• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.14-18
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• 2010

Stevia rebaudiana (SR) is an herb used traditionally as a sweetener in Paraguay and Brazil, whose use is spreading to other countries, such as Japan, Korea and China. In addition to its low calorie sweet taste, SR appears to have other beneficial properties, such as hypotensive capabilities and inflammation reduction. To identify the bioactive natural constituents exerting anti-inflammatory activities, we examined the EtOAc fraction of SR. In the inflammatory mediator inhibitory assay from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages, the EtOAc fraction significantly, and dose dependently, inhibited the enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. We also found that treatment of cells with the EtOAc fraction significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) reporter gene expression. Such inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ was closely associated with the inhibition of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Therefore, we suggest that SR has the potential for development as a functional food for the treatment of immune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 1997년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.90-90
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• 1997

Natural products, which have been used for the treatment of hypertension, diuresis and nephritis in traditional oriental medicine, were selected for the screening of nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells and kidney tissues in vitro as well as in vivo by measuring the conversion of [$\^$14/C]-L-arginine to [$\^$14/C]-L-citrulline, a coproduct of the enzyme reaction with NO. Confluent monolayer of endothelial cells were used for the screening of 16 natural products. Among the natural products, Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula stimulated endothelial NO synthase activity. Thus, both confluent monolayer of endothelial cells and kidney homogenates (glomeruli, cortical tubules, meudllae) were treated with Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula (final concentration 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) and NO releases were compared with those by receptor - dependent agonists, bradykinin and ADP and receptor - independent calcium ionophore A23187 in vitro. In rat experiment, NO releases in glomeruli, cortical tubules and medullae and plasma renin activity were assessed after intraperitoneal injection of Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula (10 mg/kg/day for 4 days). As a result, both Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula significantly increased NO releases in cultured endothelial cells, kidney tissues in vitro as well as in vivo. Stimulation of NO releases by Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula was similar to those by receptor - dependent agonists, bradykinin and ADP and receptor - independent calcium ionophore A23187 in cultured endothelial cells. However, plasma renin activity was not influenced by these two natural products. In conclusion, stimulatory effects of Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula on NO release in kidney may contribute their hypotensive effects and antinephritic action possibly by increasing renal blood flow.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.248-251
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• 2009

비폐쇄성 장간막 허혈(nonocclusive mesentericic ischemia, NOMI)은 개심술 후 약 0.05%에서 발생하는 아주 드문 합병증으로 주요 장 혈관의 폐색 없이 내장 말초 혈관의 심한 혈관 경련(vasospasm)에 의해 장 허혈이 발생하는 것을 일컫는다. 본 증례에서는 상행 대동맥을 통한 동맥관 삽입시 발생한 급성 대동맥 박리로 수분간의 저혈압 상태에서 상대적으로 중요한 심장과 뇌의 혈류를 유지하기 위한 장 혈관의 수축으로 NOMI가 발생한 경우로 비교적 빠른 진단과 치료가 이루어졌음에도 장 경색으로 진행되어 사망하였다. 임상적으로 NOMI가 의심되는 경우 조기 진단 및 치료만이 생존률을 높일 수 있으므로, 빠른 대동맥 조영술 및 혈관 확장제의 선택적 주입이 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.17-22
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• 1982

Zizyphus seed(Zizyphus vulgaris Lamark var. Spinosus Bunge) has long been used as hypnotics and sedatives in oriental medicine, and it is reported that the Zizyphus seed elicited a variety of pharmacologic actions besides CNS depression. Present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Zizyphus seed on the central nervous system and on the blood pressure. The effect of Zizyphus seed on the central nervous system was measured by the influence of thiopental sleeping time and by inhibition of chemical convulsion (strychnine and pentylenetetrazol induced). Blood pressure changes by Zizyphus extract and its mode of action were investigated. The ground Zizyphus seed was extracted with hexane and methanol, consecutively and the supernatants were discarded. The precipitate was re-extracted with distilled water and the supernatant was evaporated to a dark-brownish sticky liquid, which was used as Zizyphus seed extract in this study after dissolving in saline prior to experiment. The results are as follows. 1) Zizyphus seed extract caused marked prolongation of the thiopental sleeping time in mice. 2) The chemical convulsion by strychnine and pentylenetetrazol, and the mortality by them in chicks were not affected by pretreatment of Zizyphus seed extract. 3) Zizyphus seed extract produced transient fall of blood pressure in the cat, and this hypotentive effect was blocked partially by atropine but not affected by bilateral vagotomy and/or hexamethonium, nor propranolol and, chlorpheniramine and/or cimetidine. With the above results, it may be suggested that the water extract of Zizyphus seeds contains components producing CNS depression and hypotension. Furthermore it is felt that the cholinergic effect, but not the adrenergic or histaminergic, is partly responsible for the hypotensive effect of Zizyphus seed extract.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.597-606
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• 2003

