• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.29-34
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• 2014

Objectives : Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease, which is one of chronic gastrointestinal disorders. Orostachys japonicus (OJ) has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases including gastric cancer, gastric ulcers and intoxication. However, the regulatory effect of OJ on intestinal inflammation has not been fully understood, yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of OJ on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Methods : To ascertain the pharmacological effects of OJ, the colitis mice were induced by drinking water containing 5% DSS for 7 days. Mice were randomized into groups receiving OJ (100 mg/kg), sulfasalazine (150 mg/kg) as a positive control, or water as a negative control. We evaluated the effects of OJ on DSS-induced the clinical signs, measuring weight loss and colon length. In addition, the inhibitory effect of OJ on the tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in colitis tissue. Results : The results indicated that mice treated with DSS showed remarkable clinical signs, including weight loss, and reduced colon length. However, treatment with OJ significantly improved the weight loss and DAI as clinical symptoms. Moreover, OJ reduced the TNF-${\alpha}$ levels in DSS-treated colon tissues. Conclusions : Collectively, the findings of this study provide us with novel insights into the pharmacological actions of OJ as a potential medicine for use in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.188-199
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• 2002

Objectives : Banhasasim-tang has been clinically used to treat upper gastric intestinal discomfort. The object of this study is to examine the defense effect of Banhasasim-tang for acute duodenal injury of the mouse. Methods and Materials : Twenty-one rats were divided into 3 groups and treated as follows: the control group was untreated mice. The ADE group was acute duodenal-damage-elicited mice. The BST group was Banhasasim-tang treated mice before acute duodenal damage elicitation. The groups were examined with common morphology, paneth cells in intestinal crypt, absorptive cells and goblet cells in epithelium, cell division in mucose, COX-l as mucosal protector, COX-2 (which appears to play an important role in inflammation), IL-2R-inducing cellular immuno-chainreaction, and the distribution of apoptotic cells. Results : 1. Common morphology: the ADE group was observed with duodenal injury - loss of villi, infiltration of cells concerned to inflammation (lymphocytes, granular leukocytes) to submucosal layer - by hemorrhagic erosions, while the BST group was seen the same as normal in proportion to increasing treatment time before injury. 2. Histochemical change: the ADE group was observed with noticeable decreased distribution of absorptive cells with microvilli, acid mucin secreted goblet cell, neutral mucin secreted goblet cell, paneth cells compared to the normal group. The BST group was seen to have distribution of epithelium cells resembling normal in proportion to increasing treatment time before injury. 3. Imnunohistochemical change: the ADE group showed a change of factors leading to duodenal injury as reduce of cytokinesis, COX-1, increase of COX-2, IL-2R-. In contrast, the BST group tended to reduction of cytokinesis, COX-1, increase of COX-2, IL-2R- in proportion to increasing taking time before injury. 4. Apoptosis change: the ADE group showed increasing apoptosis cells, in contrast to the BST group which was the same as normal in proportion to increasing treatment time before injury. Conclusions : According to the above results, by increasing the defense system of mucosal epithelium, Banhasasim-tang is thought to effectively protect tissue against ulcers resulting from acute duodenal injury.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.86-86
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• 2019

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SB) has been widely studied to treat inflammatory diseases in east Asia. In the recent years, many studies have focused on modifying herbs to increase the pharmacological effects. Roasting alcohol absorbed SB is one of the traditional methods to increase the therapeutic effects. Currently there are no reports on the pharmacological effects of roasted SB. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of roasted 30% ethyl alcohol absorbed SB extract (SR) on mice ear edema. After intra-gastric injection of dexamethasone (for positive control, 2 mg/kg) and SR (50, 100, 400 mg/kg), ear edema was provoked by croton oil (5% v/v in acetone, 10 ul/ear). Ear thickness was measured with a digital caliper to quantify the change in swelling. For histological study, we made paraffin sections and performed Phloxine-Tartrazine staining and Masson's trichrome staining to observe epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous region and collagen fiber of mice ear tissues. Ear thickness decreased dose-dependent manner in SR treated groups. Histological analysis compared with dexamethasone treated group, SR treated groups demonstrated a similar reduction in hypoplasia of epidermis and influx of inflammatory cells. Increase of subcutaneous layer and decrease of collagen fibers were significantly recovered in SR treated group (400 mg/kg) and dexamethasone treated group. In conclusion, treatment with SR ameliorates auricular inflammation induced with croton oil in mice. Experiments are now underway to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying anti-inflammatory activities of SR.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.410-418
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• 2021

Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis through cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and flagellin as pathogen-related molecular patterns (PAMPs), which, in combination with the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) of host cells promotes the expression and secretion of inflammation-causing cytokines and activates innate immune responses such as inflammasomes. To identify useful compounds against H. pylori-associated gastric disorders, the effect of chalcone derivatives to activate the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was examined in an H. pylori-infected human monocytic THP-1 cell line in this study. Among the five synthetic structurally-related chalcone derivatives examined, 2'-hydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone (8) and 2'-hydroxy-3,4,5-trimethoxychalcone (12) strongly blocked the NLRP3 inflammasome in H. pylori-infected THP-1 cells. At 10 μM, these compounds inhibited the production of active IL-1β, IL-18, and caspase-1, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) oligomerization, but did not affect the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and pro-caspase-1. The interruption of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by these compounds was found to be mediated via the inhibition of the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4)/IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway. These compounds also inhibited caspase-4 production associated with non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These results show for the first time that certain chalcones could interrupt the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in H. pylori-infected THP-1 cells. Therefore, these chalcones may be helpful in alleviating H. pylori-related inflammatory disorders including chronic gastritis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate effect of evodiae fructus on acute reflux esophigitis rat induced by pylorus and forestomach ligation operation. Methods : Twenty-four laboratory rats were divided four groups and each group had six rats ; normal intact group, acute reflux esophagitis (RE) control group, two experiment RE group treated extract of evodiae fructus 600 mg/kg (EEF600) and 300 mg/kg (EEF300). All rats was fasted for 18 hr but free water, we induced RE by pylorus and forestomach ligation operation. Intact group and RE control group rats were orally administered a distilled water and two experiment groups were orally administed with EEF 600 mg/5ml/kg and 300 mg/5ml/kg. One hour after, rats were anesthetized, intact group was cut the abdomen open and sutured with 2.0 silk thread. RE control group and EEF group were cut the abdomen open, ligated pyloric canal and forestomach with 2.0 silk thread and sutured. Six hour after the operation, rats were sacrified, collected bloods in the abdominal vein, disectted a esophagus and stomach. The stomach was washed a 1 ml PBS and the esophagus was cut longitudinally and pictured a innter mucosa area to research damages in esophagus. Results : The esophagic tissue damage percentage of reflux esophagitis rat was increased compared to that of normal intact group. But esophagic damage percentage of EEF 600 were significantly decreased compared to that of RE control group. But there was no difference on gastric juice pH between control RE, alpha-tocopherol administration rat group and EEF administration rat group. In esophagus of RE control rat, gastric damage occurred severely and injury percentage of mucosa were increased, but EEF 600 mucous inflammatory damage percentage was significantly compared to that of RE control group. Proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 in serum on RE control group were markedly grew than those of intact rat, those of vechicle group treated with EEF 600 and EEF 300 were remarkably decreased compared to production of proinflammatory cytokine of RE control group. In microscopic observation, intact group rat had no hyperemia, mucous injury and exclusion, ulcer and edema. But it could showed mucosa damages, submucosa edema and ulcer in RE control. However, administration of EEF 600 and EEF 300 made esophagus have less inflammation and injury by gastric acid. Conclusions : The results suggest that antiinflammatory Effect of EEF could attenuate the severity of reflux esophagitis and prevent the esophageal mucosal damage, and validate its therapeutic use in esophageal reflux disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1235-1243
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• 2015

Hwangheuk-san (HHS) is a Korean multi-herb formula comprising four medicinal herbs. HHS, which was recorded in “Dongeuibogam,” has been used to treat patients with inflammation syndromes and digestive tract cancer for hundreds of years. However, little is known about its anti-tumor efficacy. The present study investigated the pro-apoptotic effect and mode of action of HHS against AGS human gastric carcinoma cells. HHS inhibited the cell growth of AGS cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation, and an accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. HHS-induced apoptotic cell death was associated with the up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax protein expression, down-regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein, and the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol. The treatment of AGS cells with HHS significantly elevated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, apoptosis-inducing concentrations of HHS induced the activation of both caspase-9 and -8, initiator caspases of the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic and death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathways, respectively, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase. However, ROS scavenger and pan-caspases inhibitor significantly blocked HHS-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis. Taken together, these findings suggest that HHS induces apoptosis through ROS- and caspase-dependent mechanisms and that HHS may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human gastric cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6997-7005
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• 2013

