L-Type Calcium Channel Blocker Enhances Cellular Delivery and Gene Silencing Potency of Cell-Penetrating Asymmetric siRNAs.

The efficient delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to the target cells is critical for the pharmaceutical success of RNA interference (RNAi) drugs. One of the possible strategies to improve siRNA delivery is to identify auxiliary molecules that augment their cellular uptake. Herein, we performed a chemical library screening in an effort to discover small molecules that enhance the potency of cholesterol-conjugated, cell-penetrating asymmetric siRNAs (cp-asiRNAs).

Identification of the Thioredoxin-Like 2 Autoantibody as a Specific Biomarker for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a higher risk of death within 5 years of being diagnosed than the other forms of breast cancer. It is the second leading cause of death due to cancer among women. Currently, however, no diagnostic blood-based biomarker exists to identify the early stages of TNBC.

Correlation between mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation and length of perfluorinated compounds.

Perfluorinated compounds (PFC) have widely been used in numerous applications including clothing, food packaging, and nonstick coating. With the widespread use of PFC, concerns regarding potential adverse health effects in humans and wildlife have increased. In spite of the known PFC-mediated immunotoxiciy, correlation with PFC and allergic inflammation still requires elucidation.

Changes of oxidative/antioxidative parameters and DNA damage in firefighters wearing personal protective equipment during treadmill walking training.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of personal protective equipment on the oxidant/antioxidant parameters and DNA damage in firefighters during training and recovery. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve male nonsmoking volunteer firefighters (35.1 ± 7.

Association between perfluorooctanoic acid exposure and degranulation of mast cells in allergic inflammation.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) has wide applications, including as a raw material for converted paper and packaging products. With the widespread use of PFOA, concerns regarding its potential environmental and health impacts have increased. In spite of the known hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity of PFOA, correlation with PFOA and allergic inflammation is not well known.

Protective activity of kudzu (Pueraria thunbergiana) vine on chemically-induced hepatotoxicity: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Background: Kudzu (Pueraria thunbergiana) root has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, the vine of the kudzu plant has been considered waste material. This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective properties of the kudzu vine.

The Leaves of Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold Inhibit Atopic Dermatitis-Like Response on Mite Allergen-Treated Nc/Nga Mice.

Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold. (B. kazinoki) has long been used in the manufacture of paper in Asian countries.

Anti-aging Potential of Extracts Prepared from Fruits and Medicinal Herbs Cultivated in the Gyeongnam Area of Korea.

Many recent studies have focused on maintaining a healthy life by preventing and/or postponing the aging process. Numerous studies have reported that continuous exposure to reactive oxygen species can stimulate skin aging and that excessive accumulation of fat can cause an impaired skin barrier and tissue structure alterations. Thus, the maintenance of antioxidant homeostasis and the suppression of adipose accumulation are important strategies for skin anti-aging.

Antiatopic Dermatitis Effect of Artemisia iwayomogi in Dust Mice Extract-Sensitized Nc/Nga Mice.

Aims. Artemisia iwayomogi (AI) has been used for fever reduction, diuresis, and hepatoprotection in Korea. The present study was performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiatopic dermatitis effects of AI using both in vitro and in vivo systems.

Artemisia capillaris inhibits atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in Dermatophagoides farinae-sensitized Nc/Nga mice.

Background: Artemisia capillaries Thunb. (AC) has been used to treat inflammatory and hepatic disorders such as hepatic injury, hepatic fibrosis and hepatitis. However, the efficacy of AC against atopic dermatitis (AD), an inflammatory disease, has not been examined.

Angelicae Dahuricae Radix Inhibits Dust Mite Extract-Induced Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in NC/Nga Mice.

We examined whether Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (AR) suppresses the development of atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions induced by Dermatophagoides farinae in NC/Nga mice. To investigate the effect of AR, we measured the AD severity score, measured plasma levels of IgE and histamine, and performed histological analysis in NC/Nga mice. We also confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of AR by measuring TARC/CCL17 production from LPS-treated RAW 264.

Therapeutic effects of the oriental herbal medicine Sho-saiko-to on liver cirrhosis and carcinoma.

The traditional Chinese herbal medicine Sho-saiko-to is a mixture of seven herbal preparations that has long been used in the treatment of chronic liver disease. Various clinical trials have shown that Sho-saiko-to protects against the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients. However, the mechanism by which Sho-saiko-to protects hepatocytes against hepatic fibrosis and carcinoma is not yet known.

Vascular relaxation induced by aqueous extract of Lespedeza cuneata via the NO-cGMP pathway.

The aqueous extract of Lespedeza cuneata G. Don. (ALC) induced vasorelaxation of phenylephrine precontracted aorta in a dose-dependent manner.

