• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.335-342
• /
• 2005

The effects of ginsenosides Rg$_3$(R) , Rg$_3$(S) and Rg$_5$/Rk$_1$ (a mixture of Rg$_5$ and Rk$_1$ 1:1, w/w), which are components isolated from processed Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae), on memory dysfunction were examined in mice using a passive avoidance test. The ginsenosides Rg3(R), Rg3(S) or Rg$_5$/Rk$_1$, when orally administered for 4 days, significantly ameliorated the memory impairment induced by the single oral administration of ethanol. The memory impairment induced by the intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine was also significantly recovered by ginsenosides Rg3(S) and Rg$_5$/Rk$_1$. Among the three ginsenosides tested in this study, Rg$_5$/Rk$_1$ enhanced the memory function of mice most effectively in both the ethanol­and scopolamine-induced amnesia models. Moreover, the latency period of the Rg$_5$/Rk$_1$­treated mice was 1.2 times longer than that of the control (no amnesia) group in both models, implying that Rg$_5$/Rk$_1$ may also exert beneficial effects in the normal brain. We also evaluated the effects of these ginsenosides on the excitotoxic and oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell damage in primary cultured rat cortical cells. The excitotoxicity induced by glutamate or N­methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) was dramatically inhibited by the three ginsenosides. Rg$_3$(S) and Rg$_5$/Rk$_1$ exhibited a more potent inhibition of excitotoxicity than did Rg$_3$(R). In contrast, these ginsenosides were all ineffective against the H$_2$O$_2$- or xanthine/xanthine oxidase-induced oxidative neuronal damage. Taken together, these results indicate that ginsenosides Rg$_3$(S) and Rg$_5$/Rk$_1$ significantly reversed the memory dysfunction induced by ethanol or scopolamine, and their neuroprotective actions against excitotoxicity may be attributed to their memory enhancing effects.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.437-447
• /
• 1999

Type I diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) results from the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic $\beta$ cells by a progressive $\beta$ cell-specific autoimmune process. The pathogenesis of autoimmune IDDM has been extensively studied for the past two decades using animal models such as the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse and the Bio-Breeding (BB) rat. However, the initial events that trigger the immune responses leading to the selective destruction of the $\beta$ cells are poorly understood. It is thought that $\beta$ cell auto-antigens are involved in the triggering of $\beta$ cell-specific autoimmunity. Among a dozen putative $\beta$ cell autoantigens, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) has bee proposed as perhaps the strongest candidate in both humans and the NOD mouse. In the NOD mouse, GAD, as compared with other $\beta$ cell autoantigens, provokes the earliest T cell proliferative response. The suppression of GAD expression in the $\beta$ cells results in the prevention of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. In addition, the major populations of cells infiltrating the iselts during the early stage of insulitis in BB rats and NOD mice are macrophages and dendritic cells. The inactivation of macrophages in NOD mice results in the prevention of T cell mediated autoimmune diabetes. Macrophages are primary contributors to the creation of the immune environment conducive to the development and activation of $\beta$cell-specific Th1-type CD4+ T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells that cause autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are both believed to be important for the destruction of $\beta$ cells. These cells, as final effectors, can kill the insulin-producing $\beta$ cells by the induction of apoptosis. In addition, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells release granzyme and cytolysin (perforin), which are also toxic to $\beta$ cells. In this way, macrophages, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells act synergistically to kill the $\beta$ cells in conjunction with $\beta$ cell autoantigens and MHC class I and II antigens, resulting in the onset of autoimmune type I diabetes.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.697-703
• /
• 2002

