• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.99-111
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• 2000

Objectives: Hedyotis diffusa is used to treat cancer in traditional Korea Medicine. So this study was carried out to examine the expression of cell cycle related genes in HL-60 cells undergoing apoptosis by the methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa. Methods: 1. HL-60 cells were treated with various concentrations (from 200 to $50{\mu}g/ml$)of methanol extract and H20 extract ($200{\mu}g/ml$) of hedyotis diffusa. After 48 h later, the cells were tested for viability by MTT assay. 2. The HL-60 cells were treated with $200{\mu}g/ml$ of methanol extract for the indicated periods. The whole cell lysates were prepared and analyzed by western blotting using anti-p53 antibody. 3. The nuclear extract were prepared and analyzed by western blotting using anti-p21 antibody, anti-p27 antibody, anti-cyclin A antibody, anti-cyclin E antibody and anti-CDK2 antibody. Results: 1. The methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa induced the death of HL-60 cells in a dose dependent manner. 2. The methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa makedly decreased the level of p21/Cipl and cyclin A in a time dependent manner. 3. The methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa markedly increased the level of p27/Kipl and cyclin E in a time dependent manner. 4. The methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa markedly did not affect the level of CDK2. Conclusions: These results provide evidence that expression of cell cycle related genes in HL-60 cells undergoing apoptosis by the methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa mainly results from decreased level of p21/Cipl and increased level of p27/Kipl of the cell cycle related genes.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.320-324
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• 2012

Osteoporosis is an important public health issue in postmenopausal women. It is a major public health concern and is widely believed that osteoporosis results from imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation. Recently natural products from plants have been extensively studied as therapeutic drugs to treat and prevent various diseases. Hoelen (scientific name, Poria cocos) is a mushroom that is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Hoelen exhibits anti-inflammatory activity and has a protective effect on tumor progression. However, the effect of hoelen in osteoclast differentiation remains unknown. Thus, we examined the effect of hoelen in receptor activator of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. Hoelen significantly inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) in dose dependent manner without toxicity. Also, we showed that hoelen significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of tartrate-resistant acid phophatase (TRAP) and nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) in BMMs treated with RANKL. In Particular, hoelen greatly inhibited the protein expression of NFATc1. Ectopic expression of NFATc1 partially reverses hoelen-mediated inhibition of osteoclast differentiation. Taken together, our results demonstrated that hoelen may be useful treatment option of bone-related disease such as osteoporosis, reumatoid arthritis, and periodontitis.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2020

Osteoporosis is a worldwide disease leading to significant economic and societal burdens globally. Osteoporosis is caused by unbalanced bone remodeling between the rate of osteoclast bone resorption and osteoblast bone formation. Acer tegmentosum Maxim (AT) is a traditional herbal medicine containing multiple biological activities such as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory purposes. However, its role in osteoporosis has not been fully studied. Therefore, we investigated whether AT has a potent inhibitory effect on osteoporosis and its mechanism through a systemic evaluation in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. OVX mice were orally administrated with the AT at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for 10 weeks. Histological images and histomorphometry analyses were performed by H&E and Toluidine blue satin, and the expression levels of receptor activator for nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL), nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasm 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) related to the osteoclast differentiation were investigated using immunohistochemical analysis. Administration of AT prevented bone loss and the alternations of osteoporotic bone parameters at the distinct regions of the distal femur and spongiosa region in OVX mice. Further, administration of AT increased periosteal bone formation in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, AT inhibited not only the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos, which are two major regulators of osteoclastogenesis but also reduced bone resorbed encoding expression of MMP9 and RANKL. Our results indicated that administration of AT prevented bone loss and the alternations of osteoporotic bone parameters at the distinct regions of the distal femur and spongiosa region in OVX mice. Also AT has the bone protective effect through the suppression of osteoclast and promotion of osteoblast, suggesting that it could be a preventive and therapeutic candidate for anti-osteoporosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.387-391
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• 2007

