Hee-Sun Kim
Ewha Womans University · Medicine
About the Lab
Professor Hee-Sun Kim's research lab specializes in neuroinflammation and its role in neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on identifying natural compounds with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. The lab investigates bioactive molecules from traditional herbs and ginseng derivatives, such as compound K, morin, ginsenosides (Rg5, Rh3), and β-lapachone, to modulate microglial activation and inflammatory signaling pathways. Key research directions include the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators like iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6, and MMP-9, as well as the regulation of transcription factors such as NF-κB, Nrf2, and SIRT1. The lab employs both in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate therapeutic potential for Parkinson’s disease, brain tumors, and other CNS disorders.
Research Overview
Research Output Trend
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Selected Papers
15Aberrant expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is implicated in the process of invasion and angiogenesis of malignant tumors as well as in inflammatory diseases of the CNS. Therefore, the development of compounds that can inhibit or suppress MMP-9 is required to treat brain tumors. We investigated the effects of a ginseng saponin metabolite, compound K (20-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol), on MMP-9 expression in human astroglioma cells. Compound K significantly inhibit
Morin is a flavonoid isolated from certain fruits and Chinese herbs and is known to possess various medicinal properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of morin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation, both in vitro and in vivo. We found that morin inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Furthermore, morin suppressed the microglial activation and cytokine expression in
BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, the development of agents that can control neuroinflammation has been suggested as a promising therapeutic strategy for PD. In the present study, we investigated whether the phosphodiesterase (PDE) 10 inhibitor has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in neuroinflammation and PD mouse models. METHODS: Papaverine (PAP) was utilized as a selective inhibitor of PDE10. The effects of PA
BACKGROUND: β-Lapachone (β-LAP) is a natural naphthoquinone compound isolated from the lapacho tree (Tabebuia sp.), and it has been used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, infection, and cancer. In the present study, we investigated whether β-LAP has anti-inflammatory effects under in vitro and in vivo neuroinflammatory conditions. METHODS: The effects of β-LAP on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were examined in lipopo
Microglia are resident immune cells in the central nervous system. They play a role in normal brain development and neuronal recovery. However, overactivation of microglia causes neuronal death, which is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, controlling microglial activation has been suggested as an important target for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect
Ginsenoside Rh3 is a bacterial metabolite of Rg5, which is the main constituent of heat-processed ginseng. The present study was undertaken to examine the anti-inflammatory effect of ginsenoside Rh3 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia. Rh3 inhibits the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, at mRNA and protein levels, while Rh3 enhanced anti-inflammatory hemeoxygenase-1 expres
Research Areas
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