• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2009

The accumulation of ${\beta}$-amyloid (A${\beta}$) aggregates is a characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Furthermore, these aggregates have neurotoxic effects on cells, and thus, molecules that inhibit A${\beta}$ aggregate formation could be valuable therapeutics for AD. It is well known that aggregation of A${\beta}$ depends on its hydrophobicity, and thus, in order to increase the hydrophilicity of A${\beta}$, we considered using citrate, an anionic surfactant with three carboxylic acid groups. We hypothesized that citrate could reduce hydrophobicity and increase hydrophilicity of A${\beta}_{1-40}$ molecules via hydrophilic/electrostatic interactions. We found that citrate significantly inhibited A${\beta}_{1-40}$ aggregation and significantly protected SH-SY5Y cell line against A${\beta}_{1-40}$ aggregates-induced neurotoxicity. In details, we examined the effects of citrate on A${\beta}_{1-40}$ aggregation and on A${\beta}_{1-40}$ aggregates-induced cytotoxicity, cell viability, and apoptosis. Th-T assays showed that citrate significantly inhibited A${\beta}_{1-40}$ aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner (Th-T intensity: from 91.3% in 0.01 mM citrate to 82.1% in 1.0 mM citrate vs. 100.0% in A${\beta}_{1-40}$ alone). In cytotoxicity and viability assays, citrate reduced the toxicity of A${\beta}_{1-40}$ in a concentration-dependent manner, in which the cytotoxicity decreased from 107.5 to 102.3% as compared with A${\beta}_{1-40}$ aggregates alone treated cells (127.3%) and the cell viability increased from 84.6 to 93.8% as compared with the A${\beta}_{1-40}$ aggregates alone treated cells (65.3%). Furthermore, Hoechst 33342 staining showed that citrate (1.0 mM) suppressed A${\beta}_{1-40}$ aggregates-induced apoptosis in the cells. This study suggests that citrate can inhibit A${\beta}_{1-40}$ aggregation and protect neurons from the apoptotic effects of A${\beta}_{1-40}$ aggregates. Accordingly, our findings suggest that citrate administration should be viewed as a novel neuroprotective strategy for AD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2020

The present research work primarily investigated whether spinosin has the potential of improving the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) driven by β-amyloid (Aβ) overproduction through impacting the procession of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Wild type mouse Neuro-2a cells (N2a/WT) and N2a stably expressing human APP695 (N2a/APP695) cells were treated with spinosin for 24 h. The levels of APP protein and secreted enzymes closely related to APP procession were examined by western blot analysis. Oxidative stress related proteins, such as nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were detected by immunofluorescence assay and western blot analysis, respectively. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was analyzed by flow cytometry, the levels of Aβ_1-42 were determined by ELISA kit, and Thioflavin T (ThT) assay was used to detect the effect of spinosin on Aβ_1-42 aggregation. The results showed that ROS induced the expression of ADAM10 and reduced the expression of BACE1, while spinosin inhibited ROS production by activating Nrf2 and up-regulating the expression of HO-1. Additionally, spinosin reduced Aβ_1-42 production by impacting the procession of APP. In addition, spinosin inhibited the aggregation of Aβ_1-42. In conclusion, spinosin reduced Aβ_1-42 production by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in N2a/WT and N2a/APP695 cells. Therefore, spinosin is expected to be a promising treatment of AD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.127-138
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• 2023

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) is an important serine/threonine kinase that implicates in multiple cellular processes and links with the neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, structure-based virtual screening was performed to search database for compounds targeting GSK-3β from Enamine's screening collection. Of the top-ranked compounds, 7 primary hits underwent a luminescent kinase assay and a cell assay using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells expressing Tau repeat domain (Tau_RD) with pro-aggregant mutation ΔK280. In the kinase assay for these 7 compounds, residual GSK-3β activities ranged from 36.1% to 90.0% were detected at the IC₅₀ of SB-216763. In the cell assay, only compounds VB-030 and VB-037 reduced Tau aggregation in SH-SY5Y cells expressing ΔK280 Tau_RD-DsRed folding reporter. In SH-SY5Y cells expressing ΔK280 Tau_RD, neither VB-030 nor VB-037 increased expression of GSK-3α Ser21 or GSK-3β Ser9. Among extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT), mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (P38) and mitogenactivated protein kinase 8 (JNK) which modulate Tau phosphorylation, VB-037 attenuated active phosphorylation of P38 Thr180/ Tyr182, whereas VB-030 had no effect on the phosphorylation status of ERK, AKT, P38 or JNK. However, both VB-030 and VB-037 reduced endogenous Tau phosphorylation at Ser202, Thr231, Ser396 and Ser404 in neuronally differentiated SH-SY5Y expressing ΔK280 Tau_RD. In addition, VB-030 and VB-037 further improved neuronal survival and/or neurite length and branch in mouse hippocampal primary culture under Tau cytotoxicity. Overall, through inhibiting GSK-3β kinase activity and/or p-P38 (Thr180/Tyr182), both compounds may serve as promising candidates to reduce Tau aggregation/cytotoxicity for AD treatment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 1997

