• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.236-241
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• 2010

Background: Selective inhibitors of cycloosygenase (COX)-2 are commonly used analgesics in various pain conditions. Although their actions are largely thought to be mediated by the blockade of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis, evidences suggesting endogenous opioid peptide link in spinal antinociception of COX inhibitor have been reported. We investigated the roles of opioid receptor subtypes in the spinal antionociception of selective COX-2 inhibitor. Methods: To examine the antionociception of a selective COX-2 inhibitor, DUP-697 was delivered through an intrathecal catheter, 10 minutes before the formalin test in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Then, the effect of intrathecal pretreatment with CTOP, naltrindole and GNTI, which are ${\mu}$, $\delta$, and k opioid receptor antagonist, respectively, on the analgesia induced by DUP-697 was assessed. Results: Intrathecal DUP-697 reduced the flinching response evoked by formalin injection during phase 1 and 2 Naltrindole and GNTI attenuated the antinociceptive effect of intrathecal DUP-697 during both phases of the formalin test, CTOP reversed the antinociception of DUP-697 during phase 2, but not during phase 1, Conclusions: Intrathecal DUP-697, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, effectively relieved inflammatory pain in rats. The $\delta$ and $\kappa$ opioid receptors are involved in the activity of COX-2 inhibitor on the facilitated state as well as acute pain at the spinal level, whereas the ${\mu}$ opioid receptor is related only to facilitated pain.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2006

Melittin-induced pain model has been known to be very useful for the study of pain mechanism. Melittin-induced nociceptive responses are reported to be modulated by the changes in the activity of excitatory amino acid receptor, calcium channel, spinal serotonin receptor and extracellular signaling-regulated kinase. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of cyclooxygenase (COX) in the melittin-induced nociception. Changes in mechanical threshold, flinchings and paw thickness were measured before and after intraplantar injection of melittin in the rat hind paw. Also studied were the effects of intraperitonealy administered diclofenac (25 mg & 50 mg/kg), piroxicam (10 mg & 20 mg/kg) and meloxicam (10 mg & 20 mg/kg) on the melittin-induced nociceptions. Intraplantar injection of melittin caused marked reduction of mechanical threshold that was dose-dependently attenuated by non-selective COX inhibitor (diclofenac) and selective COX-1 inhibitor (piroxicam), but not by COX-2 inhibitor (meloxicam). Melittin-induced flinchings were strongly suppressed by non-selective COX and COX-1 inhibitor, but not by COX-2 inhibitor. None of the COX inhibitors had inhibitory effects on melittin-induced increase of paw thickness (edema). These experimental findings suggest that COX-1 plays an important role in the melittin-induced nociceptive responses.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.88-92
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• 2018

The present study was undertaken to investigate the isolated compounds from the stem bark of Garcinia atroviridis as potential cholinesterase inhibitors and the ligand-enzyme interactions of selected bioactive compounds in silico. The in vitro cholinesterase results showed that quercetin (3) was the most active AChE inhibitor ($12.65{\pm}1.57{\mu}g/ml$) while garcinexanthone G (6) was the most active BChE inhibitor ($18.86{\pm}2.41{\mu}g/ml$). It is noteworthy to note that compound 6 was a selective inhibitor with the selectivity index of 11.82. Molecular insight from docking interaction further substantiate that orientation of compound 6 in the catalytic site which enhanced its binding affinity as compared to other xanthones. The nature of protein-ligand interactions of compound 6 is mainly hydrogen bonding, and the hydroxyl group of compound 6 at C-10 is vital in BChE inhibition activity. Therefore, compound 6 is a notable lead for further drug design and development of BChE selective inhibitor.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.56-64
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• 2017

We have previously reported that NS-398, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-selective inhibitor, inhibited replicative cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblasts and skin aging in hairless mice. In contrast, celecoxib, another COX-2-selective inhibitor, and aspirin, a non-selective COX inhibitor, accelerated the senescence and aging. To figure out causal factors for the senescence-modulating effect of the inhibitors, we here performed cDNA microarray experiment and subsequent Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. The data showed that several senescence-related gene sets were regulated by the inhibitor treatment. NS-398 up-regulated gene sets involved in the tumor necrosis factor ${\beta}$ receptor pathway and the fructose and mannose metabolism, whereas it down-regulated a gene set involved in protein secretion. Celecoxib up-regulated gene sets involved in G2M checkpoint and E2F targets. Aspirin up-regulated the gene set involved in protein secretion, and down-regulated gene sets involved in RNA transcription. These results suggest that COX inhibitors modulate cellular senescence by different mechanisms and will provide useful information to understand senescence-modulating mechanisms of COX inhibitors.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.179-184
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• 2011

Background: The analgesic mechanisms of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors have been explained mainly on the basis of the inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis. However, several lines of evidence suggest that their analgesic effects are mediated through serotonergic or adrenergic transmissions. We investigated the roles of these neurotransmitters in the antinociception of a selective COX-2 inhibitor at the spinal level. Methods: DUP-697, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, was delivered through an intrathecal catheter to male Sprague-Dawley rats to examine its effect on the flinching responses evoked by formalin injection into the hindpaw. Subsequently, the effects of intrathecal pretreatment with dihydroergocristine, prazosin, and yohimbine, which are serotonergic, ${\alpha}1$ adrenergic and ${\alpha}2$ adrenergic receptor antagonists, respectively, on the analgesia induced by DUP-697 were assessed. Results: Intrathecal DUP-697 reduced the flinching response evoked by formalin injection during phase 1 and 2. But, intrathecal dihydroergocristine, prazosin, and yohimbine had little effect on the antinociception of intrathecal DUP-697 during both phases of the formalin test. Conclusions: Intrathecal DUP-697, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, effectively relieved inflammatory pain in rats. Either the serotonergic or adrenergic transmissions might not be involved in the analgesic activity of COX-2 inhibitors at the spinal level.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1425-1428
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• 2015

