• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.1611-1618
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• 2010

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Eriobotrya japonica and Saurus chinensis extracts and their fermented extracts on immune parameters in BALB/c mice treated with 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The groups were Eriobotrya japonica extract (BI), Saurus chinensis extract (SA), mixture with E. japonica extract and S. chinensis extract (FB) and fermented mixture with E. japonica extract and S. chinensis extract (FA) and distilled water treated control. The level of serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E was decreased in FA compared to control group, but significant difference was not observed (p<0.05). The histamine and contents in FA and control group were $1.47{\pm}0.20$ ng/mL and $1.90{\pm}0.04$ ng/mL, respectively (p<0.05). Ceramide contents were significantly increased in FA compared to BI, SA, FB and control group (p<0.05). These results suggest that FA supplementation in the DNCB treated BALB/c mice affect anti-allergic activities positively, and may be used as functional material for suppression of atopy dermatitis in food industry.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.555-560
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to investigate levels of serum creatinine, CuSOD and MnSOD protein expression in the kidney after renal ischemic reperfusion with pre-exercise using heat shock protein 70.1 in knock-out mice (KO). The C57/BL6 strain (Wild type: WT) and KO were divided into 4 groups as follows: Sham control group (Sham), pre-exercise group (Ex), pre-exercise +ischemia group (Ex+IR), and ischemia group (IR). CuSOD and MnSOD expression were significantly decreased (p<0.01, p<0.05) and blood creatinine concentration was significantly increased (p<0.01) in the IR group of KO. In contrast, CuSOD and MnSOD expression in the Ex+IR group of KO were higher than the IR group, while creatinine concentration was significantly lower. These results suggest that Hsp70 is directly correlated to renal ischemic reperfusion injury. Pre-exercise in renal ischemia might prevent or inhibit positive oxidative stress inhibitory effects by increasing anti-oxidative enzymes (CuSOD, MnSOD) within the kidney and improve to prevent renal function. Thus, pre-exercise may have a protective role against renal injury after renal ischemia.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.356-367
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• 2021

This study investigated the effect of swimming exercise on inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver using animal models of postmenopausal obese women. Experimental animals were divided into a sham-operate + non-swimming trained group (S/N), an ovariectomize + non-swimming trained group (O/N) and an ovariectomize + swimming trained group (O/S), and were bred while eating a high fat diet for 8 weeks. Fat accumulation in liver tissue, liver weight, and serum AST and ALT increased in O/N compared to S/N, but decreased in O/S compared to O/N. Compared to S/N, O/N decreased the gene expression of IκBα in liver tissue and increased gene expression of MCP-1, IL-6, and TNF-α. But compared to O/N, O/S increased the gene expression of IκBα in liver tissue and decreased gene expression of MCP-1, IL-6, and TNF-α. In conclusion, this study suggested that swimming exercise was effective in improving physical health by improving inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver in obese mice induced obesity by high fat diet after ovariectomy.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.295-306
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• 2018

Schisandra chinensis (SC) and Lycium chinense (LC) were widely distributed in Asia and the fruit has been used traditionally for medicinal herbs. The processing method was solid-state fermentation using Aspergillus oryzae for 48 h after stir-frying treatment at $220^{\circ}C$ for 12 min. In this study, in vitro the anti-inflammatory effect and in vivo hangover reduction were compared to unprocessed SC and LC water extract. Anti-inflammatory effects have been evaluated in pro-inflammatory mediators which were secreted by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Nitric oxide (NO) was determined using Griess reaction. Proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities were compared to processed SC or LC and mixtures thereof (1:1). In vivo study was compared to hangover relief in alcohol-fed mice. After administering a mixture of SC and LC (300 mg/kg) water extract (1:1), mice were fed 3 g/kg of ethanol. Serum was collected at 1, 3, and 5 h intervals to analyze ethanol and acetaldehyde levels using a colorimetric assay kit. The processed SC and LC water extracts compared to raw materials significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO and inflammatory cytokine production in RAW 264.7 cells. The results of the hangover mouse model are also consistent with anti-inflammatory effects. These results suggest that processed SC and LC extracts may be functional materials for the treatment of inflammation and hangover.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.16
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• 2023

