• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.415-424
• /
• 2016

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid found in Rhizoma coptidis, and elicits anti-inflammatory effects through diverse mechanisms. Based on previous reports that activating transcription factor-3 (ATF-3) acts as a negative regulator of LPS signaling, the authors investigated the possible involvement of ATF-3 in the anti-inflammatory effects of berberine. It was found berberine concentration-dependently induced the expressions of ATF-3 at the mRNA and protein levels and concomitantly suppressed the LPS-induced productions of proinflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$). In addition, ATF-3 knockdown abolished the inhibitory effects of berberine on LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine production, and prevented the berberine-induced suppression of MAPK phosphorylation, but had little effect on AMPK phosphorylation. On the other hand, the effects of berberine, that is, ATF-3 induction, proinflammatory cytokine inhibition, and MAPK inactivation, were prevented by AMPK knockdown, suggesting ATF-3 induction occurs downstream of AMPK activation. The in vivo administration of berberine to mice with LPS-induced endotoxemia increased ATF-3 expression and AMPK phosphorylation in spleen and lung tissues, and concomitantly reduced the plasma and tissue levels of proinflammatory cytokines. These results suggest berberine has an anti-inflammatory effect on macrophages and that this effect is attributable, at least in part, to pathways involving AMPK activation and ATF-3 induction.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.163-170
• /
• 2003

This empirical study takes the activation approach for the competitive power of Korean shipping companies in the Korea-China liner routes. Data for this study were collected from Korea/ China/ 3rd flag shipping companies through the 500 questionnaires. The data of 250 respondents were analyzed statistically to verify the hypotheses and to induce Regression Equation which could predicts the influencing level of the determinants to competitive advantage for Korean shipping companies on Korea-China Liner Shipping Routes. Factor Analysis/ Cronbach's Alpha/ Principal Analysis/ Multiple Regression Analysis were used in order to test the hypotheses for the empirical study.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.503-509
• /
• 2021

Marine sources as potential treatment options for various diseases have been a subject of growing interest. However, information on the anti-inflammatory mechanism employed by Undaria pinnatifida (UP) remains limited. The present study was conducted to investigate the mechanisms of UP on the mast cell-mediated inflammatory response. To determine the pharmacological mechanism of UP in inflammatory reaction, we evaluated the effects of UP on interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and caspase-1 activation in calcium ionophore A23187 plus phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated human mast cells-1 (HMC-1). The results showed that UP suppressed IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α production in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, UP significantly attenuated NF-kB/caspase-1 activation in stimulated HMC-1. Collectively, these findings provide experimental evidence that UP may be a useful candidate for the inflammation-related diseases treatment.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.13-18
• /
• 2024

The rice field grasshopper, Oxya chinensis sinuosa (OC), has traditionally been utilized in Korea for various purposes; however, its potential benefits in the context of osteoporosis remain unclear. The results revealed that OC ethanol extract (OCE) significantly inhibited the formation and activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells in receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, OCE, at concentrations ranging from 100 to 400 ㎍/mL, demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in the protein expression of osteoclast-specific markers, including nuclear factor of activated T cell cytoplasmic 1, c-Src, and TRAP, when compared to RANKL stimulation alone. Additionally, OCE significantly inhibited RANKL-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but not the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Collectively, these results indicate that OCE suppresses osteoclastogenesis by attenuating the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK. Consequently, these findings suggest that OCE holds promise for the prevention of osteoporosis.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.272-277
• /
• 2020

Protein kinase CK2 downregulation induces premature senescence in various human cell types via activation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-p53-p21^Cip1/WAF1 pathway. The transcription factor "nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2" (Nrf2) plays an important role in maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis. In this study, Nrf2 overexpression attenuated CK2 downregulation-induced ROS production and senescence markers including SA-β-gal staining and activation of p53-p21^Cip1/WAF1 in human breast (MCF-7) and colon (HCT116) cancer cells. CK2 downregulation reduced the transcription of Nrf2 target genes, such as glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase 2, and glutathione reductase 1. Furthermore, CK2 downregulation destabilized Nrf2 protein via inhibiting autophagic degradation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). Finally, CK2 downregulation decreased the nuclear import of Nrf2 by deactivating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Collectively, our data suggest that both Keap1 stabilization and AMPK inactivation are associated with decreased activity of Nrf2 in CK2 downregulation-induced cellular senescence.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.254-260
• /
• 2019

Background: The primary aims of periodontal disease treatment is to remove dental plaque and calculus, the main causes of tooth loss, and restore periodontal tissue destroyed by inflammation. Periodontal disease treatment should also help maintain the alveolar bone, alleviate inflammation, and promote periodontal ligament cell proliferation, which is essential for tissue regeneration. Conventional antibiotics and anti-inflammatories have adverse side effects, especially during long-term use, so there is a need for adjunct treatment agents derived from natural products. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the herbal flavone baicalein has the osteogenic activity under inflammatory conditions, and assess the involvement of osteoblast immediate early response 3 (IER3) expression. Methods: Human osteoblastic MG-63 cells were cultured with the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β in the presence and absence of baicalein. Proliferation was assessed using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and expression of IER3 mRNA was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of IER3 protein levels and activation of associated signal transduction pathways were assessed using western blotting. Results: Baicalein increased IER3 mRNA and protein expression synergistically. In addition, baicalein reversed the suppression of cell proliferation, and the downregulation of osteogenic transcription factor runt-related transcription factor 2 and osterix induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Baicalein also upregulated the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2). The upregulation of IER3 by pro-inflammatory cytokines was blocked by pretreatment with inhibitors of AKT, p38, JNK, and ERK 1/2. Conclusion: Baicalein mitigates the deleterious responses of osteoblasts to pro-inflammatory cytokines. Further, IER3 enhanced the effect of baicalein via activation of AKT, p38, JNK, and ERK pathways.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.85-93
• /
• 2015

