• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.89-96
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• 2013

Atherosclerotic vascular dysfunction is a chronic inflammatory process that spreads from the fatty streak and foam cells through lesion progression. Therefore, its early diagnosis and prevention is unfeasible. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Intracellular redox status is tightly regulated by oxidant and antioxidant systems. Imbalance in these systems causes oxidative or reductive stress which triggers cellular damage or aberrant signaling, and leads to dysregulation. Paradoxically, large clinical trials have shown that non-specific ROS scavenging by antioxidant vitamins is ineffective or sometimes harmful. ROS production can be locally regulated by cellular antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione peroxidases and peroxiredoxins. Therapeutic approach targeting these antioxidant enzymes might prove beneficial for prevention of ROS-related atherosclerotic vascular disease. Conversely, the development of specific antioxidant enzyme-mimetics could contribute to the clinical effectiveness.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국자원식물학회 2019년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.74-74
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• 2019

The aim of the study was to determine the antioxidant activities of the plants with origin of the Far East. The Carlemannia tetragona Hook f., which is a species of plant in the family Carlemanniaceae and Celastrus virens which is a species of plant in the family Celastraceae were tested for antioxidant activities. Samples were prepared using 95% ethanol using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate free radical) assay for assessing the antioxidant activity. Ascorbic acid was used for positive control for DPPH assay. DPPH assay experiment showed that extracts of the Carlemannia tetragona Hook. f., and Celastrus virens might have anti-oxidant activity 54.5% and 258% higher, respectively, compared to control. To determine the cell toxicity of these plant extracts, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used. MTT assay experiment showed that Carlemannia tetragona Hook. f., and Celastrus virens might have less toxicity 23.3% and 27.5%, respectively, compared to control. Taken together, these experiments showed that Celastrus virens extracts might have much higher antioxidant activities than Carlemannia tetragona Hook. f., with relatively lower toxicity. This implies that this study might provide a basis to develop a new powerful antioxidant candidate for human diseases therapeutics.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.167-173
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• 2021

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) disrupt the cellular redox balance, exert cytotoxic effects, and consequently promote the development of various diseases in humans. Previous studies have reported that antioxidants counteract the adverse effects of ROS. Several studies examine the whitening effects of various agents based on their ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity. Tyrosinase is a critical enzyme involved in the synthesis of melanin, which protects the skin against radiation. Various agents exhibiting antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities have been synthesized. However, these synthetic drugs are associated with toxicity, decreased safety, and poor skin penetration in vivo, which has limited the clinical application of synthetic drugs. This study examined the antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of some microalgae. The methanol, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate extracts of four microalgal species (Tetraselmis tetrathele, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Platymonas sp., and Chaetoceros simplex) were prepared. The physiological and whitening effects of microalgal extracts were investigated by measuring the antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. The ethyl acetate extract of D. tertiolecta exhibited the highest antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Future studies must focus on examining the whitening effects of microalgae on cell lines to facilitate the development of microalga-based therapeutics for skin diseases, functional health foods, and whitening agents. Thus, microalgae have potential applications in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.191-196
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• 2010

In the course of screening for antioxidant compounds by measuring the radical scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), a total extract of the twigs of Stewartia koreana (Theaceae) was found to show potent antioxidant activity. Subsequent activity-guided fractionation of the methanolic extract led to the isolation of six phenolic compounds, ampelopsin (1), catechin (2), proanthocyanidin-A2 (3), fraxin (4), (2R, 3R)-taxifolin-3-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (5), and (2S, 3S)-taxifolin-3-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (6), as active principles. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic studies. Compounds 1-6 were isolated for the first time from this plant. Among them, three compounds 1-3 showed the significant antioxidative effects on DPPH, and riboflavin originated superoxide quenching activity. In riboflavin-nitrobluetetrazolium (NBT)-light system, compound 1 showed better superoxide quenching activity than vitamin C.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.199-204
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• 2009

In this study we investigated the protective effects of rutin, a natural plant flavonoid, on HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats. Rutin showed the antioxidant activities, the acid-neutralizing capacities, and the inhibitory effects on the growth of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori.), which are equivalent to control compounds. In addition, rutin significantly inhibited HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions. Antigastritic action of rutin may be associated with the antioxidant activities, acid-neutralizing capacities, anti-H. pylori action, and the stimulation of mucus secretion. From these results, we could suggest that rutin may be useful for the treatment and/or protection of gastritis.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.83-94
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• 2021

