• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.5317-5323
• /
• 2013

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and one of the leading causes of death among women in the world. Plants and herbs may play an important role in complementary or alternative treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-proliferative potential of Urtica dioica. The anti oxidant activity of an aqueous extract of Urtica dioica leaf was measured by MTT assay and the FRAP method while its anti-proliferative activity on the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and fibroblasts isolated from foreskin tissue was evaluated using MTT assay. Mechanisms leading to apoptosis were also investigated at the molecular level by measuring the amount of anti and pro-apoptotic proteins and at the cellular level by studying DNA fragmentation and annexin V staining by flow cytometry. The aqueous extract of Urtica dioica showed antioxidant effects with a correlation coefficient of $r^2$=0.997. Dose-dependent and anti-proliferative effects of the extract were observed only on MCF-7 cells after 72 hrs with an $IC_{50}$ value of 2 mg/ml. This anti proliferative activity was associated with an increase of apoptosis as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation, the appearance of apoptotic cells in flow cytometry analysis and an increase of the amount of calpain 1, calpastatin, caspase 3, caspase 9, Bax and Bcl-2, all proteins involved in the apoptotic pathway. This is the first time such in vitro antiproliferative effect of aqueous extract of Urtica dioica leaf has been described for a breast cancer cell line. Our findings warrant further research on Urtica dioica as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for breast cancer.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.12
• /
• pp.679-684
• /
• 2017

Friction Stir Welding is a metal welding technique, in which friction heat between a welding tool and a welding material is used to weld parts at temperatures below the melting point of a material. In this study, the temperature and velocity changes in a magnesium alloy (AZ31) during the welding process were analyzed by computational flow dynamics technique while welding the material using a friction stir welding technique. For the analysis, the modeling and analysis were carried out using Fluent as a fluid analysis tool. First, the welding material was assumed to be a temperature-dependent Newtonian fluid with high viscosity, and the rotation region and the stationary region were simulated separately to consider the rotational flow generated by the rotation of the welding tool having a helical groove. The interface between the welding tool and welding material was given the friction and slip boundary conditions and the heat transfer effect to the welding tool was considered. Overall, the velocity and temperature characteristics of the welded material according to time can be understood from the results of transient analysis through the above flow analysis modeling.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.67-83
• /
• 2006

The present study examined that in Vivo/Vitro test is investigated in normotensive sham-operated rats (NSR) and aldosterone-analogue deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats (ADHR) and that the antihypertensive effect was induced by silver spike point (SSP) electrical stimulation at meridian points(CV-3, -4, Ki-12, SP-6, LR-3, BL-25, -28, -32, -52), specifically, such as aldosterone in 24 hour urine analysis from healthy volunteer. The gross examination and morphometric-histological changes, such as hypertrophy, production of necrotic tissues, and the changes of cell arrangement on the kidney, and adrenal gland were markedly observed in aldosterone-analogue DOCA-salt hypertensive rats compared with those from normotensive sham-operated rats. The systolic blood pressure, weight of kidney and adrenal gland were significantly increased in ADHR than that in NSR. The required time of PSS-induced resting tone was significantly increased in ADHR than that in NSR. However, the voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) currents were significantly decreased in ADHR than that in NSR. The urine analysis showed that the concentration of aldosterone was significantly decreased in resting state from the elderly people compared with those from the adolescent healthy volunteer. The current of 1 Hz continue type of SSP electrical stimulation significantly decreased in the concentration of aldosterone of 24 hour urine from the elderly people. These results suggest that the development of aldosterone analogue-induced hypertension is associated with changed the weight of kidney and adrenal gland, blood pressure, resting tone and Kv currents, which directly affects blood pressure. Therefore, the hypertension is a risk factor on cerebrovascular disease. Moreover, these results suggest that the diminished responsiveness to SSP electrical stimulation, especially current of 1Hz continue type, in elderly people may be, in part, related by the increased of antihypertensive effects.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.247-256
• /
• 2013

The carbonate sands of the Sabkha layer in the Middle East have very low shear strength. Therefore, instant settlement and time-dependent secondary settlement occur when inner voids are exposed, as in the case of particle crushing. We analyzed settlement of the Sabkha layer under a large-scale foundation by hydrotesting, and compared the field test results with the results of laboratory tests. With ongoing particle crushing, we observed the following stress-strain behaviors: strain-hardening (Sabkha GL-1.5 m), strain-perfect (Sabkha GL-7.0 m), and strain-softening (Sabkha GL-7.5 m). General shear failure occurred most frequently in dense sand and firm ground. Although the stress-strain behavior of Sabkha layer carbonate sand that of strain-softening, the particle crushing strength was low compared with the strain-hardening and strain-perfect behaviors. The stress-strain behaviors differ between carbonate sand and quartz sand. If the relative density of quartz sand is increased, the shear strength is also increased. Continuous secondary compression settlement occurred during the hydrotests, after the dissipation of porewater pressure. Particle crushing strength is relatively low in the Sabkha layer and its stress-strain behavior is strain-softening or strain-perfect. The particle crushing effect is dominant factor affecting foundation settlement in the Sabkha layer.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.394-402
• /
• 2003

