• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.270-280
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• 1998

Ginseng is one of the most widely used medicinal plants, particularly in East Asian countries. Certain fractions or purified ingredients of ginseng have been shown to exert inhibitory effects on growth of cancer cells in culture or on tumorigenesis in experimental animals. Moreover, a recent epidemiologic study reveals that ginseng intake is associated with a reduced risk for environmentally related cancers such as esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and pulmonary tumors. Heat treatment of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer at the temperature higher than that applied to the conventional preparation of red ginseng yielded a mixture of saponins with potent antioxidative properties. Thus, the methanol extract of heat-processed ginseng (designated as'NGMe') attenuated lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates induced by ferric ion or ferric ion plus ascorbic acid. Furthermore, the extract protected against strand scission in f Xl 74 supercoiled DNA Induced by UV photolysis of H2O2 and was also capable of scavenging superoxide generated in vitro by xanthine/xanthine oxidate or in differentiated human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells by the tumor promoter,12-0-tetvade- canoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Since tumor promotion is closely linked to oxidative stress, we have determined possible anti-tumor promotional effects of NGMe on two-stage mouse skin tumorigenesis. Topical application of NGMe onto shaven backs of female ICR mice 10 min prior to TPA significantly ameliorated skin papillomagenesi s initiated by 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA).'Likewise, TPA-induced epidermal ornithine decarboxylase activity and elevation of tumor necrosis factor-a were suppressed signifies%fly by NGMe pretreatment. NGMe topically applied onto surface of hamster buccal pouch 10 min before each topical application of DMBA inhibited oral carcinogenesis by 76olo in terms of multiplicity. Taken together, these results suggest that processed Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer has potential cancer chemopreventive activities.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.173-183
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• 2010

Perilla frutescens var. acuta Kudo (PF) is a traditional Korean medicinal herb for allergic reaction regulation. In the present study, we investigated the effect of 30% ethanol extract powder of PF (EPPF) and rosmarinic acid (RA), the active compound of EPPF on various allergic reactions using in vivo and in vitro models. EPPF and RA significantly inhibited compound 48/48-induced systemic anaphylactic reaction and histamine release (P < 0.05). In addition, EPPF and RA significantly inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). These effects were stronger than those of disodium cromoglycate, the reference drug tested. EPPF and RA also significantly inhibited production of inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-a interleukin (IL)-6, and vascular endothelial growth factor on the PCA reaction and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells (P < 0.05). Moreover, EPPF and RA showed an inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-4 production from whole spleen cells. Finally, EPPF and RA significantly decreased IL-4-dependent IgE production by LPS-stimulated whole spleen cells (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these results indicate that EPPF has potent anti-allergic activities.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.182-186
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wild ginseng pharmacopuncture on melanin production in B16/F10 murine melanoma cells. Methods: To determine the effect of wild ginseng pharmacopuncture solution on B16/F10 cells, cytotoxicity was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. To observe B16/F10 cell growth, death, and morphological changes, Trypan blue solution was used. The Hosoi method was used to investigate the effect of wild ginseng pharmacopuncture solution on melanin production. The Martinez-Esparza method was used to investigate the effect of wild ginseng pharmacopuncture solution on tyrosinase activity. To determine the pathway involved in the melanogenesis in cells exposed to wild ginseng pharmacopuncture solution, a cell-free tyrosinase was used. Results: Following treatment with $200{\mu}L$ of wild ginseng solution, the cell survival rate was $76.32{\pm}2.45%$ which significantly decreased with higher concentrations (${\mu}L$) of wild ginseng (up to $200{\mu}L$). When $100{\mu}L$ of wild ginseng was used, the cell survival rate was $89.95{\pm}2.07%$. No morphological changes or abnormalities were observed in the B16/F10 murine melanoma cells as observed in the Trypan blue test. Melanin production was significantly reduced to $72.17{\pm}3.74%$ at $100{\mu}L$. Using $100{\mu}L$ of wild ginseng solution, tyrosinase activity was significantly decreased to $80.15{\pm}1.05%$. Wild ginseng pharmacopuncture solution reduced melanin production both directly and indirectly. Conclusion: This study suggests that wild ginseng pharmacopuncture solution may be effective in inhibiting melanin production. Further studies are needed to determine safe and effective clinical applications.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.465-473
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• 2006

