• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2002

Ginseng has been used as a traditional medicine with various therapeutic effects. However, it is still unknown which component of this plant is effective at promoting wound healing. Recently, ginsenoside $Rb_2$ has been reported to improve wound healing. In this study, to investigate the reported wound healing effect of the ginsenoside $Rb_2$, cell morphology and protein factors involved in epidermal formation were evaluated by immunshemical and immunoblotting analysis. $Rb_2$ stimulated epidermal cell proliferation, and the cell showed a 1.5-fold increase in thymidine uptake compared to the control (p<0.05, n=3). Futheremore $Rb_2$, was found to stimulate epidermis formation in a dose-dependent manner in raft culture, and to dose dependently enhance the expressions of protein factors related to cell proliferation, namely, epidermal growth factor and its receptor, fibronectin and its receptor, keratin 5/14, and collagenase 1 (p<0.05, n=3~9). It is believed that ginsenoside $Rb_2$, enhances epidermal cell proliferation by upregulating the expressions of these proliferation-related factors.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.28-39
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• 2018

This study investigated the effect of snail extract on the growth parameters of old female rats (27 weeks). Rats were administered orally with snail extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, chondroitin sulfate 10 mg/kg and 0.9% saline (control) for 8 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) and serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulinlike growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) were significantly higher in rats exposed to snail extract for 8 weeks. MG-63 cells (human osteoblast-like cells) were treated with snail extract for 48 h. Their differentiation and proliferation was investigated with Western blot and morphological changes observed via immunofluorescence staining of ${\beta}-catenin$. Treatment with snail extract significantly increased the levels of growth factors including ${\beta}-catenin$ and IGF-1. The snail extract affected osteoblast formation. Morphological changes in MG-63 cells were observed via immunofluorescence staining. Treatment with snail extract increased the expression of ${\beta}-catenin$ in MG-63 cells. Results suggest that the treatment of MG-63 cells with snail extract increased the longitudinal growth and growth factor levels. Snail extract may be pharmacologically effective in osteogenic differentiation in vitro and represents a potential therapeutic agent for bone formation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.3 s.31
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• pp.22-33
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• 2006

Objective : Angiogenesis induced by hypoxia and inflammation are an essential process of solid tumors and psoriasis. We researched the HIF-1 ${\alpha}$ (hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha), VEGF(Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), survival related PI3K-Akt, and inflammation related COX-2 protein expressions to get the information of the mechanism and effects of Rehmannia glutinosa in HepG2 and HaCaT cell lines. Method : To investigate the roles of the Rehmannia glutinosa extract, we performed MTS assay and western blots using HaCaT cells and HepG2 cells. HaCaT cells and HepG2 cells were treated with $50{\mu}g/ml$ and $100{\mu}g/ml$ Rehmannia glutinosa extracts. After 4hrs, HaCaT cells were treated with IGF-II protein for 24hrs and HepG2 cells were treated with $CoCl_2$. Results : 1. We could ohserve that the reduction of the protein level of HIT-1 ${\alpha}$ induced by IGF-II in HaCaT cells. 2. We Could ohserve that the decreased PI3K-Akt and COX-2 expression level by Rehmannia glutinosa extracts treated in HaCaT cells independently ith ERK1/2. 3. We could observe that the reduction of the protein level of HIF-1 ${\alpha}$ induced by $CoCl_2$ in HepG2 cells. Conclusion : These results suggest that Rehmannia glutinosa extracts contributes to the anti-survival pathway and anti-inflammatory activities. Also, we could assume that Rehmannia glutinosa act as anti-inflanmmatory or anti-hypoxia agents via reduction of COX-2 and HIF-1 ${\alpha}$.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.759-769
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• 2002

Mutated forms of ras are found in many human tumors and the rate of incidence is significantly higher in colon and pancreatic cancers. The protein product from the ras oncogene is a small G-protein, $p21^{ras}{\;}(Ras)$ that is known to playa key role in the signal transduction cascade and cell differentiation and proliferation. Mutated Ras is unable to regulate itself and remains constantly activated, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. The function of Ras in signal transduction requires its location near the growth factor receptor at the cell membrane. However, Ras does not have a transmembrane domain. Ras requires farnesylation to increase its hydrophobicity and subsequent plasma membrane association for its transforming activity. This key post-translational modification is catalyzed by the enzyme Ras farnesyltransferase (FTase), which transfers a farnesyl group from farnesylpyrophosphate to the C-terminal cysteine of the Ras protein. The requirement has focused attention on FTase as a target for therapeutic intervention. Selective inhibition of FTase will prevent Ras protein from association with the plasma membrane, leading to a disruption of oncogenic Ras function.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.651-656
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• 2015

Plant growth and development are coordinately orchestrated by environmental cues and phytohormones. Light acts as a key environmental factor for fundamental plant growth and physiology through photosensory phytochromes and underlying molecular mechanisms. Although phytochromes are known to possess serine/threonine protein kinase activities, whether they trigger a signal transduction pathway via an intracellular protein kinase network remains unknown. In analyses of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK, also called MKK) mutants, the mkk3 mutant has shown both a hypersensitive response in plant hormone gibberellin (GA) and a less sensitive response in red light signaling. Surprisingly, light-induced MAPK activation in wild-type (WT) seedlings and constitutive MAPK phosphorylation in dark-grown mkk3 mutant seedlings have also been found, respectively. Therefore, this study suggests that MKK3 acts in negative regulation in darkness and in light-induced MAPK activation during dark-light transition.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.501-506
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• 2015

