• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.553-561
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• 2022

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a slowly progressing hematopoietic cell disorder. Sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) plays established roles in tumor initiation, progression, and chemotherapy resistance in a wide range of cancers, including leukemia. However, small-molecule inhibitors targeting SPHK1 in CML still need to be developed. This study revealed the role of SPHK1 in CML and investigated the potential anti-leukemic activity of hirsuteine (HST), an indole alkaloid obtained from the oriental plant Uncaria rhynchophylla, in CML cells. These results suggest that SPHK1 is highly expressed in CML cells and that overexpression of SPHK1 represents poor clinical outcomes in CML patients. HST exposure led to G2/M phase arrest, cellular apoptosis, and downregulation of Cyclin B1 and CDC2 and cleavage of Caspase 3 and PARP in CML cells. HST shifted sphingolipid rheostat from sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) towards the ceramide coupled with a marked inhibition of SPHK1. Mechanistically, HST significantly blocked SPHK1/S1P/S1PR1 and BCR-ABL/PI3K/Akt pathways. In addition, HST can be docked with residues of SPHK1 and shifts the SPHK1 melting curve, indicating the potential protein-ligand interactions between SPHK1 and HST in both CML cells. SPHK1 overexpression impaired apoptosis and proliferation of CML cells induced by HST alone. These results suggest that HST, which may serve as a novel and specific SPHK1 inhibitor, exerts anti-leukemic activity by inhibiting the SPHK1/S1P/S1PR1 and BCR-ABL/PI3K/Akt pathways in CML cells, thus conferring HST as a promising anti-leukemic drug for CML therapy in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7339-7344
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• 2013

To analyze the effects of a new unknown peptide DEF on the growth of tumor cells, a fused polypeptide TAT-DV1-DEF was designed and synthesized. The lung adenocarcinoma cell line GLC-82 treated with TAT-DV1-DEF was analyzed with a cell counting kit 8, and the location of polypeptides in cells was observed under laser confocal microscopy. The efficiency of polypeptide transfection and changes in nuclear morphology were analyzed by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. Finally, the mechanism of tumor cell growth inhibition was evaluated by Western blotting. We found that TAT-DV1-DEF could significantly inhibit the growth of the lung adenocarcinoma cell line GLC-82, but not the normal human embryonic kidney cell line HEK-293. Polypeptides were found to be mostly localized in the cytoplasm and some mitochondria. The efficiency of polypeptide transfection in the two cell types was approximately 99%. Apoptotic nuclei were observed under fluorescence microscopy upon treatment with polypeptides and DAPI staining. Western blot analyses indicated that the polypeptide inhibition of tumor cell growth was apoptosis dependent. In the present study, we demonstrated that fused polypeptides could induce apoptosis of the lung adenocarcinoma cell line GLC-82, indicating that the new unknown peptide DEF has antitumor effects.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.631-638
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• 2009

GLEDITSIAE SPINA (GS) has been used as folk remedies traditionally for treatment of antiphlogistic and antifebrile agents. An ethanol extract and its fraction of GS were assessed to determine the mechanism of its antioxidant activity. Also, inhibitory effect of extract from GS and its fraction measuring the inhibitory effect on $Cu^{2+}$-induced human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. GS ethanol extract and its fraction exhibited a concentration-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) scavenging activities, including trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), OPPH radical, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radicals, peroxynitrite and nitric oxide, using different assay systems. Furthermore, the GS ethanol extract and its fraction showed dose-dependent protection of LDL oxidation induced by $CuSO_4$. In addition, the GS ethanol extract and its fraction were characterized as containing a high amount of total phenolics. These results suggest that GS ethanol extract and its fraction might be helpful for preventing oxidative stress and protecting LDL oxidation.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.23-32
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• 2012

Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate and valuate currently provided database management systems (DBMS) of traditional Korean medical knowledge. Methods: We searched DBMS on the web and smart device application markets (Apple App Store and Google Play Store). Key words for searching were 'traditional medicine', 'acupuncture', 'moxibustion', 'herbal medicine', and '한의학'. We looked into each DBMS to find out its scopes and limits, and each was valuated according to its functionality, accessibility, and utility. Results: 186 DBMS of traditional Korean medical knowledge were investigated and 91% of them were applications for smart devices. Almost all DBMS provided acupuncture and herb information, and a small amount of DMBS provided prescription and research paper information. Functionality, accessibility, and utility valuation were performed by using scoring system from 0 to 2. Mean values of functionality, accessibility, and utility were 0.86, 1.29, and 1.09. Conclusions: On the whole, high accessibility and low functionality were found, and various data-calculating functions were not implemented. Further researches and developments about traditional Korean medical knowledge DBMS are necessary to provide correct traditional Korean medical information and to support the studies about Korean medicine.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1295-1302
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• 2006

Our preliminary aim is to elucidate the pharmacokinetic features of the PNS(Panax notoginseng Buck F.H. Chen. (Arialiaceae) root). First, we assessed the prevention of neurtrophil functions. A Panax notoginseng inhibited neutrophil functions, including degranulation, superoxide generation, and leukotriene B4 production, without any effect on 5-lipoxygenase activity. This Panax notoginseng reduced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 production in mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, whereas no influence on the activity of inducible NO synthase, cyclo-oxygenase-2 or cyclo-oxygenase-1 was observed. Panax notoginseng significantly reduced mouse paw oedema induced by carrageenan. The results indicate that Panax notoginseng exerts anti-inflammatory effects related to the inhibition of neutrophil functions and of NO and prostaglandin E2 production, which could be due to a decreased expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclo-oxygenase-2.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.3259-3264
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• 2010

