Melandrium firmum Extract Promotes Hair Growth by Modulating 5α-Reductase Activity and Gene Expression in C57BL/6J Mice

( Bo Huang ),( Bueom-goo Kang ),( Soon Sung Lim ),( Xian Hua Zhang ) 대한피부과학회 2019 Annals of Dermatology Vol.31 No.5

Background: In our preliminary study, we screened for their potential to inhibit 5α-reductase, and Melandrium firmum (MF) extract showed the most potent activity as confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of MF extract on 5 α-reductase activity and its mechanisms of action in the prevention or treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Methods: HPLC was used to measure 5α-reductase activity. The hair growth-promoting effect of MF extract in the shaved dorsal skin of C57BL/6J mice was studied for 30 days. Hair follicles were examined by histological examination. Protein and mRNA levels of growth factors involved in hair growth were determined by western blotting, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and qPCR, respectively. Cell proliferation was measured by (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)- 2H-tetrazolium) assay. Results: MF extract at 0.5 mg/ml showed 43.5% inhibition of 5α-reductase. MF extract promoted hair growth by inducing anagen phase reflected by skin color, hair density, and the number and size of hair follicles. It not only reduces the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), but also markedly upregulated insulin-like growth factor 1 and keratinocyte growth factor in the dorsal dermal tissue. Ursolic acid, ecdcysteron, and ergosterol peroxide were identified as active constituents by activity-guided fractionation to inhibit 5α-reductase. They decreased the gene expression of TGF-β1 and DKK-1 in human hair dermal papilla cells. Conclusion: In summary, these finding indicate that MF extract might be a good drug candidate for hair growth promotion. (Ann Dermatol 31(5) 502∼510, 2019)

A Case Study on the Construction Optimization Decision Scheme of Urban Subway Tunnel Based on the TOPSIS Method

Bo Wu,Ming Lu,Wei Huang,Yangbing Lan,Yufang Wu,Zonghui Huang 대한토목학회 2020 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.24 No.11

Because of the harsh environment around city subways and the typically poor geological conditions, it is often difficult to ensure the stability of a tunnel, which makes it prone to collapses and other accidents. The influence of multiple factors on tunnel stability was analyzed under the same geological conditions and environmental factors by using a three-dimensional numerical simulation. Taking into account the objective environment and manual operation and other factors, construction sequence, support closure time, and reinforcement area and parameters were chosen as the main factors affecting the tunnel stability. Finally, based on ground deformation, tunnel convergence deformation, and surrounding soil stress as evaluation indicators, a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP)-gray correlation degree-technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) model was established. It was found that the higher the relative closeness of the construction parameter combination, the greater the tunnel stability. The best combination of construction parameters was applied to the Tiantongyuan Station project of Beijing Metro Line 17. All geological conditions being equal, reasonable selection of construction parameters can ensure optimal tunnel construction stability, reduce construction risks, and support sustainable tunnel development. In addition, the FAHP-gray correlation degree-TOPSIS method achieved multi-index evaluation of tunnel stability, which provides practical guidance for the construction of similar projects.

Anti-diabetic effect of purple corn extract on C57BL/KsJ db/db mice

Bo Huang,Zhiqiang Wang,Jong Hyuk Park,Ok Hyun Ryu,Moon Ki Choi,Jae-Yong Lee,Young-Hee Kang,Soon Sung Lim 한국영양학회 2015 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.9 No.1

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recently, anthocyanins have been reported to have various biological activities. Furthermore, anthocyanin-rich purple corn extract (PCE) ameliorated insulin resistance and reduced diabetes-associated mesanginal fibrosis and inflammation, suggesting that it may have benefits for the prevention of diabetes and diabetes complications. In this study, we determined the anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin component of PCE by HPLC-ESI-MS and investigated its anti-diabetic activity and mechanisms using C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: The db/db mice were divided into four groups: diabetic control group (DC), 10 or 50 mg/kg PCE (PCE 10 or PCE 50), or 10 mg/kg pinitol (pinitol 10) and treated with drugs once per day for 8 weeks. During the experiment, body weight and blood glucose levels were measured every week. At the end of treatment, we measured several diabetic parameters. RESULTS: Compared to the DC group, Fasting blood glucose levels were 68% lower in PCE 50 group and 51% lower in the pinitol 10 group. Furthermore, the PCE 50 group showed 2- fold increased C-peptide and adiponectin levels and 20% decreased HbA1c levels, than in the DC group. In pancreatic islets morphology, the PCE- or pinitol- treated mice showed significant prevention of pancreatic β-cell damage and higher insulin content. Microarray analyses results indicating that gene and protein expressions associated with glycolysis and fatty acid metabolism in liver and fat tissues. In addition, purple corn extract increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and decreased phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose 6-phosphatase (G6pase) genes in liver, and also increased glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expressions in skeletal muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that PCE exerted anti-diabetic effects through protection of pancreatic β-cells, increase of insulin secretion and AMPK activation in the liver of C57BL/KsJ db/db mice.

