• CELLMED
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.26.1-26.5
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• 2012

Adverse side-effects and lack of scientific validation of some chemotherapeutic agents prevent the use of many traditional medicines claimed to have anti-cancer effects. Ethanolic extract of Conium maculatum has long been used in traditional and alternative systems of medicine including homeopathy for the treatment of glandular enlargements, cancerous tumours or hard lumps of testicles, prostate, ovaries, breasts and/ or uterus, particularly in the breast. However, if and how it acts still remains scientifically unknown. This study aims to test if Conium extract (CE), used as mother tincture of Conium in homeopathy, has demonstrable anti-cancer potentials without having much cytotoxicity in normal cells. Cytotoxicity of the drug was tested by conducting MTT assay on both normal (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) and HeLa cells. We also evaluated DNA fragmentation and DNA damage by DAPI and diphenylamine assay. The LDH activity assay was done to evaluate the percentages of apoptosis and necrosis. ROS accumulation also was evaluated to pin-point the actual events of apoptosis. Administration of drug clearly demonstrated its anti-cancer potentials as evidenced by the DNA damage analysis. The ROS activity also increased in case of the CE treated cells. LDH data revealed that the mode of cell death was mainly apoptotic and not necrotic. CE appears to induce apoptosis of cancer cells through ROS mediated pathway, and has negligible cytotoxicity against normal cells.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.331-336
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• 2010

We evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of proanthocyanidin-rich extract (PAE) from Pinus radiata bark in broiler. Proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and thymocytes was significantly enhanced in 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg PAE-treated broiler chickens. Proliferation of splenocytes was significantly enhanced in 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg PAE-treated broiler chickens. These effects were markedly enhanced by the presence of LPS, which acts on B cells responsible for humoral immunity, and Con A, which acts directly on T cells involved in cell mediated immunity. PAE significantly promoted the expression of interleukin-18 and interleukin-$1\beta$. Thus, PAE from P. radiata possesses immunomodulatory effects in broiler chickens.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.105-137
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Gupoongjeseuptang (GPJST) on atopic dermatitis by in vivo experiment using NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse, which has histological and clinical similarities to the atopic dermatitis of human. Methods : To investigate the effect of GPJST on atopic dermatifis, we evaluated atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions by clinical skin index and analyzed immunological parameters in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), splenocytes, draining lymph node (DLN) and performed skin histology in ears and dorsal skin of atopic dermatitis-like skin NC/Nga mouse in vivo. Results : In vivo, clinical skin severity score were significantly lower in GPJST group than control group. IgE, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IgG1, IgM, IgG2a and IgG2b levels in serum decreased remarkably in GPJST group than control group. Also, total absolute number of $CD3^+CD69^+$, and $CCR3^+$ cells recovered as normal in PBMCs and $CD3^+$, $CD3^+CD69^+$ decreased significantly compared with control group in isolated DLN from NC/Nga mouse and total absolute number of $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$, $CCR3^+CD3^+$ in dorsal skin of NC/Nga mouse decreased by GPJST. We analyzed ear and neck-back skin after biopsy and dyeing by hematoxyline/eosin (H&E) and toluidine staining (mast cells marker) and obtained results that GPJST are very effective to histological symptoms (dermal and epidermal thickening, hyperkeratosis and inflammatory cell (CD4, $CCR3^+$) infiltration). Conclusions : This study demonstrates immunological activity of GPJST on atopic dermatitis-like model mice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5495-5501
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• 2013

Background: Alu elements are one of the most common repetitive sequences that now constitute more than 10% of the human genome and potential targets for epigenetic alterations. Correspondingly, methylation of these elements can result in a genome-wide event that may have an impact in cancer. However, studies investigating the genome-wide status of Alu methylation in cancer remain limited. Objectives: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) presents with high incidence in South-East Asia and thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the Alu methylation status in OSCCs and explore with the possibility of using this information for diagnostic screening. We evaluated Alu methylation status in a) normal oral mucosa compared to OSCC; b) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of normal controls comparing to oral cancer patients; c) among oral epithelium of normal controls, smokers and oral cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Alu methylation was detected by combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) at 2 CpG sites. The amplified products were classified into three patterns; hypermethylation ($^mC^mC$), partial methylation ($^uC^mC+^mC^uC$), and hypomethylation ($^uC^uC$). Results: The results demonstrate that the $%^mC^mC$ value is suitable for differentiating normal and cancer in oral tissues (p=0.0002), but is not significantly observe in PBMCs. In addition, a stepwise decrease in this value was observed in the oral epithelium from normal, light smoker, heavy smoker, low stage and high stage OSCC (p=0.0003). Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses demonstrated the potential of combined $%^mC$ or $%^mC^mC$ values as markers for oral cancer detection with sensitivity and specificity of 86.7% and 56.7%, respectively. Conclusions: Alu hypomethylation is likely to be associated with multistep oral carcinogenesis, and might be developed as a screening tool for oral cancer detection.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2018

