• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.597-601
• /
• 2009

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is known to be responsible for hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. When round-shape quiescent HSCs go to activation by liver injury, production of extracellular matrix is increased, and its shape becomes myofibroblast-like shape. The activated HSCs are characterized by the high rate of proliferation and the increased production of extracellular matrix. One way of the regeneration of activated HSCs is an apoptosis induction followed by removing the activated myofibroblast-like cells. The effect of extract of Terminalia chebula Retz. (TCE) on cytotoxicity was evaluated using the rat primary hepatocyte, HepG2 and T-HSC/Cl-6 by incubating these cells with TCE up to the dose of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. At the maximum dose of TCE, no cytotoxicity was found on primary hepatocyte and HepG2, but cytotoxic effect of TCE was found on activated HSCs, and T-HSC/Cl-6 in a U-shaped dose-response manner with the highest effect at $500{\mu}g/mL$ of TCE. Finally, we confirmed the occurrence of apoptotic cell death by annexin-V/PI double staining. The population of annexin-V positive cells was increased in a dose dependent manner.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.5 no.1 s.8
• /
• pp.27-42
• /
• 2002

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute and subacute toxicity and sarcoma- 180 anti-cancer effects of Herbal acupuncture with Triglii Semen in mice and rats. Method: Balble mice were injected intraperitoneally with Triglii semen Herbal acupuncture for $LD_{50}$ and acute toxicity test. Sprague Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with Triglii semen Herbal acupuncture for subacute toxicity test. The Triglii semen Herbal acupuncture was injected on Chung-wan(CV12) of mice with S-180 cancer cell line. Results: 1. In acute toxicity test, the $LD_{50}$ value was $7.49{\times}10^3$ml, 0.30ml/kg.2. The body weights of mice treated with Triglii semen Herbal acupuncture increased during the acute toxicity test. 3. In acute toxicity test of serum biochenrical values of mice, total protein was decreased in treatment groups I, 2 and 3, albunrin was decreased in treatment groups 2 and 3 compared to the control group. GOT was increased in treatment group I and Alk. Phosphatase was increased in treatment groups 1,2 and 3 compared to the normal group(p<0.05). 4.ln subacute toxicity test, severe tissue injury was found in lung and liver. 5. In subacute toxicity test, the body weight was decreased in treatment groups I and 2 compared to the normal group and the weight of liver. lung and kidney were increased in treatment groups 1, 2 and 3 compared to the normal group.(p<0.05) 6. In subacute toxicity test, RBC, HGB and HCT were decreased in treatment groups 1 and 2 compared to the normal group. MCV was increased in treatment group1 compared to the normal group, MCH was increased in treatment groups 1 and 2 compared to the control group in complete blood count test.(p<0.05) 7. In subacute toxicity test, total protein was decreased in treatment groups 1 and 2 compared to the nonnal group, BUN was increased in treatment groups 1 and 2 compared to the nonnal group, creatinine and uric acid were decreased in treatment groups 1 and 2 compared to the normal group, glucose was increased in treatment group 2 compared to the nonnal group, triglycelide was decreased in treatment groups I and 2 compared to the normal group, total cholesterol was increased in treatment groups 1 and 2 compared to the control group. GOT was decreased in treatment group 2 compared to the normal and control group, AIk. Phosphatase was increased in treatment group 1 compared to the normal and control group.(p<0.05) 8. Median survival time was 17days in treatment group 2 for S- 180 cancer cell treated with Triglii semen Herbal acupuncture. 9. Natural killer cell activity was insignificant for S-180 cell treated with Triglii semen Herbal acupuncture.(p<0.05) 10. lnterieukin-2 productivity was decreased for S-180 cell treated with Triglii semen Herbal acupuncture compared to the normal and control group.(p<0.05) Conclusion: According to the results, we can conclude Herbal-acupuncture with Triglii semen caused toxicity, and caused no effects in S-180 cancer cell.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.313-337
• /
• 1993

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of Kupffer cells in the mechanism of endotoxin-induced liver injury. The study on fine structure of Kupffer cells was performed after the injection of endotoxin. The endotoxin(Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide 026 : B6. 1.5mg/100 g of body weight) was intraperitoneally injected in Sprague-Dewley rats. Animals were sacrificed at 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 72 and 120 hours after the injection of endotoxin. Livers were extirpated and processed to be examined by light and electron microscopy. The results obtained were summerized as follows: Early changes observed in liver after endotoxin injection included the increased number and hypertrophy of Kupffer cells, infiltration of neutrophils and presence of fibrin thrombi within the sinusoids. The continuous increase of the Kupffer cells in number with hypertrophy, congestion and infiltration of inflammatory cells within the sinusoids were observed. Hepatocytes showed fatty change and occasional necrosis. At 72 hours the congestion decreased. At 120 hours the number of Kupffer cells was increased, but the morphology of Kupffer cells became similar to that of the control group. The numbers and sizes of primary and secondary lysosomes and amount of euchromatin of Kupffer cells increased. Swellings and increase in number of mitochondria, Golgi complex, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, rough endoplasmic reticulum were evident. Microthrombi were present within the sinusoids. The swelling of rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, decrease of glycogen particles, fatty change, hypoxic vacuoles, pyknotic nuclei and occasional necrosis were observed in hepatocytes. At 72 hours the number of secondary lysosomes in Kupffer cells decreased. At 120 hours the morphology of Kupffer cells became similar to that of the control group. According to these results, it was postulated that the endotoxin was initially taken up by pinocytosis into Kupffer cells and degraded in secondary lysosomes of activated Kupffer cells. Kupffer cells may play an important role in the defense mechanism of liver during endotoxemia. The dysfunction of Kupffer cells and ischemia by sinusoidal microthrombi may cause liver injury.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.71-80
• /
• 2021

