• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2016

Prunellae Spica, the herbaceous plant in the genus Prunella, is a traditional herbal medicine and has been reported to have diuretic, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant effects. However, the mechanism of its action was not clearly identified. In the present study, we investigated the hepatoprotective effect of Prunellae Spica extract (PSE) against the damage of mitochondria and death in hepatocyte induced by oxidative stress. Treatment of arachidonic acid (AA)+iron significantly induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the hepatocytes. However, PSE protected cells and inhibited apoptosis by altering the protein levels such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and pro-caspase 3. Moreover, AA+iron induced reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial dysfunction, and Both of them were inhibited by PSE treatment. PSE markedly activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an important regulator in cell survival. Furthermore, this activation by PSE was mediated with liver kinase B1, a major upstream kinase that phosphorylates Thr 172 of AMPKα, and this activation was associated with its cell protection, as assessed by an experiment of a chemical inhibitor. In conclusion, this study demonstrate that PSE protects hepatocytes against oxidative stress as mediated with activation of LKB1-dependent AMPK pathway.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Male hypogonadism is a condition where the body does not produce enough testosterone and significantly impacts health. Age, obesity, genetics, and oxidative stress are some physiological factors that may contribute to testosterone deficiency. Previous studies have shown many pharmacological benefits of Schisandra chinensis (S. chinensis) Baillon as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. However, the molecular mechanism of attenuating hypogonadism is yet to be well established. This research was undertaken to study the effects of S. chinensis extract (SCE) on testosterone deficiency. MATERIALS/METHODS: S. chinensis fruit was pulverized and extracted using 60% aqueous ethanol. HPLC analysis was performed to analyze and quantify the lignans of the SCE. RESULTS: The 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging assays confirmed that the SCE and its major lignans (schisandrol A and gomisin N) inhibit oxidative stress. Effects of SCE analysis on the testosterone level under oxidative stress conditions revealed that both schisandrol A and gomisin N were able to recover the lowered testosterone levels. Through mRNA expression of TM3 Leydig cell, we observed that the SCE lignans were able to induce the enzymes involved in testosterone biosynthesis-related genes such as 3β-HSD4 (P < 0.01 for SCE, and P < 0.001 for schisandrol A and gomisin N), 17β-HSD3 (P < 0.001 for SCE, schisandrol A and gomisin N), and 17, 20-desmolase (P < 0.01 for schisandrol A, and P < 0.001 for SCE and gomisin N). CONCLUSIONS: These results support that SCE and its active components could be potential therapeutic agents for regulating and increasing testosterone production.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2008

Stress activates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and subsequently increases the systemic levels of glucocorticoids. It also inhibits the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from hypothalamus. Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng CA Meyer) has been proven as an anti-stress agent. However, most of the anti-stress effects of ginseng on stresses such as immobilization, electronic foot shock, and cold swim, which subsequently cause oxidative damage in brain, were obtained by using ginseng extract or ginseng total saponin. Moreover, anti-stress and anti-oxidative effects of ginseng were demonstrated by determination of enzyme or hormone levels but not mRNA as well as transcriptome. Further studies on transcriptome, proteomics, and systems biology as well as signal transduction would be required to elucidate molecular action mechanisms of ginseng on stresses.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1571-1575
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• 2007

This research was carried out to investigate the effects of Hambag mushroom on the oxidative stress in diabetic rats, Sprague-Dawley. The diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin were fed with hambag mushroom-powder(G. frondosa) for 6 weeks. For the level of oxidative stress in liver and pancreas tissues, it was studied by measuring LPO (lipid oxide) level as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, XOD(xanthine oxidase) as one of important sources for free radicals and the levels of GSH and GST as anti-oxidant systems. Also, as an indicator of liver damaged by oxidative stress, the activities of serum ALT and AST were measured. It was observed that the levels of ALT, AST, LPO and XOD were higher by about two times in both tissues from diabetic rats than in those from control rats. This indicates that the oxidative stress induced by diabetes caused the tissues damages. However, these levels were decreased in the tissues from rats with hambag mushroom-powder. Futhermore, the activity of GST were higher in both tissues from diabetic rats fed with hambag mushroom-powder than in those from diabetic rats. Thus, it is considered that the hambag mushroom-powder decreases the level of oxidative stress by increasing activity of anti-oxidant system such as GSH and GST. It is suggested that the hambag mushroom-powder can be useful for preventing the tissues damaged by diabetes-induced oxidative stress.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.1-12
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-oxidative effect of electroacupuncture at Shinmaek($BL_{62}$) in rats. Methods : In order to cause oxidative stress, AAPH was administered to the abdominal cavity of rats, after we stimulated $BL_{62}$ of the rat by electroacupuncture. Blood test and anti-oxidative test(LDL-cholesterol, GOT, GPT SOD, GSH, catalase, NO, MDA) were performed at the end of treatment. Results: 1. SOD, glutathione, catalase activity were significantly increased in the $BL_{62}-EA$ group compared with the holder group. 2. NO density was significantly decreased in the $BL_{62}-EA$ group compared with the holder group. 3. Glutathione was significantly increased in the $BL_{62}-EA$ group compared with the sham-EA group. Conclusion : These results suggest that electroacupuncture at $BL_{62}$ has an anti-oxidant effect in human.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1292-1298
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• 2009

