Astragalus membranaceus and Cinnamomum cassia Stimulate the Hair Follicle Differentiation-Related Growth Factor by the Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

Astragalus membranaceus and Cinnamomum cassia are used as spices and flavorful ingredients, or medicinal herbs with pharmacological effects. In this study, the hair-growth-promoting effects of the YH complex, a newly developed formula consisting of membranaceus and C. cassia, are investigated with the prediction of its molecular mechanism. The target gene of the YH complex was about 74.8% overlapped with the gene set of 'Hair growth' on the GO Biological Process database. The oral administration of the YH complex promoted hair regrowth and increased hair-shaft thickness in depilated hair loss mice. In addition, the anagen/telogen hair follicle ratio was significantly increased by the YH complex. The growth factors affecting the growth of hair follicles were dose-dependently increased by treatment with the YH complex. The Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway expressions in skin tissues were apparently increased by the administration of the YH complex. In conclusion, the YH complex consisting of A. membranaceus and C. cassia induced hair follicle differentiation and preserved the growing-anagen phase by increasing growth factors and the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, leading to the restoration of hair loss. The YH complex can be a remedy for hair loss diseases, such as alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

LIPOSA pharmacopuncture, a new herbal formula, affects localized adiposity by regulating lipid metabolism in vivo.

Localized adiposity is a serious aesthetic problem and a well-known health risk factor. There is a growing interest in minimally invasive treatment options for excessive fat accumulation, such as pharmacopuncture. LIPOSA is a newly developed pharmacopuncture formula from three natural herbs: The tuber of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breitenb., the whole plant of Taraxacum platycarpum Dahlst. and the root of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge. The present study investigated the effects of pharmacopuncture treatment with LIPOSA on localized adiposity. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed high fat diet for 8 weeks to induce obesity. Then, 100 µl LIPOSA was injected into the left-side inguinal fat pad at various concentrations, including 13.35, 26.7 and 53.4 mg/ml. Normal saline was injected into the right-side inguinal fat pad of each mouse as a control. The treatment was performed three times per week for 2 weeks. The weight and histological changes were analyzed in the inguinal fat pad of the obese mice. The expression levels of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), autophagy-related gene (ATG)5, ATG7 and LC3-II, as lipophagy-related factors, were evaluated to confirm the lipid-catabolic effects of LIPOSA. LIPOSA pharmacopuncture markedly decreased the weight of the fat tissue and the size of the adipocytes in the inguinal region of the mouse models of obesity in a dose-dependent manner. The expression levels of ATGL, HSL, ATG5, ATG7 and LC3-II were significantly increased by the LIPOSA treatments. In addition, LIPOSA pharmacopuncture was found to decrease the expression levels of ACC, PPAR-γ and PEPCK. The results indicated that subcutaneous injection of LIPOSA can degrade local fat and induce lipophagic and lipase activation effects. In addition, lipid metabolism related to fat accumulation was regulated by the LIPOSA treatment. The present study suggests that LIPOSA pharmacopuncture can be a non-surgical alternative in the treatment of localized adiposity.

Fat regulatory mechanisms of pine nut oil based on protein interaction network analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pine nut oil (PNO), a standardized and well-defined extract of Pinus koraiensis (Korean pine), has beneficial effects on wound healing, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. However, the explanation for the mechanism by which PNO reduces body fat remains uncertain. We performed a protein-protein interaction network (PPIN) analysis to explore the genes associated with pinolenic acid using the MEDILINE database from PubChem and PubMed. It was concluded through the PPIN analysis that PNO was involved in a neutral lipid biosynthetic process. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effects of PNO predicted by the network analysis of fat accumulation in chronic obesity mouse models established by feeding a high fat diet (HFD) to C57BL/6J mice and explored potential mechanisms. METHODS: HFD mice were fed only HFD or HFD with PNO at 822 and 1644 mg/kg. After an oral administration of 7 weeks, several body weight and body fat-related parameters were examined, including the following: adipose weight, adipocyte size, serum lipid profiles, adipocyte expression of PPAR-γ, sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1c, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and leptin. RESULTS: We showed that oral administration of PNO to HFD mice reduces body fat weight, fat in tissue, white adipose tissue weight, and adipocyte size. The serum cholesterol was improved in the HFD mice treated with PNO. Additionally, PNO has significantly attenuated the HFD-induced changes in the adipose tissue expression of PPAR-γ, SREBP-1c, LPL, and leptin. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study based on the PPIN analysis suggest that PNO has potential as drug to reduce body fat through fat regulatory mechanisms by PPAR-γ and SREBP-1c.

Lipolytic and Lipophagic Effects of Pinellia ternata Pharmacopuncture on Localized Adiposity.

Localized adiposity is not only a common aesthetic issue but also a health risk factor. Pharmacopuncture can be a therapeutic option for the imbalance of regional fat distribution. The tuber of Pinellia ternata has been prescribed as antitussive and expectorant as a traditional Korean medicine. This study investigated the effects of pharmacopuncture with P. ternata water extract (PT) on localized adiposity. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed on a high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks. 100 µL of 10 mg/mL of PT was injected into the left-side inguinal fat pad, while saline was injected into the right-side inguinal fat pad as self-control. Treatments were performed 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The inguinal fat weight was analyzed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. PT pharmacopuncture significantly decreased the weight of the inguinal fat pad. The adipocyte size was reduced with increases of lipolytic enzymes and lipophagy-related factors by PT pharmacopuncture. There was marked inhibition of lipid accumulation content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by PT treatment. The expressions of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), autophagy-related gene (ATG) 5, ATG7, and LC3 were markedly increased by PT treatments in vivo and in vitro. This study suggests that pharmacopuncture of Pinellia ternata has ameliorative effects on adiposity by lipid catabolic effects via activating both lipolysis and lipophagy in a localized region.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Samsoeum, a Korean medicine for health insurance, on chronic bronchitis caused by lipopolysaccharide in rats.