Cinnamaldehyde Prevents Adipocyte Differentiation and Adipogenesis via Regulation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ (PPARγ) and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Pathways

Huang, Bo,Yuan, Hai Dan,Kim, Do Yeon,Quan, Hai Yan,Chung, Sung Hyun American Chemical Society 2011 Journal of agricultural and food chemistry Vol.59 No.8

<P>Cinnamaldehyde (CA), one of the active components of cinnamon, has been known to exert several pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and antidiabetic activities. However, its antiobesity effect has not been reported yet. This study investigated the antidifferentiation effect of CA on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, and the antiobesity activity of CA was further explored using high-fat-diet-induced obese ICR mice. During 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes, 10−40 μM CA was treated and lipid contents were quantified by Oil Red O staining, along with changes in the expression of genes and proteins associated with adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis. It was found that CA significantly reduced lipid accumulation and down-regulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins α (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) in concentration-dependent manners. Moreover, CA markedly up-regulated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and these effects were blunted in the presence of AMPK inhibitor, compound C. In the animal study, weight gains, insulin resistance index, plasma triglyceride (TG), nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), and cholesterol levels in the 40 mg/kg of CA-administered group were significantly decreased by 67.3, 55, 39, 31, and 23%, respectively, when compared to the high-fat diet control group. In summary, these results suggest that CA exerts antiadipogenic effects through modulation of the PPAR-γ and AMPK signaling pathways.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/jafcau/2011/jafcau.2011.59.issue-8/jf104814t/production/images/medium/jf-2010-04814t_0005.gif'></P>

VALUE DISTRIBUTION AND UNIQUENESS ON q-DIFFERENCES OF MEROMORPHIC FUNCTIONS

Huang, Zhi-Bo Korean Mathematical Society 2013 대한수학회보 Vol.50 No.4

In this paper, by using the $q$-difference analogue of lemma on the logarithmic derivative lemma to re-establish some estimates of Nevanlinna characteristics of $f(qz)$, we deal with the value distribution and uniqueness of certain types of $q$-difference polynomials.

Parametric resonance of a rotating taper pre-twisted beam with cracks

Huang, Bo Wun,Yu, Pu Ping,Jou, Jwo Ming Techno-Press 2008 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.28 No.2

Using DQM method on residual vibration analysis of an electrostatically actuated microswitch structure

Bo Wun Huang,Jao-Hwa Kuang,Chao-Jung Chen,Jung-Ge Tseng 대한기계학회 2016 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.30 No.8

Using the Differential quadrature method (DQM) on Residual vibration analysis of an Electrostatically actuated microswitch structure is focused to study in this work. The application of external voltage between an electrode and a microbeam results in microbeam vibration during the transient period before the beam reaches its permanent position. The lifetime of a microswitch or a modulator is dependent on the number of switching-cycles it performs; therefore severe residual vibrations may reduce the lifetime of the micro-actuator and introduce operating delays. Consequently, understanding and controlling the residual vibration in a micro-actuator is paramount. In this study, the effects of design parameters on the dynamic responses of a microswitch were formulated and considered. The models proposed use the DQM combined with the Wilson-q method, to treat the nonlinear transient problem of microswitches, and simultaneously consider the effects of position-dependent electrostatic force, mechanical restoring force, and squeeze-film damping. Additionally, the effects of the electrode in various positions on the residual vibration of the microbeam were explored. Variations of residual vibrations with variously shaped beams and electrodes were simulated and studied to control the settling time of the micro-actuator. Analysis results indicate that the residual vibration of microswitches can be markedly changed by effects of the shape and tip thickness of beam, and length and position of electrode of an electrostatically actuated microswitch structure system.

The Protective Effects of Phenolic Constituents from Gastrodia elata on the Cytotoxicity Induced by KCI and Glutamate

Huang, Zhan-Bo,Wu, Zhe,Chen, Fa-Kui,Zou, Li-Bo The Pharmaceutical Society of Korea 2006 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.29 No.11

Seven phenolic compounds (1-7) were isolated from the tubers of Gastrodia elata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of MS and NMR spectral data. p-Ethoxymethyl phenyl-O-${\beta}$-D-glucoside (1) was proved to be a new compound, with N-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-adenosine (7) isolated from this plant for the first time. In this study, the protective effects of the six constituents (1-6) on PC12 cells against the cytotoxicity induced by KCI and glutamate were also investigated. The viability of the PC12 cells was significantly enhanced by pretreatment with the six phenolic constituents.

Parametric resonance of a rotating taper pre-twisted beam with cracks

Bo Wun Huang,Pu Ping Yu,Jwo Ming Jou 국제구조공학회 2008 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.28 No.2

PROPERTIES ON q-DIFFERENCE RICCATI EQUATION

Huang, Zhi-Bo,Zhang, Ran-Ran Korean Mathematical Society 2018 대한수학회보 Vol.55 No.6

In this paper, we investigate a certain type of q-difference Riccati equation in the complex plane. We prove that q-difference Riccati equation possesses a one parameter family of meromorphic solutions if it has three distinct meromorphic solutions. Furthermore, we find that all meromorphic solutions of q-difference Riccati equation and corresponding second order linear q-difference equation can be expressed by q-gamma function if this q-difference Riccati equation admits two distinct rational solutions and $q{\in}{\mathbb{C}}$ such that 0 < ${\mid}q{\mid}$ < 1. The growth and value distribution of differences of meromorphic solutions of q-difference Riccati equation are also treated.