This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of Bojungmyunyuk-dan(BJMY-Dan) on the cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity of primary rat astrocytes. BJMY-Dan is an oriental herbal prescription for its ability to recover protective effects against anti-cancer chemotherapies. After astrocytes were treated cisplatin, MTT assay was performed for cell viability test. To explore the mechanism of cytotoxicity, I used the several measures of apoptosis to determine whether this processes was involved in cisplatin-induced cell damage in astrocytes. Also, astrocytes were treated with BJMY-Dan and then, followed by the addition of cisplatin. Cisplatin decreased the viability of astrocytes in a dose and time-dependent manner. BJMY-Dan increased the viability of astrocytes treated cisplatin. Astrocytes treated cisplatin were revealed as apoptosis characterized by nuclear staining and flow cytometry. BJMY-Dan protected astrocytes from cisplatin-induced nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation. Also, caspase-3 and caspase-9 proteases were activated in astrocytes by cisplatin. BJMY-Dan inhibited the activation of caspase proteases in cisplatin-treated astrocytes. Cleavage of [poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase](PARP) was occurred at 12hr after treatment of cisplatin in astrocytes. BJMY-Dan recovered the cleavage of PARP in cisplatin-treated astrocytes. Also, BJMY-Dan inhibited the activation of pro-apoptotic factor, Bak by cisplatin. Lastly, astrocytes stained with JC-1 and Rhodamine 123 were photographed by fluorescence microscope to visualize changes of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition(MPT) during treatment with cisplatin for 24hr. BJMY-Dan recovered the change of MPT by cisplatin in astrocytes. According to above results, BJMY-Dan may protect astrocytes from cytotoxicity induced by chemotherapeutic agents, including cisplatin.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.36-48
• /
• 2013

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of several fractions obtained from methylene chloride ($CH_2Cl_2$) extract of self-fermented pine needle (SFPNE) on the acetylcholine (ACh)-evoked CA release from the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla and to establish the mechanism of the most active fraction (Fr.)-induced inhibitory action on the CA release. We obtained 6 fractions from $CH_2Cl_2$ extract of self-fermented pine needle. For the ACh (5.32 mM)-evoked CA release, the following rank order of inhibitory potency was obtained: Fr.4-5 > Fr.8-11 ${\gg}$ Fr.3 > Fr.6 = Fr.7 > Fr.1-2. Fr. 4 - 5 (60 ${\mu}g/mL$) perfused into an adrenal vein for 90 min produced relatively time-dependent inhibition of the CA secretory responses to ACh (5.32 mM), DMPP (100 ${\mu}M$), McN-A-343 (100 ${\mu}M$) and high $K^+$ (56 mM). Fr. 4 - 5 itself did not affect basal CA secretion. Also, in the presence of Fr. 4 - 5 (60 ${\mu}g/mL$), the CA secretory responses to angiotensin II (AngII, 0.1 ${\mu}M$), veratridine (50 ${\mu}M$), Bay-K-8644 (10 ${\mu}M$), and cyclopiazonic acid (10 ${\mu}M$) were significantly reduced, respectively. In the simultaneous presence of Fr. 4 - 5 (60 ${\mu}g/mL$) and L-NAME (30 ${\mu}M$), the inhibitory responses of Fr. 4 - 5 on the CA secretion evoked by ACh, DMPP, high $K^+$, AngII, Bay-K-8644 and veratridine were considerably recovered to the extent of the corresponding control secretion compared with that of Fr. 4 - 5-treatment alone. The level of NO released from adrenal medulla after the treatment of Fr. 4 - 5 (60 ${\mu}g/mL$) was greatly elevated compared with the basal level. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Fr. 4 - 5 inhibits the CA secretion from the isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla evoked by stimulation of cholinergic receptors as well as by direct membrane-depolarization. It seems that this inhibitory effect of Fr. 4 - 5 is mediated by blocking the influx of $Ca^{2+}$ and $Na^+$ into the adrenomedullary chromaffin cells as well as by inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store, which is evoked at least partly through the increased NO production due to the activation of NO synthase. Based on these results, it is also thought that Fr. 4 - 5 isolated from $CH_2Cl_2$ extract of pine needle may contain beneficial antihypertensive components to prevent or treat hypertension.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.261-268
• /
• 1990

