• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2011

Some phytoestrogens in soy and red wine, for example, might have beneficiary rather than adverse effects. In particular, dietary soy intake seems to be highly correlated with protection of breast cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disorders. However, questions persist on the potential adverse effects of the main soy constituent genistein (GS) on female reproductive physiology. Previously we found that prepubertal exposure to GS could activate the reproductive system of immature female rats leading to precocious puberty onset, and intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected GS could directly activate hypothalamic kisspeptin-GnRH neuronal circuits in adult female rats. The present study was performed to examine the hypothalamus-specific GS effects in prepubertal female rats and which subtype of estrogen receptor is mediated in this GS effect. Prepubertal female rats (PND 30) were anaesthetized, treated with single dose of GS (3.4 ${\mu}g$/animal), and sacrificed at 2 hrs post-injection. To determine the transcriptional changes of reproductive hormone-related genes in hypothalamus, total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). ICV infusion of GS significantly lowered the transcriptional activities of mTOR (1:$0.361{\pm}0.058$ AU, p<0.001) but increased that of GAD67 (1:$1.285{\pm}0.099$ AU, p<0.05), which are known to act as an upstream modulator of kisspeptin and GnRH neuronal activities in the hypothalamus, respectively. GS administration enhanced significantly the mRNA levels of KiSS-1(1:$1.458{\pm}0.078$ AU, p<0.001), and exerted no effect on the mRNA level of kisspeptin receptor GPR-54 (1:$1.29{\pm}0.08$ AU). GnRH gene expression was significantly decreased in GS-treated group compared to control group (1:$0.379{\pm}0.196$ AU, p<0.05). There was no difference in the mRNA level of $ER{\alpha}$ in the GS-treated group compare to control group (1:$1.180{\pm}0.390$ AU, Fig. 3A). However, icv infusion of GS significantly increased the transcriptional activities of $ER{\beta}$ (1:$4.209{\pm}0.796$ AU, p<0.01, Fig. 3B). Taken together, the present study indicated that the acute exposure to GS could directly alter the hypothalamic GnRH modulating system in prepubertal female rats. Our study strongly suggested the involvement of $ER{\beta}$ pathway in GS's hypothalamus-specific action, and this idea is consistent with the GS's well-known $ER{\beta}$-mediated protective action in breast cancer.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.45-55
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• 2010

In this study, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and neuronal cell protective effects of water, 100% methanol and dichlromethane extracts from garlic were investigated. We found that dichloromethane extract of garlic resulted in a dose-dependent manner on AChE inhibition ($IC_{50}$: $36.1{\mu}g/mL$). In cell viability assay using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT), cell viabilities of water, 100% methanol and dichlromethane extracts were lower (almost under 40%) than amyloid ${\beta}$ protein ($A{\beta}$)-induced neurotoxicity. Because $A{\beta}$ is also known to increase neuronal cell membrane breakdown, neuronal apoptosis was further confirmed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and neutral red uptake (NRU) assay. Water extract presented relative protection against $A{\beta}$-induced membrane damage in LDH assay. However all garlic extracts showed significant problem with decrease of cell viability in NRU assay, especially at dichloromethan extract. To determine active compounds in column fractions (98:2 fraction) from dichloromethane extract which showed significant AChE inhibitory effect, we performed HPLC and LC-MS analysis. It was supposed that garlic may contain allyl methyl disulfide, diallyl monosulfide, and diallyl disulfide as active compounds.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1433-1440
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• 2003

This research was performed to investigate protective effect of Sophorae subprostratae Radix and each fractions against ischemic damage using PC12 cells. To observe the protective effect of Sophorae subprostratae Radix on ischemia damage, vibility and changes in activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), Catalase and Production of Malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed after treating PC12 cells with Sophorae subprostratae Radix during ischemic insult. Groups were divided into five groups: no treated (Normal), hypoxia chamber for 48hrs followed by 6h at normoxic chamber (H/R), Sop horae subprostratae Radix total phase treated group with H/R (Total), Sophorae subprostratae Radix water phase treated group with H/R (Water), Sophorae subprostratae Radix BuOH phase treated group with H/R (BuOH), Sophorae subprostratae Radix alkaloid phase treated group with H/R (Alkaloid). The results showed that (1) in hypoxiajreperfusion model using PC12 cell, the Sophorae subprostratae Radix has the protective effect against ischemia in the dose of 0.2 ㎍/㎖, 2 ㎍/㎖ and 20 ㎍/㎖, (2) Sophorae subprostratae Radix increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase. (3) the activity of Superoxide Diamutase(SOD) increased by ischemic damage, which might represent the self protection. This study suggests that Sophorae subprostratae Radix has neuroprotective effect against neuronal damage following hypoxiajreperfusion cell culture model using PC12 cell and dose dependency effects. In conclusion, Sophorae subprostratae Radix has protective effects against ischemic oxidative damage at the early stage of ischemia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.29-40
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• 2003

