• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.757-769
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• 2020

Background: Panax quinquefolius and Panax notoginseng are widely used and well known for their pharmacological effects. As main pharmacological components, saponins have different distribution patterns in the root tissues of Panax plants. Methods: In this study, the representative ginsenosides were detected and quantified by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis to demonstrate saponin distribution in the root tissues of P. quinquefolius and P. notoginseng, and saponin metabolite profiles were analyzed by metabolomes to obtain the biomarkers of different root tissues. Finally, the transcriptome analysis was performed to demonstrate the molecular mechanisms of saponin distribution by gene profiles. Results: There was saponin distribution in the root tissues differed between P. quinquefolius and P. notoginseng. Eight-eight and 24 potential biomarkers were detected by metabolome analysis, and a total of 340 and 122 transcripts involved in saponin synthesis that were positively correlated with the saponin contents (R > 0.6, P < 0.05) in the root tissues of P. quinquefolius and P. notoginseng, respectively. Among them, GDPS1, CYP51, CYP64, and UGT11 were significantly correlated with the contents of Rg1, Re, Rc, Rb2, and Rd in P. quinquefolius. UGT255 was markedly related to the content of R1; CYP74, CYP89, CYP100, CYP103, CYP109, and UGT190 were markedly correlated with the Rd content in P. notoginseng.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1255-1262
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• 2014

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate any associations between benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VDR gene (FokI, BsmI, ApaI and Taq${\alpha}$I loci) and the CYP17 gene (MspA1I locus), as well as TA repeat polymorphism in SRD5A2 gene among Lebanese men. Materials and Methods: DNA extracted from blood of 68 subjects with confirmed BPH and 79 age-matched controls was subjected to PCR/PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The odds ra=tio (OR) of having a genotype and the relative risk (RR) of developing BPH for having the genotype were calculated and the alleles were designated risk-bearing or protective. Results: Our data indicated that the A and B alleles of the VDR ApaI and BsmI SNPs were highly associated with increased risk of BPH (p=0.0168 and 0.0002, respectively). Moreover, 63% of the controls compared to 43% of the subjects with BPH were homozygous for none of the risk-bearing alleles (p=0.0123) whereas 60% of the controls and 28% of the subjects with BPH were homozygous for two or more protective alleles (p<0.0001). Conclusions: For the first time, our study demonstrated that ApaI and BsmI of the VDR gene are associated with risk of BPH among Lebanese men. Our study also indicated that overall polymorphism profile of all the genes involved in prostate physiology could be a better predictor of BPH risk.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.188-202
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• 2011

Objectives : Oxidative stress seems to play a major role in mechanisms by which ethanol causes liver injury. Previous studies have shown that treatment with Chungganhaeju-tang (Qingganjiejiu-tang, CGHJT) has protective effects on alcoholic liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Chungganhaeju-tang on oxidative stress. Materials and Methods : In vitro, we evaluated the inhibitory activities of CGHJT on DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl), xanthine oxidase, trypsin, and hyaluronidase, and measured cell viability, and proliferation. In the cell culture model, we measured the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) after CGHJT treatment in C34 and E47 cell lines, HepG2 cells transfected with/without the cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) gene. In vivo, we measured malondialdehyde levels in the liver tissue and alcohol concentration in the blood. Results : CGHJT showed significant free radical scavenging activity against DPPH and xanthine oxidase in the in vitro study, and increased cell viability, proliferation, and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase in C34 and in E47 cell lines. CGHJT reduced malondialdehyde levels and blood alcohol concentration in vivo, as well. Conclusions : This study suggests that CGHJT has antioxidant effects on oxidative stress by reducing lipid peroxidation and inhibiting the ethanol induced suppression of antioxidant enzyme activities.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms of CYP2E1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 and lifestyle habits (smoking, drinking, and exercise) modulate the levels of urinary styrene metabolites such as mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) after occupational exposure to styrene. We recruited 79 male workers who had received chronic exposure in styrene fiberglass-reinforced plastic manufacturing factories. We found that serum albumin was significantly correlated with blood styrene/ambient styrene (BS/AS), urinary styrene (US)/AS, and US/BS ratios as well as urinary metabolites, that total protein correlated with US/MA and US/PGA ratios, and that low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol significantly correlated with US/BS, US/MA, and US/PGA ratios. Multiple logistic regression analyses using styrene-metabolizing enzyme genotypes and lifestyle habits as dependent variables and blood and urine styrene concentrations and urine styrene metabolite levels as independent variables revealed that $CYP2E1^*5$ was associated with the MA/US ratio and GSTM1 with US/BS, that a smoking habit was associated with US/AS and MA/US ratios and MA and PGA levels, and that regular exercise was correlated with PGA/US. In conclusion, the results suggested that genetic polymorphisms of styrene-metabolizing enzymes, lifestyle behaviors, and albumin and LDL-cholesterol serving as homeostasis factors together are involved in styrene metabolism.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.97-99
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• 2009

