Faculty of Pharmacy

The Faculty of Pharmacy administratively incorporates the Department ofPharmacy. The Department of Pharmacy was established in 2006, with newly
built premises and specialist facilities. In contrast to the other departments andfaculties, graduation requires six years of study.
The department aims to foster pharmacists with specialist knowledge andpractical skills to meet the medical needs of society today. In addition, thecurriculum is also designed so that students attain a moral sensitivity and senseof mission. In order that these aims may be achieved, the department isequipped with the latest research facilities and organizes special lectures bypharmacists who are presently active in the field.
The six year course of study can be divided into three phases of study. In thefirst two years, students are expected to study the basics of pharmacy andobtain an overview of the various fields within pharmacological sciences, aswell as acquire a moral sense through the study of common core subjects. In
addition, student motivation is enhanced through an early exposure toexperiential learning.
In the next two years, 3rd and 4th year students heighten their specialist
knowledge through applied pharmacological subjects and practical classes
such as the ‘Science of Pharmaceutical Production’. Knowledge and skills inbusiness practice are also fostered.
In the final two years of study, students gain long term direct experience of theclinical aspects of both hospitals and pharmacies so as to heighten further theirpharmacological skills. In addition, students’ knowledge and skills areenhanced and confirmed by completing graduation research reports. These
precede the students’ final challenge of the national examinations.

Additional Features
The Department of Pharmacy also offers various support facilities for the students. These include a
Learning Support Center for Pharmacy Education an internet-based study support system and an advisor
system for small groups of students.

Message from the Dean

Prof. Yuichiro Nakada
Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences“Ho-on kansha” (deep gratitude),
the founding spirit of Osaka Ohtani
university, involves forging humanrelationships where respects "life" as wellas treats each other with gratitude. This isconsistent with the mission of the Facultyof Pharmaceutical Sciences, which is tocontribute to "health and welfare." To thisend, the faculty provides a systematiccourse of professional education fromadmission to graduation, as well as
individualized guidance through anadvisor system, in order to train
pharmacists who understand their mission
and ethics as medical professionals, haveacquired advanced knowledge ofpharmaceutics, and who also have excellent
clinical skills.

The curriculum is structured so that students can acquire the basics ofpharmaceutics such as physics, chemistry, and biology in the lower grades, followed byadvanced knowledge in the specialized fields of pharmaceutics such as hygiene,
pharmacology, medicine, drug therapy, and practical pharmaceutics. In addition to regularclasses, supplementary lectures and tuition are offered to provide students with
opportunities for learning in smaller groups.
In the second half of their fourth year, students are assigned to a course, and from theirfifth year, they improve their scientific thinking and problem-solving skills through fullscale graduation research and research presentations. Additionally, in their fifth year,
students develop an awareness of their role as future pharmacists and learn about the
preciousness of life as well as the responsibility of handling medicines through practicaltraining at pharmacies and hospitals.
Our department will continue to provide highly specialized education so that students
who have been awakened to their own ego can play an active role in society as medical
professionals. We hope that as many people as possible will take an interest in our
department and offer us their understanding and support.

List of Laboratories◆ Laboratory of Organic Chemistry◆ Laboratory of Molecular Chemistry◆ Laboratory of Biochemistry◆ Laboratory of Molecular Biology◆ Laboratory of Environmental Science and Microbiology◆ Laboratory of Pharmacology◆ Laboratory of Pharmaceutics◆ Laboratory of Toxicology◆ Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry◆ Laboratory of Immunology◆ Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology◆ Laboratory of Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics◆ Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutics◆ Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics◆ Laboratory of Practical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care
◆ Laboratory of Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics◆ Laboratory of Drug Development◆ Laboratory of Natural Medicines

Laboratory of Organic Chemistry
Professor name: Kazuyuki Miyashita, Ph.D.
Contact: miyasik (at) osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Organic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry,
Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Development and Application ofNovel Fluorescent Compound, Synthesis of Biologically Active
Heterocyclic Compound

Introduction
Our research group focuses on development and application of novel fluorescentcompounds. Based on the fluorophore structure of the green fluorescent protein (GFP)
isolated from jelly fish, Aequorea sp. by Professor Shimomura, a Novel laureate, we havedesigned and synthesized diarylmethyleneimidazolinones (DAINs) as a novel fluorescentstructure by our own unique synthetic method. Utilizing the DAINs, we are engaged in
the following research works.
1) Investigation of fluorescent properties of DAINs
Fluorescent properties (fluorescent intensity and color) depend on not only chemical
structure but also molecular assembly. We are now systematically investigating a
relation between chemical structure, molecular assembly and fluorescent properties byconstructing DAIN library.
2) Application of DAINs to a variety of sensor molecules
In general, DAINs show fluorescence in solid and frozen solution states, but not show it
in a solution state. This means that conformational restriction can work as a fluorescentswitch. Employing this character, we have already developed some sensor molecules
sometimes by conjugation or hybridization of DAINs with biomolecules. Moreeffective and highly sensitive sensor molecules for biological events are now underinvestigation.

