The anti-diabetic effects of ethanol extract from two variants of Artemisia princeps Pampanini in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice.

The anti-diabetic effects of two variants of Artemisia princeps Pampanini, sajabalssuk (SB) and sajuarissuk (SS), were investigated in type 2 diabetic animal using their ethanol extracts. Male C57BL/KsJ-db/db (db/db) mice were divided into control, SB ethanol extract (SBE), SS ethanol extract (SSE), or rosiglitazone (RG) groups and their age-matched littermates (db/+) were used. Supplementation of the SBE (0.171 g/100g diet), SSE (0.154 g/100g diet), and RG (0.005 g/100g diet) improved glucose and insulin tolerance and significantly lowered blood glycosylated hemoglobin levels, as compared to the control group. Plasma insulin, C-peptide and glucagon levels in db/db mice were higher in the db/+ mice, however these values were significantly lowered by SBE, SSE or RG-supplement. Hepatic GK activity was significantly lower in the db/db mice than in the db/+ mice, while hepatic G6Pase activity was vice versa. Supplementation of SBE, SSE and RG reversed these hepatic glucose-regulating enzyme activities. In addition, SBE and SSE markedly increased the hepatic glycogen content and muscle ratio as compared to the control group, but they did not alter the food intake, body weight and plasma leptin level. The RG group, however, showed a significant increase in the food intake, body weight and plasma leptin. These results suggest that SBE and SSE exert an anti-diabetic effect in type 2 diabetic mice.

Hepatoprotective and neuroprotective tocopherol analogues isolated from the peels of Citrus unshiu Marcovich.

Three tocopherol analogues methoxytocopherol (1), α-tocopherol (2) and γ-tocopherol (3) were isolated from the peels of Citrus unshiu Marcovich. The protective effects of the isolated compounds against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced hepatotoxicity in human liver-derived HepG2 cells and glutamate-induced oxidative stress in HT22-immortalised hippocampal cells were evaluated. Compounds 1-3 were significantly protective in HepG2 cells with EC50 values of 21.22 ± 2.01, 25.21 ± 2.11 and 25.25 ± 1.21 µM, respectively, and in HT22 cells, compounds 1-3 had EC50 values of 20.62 ± 1.36, 6.44 ± 1.65 and 9.52 ± 1.54 µM, respectively.

Isolation and characterization of a class I SLG gene from Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris).

In Brassica species, self-incompatibility in the recognition reaction between self and non-self pollens is determined by two genes, SLG and SRK, at the S locus. We have cloned and characterized a genomic DNA fragment containing a complete open reading frame of the SLG gene from Chinese cabbage. The genomic clone, named BcSLG2, was found to possess the region that shares a homology of 77% in amino acid identity with the SLG46 gene of Brassica campestris. Northern blot analysis revealed that the BcSLG2 gene expression is restricted to the pistil of Chinese cabbage flower. In situ hybridization showed that in the pistil, the gene is expressed predominantly in the stigmatic tissue. Much lower expression in the tapetum was also detectable at an immature stage of the flower development. Southern blot hybridization with the BcSLG2 DNA probe showed polymorphism in the SLG gene organization of the Chinese cabbage plants. These results will provide valuable information in understanding the S gene complex of the Chinese cabbage plants.

Controlling self-incompatibility by CO2 gas treatment in Brassica campestris: structural alteration of papillae cell and differential gene expression by increased CO2 gas.

Self-imcompatibility is a controlling genetic mechanism to prevent self-pollination for Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris), one of the major vegetable crops in Korea. To maintain inbred lines of the crop plant, a method in that high CO2 gas is treated to the pistils to overcome the self-incompatibility and thereby self-pollens can successfully make germination and fertilization has been widely used in seed companies. Despite the common utilization of this method, any molecular and cellular studies on how the self-incompatibility is removed from the Chinese cabbage plant have not been done. In this study, we show that the increased CO2 gas causes a structural alteration of the papillae cell and thereby the self-incompatibility is removed from the Chinese cabbage plant, allowing the self-pollens to germinate and penetrate the papillae cell. Also, gene expression in the pistil treated with CO2 gas was studied by DD/RT-PCR and reverse northern hybridization experiments. The results suggest that the failure in self-incompatible reaction resulted not only from the structural alteration of the papillae cell but also from change in the pistil component production that is either positively or negatively regulated by the environmental stimulation.