Geldanamycin is a benzoquinone ansamycin antibiotic that binds to cytosol HSP90 (Heat Shock Protein 90) and changes its biological function. HSP90 is involved in the intracellular important roles for the regulation of the cell cycle, cell growth, cell survival, apoptosis, angiogenesis and oncogenesis. To identify genes expressed during geldanamycin treatment against neurons of rats (PC12 cells), DNA microarray method was used. We have isolated 2 gene groups (up-or down-regulated genes) which are geldanamycin differentially expressed in neurons. Granzyme B is the gene most significantly increased among 204 up-regulated genes (more than 2 fold over-expression) and Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 20 is the gene most dramatically decreased among 491 down-regulated genes (more than 2 fold down-expression). The gene increased expression of Cxc110, Cyp11a1, Gadd45a, Gja1, Gpx2, Ifua4, Inpp5e, Sox4, and Stip1 are involved stress-response gene, and Cryab, Dnaja1, Hspa1a, Hspa8, Hspca, Hspcb, Hspd1, Hspd1, and Hsph1 are strongly associated with protein folding. Cell cycle associated genes (Bc13, Brca2, Ccnf, Cdk2, Ddit3, Dusp6, E2f1, Illa, and Junb) and inflammatory response associated genes (Cc12, Cc120, Cxc12, Il23a, Nos2, Nppb, Tgfb1, Tlr2, and Tnt) are down-regulated more than 2 times by geldanamycin treatment. We found that geldanamycin is related to expression of many genes associated with stress response, protein folding, cell cycle, and inflammation by DNA microarray analysis. Further experimental molecular studies will be needed to figure out the exact biological function of various genes described above and the physiological change of neuronal cells by geldanamycin. The resulting data will give the one of the good clues for understanding of geldanamycin under molecular level in the neurons.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.218-223
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• 2018

The liver is an essential organ for the detoxification of exogenous xenobiotics, drugs and toxic substances. The incidence rate of non-alcoholic liver injury increases due to dietary habit change and drug use increase. Our previous study demonstrated that Ecklonia stolonifera (ES) formulation has hepatoprotective effect against alcohol-induced liver injury in rat and tacrine-induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cells. This present study was designated to elucidate hepatoprotective effects of ES formulation against carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver injury in Sprague Dawley rat. Sixty rats were randomly divided into six groups. The rats were treated orally with ES formulation and silymarin (served as positive control, only 100 mg/kg/day) at a dose of 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day for 21 days. Seven days after treatment, liver injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of $CCl_4$ (1.5 ml/kg, twice a week for 14 days). The administration of $CCl_4$ exhibited significant elevation of hepatic enzymes (like AST and ALT), and decrease of antioxidant related enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and glutathione. Then, it leaded to DNA damages (8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde). Administration of ES formulation inhibited imbalance of above factors compared to $CCl_4$ induced rat in a dose dependent manner. Real time PCR analysis indicates that CYP2E1 was upregulated in $CCl_4$ induced rat. However, increased gene expression was compromised by ES formulation treatment. These findings suggests that ES formulation could protect hepatotoxicity caused by $CCl_4$ via two pathways: elevation of antioxidant enzymes and normalization of CYP2E1 enzyme.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.10.1-10.8
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• 2016

