• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2010

Bojungbangdocktang (BJBDT), a formula of eight Oriental herbs, is a modified herbal prescription of Bangdoktang and Bojungbangamtang. Recently, BJBDT was demonstrated to inhibit angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, enhance hematopoiesis and protect cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in normal MCF-10A breast cells. Nevertheless, there is no safety study of BJBDT before clinical trial so far. Thus, in the current study, we investigated the toxicity about ethanol-extracted BJBDT. Male and female Spraque Dawley (SD) rats were given orally by BJBDT at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Mortality, clinical signs and measured change of body weight, food consumption and water consumption were observed. In addition, we performed ophthalmologic, urinary, hematological, blood serum biochemical and histopathological examination. Any general toxicity was not found in BJBDT treated group. Also, there were no significant differences in the parameters such as body weight, food consumption and water consumption, a lot of urine and blood factor levels except HCT, MCHC, Ca, TG, Glucose and T-Bilirubin level compared with control group. Although HCT was elevated and TG was decreased in male rats, and MCHC, Glucose and T-Bilirubin were elevated and Ca and HCT were decreased in female rats, these were within normal ranges. Finally, we determined that maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was 1000 mg/kg and no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 500 mg/kg. Taken together, these results demonstrated that BJBDT is very safe to SD rats.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2005

Background & Objective : Angiogenesis consists of the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of endothelial cells, and angiogenic factors and matrix protein interactions modulate this process. The aim of this study was to determine whether Puerariae radix could induce angiogenic activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: The angiogenic activity of Puerariae radix were evaluated by using BrdU assay, chemotactic migration assay, tube formation assay, measurement of bFGF in HUVECs, and Matrigel plug assay in mice. Results : Puerariae radix significantly increased HUVECs proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, Puerariae radix increased migration and tube-like formation in HUVECs. Interestingly,the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), an angiogenesis-stimulating growth factor, was dose-dependently increased by Puerariae radix. The angiogenic activity of Puerariae radix was confirmed using an in vivo Matrigel angiogenesis model, showing promotion of blood vessel formation. Conclusion : Puerariae radix significantly induces angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest that Puerariae radix is a potent angiogenic agent, and a promising drug, for the induction of neovascularization.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.237-245
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2) has a variety of pharmacological activities and provides benefits during inflammation, cancer, and other diseases. However, there are no reports about the relationship between Rg2 and atherosclerosis. Methods: We used 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) to detect the cell viability of Rg2 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of inflammatory factors in HUVECs and the expression of phenotypic transformation-related marker in VSMCs were detected at mRNA levels. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of inflammation pathways and the expression of phenotypic transformation at the protein levels. The rat carotid balloon injury model was performed to explore the effect of Rg2 on inflammation and phenotypic transformation in vivo. Results: Rg2 decreased the expression of inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide in HUVECs-without affecting cell viability. These events depend on the blocking regulation of NF-κB and p-ERK signaling pathway. In VSMCs, Rg2 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of VSMCs induced by platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-which may contribute to its anti-atherosclerotic role. In rats with carotid balloon injury, Rg2 can reduce intimal proliferation after injury, regulate the inflammatory pathway to reduce inflammatory response, and also suppress the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that Rg2 can exert its anti-atherosclerotic effect at the cellular level and animal level, which provides a more sufficient basis for ginseng as a functional dietary regulator.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.490-499
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was aimed to elucidate the effects of Trichosanthes kirilowii extract (TKE) on the angiogenesis and growth of tumor cells. Methods : Tube formation assay was performed by using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and anchorage dependent colony assay was performed by using B16-F10 melanoma, Hep G2 and HT1080, CT-26 and SNU-1 cells. Results : For HUVEC, TKE at a level of more than 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ suppresses cell growth. For HUVEC at 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and greater TKE density, the formation of tubes was suppressed in a dose-dependant manner. TKE controls the colony formations of B16-F10 melanoma cells, CT 26 cells, and Hep G2 cells, and its effect is proportional to density. In HT1080 cells and SNU-1 cells, formation is suppressed regardless of density. Conclusions : From these results, it could be concluded that TKE has significant properties on anti-angiogenesis and growth inhibiting of tumor cells. It is suggested that TKE will be a good candidate for new drugs or therapeutics for anti-angiogenesis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2024

