• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2006

The ethanol extracts of Puerariae Radix inhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity in bone marrow derived mast cells (BMMC). COX-2 is responsible for the production of large amounts of proinflammatory prostaglandins (PGs) at the inflammatory site. We have investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of ethyl acetate fraction from $70\%$ ethanol extract of Puerariae Radix (EPR), and attempted acetic acid induced writhing to verify the analgesic effect. Inflammation was induced by interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), $inteferon-\gamma$ $(IFN-\gamma)$ and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). EPR showed strong inhibitory efficacy against cytokine-induced proteoglycan degradation, prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ production, nitric oxide (NO) production, and matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression in mouse macrophage and rabbit articular chondrocyte. In the writhing test, EPR $(200\~400\;mg/kg)$ exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of writhing. The results indicate that EPR have anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, and could be a good herbal medicine candidate for treating of osteoarthritis (OA).

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.17-31
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Samgi-eum($S{\bar{a}}nq{\grave{i}}-y{\check{i}}n$) on the monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats. Methods : Osteoarthritis was induced by injection of monosodium iodoacetate intraarticularly in both knee joints. Arthritic rats were divided into control and treated group. Control group were taken distilled water for 20days. Treated group were taken extracts of Samgi-eum($S{\bar{a}}nq{\grave{i}}-y{\check{i}}n$) by orally for the same duration. Normal group were injected normal saline and taken distilled water. Body weights were measured at 0, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th day after injection. At the end of the experiment, gross and histopathological examination on the articular cartilages of the knee joints were performed. Proteoglycan contents of articular cartilages were analyzed by safranine O staining method. The contents of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 in synovial fluids were analyzed by ELISA method. Results : 1. Body weights of the treated group were significantly increased compared with control at 20days after injection. 2. Grossly, the severity of osteoarthritis in the treated group were alleviated compared with control. 3. Histopathologically, degenerative and necrotic lesion of articular cartilages in the treated group were alleviated compared with those of the control and histopathological scores of treated group were significantly decreased compared with control. 4. PG contents in articular cartilages of the treated group were significantly increased compared with control. 5. $TNF-{\alpha}$ contents in synovial fluids of the treated group were significantly decreased compared with control. Conclusions : According to above results, Samgi-eum($S{\bar{a}}nq{\grave{i}}-y{\check{i}}n$) has anti-arthritic effects on the monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats. And it is related with reduced secretion of $TNF-{\alpha}$ from osteoarthritic chondrocytes and synovial membranes.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.260-269
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• 2015

The protective effects of extract powder of Angelica gigas on the degeneration of the articular cartilage in rats was investigated with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis, The treatment of high concentration (50 μg/mL) of Angelica gigas effectively inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production induced by interleukin-1α (IL-1α) without any cytotoxicity. Specifically, mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were dose dependently reduced by extract powder of Angelica gigas. Importantly, mRNA expression in articular cartilage of inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were clearly reduced. The inflammatory cytokines in blood were also reduced as well. These results suggested that the protective effects on the degeneration of the articular cartilage was derived from the inhibitory effects of mRNA and protein expression of tested inflammatory cytokines which is linked to prevent the degradation of proteoglycan (PG), the main matrix content in articular cartilage. Meanwhile, the 2 hrs incubation of decursin, a major compound of extract powder in rat whole blood rapidely converted decursin into decursinol which shows string anti-inflammatory activity. The coverted decursinol was detected after 8 hrs in whole blood by LC-MS/MS. Conclusively, the inhibitory effects of inflammatory cytokines production in osteoarthritis may be derived from the production of decursinol, which performs against inflammatroy cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.83.1-83.12
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• 2023

