Jun-Bock Jang

Protective Effect of Cyperi Rhizoma Against 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Neuronal Damage

Cyperi rhizoma, the rhizome of Cyperus rotundus L. (Family Cyperaceae), is a well-known functional food and traditional herbal medicine in Korea. It has been reported that Cyperi rhizoma has antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities that play a major role in protection of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinsons disease (PD). In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of a water extract of Cyperi rhizoma (CRE) against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced neuronal damage were evaluated in an experimental model of PD. In PC12 cells, CRE showed a significant protective effect on cell viability at 50 and 100 microg/mL. CRE inhibited generation of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase-3 activity, which were induced by 6-OHDA. CRE also showed a significant protective effect against damage to dopaminergic neurons in primary mesencephalic culture. These results suggest that CRE has neuroprotective effects against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity through antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities in an in vitro PD model.

Dangguijakyak-san, a medicinal herbal formula, protects dopaminergic neurons from 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity

AIM OF THE STUDY Dangguijakyak-san (DJS) is a multi-herbal formula that has long been widely used in traditional Oriental medicine to treat gynecologic disorders, including neurological symptoms. Recent clinical and experimental studies have reported aging and anti-neurodegenerative effects of DJS. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects of DJS on dopaminergic (DA) neurons damaged by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). MATERIALS AND METHODS To evaluate the protective effects of DJS, we analyzed viability in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) staining in primary DA cells. To explore the possible mechanism(s) of neuroprotection, we assessed anti-oxidant activity by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels. To determine mitochondria-mediated apoptotic activity, we examined mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation. RESULTS DJS at 0.05-5 μg/mL significantly protected SH-SY5Y cells from 6-OHDA toxicity, dose-dependently, and attenuated 6-OHDA damage in primary DA cells. DJS reduced 6-OHDA-induced intracellular ROS production and GSH depletion and inhibited mitochondrial membrane instability, cytosolic cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that DJS has neuroprotective effects in DA neurons against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity through anti-oxidant and anti-mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic activities.

Quantum size effects on the conductivity in porous silicon

The quantum confinement effect was examined by measuring dark conductivity and optical transmittance of free-standing porous silicon films of different porosities. With increasing porosity from 40 to 80%, the transmission spectrum shows a blue shift and the activation energy of the conductivity increases from 0.3 to 1.0 eV. Using the activation energies, confinement energies are estimated with respect to the crystallite size, determined from the given porosity, and the results are compared with previous works. Good agreement is obtained.

Imaging ellipsometry study on the Ni-mediated crystallization of a-Si

We have investigated by imaging ellipsometry (IE) the crystallization of amorphous silicon (a-Si) at low temperature by Ni-silicide-mediated crystallization on a glass substrate. We observed a significant difference in the ellipsometric image between polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) and a-Si and confirmed that annealing for longer time leads to increasing area of poly-Si domain. The progress of crystallization is modeled as the growth of a disk in a two-dimensional surface since the crystallized region expanded as a disk shape. The rate of increasing radius of the disk and the average distance between initial nucleus points were obtained by fitting the change of the area of the disk measured by the IE with annealing time.

Therapeutic effects of Chiljehyangbuhwan on primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE This clinical study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of an oriental herbal medicine native to Korea, Chiljehyangbuhwan, in treating primary dysmenorrhea. DESIGN AND SETTING A total of 100 primary dysmenorrhea patients who visited Kyung Hee University Korean Oriental Medicine Hospital between July 19 2004 and August 27 2004 were recruited. Secondary or drug-related dysmenorrhea was screened out through interviews and examination. The patients were grouped by fixed blocked randomization and administered either Chiljehyangbuhwan or placebo for one menstrual period in a double blind model. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), and Multidimensional Verbal Rating Scale (MVRS) were used to evaluate dysmenorrhea severity. A total of 71 patients who passed the screening test and remained to the last were divided into either placebo or Chiljehyangbuhwan group, and each were further split into smaller subsets (indication, non-indication, and unspecified group) according to Korean Oriental medical diagnosis. RESULTS In the non-indication group, the placebo and Chiljehyangbuhwan group did not show significant difference in VAS, VRS, and MVRS scores before medication (1st VAS, 1st VRS, 1st MVRS), after medication (2nd VAS, 2nd VRS, 2nd MVRS), and in changes in scores before and after (DeltaVAS, DeltaVRS, DeltaMVRS). In the indication group, the placebo and Chiljehyangbuhwan group showed significant difference in change in VAS and MVRS scores (DeltaVAS and DeltaMVRS). No evidence of toxicity could be found, and no serious adverse reactions to Chiljehyangbuhwan were reported. CONCLUSION The results suggest that Chiljehyangbuhwan is effective and safe in treating primary dysmenorrhea when prescribed appropriately under Korean Oriental medical diagnosis.