We investigated that the role of nitric oxide (NO) on ischemic rats in brain and heart. Ischemia was induced by both common carotid arteries (CCA) occlusion for 24h following reperfusion. Then tissue samples were removed and measured NOx. In brain, NOx was increased by about 40% vs. normal and it was significantly inhibited by aminoguanidine, selective iNOS inhibitor. This result showed that NOx concentration was increased by iNOS. We investigated the role of $Ca^{2+}$ during ischemia. Nimodipine, L-type calcium channel blocker, didn't inhibit the increases of NOx concentration during ischemia. It suggested that increased NOx was due to calcium-independent NOS. MK-801, which N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, didn't significantly prevent the increases of NOx. In heart, ischemia caused NOx decrease and it is inconsistent with NOx increase in brain. Aminoguanidine and nimodipine didnt affect on NOx decrease. But MK-801 more lowered NOx concentration than those of ischemia control group. It seemed that $Ca^{2+}$ influx in heart partially occurred via NMDA receptor and inhibited by NMDA receptor antagonist. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) in ischemic rats after 24h of CCA occlusion was decreased when compared to normal value, whereas the heart rates (HR) was not different between two groups. Aminoguanidine or MK801 had no effect on MAP or HR, but nimodipine reduced MAP. There was no difference the effects of aminoguanidine, nimodipine, or MK-801, on MAP and HR between normal rats and ischemic rats. In summary, ischemic model caused an increase of NOx concentration, suggesting that this may be produced via iNOS, which is calcium independent in brain. However in heart, ischemia decreased NOx concentration and NMDA receptor was partially involved. The basal MAP was decreased in ischemic rats but HR was not different from normal control, suggesting that increased NOx in brain of ischemic rat may result in the hypotension.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.687-699
• /
• 2005

In order to investigate the effect of dietary zinc and phytic acid levels on protein metabolism in rats, male rats of Sprague-Dawley strains weighing approximately $60\~74g$ were fed different diets which contained 0, 0.35 and $1.05\%$ phytic acid each at 3 levels of zinc(0, 30 and 1,500 ppm zinc) for 28 days. Result obtained in this experiment are summarized as follows; 1. Body weight gait food consumption food efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio were lower in the rats fed zinc deficient diet(0 ppm zinc) than in those consuming 30 or 1,500 ppm dietary zinc, and the additional effect of phytic acid were not observed in all of then 2. Liver weight was lower in the rats fed 30 ppm zinc diet than in those fed 0 or 1,500 ppm-zinc diet but kidney and spleen weights were lower in the rats fed zinc deficient diet than in those fed 30 or 1,500 ppm-zinc diet Among organs measured only the liver appeared to be influenced by dietary phytic acid: the more the dietary phytic acid, the more the weight of liver, 3. Fecal nitrogen was decreased in the rats fed zinc deficient diet compared with those fed 30 or 1,500 ppm dietary zinc. Urinary nitrogen was increased in the rats fed $1.05\%$ dietary phytic acid compared with those fed 0.35 or $0\%$ dietary phytic acid Nitrogen retention of rat was influenced by neither dietary zinc nor phytic acid. 4. Urea nitrogen was decreased with increasing dietary zinc levels, and creatinine and uric acid levels were increased with increasing dietary zinc concentration or with additional quantity of phytic acid. Uric acid appeared to be influenced by zinc x phytic acid interaction; especially, the presence of phytic acid in the 30 ppm-zinc diet had significant effect on uric acid content. 5. Hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrit ratio were higher in the rats fed 30 ppm dietary zinc than in those fed 0 or 1,500 ppm-zinc diet Serum zinc concentration was increased with increasing dietary zinc levels. The content of total protein albumin and BUN and the ratio of albumin to globulin in serum, and protein content in liver were influenced by neither dietary zinc nor phytic acid.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.473-479
• /
• 2012

In this study, increased alcohol decomposition efficacy (ADH) of Hoveina dulcis extract by Carbohydrate-Hydrolyzing Enzymes was investigated. Carbohydrate decomposition enzymes such as Maxinvert (Invertase), Optidex L-400 (Glucoamylase) and Rohament CL (Cellulase & Pectinase) were added to Hoveina dulcis extract at different concentrations (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1%) for 48 hrs, after which samples were taken every 6 hrs for determination of ADH activity. As the enzyme concentration became higher, ADH activity also increased. Especially, the addition of 1% Rohament CL increased enzyme activity to 76% at 30 hrs incubation, after which the increase in activity stopped. In the rat and human body experiment, enzymatic decomposition of Hovenia dulcis extract by addition of 1% Rohament CL was also effective in decreasing serum alcohol concentration and respiration. Especially, in the early stage after alcohol consumption, the efficacy of enzyme treatment of Hovenia dulcis extract was more effective. These results show that if the glycoside forms of active compounds such as flavonols in Hovenia dulcis extract are converted into aglycone forms, alcohol decomposition capability can be enhanced.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.800-806
• /
• 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate whether intracisternal administrations of triptolide and N-nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) are involved in the regulation of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. The TMJ pain was induced by the injection of 5% formalin ($30{\mu}l$) into TMJ capsule of rats. The pain behavioral responses was recorded the number of grooming or scratching on the left TMJ area for 9 successive 5 minutes intervals. Triptolide and L-NAME were administrated intracisternally 10 minutes before formalin injection. The intra-articular injection of formalin produced a biphasic pattern of pain response (first phase: 0~10 minutes and second phase: 11~45 minutes). The intracisternal administration of triptolide ($1{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$) and L-NAME ($0.1{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$) suppressed the TMJ pain behavior in each experiment. Co-administration of two drugs was shown the enhanced effect than the analgesic effect by single-administration of triptolide ($1{\mu}g/10{\mu}l$). The triptolide could be a useful analgesic agent for the treatment of TMJ pain, and it is expected to reduce the substantial amount of it via co-administration of synthetic chemical compound and natural products.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.131-138
• /
• 1974

