• 생약학회지
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.73-88
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• 2010

Traditionally, the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc(L.E) has been used as efficacious therapy for inflammation, burns, frostbite and skin ailments (e.g eczema and psoriasis). It contains isohexenylnaphthoquinone derivatives (shikonin and its esters) and furylhydroquinones (shikonofurans) in lipophilic fractions and caffeic acid oligomers (rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid B) in polar fractions. Recently, new preparative isolation and analysis procedures of shikonin along with its oligomers from the extract of L. erythrorhizon by the combination of high-speed counter-current chromatography with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection have also been introduced. Although there have been many reports on the wound healing, antiinflammatory, and anticancer effects, the research on the effects of anti-atopic dermatitis of the root of L. erythrorhizon were relatively scarce. However, in recent years, new information gathered from research efforts, on the anti-atopic dermatitis properties of the extract or constituents of L. erythrorhizon has been accumulated. In this paper, the findings and advance on the in vitro and in vivo activities of L. erythrorhizon and its constituents especially focused on antiinflammatory and anti-atopic dermatitis effects are summarized. The phytochemical constituents of L. erythrorhizon or its tissue cultures are also presented. Although there are few to verify or refute its activity in human, one result of clinical study of the extract of L. erythrorhizon on the atopic dermatitis patients was introduced to assess the possibility of its clinical use. The reported mechanisms of action and in vivo pharmacological studies in different animal models for the various types of extracts or constituents of L. erythrorhizon are supportive of its therapeutic potential or dietary supplement, however, more evidence from clinically relevant models, as well as systemic studies on the active constituents or the various types of standardized extracts at the cellular and molecular level, are required.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.283-290
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• 2016

Oroxylum indicum has long been used in Asian traditional medicine to prevent and treat respiratory diseases, diabetes, diarrhea and other conditions. Oroxylin A is a flavone that is present in Oroxylum indicum and in Scutellaria baicalensis. Because the root extracts of both plants have been shown to have anti-allergic effects, the authors investigated whether oroxylin A is likely to have beneficial effects on allergic asthma using female Balb/c mice and rat RBL-2H3 mast cells. Antigen-induced degranulation was measured in vitro by measuring b-hexosaminidase activity. A murine ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma model was used to test the in vivo efficacy of oroxylin A. Sensitization and challenge of ovalbumin induced allergic asthma responses, the accumulations of eosinophils and Th2 cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues. Oroxylin A administration decreased numbers of inflammatory cells, especially eosinophils, and reduced the expression and secretion of Th2 cytokines, including IL-4 and IL-13, in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histologic studies showed oroxylin A reduced inflammatory signs and mucin production in lungs. These findings provide evidence that oroxylin A has potential use as an anti-allergic therapeutic.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.438-445
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• 2016

Cyperi Rhizoma (CR), the rhizome of Cyperus rotundus L., exhibits neuroprotective effects in in vitro and in vivo models of neuronal diseases. Nevertheless, no study has aimed at finding the neuroactive constituent(s) of CR. In this study, we identified active compounds in a CR extract (CRE) using bioactivity-guided fractionation. We first compared the anti-oxidative and neuroprotective activities of four fractions and the CRE total extract. Only the ethyl acetate (EA) fraction revealed strong activity, and further isolation from the bioactive EA fraction yielded nine constituents: scirpusin A (1), scirpusin B (2), luteolin (3), 6'-acetyl-3,6-diferuloylsucrose (4), 4',6' diacetyl-3,6-diferuloylsucrose (5), p-coumaric acid (6), ferulic acid (7), pinellic acid (8), and fulgidic acid (9). The activities of constituents 1-9 were assessed in terms of anti-oxidative, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-amyloid-${\beta}$ activities. Constituents 1, 2, and 3 exhibited strong activities; constituents 1 and 2 were characterized for the first time in this study. These results provide evidence for the value of CRE as a source of multi-functional neuroprotectants, and constituents 1 and 2 may represent new candidates for further development in therapeutic use against neurodegenerative diseases.