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is found in most cell types and catalyzes the oxidation of monoamines. Three anithiactins (A-C, modified 2-phenylthiazoles) isolated from Streptomyces sp. were tested for inhibitory activity of two isoforms, MAO-A and MAO-B. Anithiactin A was effective and selective for the inhibition of MAO-A, with an IC₅₀ value of 13.0 μM; however, it was not effective for the inhibition of MAO-B. Anithiactins B and C were weaker inhibitors for MAO-A and MAO-B. Anithiactin A was a reversible and competitive inhibitor for MAO-A with a K_i value of 1.84 μM. The hydrophobic methyl substituent in anithiactin A may play an important role in the inhibition of MAO-A. It is suggested that anithiactin A is a selective reversible inhibitor for MAO-A, with moderate potency, and can be considered a new potential lead compound for further development of novel reversible inhibitors for MAO-A.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.232-237
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• 2003

The present study examined functional effects of a new selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, 1-[4-ethoxy-3-(6,7-dihydro-1-methyl-7-thioxo-3-propyl-1H-pyrazolo[ 4,3]pyrimidin-5-yl)phenylsulphonyl]-4-methyl piperazine (KJH-1002), in the isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum (RCC). Relaxing effects of KJH-1002 were also compared with those of sildenafil, which is currently used as an oral therapy for penile erectile dysfunction. In the isolated RCC precontracted with phenylephrine, both KJH-1002 and sildenafil in the concentration range of 1 to 1000 nM, produced a comparable potentiation of the electical field stimulation-induced relaxation in a concentration-dependent manner. In the sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced relaxation, the $IC_{50}$/ values, concentrations of SNP required to produce a 50％ relaxation of the phenylephrine-induced contraction, were significantly decreased to the similar extent by treatments with KJH-1002 and sildenafil. The results suggest that a new selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, KJH-1002, has an augmentative effect on penile erection comparable to that of sildenafil and can be useful for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2013

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are the pacemaker cells in the gastrointestinal tract, and histamine is known to regulate neuronal activity, control vascular tone, alter endothelial permeability, and modulate gastric acid secretion. However, the action mechanisms of histamine in mouse small intestinal ICCs have not been previously investigated, and thus, in the present study, we investigated the effects of histamine on mouse small intestinal ICCs, and sought to identify the receptors involved. Enzymatic digestions were used to dissociate ICCs from small intestines, and the whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record potentials (in current clamp mode) from cultured ICCs. Histamine was found to depolarize resting membrane potentials concentration dependently, and whereas 2-PEA (a selective H1 receptor agonist) induced membrane depolarizations, Dimaprit (a selective H2-agonist), R-alpha-methylhistamine (R-alpha-MeHa; a selective H3-agonist), and 4-methylhistamine (4-MH; a selective H4-agonist) did not. Pretreatment with $Ca^{2+}$-free solution or thapsigargin (a $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor in endoplasmic reticulum) abolished the generation of pacemaker potentials and suppressed histamine-induced membrane depolarization. Furthermore, treatments with U-73122 (a phospholipase C inhibitor) or 5-fluoro-2-indolyl des-chlorohalopemide (FIPI; a phospholipase D inhibitor) blocked histamine-induced membrane depolarizations in ICCs. On the other hand, KT5720 (a protein kinase A inhibitor) did not block histamine-induced membrane depolarization. These results suggest that histamine modulates pacemaker potentials through H1 receptor-mediated pathways via external $Ca^{2+}$ influx and $Ca^{2+}$ release from internal stores in a PLC and PLD dependent manner.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1103-1110
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• 2016

In the present study, we investigated the effects of motesanib (AMG 706), a multikinase inhibitor alone and in combination with DuP-697, an irreversible selective inhibitor of COX-2, on cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis induction in a human colorectal cancer cell line (HT29). Real time cell analysis (RTCA, Xcelligence system) was used to determine the effects on colorectal cancer cell proliferation. Apoptosis was assessed with annexin V staining and angiogenesis was determined with chorioallantoic membrane model. We found that motesanib alone exerted antiproliferative, antiangiogenic and apoptotic effects on HT29 colorectal cancer cells. Combination with DUP-697 increased the antiproliferative, antiangiogenic and apoptotic effects. Results of this study indicate that motesanib may be a good choice in treatment of colorectal tumors. In addition, the increased effects of combination of motesanib with DuP-697 raise the possibility of using lower doses of these drugs and therefore avoid/minimize the dose-dependent side effects generally observed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.316-320
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• 2017

Alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), a dibenzopyrone derivative, was isolated from Alternaria brassicae along with altertoxin II (ATX-II). The compounds were tested for the inhibitory activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO), which catalyzes neurotransmitting monoamines. AME was found to be a highly potent and selective inhibitor of human MAO-A with an $IC_{50}$ value of $1.71{\mu}M$; however, it was found to be ineffective for MAO-B inhibition. ATX-II was not effective for the inhibition of either MAO-A or MAO-B. The inhibition of MAO-A using AME was apparently instantaneous. MAO-A activity was almost completely recovered after the dilution of the inhibited enzyme with an excess amount of AME, suggesting AME is a reversible inhibitor. AME showed mixed inhibition for MAO-A in Lineweaver-Burk plots with a $K_i$ value of $0.34{\mu}M$. The findings of this study suggest that microbial metabolites and dibenzopyrone could be potent MAO inhibitors. In addition, AME could be a useful lead compound for developing reversible MAO-A inhibitors to treat depression, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.