The temporal alteration of GAD67/GAD65 ratio in the gerbil hippocampal complex following seizure.

In the present study, the distribution of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) isoforms in the hippocampus of the Mongolian gerbil and its association with different sequelae of spontaneous seizure were investigated to identify the roles of balance of GAD isoforms in the epileptogenesis and the recovery mechanisms in these animals. The GAD67/GAD65 ratio in the hippocampus of pre-seizure seizure sensitive (SS) gerbil was approximately 3.5-fold higher as compared to seizure resistant (SR) gerbil. Following seizure, this ratio shifted to the level of SR gerbils up to 12 h postical. Therefore, the mismatched GAD67/GAD65 ratio (imbalance of GAD isoform expressions) in the hippocampus of SS gerbil implies that GABAergic neurons may be highly activated in order to regulate the increased neuronal excitability. In addition, the alteration in this ratio after seizure may be the compensatory response for reduction of epileptic activity in this animal.

Visual field defects in diabetic patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

We reviewed the automated visual field tests of 110 nondiabetic and 87 diabetic patients with primary open-angle glaucoma randomly selected from a large glaucoma practice to investigate a possible qualitative difference in the pattern of visual field defects between nondiabetic and diabetic patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. A single reviewer analyzed, in masked fashion, the visual field tests of each patient and decided whether or not visual field defects were present mainly in the inferior half of the visual field. Of the 110 nondiabetic patients, 40 (36.4%) had visual field defects located mainly in the inferior half of the visual field in one or both eyes, whereas 56 of the 87 (64.4%) diabetic patients had such defects. This difference was statistically significant (P = .0001). We believe that a vascular factor, such as that attributable to diabetes mellitus, may influence glaucomatous optic nerve damage, thus causing a difference in the pattern of visual field loss in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

Decentration and tilt: silicone multifocal versus acrylic soft intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To compare differences in decentration and tilt between a silicone multifocal and an acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) by evaluating postoperative changes. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. METHODS: Forty eyes of 20 patients with IOL implantation were randomized into 2 groups according to IOL type: 3-piece silicone multifocal IOL or 3-piece acrylic IOL. All lenses were implanted in the capsular bag through a clear corneal incision after continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and phacoemulsification. The amount of the decentration and the degree of the tilt of each IOL were measured using the EAS-1000 anterior eye segment analysis system 1 day and 1 and 2 months after surgery. RESULTS: No significant difference in decentration and tilt was found among the 3 follow-ups or between lens types. CONCLUSION: Neither IOL decentration nor tilt showed significant progression up to 2 months in eyes with a silicone multifocal or acrylic IOL when the IOLs were placed properly in the capsular bag. The amount of decentration and tilt was similar between lens types.

Decentration, tilt, and near vision of the array multifocal intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To study the periodic changes in decentration, tilt, and near vision in eyes with the Array(R) multifocal intraocular lens (IOL). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. METHOD: This study comprised 20 eyes of 10 patients older than 60 years who had binocular cataract and bilateral implantation of the Array multifocal IOL. Mean patient age was 66.0 years (range 60 to 75 years). After a clear corneal incision and continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis were made, each eye had phacoemulsification and in-the-bag IOL implantation. The amount of IOL decentration and degree of tilt were evaluated using the EAS-1000 anterior eye segment analysis system 1 day and 1 and 2 months postoperatively. Near and far visual acuities were measured at the same examinations. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in decentration (P =.13) or tilt (P =.32) throughout the follow-up. Mean uncorrected distance visual acuity was 0.68 +/- 0.27 (SD), and mean uncorrected near acuity was 0.49 +/- 0.15 2 months postoperatively. Uncorrected distance acuity better than 0.5 was achieved in 14 eyes (77.8%), in which the mean uncorrected distance acuity was 0.80 +/- 0.18 and the mean uncorrected near acuity was 0. 53 +/- 0.14 2 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Tilt and decentration of the Array multifocal IOL showed no significant progression up to 2 months after implantation. For near acuity, the Array IOL may be an effective aid.