Object : This research was performed to investigate the protective effect of Aurantii Immaturus Fructus against ischemic damage using PC12 cells and global ischemia in gerbils. Methods : To observe the protective effect of Aurantii Immaturus Fructus on ischemia damage, viability and changes in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and production of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed after treating PC12 cells with Aurantii Immaturus Fructus during ischemic insult. Gerbils were divided into three groups : a normal group, a 5-min two-vessel occlusion (2VO) group, and an Aurantii Immaturus Fructus administered after 2VO group. The CCAs were occluded by microclip for 5 minutes. Aurantii Immaturus Fructus was administered orally for 7 days after 2VO. The histological analysis was performed at 7 days after the surgery. For histological analysis, the brain tissue was stained with 1% cresyl violet solution. Results : The results showed that 1. Aurantii Immaturus Fructus had a protective effect against ischemia in the CAI area of the gerbil hippocampus 7 days after 5-minute occlusion, 2. In the hypoxia/reperfusion model using PC12 cells, the Aurantii Immaturus Fructus had a protective effect against ischemia in the dose of $0.2{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml,{\;}2{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml{\;}and{\;}20{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ 3. Aurantii Immaturus Fructus increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase, 4. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was increased by ischemic damage, which might represent self protection. This study suggests that Aurantii Immaturus Fructus has some neuroprotective effect against neuronal damage following cerebral ischemia in vivo with a widely used experimental model of cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils, and it also has protective effects on a hypoxia/reperfusion cell culture model using PCq2 cells. Conclusions : Aurantii Immaturus Fructus has protective effects against ischemic brain damage at the early stage of ischemia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.110-121
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• 2003

Objective : This research was performed to investigate the protective effect of Angelicae Dahuri Radix against ischemic damage using PC12 cells and global ischemia in gerbils. Methods : To observe the protective effect of Angelicae Dahuri Radix on ischemia damage, viability and changes in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and production of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed after treating PC12 cells with Angelicae Dahuri Radix during ischemic insult. Gerbils were divided into three groups : a normal group, a 5-min two-vessel occlusion (2VO) group, and an Angelicae Dahuri Radix administered after 2VO group. The CCAs were occluded by microclip for 5 minutes. Angelicae Dahuri Radix was administered orally for 7 days after 2VO. The histological analysis was performed at 7 days after surgery. For histological analysis, the brain tissue was stained with 1% cresyl violet solution. Results : 1. Angelicae Dahuri Radix has a protective effect against ischemia in the CA1 area of the gerbil hippocampus 7 days after 5-minute occlusion, 2. In the hypoxia/reperfusion model using PC12 cells, Angelicae Dahuri Radix has a protective effect against ischemia in the dose of $0.2\mu\textrm{g}/ml$, $2\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ and $20\mu\textrm{g}/ml$, 3. Angelicae Dahuri Radix increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase. 4. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was increased by ischemic damage, which might represent self protection. This study suggests that Angelicae Dahuri Radix has some neuroprotective effect against neuronal damage following cerebral ischemia in vivo with a widely used experimental model of cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils, and it also has protective effects on a hypoxia/reperfusion cell culture model using PC12 cells. Conclusions : Angelicae Dahuri Radix has protective effects against ischemic brain damage at the early stage of ischemia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3 s.71
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• pp.216-231
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• 2007

Objectives : Chengsimyeunja-eum and Sunghyangjungi-san are prescriptions used for cerebral infarction clinically; it is known that these formulas reduce ischemic damage. According to previous research data, controlling certain types of glucose is considered to decrease the risk of cerebral infarction. Based on this fact, we investigated the effects of Chengsimyeunja-eum and Sunghyangjungi-san extracts on reperfusion following ischemic damage to diabetic rats, the change of c-FOS and Bax positive neurons in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex and protein through immunohistochemical methods, changes of serum glucose level, serum triglyceride level, and hepatic glucokinase activity. Methods : We induced ischemic damaged in diabetic rats, and the rats were administered Chengsimyeunja-eum and Sunghyangjungi-san extracts. Results : Chengsimyeunja-eum demonstrated significant decrease of c-Fos positive neurons in both hippocampus and cerebral cortex as well as a significant decrease of Bax positive neurons in hippocampus after ischemic damage on diabetic rats and decrease of serum glucose level after ischemic damage on diabetic rats. Sunghyangjungi-san demonstrated significant decreases of c-Fos and Bax positive neurons in both hippocampus and cerebral cortex after ischemic damage on diabetic rats. Conclusions : Chengsimyeunja-eum, effect on glucose level control, has a remarkable effect of protection of neurons not effective on glucose level. Sunghyangjungi-san showed neuroprotective effect through preventing neuronal cell death.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2016