Genotoxicity assessment of a herbal formula, Ojeok-san.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ojeok-san (OJS, wuji powder, goshaku-san), a widely used herbal formula in traditional Korean medicine, is used to treat illnesses such as the common cold, fatigue and gastrointestinal disorders; however there is insufficient background information about its safety. To establish safety information for OJS, we evaluated its genotoxicity.

Materials And Methods: The ability of OJS to induce reverse mutations was evaluated in Salmonella typhimurium (TA100, TA1535, TA98 and TA1537) and Escherichia coli (WP2uvrA) in the presence or absence of the metabolic activation system (S-9 mix).

Simultaneous determination of liquiritin, hesperidin, and glycyrrhizin by HPLC-photodiode array detection and the anti-inflammatory effect of Pyungwi-san.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated to determine liquiritin, hesperidin, and glycyrrhizin levels in a traditional Korean medicine, Pyungwi-san (PWS). Reverse-phase chromatography using a C18 column operating at 40oC, and photodiode array detection at 254 nm and 280 nm, were used for quantification of the three marker components of PWS. The mobile phase using gradient flow consisted of two solvent systems.

Evaluation of genotoxicity of Yukmijihwang-tang, a herbal formula.

Yukmijihwang-tang (Liu wei di huang tang, Rokumigan; YMJ) has been used for body enrichment; however, little toxicological evaluation of YMJ has been performed to assure its safety for clinical treatment. To increase the safety information for YMJ, its genotoxicity was evaluated. There was no increase in the number of revertant colonies in four strains of Salmonella typhimurium or one strain of Escherichia coli at any concentration of YMJ studied, regardless of the including when dosed with YMJ metabolized with and S-9 microsomal fraction.

Safety Evaluation of Yukmijihwang-tang: Assessment of Acute and Subchronic Toxicity in Rats.

Yukmijihwang-tang (YMJ; Liu wei di huang tang (China), Rokumigan (Japan)) has been used in the treatment of diseases including renal disorder, cognitive vitality, and diabetes mellitus. However, there is very little information regarding the toxicity of YMJ to give an assurance of safety for clinical treatment. To provide safety information for YMJ, we evaluated its acute and sub-chronic toxicity in rats.

Inhibitory effects of heartwood extracts of Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb on the development of atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

We investigated the effects of a topically applied extract of the heartwood of Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb (B. kazinoki) on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions induced by an extract of the house-dust mite Dermatophagoides farina in NC/Nga mice. We found that topically applied B.

Evaluation of safety of the herbal formula Ojeok-san: acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies in rats.

Aim Of The Study: Ojeok-san (OJS; wuji powder in China and goshaku-san in Japan), a widely used herbal formula in traditional Korean medicine and Japanese herbal medicine (Kampo medicine), has been used to treat common cold and illnesses including fatigue and gastrointestinal disorders, but there is very little information on its safety. To provide information on the safety of OJS, we evaluated its acute and sub-chronic toxicity in rats.

Materials And Methods: The single and sub-chronic toxicity of OJS was examined using male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Endothelial NO/cGMP-dependent vascular relaxation of cornuside isolated from the fruit of Cornus officinalis.

Cornuside is a bisiridoid glucoside compound isolated from the fruit of CORNUS OFFICINALIS Sieb. et Zucc. (Cornaceae).

Endothelium-dependent induction of vasorelaxation by the butanol extract of Phellinus igniarius in isolated rat aorta.

The butanol extract of Phellinus igniarius (BPI) induced relaxation of the phenylephrin e-precontracted rat aorta in a dose-dependent manner, and its effect was abolished by the removal of functional endothelium. Pretreatment of the aortic tissues with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), methylene blue, or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-alpha]-quinoxalin1-one (ODQ) inhibited the vascular relaxation induced by BPI. BPI-induced vascular relaxations were also markedly attenuated by the addition of verapamil or diltiazem, while the relaxant effect of BPI was not blocked by pretreatment with indomethacine, glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium (TEA), atropine, or propranolol.

Vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects of the 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG) via a nitric oxide-cGMP pathway.

Vasorelaxant and anti-inflammatory effects of a 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-d-glucose (PGG) isolated from the root barks of Paeonia suffruticosa and possible mechanisms responsible were investigated. PGG induced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the phenylephrine-precontracted rat aorta. This effect disappeared with the removal of functional endothelium.

Vascular relaxation by the methanol extract of Sorbus cortex via NO-cGMP pathway.

The methanol extract of Sorbus commixta cortex (MSC) induced relaxation of the phenylephrine-precontracted aorta in a dose-dependent manner, which was disappeared by removal of functional endothelium. Pretreatment of the aortic tissues with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), methylene blue, or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-alpha]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) inhibited the vascular relaxation induced by MSC. MSC-induced vascular relaxations were also markedly attenuated by addition of verapamil or diltiazem, while the relaxant effect of MSC was not blocked by pretreatment with indomethacine, glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium (TEA), atropine, or propranolol, respectively.