Recently, much attention has been paid to developing various kinds of fermented herbal extracts, a new type of traditional herbal medicine, in the field of Korean traditional medicine. The fermentation of medicinal herbs is intended to exert a favorable influence on digestability, bioavailavility and pharmacological activity of herbal extract in the gastrointestinal tract. It also produces a number of fermentation products that intensify the nutritional and pharmacological aspects of the medicinal herbs. In order to develop a functional beverage of alleviating the aftereffects of the previous drinks, the extracts (HP-1) of fermented herbal mixture, including Artemisia capillaris Thunb., Lonicera japonica Thunberg, and Hovenia dulcis Thunb., were prepared and the medicinal effect as a hangover cure was evaluated in ethanol-loaded rats. The enzyme activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) were analyzed by measuring the concentration of blood ethanol and acetaldehyde. The mRNA expression of ADH and ALDH2 was also investigated through RT-PCR analysis. In the HP-1-treated group, the concentration of blood ethanol was significantly reduced at one hour after loading of ethanol, as compared to that in the saline-treated group. The reduced ethanol was converted to acetaldehyde, which resulted in rapid increase in acetaldehyde concentration in an hour. Acetaldehyde was started to decrease at 5 hours after ethanol loading. It implies that HP-1 is highly effective to stimulate the activities of ADH and ALDH2. The HP-1 treatment also activated the mRNA expression of ADH and ALDH. This study suggests that fermented herbal extract, HP-1 can be used as a functional beverage of alleviating the alcohol-induced hangover symptoms by stimulating the activities and gene expression of hepatic alcohol metabolizing enzymes.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2017

Objective : Soybeans of Canavalia gladiata(CG) and root of Arctium lappa(AL) have been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effect. However, the immunoregulatory mechanisms of its combinational prescription remain a matter of considerable debate. In the current study, we investigated whether CG and AL and its combinational prescription(CG+AL) regulate immune system using chronic immobilization-stress mouse model. Methods : C57BL/6J mice fixed for 2 hours into immobilization tube after CG, AL, CG+AL oral administration after 2 hours daily for 21 days. After every experiment has ended the C57BL/6J mice were sacrificed on 22 days. The production of Serotonin and Cortisol, lgA were observed by ELISA method, The proportion of immune cells such as T/B cell and macrophage, NK cell were measured by FACS. Then, Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA expression of Inflammatory cytokines(IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-a) and T cell activation cytokines(IL-2, IL-10, IFN-gamma, IL-12p35 / p40). Result : When chronic immobilization-stress mouse model were treated with CG+AL(1:4), the expression of mRNA were significantly decreased at the Inflammatory cytokines(IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-a). While, the levels of mRNA were significantly increased at immune T cell activation cytokines. Additionally, CG+AL(1:4) combinational prescription group enhanced immune cells such as T/B cell and macrophage, NK cell. Furthermore, the Immuno-fluorescence result of brain tissue can confirm that CG+AL(1:4) group significantly increased the BDNF expression. Conclusion : These result suggest that CG+AL(1:4) combinational prescription has Immune System enhancement via stress-mediated immunocyte.

• The Journal of Traditional Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.113-127
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• 2006

Objectives: This study was produced to examine the effects of moxibustion that had been played important role to traditional oriental medical treatment on disease. Recently, it was reported that moxi-tar which is generated in the process of moxibustion as burning combustibles decreased nitric oxide(NO) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) generation in cellular experiments. Methods: Carrageenan-induced arthritis rat model was used to test the effect of moxi-tar as a chronic pain model. Diluted moxi-tar was single injected in several acupoints or combined with electroacupuncture (l ms, 2 Hz, and 2 mA) into contralateral ST36 acupoint for 30 min to assess the synergic effects. After the treatment, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 12 hours. Endogenous NO and iNOS, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord were examined on a rat model of carrageenan-induced arthritis. Results : After the induction of arthritis, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for at least the next 4 days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful knee, since oral injection of indomethacin produced temporary improvement of weight bearing. Maxi-tar produced significant improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis lasting at least 9 hours. The magnitude of this improvement was equivalent to that obtained after an oral injection of 3 mg/kg of indomethacin and this improvement of stepping force was interpreted as an analgesic effect. Maxi-tar produced the improvement of stepping force of the affected hindlimb in a dose-dependent manner. Both NO production and iNOS, COX-2 protein expression increased by arthritis were suppressed by maxi-tar. Moxi-tar on combination with electroacupuncture (EA) produced more powerful and longer lasting improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis than either moxi-tar or EA did. Conclusion : The present study suggest that maxi-tar produces a potent analgesic effect on the chronic knee arthritis pain model in the rat and that moxi-tar-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of iNOS/COX-2 protein expression.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.373-380
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• 2019

In this study, I examined the visual elements for narrative structure and the symbols, scene components and visual styles in the images through analyze the flat staging in Tomm Moore's animated feature film, . As a research method, I figure out the general theories about staging and analyze extracted scenes which revealed flat staging in the , then summarize and clarify the flat staging production elements and features of Tomm Moore. As a result, in , the composition of the screen using the basic shapes, the screen composition containing the spiral which is symbol of the Celtic traditional pattern, the stable and flat frame expression through the balanced screen composition, expression of spatial sensation using perspective, appearance of the period by using the inverted perspective, and composition that can emphasize the flat formability are appeared as a characteristic. Through this, the two-dimensional planarity was maximized to convey the feeling of appreciating the illustrations of fairy tales. Tomm Moore, who produced animation based on folk tales in order to inherit the traditional culture of Ireland, has been attracting worldwide attention because of its flat staging to help narrative, enhancing the original expression and performance of animation. I hope that this study will be used as basic data for industry workers and researchers who make unique and excellent animated feature film.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.295-304
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• 2021