Background: Ellipticine (Ellip.) was recently reported to have beneficial effects on the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into mature chondrocyte-like cells. On the other hand, no practical results have been derived from the transplantation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) in a rabbit osteoarthritis (OA) model. Objectives: This study examined whether autologous BMSCs incubated with ellipticine (Ellip.+BMSCs) could regenerate articular cartilage in rabbit OA, a model similar to degenerative arthritis in human beings. Methods: A portion of rabbit articular cartilage was surgically removed, and Ellip.+BMSCs were transplanted into the lesion area. After two and four weeks of treatment, the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, i.e., tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), were analyzed, while macroscopic and micro-computed tomography (CT) evaluations were conducted to determine the intensity of cartilage degeneration. Furthermore, immuno-blotting was performed to evaluate the mitogen-activated protein kinases, PI3K/Akt, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling in rabbit OA models. Histological staining was used to confirm the change in the pattern of collagen and proteoglycan in the articular cartilage matrix. Results: The transplantation of Ellip.+BMSCs elicited a chondroprotective effect by reducing the inflammatory factors (TNF-α, PGE2) in a time-dependent manner. Macroscopic observations, micro-CT, and histological staining revealed articular cartilage regeneration with the downregulation of matrix-metallo proteinases (MMPs), preventing articular cartilage degradation. Furthermore, histological observations confirmed a significant boost in the production of chondrocytes, collagen, and proteoglycan compared to the control group. Western blotting data revealed the downregulation of the p38, PI3K-Akt, and NF-κB inflammatory pathways to attenuate inflammation. Conclusions: The transplantation of Ellip.+BMSCs normalized the OA condition by boosting the recovery of degenerated articular cartilage and inhibiting the catabolic signaling pathway.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.770-780
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• 2002

The airway surface liquid (ASL), often referred to as mucus, is a thin layer of fluid covering the luminal surface of the airway. The major function of mucus is to protect the lung through mucociliary clearance against foreign particles and chemicals entering the lung. The mucus is comprised of water, ions, and various kinds of macromolecules some of which possess the protective functions such as anti-microbial, anti-protease, and anti-oxidant activity. Mucus glycoproteins or mucins are mainly responsible for the viscoelastic property of mucus, which is crucial for the effective mucociliary clearance. There are at least eight mucin genes identified in the human airways, which will potentially generate various kinds of mucin molecules. At present, neither the exact structures of mucin proteins nor their regulation are understood although it seems likely that different types of mucins are involved in different functions and might also be associated with certain airway diseases. The fact that mucins are tightly associated with various macromolecules present in ASL seems to suggest that the defensive role of ASL is determined not only by these individual components but rather by a combination of these components. Collectively, mucins in ASL may be compared to aircraft carriers carrying various types of weapons in defense of airborne enemies.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.237-242
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• 2008

The tunic of Styela clava(SCT) consists of a proteoglycan network. Regenerated cellulose films were prepared by solution casting and coagulation of SCT in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide(NMMO)/$H_2O$(87/13 wt%). The crystalline structure of powdered SCT was primarily that of cellulose I. The crystalline structure of SCT films exhibited a cellulose II structure, similar to that of viscose rayon. Physical characterization of SCT films and fibers revealed an intrinsic viscosity($\eta$) of 6.35 dL/g, average molecular weight($M_w$) of 423,000 g/M, and fiber density of 1.50 $g/cm^3$ with a moisture regain and water absorption of 10.20% and 365%, respectively. The results were similar to those of cellulose films regenerated from wood pulp. Films prepared with 6 wt% SCT exhibited strong tensile strength, high water absorption, and a greater degree of elongation. Scanning electron micrographs(SEM) of film cross-sections showed a layered, sponge-like structure.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2009