Corneal opacity after repeated photorefractive keratectomy.

Corneal opacity developed in an eye that had photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with a 193 nm excimer laser 5 times over 3 years. Six months after the last PRK, a partial penetrating keratoplasty was performed. The cornea was stained and immunohistochemically evaluated for collagen types. Light microscopy showed thickening of epithelial layers, proliferation of subepithelial fibroblasts, and the absence of Bowman's membrane. Transmission electron microscopy showed irregular collagen lamellae and electron-dense deposits adjacent to keratocytes. The staining was positive for Alcian blue, and immunohistochemistry was positive for type IV and VI collagen. This case suggests that corneal opacity after repeated PRK is the result of deposits of type IV and VI collagen and acidic mucoprotein in the extracellular matrix.

Synthesis of ginsenoside Rg3, a minor constituent of Ginseng radix.

Glycosylation of 12beta-acetoxy-dammar-24-en-3beta,20(S)-diol (4), with hepta-O-acetyl-alpha-sophorosyl bromide (5) under catalysis by Ag2CO3 or Ag2O afforded a chromatographically unseparated mixture of the alpha- and beta-linked octaacetates 6 and 7 in an approximately 2.5:1 ratio. After deprotection and chromatographic purification, the free alpha- (8) and beta-glycosides (9) were obtained. Sophoroside 9 was identical in all respects with ginsenoside Rg3, the minor component of Ginseng Radix rubra. All compounds were fully characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.

Kuwanon G: an antibacterial agent from the root bark of Morus alba against oral pathogens.

Kuwanon G was isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of methanol extract of Morus alba and its structure was elucidated by 13C-NMR, 1H-NMR and FAB-MS. Antibacterial activity of kuwanon G was investigated by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test and the viable cell count method. MIC of kuwanon G against Streptococcus mutans causing dental caries was determined to be 8.0 microg/ml. The bactericidal test showed that kuwanon G completely inactivated S. mutans at the concentration 20 microg/ml in 1 min. Kuwanon G also significantly inhibited the growth of other cariogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus sanguis, and Porpyromonas gingivalis causing periodontitis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of kuwanon G treated cells demonstrated remarkable morphological damage of the cell wall and condensation of the cytoplasm.

Furanocoumarins from the root of Angelica dahurica.

Five furanocoumarins including a new one were isolated from the root of Angelica dahurica by repeated silica gel column chromatography. Their chemical structures were determined to be isoimperatorin (1), oxypeucedanin hydrate-3"-butyl ether (2), imperatorin (3), knidilin (4), and oxypeucedanin hydrate (5). This represents the first study in which the compound 2 has been isolated and identified. The long-range coupling (5J) in the 1H-NMR spectrum observed in the linear furanocoumarin skeleton was also investigated in detail.

In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of panaxytriol isolated from ginseng.

This study investigated the effect that some polyacetylenes and protopanaxatriol, which were isolated from heated ginseng (family Araliaceae), have on inhibiting Helicobacter pylori (HP) growth. Among the compounds tested, panaxytriol was quite effective in inhibiting HP growth with an MIC of 50 microg/ml. Ginsenoside Rh1 and protopanaxatriol weakly inhibited H+/K+-ATPase from a rat stomach.

Anticomplementary activity of ergosterol peroxide fromNaematoloma fasciculare and reassignment of NMR data.