Various herbicides were applied to the young rice seedling from which endosperm were removed and their effects were determined at 40 days after transplanting. Generally, growth was retarded, but the number of tillers was not effected. Application of bensulfuron and pretilachlor showed slight growth inhibition compared to dimepiperate and pyrazolate. Injury due to herbicide application was dependent on the transplanting depth. Injury was severe when pretilachlor and pyrazolate were applied to rice transplanted 0 and 4cm deep, respectively. However, bensulfuron showed much injury regardless of transplanting depths with the tendency of general growth retardation. Dimepiperate was fairly safe at all transplanting depths. The application of herbicides at 3 and 6 DAT showed higher injury than that at g and 12 DAT. The degree of injury was severe when pretilachlor and bensulfuron were applied.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 2009

The prostate cancer is the critical health problem, increasing of its related death in worldwide. Unfortunately present surgery and chemotherapeutic choices seem to be impossible in curing or controlling prostate cancer, because metastasis occasionally advances even after these potentially curative therapies. Therefore, there is immediate need to alternative chemoprevention and chemotherapeutic agents. Over one hundred species of dried medicinal herbs were tested for proliferation inhibitory effects on prostate cancer cell line, PC-3. One of them, Anthriscus sylvestris was selected because of potent anti-proliferation effect. The dried root of A. sylvestris was extracted with 100% methanol for 2-3 days and its extract was fractionated by using ethyl acetate. And ethyl acetate layer was subjected to column chromatographies on silica gel, reverse phase-18 (RP-18) and Sephadex LH-20, in turn. Finally, the pure compound was obtained by crystallization in methanol at $4^{\circ}C$ for overnight and identified as deoxypodophyllotoxin by NMR spedorscopic and physico-chemical analyses. In addition, it was confirmed that deoxypodophyllotoxin clearly inhibits the proliferation of PC-3 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.152-157
• /
• 2013

We evaluated the anti-diabetic effects of Isaria tenuipes in diabetes mellitus type 2. For the experiments, the diabetic animal model OLETF rats were divided to 4 groups: Isaria tenuipes was administered mixed with the high fat diet 45% at dose levels of 0.0%, 0.1%, 1.0%, and 5.0% for 4 weeks. All animals have free access to water and high fat diet 45%. The diabetic clinical markers, including clinical signs, body weight and food intake, organ weights, blood glucose level, insulin level and HOMA-IR index, oral glucose tolerance test, GLUT4 mRNA and protein were measured at a time. After administration for 4 weeks, the blood glucose levels, insulin levels and HOMA-IR index of test groups were decreased compared with control group in dose-dependent manner. The body weight and diet consumptions were reduced in control group at 4 weeks. The treatments of Isaria tenuipes also showed high expression of GLUT4 mRNA and protein in the muscle of OLETF rats. The results suggest that Isaria tenuipes has anti-hyperglycemic effect attenuating blood glucose in the animal model of type 2 diabetes and might be useful as a functional diet for human diabetic diseases.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.11-19
• /
• 2015

Background Wound healing is an interaction of a complex signaling cascade of cellular events, including inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. $K^+$ channels modulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Here, we investigated whether $K^+$ channel-activated MAPK signaling directs collagen synthesis and angiogenesis in wound healing. Methods The human skin fibroblast HS27 cell line was used to examine cell viability and collagen synthesis after potassium chloride (KCl) treatment by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and western blotting. To investigate whether $K^+$ ion channels function upstream of MAPK signaling, thus affecting collagen synthesis and angiogenesis, we examined alteration of MAPK expression after treatment with KCl (channel inhibitor), NS1619 (channel activator), or kinase inhibitors. To research the effect of KCl on angiogenesis, angiogenesis-related proteins such as thrombospondin 1 (TSP1), anti-angiogenic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pro-angiogenic factor were assayed by western blot. Results The viability of HS27 cells was not affected by 25 mM KCl. Collagen synthesis increased dependent on time and concentration of KCl exposure. The phosphorylations of MAPK proteins such as extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 increased about 2.5-3 fold in the KCl treatment cells and were inhibited by treatment of NS1619. TSP1 expression increased by 100%, bFGF expression decreased by 40%, and there is no significant differences in the VEGF level by KCl treatment, TSP1 was inhibited by NS1619 or kinase inhibitors. Conclusions Our results suggest that KCl may function as a therapeutic agent for wound healing in the skin through MAPK signaling mediated by the $K^+$ ion channel.