Recent perspectives on chemosensitizing effects of Astragalus membranaceus-derived components: A mini review

The dried root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge (AM) is commonly used in herbal medicine in Korea, Japan and China. The traditional use of AM is to invigorate the Qi as a potential treatment for fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and anemia. Recent studies have expanded current understanding of AM as an antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic and anticancer agent. Active compounds derived from AM, including polysaccharides, saponins and flavonoids, appear to act as potent chemosensitizers when combined with conventional anticancer agents. Chemosensitizers represent a promising approach for enhancing anticancer efficacy and reversing multidrug resistance. This review highlights the chemosensitizing activity and related molecular mechanisms of components isolated from AM

Egg Yolk Peptide Stimulated Osteogenic Gene Expression

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is characterized by low bone density which leads to increased bone fragility and greater susceptibility to fracture. Current treatments for osteoporosis are dominated by drugs that inhibit bone resorption although they also suppress bone formation that may contribute to pathogenesis of osteonecrosis. To restore the extensive bone loss, there is a great need for anabolic treatments that induce osteoblasts to build new bone. Pre-osteoblastic cells produce proteins of the extra-cellular matrix, including type I collagen at first, and then to successively produce alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin during differentiation to osteoblasts. Finally, osteoblasts deposit calcium. Present study investigated the effects of egg yolk peptide (EYP) on osteogenic activities and bone matrix gene expressions in human osteoblastic MG-63 cells. The effects of EYP on cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen synthesis, and mineralization were measured. The expression of osteogenic genes including COL1A1 (collagen, type I, alpha 1), ALP, BGLAP (osteocalcin), and SPP1 (secreted phosphoprotein 1, osteopontin) were measured by quantitative realtime PCR. EYP dose-dependently increased MG-63 cell proliferation, ALP activity, collagen synthesis, and calcium deposition. Furthermore, COL1A1, ALP, and SPP1 gene expressions were increased by EYP treatment. Present study suggested that EYP treatment enhanced osteogenic activities and increased bone matrix osteogenicgenes. These results could provide a mechanistic explanation for the bone-strengthening effects of EYP

Highly efficient tandem p-i-n organic light-emitting diodes adopting a low temperature evaporated rhenium oxide interconnecting layer

High quality interconnection units (ICUs) with a high transparency and superior charge generating capability for tandem organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are developed. The ICUs of rubidium carbonate-doped 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline/rhenium oxide (ReO3)-doped N,N-diphenyl-N,N-bis(1,1-biphenyl)-4,4-diamine layers with or without an additional ReO3 interlayer produce high transmittance (88%–92% at 420–700 nm) and spontaneous internal charge generation properties. A very high efficiency of ~129 cd/A has been demonstrated from only two stacked green p-i-n OLEDs by employing the developed ICUs. The relationship between the device efficiency and internal charge generation within the ICUs is further described by means of the capacitance measurements.The authors thank the MKE of Korea and Samsung SDI for their financial support of this work

Low driving voltage and high stability organic light-emtting diodes with rhenium oxide-doped hole transporting layer

The authors report a promising metal oxide-doped hole transporting layer (HTL) of rhenium oxide (ReO3)-doped N,N-diphenyl-N,N-bis (1,1-biphenyl)-4,4-diamine (NPB). The tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum-based organic light-emitting diodes with ReO3-doped NPB HTL exhibit driving voltage of 5.2–5.4 V and power efficiency of 2.2–2.3 lm/W at 20 mA/cm2, which is significantly improved compared to those (7.1 V and 2.0 lm/W, respectively) obtained from the devices with undoped NPB. Furthermore, the device with ReO3-doped NPB layer reveals the prolonged lifetime than that with undoped NPB. Details of ReO3 doping effects are described based on the UV-Vis absorption spectra and characteristics of hole-only devices.The authors thank the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy, Samsung SDI, and Dongwoo Finechem. Co. for their financial support of this work

Stretchable and transparent electrodes based on in-plane structures

Stretchable electronics has attracted great interest with compelling potential applications that require reliable operation under mechanical deformation. Achieving stretchability in devices, however, requires a deeper understanding of nanoscale materials and mechanics beyond the success of flexible electronics. In this regard, tremendous research efforts have been dedicated toward developing stretchable electrodes, which are one of the most important building blocks for stretchable electronics. Stretchable transparent thin-film electrodes, which retain their electrical conductivity and optical transparency under mechanical deformation, are particularly important for the favourable application of stretchable devices. This minireview summarizes recent advances in stretchable transparent thin-film electrodes, especially employing strategies based on in-plane structures. Various approaches using metal nanomaterials, carbon nanomaterials, and their hybrids are described in terms of preparation processes and their optoelectronic/mechanical properties. Some challenges and perspectives for further advances in stretchable transparent electrodes are also discussed. © 2015 The Royal Society of Chemistry.open0

Osteogenic Activity of Collagen Peptide via ERK/MAPK Pathway Mediated Boosting of Collagen Synthesis and Its Therapeutic Efficacy in Osteoporotic Bone by Back-Scattered Electron Imaging and Microarchitecture Analysis

Collagen hydrolysate (CH) has been reported to exhibit a positive effect on bone. In the present study, the in vitro effects of CH (<3 kDa) were examined and the in vivo experiments confirmed the positive effects of CH in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Bone mineral density (BMD) was examined by DXA analysis. Scanning electron microscopic analysis and quantitative 3D-color backscattered electrons imaging analysis were performed on the lumbar vertebrae. CH increased osteoblastic cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Collagen synthesis and collagen, type1, alpha1 (COL1A1) gene expression were also increased by CH treatment. Furthermore, CH-induced COL1A1 gene expression was completely abolished by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor, suggesting the involvement of ERK/MAPK signaling for transcriptional effects on COL1A1 expression. OVX rats supplemented with CH showed osteoprotective effects as the BMD levels were increased compared with control. Moreover, CH prevented the trabecular bone loss induced by OVX and improved the microarchitecture of lumbar vertebrae. CH administration dose-dependently reduced the serum procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide level, which was elevated by OVX. The present study suggests that CH isolated in this study is a promising alternative to current therapeutic agents for the management of osteoporosis