BACKGROUND: Samsoeum (SSE), a Korean medicine, has been used to treat upper respiratory infection including residual coughs after catching a cold, and colds in patients with gastrointestinal disorder. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of SSE against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bronchitis and characterized its optimal dosing range based on the improvement of SSE concentrations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were intra-nasally administered LPS on day 0, 3 and 6. 2 g kg-1 dose of SSE for rat was determined by the human equivalent dose formula and orally administered once a day from day 3 to day 6. To clarify the optimal administration dose of SSE, various doses including 0.5 (1/4 fold), 1 (1/2 fold), 6 (3 fold), 12 (6 fold), 24 (12 fold) and 36 g kg-1 (18 fold) were also orally administered. In addition, the molecular mechanism of SSE in mucin hyperproduction was investigated in LPS-sensitized A549 cells. RESULTS: Oral administration of SSE ameliorated alveolar wall thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration of lung tissues in LPS-induced bronchitis at doses of 1/4 fold, 1/2 fold and 1 fold. The total cell and neutrophil numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were reduced in the SSE-treated groups compared with the LPS group. In addition, 0.5, 1 and 2 g kg-1 of SSE suppressed LPS-induced mucin glycoprotein 5AC (MUC5AC) production in BALF. Furthermore, SSE treatment significantly inhibited the pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in the decrease of MUC5AC production by the JAK1/STAT6 signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: 1, 2 and 6 g kg-1 of SSE ameliorated chronic bronchitis by inhibiting LPS-induced neutrophil infiltration and MUC5AC release in BALF. These findings suggested that SSE with 0.5-3-fold of general daily intake dose would be a therapeutic agent for chronic bronchitis.

Soshiho-tang protects LPS-induced acute liver injury by attenuating inflammatory response.

Soshiho-tang (SSHT) has traditionally been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. In this experiment, we investigated the protective effect of SSHT on inflammatory liver injury in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-sensitized mice. Male C57BL/6J mice aged 6 weeks were randomly placed in 6 groups (n = 5): normal mice (CTR), LPS-sensitized mice (LPS), LPS-sensitized mice treated with dexamethasone (DEX) and LPS-sensitized mice treated with 0.05, 0.55, and 5.55 g/kg of SSHT (SSHT 0.05, SSHT 0.55, and SSHT 5.55). Various doses of SSHT was given once a day for 7 days. After 2 h of LPS injection, the liver tissue was collected. SSHT pretreatment recovered hemorrhage of liver tissues in LPS-induced acute liver injury. The expressions of MAP Kinase, NF-κB, IκBα, p-IκBα, COX-2, and iNOS protein levels were markedly decreased by SSHT-treated liver tissues. Additionally, SSHT pretreatment significantly regulated the expressions of MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 cytokines. These results suggest the potential of SSHT on the protection of acute liver injury.

Banhahubak-Tang Tablet, a Standardized Medicine Attenuates Allergic Asthma via Inhibition of Janus Kinase 1 (JAK1)/ Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 6 (STAT6) Signal Pathway.

Exposure to particulate matter (PM) has been known to be one of the risk factors to cause allergic asthma, leading to development of respiratory disease. Banhahubak-tang tablet (BHT), a standardized Korean Medicine, is prescribed for neurasthenia, laryngopharyngitis and asthma. In this study, we investigated therapeutic effects of BHT on airway inflammation in ovalbumin (OVA) and PM smaller than 10 µm (PM10)-induced allergic asthma mice. To establish allergic asthma with airway hyper-responsiveness by PM10, BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA and PM10, and orally administered BHT. Histological staining was performed to assess airway remodeling. Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for measuring immunoglobulin levels and counting inflammatory cells, respectively. Expression levels of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), pro-inflammatory cytokines and type 2 T-helper (Th2)-related cytokines were analyzed in vivo and in vitro models. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that BHT suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus hypersecretion and collagen deposition in the airway. BHT administration effectively decreased number of inflammatory cells in BALF. BHT reduced total serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels. In addition, BHT significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT6 expressions. Release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and Th2-related cytokines were down-regulated by BHT. In conclusion, BHT mitigated airway inflammation by down-regulating pro-inflammatory and Th2-related cytokines via JAK1/STAT6 signaling. BHT might be a promising herbal medicine for preventing airway inflammation. Moreover, an intervention study among humans is needed to further evaluate the possible beneficial effects of BHT in allergic asthma.

Effects of Processed Polygonum multiflorum with KIOM Patent on Bone Remodeling-Related Protein Expression in Human Osteoblast-Like SaOS-2 Cells.

This present study evaluated the effects of processed P. multiflorum on osteogenesis using Sarcoma osteogenic (SaOS-2) cell lines and osteoclastogenesis of bone marrow-derived macrophage cells (BMM) and to elucidate differences in effect on the expression of bone-related proteins between commercially sold P. multiflorum and patented, in vitro-propagated Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) P. multiflorum. Raw P. multiflorum and P. multiflorum that were stir-baked and steamed in black bean juice were compared, and western blotting analysis was performed to investigate the expression of bone remodeling-related proteins in SaOS-2 cells. In the cells treated with P. multiflorum steamed in black bean juice, the expression of RANKL was decreased, whereas that of osteoprotegerin, alkaline phosphatase, Runx2, and osterix was increased. Owing to these results, we conclude that processed P. multiflorum can be used as an alternative treatment for bone diseases such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, periodontitis, and Paget's disease.