Background: In vitro culture of preantral follicles is a promising technology for fertility preservation. Objectives: This study aims to investigate an optimized three-dimensional (3D) fetal bovine serum (FBS)-free preantral follicle culture system having a simple and easy operation. Methods: The isolated follicles from mouse ovaries were randomly divided in an ultra-low attachment 96-well plates supplement with FBS or bovine serum albumin (BSA) culture or encapsulated with an alginate supplement with FBS or BSA culture. Meanwhile, estradiol (E₂) concentration was assessed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of culture supernatants. The diameter of follicular growth was measured, and the lumen of the follicle was photographed. Spindle microtubules of oocytes were detected via immunofluorescence. The ability of oocytes to fertilize was assessed using in vitro fertilization. Results: The diameters were larger for the growing secondary follicles cultured in ultra-low attachment 96-well plates than in the alginate gel on days 6, 8, and 10 (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the E2 concentration in the BSA-supplemented medium was significantly higher in the alginate gel than in the other three groups on days 6 and 8 (p < 0.05), and the oocytes in the FBS-free system could complete meiosis and fertilization in vitro. Conclusions: The present study furnishes insights into the mature oocytes obtained from the 3D culture of the preantral follicle by using ultra-low attachment 96-well plate with an FBS-free system in vitro and supports the clinical practices to achieve competent, mature oocytes for in vitro fertilization.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.190-202
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• 2003

Object : The effect of Banhabakchulchunma-tang extracts on the hepatic, splenic and cardiac toxicity induced by Doxorubicin administration(Three injection protocol) were monitored using male ICR mice. Methods : The changes of body weight, clinical signs, necropsy findings and organ weights of liver, spleen and heart were observed with blood GOT and GPT levels. Results : 1. Decrease of body weight and The degrees of anorexia, ataxia and dehydration after Doxorubicin treatment were dose-dependently inhibited by Banhabakchulchunma-tang extracts. 2. Increase of absolute and relative liver and heart weight observed in Doxorubicin treatment group were dose-dependently inhibited by Banhabakchulchunma-tang extracts. In addition, the degrees of liver congestion necrotic spot and the degrees of heart congestion enlargement were dose-dependently decreased after Banhabakchulchunma-tang extracts dosing groups compared to that of doxorubicin treatment group. It is also demonstrated that elevated serum GOT and GPT levels in doxorubicin treatment group were significantly decreased in Banhabakchulchunma-tang extracts dosing groups. 3. Decrease of absolute and relative spleen weight observed in doxorubicin treatment group were dose-dependently inhibited by Banhabakchulchunma-tang extracts. In addition, the degrees of splenic atrophy were significantly and dose-dependently decreased after Banhabakchulchunma-tang extracts dosing groups compared to that of doxorubicin treatment group. Conclusion : the toxicity of doxorubicin treatment(decrease of body weights, clinical signs such as anorexia, ataxia and dehydration, changes of organ weights of liver, spleen and heart, elevation of serum GOT and GPT levels) was inhibited and/or prevented by Banhabakchulchunma-tang extracts. According to these results, it is considered that Banhabakchulchunma-tang has some preventive effect against to doxorubicin induced toxicity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.217-222
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• 2014

Lonicerae Flos containing formulation, Geumeumyoungji-tang (GYT), is an herbal prescription prepared using 5 different herbal drugs, namely, Lonicerae Flos, Ganoderma, Lactucae Herba, Xanthii Fructus, and Smilacis Rhizoma. This study was focused on the investigation of the pharmacological effects of GYT on allergic reactions. As the first step of the study, GYT was administered BALB/c mice which were sensitized by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). As the result GYT ameliorated dermatitis provoked by DNFB. The serum IgE level of the DNFB sensitized-mouse was significantly decreased when GYT was administered. In order to confirm the moderating effect of this prescription on allergic reaction, GYT was pretreated to human mast cells (HMC-1) before they were stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI). GYT suppressed secretion of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, from HMC-1. Additionally, pretreatment of GYT showed regulating effect on COX-2 expression. Collectively, these findings provide insights into the pharmacological actions of GYT as a potential agent for treatment of allergic dermatitis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2016

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a well-characterized medicinal herb listed in the classic oriental herbal dictionary as "Shin-nong-bon-cho-kyung." Ginseng has diverse pharmacologic and therapeutic properties. Black ginseng (BG, Ginseng Radix nigra) is produced by repeatedly steaming fresh ginseng nine times. Studies of BG have shown that prolonged heat treatment enhances the antioxidant activity with increased radical scavenging activity. Several recent studies have showed the effects of BG on increased lipid profiles in mice. In this study report the effects of water and ethanol extracts of BG on hypercholesterolemia in rats. To our knowledge, this is the first time such an effect has been reported. Methods: Experiments were conducted on male Sprague Dawley rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with the water and ethanol extracts of BG (200 mg/kg). Their blood cholesterol levels, serum white blood cell levels, and cholesterol-metabolizing marker genes messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were determined. Liver and adipose tissues were histologically analyzed. Results: We found that BG extracts efficiently reduced the total serum cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels with increased food efficiency ratio and increased number of neutrophil cells. It also attenuated the key genes responsible for lipogenesis, that is, acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) acetyltransferase 2, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2, at the mRNA level inside liver cells. Furthermore, the BG extract also reduced the accumulation of fat in adipose tissues, and inhibited the neutral fat content in liver cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. Conclusion: Administration of BG extracts to Sprague Dawley rats fed with high-cholesterol diet ameliorated hypercholesterolemia, which was mediated via modulation of cholesterol-metabolizing marker genes. This data throw a light on BG's cardioprotective effects.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2 s.20
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• pp.33-41
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• 1976

