• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.5-12
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• 2010

Reactive Oxygen Species(ROS) are continuously produced at a high rate as a by-product of aerobic metabolism. Since tissue damage by free radical increases with age, the reactive oxygen species(ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide($H_2O_2$), nitric oxide(NO). Several lines of evidence provided that ROS appears to cause to develop aging-related various diseases such as cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disease. In this study, we have conducted to investigate the biological activities of Hominis Placenta Herbal Acupuncture by measuring total polyphenol content, DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, Superoxide dismutase(SOD)-like activity, Nitrite scavenging ability in vitro. The total polyphenol contents of Hominis Placenta Herbal Acupuncture was $24.6m{\ell}/m{\ell}$. Elctron donation ability on DPPH was 49.4%. The 2,2'-azinobis-3-ehtlbezothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical decolorization (ABTS) was 50.01%, similar 10 the DPPH free radical scavenging. The superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities of hominis placenta herbal acupuncture was 50.876%. The nitrite scavenging abilities at pH 1.5, pH 3.0, pH 6.0 were 52.8%, 29.4%, 15.4%, respectively; these abilities decreased as pH increased. We conclude that Hominis Placenta Herbal Acupuncture may be useful as potential sources of antioxidant.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 1999

As part of a study on the effects of dexamethasone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the biological roles of astrocytes in brain injury, this study evaluated the effects of dexamethasone and DHEA on the responses of primary cultured rat cortical astrocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and antimycin A. Dexamethasone decreased spontaneous release of LDH from astrocytes, and the dexamethasone effect was inhibited by DHEA. However, the inhibitory effect of DHEA on the dexamethasone-induced decrease of LDH release was not shown in astrocytes treated with LPS, and antimycin A-induced LDH release was not affected by dexamethasone or DHEA. Unlike dexamethasone, DHEA increased MTT value of astrocytes and also attenuated the antimycin A-induced decrease of MTT value. Glutamine synthetase activity of astrocytes was not affected by DHEA or LPS but increased by dexamethasone, and the dexamethasone- dependent increase was attenuated by DHEA. However, antimycin A markedly decreased glutamine synthetase activity, and the antimycin A effect was not affected by dexamethasone or DHEA. Basal release of $[^3H]arachidonic$ acid from astrocytes was moderately increased by LPS and markedly by antimycin A. Dexamethasone inhibited the basal and LPS-dependent releases of $[^3H]arachidonic$ acid, but neither dexamethasone nor DHEA affected antimycin A-induced $[^3H]arachidonic$ acid release. Basal IL-6 release from astrocytes was not affected by dexamethasone or DHEA but markedly increased by LPS and antimycin A. LPS-induced IL-6 release was attenuated by dexamethasone but was little affected by DHEA, and antimycin A-induced IL-6 release was attenuated by DHEA as well as dexamethasone. At the concentration of dexamethasone and DHEA which does not affect basal NO release from astrocytes, they moderately inhibited LPS-induced NO release but little affected antimycin A-induced decrease of NO release. Taken together, these results suggest that dexamethasone and DHEA, in somewhat different manners, modulate the astrocyte reactivity in brain injuries inhibitorily.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.409-417
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• 2018

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy disorder that is characterised by severe hypertension and increased risks of foetal and maternal mortality. The aetiology of PE not completely understood; however, maternal nutrition and oxidative stress play important roles in the development of hypertension. The treatment options for PE are currently limited to anti-hypertensive drugs. Punicalagin, a polyphenol present in pomegranate juice, has a range of bioactive properties. The effects of supplementation with punicalagin on angiogenesis and oxidative stress in pregnant rats with induced hypertension were investigated. The pregnant rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups (n=12 per group). Hypertension was induced using an oral dose of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 50 mg/kg/day) on days 14-19 of pregnancy. Punicalagin (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg) was given orally on days 14-21 of pregnancy. Punicalagin treatment at the tested doses significantly reduced diastolic, systolic, and mean arterial blood pressure in L-NAME treated rats from day 14. Punicalagin also restored angiogenic balance by increasing the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and downregulating vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1/fms-like tyrosine kinase-1. Punicalagin, significantly increased the placental nitric oxide levels as compared to PE group. The increased levels of oxidative stress in rats with PE were markedly decreased by treatment with punicalagin. Punicalagin at the tested doses markedly (p<0.05) enhanced the placental antioxidant capacity in L-NAME-treated rats. The raised catalase activity observed following L-NAME induction was significantly (p<0.05) and restored to normal activity levels in punicalagin treatment. Further, 100 mg dose of punicalagin exhibited higher protective effects as compared to lower doses of 25 and 50 mg. This study shows that supplementation with punicalagin decreased blood pressure and oxidative stress and restored angiogenic balance in pregnant rats with induced PE.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.135-142
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• 2016