Based on the potential beneficial effects of growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP)-6 on muscle functions, a newly synthesized GHRP-6-biotin conjugate was tested on cultured myoblast cells. Increased expression of myogenic marker proteins was observed in GHRP-6-biotin conjugate-treated cells. Additionally, increased expression levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 and collagen type I were observed. Furthermore, GHRP-6-biotin conjugate-treated cells showed increased metabolic activity, as indicated by increased concentrations of energy metabolites, such as ATP and lactate, and increased enzymatic activity of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase. Finally, binding protein analysis suggested few candidate proteins, including desmin, actin, and zinc finger protein 691 as potential targets for GHRP6-biotin conjugate action. These results suggest that the newly synthesized GHRP-6-biotin conjugate has myogenic stimulating activity through, at least in part, by stimulating collagen type I synthesis and several key proteins. Practical applications of the GHRP-6-biotin conjugate could include improving muscle condition. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(9): 501-506]

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.4137-4142
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• 2015

The zinc finger transcription factor EGR 1 has a role in controlling synaptic plasticity, wound repair, female reproductive capacity, inflammation, growth control, apoptosis and tumor progression. Recent studies mainly focused on its role in growth control and apoptosis, however, little is known about its role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we aim to explore whether EGR 1 is involved in TGF-${\beta}1$-induced EMT in non-smallcell lung cancer cells. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ was utilized to induce EMT in this study. Western blotting, RT-PCR, and transwell chambers were used to identify phenotype changes. Western blotting was also used to observe changes of the expression of EGR 1. The lentivirus-mediated EGR 1 vector was used to increase EGR 1 expression. We investigated the change of migration to evaluate the effect of EGR 1 on non-small-cell lung cancer cells migration by transwell chambers. After stimulating with TGF-${\beta}1$, almost all A549 cells and Luca 1 cells (Non-small-cell lung cancer primary cells) changed to mesenchymal phenotype and acquired more migration capabilities. These cells also had lower EGR 1 protein expression. Overexpression of EGR 1 gene with EGR 1 vector could decrease tumor cell migration capabilities significantly after adding TGF-${\beta}1$. These data s howed an important role of EGR 1 in the EMT of non-small-cell lung cancer cells, as well as migration.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.109-112
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• 2000

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a pleiotropic hematopoietic growth factor and an activator of lmature myeloid cells and recombinant GM-CSF is increasingly under clinical studies for the treatment of various diseases including cancer, infectious diseases and hematopoietic diseases. We constructed a reconbinant mouse GM-CSF expression plasmid with pelB leader sequence and His. Tag under T7 promoter control, and showed that the construct produced a 20 kDa recombinant protein in 8M urea. We also showed that the 20 kDa recombinant protein prepared in 8M urea sitmulated colony formation in vitro, indicating that the recombinant mGM-CSF can be renatured to its native form to show the colony stimulating activity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.308-314
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• 2005

Both high glucose and glucose degradation products (GDP) have been implicated in alterations of peritoneal membrane structure and function during long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). The present study examined the role of GDP including methylglyoxal (MGO), acetaldehyde, and 3,4-dideoxyglucosone (3,4-DGE) in HPMC activation with respect to membrane hyperpermeability or fibrosis. The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in GDP-induced HPMC activation were also examined. Using M199 culture medium as control, growth arrested and synchronized HPMC were continuously stimulated by MGO, acetaldehyde, and 3,4-DGE for 48 hours. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was quantified as a marker of peritoneal membrane hyperpermeability and fibronectin and heat shock protein 47 (hsp47) as markers of fibrosis. Involvement of ROS and PKC was examined by the inhibitory effect of N-acetylcystein (NAC) or calphostin C, respectively. MGO significantly increased VEGF (1.9-fold), fibronectin (1.5-fold), and hsp47 (1.3-fold) secretion compared with control M199. NAC and calphostin C effectively inhibited MGO-induced VEGF upregulation. Acetaldehyde stimulated and 3,4-DGE inhibited VEGF secretion. Fibronectin secretion and hsp47 expression in HPMC were not affected by acetaldehyde or 3,4-DGE In conclusion, MGO upregulated VEGF and fibronectin secretion and hsp47 expression in HPMC, and PKC as well as ROS mediate MGO-induced VEGF secretion by HPMC. This implies that PKC activation and ROS generation by GDP may constitute important signals for activation of HPMC leading to progressive membrane hyperpermeability and accumulation of extracellular matrix and eventual peritoneal fibrosis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2013

Biologically active peptides, including growth factors and cytokines, participate in various biological processes in human skin. They could provide a great advantage of maintaining healthy skin. Many peptide growth factors like epidermal growth factor (EGF) and human growth hormone (hGH) have been used in cosmetic formulations. The delivery of peptide growth factors across the Stratum corneum, however, seems not sufficient because of their physical properties such as high molecular weight and hydrophilicity. So increasing the penetration of growth factors of interest into skin would be a major concern for ensuring their maximum biological efficacy. In this study, we have identified several skin penetration-enhancing peptides which facilitate delivery of growth factors, when fused at N-terminus of the target protein, into skin. For efficient and rapid screening, we constructed a skin-penetrating assay system using Franz cell and porcine skin. Next, we carried out phage display screening using M-13 bacteriophage with random 12 -amino acid library on its coat protein P3 on that system. After several selection rounds, peptide sequences facilitate the penetration of phages through the porcine skin were identified from a large population of phages. We found that phages with the most potent peptide (S3-2, NGSLNTHLAPIL) could penetrate the porcine skin eight times more than those with control peptide (12 mino acids scrambled peptide). Furthermore, growth factors conjugated with S3-2 peptide penetrate porcine skin three to five times efficiently than non-conjugated growth factors. In conclusion, our data shows that the skin penetration-enhancing peptide we have characterized could increase the delivery of growth factors and is useful for cosmeceutical application.