• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2002

It has been well known that Korea red ginseng has an antihypertensive effect. The antihypertensive effect may be due to its ability to change the peripheral resistance. Change of vascular tone in the resistance-sized artery contribute to the peripheral resistance, thereby regulate the blood pressure. Therefore, we investigated to clarify the vasorelaxing mechanism induced by crude saponin of Korea red ginseng in the resistance-sized mesenteric artery of rats. The resistance-sized mesenteric artery was isolated and cut into a ring. The ring segment was immersed in HEPES-buffered solution and its isometric tension was measured using myograph force-displacement transducer. Crude saponin of ginseng relaxed the mesenmetric arterial rings precontracted with norepinephrine (3$\mu$M) in dose-dependent manner (0.01 mg/㎖ -1 mg/㎖. The relaxation by crude saponin was smaller in endothelium-intact preparation than that in endothelium-denuded preparation. The contraction induced by A23187 or phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate was not affected by crude saponin of ginseng. The vasorelaxing effect of crude saponin of ginseng was significantly attenuated by the increase of the extracellular K$\^$+/ concentration. Crude saponin-induced vasorelaxation was not affected by tetraethylammonium (1 mM), glybenclamide (10$\mu$M), and 4-aminopyridine (0.1 mM) in these preparations. Ba$\^$2+/(10$\mu$M ∼100$\mu$M) markedly reduced the crude saponin-induced vasorelakation dose-dependently. From the above results, we suggest that crude saponin of ginseng may stimulate K$\^$+/ efflux and hyperpolarize the membrane, thereby cause the vasorelaxation in the resistance-sized mesenteric artery of rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.272-281
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• 2019

Background: Diabetic sensorineural damage is a complication of the sensory neural system, resulting from long-term hyperglycemia. Red ginseng (RG) has shown efficacy for treatment of various diseases, including diabetes mellitus; however, there is little research about its benefit for treating sensorineural damage. Therefore, we aim to evaluate RG efficacy in alloxan-induced diabetic neuromast (AIDN) zebrafish. Methods: In this study, we developed and validated an AIDN zebrafish model. To assess RG effectiveness, we observed morphological changes in live neuromast zebrafish. Also, zebrafish has been observed to have an ultrastructure of hair-cell cilia under scanning electron microscopy. Thus, we recorded these physiological traits to assess hair cell function. Finally, we confirmed that RG promoted neuromast recovery via nerve growth factor signaling pathway markers. Results: First, we established an AIDN zebrafish model. Using this model, we showed via live neuromast imaging that RG fostered recovery of sensorineural damage. Damaged hair cell cilia were recovered in AIDN zebrafish. Furthermore, RG rescued damaged hair cell function through cell membrane ion balance. Conclusion: Our data suggest that RG potentially facilitates recovery in AIDN zebrafish, and its mechanism seems to be promotion of the nerve growth factor pathway through increased expression of topomyosin receptor kinase A, transient receptor potential channel vanilloid subfamily type 1, and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.81-91
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• 2021

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a complex mixture of natural substances of ginseng and baeknyeoncho on the arthritic rats. Methods : In vitro experiments were conducted to ensure the stability of the complex. After setting toxicity and concentration by MTT assay, the antioxidant effect was measured through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity. To confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of the complex, levels of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) were measured in LPS-treated macrophage cell lines (RAW264.7). We injected monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) 50 μl (60 mg/ml) into knee joints of rats to induce osteoarthritis. The rats were divided into three groups (normal (n=5), control (n=5), and OR (n=5) group). The control group consumed 2 mg/kg of physiological saline once a day for 4 weeks, and the OR group was mixed at a concentration of 416.5 mg/kg of Baengnyeoncho (O) and 208.25 mg/kg of red ginseng (R) and ingested 1 mL each 5 days a week. Results : This complex increased the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging rate. The complex decreased NO production and pro-inflammatory cytokine production of macrophages. In the OR group, the secretion of cytokine in serum was decreased. In histopathological examination, the joint tissue of the composite showed less damage to the synovial membrane, cartilage, and fibrous tissue than the control group. Conclusions : As a result of this study, natural complexes have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cartilage protection effects. Therefore, we expect the complex to be effective in treating osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1154-1167
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the anti-amnesic effect of Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) bark extract (KRPBE) against amyloid beta_1-42 (Aβ_1-42)-induced neurotoxicity. We found that treatment with KRPBE improved the behavioral function in Aβ-induced mice, and also boosted the antioxidant system in mice by decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) content, increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and reducing glutathione (GSH) levels. In addition, KRPBE improved the cholinergic system by suppressing reduced acetylcholine (ACh) content while also activating acetylcholinesterase (AChE), regulating the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and synaptophysin. KRPBE also showed an ameliorating effect on cerebral mitochondrial deficit by regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP levels. Moreover, KRPBE modulated the expression levels of neurotoxicity indicators Aβ and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, p-IκB-α, and IL-1β. Furthermore, we found that KRPBE improved the expression levels of neuronal apoptosis-related markers BAX and BCl-2 and increased the expression levels of BDNF and p-CREB. Therefore, this study suggests that KRPBE treatment has an anti-amnestic effect by modulating cholinergic system dysfunction and neuroinflammation in Aβ_1-42-induced cognitive impairment in mice.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.644-648
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• 2007

