• 대한본초학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.25-30
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• 2015

Objectives : Laver (Porphyra tenera), a red algae species, is one of the most widely consumed edible seaweed in Korea. Laver contains various substances such as essential amino acid, fiber, minerals and polyphenols that benefit human health. In the present study, we prepared ethanol extracts from commercially processed product of Porphyra tenera, and evaluated the growth inhibitory effect against human oral squamous carcinoma YD-10B cells. Methods : Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis was confirmed by TUNEL assay and flow cytometry with the green fluorescent dye FITC annexin V entering apoptotic cells and the red fluorescent dye PI not entering. The expression of the relevant proteins was detected using Western blot. Results : Ethanol extracts of Porphyra tenera (PTE, $50-200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) caused a significant decrease of cell viability in a dose dependant manner. The cell death occurred as a result of apoptotic process as determined by TUNEL assay and flow cytometric analysis. In line with this observation, decrease in procaspase proteins and increase in cytosolic cytochrome c were observed in cells treated with PTE. In addition, exposure to PTE decreased the expression levels of Bcl-2, and induced PARP cleavage and AIF translocation from mitochondria to nucleus. Conclusions : In conclusion, PTE exerts anti-cancer effects by inducing apoptosis via caspase activation and AIF nuclear translocation in YD-10B cells. These results provide evidence for the possible therapeutic effect of Porphyra tenera in oral cancer cells.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.91-95
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was carried out to evaluate whether the water extract from cause the cellular damage in HepG2 cell line. It was reported that Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz(DDT) intake induce poisoning symptoms in human population. These symptoms was closely related to liver toxicity, however, mechanisms for liver toxicity caused by DDT have not been elucidated exactly. Here, hepatotoxicity caused by DDT was evaluated using HepG2 cell line. Methods : Water extract of DDT was treated into HepG2 cell with various doses such as 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and $5.0mg/m{\ell}$. In order to cell viability, both MTT and LDH assay were carried out. Also, apoptosis array kit was used to identify whether cell death caused by DDT is due to apoptosis or not. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured after treatment of water extract. Results : We found out significant changes in the apoptosis related factors of hepatocyte. The cell viability of HepG2 treated with DDT water extract was decreased in dose-dependent. Also most of the apoptosis related factors were significantly increased. We found out that Caspase 3, Cytochrome C and ROS had increased in dose-dependent. In addition, other apoptosis related factors Bcl 2 and Bax, which were also constant changes. However, there was no significance. Conclusions : These results suggest that water soluble extract of DDT is expected to have oral toxicity, including hepatocellular damage Therefore, it is suggested that DDT could cause various side effects and toxicity of clinical conditions.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.7-15
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• 2013

