Jung-Hoon Cho

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.

Eupatilin, a dietary flavonoid, induces G2/M cell cycle arrest in human endometrial cancer cells.

This study is the first to investigate the antiproliferative effect of eupatilin in human endometrial cancer cells. Eupatilin, a naturally occurring flavonoid isolated from Artemisia princeps, has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-tumor activities. In the present study, we investigated the potential effect of eupatilin on cell growth and its molecular mechanism of action in human endometrial cancer cells. Eupatilin was more potent than cisplatin in inhibiting cell viability in the human endometrial cancer cell lines Hec1A and KLE. Eupatilin showed relatively low cytotoxicity in normal human endometrial cells HES and HESC cells when compared to cisplatin. Eupatilin induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in a time- and dose-dependent manner, as indicated by flow cytometry analysis. In addition, treatment of Hec1A cells with eupatilin resulted in a significant increase in the expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) and in the phosphorylation of Cdc25C and Cdc2. Knockdown of p21 using specific siRNAs significantly compromised eupatilin-induced cell growth inhibition. Interestingly, levels of mutant p53 in Hec1A cells decreased markedly upon treatment with eupatilin, and p53 siRNA significantly increased p21 expression. Moreover, eupatilin modulated the phosphorylation of protein kinases ERK1/2, Akt, ATM, and Chk2. These results suggest that eupatilin inhibits the growth of human endometrial cancer cells via G2/M phase cell cycle arrest through the up-regulation of p21 by the inhibition of mutant p53 and the activation of the ATM/Chk2/Cdc25C/Cdc2 checkpoint pathway.

Implementation of a Transcutaneous Charger for Fully Implantable Middle Ear Hearing Device

A transcutaneous charger for the fully implantable middle ear hearing device (F-IMEHD), which can monitor the charging level of battery, has been designed and implemented. In order to recharge the battery of F-IMEHD, the electromagnetic coupling between primary coil at outer body and secondary coil at inner body has been used. Considering the implant condition of the F-IMEHD, the primary coil and the secondary coil have been designed. Using the resonance of LC tank circuit at each coil, transmission efficiency was increased. Since the primary and the secondary coil are magnetically coupled, the current variation of the primary coil is related with the impedance of internal resonant circuit. Using the principle mentioned above, the implanted module could transmit outward the information about charging state of battery or coupling between two coils by the changing internal impedance. As in the demonstrated results of experiment, the implemented charger has supplied the sufficient operating voltage for the implanted battery within about 10 mm distance. And also, it has been confirmed that the implanted module can transmit information outward by control of internal impedance

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.

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.

Differential floating mass type vibration transducer for MEI system

A new of vibration transducer, a DFMT (differential floating mass type) is introduced for use in an MEI (middle ear implant) system. The DFMT transducer is not influenced by external noise magnetic flux and has a very high vibration efficiency because its two magnets, which are glued back to back with the same poles facing, are located in the coil.

A study on abdominal temperature of dysmenorrhea patients

Dysmenorrhea is one of the common gynecologic disorders of menstruating women. The primary occurrence is menstrual pain without pelvic pathology, whereas the secondary occurrence is painful menstruation with underlying pathology. The cause of the primary disease is increased endometrial prostaglandin. The mechanisms underlying the secondary dysmenorrhea are not elucidated. There are many blood vessels under the skin and they play a very important role in the thermal control of peripheral parts. The control of blood circulation is mainly controlled by the autonomic nervous system and it is known that digital infrared thermographic imaging is an objective method showing the body temperature. In oriental medicine, the causes of dysmenorrhea have been recognized as something not to be penetrated such as qi, blood, and pathologic factors. These conditions can inhibit the circulation of Chong Ren Channel. The authors observed 49 patients complaining of dysmenorrhea who visited their hospital during 1997. In order to rule out thermal abnormalities due to obesity, the authors determined obesity index and excluded the cases who were above 1.0. They used computer-aided thermography. In this study the authors observed two abdominal areas to evaluate the abdominal temperature. The mean temperature of Square A in the dysmenorrhea group was 35.22/spl plusmn/1.33/spl deg/C and in the control group was 36.01/spl plusmn/0.74/spl deg/C.

Implementation of gas sampling chamber and measuring hardware for capnograph system considering thermal noise effect and time response characteristics

Most capnograph systems that can indirectly determine the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood of a patient are based on NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) absorption technology. As such an NDIR gas analyzing method requires an optical absorption chamber and signal processing hardware. Accordingly, this paper designed and implemented an NDIR type CO/sub 2/ gas chamber while considering the time response characteristics and lamp chopping frequency. In addition, signal processing hardware using two infrared sources was implemented to reduce the thermal background effect. The gas chamber and signal processing hardware has been tested using temperature variation and human expiration experiment. The results showed that the system could produce a stable output signal and discerning CO/sub 2/ gas concentration curve similar to a typical capnogram.