• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 2016

Effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on skin corrosion and irritation using three-dimensional human skin models were investigated based on the test guidelines of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD TG431 and TG439). EpiDerm$^{TM}$ skin was incubated with NPs including those harboring iron (FeNPs), aluminum oxide (AlNPs), titanium oxide (TNPs), and silver (AgNPs) for a defined time according to the test guidelines. Cell viabilities of EpiDerm$^{TM}$ skins were measured by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide based method. FeNPs, AlNPs, TNPs, and AgNPs were non-corrosive because the viability was more than 50% after 3 min exposure and more than 15% after 60 min exposure, which are the non-corrosive criteria. All NPs were also non-irritants, based on viability exceeding 50% after 60 min exposure and 42 hr post-incubation. Release of interleukin 1-alpha and histopathological analysis supported the cell viability results. These findings suggest that FeNPs, AlNPs, TNPs, and AgNPs are 'non-corrosive' and 'non-irritant' to human skin by a globally harmonized classification system.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.328-336
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• 2015

Purpose: Past studies have reported that S-allylcysteine (SAC) inhibits the migration and invasion of cancer cells through the restoration of E-cadherin, the reduction of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and Slug protein expression, and inhibition of the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, evidence is emerging that shows that ROS induced by radiation could increase Met activation. Following on these reports of SAC and Met, we investigated whether SAC could suppress Met activation. Materials and Methods: Wound healing, invasion, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT), soft agar colony forming, western blotting, and gelatin zymography assays were performed in the human nasopharyngeal cancer cell lines HNE1 and HONE1 treated with SAC (0, 10, 20, or 40 mM) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Results: This study showed that SAC could suppress the migration and invasion of HNE1 and HONE1 cell lines by inhibiting p-Met. An increase of migration and invasion induced by HGF and its decrease in a dose dependent manner by SAC in wound healing and invasion assays was observed. The reduction of p-Met by SAC was positively correlated with p-focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK) and p-extracellular related kinase (p-ERK in both cell lines). SAC reduced Slug, MMP2, and MMP9 involved in migration and invasion with the inhibition of Met-FAK signaling. Conclusion: These results suggest that SAC inhibited not only Met activation but also the downstream FAK, Slug, and MMP expression. Finally, SAC may be a potent anticancer compound for nasopharyngeal cancer treated with radiotherapy.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.168-176
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of dexamethasone (Dex) at various concentrations on the apoptosis and mineralization of human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells. Methods: hPDL cells were obtained from the mid-third of premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons, and a primary culture of hPDL cells was prepared using an explant technique. Groups of cells were divided according to the concentration of Dex (0, 1, 10, 100, and 1,000 nM). A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed for evaluation of cellular viability, and alkaline phosphatase activity was examined for osteogenic differentiation of hPDL cells. Alizarin Red S staining was performed for observation of mineralization, and real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for the evaluation of related genes. Results: Increasing the Dex concentration was found to reduce cellular viability, with an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization. Within the range of Dex concentrations tested in this study, 100 nM of Dex was found to promote the most vigorous differentiation and mineralization of hPDL cells. Dex-induced osteogenic differentiation and mineralization was accompanied by an increase in the level of osteogenic and apoptosis-related genes and a reduction in the level of antiapoptotic genes. The decrease in hPDL cellular viability by glucocorticoid may be explained in part by the increased prevalence of cell apoptosis, as demonstrated by BAX expression and decreased expression of the antiapoptotic gene, Bcl-2. Conclusions: An increase in hPDL cell differentiation rather than cellular viability at an early stage is likely to be a key factor in glucocorticoid induced mineralization. In addition, apoptosis might play an important role in Dex-induced tissue regeneration; however, further study is needed for investigation of the precise mechanism.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.144-151
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• 2000