Selected publications⚫
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Design and concise synthesis of a novel type of green fluorescent protein
chromophore analogue. M. Ikejiri, M. Tsuchino, Y. Chihara, T. Yamaguchi, T.
Imanishi, S. Obika, K. Miyashita, Org. Lett., 14, 4406-4409 (2012).
Synthesis and properties of 4-(diarylmethylene)imidazolinone-conjugatedfluorescent nucleic acids. T. Okuda, S. Mori, Y. Kasahara, K. Morihiro, M. Ikejiri,
K. Miyashita, S. Obika, Tetrahedron Lett., 57, 3129-3132 (2016).
Synthesis and properties of geometrical 4-diarylmethylene analogs of the green
fluorescent protein chromophore. M. Ikejiri, H. Kojima, Y. Fugono, A. Fujisaka, Y.
Chihara, K. Miyashita, Org. Biomol. Chem., 16, 2397-2401(2018).
Synthesis and environment-dependent fluorescence behavior of a biaryl-conjugated(diphenylmethylene)imidazolinone. M. Ikejiri, R. Nishiguchi, C. Kubota, A.
Fujisaka, K. Miyashita, Org. Biomol. Chem., 17, 8443-8449 (2019).

Laboratory of Molecular Chemistry
Professor name: Shotaro Morimoto, Ph.D.
Contact: morimos (at) osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Researchfields:PhysicalChemistry,Radiochemistry,

Crystallography, Magnetic Science.

Introduction
In our laboratory, we are focusing on molecules, atoms and ions, which are thebasic structures of matter, and physical chemistry, which is the basis of chemical, physical,
and biological phenomena. We are working to elucidate the basic phenomena of physicalchemistry, focusing mainly on magnetic properties. In addition, in order to elucidate
clinical questions in actual clinical settings, we are conducting research using analyticalchemistry and instrumental analytical methods, as well as other statistical methods. We
aim to train pharmacists who can guide scientific evidence for phenomena in the medical
field. Specifically, we are working on the following themes.
1) Magnetic field effect on chemical reactions and reaction mechanism using themagnetic field effect2) Clinical support for clinical questions through statistical and chemical analysis
3) Structural study of proteins by crystallographic methods
4) Medical statistics
5) Physical properties of contained metal compounds

Selected publications
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Discovery and structural analysis to improve the enantioselectivity ofhydroxynitrile lyase from Parafontaria laminata millipedes for (R)-2chloromandelonitrile synthesis, A. Nuylert, M. Nakabayashi, T. Yamaguchi, and Y.
Asano, ACS Omega, 5(43):27896-27908 (2020).
Construction of the thermostable cellobiohydrolase from the fungus Talaromyces
celluloliticus by protein engineering, M. Nakabayashi, S. Kamachi, D. Malle, T.
Yanamoto, S. Kishishita, T. Fujii, H. Inoue, and K. Ishikawa, Protein Eng. Des.
Sel. 32(1):33-40. (2019).
Magnetic Field Effects on Electroless Deposition of Lead Metal -Lorentz Force
Effects-., C. Udagawa, M. Ueno, T. Hisaki, M. Maeda, S. Maki, S. Morimoto, and
Y. Tanimoto, Bulletin Chem. Soc. Japan 91(2):165-172 (2018).
Crystal structure of a hypothetical protein, TTHA0829 from Thermus thermophilus
HB8, composed of cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) and aspartate-kinasechorismate-mutase tyrA (ACT) domains, M. Nakabayashi, N. Shibata, E. IshidoNakai, M. Kanagawa, Y. Iio, H. Komori, Y. Ueda, N. Nakagawa, S. Kuramitsu, and
Y. Higuchi, Extremophiles, 20(3):275-282 (2016).

Laboratory of Biochemistry
Professor name: Toru Nishinaka, Ph.D.
Contact: nisinat (at) osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell
Biology, Gene Therapy

Introduction
Biochemistry deals with a broad range of chemistry and biology of living cells
including the properties and metabolisms of biological molecules. It is a very important
basic science for understanding biological mechanisms of human body as well as
therapeutic mechanisms of various drugs. Our laboratory is in charge of classes of“Biochemistry A”, “Biochemistry B”, “Molecular signaling”, and so on for acquiring
fundamental biological knowledge of human being.
Current research projects of our laboratory are 1) elucidation of gene expression
mechanisms of drug metabolizing enzymes and their involvements in the adverse effectsof therapeutic drugs, and 2) development of gene therapies for lifestyle diseases. We areencouraging students to attend scientific meetings.