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), derived from honeybee hives, is a bioactive compound with strong antioxidant activity. This study was designed to test the neuroprotective effect of CAPE in 3-nitropropionic acid (3NP)-induced striatal neurotoxicity, a chemical model of Huntington's disease (HD). Initially, to test CAPE's antioxidant activity, a 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) antioxidant assay was employed, and CAPE showed a strong direct radical-scavenging effect. In addition, CAPE provided protection from 3NP-induced neuronal cell death in cultured striatal neurons. Based on these observations, the in vivo therapeutic potential of CAPE in 3NP-induced HD was tested. For this purpose, male C57BL/6 mice were repeatedly given 3NP to induce HD-like pathogenesis, and 30 mg/kg of CAPE or vehicle (5% dimethyl sulfoxide and 95% peanut oil) was administered daily. CAPE did not cause changes in body weight, but it reduced mortality by 29%. In addition, compared to the vehicle-treated group, robustly reduced striatal damage was observed in the CAPE-treated animals, and the 3NP-induced behavioral deficits on the rotarod test were significantly rescued after the CAPE treatment. Furthermore, immunohistochemical data showed that immunoreactivity to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and CD45, markers for astrocyte and microglia activation, respectively, were strikingly reduced. Combined, these data unequivocally indicate that CAPE has a strong antioxidant effect and can be used as a potential therapeutic agent against HD.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2011

Although various derivatives of caffeic acid have been reported to possess a wide variety of biological activities such as protection of neuronal cells against excitotoxicity, the biological activity of 1-docosanoyl cafferate (DC) has not been examined. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of DC, isolated from the stem bark of Rhus verniciflua, on lipopoly-saccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Pretreatment of cells with DC significantly attenuated LPS-induced NO production, and mRNA and protein expression of iNOS in a concentration-dependent manner. DC also significantly suppressed LPS-induced release of cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$. Consistent with the decrease in cytokine release, DC dose-dependently and significantly attenuated LPS-induced mRNA expression of these cytokines. Furthermore, DC significantly suppressed LPS-induced degradation of IKB, which retains NF-kB in the cytoplasm. Therefore, nuclear translocation of NF-kB induced by LPS stimulation was significantly suppressed with DC pretreatment. Taken together, the present study suggests that DC exerts its anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression of NF-kB translocation to the nucleus.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2012

Although various derivatives of caffeic acid have been reported to possess a wide variety of biological activities such as neuronal protection against excitotoxicity and anti-inflammatory property, the biological activity of 3,4,5-trihydroxycinnamic acid (THC), a derivative of hydroxycinnamic acids, has not been clearly examined. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of THC on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. THC significantly suppressed LPS-induced excessive production of nitric oxide (NO) and expression of iNOS, which is responsible for the production of iNOS. THC also suppressed LPS-induced overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$and TNF-${\alpha}$ in BV2 microgilal cells. Furthermore, THC significantly suppressed LPS-induced degradation of $I{\kappa}B$, which retains NF-${\kappa}B$ in the cytoplasm. Therefore, THC attenuated nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$, a major pro-inflammatory transcription factor. Taken together, the present study for the first time demonstrates that THC exhibits antiinflammatory activity through the suppression of NF-${\kappa}B$ transcriptional activation in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2005

[ ${\beta}ig-h3$ ] is a secretory protein that is induced by $TGF-{\beta}$ and implicated in various disease conditions including fibrosis. We have previously reported that ${\beta}ig-h3$ expression is implicated in astrocyte response to brain injury. In this study, we further investigated potential roles of ${\beta}ig-h3$ protein in the injured central nervous system (CNS). We specifically assessed whether the treatment of microglial cells with ${\beta}ig-h3$ can regulate microglial activity. Microglial cells are the prime effector cells in CNS immune and inflammatory responses. When activated, they produce a number of inflammatory mediators, which can promote neuronal injury. We prepared conditioned medium from the stable CHO cell line transfected with human ${\beta}ig-h3$ cDNA. We then examined the effects of the conditioned medium on the LPS- or $IFN-{\gamma}-mediated$ induction of proinflammatory molecules in microglial cells. Preincubation with the conditioned medium significantly attenuated LPS-mediated upregulation of $TNF-{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$, iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression in BV2 murine microglial cells. It also reduced $IFN-{\gamma}-mediated$ upregulation of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and COX-2 mRNA expression but not iNOS mRNA expression. Assays of nitric oxide release correlated with the mRNA data, which showed selective inhibition of LPS-mediated nitric oxide production. Although the regulatory mechanisms need to be further investigated, these results suggest that astrocyte-derived ${\beta}ig-h3$ may contribute to protection of the CNS from immune-mediated damage via controlling microglial inflammatory responses.