HPLC analysis of Phenolic Substances and Anti-Alzheimer's Activity of Korean Quercus Species

This study aimed to establish the quantitative method to analyze the content of peroxynitrite-scavengers belonging to polyphenols in six Korean Quercus species (Quercus mongolica, Q. dentata, Q. acutissima, Q. alienta, Q. serrata, and Q. variabilis) by HPLC. The twelve peroxynitrite-scavengers, flavanols (catechins: (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, and (−)-epigallocatechin), flavonols (kaempferol and quercetin), flavonol glycosides (astragalin, quercitrin, and isoquercitrin), flavonol acylated glycosides (astragalin 6″-gallate and isoquercitrin 6″-gallate), gallic acid and its dimer (ellagic acid) were analyzed by HPLC. Further, anti-Alzheimer's activity was assayed in a passive avoidance testusing mice by measuring the retention latency (sec), the concentration of acetylcholine (ACh), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Simultaneous analysis of the extracts of the six Quercus leaves was achieved on a Capcell C18 column (5 µm, 250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.) with a gradient elution of 0.05% HAc and 0.05% HAc in CH₃CN. In the extract of Q. mongolica leaves, the content of gallic acid (32.53 mg/g), (+)-catechin (28.78 mg/g), (−)-epicatehin (22.03 mg/g), astragalin 6″-gallate (20.94 mg/g), and isoquercitrin 6″-gallate (44.11 mg/g) and peroxynitrite-scavenging activity (IC₅₀, 0.831 µg/ml) were high. This extract delayed the retention latency and inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity in scopolamine-induced memory impairment of mice, suggesting that it has anti-Alzheimer's activity.

Alcohol-induced Hyperlipidemia Is Ameliorated by Orally Administered DWP208, a Sodium Succinate Form of ZYM201

DWP208 is a sodium succinate form of ZYM-201 which is a triterpenoid glycoside isolated from Sanguisorba officinalis, a medicinal plant prescribed for various diseases, such as duodenal ulcers and bleeding in East Asian counties. We demonstrated that this compound is able to normalize the altered lipid metabolism induced by hyperglycemia and a high fat diet. In this study, we determined whether hyperlipidemic conditions induced with chronically treated alcohol can also be restored by DWP208. Similar to our previous results, orally administered DWP208 (1 to 10 mg/kg) also ameliorated the hyperlipidemia that was induced by alcohol. This compound reversed the alcohol-induced hyperlipidemia including (i) up-regulated hyperlipidemic parameters such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), atherosclerotic index (AI), triglyceride, and total cholesterol, and (ii) down-regulated hyperlipidemic parameters such as absolute body weight, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in serum and liver. According to our data, the ameliorative activity of DWP208 is due to its indirect anti-oxidative activity as a result of which lipid peroxide and hydroxyl radical levels were reduced and the activity of SOD was enhanced. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that DWP208 can be used as a remedy against alcohol-induced hyperlipidemia.

Delayed Meningitis Complicated by the Frontal Sinus Opening to the Dura Mater in a Patient with Intracranial Injury Fifteen Years Ago / 대한신경손상학회지

Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. This disease is considered life threatening and classified as a medical and emergency. Here we report a case of delayed meningitis occurred in a patient with craniotomy for traumatic brain injury fifteen years ago. Meanwhile, he had been well, however he complained of headache for five days. A brain computed tomographic scan showed air density on the frontal lobe with frontal sinus defect and pansinusitis. His mental state was suddenly changed to stuporous, despite a day of empirical antibiotics. Therefore, a successful cranialization was performed and he was gradually improved. This is a rare case report. Our case shows that surgical intervention is to be considered in some cases of posttraumatic meningitis for effective and rapid control of infection.