Selected publications
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ZFAND3 overexpression in the mouse liver improves glucose tolerance and hepatic
insulin resistance. (Shimizu K, Ogiya Y, Yoshinaga K, Kimura H, Michinaga S,
Ono M, Taketomi A, Terada T, Sakurai F, Mizuguchi H, Tomita K, Nishinaka T.)
Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes in press. (2021)
Adenovirus vector-Induced IL-6 promotes leaky adenoviral gene expression,leading to acute hepatotoxicity. (Shimizu K, Sakurai F, Iizuka S, Ono R,
Tsukamoto T, Nishimae F, Nakamura S, Nishinaka T, Terada T, Fujio Y,
Mizuguchi H.) J. Immunol. 206, 410-421 (2021)
Dietary calamondin supplementation slows the progression of non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet. (Shimizu K, Egusa Y, Nishimuta
S, Fukumura Y, Yoshimura M, Inomoto T, Terada T, Tomita K, Nishinaka T.)
Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. in press. (2021)
Cranberry attenuates progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced byhigh-fat diet in mice. (Shimizu K, Ono M, Imoto A, Nagayama H, Tetsumura N,
Terada T, Tomita K, Nishinaka T.) Biol. Pharm. Bull. 42, 1295-1302 (2019)
Cooperative regulation of mouse aldose reductase (AKR1B3) gene transcription by
Nrf2, TonEBP, and c-jun. (Nishinaka T, Shimizu K, Miura T, Yabe-Nishimura C,
Terada T.) Chem. Biol. Interact. 302, 36-45 (2019)

Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Professor name: Koji Tomita, MD, PhD
Contact: tomitako (at) osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Molecular Biology

Introduction
In everyday life, food is constantly consumed in order to sustain life and maintain
good health. Various nutrient components from our daily food source are metabolized into
energy, which we utilize. We are interested in the discovery of these various and unknown
genetic regulatory pathways that are important for our body function.
Various organs and cells work individually or synergistically in order to maintain homeostasis.
Understanding these various organs and cells, how are they formed, their function andregulatory signals, are still in their infancy. We are interested in the fields of organogenesis /developmental biology and the maintenance of the differentiated states of various cell-types.
Specifically, we are focusing on liver development and the differentiation mechanisms of blood
cells.
The following are research projects currently be addressed at our laboratory:
1. Nutrient and hormonal regulation of pyruvate kinase gene expression.
The glycolytic pathway is a fundamental system for energy metabolism in organisms
and glycolytic enzymes are present in all mammalian cells or tissues. Mammalian pyruvatekinase (PK) is a key rate-controlling glycolytic enzyme which catalyses the formation of
pyruvate and ATP from phosphoenolpyruvate and ADP. In mammals, PK exists as four
isoenzymes, which are referred to as the L-, R-, M1-, and M2-types respectively. Mammalian
PK isoenzymes are encoded by two genes, the PKL or PKM genes respectively. Whereas the Rand L-PK isoenzymes are encoded by the PKL gene, the M1- and M2-PK isoenzymes are
encoded by the PKM gene.
2．Role of homeobox gene Hex in mouse development
We accidentally isolated this new and interesting gene called hematopoietically
expressed homeobox gene (Hex) during screening of transcription factors interacting with thetranscriptional regulatory regions of the liver-specific L-type pyruvate kinase gene. Further
analysis revealed that Hex was not a transcription factor of the L-PK gene.

Selected publications⚫

Melatonin stimulates transcription of the rat phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene inhepatic cells.
Asano K, Tsukada A, Yanagisawa Y, Higuchi M, Takagi K, Ono M, Tanaka T, Tomita K,
Yamada K.FEBS Open Bio. 2020 Dec;10(12):2712-2721.

Laboratory of Environmental Science and Microbiology
Professor name: Katsuji Tani, Ph.D.
Contact: tanika (at) osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Microbial Ecology, Environmental DNA,Space Microbiology

Introduction
Novel pathogens and antibiotic-resistant microbes suddenly emerge and spreadthroughout the world. Human activities and globalization, as well as ecological processes
such as bird migration, would be responsible for such emergence. We investigate theevolution and ecology of emerging microorganisms based on molecular information. We
are also engaged in the development and implementation of innovative techniques using
environmental DNA to reveal the distribution and genetic diversity of large organisms.
Through these studies, we aim to realize human health and biodiversity conservation.

Selected publications
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Minamoto T, Miya M, …, Uchii K (2020) An illustrated manual for environmental
DNA research: Water sampling guidelines and experimental protocols.
Environmental DNA
Uchii K, Doi H, Okahashi T, Katano I, Yamanaka H, Sakata MK, Minamoto T(2019) Comparison of inhibition resistance among PCR reagents for detection andquantification of environmental DNA. Environmental DNA 1: 359-367
Kenzaka T, Yasui M, Baba T, Nasu M, Tani K (2018) Positive selection in F-Box
domain (lpp0233) encoded in Legionella pneumophila strains. Biocontrol Science23(2):53-59
Kenzaka T & Tani K (2018) Draft genome sequence of carbapenem-resistantPseudomonas fluorescens strain BWKM6, Isolated from feces of Mareca penelope.
Genome Announcements 6: e00186-00118
Kenzaka T & Tani K (2018) Public health implications of intestinal microbiota in
migratory birds. Metagenomics for Gut Microbes London: IntechOpen 35-51
Uchii K, Doi H, Yamanaka H, Minamoto T (2017) Distinct seasonal migration
patterns of Japanese native and non-native genotypes of common carp estimated byenvironmental DNA. Ecology and Evolution 7(20): 8515–8522

