• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.119-128
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• 2013

Objectives: Yijin-tang-gamibang has been used in the Korean Medicine for treating various digestive disease. This study was aimed to investigate the effects and safety of Yijin-tang-gamibang in reflux esophagitis through the analysis of articles. Method: A total of 9 articles about Yijin-tang-gamibang and reflux esophagitis were used to develop this article. Results: According to basic research and clinic research data, it is supported that Yijin-tang-gamibang was useful prescription in reflux esophagitis. Yijin-tang-gamibang has favorable protective effects on the reflux esophagitis induced by pylorus and forestomach ligation in rats. After treatment with Yijin-tang-gamibang, patients showed improvement in all symptoms associated with reflux esophagitis and functional dyspepsia, including general condition. And Yijin-tang-gamibang did not show any toxic effect in single oral dose toxicity test. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that Yijin-tang-gamibang showed favorable protective effects on the reflux esophagitis. However, it proved insufficient to confirm its efficacy owing to lack of clinical studies of high quality. So, we need well designed studies to verify clinical efficacy of Yijin-tang-gamibang hereafter.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.467-483
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• 2016

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of IUS (Inulsan, an extract of Artemisiae capillaris (茵蔯), Curcumae longae (鬱金), and Crataegi fructus (山査)) on anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation.Method: We administered water extracts of Artemisiae capillaris, Curcumae longae, and Crataegi fructus for three weeks to db/db mice (C57BL/Ks), animal models induced with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mice were divided into three groups: normal (C57BL/6J mice group), control group (db/db mice without administration of IUS) and IUS group (db/db mice treated with IUS). Then we measured total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride in the serum after the oral administration of IUS.Results: 1. IUS did not show any cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells. 2. IUS decreased AST, ALP, and creatinine levelsand did not show any liver or renal toxicity in the db/db mice. 3. IUS increased DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity and decreased ROS production in RAW 264.7 cells. 4. IUS significantly decreased IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α production in RAW 264.7 cells. 5. IUS increased HDL cholesterol and significantly decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride in db/db mice. 6. IUS significantly decreased the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor. 7. In contrast with the control group, fat infiltration in the liver and aorta decreased in IUS treated mice. The cell nucleus was located in the central area in H&E staining of liver. And endomembranes also were more thinner than the control group in H&E staining of aorta.Conclusions: These results suggest that IUS might be effective in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6621-6626
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate effects of metformin on clinical outcome of non-diabetic patients with stage IV NSCLC. Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomized, open-label, controlled pilot study was conducted on patients with stage IV NSCLC with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) of 0-2, excluding patients with diabetes and lactic acidosis. Thirty chemo-$na\ddot{i}ve$, non-diabetic patients with stage IV NSCLC were enrolled. Fifteen patients received intravenous gemcitabine/cisplatin regimen alone (arm B) while fifteen patients received the same regimen plus daily oral metformin 500mg (arm A). The effect of metformin on chemotherapy-response rates, survival, and adverse events in these patients was evaluated. Results: Objective response rate (ORR) and median overall survival (OS) in arms A and B were 46.7% versus 13.3% respectively, p=0.109 and 12 months versus 6.5 months, respectively, p=0.119. Median progression free survival (PFS) in arms A and B was 5.5 months versus 5 months, p=0.062. No significant increase in toxicity was observed in arm A versus arm B. Percentage of patients who experienced nausea was significantly lower in arm A versus arm B, at 26.7% versus 66.7% respectively, p=0.028. Conclusions: Metformin administration reduced occurrence of chemotherapy induced-nausea. Non-statistically significant improvements in the ORR or OS were observed. Metformin had no effect on PFS.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.719-725
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the toxic effects of sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS) in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells and mouse fibroblast NIH-3T3 cells. Methods: The effect of sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS) cell viability and proliferation were determined by WST-1 assay and changes shape of nucleus were evaluated by Hoechst staining under fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, observation of cell morphological changes under light microscopy. Results: SLS induced cytotoxicity and a marked apoptosis in both HaCaT and NIH-3T3 cell lines. With the result of the WST-1 assay, SLS induced the cytotoxicity of 0.005% and 0.0075%, 0.01% SLS for 24 h after HaCaT and NIH-3T3 cells in time and dose-dependent manner(p<0.005). SLS inhibited cell growth and caused apoptosis as evidenced by nuclear fragmentation and condensation. Thus, determination of the morphological changes to define apoptosis was visualized using inverted phase contrast microscopy. Conclusions: SLS had toxicity of the human keratinocyte cells and mouse fibroblast cells and this study will provide the basic data for the development of proper SLS concentration in dentifrice.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.322-334
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• 2007

This study covers the investigation of the actual condition in the workplace to produce plastics products using synthetic resins and the investigation on the trends amount of the domestic production of thermoplastic resins. To analyze the monomers included in thermoplastic resins frequently used in the workplace, we analyzed thermal characteristics for test compounds using thermogravimetric analysis and did the qualitative analysis using Pyrolyzer GC-MSD & TDS GC-MSD. And then we classified the health hazard of monomers based on GHS classification criteria using information toxicity & carcinogenicity. The number of the workplace to produce plastics products among all domestic manufacturers of 73,884 was 4,391 (5.94%). The number of workers to produce plastics products among all workers of 2,522,750 in all domestic manufacturers was 104,971 (4.16%). The amount of production per year for thermoplastic resins is in the order of PP, HDPE, LDPE, PVC, ABS, PS and such compounds was producing over 1 Million ton per year each. The classification result based on GHS classification criteria for 22 main compounds included thermoplastic resins says 2 compounds of acrylonitrile, naphthalene are in Acute oral category 3 and benzene is in Acute dermal category 1. The classification results of health hazard of carcinogenicity based on IARC & ACGIH carcinogen classification says 2 compounds of benzene, vinyl chloride are in category 1A (known to be human carcinogens).