This study was carried out to evaluate cytotoxic effects of Houttuynia cordata Thunberg extracts on murine leukemia tumor cell lines. Disruptions in cell organelles were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazol iumbromide (MMT) assay. The comparison of $IC_{50}$ values of Houttuynia cordata Thunberg extracts on $L1210,\;P388D_1$ and Vero cell lines showed that the methanol extract of Houttuynia cordata Thunberg indicated the most antitumor activity in the MTT assay. In order to develop a antimicrobial agent, dried Houttuynia cordata Thunberg was extracted with several solvents, and then antimicrobial activity was investigated. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracted substance against microorganisms were also examined. Antimicrobial activity of amocla and ketoconazole as references was compared to those of other solvent extracts such as $H_2O$, n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate ethanol and methanol. The antimicrobial activity of all extracts from the sample had growth inhibition activity against gram-negative bacteria, yam-positive bacteria and fungi $(MIC,\;>\;200\;{\mu} g/ml)$. These results suggest that the methanol soluble extract of Houttuynia cordata Thunberg may be a valuable choice for the studies on the treaeent of murine leukemia tumor cell lines and antimicrobial agents.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.456-464
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• 2005

Objective : The authors investigated whether rotenone induces cellular death also in non-dopaminergic neurons and high concentration of potassium ion can show protective effect for non-dopaminergic neuron in case of rotenone-induced cytotoxicity. Methods : Neuro 2A cells was treated with rotenone, and their survival as well as cell death mechanism was estimated using 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium[MTT] assay, Lactate dehydrogenase[LDH] release assay, fluorescence microscopy, and agarose gel electrophoresis. The changes in rotenone-treated cells was also studied after co-treatment of 50mM KCl. And the protective effect of KCl was evaluated by mitochondrial membrane potential assay and compared with the effects of various antioxidants. Results : Neuro 2A cells treated with rotenone underwent apoptotic death showing chromosome condensation and fragmentation as well as DNA laddering. Co-incubation of neuro 2A cells with 50mM KCl prevented it from the cytotoxicity induced by rotenone. Intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species[ROS] resulting by rotenone were significantly reduced by 50mM KCl. Potassium exhibited significantly similar potency compared to the antioxidants. Conclusion : The present findings showed that potassium attenuated rotenone-induced cytotoxicity, intracellular accumulation of ROS, and fragmentation of DNA in Neuro 2A cells. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of potassium ion in neuronal apoptosis, but the practical application of high concentration of potassium ion remains to be settled.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.442-451
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• 2019

Background: Ginseng has a wide range of beneficial effects on health, such as the mitigation of minor and major inflammatory diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. There are abundant data regarding the health-enhancing properties of whole ginseng extracts and single ginsenosides; however, no study to date has determined the receptors that mediate the effects of ginseng extracts. In this study, for the first time, we explored whether the antiinflammatory effects of Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) are mediated by retinoid X receptor ${\alpha}$-peroxisome-proliferating receptor ${\gamma}$ ($RXR{\alpha}-PPAR{\gamma}$) heterodimer nuclear receptors. Methods: Nitric oxide assay, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, nuclear hormone receptor-binding assay, and molecular docking analyses were used for this study. Results: Rg3-RGE exerted antiinflammatory effects via nuclear receptor heterodimers between $RXR{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonists and antagonists. Conclusion: These findings indicate that Rg3-RGE can be considered a potent antiinflammatory agent, and these effects are likely mediated by the nuclear receptor $RXR{\alpha}-PPAR{\gamma}$ heterodimer.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.311-321
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• 1994

Anticancer effects of Aloe on sarcoma 180 in ICR mouse or human cancer cells were determined. Sarcoma 180 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into male ICR mouse to determine effect of Aloe on tumor gowth, or inoculated intraperitoneally into male ICR mouse to determine effect of Aloe on life span prolongation, followed by oral administration of Aloe vera(10 mg/kg/day, 50 mg/kg/day) or Aloe arborescens(10 mg/kg/day, 100 mg/kg/day) once a day for 14 days. The administration of Aloe vera or Aloe arborescens did not suppress tumor growh. However the life span of ICR mouse was prolonged to 19%(p<0.05), 22%(p<0.05) and 32%(p<0.05) by administration of Aloe vera 10 mg/kg/day, Aloe vera 50 mg/kg/day, and Aloe arborescens 100 mg/kg/day, respectively. To determine anticancer effect of Aloe in vitro, Aloe extract was added to the culture of human gastric cancer cells(SNU-1) and colorectal cancer cells(SNU-C2A), and concentration of Aloe to inhibit cancer cell growth was determined using MTT(3-[ 4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cytotoxicity assay. High $ID_{50}$ values of Aloe vera and Aloe arborescens against gastric cancer cell line(SNU-1) and colorectal cancer cell line(SNU-C2A) suggest that Aloe gel does not have anticancer effect on these specific human cancer cells although high concentration of Aloe inhibited growth of human cancer cells significantly.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.103-107
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• 2009