Background: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a hematopoietic malignancy driven by promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor A (PML-RARA) fusion gene. The therapeutic drugs currently used to treat APL have adverse effects. 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) is an anticancer medicine with high effectiveness and low toxicity. However, the underlying anticancer mechanisms of GRh2-induced PML-RARA degradation and apoptosis in human APL cell line (NB4 cells) remain unclear. Methods: Apoptosis-related indicators and PML-RARA expression were determined to investigate the effect of GRh2 on NB4 cells. Z-VAD-FMK, LY294002, and C 87, as inhibitors of caspase, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) pathways were used to clarify the relationship between GRh2-induced apoptosis and PML-RARA degradation. Results: GRh2 dose- and time-dependently decreased NB4 cell viability. GRh2-induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and caspase3, caspase8, and caspase9 activation in NB4 cells after a 12-hour treatment. GRh2-induced apoptosis in NB4 cells was accompanied by massive production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial damage and upregulated Bax/Bcl-2 expression. GRh2 also induced PML/PML-RARA degradation, PML nuclear bodies formation, and activation of the downstream p53 pathway in NB4 cells. Z-VAD-FMK inhibited caspase activation and significantly reversed GRh2-induced apoptosis and PML-RARA degradation. GRh2 also upregulated TNF-α expression and inhibited Akt phosphorylation. LY294002, an inhibitor of the PI3K pathway, enhanced the antitumor effects of GRh2, and C 87, an inhibitor of the TNF-α pathway, reversed NB4 cell viability, and GRh2-mediated apoptosis in a caspase-8-dependent manner. Conclusion: GRh2 induced caspase-dependent PML-RARA degradation and apoptosis in NB4 cells via the Akt/Bax/caspase9 and TNF-α/caspase8 pathways.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1850-1859
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• 2022

Objective: The quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is the most accurate and reliable technique for analysis of gene expression. Endogenous reference genes (RGs) have been used to normalize qPCR data, although their expression may vary in different tissues and experimental conditions. Verification of the stability of RGs in selected samples is a prerequisite for reliable results. Therefore, we attempted to identify the most stable RGs in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in sows. Methods: The cycle threshold values of nine commonly used RGs (18S, HPRT1, GAPDH, RPL4, PPIA, B2M, YWHAZ, ACTB, and SDHA) from HPG axis-related tissues in the domestic sows in the different stages of estrus cycle were analyzed using two RG-finding programs, geNorm and Normfinder, to rank the stability of the pool of RGs. In addition, the effect of the most and least stable RGs was examined by normalization of the target gene, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), in the hypothalamus. Results: PPIA, HPRT1, and YWHAZ were the most stable RGs in the HPG axis-related tissues in sows regardless of the stages of estrus cycle. In contrast, traditional RGs, including 18S and ACTB, were found to be the least stable under these experimental conditions. In particular, in the normalization of GnRH expression in the hypothalamus against several stable RGs, PPIA, HPRT1, and YWHAZ, could generate significant (p<0.05) elevation of GnRH in the preovulatory phase compared to the luteal phase, but the traditional RGs with the least stability (18S and ACTB) did not show a significant difference between groups. Conclusion: These results indicate the importance of verifying RG stability prior to commencing research and may contribute to experimental design in the field of animal reproductive physiology as reference data.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1454-1463
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• 2023

Evaluating the antioxidant efficacy using Potentillae Chinensis Herba extract, the anti-inflammatory efficacy was tested in respiratory mucosal epithelium, RAW264.7 cells, and zebrafish. As a result, antioxidant activity increased in a concentration-dependent manner in DPPH free radical scavenging and ABTS+ cation radical activities. As a result of MTT assay for cell experiments, the survival rate of NCI-H292 cells was reduced to less than 70% when treated at each concentration of 100 ㎍/ml, subsequent experiments were conducted at 50 ㎍/ml. Anti-inflammatory efficacy evaluation, NO production, TNF-𝛼, IL-1𝛽, and PGE₂ decreased, and COX-2 also decreased significantly at 50 ㎍/ml. The mucin protein expression of Potentillae Chinensis Herba extract and bioconverted extract, it was observed that MUC5AC expression was significantly reduced. In the zebrafish toxicity evaluation, concentrations below 50 ㎍/ml did not show embryotoxicity and showed anti-inflammatory efficacy by reducing NO production due to LPS. The above results are valid to be valuable for use as a functional material that suppresses inflammation by helping the expression of Potentillae Chinensis Herba's respiratory mucus proteins.