This study was conducted to compare the general composition and immunomodulatory activity of breast and thigh meats from four lines of Korean native chickens: Yeonsan Ogye, Hyunin Black, Hwangbong, and Hoengseong Yakdak. White Leghorn was used as a control. Fifteen male chickens (three chickens in each line) were grown under the same conditions and slaughtered at 13 weeks old. The four lines of Korean native chickens, regardless of the part, had higher contents of crude fat (p<0.05) than White Leghorn. The cholesterol contents were significantly higher in Hyunin Black and significantly lower in Hoengseong Yakdak than those of other chickens (p<0.05). The immunomodulatory effect, assessed by macrophage cell proliferation and nitric oxide production, was only observed in the breast meat of the four lines of Korean native chickens. The phagocytic activity of macrophage cells was significantly augmented by the breast meat of Hyunin Black and Hoengseong Yakdak. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-10 and $IFN-{\gamma}$, was significantly suppressed by Korean native chickens compared with White Leghorn. These results suggested that the four lines of Korean native chickens exhibited greater immune-enhancing activity than White Leghorn.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.130-148
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• 2008

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the effect of the water extract of Gamisamgibopae-tang(GMSGBPT), an oriental herbal formulation, on the growth of NCI-H460 and A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines. Methods : Cytotoxicity and cell morphology were evaluated by MTT assay and inverted microscope, respectively. Apoptosis was detected using agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometer. The expression levels of mRNAs and proteins of target genes were determined by RT-PCR and western blot analyses, respectively Result and Conclusion : We found that exposure of A549 cells to GMSGBPT resulted in the growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner as measured by MTT assay, but GMSGBPTdid not affect the growth of NCI-H460 cells. The anti-proliferative effect of GMSGBPT treatment in A549 cells was associated with morphological changes, formation of apoptotic bodies and DNA fragmentation, and flow cytometry analysis confirmed that GMSGBPT treatment increased the populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase. Growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death by GMSGBPT were connected with a up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 (WAF1/CIP1) mRNA and protein in a tumor suppressor p53-independent fashion. However GMSGBPT treatment did not affect other growth regulation-related genes such as early growth response-1 (Egr-1), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-activated gene-1 (NAG-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenases (COXs), telomere-regulatory factors in A549 orNCI-H460 cells. Taken together, these findings partially provide novel insights into the possible molecular mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of GMSGBPT.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.493-498
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• 2003

Paeoniae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix and Jakyakgamchotang have been used in Oriental Medicine for many centuries as a treatment for various disease. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of Paeoniae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix and Jakyakgamchotang on narepinephrine(NE) induced contraction of isolated rabbit femoral artery. Rabbits (2.0kg, female) were killed by CO₂ exposure and a segment (8-10mm) of the aortic ring from each rabbit was cut into equal segments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 1.5g loading tension. The dose of NE which evoked 50% of maximal response (ED/sub 50/) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for NE (10/sup -7/～10/sup -4/M). Contractions evoked by NE (ED/sub 50/) were inhibited significantly by Paeoniae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix and Jakyakgamcho-tang. The mean percent inhibition of NE induced contraction was 83.9% (p<0.01) after 150㎕/㎖ Paeoniae Radix, 101.1 %(p<0.01) after 150 ㎕/㎖, Glycyrrhizae Radix and 107.3%(p<0.01) after 150㎕/㎖ Jakyakgamcho-tang, Indomethacin slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Paeoniae Radix. Following treatment with indomethacin, the mean percent inhibition caused by 150㎕/㎖ Paeoniae Radix fell to 16.4% in femoral artery induced by NE contraction. Propranolol, ODQ, and L-NNA did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Paeoniae Radix. ODQ slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix. Following treatment with ODQ, the mean percent inhibition caused by 150㎕/㎖ Glycyrrhizae Radix fell to 13.0% in femoral artery induced by NE contraction. Propranolol, indomethacin and L-NNA did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Glycyrrhizae Radix. L-NNA slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Jakyakgamchotang. Following treatment with L-NNA, the mean percent inhibition caused by 150㎕/㎖ Jakyakgamchotang fell to 13.8% in femoral artery induced by NE contraction. Propranolol, ODQ and indomethacin did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Jakyakgamcho-tang. These results indicate that Paeoniae Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix and Jakyakgamcho-tang can relax NE induced contraction of the isolated rabbit femoral artery, and that this inhibition related to nitric oxide.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.521-527
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• 2011

