Beneficial and adverse effects of toad venom, a traditional Oriental medicine

Xie Jing-Tian,Maleckar Spring A.,Yuan Chun-Su Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2002 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.2 No.1

Toad venom, 'Chan su' in Chinese and 'somso' in Korean, is a well-known traditional oriental medicine obtained from the skin venom gland of the toad. Formulations of toad venom have been widely applied in China, Japan, Korea and other oriental countries for a long time. It is often found in traditional Chinese formulations, such as Jiuxin (or Kyushin in Japan), Yixin, Huoxin, Shexiang baoxin wan, Lu shen wan and Laryngitis pills. According to a pharmaceutical chemistry study, toad venom contains multiple biological active substances, such as bufalin, resibufogenin and cinobufagin. Modern pharmacological studies indicated that toad venom has multiple pharmacological actions, including acting as a cardiotonic, antitumor local anesthetic effects, stimulates the respiratory center, vasopressor action, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects. Like other medications, toad venom also has certain toxicity and adverse effects, for example, inducing delayed afterdepolarization and triggered arrhythmia. The major chemical constituents, basic pharmacological actions and adverse reactions of toad venom are discussed in this article.

Chemical and Pharmacological Studies of Saponins with a Focus on American Ginseng

Chun-Su Yuan,Chong-Zhi Wang,Sheila M. Wicks,Lian-Wen Qi 고려인삼학회 2010 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.34 No.3

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) are the two most recognized ginseng botanicals. It is believed that the ginseng saponins called ginsenosides are the major active constituents in both ginsengs. Although American ginseng is not as extensively studied as Asian ginseng, it is one of the best selling herbs in the US, and has garnered increasing attention from scientists in recent years. In this article, after a brief introduction of the distribution and cultivation of American ginseng, we discuss chemical analysis of saponins from these two ginsengs, i.e., their similarities and differences. Subsequently, we review pharmacological effects of the saponins, including the effects on the cardiovascular system, immune system, and central nervous system as well as the anti-diabetes and anti-cancer effects. These investigations were mainly derived from American ginseng studies. We also discuss evidence suggesting that chemical modifications of ginseng saponins would be a valuable approach to develop novel compounds in drug discovery.

Chemical and Pharmacological Studies of Saponins with a Focus on American Ginseng

Yuan, Chun-Su,Wang, Chong-Zhi,Wicks, Sheila M.,Qi, Lian-Wen The Korean Society of Ginseng 2010 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.34 No.3

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) are the two most recognized ginseng botanicals. It is believed that the ginseng saponins called ginsenosides are the major active constituents in both ginsengs. Although American ginseng is not as extensively studied as Asian ginseng, it is one of the best selling herbs in the US, and has garnered increasing attention from scientists in recent years. In this article, after a brief introduction of the distribution and cultivation of American ginseng, we discuss chemical analysis of saponins from these two ginsengs, i.e., their similarities and differences. Subsequently, we review pharmacological effects of the saponins, including the effects on the cardiovascular system, immune system, and central nervous system as well as the anti-diabetes and anti-cancer effects. These investigations were mainly derived from American ginseng studies. We also discuss evidence suggesting that chemical modifications of ginseng saponins would be a valuable approach to develop novel compounds in drug discovery.

The Effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 on JNK in Oxidative Injury in Cardiomyocytes

Chun-Su Yuan,Jing Li,Zuo-Hui Shao,Jing-Tian Xie,Chong-Zhi Wang,Srinivasan Ramachandran,Jun-Jie Yin,Han Aung,Chang-Qing Li,Gina Qin,Terry Vanden Hoek 대한약학회 2012 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.35 No.7