A label-free amperometric immunosensor has been proposed for the detection of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in human serum. To fabricate such an immunosensor, a composite film consisting of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ($EMIMBF_4$) suspension was initially formed on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Then cerium dioxide ($CeO_2$) dispersed by chitosan was coated on the GCE. After that, MPO antibodies (anti-MPO) were attached onto the nano$CeO_2$ surface. With a noncompetitive immunoassay format, the antibody-antigen complex formed between the immobilized anti-MPO and MPO in sample solution. The immunosensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The factors influencing the performance of the immunosensor were studied in detail. Under optimal conditions, the current change before and after the immunoreaction was proportional to MPO concentration in the range of 5 to $300\;ng\;mL^{-1}$ with a detection limit of $0.2\;ng\;mL^{-1}$.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.187-204
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• 2014

Objectives This study examined the perception and current utilization of Korean medical clinics in South Korea, focusing on university students in their 20s who live in Seoul. In addition, this study investigated methods for improving positive perception on korean medical clinics. Methods The questionnaire consisted of preference, reliability, professionalism, and modernity of korean medical clinics based on previous researches. The data was collected from 203 students of 6 different universities in Seoul through a direct survey from 4th September to 7th September 2013. The collected data were analyzed by the frequency analysis. Results According to the survey, the university students in Seoul have few chances to visit korean medical clinics, and they do not have enough information about korean medical treatment. Also, only few of them have recognized existence of research on korean medical treatment, and most of them request that korean medical care need to be scientifically proven. Conclusion The study implied that if the perception of preference, reliability, professionalism, and modernity regarding korean medical clinics develops by promoting research achievements, an increasing number of university students in their 20s will take korean medical care.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.988-999
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• 2008

Objectives : The study was conducted to evaluate antioxidative, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-hypertensive effects of natural remedies. Alisma Rhizome (AR) has been used for a long time in Asia in folk remedies for treatment of hypertension and stroke and has been used in Korean traditional medicine for the treatment of glycosuria, gonorrhea, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and jaundice and its diuretic effect. These pharmacological effects of AR might come from antioxidant properties of phytochemicals in these materials. Methods : In this study, the antioxidant activity of extract from AR was studied with in vitro methods by measuring the antioxidant activity by TEAC, measuring the scavenging effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) [superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical] and on reactive nitrogen species (RNS) [nitric oxide and peroxynitrite] as well as measuring the inhibitory effect on $Cu^{2+}$ induced human LDL oxidation and on ACE. Results : The AR extracts were found to have a potent scavenging activity, as well as an inhibitory effect on LDL oxidation and on ACE against all of the reactive species tested, with the water extract showing particularly strong antioxidant activities. Conculsions : The AR extracts have antioxidative, anti-atherosclerotic and anti-hypertensive effects in an in vitro system, which can be used for developing pharmaceutical drugs against oxidative stress and atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1055-1062
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• 2009

Magnolia obovata exhibit several beneficial effects including anti-oxidant effects. Magnolia obovata is used as a therapeutic agent to stop hemorrhages and a tonic to promoted health in Korean and Chinese medicine. The pharmacokinetic profiles of the main Magnolia obovata is still not accurately investigated. In present study, I examined the effects of water extracts of Magnolia obovata on atherosclerosis induced high cholesterol diet in rats in serum and abdominal aorta. A total of 3-week old 9 male rats of Sprague-Dawley were divided into 3 groups and fed with the basal diet (normal group), high cholesterol diet (atherosclerosis induced group) for 8 weeks, high cholesterol diet supplemented with water extracts of Magnolia obovata (Magnolia obovata group) for 2 weeks. And rats were sacrificed, serum lipid level, abodominal aortic anti-oxidant activities and lipid peroxide were measured. These results indicated that serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides concentration significantly lower in Magnolia obovata group than high cholesterol diet group. But HDL-cholesterol concentration had significantly higher in Magnolia obovata group than high cholesterol diet group. In conclusion, Magnolia obovata controls of lipid level of hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia, thus suppresses the proliferation of intima in endothelial cells, which is risk factors of atherosclerosis induced high cholesterol diet in rats. I consider as Magnolia obovata is worth to using as atherosclerosis treatment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1027-1031
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• 2006

In oriental medicine, Geijibokryunghwan(GBH) was used to improvement various symptoms created by the thrombosis. We investigated the effects of an oriental medicinal prescriptions, Geijibokryunghwan (GBH) consisting of herbs of Cinnamomi Ramufus (Geiji; 桂枝), Poria cocos (Bokrung; 茯?), Moutan Cortex Radicis(Modanpi; 牧丹皮), Paeoniae Radix (Jakyak; 芍藥) and Persicae Semen (Doin; 桃仁) on tumor growth-inhibitory activity and cancer chempreventive activity in assays representing three maior stages of carcinogenesis. Cancer chempreventive agents include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as indomethacin, aspirin, piroxicam, and sulindac, all of which inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX). Effects of the GBH extracts on carrageenan-induced edema Inflammation using female (C57BL/6XC3H) Fl (B6C3Fl ) mice and tumorigenesis were examined. Finally, cyclooxygenase metabolites were determined after extracts treatment. These data suggest that GBH extracts merits investigation as a potential cancer chempreventive agent in humans.