Delayed Meningitis Complicated by the Frontal Sinus Opening to the Dura Mater in a Patient with Intracranial Injury Fifteen Years Ago / 대한신경손상학회지

Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. This disease is considered life threatening and classified as a medical and emergency. Here we report a case of delayed meningitis occurred in a patient with craniotomy for traumatic brain injury fifteen years ago. Meanwhile, he had been well, however he complained of headache for five days. A brain computed tomographic scan showed air density on the frontal lobe with frontal sinus defect and pansinusitis. His mental state was suddenly changed to stuporous, despite a day of empirical antibiotics. Therefore, a successful cranialization was performed and he was gradually improved. This is a rare case report. Our case shows that surgical intervention is to be considered in some cases of posttraumatic meningitis for effective and rapid control of infection.

Effects of Supplementation with a Schizandrin C Derivative DDB-mixed Preparation (DWP-04) on Antioxidant Activity in Cisplatin-induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of reducing cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity with DWP-04 that is the compound of Schizandrin C derivative biphenyldimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB), glutathione and selenium. For the purpose of observation is that how DWP-04 has influence on mechanism of reducing cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity with renal function test, free radical formation and detoxification enzyme system in renal tissue. METHODS: Five groups of rats were dosed with vehicle, cisplatin (2 mg/kg i.p.), cisplatin+DWP-04 (100, 200 mg/kg po), or cisplatin+sodium thiosulfate (200 mg/kg i.p.) daily for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Serum creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase and activity of hydroxy radical increased in the cisplatin group and suppressed in the cisplatin+DWP-04 group compared to the cisplatin group. The renal tissue concentration of lipid peroxidase and lipofuscin were increased in the cisplatin group compared to the other groups. The activity of aminopyrine N-demethylase, aniline hydroxylase, aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase, of which free radical formation system in kidney was also decreased in the cisplatin+DWP-04 group compared to the cisplatin and cisplatin+sodium thiosulfate group. The activity of detoxification system of free radical, such as glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were markedly increased in the cisplatin+DWP-04 group than the cisplatin and the cisplatin+sodium thiosulfate group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the mechanism of decreasing cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by DWP-04 is that the decreasing of the amount of lipid peroxide and lipofuscin in the renal tissue by increasing activity of the antioxidant defense system and the decreasing of reactive oxygen species by increasing detoxification enzyme activity.

Effects of Supplementation with a Selective COX-2 Inhibitor and Vitamin C on Glomerular TGF-beta, COX-2, and Antioxidant Activity in Rats with Passive Heymann Nephritis / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: In the passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) rat model of membranous nephropathy, complement induces glomerular epithelial cell injury and proteinuria, which is partially mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), TGF-beta, and COX-2. In the current study, we determined the effect of a selective COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib) and vitamin C on the enzyme system associated with ROS, TGF-beta, and COX-2 in PHN. METHODS: Four groups of rats with PHN were dosed with polyethylene glycol vehicle (P; n=4), celecoxib (COXi; n=8), vitamin C (VC; n=8), or celecoxib and vitamin C (COXi+VC; n=8) from days 7-21. Each group was then divided into 2 subgroups reflecting the day of the experiment (day-14 and -21 subgroups). RESULTS: The urine protein was significantly reduced in the VC and COXi+VC groups (subgroup day- 14) compared to the P group (p<0.05). The glomerular TGF-beta expression was reduced in the COXi+ VC group (subgroup day-21) compared to the P group (p<0.05). Glomerular COX-2 expression was increased in the COXi, VC, and COXi+VC groups compared to the P group (p<0.05). The COXi, VC, and COXi+VC groups (subgroup day-21) had decreased activity of lipid peroxide and xanthine oxidase and increased activity of xanthine dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, GSH-Px, and catalase. This antioxidant activity was highest in the COXi+VC group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Selective COX-2 inhibitors possess antioxidant effects. The combination of a COX-2 inhibitor and vitamin C was more effective than COX-2 inhibitor or vitamin C alone in increasing antioxidant activity and decreasing TGF-beta.