Objectives : This study investigated cellular-protective effects of Nardotidis seu Sulculii Concha water extract (NSCE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA)+iron or tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP). Methods : In vitro, MTT assay was assessed for cell viability, and immunoblotting analysis was performed to detect expression of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and autophagy related proteins. In vivo, mice were orally administrated with the aqueous extract of NSCE of 500 mg/kg for 3 days, and then injected with CCl₄ 0.5 mg/kg body weight to induce acute damage. The level of liver damage was measured by serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analysis. Results : Treatment with NSCE inhibited cell death induced by AA+iron and tBHP. NSCE induced the phosphorylation of AMPK, and this compound also induced the phosphorylation of LKB1, an upstream kinase of AMPK, and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a primary downstream target of AMPK. NSCE increased the protein levels of autophagic markers (LC3II and beclin-1) and decreased the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and simultaneously increased the phosphorylation of unc-51-like kinase-1 (ULK-1) in time-dependent manner. Conclusions : NSCE has the ability 1) to protect cells against oxidative stress induced by AA+iron or tBHP. NSCE 2) to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and 3) to regulate autophagy, an important regulator in cell survival.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.155-161
• /
• 2016

Toxoplasma gondii is an important opportunistic pathogen that causes toxoplasmosis, which has very few therapeutic treatment options. The most effective therapy is a combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine; however, their utility is limited because of drug toxicity and serious side effects. For these reasons, new drugs with lower toxicity are urgently needed. In this study, the compound, (Z)-1-[(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)methyleneamino]-imidazolidine-2,4-dione (nitrofurantoin), showed anti-T. gondii effects in vitro and in vivo. In HeLa cells, the selectivity of nitrofurantoin was 2.3, which was greater than that of pyrimethamine (0.9). In T. gondii-infected female ICR mice, the inhibition rate of T. gondii growth in the peritoneal cavity was 44.7% compared to the negative control group after 4-day treatment with 100 mg/kg of nitrofurantoin. In addition, hematology indicators showed that T. gondii infection-induced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, biochemical parameters involved in liver injury, were reduced by nitrofurantoin significantly. Moreover, nitrofurantoin exerted significant effects on the index of antioxidant status, i.e., malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH). The nitrofurantoin-treated group inhibited the T. gondii-induced MDA levels while alleviating the decrease in GSH levels. Thus, nitrofurantoin is a potential anti-T. gondii candidate for clinical application.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.177-183
• /
• 2011

The radioprotective efficacy of a methanol extract of the red algae Polyopes lancifolia (Harvey) kawaguchi et wang (mPL) was evaluated in mice subjected to total-body gamma irradiation. mPL protection against radiation-induced oxidative stress was examined by histological evaluation of intestinal crypt-cell survival and liver activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). mPL (100 mg/kg body weight) administered intraperitoneally at 24 h and 1 h prior to irradiation protected jejunal crypt cells from radiation-induced apoptosis (p < 0.01). The pretreatment of mPL attenuated a radiation-induced decrease in villous height (p < 0.05), and improved jejunal crypt survival (p < 0.05). The dose reduction factor was 1.14 at 3.5 days after irradiation. Treatment with mPL prior to irradiation resulted in significantly higher (p < 0.01) levels of SOD and CAT activities, compared to those levels of irradiated control mice with vehicle treatment. These results suggest that mPL is a useful radioprotective agent capable of defending intestinal progenitor cells against total-body irradiation, at least in part through mPL antioxidative activity.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.26 no.12
• /
• pp.1079-1086
• /
• 2003

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of trauma on cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene expression and to determine the role of Kupffer cells in trauma-induced alteration of CYP isozymes. Rats underwent closed femur fracture (FFx) with associated soft-tissue injury under anesthesia. To deplete Kupffer cells in vivo, gadolinium chloride ($GdCl_3$) was intravenously injected at 7.5 mg/kg body wt., 1 and 2 days prior to FFx surgery. At 72 h of FFx, liver tissues were isolated to determine the mRNA and protein expression of CYP isozymes and NADPH-P450 reductase by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western immunoblotting, respectively. In addition, the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-$\alpha$), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were evaluated. FFx increased the mRNA level of CYP1A1; an increase that was not prevented by $GdCl_3$. There were no significant differences in the mRNA expression of CYP1A2, 2B1 and 2E1 among any of the experimental groups. The protein levels of CYP2B1 and 2E1 were significantly decreased by FFx; a decrease that was not prevented by $GdCl_3$ treatment. The gene expression of NADPH-P450 reductase was unchanged by FFx. FFx significantly increased the expression of TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA; an increase that was attenuated by $GdCl_3$. The mRNA expression of HO-1 was increased by FFx, but not by $GdCl_3$ . Our findings suggest that FFx differentially regulates the expression of CYP isozyme through Kupffer cell-independent mechanisms.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.195-201
• /
• 2011