• BMB Reports
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.267-272
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• 2011

ZAS3 is a large zinc finger transcription repressor that binds the ${\kappa}B$-motif via two signature domains of ZASN and ZASC. A loss-of-function study showed that lack of ZAS3 protein induced accelerated cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Conversely, gain-of-function studies showed that ZAS3 repressed $NF{\kappa}B$-activated transcription by competing with $NF{\kappa}B$ for the ${\kappa}B$-motif. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that ZAS3 promotes apoptosis by interrupting anti-apoptotic activity of $NF{\kappa}B$. Here, we present evidence that upon $TNF{\alpha}$ stimulation, ZAS3 inhibits $NF{\kappa}B$-mediated cell survival and promotes caspase-mediated apoptosis. The inhibitory effect of ZAS3 on $NF{\kappa}B$ activity is mediated by neither direct association with $NF{\kappa}B$ nor disrupting nuclear localization of $NF{\kappa}B$. Instead, ZAS3 repressed the expression of two key anti-apoptotic genes of $NF{\kappa}B$, TRAF1 and TRAF2, thereby sensitizing cells to $TNF{\alpha}$-induced cell death. Taken together, our data suggest that ZAS3 is a tumor suppressor gene and therefore serves as a novel therapeutic target for developing anti-cancer drugs.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.10-17
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• 1980

Gentamicin is useful to the Gram negative bacterial infection, but its nephrotoxicity is a serious problem and the incidence is probably increasing. The toxicity of gentamicin to the kidney is site-specific to the proximal tubule. In this study, we measured daily peak and trough level of gentamicin, serum creatinine, serum $Beta_2$-microglobulin and 24-hr urine $Beta_2$-microglobulin in 10 gentamicin treated patients. All the patients had their peak levels of gentamicin in the safe therapeutic range, and their trough level showed no evidence of gentamicin accumulation. There was no patient who showed his daily serum creatinine and $Beta_2$-microglobulin rise significantly. But 24-hour urine $Beta_2$-microglobulin showed significant rise from basal level (mean $5.8{\pm}1.62{\times}$) on the 5 th day of gentamicin treatment. Thus, serial monitoring of proximal tubular function with urinary $Beta_2$-microglobulin excretion has potential value in the assessment of insults of gentamicin to this site. But clinical significance of raised urinary $Beta_2$-microglobulin excretion in relation to the serum creatinine should be further studied.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.276-283
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• 2017

Objective: Dyslipidemia is recognized as a prominent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases but it is manageable through therapeutic and lifestyle intervention. Interpreting the latest guidelines is essential for an application of recommendation from guidelines into clinical practice. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the most recent guidelines on dyslipidemia treatment recommendations in Korea and USA. Methods: This study analyzed and compared 2015 Korean guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia, 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guideline and 2016 supportive guidelines from ACC. Results: A comparison was made focused on the following: target patients based on cardiovascular risk assessment, target goal, and treatment strategies including statin and non-statin therapies. Four target patient groups by risk were suggested in 2015 Korean guideline and cardiovascular risk factors were also considered for initiation of lipid lowering therapy. Titrated statin regimen was recommended by Korean guideline to reach LDL cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol target level. In 2013 ACC/AHA guideline, four statin benefit group was introduced considering ASCVD risk and high intensity statin or intermediate intensity statin use were recommended without dose titration. 2016 update was to support non-statin therapy based on updated evidence and new consideration of ezetimibe, PCSK9-inhibitor and bile acid sequestrant was brought up. Conclusion: Guidelines are continuously updating as new and important clinical data are constantly released along with the advent of newly approved drugs for lipid disorder. This article provides resources that facilitates uptake of these recommendations into clinical practice.

• 대한족부족관절학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.107-113
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• 2015

Purpose: The question of surgical versus non-surgical treatment for diabetic foot osteomyelitis remains subject to debate. The aims of this study were to analyse the outcome of conservative treatment (antibiotic treatment and conservative surgery) for diabetic foot osteomyelitis and identify the predictive factors of remission in conservative treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis. Materials and Methods: Seventy-seven patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis who initially received conservative treatment from January 2004 to July 2013 were identified, and their medical records were reviewed. Diabetic foot osteomyelitis was defined by imaging studies or histological evidence. Remission was defined as the absence of any sign of infection at the initial or contiguous site assessed at least 12 months after the end of treatment. The demographic, clinical, and therapeutic factors were analysed. Results: The mean age of the patients was $62.7{\pm}12.2$ years, and 47 patients (61.0%) were male. The median diabetes duration was $15.7{\pm}11.2$ years and mean HbA1c was $8.7%{\pm}2.4%$. Forty-eight patients (62.3%) healed with conservative treatment (antibiotic treatment and conservative surgery). Twenty-five patients (32.5%) underwent amputation. In the multivariate analysis, concomitant peripheral artery disease and inadequate antibiotic therapy were associated with failure of conservative treatment. Conclusion: Antibiotics alone, or with conservative surgery, were successful in treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis in 62.3% of the patients. Concomitant peripheral artery disease and inadequate antimicrobial therapy were risk factors for remission in conservatively treated diabetic foot osteomyelitis.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.230-235
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• 2020