Laboratory of Pharmacology
Professor name: Hiroyuki Mizuguchi, Ph.D
Contact: mizuguhiro (at) osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Molecular Pharmacology

Introduction
We are working on the following themes to elucidate pathogenesis of allergic diseases
and also develop new therapeutics; (1) Transcriptional mechanism of allergic disease-sensitive
genes such as histamine H1 receptor gene, and development of drugs that suppress theirexpressions; (2) Exploration of natural resources for anti-allergic compounds that suppress theexpression of allergic disease-sensitive genes, and identification of their target proteins; (3)Evaluation of Hsp90 inhibitors as targets for allergic disease; (4) Development of new therapy foreosinophilic inflammation using compounds that suppress IL-33 gene expression.
(5)
Elucidation of the mechanism of suppression of allergic rhinitis by narrowband-UVB
phototherapy.

Selected publications⚫ Wakugawa T, Nagamine K, Hiramatsu M, Takeda M, Kawata C, Kashiwada Y, Shinohara K,
Sawada E, Yabumoto M, Fujino H, Kitamura Y, Fukui H, Takeda N, Hiroyuki Mizuguchi H.
Identification and characterization of the anti-allergic compound from lotus root. Trad &Kampo Med. 2020; 7: 85–95.
⚫ Nakano T, Ikeda M, Wakugawa T, Kashiwada Y, Kaminuma O, Kitamura N, Yabumoto M,
Fujino H, Kitamura Y, Fukui H, Takeda N, Mizuguchi H. Identification of pyrogallol from
Awa-tea as an anti-allergic compound that suppresses nasal symptoms and IL-9 gene
expression. J Med Invest. 2020; 67: 289-297.
⚫ Mizuguchi H, Orimoto N, Kadota T, Kominami T, Das AK, Sawada A, Tamada M, Miyagi K,
Adachi T, Matsumoto M, Kosaka T, Kitamura Y, Takeda N, Fukui H. Suplatast tosilate
alleviates nasal symptoms through the suppression of nuclear factor of activated T-cellsmediated IL-9 gene expression in toluene-2,4-diisocyanate-sensitized rats. J Pharmacol Sci.
2016; 130: 151-158.
⚫ Kitamura Y, Mizuguchi H, Okamoto K, Kitayama M, Fujii T, Fujioka A, Matsushita T, Mukai
T, Kubo Y, Kubo N, Fukui H, Takeda N. Irradiation with narrowband-ultraviolet B suppresses
phorbol ester-induced up-regulation of H1 receptor mRNA in HeLa cells. Acta Otolaryngol.
2016; 136: 409-413.
⚫ Nariai Y, Mizuguchi H, Ogasawara T, Nagai H, Sasaki Y, Okamoto Y, Yoshimura Y, Kitamura
Y, Nemoto H, Takeda N, Fukui H. Disruption of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90)-protein kinaseC (PKC) interaction by (-)-maackiain suppresses histamine H1 receptor gene transcription
in HeLa cells. J Biol Chem. 2015; 290: 27393-27402.
⚫ Mizuguchi H, Miyagi K, Terao T, Sakamoto N, Yamawaki Y, Adachi T, Ono S, Sasaki Y,
Yoshimura Y, Kitamura Y, Takeda N, Fukui H. PMA-induced dissociation of Ku86 from thepromoter causes transcriptional up-regulation of histamine H1 receptor. Sci Rep. 2012; 2: 916.

Laboratory of Pharmaceutics
Professor name: Masahiro Murakami, Ph.D.
Contact: murakam (at) osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Biopharmaceutics, Drug Delivery System,
Oral Bioavailability Improvement

Introduction
The mission of this laboratory is to develop medications as well as humanresources in the field of health care, contributing to the improvement of people's qualityof life (QOL). To achieve this, professors and staff with experience in pharmaceuticalproduct development and formulation research in pharmaceutical companies as well aspractice in pharmacy are engaged in education and research providing practical guidance
to students. In addition, collaboration with various institutions and companies in different
fields is encouraged.
‘Where there’s a will there’s a way’
We have currently challenged the research and development of an effective DDS
technology that enables oral administration of biopharmaceuticals, such as nucleic acids
and peptide drugs. Conceivably, this leads to the promotion of a drastic paradigm shift tobiologic medications in pharmacotherapy for intractable diseases, including chronic
diseases and cancers.