Antimania-Like Effect of Panax ginseng Regulating the Glutamatergic Neurotransmission in REM-Sleep Deprivation Rats

Previous studies have shown the therapeutic properties of ginseng and ginsenosides on hyperactive and impulsive behaviors in several psychiatric diseases. Herein, we investigated the effect of Panax ginseng Meyer (PG) on hyperactive/impulsive behaviors in a manic-like animal model, sleep deprivation (SD) rats. Male rats were sleep-deprived for 48 h, and PG (200 mg/kg) was administered for 4 days, from 2 days prior to the start of SD to the end date of SD. The elevated plus maze (EPM) test showed that PG alleviated the increased frequency of entries into and spent time within open arms by SD. In order to investigate the molecular mechanism on this effect of PG, we assessed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the prefrontal cortex of PG-treated SD rats using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and performed gene-enrichment analysis for DEGs. The gene-enrichment analysis showed that PG most prominently affected the glutamatergic synapse pathway. Among the glutamatergic synapse pathway genes, particularly, PG enhanced the expressions of glutamate transporter Slc1a3 and Slc1a2 reduced in SD rats. Moreover, we found that PG could inhibit the SD-induced phosphorylation of the NR2A subunit of the NMDA receptor. These results suggested that PG might have a therapeutic effect against the manic-like behaviors, regulating the glutamatergic neurotransmission

Comparison of the Effect of Velvet Antler from Different Sections on Longitudinal Bone Growth of Adolescent Rats

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of velvet antler (VA) from different sections for promoting longitudinal bone growth in growing rats. VA was divided into upper (VAU), middle (VAM), and basal sections (VAB). An in vivo study was performed to examine the effect on longitudinal bone growth in adolescent rats. In addition, in vitro osteogenic activities were examined using osteoblastic MG-63 cells. VA promoted longitudinal bone growth and height of the growth plate in adolescent rats. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in growth plate of VA group was highly expressed compared with control. The anabolic effect of VA on bone was further supported by in vitro study. VA enhanced the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of MG-63 cells. The mRNA expressions of osteogenic genes such as collagen, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin were increased by VA treatment. These effects of in vivo and in vitro study were decreased from upper to basal sections of VA. In conclusion, VA treatment promotes longitudinal bone growth in growing rats through enhanced BMP-2 expression, osteogenic activities, and bone matrix gene expressions. In addition, present study provides evidence for the regional differences in the effectiveness of velvet antler for longitudinal bone growth

Effects of Egg Yolk-Derived Peptide on Osteogenic Gene Expression and MAPK Activation

The present study investigated the effects of egg yolk-derived peptide (YPEP) on osteogenic activities and MAPK-regulation of osteogenic gene expressions. The effects of YPEP on cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis, and mineralization were measured in human osteoblastic MG-63 cells. Activation of MAPKs and downstream transcription factors such as extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2), p38, ELK1, and cJUN were examined using western blot analysis. YPEP dose-dependently increased MG-63 cell proliferation, ALP activity, collagen synthesis, and calcium deposition. YPEP activated ERK1/2, p38, and ELK1 phosphorylation whereas JNK and cJUN were not affected by YPEP. The COL1A1 (collagen, type I, alpha 1), ALPL (alkaline phosphatase), and SPP1 (secreted phosphoprotein 1, osteopontin) gene expressions were increased while BGLAP (osteocalcin) was not affected by YPEP. The ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98509) blocked the YPEP-induced COL1A1 and ALPL gene expressions as well as ELK1 phosphorylation. The p38 inhibitor (SB203580) blocked YPEP-induced COL1A1 and ALPL gene expressions. SPP1 gene expression was not affected by these MAPK inhibitors. In conclusion, YPEP treatment stimulates the osteogenic differentiation via the MAPK/ELK1 signaling pathway. These results could provide a mechanistic explanation for the bone-strengthening effects of YPEP

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Limits TLR-4-Triggered Inflammatory Response in Raw264.7 Macrophages by Activating RasGRP3

Inflammation is an important immune response to pathogen invasion, but excessive inflammation leads to tissue injury and even cytokine storm. Therefore, proper response is needed depending on the intensity of the infection. Ras guanine nucleotide releasing protein 3 (RasGRP3) is a regulator of the TLR-mediated response. In low-intensity inflammation, it negatively regulates production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, especially IL-6. Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, the peel of Citrus reticulata Blanco, is a major medicinal herb in Korean medicine. The present study aims to investigate whether the Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium extract (CRE) has immunomodulatory activity using the Raw264.7 macrophage. Also, we investigated the effect of CRE on RasGRP3 expression. In the present study, CRE reduced IL-6 production in the low-LPS environment (1 ng/mL) and did not in the high-LPS environment (100 ng/mL). The suppression of IL-6 production in the low-LPS environment (1 ng/mL) was abolished after the pretreatment of RasGRP3 siRNA. The reduced RasGRP3 protein content by 100 ng/mL LPS treatment was increased by CRE treatment. Additionally, nobiletin, a major component of CRE showed a suppressive effect on IL-6 production in the low-LPS environment (1 ng/mL). The present results suggest that CRE alleviates inflammatory response via activating RasGRP3 expression in low-intensity inflammation