Agkistrodon halys (Crotalidae) is the only species of poisonous snakes in Korea, and is divided into three subspecies; Agkistrodon bromhoffii brevicaudus, Agkistrodon calaginosus and Agkistrodon saxatilis. With the three venoms, the pharmacological actions on the cardiovascular system and intestine as well as some toxicological characteristics were studied. In addition, the precipitin test in an agar gel medium was employed for immunological comparison of the venoms and the sera of envenomed patients. The results obtained were as follows: Lyophilized venoms contained solids of $211{\sim}273mg/ml$, and LD50 to mice were 1.73 and 0.86 mg/kg in venoms of Agkistrodon bromhoffii brevicaudus obtained on July and October respectively, and 0.40 and 0.32 mg/kg in Agkistrodon calaginosus and the venoms of Agkistrodon saxatilis obtained on October was 2.29 mg/kg. Isoelectric focusing of lyophilized snake venoms showed 19 to 22 protein fractions and 2 to 3 isoamylase fractions. Acute irreversible hypotension was caused by the intravenous injection of large doses of venoms in rabbits and cats, but at the small doses, acute hypotension followed by slow recovery. Little changes of cardiac movements by the venom injection despite of marked hypotension were showed except bradycardia and arrhythmia prior the death. Also no changes on the isolated rabbit atria by the snake venoms were noted. The hypotensive effect of the snake venoms was prevented by the bilateral vagotomy or atropine pretreatment (1 mg/kg), but they did not affect when already the hypotension has undergone. In the isolated rabbit duodenum, small doses of venom increased the phasic movement, while large doses decreased after spastic contraction. With the injection of venoms in dog, strong contraction of gall-bladder was caused and it was not blocked by the pretreatment with phenoxybenzamine (10 mg/kg) or atropine (1.4 mg/kg). In the venoms of Agkistrodon bromhoffii brevicaudus and Agkistrodon calaginosus, at least 5 antigenic components were detected, and four of them were shared in common with each other. Polyvalent antivenin (Wyeth Lab. USA) had three common precipitating antibodies with the venom of Agkistrodon bromhoffii brevicaudus and Akistrodon calaginosus. In the serum of envenomed patients, no precipitating antibodies were seen to the venoms and little changes in serum protein, GOT and GPT were observed. In conclusion, the snake venoms obtained in Korea were highly toxic and caused chiefly the vascular collapse leading to death. This vascular collapse was resulted largely by cholinergic effects, and not cardiotoxin of venoms. In human, it is likely that precipitating antibodies to venom were not produced by an envenomed incidence to poisonous snakes.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.9-36
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• 2009

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a concurrent administration of JUJSTK and AJ on atopic dermatitis in an in-vivo experiment. Thus, this study is expressed by using NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mice which have histological and clinical similarities to that of humans have been used. Methods Clinical skin score, hematology, serum total IgE and IgG1 of the mouse was evaluated, and cytokine levels, total number of the cells, immunohistochemical staining, histological features of axillary lymph node(ALN), peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs), and a dorsal skin tissue of the mouse were analyzed. Results Oral administration of JUJSTK and concurrent administration of JUJSTK and AJ lowered the clinical skin score, total cell number of WBC, eosinophils in blood, and serum total of IgE & IgG1, IFN-$\gamma$, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17. In addition, total cell number of ALN and dorsal skin tissue, absolute cell number of $CD3e^+$ T cell, $CD4^+$ Th cell, $CD8^+$ c/sT cell, $CD3^+CCR3^+$ cell, $CCR3^+$ cell, $CD3^+CD69^+$, $CD4^+CXCR5^+$ in ALN, PBMCs, absolute cell number of $CCR3^+$, $CD3^+/CD69^+$, $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$, $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ in dorsal skin tissue, Eotaxin2 mRNA, CCR3 mRNA in dorsal skin tissue and gene expression of IL-5 mRNA, IL-13 mRNA in ALN were significantly decreased. Furthermore, thickness of epidermis infiltrated inflammatory immune cell & mast cell in dermis, histological infiltration of mast cell, the size of inflammatory lymphocytes cells & plasma cells in ALN and histological infiltration of $CD4^+$ & $CCR3^+$ in ALN and dorsal skin tissue were significantly decreased as well. Conclusions Concurrent administration of JUJSTK and AJ on atopic dermatitis in an in-vivoexperiment by using an NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse was very effective as an atopic dermatitis treatment.