• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.542-548
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• 2005

In recent years, propolis has attracted much attention as an useful substance in medicine and functional food, even if it is known as a natural remedy in folk medicine since ancient times. propolis was registered as natural food since 1995 on Korean Food Act by Korean Food and Drug Administration(KFDA). The present study demonstrated the optimization of isolation of crude propolis by ethanol, and tumoricidal effect of pro polis. The optimal concentration of ethanol to separate a high quantity of propolis was $60\%$. The cytotoxic effect of ethanol extracted propolis against various cancer cell lines including murine lymphoma (Sarcoma-180), murine T-lymphoma (YAC-1), human breast carcinoma (MCF-7), human gastric carcinoma (KATOIII) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) and human lung adenocarcinoma (A-549) was observed using SRB and MIT assay. In order to investigate the curative activity by oral administration of propolis on tumor, ICR mice was subcutaneously implanted Sarcoma 180. In 300mg/kg and 600mg/kg propolis administered group, development of implanted tumors was inhibited by $40.9\%\;and\;67.9\%$ at 16th day, respectively. In the same dose of propolis administered group, development of implanted tumors was inhibited more strongly with dose dependent manner. Therefore, these data suggested propolis may show tumoricidal effects. In conclusion, these results indicate that propolis, one of the few natural remedies, can be used as functional food with tumoricidal effects.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2013

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and regulate the activation of innate immunity. All TLR signaling pathways culminate in the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, leading to the induction of inflammatory gene products such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Triptolide (TP), a natural component of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F, has been used as folk remedies to treat many chronic diseases for many years. In the present report, we present biochemical evidence that TP inhibits the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation induced by polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (Poly[I:C], TLR3 agonist) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, TLR4 agonist). TP also inhibits COX-2 expression induced by Poly[I:C] and LPS. These results suggest that TP can modulate the immune responses regulated by TLR3 and TLR4 signaling pathways.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2017

Inflammation is a pathophysiological process that is known to be involved in numerous diseases. Microbial infection or tissue injury activates inflammatory responses, resulting in the induction of proinflammatory proteins including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Aster yomena is used in traditional Korean remedies. Here, we investigated the effects of ethanol extracts of Aster yomena (EAY) on the expression of iNOS induced by ovalbumin (OVA), one of the major egg allergens, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a Toll-like receptor 4 agonist. EAY inhibited OVA- or LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation. EAY also suppressed OVA- or LPS-induced iNOS expression and nitrite production. These results suggest that EAY has the specific mechanism for anti-inflammatory responses and the potential to be developed as a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic drug.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2010

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and regulate the activation of innate immunity. All TLR signaling pathways culminate in the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, leading to the induction of inflammatory gene products such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the herb feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), has been used as folk remedies to treat many chronic diseases for many years. In the present report, we present biochemical evidence that parthenolide inhibits the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation induced by TLR agonists and the overexpression of downstream signaling components of TLRs, MyD88, $IKK{\beta}$, and p65. Parthenolide also inhibits TLR agonists-induced COX-2 and iNOS expression. These results suggest that parthenolide can modulate the immune responses regulated by TLR signaling pathways.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2016

Sasa borealis has long been used in folk remedies and traditional Korean medicine for analgesic, sedative and anticarcinogenic purposes. To excavate novel natural compounds for treating obesity, we separated leaf and stem and fractionated. We screened phenolic contents, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties with the fractions. Dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EA) fraction from both leaf and stem exhibited high anti-oxidative properties demonstrated by DPPH, ABTS assay in accordance with their phenolic contents. In addition, DCM and EA fraction from leaf inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in Raw 264.7 cell. Finally, DCM and EA fraction from both leaf and stem significantly inhibited 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and decreased intracellular lipid level. These results suggest that DCM and EA fraction from Sasa borealis may contain therapeutic agent for obesity by attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.32 no.4 s.127
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• pp.311-315
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• 2001