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce oxidative injury via iron interactions (i.e. Fenton chemistry and hydroxyl radical formation). Our prior work suggested that American ginseng berry extract and ginsenoside Re were highly cardioprotective against oxidant stress. To extend this study, we evaluated the protective effect of protopanaxadiol-type ginsenoside Rb1 (gRb1)on H2O2-induced oxidative injury in cardiomyocytes and explored the ROS-mediated intracellular signaling mechanism. Cultured embryonic chick cardiomyocytes (4-5 day) were used. Cell death was assessed by propidium iodide and lactate dehydrogenase release. Pretreatment with gRb1 (0.01, 0.1, or 1 μM) for 2 h and concurrent treatment with H2O2 (0.5 mM) for 2 h resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of cell death, 36.6 ± 2.9% (n = 12, p < 0.05), 30.5 ± 5.1% (n = 12, p < 0.05) and 28.6 ± 3.1% (n = 12, p < 0.01) respectively, compared to H2O2-exposed cells (48.2 ± 3.3%, n = 12). This cardioprotective effect of gRb1 was associated with attenuated intracellular ROS generation as measured by 6-carboxy-2’, 7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, preserved the mitochondrial membrane potential as determined using JC-1. In the ESR study, gRb1 exhibited the scavenging DPPH and hydroxyl radical activities. Furthermore, our data showed the increased JNK phosphorylation (p-JNK) in H2O2-exposed cells was suppressed by the pretreatment with gRb 1 (1 μM) (p < 0.01). Co-treatment of gRb1 with a specific inhibitor of JNK SP600125 (10 μM) further reduced the p-JNK and enhanced the cell survival after H2O2exposure. Collectively, our results suggest that gRb1 conferred cardioprotection that was mediated via attenuating ROS and suppressing ROS-induced JNK activation.

Genetic Screening for Mutations in the Chip Gene in Intracranial Aneurysm Patients of Chinese Han Nationality

Su, Li,Zhang, Yuan,Zhang, Chun-Yang,Zhang, An-Long,Mei, Xiao-Long,Zhao, Zhi-Jun,Han, Jian-Guo,Zhao, Li-Jun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

We performed a case-control study to investigate whether SNPs of CHIP might affect the development of IA in Chinese Han nationality. We believe we are the first to have screened IA patients for mutations in the CHIP gene to determine the association with these variants. The study group comprised 224 Chinese Han nationality patients with at least one intracranial aneurysm and 238 unrelated healthy Han nationality controls. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood leukocytes. The entire coding regions of CHIP were genotyped by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. Differences in genotype and allele frequencies between patients and controls were tested by the chi-square method. Genotype and allele frequencies of the SNP rs116166850 was demonstrated to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant difference in genotype or allele frequencies between case and control groups was detected at the SNP. Our data do not support the hypothesis of a major role for the CHIP gene in IA development in the Chinese Han population.

Impact of Peri-Operative Anemia and Blood Transfusions in Patients with Gastric Cancer Receiving Gastrectomy

Chang, Chih-Chun,Sun, Jen-Tang,Chen, Jing-Yuan,Chen, Yi-Ting,Li, Pei-Yu,Lee, Tai-Chen,Su, Ming-Jang,Wu, Jiann-Ming,Yen, Tzung-Hai,Chu, Fang-Yeh Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.3

Background: Potential disadvantages of blood transfusion during curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer have been reported, and the role of peri-operative transfusions remains to be ascertained. Thus, the aim of our study was to survey its impact in patients with gastric cancer undergoinging gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: Clinical data of patients receiving curative gastrectomy at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital were obtained. Findings for pre-operative anemia states, pre-, peri- and post-operative transfusion of red blood cell (RBC) products as well as post-operative complication events were collected for univariate analysis. Results: A total of 116 patients with gastric cancer received gastrectomy at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital from 2011 to 2014. Both pre-operative and intra- and post-operative transfusion of RBC products were markedly associated with post-operative infectious events (OR: 3.70, 95% CI: 1.43-9.58, P=0.002; OR: 8.20, 95% CI: 3.11-22.62, P<0.001, respectively). In addition, peri- and post-operative RBC transfusion was significantly associated with prolonged hospital stay from admission to discharge (OR: 8.66, 95% CI: 1.73-83.00, P=0.002) and post-operative acute renal failure (OR: 19.69, 95% CI: 2.66-854.56, P<0.001). Also, the overall survival was seemingly decreased by peri-operative RBC transfusion in our gastric cancer cases (P=0.078). Conclusions: Our survey indicated that peri-operative RBC transfusion could increase the risk of infectious events and acute renal failure post curative gastrectomy as well as worsen the overall survival in gastric cancer cases. Hence, unnecessary blood transfusion before, during and after curative gastrectomy should be avoided in patients with gastric cancer.