Sera from male Spague-Dawley rats, exposed to $30\\pm 0.5^\\circ C$ for 240 hours or $33\\pm 0.5^\\circ C$ for 64 hours, were assayed for the activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(SGOT) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase(SGPT) at various time during the heat exposure. 1. When compared to control animals maintained at $23\\pm 1^\\circ C$, the animals exposed to $30\\pm 0.5^\\circ C$ ro $33\\pm 0.5^\\circ C$ showed a significant increase in SGOT and SGPT activities, 2. The SGOT activity incressed at 16 and 72 hours after the exposure to $30^\\circ C$, and at 30 and 64 hours after the exposure to $33^\\circ C$. After 72 hours, the activity returned to the initial value in case of $30^\\circ C$ exposure. 3. The SGPT activity increased significantly as early as 4 hours after the exposure to $30^\\circ C$ or $33^\\circ C$. It was also high at 16 hours after the exposure. The activity was also high at 72 hours and at 64 hours after the exposure to $30^\\circ C$ and $33^\\circ C$ respectively. After 144 hours, SGPT level increased slightly in the case of $30^\\circ C$ exposure. 4. The activities of SGOT and SGPT were significantly higher in rats exposed to $33^\\circ C$ at 16, 30, and 64 hours than those exposed to $30^\\circ C$. 5. It may be inferred from above data that the prolonged heat exposed rat has the abnormal metabolism of transamination.

• Proceedings of the Korea Crystallographic Association Conference
• /
• 2003.05a
• /
• pp.18-18
• /
• 2003

Thioredoxin (Trx) is a small redox protein that is ubiquitously distributed from achaes to human. In diverse organisms, the protein is involved in various physiological roles by acting as electron donor and regulators of transcription and apoptosis as well as antioxidants. Sequences of Trx within various species are 27～69% identical to that of E. coli and all Trx proteins have the same overall fold, which consists of central five β strands surrounded by four α helices. The N-terminal cysteine in WCGPC motif of Trx is redox sensitive and the motif is highly conserved. Compared with general cysteine, the N-terminal cysteine has low pKa value. The result leads to increased reduction activity of protein. Recently, novel thio.edoxin-related protein (TRP14) was found from rat brain. TRP14 acts as disulfide reductase like Trx1, and its redox potential and pKa are similar to those of Trx1. However, TRP14 takes up electrons from cytosolic thioredoxin reductase (TrxR1), not from the mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase (TrxR2). Biological roles of TES14 were reported to be involved in regulating TNF-α induced signaling pathways in different manner with Trx1. In depletion experiments, depletion of TRP14 increased TNF-α induced phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα more than the depletion Trx1 did. It also facilitated activation of JNK and p38 MAP kinase induced by TNF-α. Unlike Trx1, TRP14 shows neither interaction nor interference with ASK1. Here, we determined three-dimensional crystal structure of TRP14 by MAD method at 1.8Å. The structure reveals that the conserved cis-Pro (Pro90) and active site-W-C-X-X-C motif, which may be involved in substrate recognition similar to Trx1 , are located at the beginning position of strand β4 and helix α2, respectively. The TRP14 structure also shows that surface of TRP14 in the vicinity of the active site, which is surrounded by an extended flexible loop and an additional short a helix, is different from that of Trx1. In addition, the structure exhibits that TRP14 interact with a distinct target proteins compared with Trx1 and the binding may depend mainly on hydrophobic and charge interactions. Consequently, the structure supports biological data that the TRP14 is involved in regulating TNF-α induced signaling pathways in different manner with Trx1.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.101-111
• /
• 2010