A preliminary study into the protective mechanisms of adaptive immunity against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in piglets (n = 9) born to a gilt challenged intranasally with a type-2 PRRSV. Immune parameters (neutralizing antibodies, $CD3^+CD4^+$, $CD3^+CD8^+$, $CD3^+CD4^+CD8^+$ T-lymphocytes, and PRRSV-specific interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ secreting T-lymphocytes) were compared with infection parameters (macro- and microscopic lung lesion, and PRRSV-infected porcine alveolar macrophages ($CD172{\alpha}^+PRRSV-N^+\;PAM$) as well as with plasma and lymphoid tissue viral loads. Percentages of three T-lymphocyte phenotypes in 14-days post-birth (dpb) peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) had significant negative correlations with percentages of $CD172{\alpha}^+PRRSV-N^+\;PAM$ (p < 0.05) as well as with macroscopic lung lesion (p < 0.01). Plasma and tissue viral loads had significant (p < 0.05) negative correlations with $CD3^+CD4^+CD8^+$ T-lymphocyte percentage in PBMC. Frequencies of $CD3^+CD8^+$ and $CD3^+CD4^+$ T-lymphocytes in 14-dpb PBMC had significant negative correlations with of lymph node (p = 0.04) and lung (p = 0.002) viral loads. $IFN-{\gamma}$-secreting T-lymphocytes frequency had a significant negative correlation with gross lung lesion severity (p = 0.002). However, neutralizing antibody titers had no significant negative correlation (p > 0.1) with infection parameters. The results indicate that T-lymphocytes contribute to controlling PRRSV replication in young piglets born after in-utero infection.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of four calcium silicate-based endodontic cements at different storage times after mixing. Materials and Methods: Capillary tubes were filled with Biodentine (Septodont), Calcium Enriched Mixture (CEM cement, BioniqueDent), Tech Biosealer Endo (Tech Biosealer) and ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental). Empty tubes and tubes containing Dycal were used as negative and positive control groups respectively. Filled capillary tubes were kept in 0.2 mL microtubes and incubated at $37^{\circ}C$. Each material was divided into 3 groups for testing at intervals of 24 hr, 7 day and 28 day after mixing. Human monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cocultered with 24 hr, 7 day and 28 day samples of different materials for 24 and 48 hr. Cell viability was evaluated using an MTT assay. Results: In all groups, the viability of monocytes significantly improved with increasing storage time regardless of the incubation time (p < 0.001). After 24 hr of incubation, there was no significant difference between the materials regarding monocyte viability. However, at 48 hr of incubation, ProRoot MTA and Biodentine were less cytotoxic than CEM cement and Biosealer (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Biodentine and ProRoot MTA had similar biocompatibility. Mixing ProRoot MTA with PBS in place of distilled water had no effect on its biocompatibility. Biosealer and CEM cement after 48 hr of incubation were significantly more cytotoxic to on monocyte cells compared to ProRoot MTA and Biodentine.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.215-223
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• 2000