Field enhancement factors and self-focus functions manifesting in field emission resonances in scanning tunneling microscopy

Wei-Bin SU,Chun-Liang LIN,Wen-Yuan CHAN,Shin-Ming LU,Chia-Seng CHANG 한국진공학회 2016 한국진공학회 학술발표회초록집 Vol.2016 No.8

Complementary and alternative therapies for obesity

Dey Lucy,Yuan Chun-Su Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2002 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.2 No.1

Obesity is a serious medical disorder because it can cause a myriad of health problems, such as heart disease, hypertension, and adult-onset diabetes. While conventional medical treatment for obesity has limitations, there is enormous public enthusiasm for complementary and alternative treatments of obesity. This article reviews currently commonly used complementary and alternative therapies for obesity, such as medicinal herbs, nutritional supplements and acupuncture. Beneficial effects and possible adverse effects associated with these treatment are discussed.

Fabrication and Study of Novel Piezoresistive Polymer Composites Sensor for 3D Printing Applications

( Yu-yen Chen ),( Cheng-chun Huang ),( Ching-yuan Su ),( Yao-chuan Tsai ) 한국농업기계학회 2018 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.23 No.1

With the technology development, the technique of 3D printing has gradually matured. The characteristic of 3D printing is that it can print the product directly without another complex process. If the 3D printing could be applied to manufacturing sensor elements, it could be quicker and cheaper for the sensor element fabrication and the sensor forms will be applicable. Piezoresistive effect is a common sensor sensing principle which is through the deformation of the material to cause the resistance changes. In this study, a piezoresistive polymer composites material was developed, which can be manufactured by the photo-curable 3D printing. The different amount of the conductive carbon black (CB) nanoparticles was employed and added into photo-curable resin for obtaining the conductive percolation threshold of the polymer composites and measuring the piezoresistivity of the polymer composites. The conductive percolation threshold is around 1.0~1.5wt%, and the gauge factor of 1.5wt% is 9~17. The gauge factor was found which would decrease with the increasing strains. This study can be applied on fabricating the piezoresistive pressure and tactile sensors which can be used to the agricultural, industrial and various industries.

The Lung Function Impairment in Non-Atopic Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Its Correlation Analysis

Linghao Zhang,Lu Zhang,Chun-Hong Zhang,Xiao-Bi Fang,Zhen-Xiao Huang,Qing -Yuan Shi,Li-Ping Wu,Peng Wu,Zhen-Zhen Wang,Zhi-Su Liao 대한이비인후과학회 2016 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.9 No.4

Objectives. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is common disease in otorhinolaryngology and will lead to lower airway abnormality. However, the only lung function in CRS patients and associated factors have not been much studied. Methods. One hundred patients with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP group), 40 patients with CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP group), and 100 patients without CRS were enrolled. The difference in lung function was compared. Meanwhile, CRSwNP and CRSsNP group were required to undergo a bronchial provocation or dilation test. Additionally, subjective and objective outcomes were measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS), 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20), Lund-Mackay score, Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score. The correlation and regression methods were used to analyze the relationship between their lung function and the above parameters. Results. The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25-75) of CRSwNP group were significantly lower than other groups (P<0.05). On peak expiratory flow, there was no difference between three groups. In CRSwNP group, FEV1 was negatively correlated with peripheral blood eosinophil count (PBEC) and duration of disease (r=–0.348, P=0.013 and r=–0.344, P=0.014, respectively), FEF25-75 negatively with VAS, SNOT-20 (r=–0.490, P=0.028 and r=–0.478, P=0.033, respectively) in CRSsNP group. The incidence of positive bronchial provocation and dilation test was lower in CRSwNP group (10% and 0%, respectively), with both 0% in CRSsNP group. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that change ratio of FEV1 before and after bronchial provocation or dilation test were correlated with PBEC in CRSwNP group (β=0.403, P=0.006). Conclusion. CRS leading to impaired maximum ventilation and small airway is associated with the existence of nasal polyp. Lung function impairments can be reflected by PBEC, duration, VAS, and SNOT-20. In CRSwNP patients, PBEC is independent predictor of FEV1 change ratio.