The analgesic effects of DA-5018, a new caosaucin derivative, were evaluated in various experimental pain models. Drugs were administered subcutaneously or topically. When drugs were administered subcutaneously, 1) the $ED_{50}$ of DA-5018, morphine . HCI, capsaicin and acetaminophen were 0.091-2.0, 0.3-4.3, 1.4-26.5 and 45.4-643 mg/kg, respectively in various pain or inflammatory models including acetic acid writhing, formalin, tail flick, Randall-Selitto, hot plate and crouton oil-induced ear edema test, 2) the AD2 values (the dose for doubling of pain threshold of vehicle control) of DA-5018, capsaicin and ketoprpgin were 1.07 $\pm$ 0. 18, 23.47$\pm$4.46 and 2.97$\pm$0.43 mg/kg in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritic pain model. And by topical application, 1) neither DA-5018 0.3% cream nor Zostrix-HP (capsaicin 0.075%) were effective in formalin test, 2) although DA-5018 0.3% cream significantly inhibited the croton oil-induced ear edema being better than Zostrix-HP and Kenofen (ketoprofen 3%). 3) In FCA model, DA-5018 0.3% cream reversed the decreased pain threshold of arthritic rat from 136.4 g (day 0) to 289.0 g (day 5) and 250.1 g (day 10), which was similar to Zostrix-HP. These results suggest that DA-5018 administered subcutaneously has a potent and broad analgesic spectrum than nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs against acute and chronic pain, and by topical application it exerts comparable analgesic and antiinglammaatory effects to capsaicin cream.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.13-30
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• 2005

Objective: Danguieumja-gagambang (DGEJGB), a traditional Korean prescription, has been used as therapeutics for allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD). In this study, we compared with regulatory Effect of Atopic Allergic Reaction by Prescriptions A and by Prescriptions B. Methods : To evaluate and compare the atopic allergic effectiveness of two prescription (A, B) of DGEJGB, the author investigated a possible effect of DGEJGB on mast cell-mediated allergic reaction, cytokine secretion and mRNA expression in vivo and in vitro. Results : Mast cells are a potent source of mediators that regulate the inflammatory response in allergic reaction. In mice orally administered A, B of DGEJGB ( 0.1, 0.1 and 1.0 g/kg) for 1 h, compound 48/80-induced ear swelling was significantly reduced. Significant reduced levels (P < 0.05). of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ was observed in the human mast cell line (HMC-1) with DGEJGB (A). IL-6 and IL-8 secretion were significantly inhibited by DGEJGB (A, B). In addition, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-8 mRNA expression were reduced by DGEJGB (A) at the dose of 0.01 mg/ml without cell toxicity. Conclusions : These results suggest that DGEJGB (A) contributes to the treatment of atopic allergic reactions rather than DGEJGB (B), and that its action may be due to inhibition of cytokine secretion and mRNA expression HMC-1.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.583-591
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• 2013

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease associated with a cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction to an allergen. Although the incidence of AD is increasing these days, therapeutics has yet to be developed for its treatment. The aim of this study was conducted in order to compare and investigate the characteristic between the Castanea crenata inner shell extract (CS) and the Castanea crenata inner shell extract fermented by Lactobacillus bifermentans (FCS) for an anti-atopic medication. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were similar to CS and FCS. In the DPPH and superoxide anion radical scavenging, the CS and FCS had the potential for antioxidant activities. Both of them did not exhibit cytotoxicity to HS68 cells. The evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity in Raw264.7 cells demonstrated that the FCS has inhibited the LPS-induced production of nitric oxide as compared to the CS. The anti-atopic dermatitis test was done through the induction of DNCB in AD hairless mice. The FCS has inhibited the development of the atopic dermatitis-like skin lesion by transdermal water loss, melanin and erythema of the skin as compared to the CS. Moreover, the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ production in hairless mice were inhibited by the FCS treatment. It indicates that the fermentation of the Castanea crenata inner shell has the potential for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.529-535
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• 2016