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.289-295
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• 2008

Toxicology screening following treatment with astemizole, a histamine receptor antagonist, at oral doses of 0, 10, 30 and 60 mg/kg was carried out in male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). No dose-related changes in mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, food consumption, or urine analysis occurred in any animal compared to the vehicle control. However, the high-dose group showed a decrease in BUN and ALP compared to vehicle control group. In addition, the levels of TG, AST, ALP and CK increased. Although astemizole did not produce significant toxicological changes at any dose tested, we predict that it can cause toxicological changes of the liver and heart based on the changes in the serum parameters related to the heart and liver. The Action Potential Duration (APD) was prolonged in the heart of 60 mg/kg treatment group compared to the control group. The APD increase in 60 mg/kg treatment group along the other related changes in toxicological parameters imply that astemizole has major cardiotoxic effects in the cynomolgus monkey. This study is a valuable assessment for predicting the general toxicity and cardiotoxic effects of antihistamine drugs using nonhuman primates.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate retrospectively the survival outcome, patterns of failure, and complications in patients treated with postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in advanced gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2006, 80 patients with advanced gastric cancer who received postoperative concurrent CRT were included. Pathological staging was IB-II in 9%, IIIA in 38%, IIIB in 33%, and IV in 21%. Radiotherapy consisted of 45 Gy of radiation. Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of a continuous intravenous infusion of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin on the first 4 days and last 3 days of radiotherapy. Results: The median follow-up period was 48 months (range, 3 to 83 months). The 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival, and locoregional recurrence-free survivals were 62%, 59%, and 80%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, significant factors for disease-free survival were T stage (hazard ratio [HR], 0.278; P = 0.038), lymph node dissection extent (HR, 0.201; P = 0.002). and maintenance oral chemotherapy (HR, 2.964; P = 0.004). Locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis occurred in 5 (6%) and 18 (23%) patients, respectively. Mixed failure occurred in 10 (16%) patients. Grade 3 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 4 (5%) and one (1%) patient, respectively. Grade 3 nausea and vomiting developed in 8 (10%) patients. Intestinal obstruction developed in one (1%). Conclusion: The survival outcome of the postoperative CRT in advanced gastric cancer was similar to those reported previously. Our postoperative CRT regimen seems to be a safe and effective method, reducing locoregional failure without severe treatment toxicity in advanced gastric cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5553-5565
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• 2013

Plants play important roles in human life not only as suppliers of oxygen but also as a fundamental resource to sustain the human race on this earthly plane. Plants also play a major role in our nutrition by converting energy from the sun during photosynthesis. In addition, plants have been used extensively in traditional medicine since time immemorial. Information in the biomedical literature has indicated that many natural herbs have been investigated for their efficacy against lethal irradiation. Pharmacological studies by various groups of investigators have shown that natural herbs possess significant radioprotective activity. In view of the immense medicinal importance of natural product based radioprotective agents, this review aims at compiling all currently available information on radioprotective agents from medicinal plants and herbs, especially the evaluation methods and mechanisms of action. In this review we particularly emphasize on ethnomedicinal uses, botany, phytochemistry, mechanisms of action and toxicology. We also describe modern techniques for evaluating herbal samples as radioprotective agents. The usage of herbal remedies for combating lethal irradiation is a green anti-irradiation approach for the betterment of human beings without high cost, side effects and toxicity.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.60-69
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• 2011

Due to its efficacy and tolerability, low dose oral methotrexate (MTX) therapy has been widely used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it can rarely cause serious, life-threatening hematologic toxicities, such as pancytopenia. We report here on two patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), who developed severe pancytopenia after 5 years (cumulative dose 1,240 mg) and 4 years (cumulative dose 1,320 mg) of low dose MTX therapy for treatment of RA, respectively. Both patients presented with renal insufficiency, hypoalbuminemia, concurrent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and elevated mean corpuscular volume of red blood cells (RECs), all of which are known as risk factors of MTX-induced pancytopenia. Despite receiving treatment, which included REC and platelet transfusions, antibiotic therapy, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, and leucovorin rescue, one patient died of sepsis. Based on our case study, prompt investigation of risk factors associated with MTX toxicity is required for all patients receiving MTX therapy. MTX treatment, even at a low dose, should be discontinued in patients with advanced CKD.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.915-921
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• 2015

Context: In the last half century, discovering, developing and introducing of clinical agents from marine sources have seen great successes, with examples including the anti-cancer compound trabectedin. However, with increasing need for new anticancer drugs, further exploration for novel compounds from marine organism sources is strongly justified. Objective: The major aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor and antioxidant potential of Sargassum tenerrimum J.Agardh (Sargassaceae) on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice. Materials and Methods: An ethanol extract of S. tenerrimum (EEST) from whole algae was used to evaluate cytotoxicity followed by in vivo assessment of toxicity, using biochemical parameters including hepatic and non-hepatic enzymes. Antioxidant properties were examined in animals bearing EAC treated with daily oral administration of 100-300 mg/kg extract suspension. Results: Antitumor effects of EEST in EAC bearing mice was observed with LD50 1815 mg/kg. Parameters like body weight, tumor volume, packed cell volume, tumor cell count, mean survival time and increase in life span in animals in the EAC bearing animals treated with EEST 300 mg/kg was comparable with control group. Significant differences were also seen with changes in total protein content, hepatic enzymes contents, MDA level, and free radical scavenging enzymes in untreated vs. EEST treated group animals. Conclusions: Evaluation of antioxidant enzymes and hepatic enzymes in the EAC animal model treated with EEST exhibited similar effects as the positive control drug 5-flurouracil. S. tenerrimum extracts contain effective antioxidants with significant antitumor activity.