${\mu}g$/ml and also decreased TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA expression at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ and decreased COX-2. NOS-II mRNA expression and decreased IL-6 mRNA expression in a concentration-dependent manner. 4. CYJHT in RAW 264.7 cell decreased IL-l$\beta$ significantly at 100, 50 ${\mu}g$/ml and decreased IL-6. TNF-$\alpha$ significantly at 100 ${\mu}g$/ml. 5. CYJHT inhibited IL-l1$\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ production significantly in serum of acute inflammation-induced mice. 6. CYJHT decreased IL-1$\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA production significantly in spleen tissue. and also decreased IL-l$\beta$. TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA production significantly in liver tissue of acute inflammation-induced mice. Conclusion: These results suggest that CYJHT can be useful in treating diverse female diseases caused by inflammation such as menstrual pain. menstrual disorder. leukorrhea. pelvic inflammatory disease and so on.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.20-29
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• 2019

Soy isoflavones have been reported to possess many physiological activities such as antioxidant activity and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. This study investigated the photoprotective effects of soybean extract in human fibroblast cell line and hairless mice model. Human fibroblast was treated with soybean extract before and after ultraviolet B (UVB; 290-302 nm) irradiation. In the soybean extract treated group, the cells showed better resistance to ultraviolet (UV) than control group. The amount of type I collagen recovered from the soybean treated group was higher than the vehicle group exposed to UV-induced damage. Moreover, increased expression of metalloproteinases-1 as a result of UV irradiation was suppressed by the soybean extract. Female mice were orally administered soybean extract and irradiated with UVB light for 8 weeks. The effects of the soybean extract on the skin appearance, collagen deposition and epidermal thickness in the UV-damaged mouse skin were analyzed using histopathological methods. In soybean extract treated group, the skin had a better morphology than that of the control group. Furthermore, the amount of type I collagen was increased and overexpression of MMP-1 was reduced in the soybean extract group compared to vehicle group. Additionally, up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by UV irradiation was suppressed by dietary soybean extract treatment. It appears that soybean extract had a photoprotective effect, including anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effect, from UV-induced damage in not only human fibroblast, but also hairless mice. We confirmed that these effects were possibly due to promotion of collagen synthesis and inhibition of MMP-1 expression.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.269-276
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• 2020

Objective: We investigated the impact of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (imatinib or dasatinib) coadministration with cyclophosphamide (Cp) on preantral follicle development in an in vitro mouse model. Methods: Seventy-three female BDF1 mice were allocated into four experimental groups: group A, saline; group B, Cp (25 mg/kg); group C, Cp (25 mg/kg) and imatinib (7.5 mg/kg); and group D, Cp (25 mg/kg) and dasatinib (7.5 mg/kg). Preantral follicles were isolated and cultured in vitro up to 12 days. Final oocyte acquisition and spindle integrity of metaphase II (MII) oocytes were assessed. Levels of 17β-estradiol and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in the final spent media were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and the mRNA levels of Star, Sod1, Mapk3, and Casp3 in the final follicular cells were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The percentage of MII oocytes per initiated follicle, the proportion of MII oocytes with normal spindles, and the 17β-estradiol level were similar in all four groups. The median AMH level in group B (7.74 ng/mL) was significantly lower than that in group A (10.84 ng/mL). However, the median AMH levels in group C (9.96 ng/mL) and group D (9.71 ng/mL) were similar to that in group A. The mRNA expression levels of Star, Sod1, Mapk3, and Casp3 were similar in all four groups. Conclusion: Coadministration of imatinib or dasatinib with Cp could preserve AMH production capacity in this in vitro mice preantral follicle culture model, and it did not affect MII oocyte acquisition.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.310-316
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• 2022

Background: Verbenalin is an iridoid glucoside, which is among the active components of some medicinal herbs such as Verbena officinalis Linn, and Cornus officinalis Siebold and Zucc. Previous studies have confirmed the antioxidant activity and neuroprotective potential of verbenalin. To confirm the safety of verbenalin, an approximate lethal dose was determined based on a single oral dose toxicity study. Methods: Institute of Cancer Research mice were randomly assigned to three verbenalin exposure groups (250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg) and a control group (5% methylcellulose solution). There were (5 male and 5 female mice per group). Mortality, clinical signs, and body weight were monitored for 14 days, and necropsies were conducted. Results: No mortalities were observed in the control group or the verbenalin 250 mg/kg group, whereas mortalities were observed in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg verbenalin groups. During the observation period, stool abnormalities such as mucous stools were observed. Clinical signs such as loss of locomotor activity were observed in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg verbenalin groups. During the study period, significant changes in body weight were observed in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg verbenalin groups; however, no gross abnormalities were observed at necropsy. Overall, no toxicity was found in the 250 mg/kg group. Conclusion: The approximate lethal dose of verbenalin was estimated to be 500 mg/kg. For a more accurate assessment of the safety of verbenalin, other types of studies such as repeated-dose toxicity studies should also be conducted.