The root of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (Leguminosae), which has been used for the treatment of hypertension, chronic hepatitis, duodenal ulcers, chronic nephritis and promotion of immunity in folk remedies. Cyclooxygenase (COX-2) is responsible for the production of large amounts of proinflammatory prostaglandins (PGs) at the inflammatory site. Thus, a logical approach to the treatment of inflammatory disease should involve the inhibitors of COX-2. To develop new COX-2 inhibitors from natural products, Astragali Radix was screened by inhibiting prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ generation in the culture medium using enzyme immunometric assay. Two isoflavone glycosides, $7,2'-dihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyisoflavan-7-O-{\beta}-D-glucoside$ and $calycosin-7-O-{\beta}-D-glucoside$ isolated from Astragali Radix inhibited COX-2 activity.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.192-200
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• 2020

Natural products have received revived interest via traditional remedies or alternative medicine used for the treatment of various diseases. Zanthoxylum piperitum (ZP) has been utilized in traditional medicine for various medicinal purposes. The present study was conducted to evaluate whether ZP modulates allergic inflammation both in vivo and in vitro. We examined the pharmacological effects of ZP on 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms in mice. Additionally, in order to clarify the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of ZP, we elucidate the effect of ZP on the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-stimulated human mast cells (HMC-1). The results demonstrated that ZP attenuated AD clinical symptoms such as erythema, edema and dryness as well as histamine and IgE serum levels in DNCB-induced AD model mice. Additionally, ZP suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines and activation of NF-κB in AD-like skin lesions and stimulated HMC-1. These results provide experimental evidence that ZP may be useful candidate for treating allergic inflammation including AD.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7435-7439
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• 2015

A failure of a cell to self destruct has long been associated with cancer progression and development. The fact that tumour cells may not instigate cell arrest or activate cell death mechanisms upon cancer drug delivery is a major concern. Autophagy is a mechanism whereby cell material can be engulfed and digested while apoptosis is a self-killing mechanism, both capable of hindering multiplication after cell injury. In particular situations, autophagy and apoptosis seem to co-exist simultaneously or interdependently with the aid of mutual proteins. This review covers roles of microRNAs and chemopreventive agents and makes an attempt at outlining possible partnerships in maximizing cancer cell death with minimal normal cell damage.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.80-89
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• 2010

Purpose: This paper has attempted to investigate the association between the subclinical thyroid function disorder caused by natural change in thyroid hormones or thyroid remedies and the incidence of CHD. Methods: Data was analyzed of 7,675 women who had undergone health examinations in a hospital in Gyeonggi-do between January 2007 and December 2008. The covariation of the coronary risk factors such as age, BMI, HbA1C, systolic blood pressure, LDL:HDL-cholesterol ratio, CRP, smoking and exercise were analyzed by using logistic regression analysis. Results: A significant increase in serum TSH was observed with higher age (F=26.91, p=.00). In terms of age, the risk of CHD started to gradually increase since the 40s and sharply since the 60s (${\chi}^2$=113.29, p=.00). The serum TSH was the most significant parameter influencing CHD (B=.12, p=.00). The risk of coronary heart disease was 3.12 times higher in the subclinical hypothyroidism group (OR=3.12) while no significant difference was observed in the subclinical hyperthyroidism group. Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism may be an independent risk factors for CHD. A nurse nursing patients with thyroid disorder should be well informed of their state of subclinical thyroid function disorder and make efforts to extend their health expectancy.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.116-125
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• 2003

Purpose: This study was to evaluate the importance of liver cancer patient's diet and to provide guideline materials for proper nursing intervention. Method: The hermeneutic phenomenological method of van Manen was applied for the in-depth interview of liver cancer patients and the cultural background studies including linguistic, literary and art works to enhance the insight and understanding, from which the meaning of the cognition and lesson of the experiences were extracted. The participants for this study were five male patients, who had been diagnosed with liver cancer, 5-15 years ago and had been treated with Transcatheter Arterial Embolization without chemotherapy. The repeated interview and close observation were carried out for nine months starting from January 2001 in Seoul, Korea. Result: Eight essential themes were emerged ; (1) confliction(frustration) with hospital treatment (2) trial of every possible remedies (3) liking unpolluted natural foods(4) faithful tolerance (5) experiencing diet effectiveness (6) discovering personal control methods (7) deepen their faith in God (8) searching for healthy new life. Conclusion: The alternative diet therapy influenced their life beyond the physical overcoming of cancer toward psychological and spiritual healing. The study evidenced the necessity for scientific research and education on the effectiveness and application of complementary and alternative diet therapy for the treatment of cancer in hospital practices.