Objectives Aromatase inhibitors that block estrogen synthesis are a proven first-line hormonal therapy for postmenopausal breast cancer. Although it is known that standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb761) induces anti-carcinogenic effects like the aromatase inhibitors, the effects of EGb761 on steroidogenesis have not been studied yet. Therefore, the effects of EGb761 on steroidogenesis and aromatase activity was studied using a H295R cell model, which was a good in vitro model to predict effects on human adrenal steroidogenesis. Methods Cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, and $17{\beta}$-estradiol were evaluated in the H295R cells by competitive enzyme-linked immunospecific assay after exposure to EGb761. Real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate effects on critical genes in steroid hormone production, specifically cytochrome P450 (CYP11/ 17/19/21) and the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases ($3{\beta}$-HSD2 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1/4). Finally, aromatase activities were measured with a tritiated water-release assay and by western blotting analysis. Results H295R cells exposed to EGb761 (10 and $100{\mu}g/mL$) showed a significant decrease in $17{\beta}$-estradiol and testosterone, but no change in aldosterone or cortisol. Genes (CYP19 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1) related to the estrogen steroidogenesis were significantly decreased by EGb761. EGb761 treatment of H295R cells resulted in a significant decrease of aromatase activity as measured by the direct and indirect assays. The coding sequence/Exon PII of CYP19 gene transcript and protein level of CYP19 were significantly decreased by EGb761. Conclusions These results suggest that EGb761 could regulate steroidogenesis-related genes such as CYP19 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1, and lead to a decrease in $17{\beta}$-estradiol and testosterone. The present study provides good information on potential therapeutic effects of EGb761 on estrogen dependent breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4803-4812
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• 2015

Chronic alcohol and tobacco abuse plays a crucial role in the development of different liver associated disorders. Intake promotes the generation of reactive oxygen species within hepatic cells exposing their DNA to continuous oxidative stress which finally leads to DNA damage. However in response to such damage an entangled protective repair machinery comprising different repair proteins like ATM, ATR, H2AX, MRN complex becomes activated. Under abnormal conditions the excessive reactive oxygen species generation results in genetic predisposition of various genes (as ADH, ALDH, CYP2E1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and GSTM1) involved in xenobiotic metabolic pathways, associated with susceptibility to different liver related diseases such as fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is increasing evidence that the inflammatory process is inherently associated with many different cancer types, including hepatocellular carcinomas. The generated reactive oxygen species can also activate or repress epigenetic elements such as chromatin remodeling, non-coding RNAs (micro-RNAs), DNA (de) methylation and histone modification that affect gene expression, hence leading to various disorders. The present review provides comprehensive knowledge of different molecular mechanisms involved in gene polymorphism and their possible association with alcohol and tobacco consumption. The article also showcases the necessity of identifying novel diagnostic biomarkers for early cancer risk assessment among alcohol and tobacco users.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.189-204
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• 2019

In this study, we analyzed the changes in glucosinolate content and gene expression in TO1000DH3 and Early big seedling upon methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. Analysis of glucosinolate contents after MeJA treatment at $200{\mu}M$ concentration showed that the total glucosinolate content increased by 1.3-1.5 fold in TO1000DH3 and 1.3-3.8 fold in Early big compared to those before treatment. Aliphatic glucosinolates, progoitrin and gluconapin, were detected only in TO1000DH3, and the changes in the content of neoglucobrassicin were the greatest at 48 hours after MeJA treatment in TO1000DH3 and Early big. The transcriptomic analysis showed that transcripts involved in stress or defense reactions, or those related to growth were specifically expressed in TO1000DH3, while transcripts related to nucleosides or ATP biosynthesis were specifically expressed in Early big. GO analysis on transcripts with more than two-fold change in expression upon MeJA treatment, corresponding to 12,020 transcripts in TO1000DH3 and 13,510 transcripts in Early big, showed that the expression of transcripts that react to stimulus and chemical increased in TO1000DH3 and Early big, while those related to single-organism and ribosome synthesis decreased. In particular, the expression increased for all transcripts related to indole glucosinolate biosynthesis, which is associated with increase in glucobrassicin and neoglucobrassicin contents. Upon MeJA treatment, the expression of AOP3 (Bo9g006220, Bo9g006240), TGG1 (Bo14804s010) increased only in TO1000DH3, while the expression of Dof1.1 (Bo5g008360), UGT74C1 (Bo4g177540), and GSL-OH (Bo4g173560, Bo4g173550, Bo4g173530) increased specifically in Early big.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 1998

Human cytochrome P450 4F2 shows high regioselectivity in hydroxylation of stearic acid and leukotriene $ B_4.$ As a first step of its regulation study, human cytochrome P450 4F2 genomic DNA was isolated from liver of a person who was administered clofibrate for 10 years. From Southern hybridization, restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing experiments, isolated genomic DNA fragment was found to contain around 32 Kb DNA and more than 20 Kb of $5^I$ end regulatory region. Sequences of the structural gene region revealed exon 1 and exon 2. Further regulation studies would elucidate the feedback mechanisms of the oxidative degradation of fatty acids, inflammatory response and the clearance of leukotriene B4 in the liver. Furthermore, regulation study of this gene could explain the species difference in responses to peroxisome proliferator and help in the safety evaluation of peroxisome proliferating chemicals to human being.