• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.599-608
• /
• 2017

Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is a pharmacologically active substance extracted from the rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (also known as the Chinese herb Danshen), and is widely used to treat atherosclerosis. The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a nuclear receptor that is a key regulator of xenobiotic and endobiotic detoxification. Tan IIA is an efficacious PXR agonist that has a potential protective effect on endothelial injuries induced by xenobiotics and endobiotics via PXR activation. Previously numerous studies have demonstrated the possible effects of Tan IIA on human umbilical vein endothelial cells, but the further mechanism for its exerts the protective effect is not well established. To study the protective effects of Tan IIA against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we pretreated cells with or without different concentrations of Tan IIA for 24 h, then exposed the cells to $400{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$ for another 3 h. Therefore, our data strongly suggests that Tan IIA may lead to increased regeneration of glutathione (GSH) from the glutathione disulfide (GSSG) produced during the GSH peroxidase-catalyzed decomposition of $H_2O_2$ in HUVECs, and the PXR plays a significant role in this process. Tan IIA may also exert protective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway associated with the participation of PXR. Tan IIA protected HUVECs from inflammatory mediators triggered by $H_2O_2$ via PXR activation. In conclusion, Tan IIA protected HUVECs against $H_2O_2$-induced cell injury through PXR-dependent mechanisms.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.24-31
• /
• 2010

Taurine, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is an abundant free amino acid present in brain cells and exerts many important biological functions such as anti-convulsant, modulation of neuronal excitability, regulation of learning and memory, anti-aggressiveness and anti-alcoholic effects. In the present study, we investigated to explore whether taurine has any protective actions against oxidative stress-induced damages in neuronal cells. ERK I/II regulates signaling pathways involved in nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and plays a role in the regulation of cell growth, and apoptosis. We have found that taurine significantly inhibited AMPA induced cortical depolarization in the Grease Gap assays using rat cortical slices. Taurine also inhibited AMPA-induced neuronal cell damage in MTT assays in the differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. When the neuronal cells were treated with $H_2O_2$, levels of NO were increased; however, taurine pretreatment decreased the NO production induced by $H_2O_2$ to approximately normal levels. Interestingly, taurine treatment stimulated ERK I/II activity in the presence of AMPA or $H_2O_2$, suggesting the potential role of ERK I/II in the neuroprotection of taurine. Taken together, taurine has significant neuroprotective actions against AMPA or $H_2O_2$ induced damages in neuronal cells, possibly via activation of ERK I/II.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.1 s.61
• /
• pp.174-186
• /
• 2005

Objectives : The water extract of Samul-tang (SMT) has traditionally been used for treatment of ischemic heart and brain damage in oriental medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which the water extract of SMT rescues cells from these damages. Methods: This study was designed to investigate the protective mechanisms of SMT on oxidative stress-induced toxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. Treatment with $H_2O_2$ markedly induced death of H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Results: The characteristics of H20z-induced death of H9c2 showed apparent apoptotic features such as DNA fragmentation and morphological change. However, SMT significantly reduced both H202-induced cell death and morphological change. The decrease of Bc-2 expression by High were inhibited by SMT. In addition, the increase of Bax expression was also inhibited by SMT. The cotreatment of SMT and $H_2O_2$ in H9c2 cells also induced the phosphorylation of ERK in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2 attenuated the protective effects of SMT on $H_2O_2-induced$ toxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. These results suggest that both ERK1/2 signaling pathways play important roles in the protective effects of SMT on $H_2O_2-induced$ apoptotic death of H9c2 cells. Also, the expression profile of proteins in $H_2O_2$ cardiomyoblast cells were screened by using two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis. Among 300 spots resolved in 2-D gels, the comparison of control versus apoptosis cells revealed that signal intensity of 17 spots increased and 11 spots decreased. Conclusions: Taken together, this study suggests that the protectiw effects of the water extract of SMT against oxidative damages may be mediated by the modulation of Bc1-2 and Bax expression via the regulation of the ERK signaling pathway.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.143-148
• /
• 2006

Objectives : It is demonstrated that oxygen free radicals have cytotoxic effect on NIH3T3 fibroblast cells. Recently, many of herb extracts have an effect of antioxidant in oxygen free radical-induced cytotoxicity. But, the toxic mechanism of oxygen free radical is left unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the cytotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) and antioxidant effect of Citri reticulatae pericarpium (CRP) on NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Methods : The cytotoxicy was measured by cell viability by XTT assay in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. XTT assay is regarded as a very sensitive screening method for the determination of the cell viability on various chemicals. Results : In this study, H2O2 decreased cell viability according to the dose- and time dependent manners after NIH3T3 fibroblasts were treated with various concentrations of H2O2 for 4 hours. And also, CRP showed the effect of antioxidant on $H_2O_2-induced $ cytotoxicity in cultured NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Conclusion : These results suggest that $H_2O_2$ has highly cytotoxic effect on cultured NIH3T3 fibroblasts by the decrease of cell viavility, and the herb extract such as CRP was showed the effect of antioxidant on $H_2O_2-induced$ cytotoxicity in these cultures.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.45-54
• /
• 1992