Objectives : Bilobalide (BIL) is a predominant sesquiterpene trilactone constituent that accounts for a partial portion of the standardized Ginkgonis Folium extract, which has been widely used to treat a variety of neurological disorders involving cerebral ischemia and neurodegeneration. In this study, it was tested whether BIL exhibits anti-inflammatory activities on inflammation response, or not. Methods : To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of BIL on pharmacological and biochemical actions in inflammation, we examined the effect of BIL on pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. The investigation was focused on how BIL affect on inflammation-related mediators including various signals such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), inducible NO synthase(iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ($NF-{\kappa}B$) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Results : We found that BIL inhibited LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ productions as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Furthermore, BIL suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation for MAPK activation. Conclusions : These results suggest that BIL has inhibitory effects on LPS-induced $PGE_2$, NO, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production, as well as the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in the murine macrophage. It seems that these inhibitory effects occur by blocking the phosphorylation of MAPKs for activation. Then, BIL suppressed the activation of nuclear factor $NF-{\kappa}B$ in nucleus. These observations suggest that BIL has anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.7
• /
• pp.9.1-9.13
• /
• 2017

Background: Metal-responsive transcription factor-1 (MTF-1) is a key transcriptional regulator playing crucial roles in metal homeostasis and cellular adaptation to diverse oxidative stresses. In order to understand cellular pathways associated with metal regulation and stress responses in Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai), this study was aimed to isolate the genetic determinant of abalone MTF-1 and to examine its expression characteristics under basal and experimentally stimulated conditions. Results: The abalone MTF-1 shared conserved features in zinc-finger DNA binding domain with its orthologs; however, it represented a non-conservative shape in presumed transactivation domain region with the lack of typical motifs for nuclear export signal (NES) and Cys-cluster. Abalone MTF-1 promoter exhibited various transcription factor binding motifs that would be potentially related with metal regulation, stress responses, and development. The highest messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level of MTF-1 was observed in the testes, and MTF-1 transcripts were detected during the entire period of embryonic and early ontogenic developments. Abalone MTF-1 was found to be Cd inducible and highly modulated by heat shock treatment. Conclusion: Abalone MTF-1 possesses a non-consensus structure of activation domains and represents distinct features for its activation mechanism in response to metal overload and heat stress. The activation mechanism of abalone MTF-1 might include both indirect zinc sensing and direct de novo synthesis of transcripts. Taken together, results from this study could be a useful basis for future researches on stress physiology of this abalone species, particularly with regard to heavy metal detoxification and thermal adaptation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.479-491
• /
• 1998

In order to know the pathogenesis of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in association with the oxidative stress by neutrophils, the role of platelet activating factor (1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-snglycero-3-phosphocholine, PAF) was investigated during acute lung injury induced by interleukin- $1{\alpha}$ (IL-1) in rats. An insufflation of IL-1 into the rat's trachea increased the acetyltransferase activity in the lung and the increase of PAF content was followed. As evidences of acute lung injury by neutrophilic respiratory burst, lung leak index, myeloperoxidase activity, numbers of neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, neutrophilic adhesions to endothelial cells and NBT positive neutrophils were increased after IL-1 treatment. In addition, a direct instillation of PAF into the trachea caused acute lung leak and the experimental results showed a similar pattern in comparison with IL-1 induced acute lung injury. For the confirmation of oxidative stress during acute lung leak by IL-1 and PAF, a histochemical electron microscopy was performed. In IL-1 and PAF treated lungs of rats, the deposits of cerrous perhydroxide were found. To elucidate the role of PAF, an intravenous injection of PAF receptor antagonist, WEB 2086 was given immediately after IL-1 or PAF treatment. WEB 2086 decreased the production of hydrogen peroxide and the acute lung leak. In ultrastructural study, WEB 2086 mitigated the pathological changes induced by IL-1 or PAF. The nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) was activated by PAF and this activation was inhibited by WEB 2086 almost completely. Based on these experimental results, it is suggested that the PAF produced in response to IL-1 through the remodeling pathway has the major role for acute lung injury by neutrophilic respiratory burst. In an additional experiment, we can also come to conclude that the activation of the NFkB by PAF is thought to be the fundamental mechanism to initiate the oxidative stress by neutrophils causing release of proinflammatory cytokines and activation of phospholipase $A_2$.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.297-304
• /
• 2015

The flower buds of Sophora japonica L (SF), as a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal herb, have been used to treat bleeding-related disorders such as hematochezia, hemorrhoidal bleeding, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and diarrhea. However, no specific anti-cancer effect and its molecular mechanism of SF have been described. Thus, we performed in vitro study to investigate if treatment of SF affects activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) expression and ATF3-mediated apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells. The effects of SF on cell viability and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay and Western blot analysis against cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). ATF3 activation induced by SF was evaluated using Western blot analysis, RT-PCR and ATF3 promoter assay. SF treatment caused decrease of cell viability and increase of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in HCT116 and SW480 cells. Exposure of SF activated the levels of ATF3 protein and mRNA via transcriptional regulation in HCT116 and SW480 cells. Inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 by PD98059 and p38 by SB203580 attenuated SF-induced ATF3 expression and transcriptional activation. Ectopic ATF3 overexpression accelerated SF-induced cleavage of PARP. These findings suggest that SF-mediated apoptosis may be the result of ATF3 expression through ERK1/2 and p38-mediated transcriptional activation.