Sipjeon-Daebo-Tang (SDT) is indicated for deficiency syndrome of both gi and blood, marked by pale or sallow complexion, dizziness, lassitude, shortness of breath, dislike for talking, poor appetite, pale tongue with thin whitish fur, thready and weak pulse. Gami-Sipjeon-Daebo-Tang(GSDT) is composed of 10 herbs within SDT and Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu (CPC). CPC can noursh kidney-yang, promote the production of the essence and blood, strengthen tendons and bones. Recently SDT is known as anti-cancer drug. Especially CPC is reported to have anti-oxidative action. For these reasons, we investigated the protective effects on cell death induced by chemicals such as paraquat, hydrogen peroxide and anti-oxidative effects in C6 glioma cells. In our results, GSDT accelerated proliferation rates of C6 cells in vitro. In addition, protective effects on cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide and rotenone. In addition, SOD activities were increased by treatment with both SDT and GSDT. In conclusion, these results suggest the possibility of GSDT to protect brain cell or neuronal cell from damage induced by oxidative stress. And also suggest that related mechanisms are involved in SOD activities.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.9
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• pp.524-529
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• 2014

Oxidative stress and inflammation are common to many pathological conditions. Defense mechanisms protect cells from oxidative stress, but can become over-activated following injury and inflammation. NF-${\kappa}B$ and Nrf2 transcription factors regulate proinflammatory and antioxidant gene expression, respectively. Studies have shown that many natural dietary compounds regulate NF-${\kappa}B$ and Nrf2, preventing inflammation and oxidative stress. Here, we report major compounds of Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina such as rosmarinic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and caffeic acid as a potential therapeutic for oxidative stress and inflammation. The major compounds exhibited high anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting NO, PGE2 production, NF-${\kappa}B$ expression and activating Nrf2 expression. In addition, we examined the effect of major compounds on MafK expression. Among the compounds, oleanolic acid significantly decreased MafK expression and MafK-mediated p65 acetylation. These findings suggest that oleanolic acid as NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitors can potentially be used in therapeutic applications for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced diseases.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.155-163
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• 2022

Objectives : Lonicera japonica is known for anti-inflammation and antibiotic effect in Korean medicine. This study aimed for investigating the cytoprotective effect of Lonicera japonica extract (LJE) for HepG2 cells against arachidonic acid (AA)+iron-induced oxidative stress. Methods : The effect of LJE on cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. ROS assay was selected to assess antioxidant effect of LJE. To assess LJE's effect on mitochondrial function, flow cytometric analysis was operated. And immunoblot analysis was used to establish the underlying mechanism of LJE. Results : LJE protected HepG2 cells against AA+iron-induced oxidative stress by phosphorylation of liver kinase B1 and blocked the decline of procaspase 3. Also, LJE preserved the mitochondrial membrane permeability induced by AA+iron. Conclusion : LJE protected the hepatocyte from AA+iron-induced oxidative stress by activation of LKB1 by the preservation of mitochondrial functions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.107-118
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• 2009

In patients with type 2 diabetes, oxidative stress could be increased by their metabolic changes. Elevated plasma homocysteine is considered as one of markers of enhanced oxidative stress. Due to oxidative stress, some complications like cardiovascular or renal diseases may develop in type 2 diabetes patients. Plasma homocysteine concentration may be increased if folate status were inadequate. Protective effects against oxidative stress may be diminished if the status of anti-oxidative nutrient as vitamin C was poor. It is, therefore, important to maintain adequate status of folate and vitamin C in type 2 diabetes patients. Thus, this study was performed to determine the effects of supplementation of folate and/or ascorbate on blood glycated hemoglobin ($HbA_{1c}$) level, serum concentrations of homocysteine and cholesterol, plasma oxidized low density-lipoprotein (LDL), concentration and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 92 type 2 diabetes patients participated voluntarily with written consents. They were divided into one of the four experimental groups; Control (C), Folate-supplemented (F), Ascorbate-supplemented (A), and Folate plus ascorbate-supplemented (FA). The subjects in C were taken placebo, those in F were supplemented 1 mg of folate, those in A received 1,000 mg of ascorbate, and those in FA were given 1 mg of folate plus 1,000 mg of ascorbate daily for 4 weeks. Supplementation of folate or ascorbate resulted to increase serum folate level or plasma ascorbate concentration apparently, respectively. Folate supplementation not ascorbate seemed to decrease plasma concentrations of homocysteine and oxidized LDL and reduce plasma GSH-Px activity. There might not be synergic effect of the supplementation of folate plus ascorbate. The results indicate that oxidative stress in the patients with type 2 diabetes may lower mainly by folate supplementation.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.137-149
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• 2022

We investigated the effects of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJM) against oxidative stress-induced C6 glial cells and cognitive impairment in mice. To evaluate the anti-oxidative effect of the extract and fractions from CJM, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO) assays were conducted in H₂O₂-treated C6 glial cells. Furthermore, we identified the protective mechanisms of CJM with a scopolamine-treated mice model. The results revealed that H₂O₂ decreased the cell viability in C6 glial cells, indicating that H₂O₂ induced oxidative stress in glial cells. However, CJM fractions significantly increased cell viability in H₂O₂-treated C6 glial cells, which suggested that CJM protected against oxidative stress. CJM extract and fractions also reduced ROS and NO production, which were increased by H₂O₂ in C6 glial cells. In particular, the EtOAc fraction from CJM (EACJM) effectively protected against oxidative stress by increasing the cell viability and decreasing ROS and NO. Therefore, we carried out further in vivo experiments with EACJM. Scopolamine caused increases of ROS, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and NO production. However, EACJM effectively alleviated ROS, TBARS, and NO levels compared to scopolamine-injected mice. In addition, EACJM up-regulated protein expressions of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, indicating that EACJM enhanced the antioxidative system. Our results demonstrated that CJM had protective effects against oxidative stress in glial cells and memory dysfunction in mice. Based on these results, we propose that CJM could be a potential AD preventive and therapeutic agent.