Acute toxicity and cytotoxicity evaluation of Dendrobium moniliforme aqueous extract in vivo and in vitro / 한국실험동물학회지

Dendrobium moniliforme (L.) Sw., an herb of the Orchidaceae family, has long been used in traditional medicine to strengthen bones, nourish the stomach, and promote the production of bodily fluid. Recently, polysaccharides isolated from Dendrobium have been used in functional foods and nutraceutical products. A traditional method to process Dendrobium is to soak fresh stems in an ethanol solution, which is the most important factor to ensure high yields of aqueous-extractable polysaccharides. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential acute toxicity of D. moniliforme aqueous extract (DMAE), by a single oral dose in Sprague-Dawley rats. The test article was orally administered once by gavage to male and female rats at doses of 0, 2,500, and 5,000 mg/kg body weight (n=5 male and female rats for each dose). Throughout the study period, no treatment-related deaths were observed and no adverse effects were noted in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, serum biochemistry, organ weight, or gross findings at any dose tested. The results show that a single oral administration of DMAE did not induce any toxic effects at a dose below 5,000 mg/kg in rats, and the minimal lethal dose was considered to be over 5,000 mg/kg body weight for both sexes. With respect to cytotoxicity, the cell viability of human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells was less than 50% when the cells were treated with 10 mg/mL aqueous extract for 24 h.

Effect of Retinoic Acid Derivatives Using Polyethylene Glycol(PEG), Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone(PVP) on Dermal Wound Healing

Retinoids are compounds with pleiotropic functions, selectively targeting certain skin structures. They are vitamins which must be derived from diet because retinol(vitamin A) is not synthesized in the body, and also they are hormones with intracrine activity, because retinol is transformed into molecules that bind to nuclear receptors, exhibit their activity, and are subsequently inactivated. Enhanced healing of full-thickness skin wounds has been demonstrated in early wound healing studies. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to observe the chemical and histologic effects of topical retinoid derivatives(0.05%) applied directly to the dermal wound of guinea pig. METHODS: We prepared five kinds of retinoid derivative, applied each one on the wound on back of guinea pig. After 4 and 8 weeks, each wound was observed under microscope and analyzed for the amount of the collagen. RESULTS: Among the newly developed retinoid derivatives, PVP-RA(ester form) was the most effective in wound healing of the dermal damaged guinea pig. CONCLUSION: Retionid derivatives were effective in dermal wound healing if well prepared.

A Comparison of Permanent Expander-Implant in Immediate and Delayed Breast Reconstruction after Modified Radical Mastectomy

Breast reconstruction is considered as the best choice to improve the quality of life for the mastectomy patient. Recent trends in breast reconstruction have transitioned toward the skin-sparing type of mastectomy and immediate reconstruction using autologous tissue or expander-implant. Immediate prosthetic breast reconstruction is a relatively simple, quick procedure without donor site morbidity. Tissue expansion also has become the most important method for postmastectomy breast reconstruction. However, well-defined inframammary fold and ptosis are difficult to achieve with this technique. Improvements in implant technology have seen the evolution of shaped, fixed-volume implants and permanent expanders. The aim of the present study was to assess outcome after immediate breast reconstruction using the Sebbin permanent expander implant and delayed breast reconstruction with the same expander- implant. A total of 25 consecutive patients were studied over a 7-year period; 18 patients had immediate expander-implant placement, and 7 patients had delayed expander-implant. Postoperative photograph assessment by 20-observer and patients' telephone-questionnaire were evaluated using double blind method. Expander implants used in immediate breast reconstruction are associated with high levels of patient and surgeon satisfaction. Natural breast form can be achieved during this single operation with a low incidence of complications.