Selected publications
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Enteral siRNA delivery technique for therapeutic gene silencing in the liver via the lymphaticroute. Murakami M, Nishina K, Watanabe C, Miyata K, Nishiyama N, Kataoka K, Yokota T,
Scientific Reports, 5, 17035-17047 (2015).
Fabrication of porous ethyl cellulose microspheres based on the acetone-glycerin-water
ternary system: Controlling porosity via the solvent-removal mode. Murakami M,
Matsumoto A, Watanabe C, Kurumado Y, Takama M, Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics, 9(4),303-309 (2015).
Improved systemic delivery of insulin by condensed drug loading in a dimpled suppository.
Matsumoto A, Murakami K, Watanabe C, Murakami M, Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics,
11(6), 293-299 (2017).
Janus microspheres for enhanced enteral drug delivery: Preparation and orientatedattachment to a Caco-2 monolayer. Matsumoto A, Watanabe C, Murakami M, Drug
Discoveries & Therapeutics, 13, 343-353 (2019).
Preparation and in vitro tumor growth inhibitory effect of oligo(L-lactate) nanoparticles.
Matsumoto A, Murao S, Watanabe C, Murakami M, Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics, 14(6),296-303 (2020).

Laboratory of Toxicology
Professor name: Fumitoshi Sakazaki, Ph.D.
Contact: sakazato (at) osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Toxicology, Hygienic Sciences

Introduction
In order to prevent and cure diseases, first we must understand what causes
diseases. In our laboratory, we offer studies about diseases caused by food or toxic
pollutants. Besides, from another perspective about food and diseases, we are also incharge of learning about food supplements and preparing for certification exams foradvisory staffs of food supplements.
We are investigating food pollutants which exacerbate allergies. Fromreviewing various research papers, we focus the suppressing effects of Lactobacillus onallergies. Lactobacillus is suggested reducing allergic rhinitis while the mechanism has
not been revealed. We suspect that Lactobacillus evokes the innate immune system andphagocytes digest allergens, result into suppression of the necessity of the acquired
immune system including allergy. These ideas have been arisen from our previous
research whether food pollutants exacerbate allergies.
We are also developing how we can inform healthy food habitats andappropriate use of food supplements. We hold information meetings of foodsupplements at the festival held in November by our university.

Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry
Professor name: Naoyoshi Maezaki, Ph.D.
Contact: maezan (at) osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry

Introduction
Nature produces a variety of natural products, which possess unique structure
and biological activities. Our research interests are development of novel synthetic
methods to synthesize them and the analogs with diversity of structures, and elucidationof relevant structure for biological activities is also one of our goal.
Present main research projects:
1) Synthesis and evaluation of azole-containing peptides and their analogs
Cyanobacteria produces variety of azole-containing peptides. We are attempting tosynthesize analogs to reveal structure–activity relationship. Recently, we have focused
our attention on synthesis of dendroamide A analogs, which possess a reversed azole ringto elucidate a role of orientation of azole rings on P-glycoprotein inhibitory activity. We
are also attempting to synthesize novel analogs with consecutive thiazole moieties.
2) Development of novel protein kinase C inhibitors
We have designed novel protein kinase C
inhibitors based on the structure of natural product,balanol, which is a fungal metabolite and a potent
inhibitor against cAMP-dependent protein kinase C
and A. We have investigated structure–activity
relationship of balanol derivatives to develop
selective protein kinase C inhibitors.

COOH
OH O

O
O

N

S

N
H

O

N

NH

HN

O

H
N

N
O

S

Dendroamide A

HO
OH

O

N
H

OH
O

Balanol

Selected publications⚫

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Synthesis and evaluation of dendroamide A and three regioisomeric analogs having areversed azole ring as P-glycoprotein inhibitors, Magata T., Hirokawa Y., Rokuhara Y.,
Nakayama R., Takahashi R., Nogami M., Tai Y., Imahori T., Hashizume T., and Maezaki
N., Heterocycles, 102 (5), 900-919 (2021).
Concise and stereoselective synthesis of 2,5- and 2,4-disubstituted thiazole amino acidsubunits for synthesizing thiazole-containing peptides, Magata T., Hirokawa Y., Moriguchi
Y., Yokoi R., Nojiri S., Miyazaki R., Akasako S., Takahashi R., Nishida M., Hakoda J.,
Nakayama R., Tanaka A. and Maezaki N., Tetrahedron Lett., 60 (10), 718-720 (2019).
Highly diastereoselective synthesis of 2-(1-N-Boc-aminoalkyl)thiazole-5-carboxylates byreduction of tert-butylsulfinyl ketimines, Magata T., Hirokawa Y., Furokawa A., Takeuchi
K., Ohtomo Y., Kino T., Kominami J., Nakai Y., Kitamura M., Maezaki N., Chem. Pharm.
Bull., 66 (4), 416-422 (2018).