Although the antidepressant effects of imipramine (IMI) have been well known in several studies, the effects on cardiovascular system, particularly the vasorelaxant effects, have not known clearly. We hypothesis that IMI-induced vasorelaxation involves NO (nitrie oxide), activation of guanylate cyclase (GC) and $Ca^{2+}$ channel. The possible roles of the endothelium and $Ca^{2+}$ in IMI-induced responses were investigated using isolated rings of rat thoracic aorta and anesthesized rats. In KCl-precontracted rings. IMI produces endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxations in intact (+E) as well as endothelium-denuded (-E) rat aorta in a concentration-dependent manner. In phenylephrine (PE)-precontracted rings, the IMI-induced relaxation was significantly greater in +E rings. The IMI-induced relaxations were suppressed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and aminoguanidine, a non-selective GC inhibitor, methylene blue, $Na^+$ channel blockers, lidocaine and procaine, or $Ca^{2+}$ channel blockers, nifedipine and verapamil, in PE-precontracted +E rings, but not in PE-precontracted -E rings. These relaxations were also suppressed by lidocaine or procaine in -E aortic rings. However, IMI-induced relaxations were not inhibited by a PLC inhibitor 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-n,n-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC), an inositol monophosphatase inhibitor, lithium, indomethacin and dexamethasone in +E and -E rings. In vivo, infusion of IMI elicited significant decrease in arterial blood pressure. After intravenous injection of saponin, NOS inhibitors. MB and nifedipine, infusion of IMI inhibited the IMI-lowered blood pressure markedly. These findings suggest that the endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by IMI is mediated by activation of NO/cGMP signaling cascade or inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ entry through voltage-gated channel, and this mechanism may contribute to the hypotensive effects of IMI in rats.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.306-313
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• 2012

Herbal medicines are medicinal products containing a single or a mixture of two or more different herbal substances or herbal preparations as active principles. Recently, much attention has been paid to developing various kinds of fermented herbal extracts, a new type of traditional herbal medicine in the field of Korean traditional medicine. The fermentation of medicinal herbs is intended to exert a favorable influence on bioestability, bioavaliablilty and pharmacological activity of herbal extract in the gastrointestinal tract as well as intensifying the nutritional and pharmacological aspects of the medicinal herbs. The purpose of this study was to investigate biological activities of fermented Rehmanniae Radix by lactic acid bacteria at $30^{\circ}C$ for 3 days in comparison with those for Rehmanniae Radix The fermented Rehmanniae Radix exhibited different chemical profile to Rehmanniae Radix generated with HPLC, indicating production of new ingredients during fermentation. Rehmanniae Radix served as good nutritional sources for the growth of lactic acid bacteria showing increased number of bacteria during fermentation. Toxic effect of the fermented Rehmanniae Radix to cells were not seen judged by the MTT assay. The fermented Rehmanniae Radix exhibited better antioxidant effect than non-fermented Rehmanniae Radix analyzed by a SOD-likely assay. Both hypoglycemic and hypotensive effects of the fermented Rehmanniae Radix were also detected and better than those for Rehmanniae Radix in showing dose-dependent inhibitory effects on alpha-glucosidase and ACE, respectively. In conclusion, fermented Rehmanniae Radix appears to have more biological activities than non-feremented Rehmanniae Radix showing not only antioxidant effect but also cardiovascular protection.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.25-32
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• 1999