Aim: To present an epidemiological and histological perspective of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (including liver and biliary tract) at the Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology, AKUH, Karachi, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: All consecutive endoscopic biopsies and resections between October 1 and December 31, 2012 were included. Results: A total of 2,323 cases were included. Carcinoma was overwhelmingly the commonest diagnosis on esophageal biopsies (69.1%); chronic helicobacter gastritis (45.6%) followed by adenocarcinoma (23.5%) were the commonest diagnoses on gastric biopsies; adenocarcinoma (27.3%) followed by ulcerative colitis (13.1%) were the commonest diagnoses on colonic biopsies; acute appendicitis (59.1%) was the commonest diagnosis on appendicectomy specimens; chronic viral hepatitis (44.8%) followed by hepatocellular carcinoma (23.4%) were the commonest diagnoses on liver biopsies; chronic cholecystitis was the commonest diagnosis (over 89%) on cholecystectomy specimens. Conclusions: Squamous cell carcinoma comprised 88.8% of esophageal cancers. About 67% were in the lower third and 56.5% were moderately differentiated; mean ages 49.8 years for females and 55.8 years for males; 66% cases were from South West Pakistan. Over 67% patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were males; mean ages 59 and 44 years in males and females respectively, about 74% gastric carcinomas were poorly differentiated; and 62.2% were located in the antropyloric region. About 63% patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma were males; mean ages 46.1 and 50.5 years for males and females respectively; tumor grade was moderately differentiated in 54%; over 80% were located in the left colon. In 21.2% appendicectomies, no acute inflammation was found. Acute appendicitis was most common in young people. Hepatitis C (66.3%) was more common than hepatitis B (33.7%); about 78% cases of hepatocellular carcinoma occurred in males; females comprised 76.7% patients with chronic cholecystitis; and 77.8% patients with gall bladder carcinoma. All resection specimens showed advanced cancers. Most cancers occurred after the age of 50 years.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.97-103
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• 2007

Purpose : Lewis antigen has been known to have a role in the attachment of H. pylori to the gastric mucosa, but its expression pattern in children with H. pylori infection is still unclear. The recently described blood group antigen-binding adhesin BabA is known to mediate adherence of H. pylori to Lewis B receptors on gastric epithelium. We investigated the expression of Lewis antigen in gastric mucosa of Korean children with H. pylori infection. Methods : The expression of Lewis A ($Le^a$), B ($Le^b$), X ($Le^x$), and Y ($Le^y$) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in H. pylori positive biopsy specimens from 35 children (antral gastritis in 30, peptic ulcer in 5) and in H. pylori negative specimens from 19 children. PCR assays for cagA and babA2 gene of H. pylori were performed. Results : We confirmed the expression of $Le^a$ in 60%, $Le^b$ in 97%, $Le^x$ in 100%, and $Le^y$ in 100% of the superficial epithelium of the 35 H. pylori positive children. In H. pylori negative patients, $Le^a$, $Le^b$, $Le^x$, and $Le^y$ expression was 52%, 100%, 89%, and 100%, respectively. The cagA gene was detected in 65% and babA2 gene in 25% of 35 patients. No differences in neutrophil activity and chronic inflammation were found according to the presence of cagA and babA2 genes in H. pylori. Conclusion : $Le^b$, $Le^x$ and $Le^y$ antigen were highly expressed in gastric mucosa of Korean children, but they were not associated with the status of H. pylori infection and the positivity of babA2 gene. Further studies for other mucosal receptors and toxins are needed to define the immune responses to H. pylori infection in gastric mucosa of Korean children.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.149-153
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• 1977

Evodia daniellii $H_{EMSLEY}$ (Rutaceae) is cultivated in Korea and used as a folkmedicine for gastric inflammation, extermination of noxious insects, headache and antiinflammatory. The seed oil of this plant also has been used in various diseases, for example, dermatitis, scabies and so forth. Fructus Evodiae seed oil sterols were obtained from the nonsaponifiable matters of ethereal extract of the seed. The composition of sterols have been determined by gas liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography on the preparative plates. It was noted that ${\beta}-sitosterol$ was the major sterols in the Evodia daniellii $H_{EMSLEY}$ in Korea. The results showed that contents of Evodia daniellii $H_{EMSLEY}$ sterols were campesterol 14.01%, stigmasterol 4.36%, ${\beta}-sitosterol$ 71.26%, ${\delta}^7-sterol$ 9.21% and unknown sterol 1.16% by method of triangulation and campesterol 13.02%, stigmasterol 3.87%, ${\beta}-sitosterol$ 74.34%, ${\delta}^7-sterol$ 8.67% and unknown sterol 1.85% by method of planimetry.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 1996

A sesquiterpene ortho-naphtpoquinone was isolated from the 80% aqueous methanolic extract of root bark of Ulmus davidiana Planch whose stem and root bark have been used as an oriental medicine for the treatment of edema, mastitis, gastric cancer and inflammation. On the basis of spectral data obtained from UV-vis, IR, HR-EIMS and NMR spectrometry, including the pulse field gradient (PFG) HMQC and HMBC techniques, the structure of this compound was determined as 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-3,6,9-trimethylnaphtho(1,8-b,c)pyran-7,8-dione which has been known as mansonone 1. This compound has been isolated only from the heart-wood of Mansonia altissima Chev, a Sterculiacea from West Africa. Thus, this compound was isolated for the second time from natural source in this study. This is the first report to present the carbon chemical shift assignment of mansonone I.