Recently, Korean ginseng, as immuno-activator, was actively investigated on its effect and mechanism. But purified fermented red ginseng (PFRG) has not been researched enough compared to red ginseng (RG, steamed and dried root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, family Araliaceae) and fermented red ginseng (FRG, fermented red ginseng by Lactobacillus brevis 13094). In this study, we examined RG, FRG and PFRG to compare their anti-inflammatory effect by LPS. According to the result, RAW 264.7 cells survival rates did not largely change by RG and FRG. Only PFRG expressed weak toxicity at 10 ug/ml. The expression of iNOS and production of Nitric Oxide (NO) decreased depending on the concentration of RG, FRG and PFRG. And the expression of COX-2 also decreased. We tried western blotting for detecting that the expression of iNOS, COX-2 was caused by NF-${\kappa}B$. The result supported that the inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ by RG, FRG and PFRG suppressed the expression of iNOS, COX-2 and affected the production of TNF-${\alpha}$. While the anti-inflammatory effect was confirmed from all three types of red ginseng (RG, FRG, PFRG), the effect of PFRG was superior to others. Further research is required on other effects of PFRG.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.616-623
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• 2010

Three herbal formulas (Bangpungtongsung-san, Ohyaksungi-san, and Ojeok-san) for wind-cold and heat pain symptom were applied to investigate the immunological activities on antigen (Ag)-specific or Ag-non-specific immune responses in murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized mice. This study was carried out in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in RAW 264.7 cells and cellular proliferation in mouse splenocytes according to three herbal formulas. C57BL/6 mice were immunized intraperitonially with OVA/aluminium ($100\;{\mu}g/200\;{\mu}g$/mouse) on day 1, 8, and 15. Three herbal formulas were administrated to mice orally for 3 weeks from day 1. On day 22, OVA-, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-, and concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated splenocyte proliferation and antibodies (OVA-specific antibodies of the IgG, lgG1, and total IgM classes) in plasma were measured. Ohyaksungi-san increased NO synthesis in RAW 264.7 cells. Ojeok-san and Ohyaksungi-san significantly enhanced cellular proliferation by LPS and Con A in splenocytes from OVA-immunized mice (p<0.001). Three herbal formulas for wind-cold and heat pain symptom also significantly enhanced plasma OVA-specific IgG, IgG1, and total IgM levels compared with the OVA/Alum group. These results suggested that three herbal formulas for wind-cold and heat pain symptom could be used as stimulator of immune response.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2012

The Mume Fructus (MF) has been used for relieves cough, arrests arrest chronic diarrhea, treat fluid depletion, and treat ascariasis in Korea. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established for simultaneous determination of six main components of MF. Additionally, we were investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of MF extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$/interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT cells. The analytical column for separation was used a Gemini $C_{18}$ column maintained at $40^{\circ}C$. The mobile phase consisted of 1.0% (v/v) acetic acid in water (A) and 1.0% (v/v) acetic acid in acetonitrile (B). The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the detector was a photodiode array (PDA) set at 280 nm and 320 nm. We evaluated the inhibitory effect of MF extract on the production of inflammatory markers, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) in TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT cells, respectively. We confirmed the genes expression related with TARC, macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22) and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES/CCL5) in HaCaT keratinocyte cells by MF extract. The contents of the five compounds in MF were 0.22-1.01 mg/g. Also, the MF extract show inhibition of about 78% and 75% on NO and $PGE_2$ production at the concentration 1000 mg/mL in RAW264.7 cells. MF extract suppressed the hTARC level and genes expression such as TARC, MDC, and RANTES on TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT cells.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.137-145
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• 2014

The biological activities of licorice F1 (Glycyrrhiza glabra ${\times}$ G. uralensis) lines (G) were investigated, revealing strong radical scavenging activity targeting 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl (${\cdot}OH$) radicals. At a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$, most of the licorice F1 lines scavenged DPPH and ${\cdot}OH$ by more than 80%. Gs-1, -2, and -6 can be considered good scavengers of DPPH radical and G-7 have higher antioxidant activity against ${\cdot}OH$ radical. In addition, licorice F1 lines exerted effective anti-microbial activities against Escherichia coli (Gs-12, -17, and -18) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gs-3, -4, -5, -21, and -26). Moreover, Gs-2, - 20, -31, and -32 effectively inhibited the growth of Helicobacter pylori. Among licorice F1 lines, Gs-25 exhibited high anti-inflammatory effects on nitric oxide produced by lipopolysaccharide- and interferon-${\gamma}$-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, Gs-1, -12, and -20 inhibited the growth of AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells by more than 60% at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$ and Gs-5, -11, -19, and -32 showed inhibitory effects against rat lens aldose reductase ($IC_{50}$ values, 1.69, 6.07, 6.12, and $4.54{\mu}g/mL$, respectively). The total content of glycyrrhizin (1), glycyrrhetinic acid (2), glabridin (3), and isoliquiritigenin (4) in licorice F1 lines was high in Gs-11, -15, and -30. The present study therefore indicated that Gs-2, -26, -31, and -32 of licorice F1 possessing strong anti-oxidative, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and aldose reductase inhibitory effects may be used as a possible source material for natural health supplements in the future.