Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • 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
    Oral delivery of zoledronic acid by non-covalent conjugation with lysine-deoxycholic acid
    ( 2016)
    Jeon, O.-C.
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    Seo, D.-H.
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    Kim, H.-S.
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    Byun, Y.
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    Park, J.W.
    We assessed the possibility of changing the route of administration of zoledronic acid to an oral dosage form and its therapeutic efficacy in an estrogen-deficient osteoporosis rat model. To enhance oral bioavailability, we formed an ionic complex by electrostatic conjugation of zoledronic acid with lysine-linked deoxycholic acid (Lys-DOCA, an oral absorption enhancer). After forming the complex, the characteristic crystalline features of pure zoledronic acid disappeared completely in the powder X-ray diffractogram and differential scanning calorimetry thermogram, indicating that zoledronic acid existed in an amorphous form in the complex. In vitro permeabilities of zoledronic acid/Lys-DOCA (1:1) (ZD1) and zoledronic acid/Lys-DOCA (1:2) (ZD2) complex across Caco-2 cell monolayers were 2.47- and 4.74-fold higher than that of zoledronic acid, respectively. Upon intra-jejunal administration to rats, the intestinal absorption of zoledronic acid was increased significantly and the resulting oral bioavailability of the ZD2 complex was determined to be 6.76 +/- 2.59% (0.548 +/- 0.161% for zoledronic acid). Ovariectomized (OVX) rats showed 122% increased bone mineral density versus the OVX control at 12 weeks after treatment with once weekly oral administration of ZD2 complex (16 mu g/kg of zoledronic acid). Furthermore, rats treated with ZD2 complex orally showed significant improvement in the parameters of trabecular microarchitecture and bone strength: 149% higher bone volume fraction (BV/TV), 115% higher trabecular number (Tb.N), and 56% higher mean maximum load (F-max) than in the OVX group. The trabecular microstructure and bone mechanical properties in the oral zoledronic acid group were not significantly changed compared with the OVX control. Thus, the oral ZD2 complex inhibited osteoporosis progression effectively by promoting osteogenesis and trabecular connectivity. The oral ZD2 complex would be expected to improve patient compliance by replacing the conventional injectable form and expand the indications, to include prophylaxis for osteoporosis and bone metastases.
  • Publication
    Effect of oenothera odorata root extract on microgravity and disuse-induced muscle atrophy
    ( 2015)
    Lee, Yong-Hyeon
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    Seo, Dong-Hyun
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    Park, Ji Hyung
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    Kabayama, Kazuya
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    Lee, Kwangho
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    Kim, Han Sung
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    Kim, Tack-Joong
    Muscle atrophy, a reduction of muscle mass, strength, and volume, results from reduced muscle use and plays a key role in various muscular diseases. In the microgravity environment of space especially, muscle atrophy is induced by muscle inactivity. Exposure to microgravity induces muscle atrophy through several biological effects, including associations with reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study used 3D-clinostat to investigate muscle atrophy caused by oxidative stress in vitro, and sciatic denervation was used to investigate muscle atrophy in vivo. We assessed the effect of Oenothera odorata root extract (EVP) on muscle atrophy. EVP helped recover cell viability in C2C12 myoblasts exposed to microgravity for 24 h and delayed muscle atrophy in sciatic denervated mice. However, the expressions of HSP70, SOD1, and ceramide in microgravity-exposed C2C12 myoblasts and in sciatic denervated mice were either decreased or completely inhibited. These results suggested that EVP can be expected to have a positive effect on muscle atrophy by disuse and microgravity. In addition, EVP helped characterize the antioxidant function in muscle atrophy.
  • 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.