• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2014

Red yeast rice (RYR) has been known to exhibit various biological effects, including anti-hyperlipidemia, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammtory activities. Oxidative stress is a main risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible hypolipidemic and antioxidant effect of RYR on rats fed a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with either 0.2%, 1%, or 5% RYR for 4 weeks. We measured lipid profiles in the plasma and liver, antioxidant enzyme activities in plasma and erythrocyte, gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in the liver, and oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes. The group supplemented with 0.2% RYR had total cholesterol level in plasma decreased by 24%, while the group supplemented with 5% RYR had high-density cholesterol increased by 20% compared to the control. The antioxidant enzyme activities were also affected by RYR supplementation. Total superoxide dismutase activities in plasma significantly decreased by 11% in the 1% RYR group, while these activities in the liver significantly decreased by 16% and 21% in the 1% and 5% supplemented group compared to the control, respectively. Glutathione peroxidase activities in plasma and erythrocytes increased 13% and 48% in the 1% RYR group, respectively. Catalase (CAT) activity in erythrocytes significantly increased by 49% and 68% in the 1% and 5% RYR group compared to the control, respectively. The gene expression of CAT was up-regulated 7.9 fold compared to the control in the 5% RYR supplemented group. These results suggest that RYR can control hyperlipidemia by improving the lipid profile and modulating oxidative stress.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.327-337
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• 2020

Objective : Citri Unshius Pericarpium is the dried peel of mature fruit of Citrus unshiu Markovich and has been used to treat indigestion, vomiting, and removal of phlegm. This study investigated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of CEE (Ethanol extract of Citri Unshius Pericarpium) in cadmium (CdCl₂)-treated HepG2 cells. Methods : Component analysis of Citri Unshius Pericarpium was analyzed by UPLC with C₁₈ column. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were analyzed using commercially available kits. Results : Cadmium caused severe HepG2 cell death. Cadmium also increased ROS production, consistent with depletion of GSH and inhibition of the SOD enzyme. However, CEE treatment reduced cell death and relieved oxidative stress caused by cadmium toxicity. CEE lowered ROS levels and improved depletion of GSH levels. CEE also enhanced the enzymatic activity of SOD. In component analysis, hesperidin was the most abundant of the five marker compounds (Narigenin, Narigin, Narirutin, Hesperidin and Hesperidin), which assumes that hesperidin partially contributed to the antioxidant activity of CEE. Conclusion : These results suggested that CEE could be a potential substance to solve heavy metal-related health problems. In particular, inhibition of oxidative stress by CEE can be a way to treat liver damage caused by cadmium.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.8.1-8.9
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• 2018

Background: Indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry farming has caused emergence of new pathogenic strains. The situation has warrented the development of safe and alternative growth promoters and immunity enhancers in livestock. Herbal additives in animal and bird feed is a centuries-old practice. Thus, the present study investigated the efficacy of a standardized formulation of lipophilic turmeric extract containing curcumin and turmerones, (TF-36), as a natural growth promoter poultry feed additive. Methods: The study was designed on 180 one-day old chicks, assigned into three groups. Control group ($T_0$) kept on basal diet and supplemented groups $T_{0.5}$ and $T_1$ fed with 0.5% and 1% TF-36 fortified basal diet for 42 days. Each dietary group consisted of six replicates of ten birds. Body weight, food intake, food conversion ratio, skin colour, blood biochemical analysis and antioxidant status of serum were investigated. Results: Body weight improved significantly in $T_1$ with a 10% decrease in FCR as compared to the control. TF-36 supplementation in $T_1$ enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activity significantly (p < 0.05) with a decrease (p < 0.05) in lipid peroxidation. It also caused a slight yellow skin pigmentation without any change in meat color, indicating the bioavailability of curcumin from TF-36. However, no significant change in the concentration of serum creatinine, total protein and liver enzyme activities were observed, indicating the safety. Conclusion: In summary, we concluded that TF-36 can be a natural feed additive to improve growth performance in poultry, probably due to the better antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effects contributed by the better bioavailability of curcuminoids and turmerones. Besides, curcuminoids and turmerones were also known to be gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory agents.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of atorvastatin on the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine (6 mg/kg) after oral administration of nifedipine with or without atorvastatin (0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg) in rats, and also was to evaluate to the effect of atorvastatin on the CYP3A4 activity. The 50% inhibiting concentration ($IC_{50}$) values of atorvastatin on CYP3A4 activity is 46.1 ${\mu}M$. Atorvastatin inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Coadministration of atorvastatin increased significantly (p<0.05, 2.0 mg/kg) the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and the peak concentration ($C_{max}$) of nifedipine compared to the control group. The relative bioavailability (RB%) of nifedipine was increased from 1.15- to 1.37-fold. Coadministration of atorvastatin did not significantly change the terminal half-life ($T_{1/2}$) and the time to reach the peak concentration ($T_{max}$) of nifedipine. Based on these results, we can make a conclusion that the significant changes of these pharmacokinetic parameters might be due to atorvastatin, which possesses the potency to inhibit the metabolizing enzyme (CYP3A4) in the liver and intestinal mucosa, and also inhibit the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump in the intestinal mucosa. It might be suggested that atorvastatin altered disposition of nifedipine by inhibition of both the first-pass metabolism and P-glycoprotein efflux pump in the small intestine of rats. In conclusion, the presence of atorvastatin significantly enhanced the oral bioavailability of nifedipine, suggesting that concurrent use of atorvastatin with nifedipine should require close monitoring for potential drug interation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.104-111
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• 2006