Exposure of algae or plants to irradiance from above the light saturation point of photosynthesis is known as high light stress. This high light stress induces various responses including photoinhibition of the photosynthetic apparatus. The degree of photoinhibition could be clearly determined by measuring the parameters such as absorption and fluorescence of chromoproteins. In cyanobacteria and red algae, most of the photosystem (PS) II associated light harvesting is performed by a membrane attached complex called the phycobilisome (PBS). The effects of high intensity light (1000-4000 ${\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-1}$) on excitation energy transfer from PBSs to PS II in a cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis were studied by measuring room temperature PC fluorescence emission spectra. High light (3000 ${\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-1}$) stress had a significant effect on PC fluorescence emission spectra. On the other hand, light stress induced an increase in the ratio of PC fluorescence intensity of PBS indicating that light stress inhibits excitation energy transfer from PBS to PS II. The high light treatment to 3000 ${\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-1}$ caused disappearance of 31.5 kDa linker polypeptide which is known to link PC discs together. In addition we observed the similar decrease in the other polypeptide contents. Our data concludes that the Spirulina cells upon light treatment causes alterations in the phycobiliproteins (PBPs) and affects the energy transfer process within the PBSs.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.325-331
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• 2016

Anatase particles of titanium dioxide were prepared from $TiCl_4$ aqueous solution by using an electro-dialysis [ED] process. For the preparation of an aqueous solution of $TiCl_4$ precipitates, $TiCl_4$ liquid frozen in ice was transferred to a neck flask and then hydrolyzed using deionized [DI] $H_2O$. During the hydrolysis of the $TiCl_4$ solution at $0^{\circ}C$, a slurry solution of $TiOCl_2$ was obtained and the color changed from red to orange. The ED process was applied for the removal of chlorine content in the slurry solution. Two kinds of hydrolyzed slurry solution with lower [$Ti^{4+}$] and higher [$Ti^{4+}$] were sampled and the ED process was applied for the samples according to the removal time of [$Cl^-$]. With de-chlorination, the solution status changed from sol to gel and the color quickly changed to blue. Finally, white crystalline powders were formed and the phase was confirmed by XRD to be anatase crystallites. The morphology of the hydrous titania particles in the solution was observed by FE-SEM. The hydrous titania particles were nano-crystalline, and easily coagulated with drying.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 1976

The Present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Ginseng extract on the tension-area curve for stearic acid monolayer. At the same time, the effects of Ginseng extract on osmotic and mechanical fragility of human red cells and histamine release from rabbit leukocytes were studied, The results are summarized as follows. 1. The Ginseng alcohol extract was found to expand liquid expanded phase of stearic acid monolayer, thus it is speculated that this agent may be acting as a surface active substance. 2. Osmotic hemolysis was inhibited by the Ginseng alcohol extract and the same effect was also observed in the presence of Ginseng saponin. However, the Ginseng alcohol extract was found to decrease hematocrit ratio of the RBC suspension, therefore, the inhibition of the osmotic hemolysis by this agent may be secondary effect to the reduced cell volume. 3. The mechanical hemolysis was also inhibited by the Ginseng alcohol extract but the inhibition was independent of changes in hematocrit ratio. 4. Histamine release from rabbit leukocytes was significantly increased in vitro in the presence of the Ginseng alcohol extract.(p<0.05)

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 1998

In the present study, we have evaluated cytotoxic effects of the chloroform soluble fraction of the methanolic extract of Perilla frutescens in human oral epitheloid carcinoma cells. The light microscopic study showed morphological changes of the treated cells. Cell membrane damaging activity was measured by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and disruptions in cell organelles were determined by 3-(4,5-dime-thylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), neutral red (NR) and sulforhodamine protein B (SRB) of colorimetric assay. These results suggest that Perilla frutescens retains a potential antitumor activity.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2003

The effect of a-tocopherol on the formation and accumulation of phospholipid hydroperoxides, especially of phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides, in the tissues of 2, 2 -azobis Hydrochloride (AAPH) - dosed rats was investigated. In a-tocopherol supplemented rats, the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase were significantly inhibited, compared with the AAPH group. AAPH treatment led to oxidation of phospholipids in the liver, lungs, brain, plasma and red blood cells (RBC), resulting in a notable increase in phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PCOOH). All tissues of the rats given an $\alpha$-tocopherol supplement showed an attenuation of the stimulating effect of AAPH, leading to low levels of formation of PCOOH. Also, the rats injected with AAPH and a-tocopherol showed relatively normal-appearing hepatocytes, except for a little loss of the granules. With regards to the morphological appearance of the liver, it was observed that oral intakes of a -tocopherol resulted in an antioxidant defense against attacks of peroxyl radicals. Thus, we suggest that a-tocopherol is potentially helpful in protecting membrane phospholipids against oxidative damage in vivo.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.117-125
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• 2001

Envenoming by Russells viper causes a broad spectrum of renal impairment. Renal failure is an important complication in patients bitten by Russells viper. Experimental work in animals and in vitro has elucidated pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to life threatening complications and have suggested possibilities for therapeutic intervention. The evidence in experimental animals regarding mechanisms of venom action in relation to changes in either extrarenal or intrarenal factors is presented. The cardiovascular system and renal hemodynamics are affected by venom. Reductions of renal function including renal hemodynamics are associated directly with changes in general circulation during envenomation. Possible endogenous mechanisms for releasing the hormone inducing renal vasoconstriction after envenomation are evident. Hormonal factor such as the catecholamine, prostaglandin and renin angiotensin systems induce these changes. Direct nephrotoxicity of venom action is studied in the isolated per-fused kidney. Characteristic polarization of the cell membrane, changes of mitochondrial activity and Na-K ATPase in renal tubular cells are observed. Changes in renal function and the cardiovascular system are observed of ter envenomation and are reversed by the administration of Russells viper antivenom (purified equine immunoglobulin, $Fab_2$ fragment). The neutralizing effects are more efficient when the intravenous injection of antivenom is given within 30 min after the envenomation.