Background: Epimers of ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) have a low bioavailability and are prone to deglycosylation, which produces epimers of ginsenoside Rh2 (S-Rh2 and R-Rh2) and protopanaxadiol (S-PPD and R-PPD). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and potency of these molecules as anti-cancer agents. Methods: Crystal violet staining was used to study the anti-proliferatory action of the molecules on a human epithelial breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and compare their potency. Cell death and cell cycle were studied using flow cytometry and mode of cell death was studied using live cell imaging. Anti-angiogenic effects of the drug were studied using loop formation assay. Molecular docking showed the interaction of these molecules with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and aquaporin (AQP) water channels. VEGF bioassay was used to study the interaction of Rh2 with VEGFR2, in vitro. Results: HUVEC was the more sensitive cell line to the anti-proliferative effects of S-Rh2, S-PPD and R-PPD. The molecules induced necroptosis/necrosis in MDA-MB-231 and apoptosis in HUVEC. S-Rh2 was the most potent inhibitor of loop formation. In silico molecular docking predicted a good binding score between Rh2 or PPD and the ATP-binding pocket of VEGFR2. VEGF bioassay showed that Rh2 was an allosteric modulator of VEGFR2. In addition, SRh2 and PPD had good binding scores with AQP1 and AQP5, both of which play roles in cell migration and proliferation. Conclusion: The combination of these molecules might be responsible for the anti-cancer effects observed by Rg3.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2008

Antioxidant and anti-rheumatoid activities of Cirsium japonicum leaf extract (CJLE) were investigated in this study. CJLE had similar DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power to ascorbic acid and several flavonoids. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory tissue-destructive disease, partly related with functions of hyaluronidases (HAases) and collgenases. CJLE ($1,000\;{\mu}g/mL$) had approximately 60.7 and 31.9% inhibition of HAase and collagenase activity, respectively. Also, CJLE inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitrite production in a dose-dependent manner, and CJLE ($1,000\;{\mu}g/mL$) suppressed approximately 70% of LPS-induced nitrite production effectively in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. CJLE had inhibitory effects on the adherence of monocytic THP-1 to human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers to the basal level. Inhibitory effect of CJLE on the adhesion was caused by suppression of tumor necrosis factor-a-upregulated expression of vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin. We expect that CJLE may alleviate the inflammatory process in rheumatoid synovium, and these findings will raise the possibility of the usage of C. japonicum as a traditional pharmaceutical of anti-rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2008

목 적 : 동맥경화 유발에 있어서 중요한 역할을 수행하는 부착분자는 혈관내피세포가 염증성 물질에 자극 받아서 생성된다. 본 연구는 항염증성 curcumin이 혈관내피세포 부착분자 발현에 미치는 효과를 조사하였다. 방 법 : 혈관내피세포는 HUVEC을 사용하였고, 염증성 물질 $TNF-\alpha$로 자극하였다. 결 과 : Curcumin은 부착분자 VCAM-1 및 ICAM-1 발현을 억제시켜, 혈관내피세포에 백혈구가 부착되는 것을 억제하였다. Curcumin은 ICAM-1 및 VCAM-1 promoter 활성을 억제하였고, 또한 억제 kB의 인산화를 차단하였다. Curcumin은 NF-kB p65의 핵내 이동을 차단하였고, 세포내 ROS 양을 감소시켰고, JNK 및 p38 인산화를 억제시켰다. 그러나 curcumin은 TNF 수용체 I및 II에 어떠한 영향도 미치지 못했다. 결 론 : Curcumin이 NF-kB 비활성화 및 p38과 JNK의 기능저하를 매개로 VCAM-1 및 ICAM-1의 발현을 억제할 수 있음을 알 수 있었다.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2017

The venome of Phoneutria nigriventer spider has been shown to have side effects including severe painful erections that last for hours. PnTx2-6, a toxin from P. nigriventer spider venom, modulates voltage gated $Na^+$ channels and activation of nitric oxide (NO) production. NO is essential for the regulation of blood flow and pressure. Therefore, PnTx2-6 is expected to be effective not only for erectile dysfunction but also for cardiovascular diseases. A previously has reported cDNA clone for PnTx2-6 toxin, which was expressed in E. coli cytoplasm. We created the same clone and expressed it in a bacterial expression system. PnTx2-6 increased the genes expression of superoxide dismutase 1, glutathione peroxidase 1, and sulfiredoxin 1. We hypothesized that recombinant PnTx2-6 may indirectly regulate blood flow and pressure, resulting in NO production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). These data suggest differential regulation of the vascular ageing process, which may contribute to the anatomic heterogeneity of atherosclerosis. The results of this study may be used for the emergency treatment of sudden cardiovascular disease caused by ageing.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2006

The anti-angiogenic activity of ethanol extract of Bojungbangam-tang, a new herbal prescription composed of nine crude drugs, was evaluated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HPLC profile revealed that five major compunds such as apioliquiritin, narirutin, hesperidin, liquiritin and glycyrrhizin. Ethanol extract of Bojungbangam-tang (EBJT) did not showed any significant cytotoxicity against HUVECs up to 200 ug/ml. EBJT significantly inhibited basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced HUVECs proliferation to 69% at 200 ${\mu}g/ml$. Migration using window scraping method and tube formation in bFGF stimulated HUVECs were also significantly suppressed by EBJT in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that Bojungbangam-tang can be a potent prescription for angiogenesis related disease.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.192-193
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• 2003

In previous study, we demonstrated tilianin inhibits tumor necrotic factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). In this study, we demonstrate inhibition of the production of atherogenic cytokines and the anti-atherogenic effects of tilianin in Ldlr-/- mice.(omitted)