• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.202-214
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• 2015

Stimuli-responsive biomaterials that alter their function through sensing local molecular cues may enable technological advances in the fields of drug delivery, gene delivery, actuators, biosensors, and tissue engineering. In this research, pH-responsive hydrogel which is comprised of dimethylaminoethyl methacylate (DMAEMA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was synthesized for the effective delivery of doxorubicin (Dox) to breast cancer cells. Cancer and tumor tissues show a lower extracellular pH than normal tissues. DMAEMA/HEMA hydrogels showed significant sensitivity by small pH changes and each formulation of hydrogels was examined by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical test, equilibrium mass swelling, controlled Dox release, and cytotoxicity. High swelling ratios and Dox release were obtained at low pH buffer condition, low cross-linker concentration, and high content of DMAEMA. Dox release was accelerated to 67.3% at pH 5.5 for 6-h incubation at $37^{\circ}C$, while it was limited to 13.8% at pH7.4 at the same time and temperature. Cell toxicity results to breast cancer cells indicate that pH-responsive DMAEMA/HEMA hydrogels may be used as an efficient matrix for anti-cancer drug delivery with various transporting manners. Also, pH-responsive DMAEMA/HEMA hydrogels may be useful in therapeutic treatment which is required a triggered release at low pH range such as gene delivery, ischemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.830-836
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• 2011

The leaf of mulberry (Morus alba L) has long been used in Oriental medicine for the prevention or treatment of several diseases. However, little is known about the inhibitory effects of a single compound isolated from the mulberry leaves on inflammatory response. We are isolate a single compound of quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) and astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-glucopyranoside) from the mulberry leaves, and then investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin, astragalin or quercetin plus astragalin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages. Each compound suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators (NO, $PGE_2$ and IL-6) in LPS-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. Especially, the cotreatment of quercetin (2.5 ${\mu}M$) and astragalin (2.5 ${\mu}M$) markedly suppressed the production and the expression of inflammatory mediators. These suppressive effects were synergistically increased by their combination. These results suggest that the combination of quercetin and astragalin from the mulberry leaves may be useful for therapeutic drugs against inflammatory immune diseases, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2013

Although assisted reproductive technology is very useful to develop novel and therapeutic biomaterials for reproduction, research on molecular mechanism of folliculogenesis in pig is not clear. Therefore, the alteration of gene expression during follicular development in pigs was examined in this study. The expression of folliculogenesis-related genes was quantified in preantral ($250{\sim}300{\mu}m$) and antral (> $300{\mu}m$ in diameter) follicles, and overall gene expression was evaluated by a genome-wide microarray. The microarray results showed that 219 genes were differentially expressed, and of those, 10 and 22 known genes showed higher and less expression at the preantral stage than at antral stages, respectively. Among them, the expression of NR0B1, PPARG, GATA4, and ANXA2 genes related to folliculogenesis was validated by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The expression of PPARG and GATA4 genes were increased at antral stages, but a significantly stage-specific increase (p<0.05) was only detected in annexin A2 (ANXA2) in antral-stage follicles. The expression of NR0B1 genes was increased at preantral stage and these patterns of gene expression were comparable to the results obtained by microarray analysis. We propose that the systematical regulation of genes supporting specific follicle stage should be employed for improved in-vitro folliculognesis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.488-493
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• 2010

Therapeutic manipulation of angiogenesis, the formation of new vascular sprouts from existing capillaries, is one of the promising strategies for treatment of human diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and cardiovascular disorder. In the present study, we examined the effects and molecular mechanism of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) and endostatin on fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)-stimulated endothelial cell proliferation, migration and adhesion in vitro, and angiogenesis in vivo. TIMP-2 and endostatin showed potent anti-angiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. These effects appear to be mediated through different angiogenic signaling pathways. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that TIMP-2 and endostatin strongly inhibit FGF-2-induced angiogenic responses, and the establishment of fast and reproducible evaluation system in vitro and in vivo for the development of anti-angiogenic biomaterials and therapeutics.

• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.151-162
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• 2014

Genetically-modified mesenchymal stem cells (GM-MSCs) have emerged as promising therapeutic tools for orthopedic degenerative diseases. GM-MSCs have been widely reported that they are able to increase bone and cartilage tissue regeneration not only by secreting transgene products such as growth factors in a long-term manner, also by inducing MSCs into tissue-specific cells. For example, MSCs modified with BMP-2 gene increased secretion of BMP-2 protein resulting in enhancement of bone regeneration, while MSCs with TGF-b gene did cartilage regeneration. In this review, we introduce several growth factors for gene delivery to MSCs and strategies for bone and cartilage tissue regeneration using GM-MSCs. Furthermore, we describe strategies for strengthening GM-MSCs to more intensively induce tissue regeneration by co-delivery system of multiple genes.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.76-82
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• 2016