Three traditional Chinese medicines, Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb, Grifola umbellata (pers.) Pilat, and Gambogia, are combined to form a compound extract, AGC. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of AGC on human gastric carcinoma MGC-803 cells were demonstrated, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are investigated. Our results indicate that AGC inhibited MGC-803 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner as measured by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, with an $IC_{50}$ of about $6.045{\pm}0.69{\mu}g/mL$. In vivo, AGC inhibited growth of human gastric carcinoma in xenograft tumors in nude mice, and the inhibitory rate reached 55.2% at 300 mg/kg. The pro-apoptotic activity of AGC was attributed to its ability to decrease the expression of Bcl-2 and Pro-caspase3 and increase the expression of Bax. These results demonstrate that AGC can effectively induce programmed cell death and may be a promising anti-tumor drug in human gastric carcinoma.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2010

Four saponins (1~4) were isolated from Akebia quinata pericarp through bioassay-guided fractionation. Pericarps of A. quinata were extracted with ethanol and sequentially fractionated with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and water. Compounds 1~4 from the butanol fraction were identified as 3-O-${\alpha}$-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin (${\delta}$-hederin), 3-O-${\alpha}$-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1${\rightarrow}$2) ${\alpha}$-L-arabinopyranoly oleanolic acid (${\beta}$-hederin), 3-O-${\beta}$-D-xylopyranosyl (1${\rightarrow}$3) ${\alpha}$-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin (saponin C), and 3-O ${\alpha}$-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1${\rightarrow}$2) ${\alpha}$-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin (${\alpha}$-hederin) based on the spectroscopic evidences, respectively. Oleanolic acid and hederagenin were identified as the corresponding sapogenins by acid-hydrolysis. These compounds exhibited strong cytotoxic activity in MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxy-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H- tetrazolium, inner salt] assay on HepG2 cells. ${\beta}$-Hederin obviously attenuated the expression of bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein. All of the compounds also induced the activity of caspase-3, an apoptotic enzyme, while ${\alpha}$-hederin was the most potent activator of the enzyme. Our data demonstrate for the first time the apoptosis-inducing activity of A. quinata. These results suggest that A. quinata could be used as a potential source of natural cancer chemopreventive agents.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2016

Objectives: A variety of root canal sealers were recently launched to the market. This study evaluated physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and sealing ability of a newly launched resin-based sealer (Dia-Proseal, Diadent) compared to the existing root canal sealers (AHplus, Dentsply DeTrey and ADseal, Metabiomed). Materials and Methods: The physicochemical properties of the tested sealers including pH, solubility, dimensional change, and radiopacity were evaluated. Biocompatibility was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. For microleakage test, single-rooted teeth were instrumented, and obturated with gutta-percha and one of the sealers (n = 10). After immersion in 1% methylene blue solution for 2 weeks, the specimens were split longitudinally. Then, the maximum length of staining was measured. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey test (p = 0.05). Results: Dia-Proseal showed the highest pH value among the tested sealers (p < 0.05). ADseal showed higher dimensional change compared to AHplus and Dia-Proseal (p < 0.05). The solubility values of AHplus and Dia-Proseal were similar, whereas ADseal had the lowest solubility value (p < 0.05). The flow values of sealer in increasing order were AHplus, DiaProseal, and ADseal (p < 0.05). The radiopacity of AHplus was higher than those of ADseal and Dia-Proseal (p < 0.05). The cell viability of the tested materials was statistically similar throughout the experimental period. There were no significant differences in microleakage values among the tested samples. Conclusions: The present study indicates that Dia-Proseal has acceptable physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and sealing ability.