Gene therapy with nonviral vectors using the suicide gene/prodrug activating system of herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-TK)/ganciclovir (GCV) is inefficient in killing malignant tumor cells due to two major factors: (a) an unsatisfactory bystander effect; (b) short-lived expression of the protein. To study the capacity of the protein transduction domain (PTD) of HIV-1 TAT protein to enhance HSV1-TK/GCV cancer gene therapy, we constructed three fusion proteins TAT-TK, TK-TAT and TK. TAT-TK retained as much enzyme activity as TK, whereas that of TK-TAT was much lower. TAT-TK can enter HepG2 cells and much of it is translocated to the nucleus. The transduced HepG2 cells are killed by exogenously added GCV and have bystander effects on untransduced HepG2 cells. Most importantly, the introduced recombinant protein is stable and remains functional for several days at least, probably because nuclear localization protects it from the cytoplasmic degradation machinery and provides access to the nuclear transcription machinery. Our results indicate that TAT fusion proteins traffic intercellularly and have enhanced stability and prodrug cell killing activity. We conclude that TAT has potential for enhancing enzyme prodrug treatment of liver cancers.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.2 no.1 s.2
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• pp.111-133
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• 1999

These studies were carried out to investigate the effect of Herbal-acupuncture with Inzinsammultang extract on the recovery from liver injury of rats. The liver injury of rats induced with 0.3ml/ea carbon tetrachloride. The Herbal-acupunture with Inzinsam multang extract solution inserted into corresponding focus of Kansu(BL18) in rats. In this study, SD-Rats(Sprague-Dawley) were divided into 4 groups ; Normal group (None treated group), Control-group(The group not treated after $CCI_4$-intoxication), Treated group; Example I-group(Saline-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication) and Example II-group(Inzinsammultang-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication). Through histological observation, Example II-group sho-ws that liver injury is weaker than Control group.(p<0.05) Biochemical assays for each serum enzyme activities of AST, ALT and LDH, levels of albumin, ${\gamma}$-GT, TG, total cholesterol were performed. The results were summarized as follows 1. AST(Aspartate aminotransferase) activity in serum significantly decreased in the Inzinsammultang-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication. Inzinsammultang-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication showed significantly higher AST activities, compared with the Saline-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication.(p<0.05) 2. ALT(Alanine aminotransferase) activity in serum significantly decreased in the Inzinsammultang-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication. The Inzinsammultang-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication showed significantly higher AST activities, compared with the Saline-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication(p<0.05) 3. Level of Albumin in serum significantly increased in the Inzinsarnmultang-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication. 4. LDH(Lactate dehydrogenase) activities in serum significantly decreased in the Inzinsammultang-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication.(p<0.05) 5. ${\gamma}$-GT(Glutamyl transferase) in serum significantly decreased in the Inzinsammultang-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication(p<0.05) 6. As for the TG(Triglyceride) levels in serum, Inzinsammultang-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication is no significant differences compared with the Saline-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication.(p<0.05) 7. Total cholesterol in serum significantly increased in the Inzinsarnmultang-injected groups after $CCl_4$-intoxication.(p<0.05) Those results indicate that the Inzinsammultang Herbal-acupuncture have significant effects on the liver injury induced by $CCl_4$. So it is expected that the Inzinsammultang Herbal-acupuncture can be used to cure inflammations and recover the functions of damaged liver cells.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.711-726
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• 1999

Aging in the life form occurs due to a gradual progression of the body growth and degeneration. Morphological and functional changes in the body decreases the adaptation and prevention capacity leading into the decline of a life force. Various studies have been released to examine the anti-aging effects of herbal prescriptions. This experiment has chosen Boganhwan which is used for the deficiency of the liver function and studied the anti-aging factors by examining the biotransformation enzymes. The following results were obtained in this study: 1. Hepatic lipid peroxide activity was significantly suppressed in the experimental group treated with Boganhwan for 2 weeks at the dosage of 350mg/kg, while other dosage groups did not present much changes. 2. Insignificant changes were shown for the cytochrome P-450 level, aminopyrine demethylase, and aniline hydroxylase (AH) activities. Cytochrome P-450 do not appears to be a part of the detoxification scheme. 3. Boganhwan decoction treated group showed most significant increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, superoxide, and glutathione activities at the concentration of 350mg/kg and 500mg/kg. 4. Glutathione S-transferase and glutathione made most significant increase at the decoction concentration of 350mg/kg and 500mg/kg compared to the control group. 5. Hepatic glutathione concentration, protein bound-SH, and nonprotein bound-SH made most significant increase at the decoction concentration of 350mg/kg and 500mg/kg compared to the control group. From the above results, Boganhwan decoction played an important role in eliminating foreign substances in the body excluding cytochrome P-450 enzyme system. Thus, Boganhwan decoction can provide substantial aid in preventing and treating senile related illnesses.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.194-206
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• 2004