Effect of Korean red ginseng on cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundCold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF) is one of the most common complaints among Asians, especially in women. Korean red ginseng (KRG), which is a steamed form of Panax ginseng, has vasodilating action in the peripheral vessels and increases blood flow under cold stress. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of KRG on cold hypersensitivity.Methods/DesignThis trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 80 CHHF patients. The trial will be implemented at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong in Seoul, Korea. The participants will take KRG or a placebo for eight weeks, after which they will be followed-up for four weeks. During the administration period, six capsules of 500 mg KRG or placebo will be provided twice a day. The primary outcome is change of skin temperature in the hands between baseline and after treatment. The secondary outcomes include the visual analogue scale scores of cold hypersensitivity in the hands, change of skin temperature and the VAS scores of cold hypersensitivity in the feet, the recovery rate of the skin temperature by the cold stress test of the hands, the distal-dorsal difference of the hands, power variables of heart rate variability, and the 36-item short form health survey.DiscussionThis study is the first trial to evaluate the efficacy of KRG on CHHF by using infrared thermography. Our study will provide basic evidence regarding CHHF.Trial registrationCliniacalTrials.gov NCT01664156

Safflower Seed Extract Inhibits Osteoclast Differentiation by Suppression of the p38 Mitogen‐activated Protein Kinase and IκB Kinase Activity

Safflower seed has been reported to have a protective effect against bone loss diseases. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of safflower seed in osteoclast differentiation remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory action of safflower seed extract (SSE) on the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)‐induced osteoclastogenesis in cultured mouse‐derived bone marrow macrophages (BMMs). We found that SSE significantly inhibited the formation of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)‐positive multinucleated cells in BMMs without cytotoxicity. The gene expressions of nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFATc1) and TRAP, which are genetic markers of osteoclast differentiation, were substantially decreased by SSE in a dose‐dependent manner. Also, SSE diminished RANKL‐mediated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation on osteoclastogenesis in a dose‐dependent manner. The SSE thereafter suppressed RANKL‐induced p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase and IκBα kinase signalling activities which were activated by ROS generation for osteoclastogenesis. Additionally, SSE was found to decrease RANKL‐induced actin ring formation, which is required for bone resorption activity. Taken together, our results suggest that SSE acts as a RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis inhibitor by suppression of ROS generation. This induces a remarkable suppression of the p38 and IκBα kinase pathways, thereby suppressing the gene expression of NFATc1 in osteoclast precursors. Copyright

A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies on the Efficacy of Herbal Medicines for Primary Dysmenorrhea

Purpose. Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common gynecological complaint among adolescent girls and women of reproductive age. This study aims to review the findings of published articles on the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of herbal medicines for PD. Methods. In vitro and in vivo studies of herbal compounds, individual herbal extracts, or herbal formula decoctions published from their inception to April 2014 were included in this review. Results. A total of 18 studies involving herbal medicines exhibited their inhibitory effect on PD. The majority of in vitro studies investigated the inhibition of uterine contractions. In vivo studies suggest that herbal medicines exert a peripheral analgesic effect and a possible anti-inflammatory activity via the inhibition of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis. The mechanisms of herbal medicines for PD are associated with PG level reduction, suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 expression, superoxide dismutase activation and malondialdehyde reduction, nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and nuclear factor-kappa B reduction, stimulation of somatostatin receptor, intracellular Ca2+ reduction, and recovery of phospholipid metabolism. Conclusions. Herbal medicines are thought to be promising sources for the development of effective therapeutic agents for PD. Further investigations on the appropriate herbal formula and their constituents are recommended.

Dangguijakyak-San Protects against 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6,-tetrahydropyridine-Induced Neuronal Damage via Anti-Inflammatory Action.

Dangguijakyak-san (DJS), a famous traditional Korean multiherbal medicine, has been used to treat gynecological and neuro-associated disease. Recent studies demonstrated that DJS has multiple bioactivities including neuroprotection. In the present study, we were to investigate the effect of DJS and its mechanism in an in vitro and in vivo model of Parkinsons disease (PD). In primary mesencephalic culture system, DJS attenuated the dopaminergic cell damage induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine toxicity, and it inhibited production of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), and activation of microglial cells. Then, we confirmed the effect of DJS in a mouse PD model induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). In the pole test, DJS at 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days showed increase of motor activity showing shortened time to turn and locomotor activity compared with the MPTP only treated mice. In addition, DJS significantly protected nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron from MPTP stress. Moreover, DJS showed inhibition of gliosis in the substantia nigra pars compacta. These results have therapeutic implications for DJS in the treatment of PD via anti-inflammatory effects.

Epidemiological changes in hepatitis A in Korea: increasing age and its effect on clinical outcomes

Korea has recently experienced an increasing number of acute hepatitis A cases. We investigated the dynamics of hepatitis A and changes in the mean age of patients in a hospital in Seoul, Korea. Mean age increased consistently from 19 years in 1996 to 30 years in 2009 (P < 0·0001). Between two acute hepatitis A outbreaks in 1998-1999 and in 2008-2009, mean age increased from 23 to 30 years (P < 0·001). However, the hepatitis A clinical outcomes were similar between the outbreaks. Duration of hospital stay, creatinine level and prothrombin time did not differ. Throughout the study period, individuals born in the 1970s and 1980s comprised the largest proportion (84%) of patients. As this susceptible generation ages, the mean age of hepatitis A patients in Korea will increase consistently. However, at present, the impact of increasing age on clinical outcomes is not apparent.