Laboratory of Immunology
Professor name: Michio Tomura, PhD
Contact: tomuramiti (at) osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Immunology

Introduction

KikGR mice

Fucci mice

Cell cycle:
G2

Violet
light

S

G2
S

M

M

quiescent/G0

Cycling/
G1

Cycling/
G1quiescent/G030 secPNAS 2008, Sci Rep 201460 secG0Late G1

mKO2

Kaede

mKO2

Cell migration:

mKusabiraOrange2

The immune system protects the body by preventing infections and by eliminating cancer
cells in the body, while it causes pollen allergies and asthma. The immune system is composed ofmany types of immune cells that move within and between organs. In our laboratory, we have been Fig ure 2
attempting to understand immune responses by elucidating migration and proliferation of immune
cells at whole body level. We are using a novel assay system to track immune cells in mice
Fig ure 2
expressing the photoconverting proteins Kaede or KikGR. Exposure to violet light changes the colorof immune cells from green to red and allows for labeling and tracking of immune cells. While
proliferation is detected using the cell cycle indicator Fucci-transgenic mice.
In addition, recently we established a method to revealing fate of migrating cells at the single celllevel by combining information on tracking inter-tissue migration after in situ labeling of cells in
KikGR mice with molecular expression analysis at single cell level.
Students and faculty members are working together with the latest measurement equipment to
conduct research that is useful for maintaining good health, such as removing cancer cells bystrengthening the immune system and preventing allergies with sublingual immunity.

G1/S

Early G1 S/G2/M

mAG

mAzami Green
90 secPLoS One 2014

mAG

Selected publications⚫
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Monitoring cellular movement in vivo with photoconvertible fluorescence protein“Kaede” transgenic mice, (Tomura M. et.al), Proc Natl Acad Sci 105, 10871–10876(2008).
Contrasting Quiescent G0 Phase with Mitotic Cell Cycling in the Mouse Immune
System, (Tomura M. et. al), PLoS One 8, 1–10 (2013).
Tracking and quantification of dendritic cell migration and antigen trafficking
between the skin and lymph nodes, (Tomura M. et. al), Sci. Rep. 4, 1–11 (2014).
Functional Phenotypic Diversity of Regulatory T Cells Remaining in Inflamed Skin
(Ikebuchi R., Tomura M. et. al), Front Immunol (2019).

Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology
Professor name: Kozo Yoneda, MD, PhD
Contact: yonedakou(at)osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Pharmacology, Dermatology

Introduction
Our department goal is toclarify the pathology of diseases
that are difficult to treat, such as
atopic dermatitis, keratosis, andacute and chronic renal disease, as
well as to develop diagnostic andtreatment modalities for these
diseases. Our research focuses ondeveloping novel diagnostic
methods by generating andanalyzing
gene
expression
patterns in mouse and cell culture
models of human disease and on
discovering drugs that can be usedin real clinical settings by testing
the disease models with seedcandidates.

Selected publications
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The human loricrin gene (Yoneda K et al), J Biol Chem 267: 18060-18066, 1992
Overexpression of human loricrin in transgenic mice produces a normal phenotype,(Yoneda K and Steinert PM), Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90: 10754-10758, 1993
An autocrine/paracrine loop linking keratin 14 aggregates to tumor necrosis factor
-mediated cytotoxicity in a keratinocyte model of epidermolysis bullosa simplex.
(Yoneda K et al), J Biol Chem 279: 7296-7303, 2004
Activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in a cellular model ofloricrin keratoderma. (Yoneda K et al), J Biol Chem 285: 16184-16194, 2010
Interaction of the profilaggrin N-terminal domain with loricrin in human cultured
keratinocytes and epidermis. (Yoneda K et al), J Invest Dermatol 132: 1206-1214,
2012
Inhibition of  2-adrenoceptor is renoprotective in 5/6 nephrectomy-induced
chronic kidney injury rats. (Hayashi K, Shimokawa T, Yamagata M and Yoneda K),
J Phamcol Sci 145: 79-87, 2021

Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutics
Professor name: Tokio Obata
Contact: obatatoki(at)osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Clinical Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical
Health Care and Sciences, Basic Life Support

Introduction
Our laboratory aims to provide a scientific basis that will improve the outcome
by facilitating the proper and safety use of pharmaceutical products in the clinical fields.
Our research topics include a variety of f basic research at the cellular and the wholeanimal level, and clinical study collaborating closely with clinicians and clinicalpharmacists to address a wide range of clinical questions. As another project, we hold aworkshop on basic life support (BLS) called PUSH seminar to promote the diffusion ofstandard skills for the BLS. Through these researches, we will develop scientific basis
which can be moved from the laboratory bench, into the clinical research setting, into
clinical care at the patient’s bedside, and back into the research setting.
The Main Research Topics⚫ Basic research to clarify the mechanism for the pharmacokinetic interaction between
antiepileptic drugs and various enteral nutrition.
⚫ Basic research to investigate the role of scaffold protein in the cell surface
localization of immune checkpoint molecules as targets of cancer immunotherapy.
⚫ Clinical research to identify the humoral factors responsible for ascites formation in
the ascites collected from patients with cancerous peritoneal metastasis.
⚫ Questionnaire survey to promote the diffusion of standard skills for the BLS changes
before and after taking PUSH seminar.