The global obesity epidemic and the growing elderly population largely contribute to the increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance acts as a critical link between the present obesity pandemic and type 2 diabetes. Naturally occurring reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate intracellular signaling and are kept in balance by the antioxidant system. However, the imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant capacity causes ROS accumulation and induces oxidative stress. Oxidative stress interrupts insulin-mediated intracellular signaling pathways, as supported by studies involving genetic modification of antioxidant enzymes in experimental rodents. In addition, a close association between oxidative stress and insulin resistance has been reported in numerous human studies. However, the controversial results with the use of antioxidants in type 2 diabetes raise the question of whether oxidative stress plays a critical role in insulin resistance. In this review article, we discuss the relevance of oxidative stress to insulin resistance based on genetically modified animal models and human trials.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.492-498
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• 2012

Phytochemicals have been known to exhibit potent antioxidant activity. This study examined cytoprotective effects of phytochemicals including quercetin, catechin, caffeic acid, and phytic acid against oxidative damage in SK-Hep-1 cells induced by the oxidative and non-oxidative metabolism of ethanol. Exposure of the cells to excess ethanol resulted in a significant increase in cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid hydroperoxide (LPO), and antioxidant enzyme activity. Excess ethanol also caused a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the quantity of reduced glutathione (GSH). Co-treatment of cells with ethanol and quercetin, catechin, caffeic acid and phytic acid significantly inhibited oxidative ethanol metabolism-induced cytotoxicity by blocking ROS production. When the cells were treated with ethanol after pretreatment of 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP), increased cytotoxicity, ROS production, antioxidant enzyme activity, and loss of MMP were observed. The addition of quercetin, catechin, caffeic acid and phytic acid to these cells showed suppression of non-oxidative ethanol metabolism-induced cytotoxicity, similar to oxidative ethanol metabolism. These results suggest that quercetin, catechin, caffeic acid and phytic acid have protective effects against ethanol metabolism-induced oxidative insult in SK-Hep-1 cells by blocking ROS production and elevating antioxidant potentials.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.201-206
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• 2012

Ultraviolet (UV) A penetrates deeply into the skin and induces the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing damage to fibroblasts, which leads to aging of the skin. However, the body has developed an antioxidant defence system against the harmful effects of ROS. Enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) play critical roles on the removal of excess ROS in living organisms. In this study, the antioxidant activities of anthocyanins (cyanidin 3-galactoside and cyanidin 3-lathyroside) from Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus (ADA) fruits were investigated by xylenol orange, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and antioxidant enzyme assay. As a result, generation of $H_2O_2$ and lipid peroxide induced by UVA-irradiation in human dermal fibroblast (HDF-N) cells was reduced by treatment of anthocyanins. Also, augmented enzyme (SOD and CAT) activities were observed in UVA-irradiated cells when treated with anthocyanin. In conclusion, the results obtained show that anthocyanins from ADA fruits are potential candidates for the protection of fibroblast against the damaging effects of UVA irradiation. Furthermore, anthocyanin may be a good candidate for antioxidant agent development.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.33-39
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• 2016

Oxidative stress activates several intracellular signaling cascades that may have deleterious effects on neuronal cell survival. Thus, controlling oxidative stress has been suggested as an important strategy for prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we found that ginsenoside Rh1 inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced reactive oxygen species generation and subsequent cell death in rat primary astrocytes. Rh1 increased the expression of phase II antioxidant enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, superoxide dismutase-2, and catalase, that are under the control of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways. Further mechanistic studies showed that Rh1 increased the nuclear translocation and DNA binding of Nrf2 and c-Jun to the antioxidant response element (ARE), and increased the ARE-mediated transcription activities in rat primary astrocytes. Analysis of signaling pathways revealed that MAP kinases are important in HO-1 expression, and act by modulating ARE-mediated transcriptional activity. Therefore, the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes by Rh1 may provide preventive therapeutic potential for various neurodegenerative diseases that are associated with oxidative stress.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.286-292
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• 2008

Strawberry is widely consumed in diet and has been attracted much attention due to its potential for human health benefits. Strawberry contains a diverse range of phytochemicals but the biological activities with molecular mechanisms are poorly elucidated yet. In this study, the effects of the extracts of strawberry (Maehyang cultivar) on antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antiproliferative potential against various cancer cells were investigated. The strawberry extracts (SE) of Maehyang cultivar showed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activities. In addition, SE inhibited the growth of human colon (HCT-116), lung (A549), stomach (SNU-638) and fibrosarcoma (HT-1080) cancer cells. The strawberry extracts also exhibited the inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production and suppressed LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein and mRNA expression in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. These findings suggest that the strawberry extracts (Maehyang cultivar) might have antioxidant, antiinflammotry, and anticancer activities.