• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.195-202
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• 2005

Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by UV exposure or other environmental factors are critical players in cellular damage and aging. In order to develop a new antiphotoaging agent, this work focused on the antioxidant effects of the extract of tinged autumnal leaves of Acer palmatum. One compound was isolated from an ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the A. palmatum extract using silica gel column chromatography. The chemical structure was identified as apigenin-8-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside, more commonly known as vitexin, by spectral analysis including LC-MS, FT-IR, UV, $^{1}H-$, and $^{13}C-NMR$. The biological activities of vitexin were investigated for the potential application of its anti-aging effects in the cosmetic field. Vitexin inhibited superoxide radicals by about $70\%$ at a concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/mL$ and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals by about $60\%$ at a concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/mL$. Intracellular ROS scavenging activity was indicated by increases in dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence upon exposure to UVB $20\;mJ/cm^2$ in cultured human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) after the treatment of vitexin. The results show that oxidation of 5-(6-)chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlo-rodihydrofluorescein diacetate ($CM-H_{2}DCFDA$) is inhibited by vitexin effectively and that vitexin has a potent free radical scavenging activity in UVB-irradiated HDFs. In ROS imaging using a confocal microscope we visualized DCF fluorescence in HDFs directly. In conclusion, our findings suggest that vitexin can be effectively used for the prevention of UV-induced adverse skin reactions such as free radical production and skin cell damage.

• BMB Reports
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.370-375
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• 2013

Ischemia is characterized by oxidative stress and changes in the antioxidant defense system. Our recent in vitro study showed that 2-cyclopropylimino-3-methyl-1,3-thiazoline hydrochloride protects cortical astrocytes against oxidative stress. In the current study, we examined the effects of 2-cyclopropylimino-3-methyl-1,3-thiazoline hydrochloride on ischemia-induced neuronal damage in a gerbil ischemia/reperfusion models. Extensive neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 area was observed 4 days after ischemia/reperfusion. Intraperitoneal injection of 2-cyclopropylimino-3-methyl-1,3-thiazoline hydrochloride (0.3 mg/kg body weight) significantly prevented neuronal death in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in response to transient forebrain ischemia. 2-Cyclopropylimino-3-methyl-1,3-thiazoline hydrochloride administration reduced ischemia-induced increases in reactive oxygen species levels and malondialdehyde content. It also attenuated the associated reductions in glutathione level and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities. Taken together, our results suggest that 2-cyclopropylimino-3-methyl-1,3-thiazoline hydrochloride protects against ischemia-induced neuronal damage by reducing oxidative stress through its antioxidant actions.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.152-158
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• 2016

Background: Sanguisorba officinalis has been used in traditional Asian medicine owing to its beneficial effects on various diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of S. officinalis on the antioxidant system of Streptozotocin (STZ) and Alloxan (ALL) induced diabetic rats. Methods and Results: Triglyceride and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels decreased in the STZ-induced diabetic groups treated with S. officinalis extract (SOE) compared to the corresponding levels in the control groups. Moreover, in the ALL-induced diabetic groups, SOE reduced triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased significantly in the STZ and ALL-induced groups treated with SOE compared to the corresponding levels in the control group. Further, Glutathione (GSH) levels increased but did not reach statistical significance. The levels of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) showed a tendency to recover with SOE treatment in the STZ and ALL-induced diabetic groups. In addition, Catalase (CAT) levels in the SOE treatment group decreased significantly compared to those in the control group. Conclusions: These results suggest that SOE might be an effective agent in attenuating oxidative stress in diabetic patients by improving blood lipid profiles and inducing the anti-oxidative enzyme systems.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.165-171
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• 2008

To develop effective skin whitening agents, we tested natural herbal extracts for their melanogenic inhibitory activities. Sedum samentosum was selected for its inhibitory effect on melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. Ethanolic extract of S. samentosum (SSE) was evaluated for antioxidative effect and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of melanogenesis. We investigated the changes in protein level and mRNA level of tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1 and TRP-2 by using western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. SSE showed scavenging activities of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the $IC_{50}$ of 342.7 $\mug/ml$ against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and 64.69 $\mug/ml$ against superoxide radicals in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, respectively. SSE treatment suppressed the biosynthesis of melanin up to 46% and reduced tyrosinase activity up to 51% at 100 $\mug/ml$ in B16 melanoma cells. The tyrosinase activity and tyrosinase expression in B16 melanoma cells were reduced in a dose-dependent manner by SSE. Also, SSE was able to significantly inhibit tyrosinase and TRP-1 expression in mRNA level. These results suggest that SSE inhibited melanin production which may be dependent on tyrosinase activity and expression in B16 melanoma cells, and an effective whitening agent for the skin.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.113-126
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• 2021

In the present study, the halophyte C. falcatum extract and its solvent fractions (n-hexane, 85% aqueous methanol, n-butanol, and water) were evaluated for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Antioxidative ability was measured by DPPH radical, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxynitrite scavenging, DNA oxidation inhibition, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). For DPPH radical and peroxynitrite scavenging, DNA oxidation inhibition, and FRAP, 85% aq.MeOH and n-BuOH fractions showed significant scavenging activity. For production of intracellular ROS in HT-1080 cells, 85% aq.MeOH fraction showed the highest scavenging activity. In addition, anti-inflammatory activity was also assessed by measuring the inhibitory effect against mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors (NO, IL-1β, IL-6 and COX-2) in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages. For NO production, crude extract exhibited a strong inhibitory effect at a concentration of 100 ㎍/ml. For mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2), n-BuOH greatly suppressed expression levels of IL-1β and IL-6 at 100 ㎍/ml concentration while 85% aq. MeOH fraction significantly inhibited that of COX-2 even at 100 ㎍/ml. These results suggest that C. falcatum may be used as a potential source for the development of a natural antioxidant or anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.198-204
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• 2019