Objectives : JiaoTeng-Yuan(교등원) is said to be a prescription for preservation of health in $\ulcorner$HuaTuo.ZhongZangJing (화타.중장경)$\lrcorner$. It is known to have the effect of Bu-Shen (보신: strengthening kidney) and Yi-Shou (익수: prolonging the span of one's life). This study investigates whether JTY is effective on inhibition of oxidation stress. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats (12-week-old, weight $300{\pm}20g$) were divided into 3 groups. The normal group (n=8) was injected with PBS (1ml/body, s.c) subcutaneously behind the neck. The control group (n=8) was injected with D-galactose (50mg/kg, 1ml PBS/body, s.c) to induce pathological animals. The JTY group was injected with the same treatment as the control group, and fed containing JTY (10%). All groups were treated 1 time per day for 6 weeks. After the rats were sacrificed anti-oxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, G-px) activity, GSH quantity of RBC and tissue (heart, liver and kidney), and plasma Vit-C quantity were examined. Also, the MDA levels of liver and kidney, lipofuscin of heart and endurance of erythrocyte membrane were measured. Results : In the JTY group, RBC's SOD activity decline was halted by 21 % of the normal level, compared to the control group, G-px activity (unit/g of Hb) increased significantly, compared to the normal group, and the level of Vit-C in plasma increased by 16%. Heart's SOD activity was kept at the same level as that of the normal group; and CAT activity decline was halted by 26%. Kidney's CAT and G-px activities were kept at the same level as that shown in the normal group, implying the existence of a halting effect. Liver also showed a slight halting effect against the decline of anti-oxidant ability, but the effect was not significant (${\alpha}=0.05$). A comparison between the levels of peroxide in SD rats showed that the level of TBARS in plasma increased significantly in the control group and that it was normal in the JTY group. The livers in the JTY group, compared to those in the control group, showed 36% halting effect of the normal level while their kidney's indicated the level significantly lower than the normal level. Heart's lipofuscin increased significantly in the control group, but was alike in both the JTY and the normal groups. Endurance of erythrocyte membrane (%) decreased significantly in the control group while it was kept at the similar level in both the JTY and the normal groups, indicating the halting effect. Conclusions : This study suggests that JTY is effective to defend oxidation stress caused by D-galactose in the animals. It showed that the anti-oxidant ability was maintained and strengthened. On the other hand, it reduced the level of peroxide in animals. In sum, JTY appeared to have the equilibrium normal physiological function in SD rat.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.932-938
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• 1999

The present study was designed to determine long-term feeding effects of vitamin E and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) on serum biochemical profiles, organ weight, and intestinal and hepatic antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in ICR mice. Four wk old ICR mice (n=8 per group) were fed the diets supplemented with vitamin E (I ; 0.03% and II ; 0.3%) and BHT (I ; 0.05% and II ; 0.5%) for 12 months. Feeding the diets containing vitamin E and BHT had no effects on growth and serum biochemical profiles. However, feeding the diets supplemented with 0.5% BHT for 12 months significantly increased liver weight of the mice. In the small intestine, there were no effects of vitamin E or BHT on SOD and GSH-PX activities in the mucosa. However, the activity of intestinal GST of the mice that received 0.5% BHT was almost twice as high as that of control mice. In the liver, the activity of SOD was not affected by feeding antioxidants for 12 months, whereas GSH-PX activity was significantly increased in mice that received the diets containing BHT (0.05%, 0.5%) and vitamin E (0.03%, 0.3%). In addition, supplementation of 0.5% BHT markedly enhanced hepatic GST activity compared with other groups. Enhanced activity of GSH-PX in response to feeding vitamin E or BHT might aid hepatic enzymes to eliminate active oxygen in organs from mice. However, we could not exclude the possibility of increased lipid peroxidation by high dosage of BHT supplementation. More detailed study is necessary for assessment of preventive or toxicological effects of high dosage of BHT supplementation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 2007

This study investigated the effect of physical training and oxidative stress on the anti oxidative activity and on plasma lipid profile. Forty eight rats were given either a physical training or no training for 4 weeks and were then subdivided into 3 groups: before-exercise (BE); during-exercise (DE); after-exercise (AE). The antioxidative activity was evaluated with the activities of catalase in plasma and superoxide dismutase (SOD), the ratio of reduced glutathione/ oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver. The plasma concentrations of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)) were also compared. Compared to those of non-training group. catalase activities of training group were lower before exercise but higher during and after exercise. SOD activities were higher regardless of exercise. GSH/GSSG ratio was higher before exercise but was not significantly different during exercise and even lower after exercise. There were no differences between non-training group and training group in MDA levels regardless of exercise. Compared to those of non-training group, atherosclerotic index of training group was lower after exercise and there were no significant differences before and during exercise. There were no differences between non-training group and training group in HDL-C regardless of exercise. These results suggest that moderate physical training can activate antioxidant defenses and decrease the atherosclerotic index and this beneficial effect is evident under exercise-induced oxidative stress.