A pregnane steroid, 3α-hydroxy-pregn-7-ene-6,20-dione (1), was isolated from a Hydractinia-associated Cladosporium sphaerospermum SW67 by repetitive column chromatographic separation and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification. The planar structure of 1 was elucidated from the analysis of the spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR spectra) and LC-MS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by interpretation of ROESY spectrum of 1, together with the comparison of reported spectroscopic values in previous studies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the identification of the pregnane scaffold from C. sphaerospermum, a natural source. Compound 1 was evaluated for its effects on lipid metabolism and adipogenesis during adipocyte maturation and showed that compound 1 substantially inhibited lipid accumulation compared to the control. Consistently, the expression of the adipocyte marker gene (Adipsin) was reduced upon incubation with 1. Further, we evaluated the effects of 1 on lipid metabolism by measuring the transcription of lipolytic and lipogenic genes. The expression of the lipolytic gene ATGL was significantly elevated upon exposure to 1 during adipogenesis, whereas the expression of lipogenic genes FASN and SREBP1 was significantly reduced upon treatment with 1. Thus, our findings provide experimental evidence that the steroid derived from Hydractinia-associated C. sphaerospermum SW67 is a potential therapeutic agent for obesity.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.457-466
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• 2010

Objective : In benign prostatic hyperplasia, dihydrotestosterone acts as a potent cellular androgen and promotes prostate growth. Inhibiting enzyme $5{\alpha}$-reductase that is involved in the conversion of testosterone to the active form dihydrotestosterone reduces this excessive prostate growth. The mechanism on benign prostatic hyperplasia is substantiating evidence to support the clinical value in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we investigated the effects of Lygodium japonicum on cyto-pathological alterations and expression of $5{\alpha}$-reductase in the rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia induced by castration and testosterone treatment. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with testosterone after castration for induction of experimental benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is similar to human benign prostatic hyperplasia in histopathological profiles. Lygodium japonicum as an experimental specimen, and finasteride as a positive control, were administered orally. The prostates were evaluated by histopathological changes and testosterone levels. Also, the prostates were observed by hematological alterations of AST, ALT, ${\gamma}$-GTP, BUN and creatinine. Results : The rats treated with Lygodium japonicum showed a diminished range of luminal cell and duct epithelial cell damage. The stromal elements and connective tissue proliferation of Lygodium japonicum treated group as compared to the control group decreased. Conclusions : These findings suggest that Lygodium japonicum may protect the glandular epithelial cells. We concluded that Lygodium japonicum could be a useful remedy agent for treating the benign prostatic hyperplasia.

• 대한예방한의학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.105-127
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• 2013

Objectives : We examined the use of the moxibustion through survey on Korean Medicine Doctors (KMDs) on preparation of universal moxa product standard by fully reflecting opinions of practitioners and the industry. Methods : The questionnaire is composed of 25 questions including use of indirect moxa, side effects, complaints and improvements, general characteristics and so on, and were responded by 1,588 KMDs. For statistics, frequency analysis, chi-square analysis, T-test and ANOVA were conducted using SPSS 12.0 for windows, and the significance level was 0.05. Results : In this research, 91% of the responded KMDs was using moxibustion, and the proportion of using mediate moxibustion was shown as 63.2%. They used mediate moxibustion for side effects of direct moxa method such as risk of burn, ease of use, control of stimulation and so on. And it was mostly being conducted to women and 40 ages. Most respondents gave moxibustion treatments for the purpose of thermal stimulation on acupoint to musculoskeletal diseases. Most respondents were treating 1~2 pieces of moxibustion to patients by moxibustion points to those of 1~2 regions every time within 10 minutes. Regarding the frequency of side effects of mediate moxibustion, within 3% of respondents had experienced side effects, and the types were burn, flare and itchiness, odor and smoke. The dissatisfaction of mediate moxibustion products was moderate(2.00 out of 5 point scale), and went up public health doctors, the younger ages and the shorter clinical experience. Complaints on mediate moxibustion products were serious odor, poor attachment, risk of burn etc. Regarding ways to improve mediate moxibustion, the expansion of moxibustion's insurance cost carne out highest, followed by preparation of manual on efficacy, strengthening of training, acquiring evidence on efficacy, diversification of specifications, safety improvement, quality improvement of mediate moxibustion products. Conclusions: Many KMDs use for ease of use and give moxibustion treatments for thermal stimulation but they complain about safety, efficacy and quality of mediate moxibustion. After this it is considered that we have to elevate therapeutic effect through the improvement of mediate moxibustion products.