Purpose: To provide the information of efficacy for herbal formulas of high frequency, it was evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect. In many studies, plantderived anti-inflammatory efficacies have been investigated for their potential inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. This study was performed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of herbal formulas of high frequency on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: Anti-inflammatory activity was investigated in 25 herbal formula extracts in vitro and in vivo. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect in vitro model, using LPS-stimulated macrophages, RAW 264.7 cell line. The productions of nitric oxide(NO), prostaglandin(PG)$E_2$, interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-$\alpha$ were examined in RAW 264.7 cells, in the presence of the herbal formulas. RAW 264.7 cells were incubated with LPS $1\;{\mu}g/mL$ and herbal formulas for 18 hours. As an in vivo, using a rat model of carrageenin-induced paw edema. The paw volume was measured at 2 and 4 hours following carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats. Results: 8 kinds of herbal formula inhibited NO production by LPS-stimulated in some concentration, but the effect of NO inhibition is weak. 12 kinds of herbal formula inhibited $PGE_2$ production by LPS-stimulated over the 30%. Among them Gumiganghwal-tang, Sagunja-tang, Samchulkunbi-tang, Insampaedok-san and Hwangryunhaedok-tang inhibited IL-6 production by LPS-stimulated but TNF-$\alpha$ was not inhibited. 12 kinds of herbal formula reduced the carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats. Particularly, 3 kinds of herbal formula(Gumiganghwal-tang, Ssanghwa-tang and Soshiho-tang) were better than indomethacin. Conclusion: These results suggest that Gumiganghwal-tang, Sangunja-tang, Samchulkunbi-tang, Insampaedok-san and Hwangryunhaedok-tang have antiinflammatory activity.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.87-112
• /
• 1989

In order to investigate experimentally the effects of Sung-yangikgibujat'ang (SIT) and Kwangyebujalijungt'ang (KBT) on Yang-insufficient syndrome (陽虛證) induced by Hydrocortisone acetate (H.A.) in experimental animals (Mice and Rat), the author experimented various activities. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), Rosette forming cells (RFC), hemagglutinin (HA) titers, Hemolysin (HL) titers, Body weight, Whole blood viscosity, Plasma Viscosity, Hematocrit, RBC, Albumin, Total protein, Triglyceride, cholesterol and Glucose were measured. The results summerized as follows; 1. In DTH and RFC all the experimental groups were increased significantly in comparison to the H.A.-treated group. 2. In HA titers SIT_treated group were increased significantly and KBT-treated group showed increasing tendancy, but showed no significance. 3. In HL titers all the experimental groups showed increasing tendancy, but showed no significance. 4. In body weight all the experimental groups showed increasing tendancy, but showed no significance. 5. In whole blood viscosity all the experimental groups were decreased significantly in comparison to the H.A.-treated group. 5. In whole blood viscosity all the experimental groups were decreased significantly in comparison to the H.A.-treated group. 6. In plasma viscosity KBT-treated group were decreased significantly and SIT-treated group showed decreasing tendancy, but showed no significance. 7. In Hematocrit SIT-treated group were decreased significantly and KBT-treated group showed decreasing tendancy, but showed no significance. 8. In RBC, albumin and cholesterol all the experimental groups were decreased significantly in comparison to the H.A.-treated group. 9. In total protein and triglyceride KBT-treated group were decreased significantly and SIT-treated group showed decreasing tendancy, but showed no significance. 10. In Glucose SIT-treated group were decreased significantly and KBT-treated group showed decreasing tendancy, but showed no significance. From above findings, it has been demonstrated that Sungyangikgibujat'ang and Kwangyebujalijungt'ang seem to produce the effectiveness on the recovery from depression of the cell-mediated immune response, blood circulation and energy metabolic rate, induced by Hydrocortisone acetate, and in the humoral immune response Sungyangikgibujat'ang have the effectiveness on the recovery, and in cellular component of blood Sungyangikgibujat'ang was more effective than Kwangyebujalijungt' ang, and in plasma of blood Kwangyebujalijungt'ang was more effective than Sungyangikgibujat'ang. Therefore it is suggested that Sungyangikgibujat'ang and Kwangyebujalijungt'ang have the effectiveness on the recovery from Yang-insufficient syndrome more or less.