Effects of pH, $PCO_2$, and adenosine on the vascular contractility were investigated in the pig coronary arteries. The helical strips of isolated coronary arteries were immersed in the HEPES or $HCO_3^-/CO_2$-buffered Tyrode's solution equilibrated with 100% $O_2\;or\;95%\;O_2-5%\;CO_2\;at\;35^{\circ}C$. The contraction was recorded isometrically using a force transducer. The amplitudes of contraction induced by ACh, high $K^+$, and electrical Held stimulation (EFS) were decreased by elevating extracellular pH (pHo) and were increased by lowering pHo. A shift from $0%\;CO_2\;to\;5%\;CO_2$ at constant pHo (pH 7.4) reduced the contractions induced by ACh, high $K^+$, EFS. However the contraction induced by 100mM $K^+$ was less influenced by the change of pHo or $CO_2$. The contraction induced by ACh in $Ca^{2+}$free Tyrode's solution as well as the contraction developed by the addition of extracellular of $Ca^{2+}$ were decreased by lowering pHo and were increased by elevating pHo. High $K^+$ (25mM) induced contraction at pH 6.8 was not returned to the level of the contraction at pH 7.4 by the elevation of extracellular. calcium $[Ca^{2+}]_o$. Adenosine-induced relaxation was more significant with 5% $CO_2$ than 0% $CO_2$ in the high $K^+$-induced contraction and was more significant with low pHo than high pHo in the contraction induced by EFS. From the above results, it is suggested that $H^+$ and $CO_2$ inhibit $Ca^{2+}$ influx as well as $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ storage sites and enhance the relaxing effect of adenosine in the pig coronary artery.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.19-29
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Antioxidant effects of Gagam-jangwonhwan(LMK01 and 02) water extract against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative damage and cell death were investigated in rat pheochromocytoma line PC 12. Methods : The cells were treated with LMK01 and 02 water extract and $H_2O_2$, oxidative damage-inducing materials for 24 h. The cellular viability was assessed by WST-1 assay, oxidative damages of the cells by 8-OHdG quantitation, apoptosis by Hoechst 33342 staining assay and activity of antioxidant enzymes by catalase and glutathione peroxidase assay. Results : 1. LMK01 and LMK02 water extracts improved significantly cell viability in $H_2O_2$-treated groups than $H_2O_2$-alone treated cells 2, LMK02 suppressed significantly oxidative damage in $H_2O_2$-treated groups than $H_2O_2$-alone treated cells but LMK01 didn't. Meanwhile, difference of oxidative damages in conditions treated with LMK01 or LMK02 was not significant, 3. The $H_2O_2$ induced-apoptosis in PC 12 cell lines was inhibited effectively by LMK01 and LMK02, and especially the features of apoptosis were obviously reduced in LMK02-treated cells. 4. LMK01 and LMK02 increased significantly activities of both catalase and glutathione peroxidase than those of $H_2O_2$-alone treated group and moreover, LMK02 showed significantly higher activities than those of LMK01. Conclusions : As shown, LMK01 and LMK02 suppressed $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative damage and cell death in PC 12 cell effectively. And they increased activity of major antioxidant enzymes in PC 12 cell line. Therefore, this study suggests the possibility of clinical usage over oxidative stress-induced neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.1-18
• /
• 2000

To study the effects of Ramulus et Uncus Uncariae (REUU) on oxygen free radical-mediated damage by hydrogen peroxide $(H_{2}O_{2})$ on cultured spinal sensory neurons, in vitro assays such as MTT assay, NR assay, neurofilament enzymeimmuno assay (EIA), sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, assay for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and assay for lipid peroxidation were used in cultured spinal dorsal root ganglion neurons derived from mice, Spinal dorsal root ganglion neurons were cultured in media containing various concentrations of $H_{2}O_{2}$ for 5 hours, after which the neurotoxic effect of $H_{2}O_{2}$ was measured by in vitro assay. The protective effect of the herb extract, Ramulus et Uncus Uncariae (REUU) against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity was also examined. The results are as follows. 1. In NR assay and MTT assay, $H_{2}O_{2}$ significantly decreased the cell viability of cultured mouse spinal dorsal root ganglion neurons according to exposure concentration in these cultures. An additional time course study was done on these cultures. 2. Cultured spinal dorsal root ganglion neurons which were exposed to various concentrations of $H_{2}O_{2}$ showed a quantitative decrease of neuronal cells by EIA and of total protein by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, while they showed an increase of both lipid peroxidation and LDH activity. 3. The effect of Ramulus et Uncus Uncariae (REUU) on $H_{2}O_{2}$ induced neurotoxicity showed a quantitative increase in both neurofilament and total protein, but showed a decrease of lipid peroxidation and LDH activity. These results suggest that $H_{2}O_{2}$ has a neurotoxic effect on cultured spinal dorsal root ganglion neurons from mice and that the herb extract, Ramulus et Uncus Uncariae (REUU), was very effective in protecting $H_{2}O_{2}$ induced neurotoxicity by decreasing lipid peroxidation and LDH activity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.149-159
• /
• 2004