Selected publications⚫

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Contribution of Ezrin on the Cell Surface Plasma Membrane Localization of
Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 in Human Choriocarcinoma JEG-3 Cells,
Tameishi M., Kobori T., Tanaka C., Urashima Y., Ito T., Obata T., Pharmaceuticals,
14, 963 (2021)
Ezrin Modulates the Cell Surface Expression of Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 in
Human Cervical Adenocarcinoma Cells, Tanaka C., Kobori T., Tameishi M.,
Urashima Y., Ito T., Obata T., Molecules, 26, 5648 (2021)
Interaction between phenytoin and enteral nutrients and its influence on
gastrointestinal absorption, Urashima Y., Urashima K., Ohnishi M., Matsushita K.,
Suzuki K., Kurachi K., Nishihara M., Katsumata T., Myotoku M., Ikeda K., HirotaniY., Pharmazie, 74, 559-562 (2019)

Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
Professor name: Hiroki Konishi, Ph.D.
Contact: konishih(at)osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Researchfields:ClinicalPharmacokinetics,

Biochemical

Pharmacology

Introduction
Our laboratory aims at establishing the scientific basis for proper drug use inclinical practice. We have been undertaking research on adverse events and druginteractions from the perspectives of pharmacology and pharmacokinetics fordisseminating information to address the appropriate use of drugs, especially anticancer
agents.
Drug interactions are one of the most common issues encountered in clinicalsettings and likely to cause unexpected side effects or not produce the desired therapeutic
outcome. Therefore, we would like to investigate the relation of drug interactions to thedosing regimen and to examine the underlying mechanisms of interactions to construct
the strategy for their prediction and avoidance. Since many patients receiving
chemotherapy suffer from various problems and complications such as serious toxic
reactions or poor response due to insufficient drug exposure by resistance, we attempt to
explore substances capable of enhancing the efficacy while minimizing toxicity ofanticancer drugs, focusing mainly on natural compounds, by using cultured cells andexperimental animals.
In addition to accurate and rapid dispensing technique, pharmacists are required
to assure the efficacy and safety of medicines as professional responsibility. To guarantee
the quality of pharmaceutical products given to patients, we try to examine the presenceor absence of changes in physical properties and chemical stability of drugs under avariety of dispensing and storage conditions by employing analytical instruments.

Selected publications⚫
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Reduced cytotoxicity in doxorubicin-induced HepG2 cells pretreated with menthol due to upregulation of P-glycoprotein. Nagai K, Fukuno S, Miura T, Uchino Y, Sehara N, Konishi H.
Pharmazie, 75, 510-511 (2020).
Pharmacokinetic interference of doxorubicin with tolbutamide due to reduced metabolic
clearance with increased serum unbound fraction in rats. Fukuno S, Nagai K, Yamamoto K,
Tanimura T, Nabe T, Konishi H. Biopharm Drug Dispos, 40, 225-233 (2019).
Conflicting alterations in hepatic expression of CYP3A and enzyme kinetics in rats exposed to
5-fluorouracil: relevance to pharmacokinetics of midazolam. Fukuno S, Nagai K, Fujiike M,
Sasaki Y, Konishi H. Xenobiotica, 49, 1470-1477 (2019).
Prevention of doxorubicin-induced renal toxicity by theanine in rats. Nagai K, Fukuno S, Otani
K, Nagamine Y, Omotani S, Hatsuda Y, Myotoku M, Konishi H. Pharmacology, 101, 219-224(2018).

Laboratory of Practical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Care
Professor name: Michiaki Myotoku, Ph.D.
Contact: myoutom(at)osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Clinical Pharmacy

Introduction
The proper and safe use of medicines is one of the most important tasks entrusted
to pharmacists. However, in clinical practice, there are many things that are carried out
empirically despite the lack of evidence. The Laboratory of Practical Pharmacy andPharmaceutical Care discovers these various pharmaceutical problems that may occur inclinical settings and searches for solutions that enable the proper and safe use of
medicines from the perspective of hospital pharmacists.

Selected publications
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Drug-induced lung disease adverse effect with Ledipasvir Acetonate / Sofosbuvir.
Omotani S, Ishizaka T, Inoue M, Nishida K, Yasui Y, Hatsuda Y, Mukai J,
Myotoku M. J Pharm Health Care Sci, 6, 1-6 (2020)
Outcomes of Pharmacotherapeutic Intervention Provided by Hospital Pharmacistsat Geriatric Health Service Facilities, Oare M, Masuda H, Hisaoka K, Myotoku M,
Jpn J Drug Inform, 22, 17-23 (2020)
Influence of Analysis Conditions for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test Data on
Susceptibility Rates, Hatsuda Y, Ishizaka T, Koizumi N, Yasui Y, Saito T, Maki S,
Omotani S, Mukai J, Tachi T, Teramachi H, Myotoku M, PLoS One, 15, doi:
10.1371/ journal.pone.0235059. eCollection (2020)
Medication Compliance Status inferred from Surveillance of Medicines brought toHospital by Inpatients, Omotani S, Ikejima T, Shibano M, Katsui Y, Hatsuda Y,
Mukai J, Hatanaka Y, Kikuuchi A, Seki G, Myotoku M, Jpn J Pharm Health Care
Sci, 46(9)，522-530 (2020)
Survey on Enteral Formula Use among Patients on Enteral Nutrition Receiving
Home Care and Drug Administration, Myotoku M, Nakata H, Koyama Y, Hagika
A, Hotta T, Ishizaka T, Miyagawa M, Omotani S, Hatsuda Y，Mukai J, J
Community Pharm Pharm Sci, 12，135-143 (2020)