To understand immunopharmacologic effects on Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Morindae Officinalis Radix, Cistanches Herba, Curculginis Rhizoma, Epimedii Herba, Eucommiae Cortex, we investigated chinese experimental documents, and we could reach conclusions as follows : 1. The effects on cell-mediated immune system were as follows. 1) The effects on macrophage (1) The herbal medicines promoting to increase the number of WBC in the peripheral blood were Morindae Officinalis Radix, Epimedii Herba and that promoting to reinforce the phagocytic functions of neutrophil was Curculginis Rhizoma. (2) The herbal medicines promoting the phagocytic functions of mononuclear, macrophage were Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Cistanches Herba, Eucommiae Cortex. 2) The herbal medicines stimulating the activities of T lymphocytes were Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Curculginis Rhizoma, Epimedii Herba, Eucommiae Cortex. 2. The effects on humoral immune system were as follows. 1) The herbal medicines increasing the activity of complement receptor were Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Curculginis Rhizoma. 2) The herbal medicines reinforcing immunity of spleen cells were Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Cistanches Herba, Epimedii Herba. 3) The herbal medicines promoting proliferation of spleen cells that produce antibody after having been immunized by SRBC were Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Cistanches Herba, Epimedii Herba. 3. The herbal medicines, reinforcing immunity on delayed type hypersensitivity were Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu, Cistanches Herba, Eucommiae Cortex. As you know in the many bibliological documents, the studies on the effects of Drugs for Tonifying Yang were started along right lines. Recently the studies on those were accomplished more rapidly and applied many immune diseases. We thought that Drugs for Tonifying Yang could be important immunopotentiators. Therefore we can apply those herbal medicines not only to immune diseases but also inflammatory diseases, senile infirmity and all sorts of tumor.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2019

Ceramide metabolism is known to be an essential etiology for various diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and Gaucher disease. Glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) is a key enzyme for the synthesis of glucosylceramide (GlcCer), which is a main ceramide metabolism pathway in mammalian cells. In this article, we developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to determine GCS activity using synthetic non-natural sphingolipid C8-ceramide as a substrate. The reaction products, C8-GlcCer for GCS, could be separated on a C18 column by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Quantification was conducted using the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode to monitor the precursor-to-product ion transitions of m/z $588.6{\rightarrow}264.4$ for C8-GlcCer at positive ionization mode. The calibration curve was established over the range of 0.625-160 ng/mL, and the correlation coefficient was larger than 0.999. This method was successfully applied to detect GCS in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2 cells) and mouse peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We also evaluated the inhibition degree of a known GCS inhibitor 1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP) on GCS enzymatic activity and proved that this method could be successfully applied to GCS inhibitor screening of preventive and therapeutic drugs for ceramide metabolism diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and Gaucher disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.235-241
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immune activation effect of Sasamsaengmaek-san (SSSMS) consisted of a mixture of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica, Liriope platyphylla, Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer and Schisandra chinensis. in Balb/c mice. Measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartic acid transaminase (AST) levels in Balb/c mice was performed to analyze the cytotoxicity. Cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12) which regulate the immune activation in Balb/c mice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Activated T lymphocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), spleen, lymph nodes were analyzed by flow cytometry using percentages. All tests were compared with red ginseng 100 ㎍/mL (RG 100), which is the most used for immune activity. As a result, cytokine activity was significantly increased at SSSMS 300 group. Activated T lymphocytes in PBMC, spleen, lymph nodes were significantly increased at SSSMS 300 group. These results suggest that there is a possibility of SSSMS activating an immune system by activating the cytokines, and it is confirmed that SSSMS also effective for generation and differentiation of T, B lymphocytes which activate the immune response.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.1143-1149
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• 2023

Objective: We investigated the effects of outdoor access for 1 h per day on the animal welfare (AW) of tethered cows, in terms of lying and sleeping postures, and immune function. Methods: A total of five dry cows were tethered all day indoors (tethering) for 30 days and then tethered indoors with 1 h daily outdoor access (ODA-1h) for 30 days. To analyze the effects of ODA-1h, we calculated the total duration and bout frequency per day, and bout duration of lying and sleeping postures during the last five days of each treatment period. We also analyzed the populations of T cells, B cells, and NK cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and determined the concanavalin A (Con A) -induced proliferation rate of T cells. Results: The mean total time per day of lying during the ODA-1h treatment was significantly shorter than that during the tethering treatment (p<0.001). The Con A-induced proliferation rate of T cells during the ODA-1h treatment was significantly higher than that during the tethering treatment (p = 0.007). The proportion of NK cells in PBMC during the ODA-1h treatment tended to be higher than that during the tethering treatment (p = 0.062). Conclusion: Although ODA-1h may decrease lying time, it increases the available space for tethered cows towards that typically found in grazing and free barn feeding systems. This increased available space promotes the expression of normal behaviors such as walking and social behaviors except lying and may also improve the immune function of tethered dry cows, thereby improving their overall welfare.