Kyo-Nyeo Oh

Inhaled essential oil from Chamaecyparis obtuse ameliorates the impairments of cognitive function induced by injection of β-amyloid in rats.

Context: Chamaecyparis obtusa Sieb. & Zucc., Endlicher (Cupressaceae) forest bathing or aromatherapy has been shown in various studies to have biological functions such as anticancer, antiallergies, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant activity. However, no reports exist on the pharmacological or biological activities of the essential oil of C. obtusa (EOCO) or its effects on central nervous system. Objective: The aggregation and formation of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ) into fibrils are central events in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and overproduction and aggregation of Aβ into oligomers have been known to trigger neurotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the effects of inhaled EOCO on cognitive function and neuronal apoptosis in rats intrahippocampally injected with Aβ. Materials and methods: To model AD, 4 μg of aggregated Aβ was injected into the hippocampus. To test the effects of EOCO, behavioral performance in the Morris water maze was tested 4 days after injection. After behavioral testing, brain sections were prepared for TTC staining and TUNEL assay. Results: Inhaled EOCO protected spatial learning and memory from the impairments induced by Aβ1–40 injection. In addition, the behavioral deficits accompanying Aβ1–40-induced AD were attenuated by inhalation of EOCO. Furthermore, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and neuronal apoptosis were significantly inhibited in rats treated with Aβ1–40 and EOCO compared to rats treated only with Aβ1–40. Discussion and conclusion: EOCO suppressed both AD-related neuronal cell apoptosis and AD-related dysfunction of the memory system. Thus, the results of this study support EOCO as a candidate drug for the treatment of AD.

Antidepressant-Like Effects of Vaccinium bracteatum in Chronic Restraint Stress Mice: Functional Actions and Mechanism Explorations

The fruit of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. (VBF) is commonly known as the oriental blueberry in Korea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of water VBF extract (VBFW) in a mouse model of chronic restraint stress (CRS) and to identify the underlying mechanisms of its action. The behavioral effects of VBFW were assessed in the forced swim test (FST) and open field test (OFT). The levels of serum corticosterone (CORT), brain monoamines, in addition to the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway were evaluated. VBFW treatment significantly reduced the immobility time and increased swimming time in FST without altering the locomotor activity in unstressed mice. Furthermore, CRS mice treated with VBFW exhibited a significantly decreased immobility time in FST and serum CORT, increased locomotor activity in OFT, and enhanced brain monoamine neurotransmitters. Similarly, VBFW significantly upregulated the ERKs/Akt signaling pathway in the hippocampus and PFC. In addition, VBFW may reverse CORT-induced cell death by enhancing cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein expression through the up-regulation of ERKs/Akt signaling pathways. In addition, VBFW showed the strong antagonistic effect of the 5-HT[Formula: see text] receptor by inhibiting 5-HT-induced intracellular Ca[Formula: see text] and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Our study provides evidence that antidepressant-like effects of VBFW might be mediated by the regulation of monoaminergic systems and glucocorticoids, which is possibly associated with neuroprotective effects and antagonism of 5-HT[Formula: see text] receptor.

Anti-Obesity Effects on Unripe Rubus coreanus Miquel Extract in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Aims: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-obesity effects of unripe Rubus coreanus Miquel (uRC) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and body weight, epididymal fat and perirenal fat weight, and lipid profiles in diet-induced obese (DIO) C57BL/6 mice. Methodology: The lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was carried out Oil Red O staining. And uRC (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) were orally administered for 90 days from the day of feeding with high fat diet (HFD). The serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and low density lipoprotein(LDL)-cholesterol and glucose levels were measured using Alere cholesterol LDX system. And the serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), Short Communication Jung et al; IJBcRR, 5(1): 20-26, 2015; Article no. IJBcRR.2015.003 21 glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and creatinine levels were measured using the respective kits. Results: Our results indicated that treatment with uRC dose-dependently inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Moreover, after oral administration for 12 weeks, uRC (50 and 100mg/kg/day) extract produced a significant decrease in the serum total cholesterol (TC), lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, glucose and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) levels of HFD-induced obese mice. Similarly, uRC extract elevated serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. These results suggest that uRC extract may be a useful resource for the management of obesity. Conclusion: These results suggest that uRC extract may be a useful resource for the management of obesity.