Actin cytoskeletal architecture is believed to be a crucially important modulator of chondrocyte phenotype. 2DG(2-Dexoy-D-glucose) induces reorganization of actin cytoskeletal architecture in chondrocytes. In this study, we have investigated the effects of 2DG on dedifferentiation and inflammation via reorganization of cytoskeletal architecture in rabbit articular chondrocytes, with a focus on p38 kinase pathway. Treatment of 2DG alone reduced type II collagen and COX-2 expression in chondrocytes. But, 2DG reduced type II collagen was recovered by CD, disruptor of actin cytoskeletal architecture, whereas did not affect on COX-2 expression and production of $PGE_2$ compared with 2DG alone treated cells. Treatment of 2DG with JAS, inducer of cytoskeletal architecture polymerization, accelerated reduction of type II collagen expression and synthesis of proteoglycan but did not affect on COX-2 expression and production of $PGE_2$. Also, 2DG stimulated activation of p38 kinase. This result showed that 2DG regulates type II collagen but not cyclooxygenase-2 expression through reorganization of cytoskeletal architecture via p38 kinase pathway in rabbit articular chondrocytes.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.169-173
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• 2007

During laser irradiation, mechanically deformed cartilage undergoes a temperature dependent phase transformation resulting in accelerated stress relaxation. Clinically, laser-assisted cartilage reshaping may be used to recreate the underlying cartilaginous framework in structures such as ear, larynx, trachea, and nose. Therefore, research and identification of the biophysical transformations in cartilage accompanying laser heating are valuable to identify critical laser dosimetry and phase transformation of cartilage for many clinical applications. quasi-elastic light scattering was investigated using Ho : YAG laser $(\lambda=2.12{\mu}m\;;\;t_p\sim450{\mu}s)$ and Nd:YAG Laser $(\lambda=1.32{\mu}m\;;\;t_p\sim700{\mu}s)$ for heating sources and He : Ne $(\lambda=632.8nm)$ laser, high-power diode pumped laser $(\lambda=532nm)$, and Ti : $Al_2O_3$ femtosecond laser $(\lambda=850nm)$ for light scattering sources. A spectrometer and infrared radiometric sensor were used to monitor the backscattered light spectrum and transient temperature changes from cartilage following laser irradiation. Analysis of the optical, thermal, and quasi-elastic light scattering properties may indicate internal dynamics of proteoglycan movement within the cartilage framework during laser irradiation.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 2011

Syndecan-4 is a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan, which is a coreceptor with integrins in cell adhesion. To get better understand the mechanism and function of Syndecan-4, it is critical to elucidate the three-dimensional structure of a single transmembrane spanning region of them. Unfortunately, it is hard to prepare the peptide because syndecan-4 is membrane-bound protein that transverse the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane. Generally, the preparation of transmembrane peptide sample is seriously difficult and time-consuming. In fact, high yield production of transmembrane peptides has been limited by experimental adversities of insufficient yields and low solubility of peptide. Here, we demonstrate experimental processes and results to optimize expression, purification, and NMR measurement condition of Syndecan-4 transmembrane peptide.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1258-1266
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• 2005

The present study was carried out in order to assess the protective effects of calycosin-7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside, isolated from Astragali radix (AR), on hyaluronidase (HAase) and the recombinant human interleukin-$1\beta$ (IL-$1\beta$)-induced matrix degradation in human articular cartilage and chondrocytes. We isolated the active component from the n-butanol soluble fraction of AR (ARBu) as the HAase inhibitor and structurally identified as calycosin-7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside by LC-MS, IR, ${1}^H$ NMR, and ${13}^C$ NMR analyses. The $IC_{50}$ of this component on HAase was found to be 3.7 mg/ml by in vitro agarose plate assay. The protective effect of ARBu on the matrix gene expression of immortalized chondrocyte cell line C28/I2 treated with HAase was investigated using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and its effect on HAase and IL-$1\beta$-induced matrix degradation in human articular cartilage was determined by a staining method and calculating the amount of degraded glycosaminoglycan (GAG) from the cultured media. Pretreatment with calycosin-7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside effectively protected human chondrocytes and articular cartilage from matrix degradation. Therefore, calycosin-7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside from AR appears to be a potential natural ant-inflammatory or antii-osteoarthritis agent and can be effectively used to protect from proteoglycan (PG) degradation.