Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Publication
    Effects of Cymbidium root ethanol extract on atopic dermatitis
    ( 2016)
    Kim, W.J.
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    Cha, H.S.
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    Lee, M.H.
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    Kim, S.Y.
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    Kim, S.H.
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    Kim, T.J.
    Cymbidium has known antibacterial and antiedema activity and has been used as an ingredient in cosmetics and fragrances. The effects of Cymbidium ethanol extract (CYM) on allergic response and the underlying mechanisms of action have not been reported. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of CYM on allergic responses. Topical application of CYM was effective against immunoglobulin E (IgE)/dinitrophenyl-conjugated bovine serum albumin-(DNP-BSA-) induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells and anaphylaxis in ICR mice. An allergic dermatitis-like mouse model was used to evaluate the therapeutic potential of CYM in vivo. Continuous application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) not only induced dermatitis in ICR mice but also aggravated the skin lesioning. However, the application of CYM decreased skin lesion severity, scratching behavior, and IgE levels. In addition, CYM downregulated the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-(IL-) 4, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)alpha. Studies of signal transduction pathways showed that CYM suppressed the phosphorylation of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), an upstream molecule. It also inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, phospholipase C-(PLC-)gamma, and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MEKK). These results indicate that CYM may be effective in preventing and reducing allergic response and may have therapeutic potential as an antiallergic agent in disorders such as atopic dermatitis.
  • Publication
    Antiangiogenic Activity of Acer tegmentosum Maxim Water Extract in Vitro and in Vivo
    ( 2015)
    Kim, E.C.
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    Kim, S.H.
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    Piao, S.J.
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    Kim, T.J.
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    Bae, K.
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    Kim, H.S.
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    Hong, S.S.
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    Lee, B.I.
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    Nam, M.
    Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is critical for tumor growth and metastasis. Notably, tumors themselves can lead to angiogenesis by inducing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is one of the most potent angiogenic factors. Inhibition of angiogenesis is currently perceived as one of the most promising strategies for the blockage of tumor growth. In this study, we investigated the effects of Acer tegmentosum maxim water extract (ATME) on angiogenesis and its underlying signal mechanism. We studied the antiangiogenic activity of ATME by using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). ATME strongly inhibited VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation, as well as vessel sprouting in a rat aortic ring sprouting assay. Moreover, we found that the p44/42 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathway is involved in the inhibition of angiogenesis by ATME. Moreover, when we performed the in vivo matrigel plug assay, VEGF-induced angiogenesis was potently reduced when compared to that for the control group. Taken together, these results suggest that ATME exhibits potent antiangiogenic activity in vivo and in vitro and that these effects are regulated by the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathway.
  • Publication
    Water extract of Cinnamomum cassia suppresses angiogenesis through inhibition of VEGF receptor 2 phosphorylation
    ( 2015)
    Kim, E.C.
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    Kim, H.J.
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    Kim, T.J.
    Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation, has been a major target for cancer therapy. Antiangiogenic herbal medicines are useful in the treatment of cancer. In this study, we found that a water extract of Cinnamomum cassia (CCWE) was a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, CCWE suppressed vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced proliferation, migration, invasion, tube formation, and intracellular signaling events such as phosphorylation of ERK, p38 and VEGFR2, and activation of matrix metalloproteinase. Furthermore, CCWE inhibited VEGF-induced vessel sprouting of rat aorta ex vivo. These findings might be of particular interest for drug development because VEGF signaling is a potential target for treatment of angiogenesis-associated diseases.
  • Publication
    Meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid inhibits rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by suppressing phosphorylation of platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta
    ( 2014)
    Song, M.C.
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    Kim, E.C.
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    Kim, W.J.
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    Kim, T.J.
    Abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an essential functional role in the pathogenesis of vascular disorders, such as atherosclerosis, restenosis, and neointimal hyperplasia. In this study, we examined the effects of meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (MDGA) On platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation and the molecular basis of its underlying mechanism of action in rat aortic VSMCs. Incubation of resting VSMCs with MDGA for 24 h significantly diminished PDGF-BB-induced DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. We also examined the effects of MDGA on PDGF-BB signal transduction. Pre-treatment of VSMCs with MDGA inhibited PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, and C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). MDGA also effectively inhibited phosphorylation of Akt, phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1), and PDGF receptor beta (PDGFR beta). These results indicate that MDGA may inhibit proliferation of VSMCs by suppressing autophosphorylation of PDGFR beta, and may be useful in the treatment of VSMC-associated vascular disease such as atherosclerosis, restenosis, and neointimal hyperplasia after angioplasty.
  • Publication
    Prevention of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of C2C12 myoblasts by a Cichorium intybus root extract
    ( 2013)
    Lee, Y.H.
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    Kim, D.H.
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    Kim, Y.S.
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    Kim, T.J.
    Cell injury associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been reported in various muscular disorders. We found that a Cichorium intybus (Cii) extract reduced H2O2-induced viability loss in C2C12 myoblasts, inhibited oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and increased intracellular heat shock protein 70 (Hsp 70) expression. Cii also inhibited the level of intracellular ceramide. These results indicate that Cii may prevent skeletal muscle atrophy by inducing the expression of Hsp 70 and inhibiting the level of ceramide.