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on the proliferation and differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells involved in orthodontic tooth movement. Methods: A range of concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, were administered to samples of human periodontal ligament cells, followed by measurement of cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and expression of osteonectin and bone sialoprotein. Results: Cell viability, ALP activity and the expression of osteonectin and bone sialoprotein were increased in human periodontal ligament cells treated with SNP concentrations of < 0.2 mM compared with controls, but were decreased with SNP concentrations of > 1.0 mM. Conclusion: NO has a biphasic effect on proliferation and differentiation in human periodontal ligament cells, with a stimulatory effect at low concentrations and an inhibitory effect at high concentrations.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2015

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are crucial extracellular matrices degrading enzymes that have important roles in metastasis of cancer progression as well as other significant conditions such as oxidative stress and hepatic fibrosis. Marine plants are on the rise for their potential to provide natural products that exhibit remarkable health benefits. In this context, brown algae species have been of much interest in the pharmaceutical field with reported instances of isolation of bioactive compounds against tumor growth and MMP activity. In this study, eight different brown algae species were harvested, and their extracts were compared in regard to their anti-MMP effects. According to gelatin zymography results, Ecklonia cava, Ecklonia bicyclis, and Ishige okamurae showed higher inhibitory effects than the other samples on MMP-2 and -9 activity at the concentrations of 10, 50, and $100{\mu}g/mL$. However, only I. okamurae was able to regulate the MMP activity through the expression of MMP and tissue inhibitor of MMP observed by mRNA levels. Overall, brown algae species showed to be good sources for anti-MMP agents, while I. okamurae needs to be further studied for its potential to yield pharmaceutical molecules that can regulate MMP-activity through cellular pathways as well as enzymatic inhibition.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2003

In this study, we examined the effects of the methanolic extract(CL-ex) of Codonopsis lanceolata on the angiogenesis stimulated with basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) in vitro, using porcine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells(PPAECs). In addition, we investigated the endothelial functions involved in angiogenesis, such as proliferation, migration and secretion of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs), using human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECS). CL-ex inhibited FGF-induced sprout formation in vitro at concentrations of 0.1-100 ug/ml. Although CL-ex did not affect the proliferation of endothelial cells, CL-ex strongly inhibited the FGF-induced migration of HUVECS at concentrations of 0.1-1 ug/ml; the degree of inhibition of endothelial cells by C-ex was 49.4% at 0.1 ug/ml and 71.9 % at 1.0 ug/ml. Moreover, CL-ex inhibited the secretion of MMPs from HUVECS stimulated with FGF. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of CL-ex on angiogenesis in vitro could be explained by the inhibition of endothelial cell migration. From these results, we suggest that Codonopsis lanceolata is a useful herb for the development of therapeutics or preventive food factors for angiogenesis related diseases, such as tumors.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.349-360
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• 2018

Autophagy has been studied as a therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases. However, insufficient studies have been reported concerning the influence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through autophagy regulation. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of VSMCs on the regulation of autophagy under in vitro conditions similar to vascular status of the equipped micro-tubule target agent-eluting stent and increased release of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). Cell viability and proliferation were measured using MTT and cell counting assays. Immunofluorescence using an $anti-{\alpha}-tubulin$ antibody was performed to determine microtubule dynamic formation. Cell apoptosis was measured by cleavage of caspase-3 using western blot analysis, and by nuclear fragmentation using a fluorescence assay. Autophagy activity was assessed by microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC-II) using western blot analysis. Levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using $H_2DCFDA$. The proliferation and viability of VSMCs were inhibited by microtubule regulation. Additionally, microtubule-regulated and PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs increased the cleavage of caspase-3 more than only the microtubule-regulated condition, similar to that of LC3-II, implying autophagy. Inhibitory autophagy of microtubule-regulated and PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs resulted in low viability. However, enhancement of autophagy maintained survival through the reduction of ROS. These results suggest that the apoptosis of conditioned VSMCs is decreased by the blocking generation of ROS via the promotion of autophagy, and proliferation is also inhibited. Thus, promoting autophagy as a therapeutic target for vascular restenosis and atherosclerosis may be a good strategy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.313-319
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• 2012