Laboratory of Drug Development
Professor name: Yuichiro Nakada, Ph.D.
Contact: nakadayu(at)osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields:

Ophthalmic Solution, Drug Development,
Quality Assurance, Halal Drug

Introduction
Drug development studies begin with the search for new drug seeds and are
related to nonclinical trials, clinical trials, applications, approvals, post-marketingsurveillance, and marketing. Based on the experience of major pharmaceutical companies,
the laboratory of drug development conducts not only evaluation research on eye drops,
but also research and analysis of strategies and tactics of each company from non-clinicalstudies to sales. At the same time, our laboratory is conducting a survey on the uniquecultural and religious factors necessary for global market development, especially halal
medicines.

Selected publications
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Formulation information and safety of medical eye, Yuichiro Nakada Y., Mukai K.,
Sonetaka S., Sasa K., Mukai J., J.Eye, in press
OTC Pharmaceutical Halal Survey: Providing halal information on OTC drugs to
Muslims visiting Japan, Nakada Y., Bulletin of Osaka Ohtani University, 54, 41-55(2020)
Comparative Study of Hydrolase Activity in Skin with Liver and Intestine, and its
Aging Relation of Carboxylesterase Expression in Cynomolgus Monkey and
Beagle Dog, Imai T., Nakada Y., Ohura K., Yakugaku Zasshi, 139, 837-844 (2019)
Analysis of Medical Antiallergic Eye Drop Formulation, Nakada Y., Katsuragi S.,
J.Eye, 35, 1683-1687(2018)
The impact of Halal certification on pharmaceutical products, Nakada Y., Bulletinof Osaka Ohtani University, 51, 1-14 (2017)
Japanese Pharmacopoeia (XVII) Commentary Book, Part of Ophthalmic Solution
and Ophthalmic Ointment, Hirokawa Shoten (2016)
Expression of carboxylesterase isozymes and their role in the behavior of a
Fexofenadine prodrug in rat skin，Imai T., Ariyoshi S., Ohura K., Sawada T.,
Nakada Y., J Pharm Sci., 105, 714-721(2016)
Design of Fexofenadine Prodrugs Based on Tissue-Specific Esterase Activity and
Their Dissimilar Recognition by P-Glycoprotein, Ohura K., Nakada Y., Kotani S.,
Imai T., J Pharm Sci., 104: 3076-3083 (2015)

Laboratory of Natural Medicines
Professor name: Takuya Ito, Ph.D.
Contact: itoutaku(at) osaka-ohtani.ac.jp
Research fields: Natural Products, Pharmacognosy, Traditional
Medicines, Streptomyces, Biosynthesis

Introduction
A large number of bioactive compounds has been found from animal, plants andmicroorganisms. Some of them have been used as pharmaceuticals and pharmaceuticalcandidates. Consequently, natural products are still promising and important source for
new drug discovery.
We focus on the effectiveness of Southeast Asian medicinal plants used in traditional
medicine and the useful substances derived from these medicinal plants. Furthermore,order to create new unnatural natural products, biosynthetic studies on bioactive
compounds of medicinal plants and microorganisms have been carried out.

Selected publications
1. Nguyen, H. M., Ito, T., Win, N. N., Vo, H. Q., Ngyuen, H. T., Morita, H. A new sterol from a
Vietnamese marine sponge Xestospongia testudinaria and their biological activities. Nat. Prod. Res.
2019, 33(8), 1175-1181.
2. Ito, T., Rakainsa, S. K., Nisa, K., Morita, H. Three new abietane-type diterpenoids from the leaves
of Indonesian plectranthus scutellarioides. Fitoterapia, 2018, 127, 146-150.
3. Ito, T., Hien, N. M., Win, N. N., Hung, V. Q., Hoai, N. T., Morita, H.: Three new sesquiterpene
aminoquinones from a Vietnamese Spongia sp. and their biological activities, J. Nat. Med. 2018, 72(1),298-303.
4. Ito, T., Nisa, K., Rakainsa, S. K., Lallo S., Morita, H., New phloroglucinol derivatives fromIndonesian Baeckea frutescens. Tetrahedron, 2017, 73, 1177−1181.