Nardostachys chinensis;Anti-proliferation;Cell cycle arrest;Differentiation;U937 cells; This study was conducted to determine the analgesic effect of Sokyungwhalhyul-tang(SKWHT) using the model of peripheral neuropathic pain model. A model of neuropathic pain was made by ligating left 5th lumbar spinal nerve of rats. After 1 days, the extract of SKWHT was orally administered daily. Rats were divided into four groups; (1) Control group(n=6), (2) Experimental group I(SKWHT-OA1, 100 mg/kg, n=6), (3) Experimental group II(SKWHT-OA2, 300 mg/kg, n=6), (4) Experimental group III(SKWHT-OA3, 500 mg/kg, n=6). After that, we examined the withdrawl response of neuropathic rats legs by von Frey filament and Hot plate at pre, $1^{th}$, $4^{th}$, $7^{th}$, $14^{th}$, $21^{th}$ days after the induction of neuropathic pain. And also we examined c-fos, GOT, GPT and histological study of Liver at 21th days. von Frey filament and Hot plate were increase in experimental group I, II, III than Con. especially group III was most significantly analgesic effect than the other groups at $14^{th}$, $21^{th}$ days. In c-fos protein expression on spinal cord, group III was most significantly reduction immunoreactivity at $21^{th}$ days and in blood serum GOT & GPT levels and histologic finding of Liver in all experimental groups were no significant difference with Con at $21^{th}$ days. According to the above results, SKWHT(500 mg/kg) may have a significant analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.337-345
• /
• 2008

There are accumulating evidences that high levels of dietary iron may play a role in colon carcinogenesis. Elevated iron status has been associated with oxidative stress. Phytic acid (PA) functions as an antioxidant by chelating divalent cations and prevents formation of reactive oxygen species responsible for cell injury and carcinogenesis. The protective effect of PA was investigated on formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) induced by azoxymethane (AOM) in iron-overloaded male F344 rats. After acclimation with AIN-93G purified diet (35 ppm Fe, normal control diet) for one week, animals were fed iron-overloaded diet (350 ppm Fe) and PA (0.5% or 2% PA in water) for 8 weeks. Animals received two (1st and 2nd week) injections of AOM (15 mg/kg b.w.) to induce colonic ACF. The colonic mucosa was examined for the total numbers of aberrant crypt (AC) and ACF after staining with methylene blue. The blood and serum were analyzed with a blood cell differential counter and an automatic serum analyzer. Iron-overloaded diet increased the concentration of iron in liver of the rats. But iron-related parameters in blood were not changed among experimental groups. The numbers of ACF per colon and AC per colon were $178.8{\pm}33.2$ and $448.4{\pm}110.2$ in the iron-overloaded F344 rats. The total AC was significantly increased, compared with normal-diet AOM control group (p < 0.05). The treatments of PA at the dose of 0.5% slightly decreased the number of ACF and AC per colon to $153.6{\pm}29.5$ and $396.3{\pm}107.5$. However, there were no significant differences in the total numbers of ACF and AC between the AOM control group and PA (0.5% or 2%)-treated groups. These results suggest that PA may not affect the formation of ACF or AC induced by AOM in ironoverloaded F344 rats.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.1-20
• /
• 2015

Objectives This study was intended to clarify the anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation effects of gamikyejakjimo-tang herbal acupuncture (GKHA) for osteoarthritis. Methods Osteoarthritis was induced by injection of MIA into right knee joint cavities of rats. Rats were divided into a total of 4 groups (n=8). The 4 groups were normal group, control group, positive comparison group and expeimental group. Indomethacin and GKHA were medicated for a total of 4 weeks. After that, functions of liver and kidney by AST, ALT, creatinine, BUN, DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity, ROS (reactive oxygen species) production, NO (Total Nitric oxide), IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ production, weight changes in the hind legs of MIA-induced osteoarthritis rat, serum PGE2, TIMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, LTB4, hs-CRP, and white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes were measured. The volume of cartilage was observed by micro CT arthrography. H&E and Safranin-O staining were used to examine the injury of synovial tissue. Results 1. In the hind leg weight bearing measurement, level of weight was increased. 2. AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine were decreased. 3. The production of total white blood cell was decreased, and the production of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes were significantly decreased. 4. The production of NO, PGE2, TIMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, LTB4 were significantly decreased, and the production of hs-CRP was also decreased but with no significance. 5. The cartilage volume was significantly increased. 6. In H&E staining and Safranin-O staning, the cartilage cell appeared to be proliferated, and proteoglycans appeared to be increased. Conclusions Based on the results above, Gamikyejakjimo-tang Herbal Acupuncture has anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation effects, which leads to suppressing the underlying causes and the progression of osteoarthritis.