Backgrounds & Objectives : The water extract of Gyungokgo (GOG) has traditionally been used for treatment of general weakness and hemoptysis in oriental medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which the water extract of GOG rescues cells from these damages. This study was designed to investigate the protective mechanisms of GOG on H2O2­induced cell death in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Methods : In this study, we used H9c2 cells. Cells were treated with oxidative stress in the absence and presence of 1000㎍/ml GOG for 12hrs. Cells were treated with various concentrations of GOG for 12hrs. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Oxidative stress, which markedly decreased the viability of H9c2 cells, was characterized by apparent apoptotic features such as chromatin condensation as well as fragmentation of genomic DNA and nuclei. Results : GOG significantly reduced H₂O₂-induced cell death and apoptotic characteristics. The cotreatment of GOG and H₂O₂ in H9c2 cells also induced the phosphorylation of ERKs in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, PD098059, a MEK1 (upstream activator of ERK) inhibitor attenuated the protective effect of GOG on H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that MEK/ERK pathways play important roles in the protective effects of GOG in H9c2 cells. Taken together, they suggest that the protective effects of the water extracts of GOG against oxidative damages may be mediated by the regulation of HO-1, Fas/FasL and Bcl-XS proteins.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.8 no.6
• /
• pp.339-344
• /
• 2004

Recent data have shown the importance of oxidative stresses in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. $H_2O_2$, reactive oxygen species (ROS) donor, has been reported to act as a signaling molecule involved in a variety of cellular functions such as apo/ptosis and proliferation. In the present study, we investigated viability of cultured ileal smooth muscle cells (ISMC) after stimulation with $H_2O_2$. Trypan blue method revealed that the cell viability of ISMC treated with 1 mM $H_2O_2$ was not different from that of controls at up to 2 h time point, while treatment of ISMC with 1 mM $H_2O_2$ for 48 h finally induced significant decrease in the cell viability. Therefore, we evaluated whether $H_2O_2$ was capable of ERKs activation in ISMC for the short-term exposure and examined whether tyrosine kinase was involved in the process of ERK activation by $H_2O_2$ in ISMC. We also investigated the effects of $H_2O_2$ on activation of SAPK/JNK and p38 MAP kinase in ISMC. Thus, ISMC were cultured and exposed to $H_2O_2$, and western blot analysis was performed with phosphospecific MAP kinase antibodies. Robust activation of ERK occurred within 30 min of 1 mM $H_2O_2$ treatment. $H_2O_2-induced$ ERK activation was attenuated by a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, indicating that tyrosine kinase was probably involved in the ERK activation by $H_2O_2$. $H_2O_2$ was a moderate activator of SAPK/JNK, while p38 MAP kinase was not activated by $H_2O_2$. We suggest that ERK activation induced by short-term $H_2O_2$ treatment plays a critical role in cellular protection in the early stage of response to oxidative stress. The present study suggests the necessity of identification of MAPK signaling pathways affected by ROS, since it could ultimately elucidate cellular consequences involved in initiation and perpetuation of intestinal tissue damage in the diseases such as crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, resulted from excessive ROS.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.279-285
• /
• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl (${\cdot}OH$), nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) is reported to induce oxidative stress. ROS generated by oxidative stress can potentially damage glial cells in the nervous system. Cordyceps militaris (CM), a kind of natural herb widely found in East Asia. In this study, we investigated the free radical scavenging activity of the CM extract and its neuroprotective effects in $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: The ethanol extract of CM ($100-1,000{\mu}g/mL$) was used to measure DPPH, ${\cdot}OH$, and NO radical scavenging activities. In addition, hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced C6 glial cells were treated with CM at $0.5-2.5{\mu}g/mL$ for measurement of cell viability, ROS production, and protein expression resulting from oxidative stress. RESULTS: The CM extract showed high scavenging activities against DPPH, ${\cdot}OH$, and NO radicals at concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$. Treatment of CM with $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in C6 glial cells significantly increased cell viability, and decreased ROS production. Cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression was down-regulated in CM-treated groups. In addition, the protein expression level of phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK), phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK) in $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cells was down-regulated upon CM administration. CONCLUSION: CM exhibited radical scavenging activity and protective effect against $H_2O_2$ as indicated by the increased cell viability, decreased ROS production, down-regulation of inflammation-related proteins as well as p-p38, p-JNK, and p-ERK protein levels. Therefore, we suggest that CM could play the protective role from oxidative stress in glial cells.