Neuroprotective effects of Eriobotrya japonica and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge in in vitro and in vivo models

We previously reported that Eriobotrya japonica (EJ) improves the cognitive dysfunction caused by amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide injection. Here, we further examined the possible neuroprotective effects and the combined ameliorating effects of EJ and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SM) in various in vitro and in vivo models. We confirmed the combined effects of a mixture of 5% ethanol extract from EJ leaves (EJE) and water extract from SM roots (SMW) on Aβ1–42-induced toxicity in an in vitro model. Treatment with the mixture (1:1) of EJ and SM (Mix) produced significantly better protection of cells from Aβ-induced toxicity and more strongly suppressed caspase-3 activity compared to treatment with EJE or SMW alone. Additionally, EJE, SMW, and Mix attenuated CoCl2-induced hypoxic damage and corticosterone-induced impairment in SH-SY5Y cells. To examine the combined effects of EJE and SMW in in vivo models, behavioral performance in the Morris water maze was tested two days after injection of Aβ1–42. Administration of Mix provided significantly more protection of spatial learning and memory against the impairments induced by Aβ1–42 injection than did administration of EJE or SMW alone. Additionally, the behavioral deficits that accompanied Aβ-induced memory impairment were attenuated to a greater extent by the administration of the mixture. Furthermore, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and neuronal apoptosis were significantly more inhibited in rats treated with Aβ and the mixture than in rats treated with Aβ1–42 alone. Thus, the results of this study indicate that the mixture of EJ and SM has combined effects that are neuroprotective against Aβ1–42-induced neuronal toxicity.

Vaccinium bracteatum Leaf Extract Reverses Chronic Restraint Stress-Induced Depression-Like Behavior in Mice: Regulation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, Serotonin Turnover Systems, and ERK/Akt Phosphorylation

The leaves of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. are a source of traditional herbal medicines found in East Asia. The present study aimed to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant-like effects of water extract of V. bracteatum Thunb. leaves (VBLW) in a mouse model of chronic restraint stress (CRS) and to identify the possible molecular in vitro mechanisms of the neuroprotective effects. The CRS-exposed mice were orally administered VBLW (100 and 200 mg/kg) daily for 21 days consecutively. The behavioral effects of VBLW were assessed through the forced swim test (FST) and the open field test (OFT). The levels of serum corticosterone (CORT), corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), brain monoamines, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, and serotonin turnover by tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), serotonin reuptake (SERT), and monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) were evaluated, in addition to the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. CRS-exposed mice treated with VBLW (100 and 200 mg/kg) showed significantly reduced immobility time and increased swimming and climbing times in the FST, and increased locomotor activity in the OFT. Moreover, CRS mice treated with VBLW exhibited significantly decreased CORT and ACTH, but enhanced brain monoamine neurotransmitters. In addition, CRS mice treated with VBLW had dramatically decreased protein levels of MAO-A and SERT, but increased TPH2 protein levels in the hippocampus and the PFC. Similarly, VBLW significantly upregulated the ERKs/Akt signaling pathway in the hippocampus and the PFC. Furthermore, VBLW showed neuroprotective effects via increased CREB phosphorylation in CORT-induced cell injury that were mediated through the ERK/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. These results suggested that the antidepressant-like effects of VBLW might be mediated by the regulation of the HPA axis, glucocorticoids, and serotonin turnover, such as TPH2, SERT, and MAO-A, as well as the concentration of monoamine neurotransmitters, and the activities of ERK and Akt phosphorylation, which were possibly associated with neuroprotective effects.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Dendropanax morbifera Leaf on Sexual Behavior in Male Rats

Sexual function in an important of the quality of life and subjective well-being in humans. Successful treatment of sexual dysfunction may improve not only sexual relationships, but also overall quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Dendropanax morbifera (DM) Lev. leaf extracts on sexual behavior and testosterone levels in male rats. Three different doses of DM (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day) were administered orally for 28 days. On day 28 (final day of the sample treatment period) and day 42 (after 2 weeks of sample withdrawal period following 28 days of sample treatment), serum testosterone levels and sexual behavior of rats were determined, including mount frequency (MF), intromission frequency, mount latency (ML, the time from introduction of the female to the male to the first mount), intromission latency (IL), and post-ejaculatory interval (PEI). ML significantly reduced, whereas MF increased in the DM group. The DM group also had a reduced PEI. The oral administration of DM significantly increased serum testosterone levels compared with those in the control group. The results of this study demonstrate that an aqueous extract of DM represents a useful natural resource for the management of sexual function.

Quantitative Determination of Caffeine of Green Tea Seed Ethanol Extract on Anti-obesity in C57BL/6 Mice Fed a High-fat Diet and 3T3-L1 Cells

The study was carried out to examine the anti-obesity effects of 40% ethanol extract from green tea seed (GS) and quantitative determination of caffeine as its major compound. The specificity was satisfied with retention time and UV spectrum by analysis of caffeine using HPLC and comparison with standard compound. It showed a high linearity in the calibration curve with a coefficient of correlation (R 2 ) of 0.9974. The amount of caffeine in GS was about 4.649 mg/g (0.465%) in the three times analysis, and relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 0.452% by the validated method. The anti-obesity effects of GS were evaluated by using Oil Red O staining in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and body weight, visceral fat and lipid profiles in high fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6 obese mice. Our results indicated that treatment with GS dose-dependently decreased lipid accumulation contents (p<0.001). Moreover, after oral administration for 30 days feeding with HFD-induced obses mice, GS (100 and 300 mg/kg/day) produced a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol (TC), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and visceral fat. Thus, the result of this study indicate that the GS may be a useful resource for the management of obesity.