A very high content (at least 0.23%) of ergosterol peroxide was isolated fromNaematoloma fasciculare Karst. Not only ergosterol peroxide but also ergosterol showed very strong anticomplementary activity on the classical pathway, the IC(50) values being 5.0 muM and 1.0 muM, respectively. The(1)H and(13)C NMR data of ergosterol peroxide were revised and completely assigned by DEPT,(1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC and HMBC correlations.

Ginsenoside Rs(3), a genuine dammarane-glycoside from Korean red ginseng.

A genuine dammarane-glycoside, named as ginsenoside Rs(3), was isolated from the MeOH extracts of Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) through repeated silica gel column chromatographies and its chemical structure was determined as (20S)-protopanaxadiol 3-O-[6''-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside on the basis of several spectral and physical evidences including HMBC and FAB-MS.

Anticonvulsant compounds from the wood of Caesalpinia sappan L.

80% Aqueous MeOH extracts from the wood of Caesalpinia sappan, which showed remarkable anticonvulsant activity, were fractionated using EtOAc, n-BuOH, and H2O. Among them, the EtOAc fraction significantly inhibited the activities of two GABA degradative enzymes, succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) and succinic semialdehyde reductase (SSAR). Repeated column chromatographies for the fraction guided by activity test led to the isolation of the two active principal components. Their chemical structures were determined to be sappanchalcone and brazilin based on spectral data. The pure compounds, sappanchalcone (1) and brazilin (2), inactivated the SSAR activities in a dose dependent manner, whereas SSADH was inhibited partially by sappanchalcone and not by brazilin.

Isolation and identification of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase inhibitory compound from the rhizome of Gastrodia elata Blume.

In our search for the anticonvulsant constituent of Gastrodia elata repeated column chromatographies guided by activity assay led to isolation of an active compound, which was identified as gastrodin on the basis of spectral data. Brain succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) was inactivated by preincubation with gastrodin in a time-dependent manner and the reaction was monitored by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic methods. The inactivation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with the second-rate order constant of 1.2 x 10(3) M-1min-1. The time course of the reaction was significantly affected by the coenzyme NAD+, which affected complete protection against the loss of the catalytic activity, whereas substrate succinic semialdehyde failed to prevent the inactivation of the enzyme. It is postulated that the gastrodin is able to elevate the neurotransmitter GABA levels in central nervous system by inhibitory action on one of the GABA degradative enzymes, SSADH.

Frictional resistance characteristics of a capsule inside the intestine for microendoscope design.

The design of the capsule body for a self-propelled endoscope is important from the frictional resistance point of view. The motivation of this work was to gain a better understanding of the effect of capsule shape on the frictional resistance of the capsule inside a small intestine. Special experimental set-ups were built to investigate the frictional resistance of the capsule and the viscoelastic deformation characteristics of the small intestine specimen of a pig. Tests were performed with capsules of various shapes and dimensions. Experimental data showed that a smooth cylindrical capsule geometry resulted in the least frictional resistance due to the shape and relatively small surface area. Also, it was found that the variation of frictional resistance of the capsule was closely related to the local change in the viscoelastic property of the intestine due to the heterogeneity of the internal structure of the intestine.

Effect of gamma-interferon on fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis after glaucoma filtering surgery in white rabbits.

Failure of a glaucoma filtering operation mainly results from scarring at the filtering wound, and postoperative proliferation and migration of fibroblasts play an important role histologically in the formation of scar tissue. As an inhibitory agent for fibroblast proliferation, gamma-interferon has been introduced, and the application of gamma-interferon following filtering surgery is now being made on a trial basis. We studied the effect of gamma-interferon histologically on the fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis occurring at the filtering site by comparing the effect of gamma-interferon on the experimental group with that of 5-fluorouracil on the control group, using 10 rabbits (20 eyes) after posterior lip sclerectomy. Both groups showed similar flat and diffused bleb grossly and also showed a similar inhibitory effect on fibroblast proliferation and collagen fiber synthesis histologically. Our findings seem to justify the clinical use of gamma-interferon. Further studies on adequate dosage, method of administration, and local and systemic complications would be desired.