The pharmacological actions of ambrein were investigated alone or in combination as a pretreatment with agonists (adrenaline, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, histamine, nicotine), antagonists (atropine, atenolol) and calcium channel blocker (verapamil) in vivo in anaesthetized SWR rats using blood pressure, heart rate and myocardial contractility as parameters. Ambrein in the dose range of 50-200 mg/kg to the normotensive anaesthetized rats demonstrated negative chronotropic effect and increased the myocardial contractility significantly. At the mid dose (100 mg/kg) this increase in contractile force was 36% and 44% above the normal at 30 min and 60 min intervals post-treatment, respectively. Both of the lower and high doses (50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) had similar effects. Furthermore, this contractile response was dose related. Also, this compound produced a considerable increase in myocardial contractility when used as a pretreatment with some agonists and antagonists. The results on blood pressure did not show a considerable change when ambrein was used alone. However, ambrein pretreatment at the dose of 100 mg/kg did not block the effects of adrenaline, noradrenaline, isoprenaline and acetylcholine on heart rate and blood pressure. On the other hand, this pretreatment attenuated the sympathoadrenal effects of nicotine significantly. Chronotropic and blood pressure changes produced by histamine were also inhibited by ambrein pretreatment. This pretreatment significantly reversed the effects of atenolol but failed to demonstrate any change in the negative chronotropic, inotropic and hypotensive responses induced by verapamil. It is concluded that ambrein induced nonselective dose dependent antagonism of the effects of some agonists and antagonists require contribution of some neuromediators. However, the positive isotropic effects of ambrein possibly involve the enhancement of slow Ca channels and/or activation of ${\beta}-adrenergic$ receptors in the heart. At this moment it is difficult to explain the exact mode of action of ambrein and the studies dealing with Ca channel blocker and adrenergic blocker followed by ambrein may help to define the factors which contribute to its positive inotropic effects.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.536-539
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• 2008

52세 여자는 승용차 조수석에 앉아가다가 타차와 충돌후 다발성 늑골골절과 혈기흉과 함께 다량의 출혈을 야기한 우측 전완의 절단에 가까운 손상을 입었다. 응급실에 도착시 명료하지 못한 의식과 저혈압의 소견을 보였다. 혈액량 감소 쇼크로 판단되어 다량의 혈액과 수액을 급속수액주입기(레벨 1)를 이용하여 좌측 쇄골하정맥관을 통해 주입하였다. 폐좌상의 소견이 호전되었을 때 일반 흉부 X선 사진의 좌폐야에 이물질이 확인되었다. 폐동맥조영술에서 15 cm 정도의 이물질이 좌측 폐기저동맥에 있었다. 경피적 중재시술을 통해 혈관 겸자로 잡아 제거할 수 있었다.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.75-80
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of the present study is to investigate the hypotensive effect of Samhwangsasim-tang (SHSST), Samigangap-tang (SMGAT) and Bangtan-tang (BTT) in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP). Methods : SHR-SP rats were treated with SHSST, SMGAT and BTT at dose of 200 mg/kg/day orally for 5 weeks, respectively. Results : Treatment SHR-SP rats with SMGAT significantly lowered blood pressure but not in the SHSST or BTT treat groups. On the other hand, SHSST, SMGAT and BTT ameliorated endothelium-dependent and independent vascular relaxation in the phenylephrine-precontracted aorta and carotid artery, respectively. Conclusions : These results indicated that SMGAT has an antihypertensive effect and SHSST, SMGAT and BTT improve vascular function in stroke-prone hypertensive rat model, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.288-291
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• 2006

Epidural analgesia using an epidural catheter is an effective method to relieve the pain during the rehabilitating procedure for postoperative orthopedic patients. Total spinal anesthesia is one of the possible complications of epidural catheterization which can lead to a life-threatening condition. Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism resulting from a failure of endochondral bone formation. In patients suffering with short stature syndrome like achondroplasia, the incidence and risk of total spinal anesthesia during epidural anesthesia may increase because of the technical difficulty and structural anomaly of the spine. We report here on a 35-year old female patient with a height of a 115 cm. She was diagnosed as achondroplasia and she had a previous Ilizarov operation; both tibial lengthening and correction of valgus were done. No specific event occurred during epidural catheterization. Immediately after the injection of a test dose via epidural catheter, the patient became hypotensive, drowsy and showed weakness of both her upper and lower extremities. The symptoms were disappeared after 40 minutes. The catheter was removed on the next day. We concluded that the total spinal anesthesia was caused by intrathecal injection of local anesthetics through the epidural catheter, and the anesthesia then migrated into the subarachonoid space.