Atopic dermatitis (AD) results from gene and environment interactions that lead to a range of immunological abnormalities and breakdown of the skin barrier. Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) belongs to a family of G-protein coupled receptors and is expressed in suprabasal layers of the epidermis. PAR2 is activated by both trypsin and a specific agonist peptide, SLIGKV-$NH_2$ and is involved in both epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis and epithelial inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effect of lobaric acid on inflammation, keratinocyte differentiation, and recovery of the skin barrier in hairless mice. Lobaric acid blocked trypsin-induced and SLIGKV-$NH_2$-induced PAR2 activation resulting in decreased mobilization of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in HaCaT keratinocytes. Lobaric acid reduced expression of interleukin-8 induced by SLIGKV-$NH_2$ and thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC) induced by tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-${\alpha}$) and IFN-${\gamma}$ in HaCaT keratinocytes. Lobaric acid also blocked SLIGKV-$NH_2$-induced activation of ERK, which is a downstream signal of PAR2 in normal human keratinocytes (NHEKs). Treatment with SLIGKV-$NH_2$ downregulated expression of involucrin, a differentiation marker protein in HaCaT keratinocytes, and upregulated expression of involucrin, transglutamase1 and filaggrin in NHEKs. However, lobaric acid antagonized the effect of SLIGKV-$NH_2$ in HaCaT keratinocytes and NHEKs. Topical application of lobaric acid accelerated barrier recovery kinetics in a SKH-1 hairless mouse model. These results suggested that lobaric acid is a PAR2 antagonist and could be a possible therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 2009

Coptis japonica (C. japonica) is a perennial medicinal plant that has anti-inflammatory activity. C. japonica contains numerous biologically active alkaloids including berberine, palmatine, epi-berberine, and coptisine. The most well-known anti-inflammatory principal in C. japonica is berberine. For example, berberine has been implicated in the inhibition of iNOS induction by cytokines in microglial cells. However, the efficacies of other alkaloids components on microglial activation were not investigated yet. In this study, we investigated the effects of three alkaloids (palmatine, epi-berberine and coptisine) from C. japonica on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation. BV2 microglial cells were immunostimulated with LPS and then the production of several inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were examined as well as the phosphorylation status of Erk1/2 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). Palmatine and to a lesser extent epi-berberine and coptisine, significantly reduced the release of NO, which was mediated by the inhibition of LPS-stimulated mRNA and protein induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) from BV2 microglia. In addition to NO, palmatine inhibited MMP-9 enzymatic activity and mRNA induction by LPS. Palmatine also inhibited the increase in the LPS-induced MMP-9 promoter activity determined by MMP-9 promoter luciferase reporter assay. LPS stimulation increased Erk1/2 phosphorylation in BV2 cells and these alkaloids inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of Erk1/2. The anti-inflammatory effect of palmatine in LPS-stimulated microglia may suggest the potential use of the alkaloids in the modulation of neuroinflammatory responses, which might be important in the pathophysiological events of several neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD) and stroke.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2022

Background: The recent COVID-19 pandemic is one of the worst disease outbreaks of the 21th century. Due to a lack of reliable antiviral therapeutics, wearing face masks is recommended to prevent airborne infection originating from virus-contaminated bioaerosols. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the filtration efficiencies of face masks that are commercially available in South Korea for a biological aerosol of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and murine coronavirus, a well-known surrogate for human coronaviruses. Methods: We collected six different kinds of commercial masks: two Korea Filter (KF)94 (KF94-1, KF94-2) masks, one surgical (Surgical-1) mask, one anti-droplet (KF-AD-1) mask, and two dust (Dust-1, Dust-2) face masks. S. aureus (ATCC 6538), a well-performing test bacteria and murine coronavirus (ATCC VR-764) were prepared under a suitable culture condition. Then, a mask biological filtration tester was used to examine the microbial filtration efficiencies of masks. Test microorganisms were quantitatively measured via cultivation methods and microbial filtration efficiencies were calculated appropriately. Results: All face masks showed over 99.6% filtration efficiency for S. aureus or murine coronavirus. There were no significant differences among the bacterial filtration efficiencies of the face masks. KF94-1 (99.97±0.08%) and Dust-1 mask (99.97±0.07%) showed the highest (over 99.9%) filtration efficiency for murine coronavirus. KF94-1 or Dust-1 masks showed a significant virus filtration efficiency compared to Surgical-1 mask (p<0.05; Mann-Whitney U test). Conclusions: All the commercially available face masks used in this study can filter S. aureus or murine coronavirus in bioaerosols efficiently, regardless of the mask type. Therefore, our results suggest that wearing a certified face mask is a reliable means to prevent the transmission of infectious airborne diseases via biological aerosols.