In recent years, inhibition of HDACs has emerged as a potential strategy to reverse aberrant epigenetic changes associated with cancer, and several classes of HDAC inhibitors have been found to have potent and specific anticancer activities in preclinical studies. But their precise mechanism of action has not been elucidated. In this study, a novel synthetic inhibitor of HDAC, 3-(4-dimethylamino phenyl)-N-hydroxy-2-propenamide [IN-2001] was examined for its antitumor activity and the underlying molecular mechanisms of any such activity on human breast cancer cell lines. IN-2001 effectively inhibited cellular HDAC activity ($IC_{50}$ = 0.585 nM) inMDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. IN-2001 caused a significant dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation in estrogen receptor (ER) negative MDA-MB-231human breast cancer cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed that the growth inhibitory effects of IN-2001 might be attributed to cell cycle arrest at $G_0/G_1$ and/or $G_2$/Mphase and subsequent apoptosis in human breast cancer cells. These events are accompanied by modulating several cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory genes such as CDK inhibitors $p21^{WAF1}$ and $p27^{KIP1}$ cyclin D1, and other tumor suppressor genes such as cyclin D2. Collectively, IN-2001 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells and these findings may provide new therapeutic approaches, combination of antiestrogen together with a HDAC inhibitor, in the hormonal therapy-resistant ER-negative breast cancers. In summary, our data suggest that this histone deacetylase inhibitor, IN-2001, is a novel promising therapeutic agent with potent antitumor effects against human breast cancers.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.658-666
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• 2021

A novel flame retardant and antibacterial composite membrane coating for wood surfaces was prepared by adding POSS-based phosphorous nitrogen flame retardant (later referred to as NH₂-POSS) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to chitosan (CS). The effects of NH₂-POSS content (mass fractions of CS 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%) on the structure and properties of the composite membrane coating on wood were investigated. The composite film was prepared by the method of blending and ducting. Contact angle, tensile property and antibacterial effects of the composite film were measured, and infrared spectroscopy was used. The results show that the addition of NH₂-POSS can not only improve the toughness of the membrane, but also the flame retardancy of the membrane, which improves the application of the membrane in wood products. However, with the addition of NH₂-POSS, the transparency of the composite membrane was weakened. The inhibitory effect of the composite membrane on the growth of Escherichia coli was enhanced with the increase in Ag NPs. This research provides a foundation for the application of functional wood.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1885-1895
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• 2020

Rumex japonicus Houtt (RJH) is a valuable plant used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases, such as scabies and jaundice. In this study, Jurkat cell growth inhibitory extracts of R. japonicus roots were subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation, resulting in the isolation of three naphthalene derivatives (3-5) along with one anthraquinone (6) and two phenolic compounds (1 and 2). Among these compounds, 2-methoxystypandrone (5) exhibited potent anti-proliferative effects on Jurkat cells. Analysis by flow cytometry confirmed that 2-methoxystypandrone (5) could significantly reduce mitochondrial membrane potential and promote increased levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), suggesting a strong mitochondrial depolarization effect. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis was also performed, and the results revealed that the accumulation of ROS was caused by reduced mRNA expression levels of heme oxygenase (HO-1), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In addition, 2-methoxystypandrone (5) triggered strong apoptosis that was mediated by the arrest of the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, 2-methoxystypandrone (5) downregulated p-IκB-α, p-NF-κB p65, Bcl2, and Bcl-xl and upregulated BAX proteins. Taken together, these findings revealed that 2-methoxystypandrone (5) isolated from RJH could potentially serve as an early lead compound for leukemia treatment involving intracellular signaling by increasing mitochondrial ROS and exerting anti-proliferative effects.