Aloe vera has been used in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industry for its therapeutic properties. However, there are not many current studies on the microstructure of A. vera compared to studies on the chemical constituents and health efficacy of A. vera. Therefore, we compared the morphology of an A. vera leaf using an optical microscope, a conventional scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a cryo-SEM. Especially, this study focused on observing the gel in the inner leaf of A. vera, which is challenging using standard imaging techniques. We found that cryo-SEM is most suitable method for the observation of highly hydrated biomaterials such as A. vera without removing moisture in samples. In addition, we found the optimal analytical conditions of cryo-SEM. The sublimation conditions of $-100^{\circ}C$ and 10 minutes possibly enable the surface of the inner leaf of A. vera to be observed in their "near life-like" state with retaining moisture. The experiment was repeated with A. arborescens and A. saponaria to confirm the feasibility of the conditions. The results of this study can be applied towards the basic research of aloe and further extend previous knowledge about the surface structures of the various succulent plants.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2019

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has long been studied in diverse applications. It is a naturally occurring linear polysaccharide in a family of unbranched glycosaminoglycans, which consists of repeating di-saccharide units of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-glucuronic acid. It is almost ubiquitous in humans and other vertebrates, where it participates in many key processes, including cell signaling, tissue regeneration, wound healing, morphogenesis, matrix organization, and pathobiology. HA is biocompatible, biodegradable, muco-adhesive, hygroscopic, and viscoelastic. These unique physico-chemical properties have been exploited for several medicinal purposes, including recent uses in the adjuvant treatment for chronic inflammatory disease and to reduce pain and accelerate healing after third molar intervention. This review focuses on the post-operative effect of HA after third molar intervention along with its various physio-chemical, biochemical, and pharmaco-therapeutic uses.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.478-483
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• 2019

The use of fermented soy curd as a functional substance has been actively studied due to the anti-inflammatory and antiallergic activity of soybean protein hydrolyzate by enzymes of lactic acid bacteria. The present study investigated the potential of soy curd as a treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD). Pediococcus inopinatus Y2 (P. inopinatus Y2) lactic acid bacteria were inoculated into soy milk and fermented ($30^{\circ}C$, 24 hr). Changes in body weights, ear thicknesses, IgE concentrations, and weights of immune organs in ICR female mice were quantified. Moderate weight gain occurred in most of the groups. The ear thickness was lowest in the untreated group (no group), and it was allergic and thickened in the phthalic anhydride (PA) treatment group. Based on visual observations, as compared with the skin condition of the PA-induced AD group, the skin condition of the animals in the fermented soy curd (FSC) group was improved. Therefore, FSC by lactic acid bacteria seemed to improve AD. Based on the comparison of the weights of the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes, as well as the results of the IgE analysis, soy milk, in addition to FSC, had a therapeutic effect. However, the antiallergy effects of FSC in terms of AD were far superior to those of soy milk. These results indicated that FSC can be used as a treatment for AD.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.141-151
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• 2009

We investigated the inhibitory effect of an oral administration of a Sophora flavescens Aiton ethanol extract (SFE) on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) by using NC/Nga model mice. The induction of atopic dermatitis-like lesion was conducted by the removal of the back hairs and topical application of a mite antigen (Dermatophagoides farinae, Df) on to the back skin twice a week for 8 weeks. SFE was orally administered at a different doses (100-400 mg/kg). Atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions were evaluated by dermatitis scores, skin histology and immunological parameters (serum levels of IgE, TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, and CTACK/CCL27). Oral administration of SFE significantly inhibited the clinical sign of Df-induced atopic dermatitis, including dermatitis score and leukocyte infiltration. Moreover, SFE suppressed significantly the serum IgE and Th2 chemokine (TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, and CTACK/CCL27) levels in a concentration dependent manner. These results suggest that oral administration of SFE could reduce significantly the clinical signs and Th2 chemokines in Df-induced atopic dermatitis model mice. Therefore, SFE may be effective substances for the management of AD in human.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2006

Tamsulosin or a salt thereof such as its hydrochloride salt has been known to have an adrenaline ${\alpha}$ receptor blocking action for urethra and prostate areas. It has been widely used as a drug which lowers the prostate pressure and improves urinary disturbance accompanied by prostate-grand enlargement, thus for the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia. To avoid dose-dependent side effects of tamsulosin upon oral administration, the development of sustained-release delivery system is essentially required, that can maintain therapeutic drug levels for a longer period of time. The aim of this study was therefore to formulate sustained-release tamsulosin granules and assess their formulation variables. We designed entric coated sustained-release tamsulosin granules for this purpose. Nano-pores in the outer controlled release membrane were needed in order to obtain initial tamsulosin release even in an acidic environment such as gastric region. In our sustained release osmotic granule system, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose in a drug-containing layer was used as a rate controller. The drug-containing granules were coated with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP) and Eudragit, along with glycerol triacetate as an aqueous nano-pore former. The release of tamsulosin depended heavily on the type of Eudragit such as RS, RL, NE 30D, used in the formulation of controlled release layer. These results obtained clearly suggest that the sustained-release oral delivery system for tamsulosin could be designed with satisfying drug release profile approved by the Korean Food and Drug Administration.