Background: Oxidative stress is a known to be associated with in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases, including periodontitis. Ursolic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid with has antimicrobial, antioxidative, and anticancer properties. However, the role of ursolic acid in the regulating of osteogenesis remains undetermined. This study was aimed to elucidate the crucial osteogenic effects of ursolic acid and its ability to inhibit oxidative stress by targeting the immediate early response 3 (IER3)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. Methods: Cell proliferation was determined using water-soluble tetrazolium salt assay, cell differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and formation of calcium nodules was detected using alizarin red S stain. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined using by DCFH-DA fluorescence dye in hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-treated MG-63 cells. Expression levels of IER3, Nrf2, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were analyzed using western blot analysis. Results: Our results showed that ursolic acid up-regulated the proliferation of osteoblasts without any cytotoxic effects, and promoted ALP activity and mineralization. $H_2O_2$-induced ROS generation was found to be significantly inhibited on treatment with ursolic acid. Furthermore, in $H_2O_2$-treated cells, the expression of the early response genes: IER3, Nrf2, and Nrf2-related phase II enzyme (HO-1) was enhanced in the presence of ursolic acid. Conclusion: The key findings of the present study elucidate the protective effects of ursolic acid against oxidative stress conditions in osteoblasts via the IER3/Nrf2 pathway. Thus, ursolic acid may be developed as a preventative and therapeutic agent for mineral homeostasis and inflammatory diseases caused due to oxidative injury.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.119-131
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• 2021

Over-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) exert oxidative damage on lipids, proteins, and DNA in the human body, which leads to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we explored the cellular antioxidant effect of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJM) against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in neuronal cells. The antioxidant activity was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and nitric oxide (NO) assays, and the molecular mechanisms were examined by Western blot analysis. H₂O₂ treatment of SH-SY5Y cells decreased cell viability and increased ROS and NO production compared to H₂O₂-untreated cells. However, CJM increased cell viability and decreased ROS and NO accumulation in the H₂O₂-treated SH-SY5Y cells compared to H₂O₂-treated control cells. Especially, the EtOAc fraction from CJM showed the strongest antioxidant effect compared with the other extracts and fractions. Therefore, we further examined the CJM mechanism against oxidative stress using the EtOAc fraction from CJM. The EtOAc fraction up-regulated the expressions of heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1, and thioredoxin reductase 1. These results indicate that CJM promotes the activation of antioxidative enzymes, which eliminate ROS and NO, and further leads to an increase in the cell viability. Taken together, our results show that CJM exhibited an antioxidant activity in H₂O₂-treated SH-SY5Y cells, and it could be a novel antioxidant agent for the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative disease such as AD.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2014

Objectives : Bojungikgitang (BJT), the Oriental medical prescription has been traditionally used about improvement of immune response and infective disease at Asian nation. In this study, we has compared about the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects on BJT of three countries including Korea (Korean Traditional Medicine, KTM), China (Traditional Chinese Medicine, CTM) and Japan (Japanese Traditional Medicine, JTM). Methods : We has basically using LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of these inflammatory mediators has measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Also, free radical scavenging assay has tested for anti-oxidative activity as well as the contents of total flavonoid and polyphenol. Results : As a result, we were founded the inhibitory effects of BJT (KTM, CTM, JTM) on LPS-induced production of NO, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 as well as the anti-oxidative activities. Especially the KTM was most effective in anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. Conclusions : These results indicate that BJT (KTM, CTM, JTM) has a good anti- inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. But, there were degree of effects on between pharmacopoeia of the countries. Thus, further study is required that find appropriate methods for extracting as well as establish of standardized processes in order to improve the quality of BJT (KTM, CTM, JTM) as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative agent for treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• 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.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.59-67
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• 2023

Purpose : Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is recognized as an important cellular response in metastatic proceduresand characterized by loss of cellular polarity as well as gain of mesenchymal features, which enables migration and invasion. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common primary carcinomas in the liver and exhibits a poor prognosis due to frequent extrahepatic metastasis. Taraxacum officinale has been used for a long time in oriental medicine because of its various pharmacological activitiessuch as anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticarcinogenic activities. In this study, the anti-metastatic activity of T. officinale water extract (TOWE) and ethanol extract (TOEE) was investigated through the regulation of EMT in the Huh7 cells. Methods : The effects of TOWE and TOEE on migratory and invasive activities were investigated by wound healing and in vitro invasion assays. Western blot analysis was also applied to analyze protein expression levels associated with EMT and their upstream transcription factors in Huh7 cells. Results : TOWE and TOEE treatment potently inhibited migration and invasion of Huh7 cells compared to the untreated group. Both extracts treatment inhibited protein expression levels of N-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and vimentin while E-cadherin was significantly accelerated. In addition, the activated status of transcription factors, Snail, nuclear factor (NF)-κ B, and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB)1 was also inhibited with statistical significance. In comparison to both extracts, TOEE more potently attenuated migration, invasion, and EMT markers as well as their transcription factors in Huh7 cells than TOWE, which means that TOEE might possess more functional phytochemicals than TOWE. Conclusion : Consequently, TOWE and TOEEattenuated metastatic activity of hepatocellular carcinoma through the regulation of EMT markers and their transcription factors in Huh7 cells, which means that T. officinale might be a promising strategy for a chemopreventive agent against HCC metastasis.