Objectives : Interruption and subsequent restoration of blood flow into the kidney result in renal injury. As an approach to preventing the renal injury, we determined the optimal conditions and the underlying mechanisms by which supernatant of hot water extract of ground Triticum aestivum L. (extract) attenuated ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods : One hour after administration of the extract (400 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection, renal I/R injury was generated by clamping the left renal artery in rats after surgical removal of the right kidney, followed by reperfusion. The maximal difference between the vehicle-treated and the extract-treated group under ketamine/xylazine or enflurane anesthetization was assessed at varying periods of ischemia (30-45 min) and reperfusion (3-48 hr), based on the renal function assessed with serum creatinine levels, tissue injury with hematoxylin/eosin staining, and apoptosis with terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining. Results : Enflurane anesthetization with 40 min of ischemia and 24 hr of reperfusion was identified to be the optimal condition, under which condition serum creatinine levels and tubular damage in the extract-treated group were significantly reduced compared with those in the vehicle-treated group ($1.3{\pm}0.2$ versus $2.7{\pm}0.3$ mg/dL, P < 0.01, and average score $1.8{\pm}0.1$ versus $3.5{\pm}0.3$, P < 0.01, respectively). These beneficial effects were mediated by inhibition of apoptotic cascades through attenuation of renal tissue malondialdehyde levels, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 levels. Conclusions : The extract conferred renal protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats by scavenging reactive oxygen species and consequently blocking apoptotic cascades, plausibly augmented by enflurane protection.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.79-86
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate neuroprotective effects and molecular mechanisms of luteolin against ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}_{25-35}$)-induced oxidative cell death in BV-2 cells. Methods : The protective effects of luteolin against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity and apoptotic cell death were determined by MTT dye reduction assay and TUNEL staining, respectively. The apoptotic cell death was further analyzed by measuring mitochondrial transmembrane potential and expression of pro- and/or anti-apoptotic proteins. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of luteolin, intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species, oxidative damages, and expression of antioxidant enzymes were examined. Results : Luteolin pretreatment effectively attenuated $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced apoptotic cell death indices such as DNA fragmentation, dissipation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and caspase-3 in BV-2 cells. Furthermore, $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent oxidative damages such as lipid peroxidation and depletion of endogenous antioxidant glutathione were suppressed by luteolin treatment. The neuroprotective effects of luteolin might be mediated by up-regulation of cellular antioxidant defense system via up-regulation of ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine ligase, a rate-limiting enzyme in the glutathione biosynthesis and superoxide dismutase, an enzyme involved in dismutation of superoxide anion into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Conclusions : These findings suggest that luteolin has a potential to protect against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced neuronal cell death and damages thereby exhibiting therapeutic utilization for the prevention and/or treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Objectives : The present study was conducted to examine whether Toosendan Fructus has an ameliorative effect on diabetes-induced alterations such as oxidative stress and inflammation in the pancreas of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model of human type I diabetes. Methods : Extracts of Toosendan Fructus (ETF) were administered to NOD mice at three doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg). Mice at 18 weeks of age were measured glucose tolerance using intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. After 28 weeks of ETF treatment, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and proinflammatory cytokines in serum, western blot analyses and a histopathological examination in pancreas tissue, and on the onset of diabetes were investigated. Results : The results showed that levels of glucose, glucose tolerance, TC, TG, interferon-${\gamma}$, interleukin (IL)-1 ${\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-12 in serum were down-regulated, while IL-4, IL-10, SOD, and catalase significantly increased. In addition, ETF improved protein expression of proinflammatory mediaters (such as cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase) and a proapoptotic protein (caspase-3) in the pancreatic tissue. Also, in the groups treated with ETF (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg), insulitis and infiltration of granulocytes were alleviated. Conclusions : Based on these results, the anti-diabetic effect of ETF may be due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. Our findings support the therapeutic evidence for Toosendan Fructus ameliorating the development of diabetic pancreatic damage via regulating inflammation and apoptosis. Our future studies will be focused on the search for active compounds in these extracts.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.33-40
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• 2013

Objectives : To study the apoptosis effects of fermented Undaria pinnatifida extracts(FUP) against HCT-15 colon cancer cells. Method : By measuring cell proliferation, DNA fragmentation, cell cycle, morphology, and western blot from FUP, the study investigated the effects of the extractions had upon the HCT-15 colon cancer cells, and concluded that the inhibiting effects upon cells were induced by apoptosis. Result : FUP effectively inhibited the growth of HCT-15 colon cancer cells. After analyzing the DNA fragmentation, the study observed a DNA ladder, while examining the cells, and found an increase of sub-G1 hypodiploid cells. On the changes regarding the nucleus of the cells, a condensation of cells and chromatin, as well as an apoptotic body was clearly observed. By observing through western blot from FUP, the study found a decreased level of Bcl-2 from HCT-15 colon cancer cells, but the increased level of Bax and cleaved caspase-3, which as a result induced apoptosis, inhibiting the growth of HCT-15 colon cancer cells. FUP increased the natural death of HCT-15 colon cancer cells by the induction of apoptosis. FUP seemed to have no suppressing effect upon HL-60/MX2 cells. However, compared to the fucoidan, the study was able to clearly observe morphological changes of HCT-15 cells apoptosis, in a 1/2 concentration. Conclusion : FUP had antiproliferative effects on different kinds of cancer cells, while proving especially efficacious against colon cancer cells.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제52권1호
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• pp.28-38
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• 2022

Purpose: Macrophages play crucial roles as early responders to bacterial pathogens and promote/ or impede chronic inflammation in various tissues. Periodontal macrophage-induced pyroptosis results in physiological and pathological inflammatory responses. The transcription factor Dec2 is involved in regulating immune function and inflammatory processes. To characterize the potential unknown role of Dec2 in the innate immune system, we sought to elucidate the mechanism that may alleviate macrophage pyroptosis in periodontal inflammation. Methods: Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce pyroptosis in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Subsequently, we established an LPS-stimulated Dec2 overexpression cellular model in macrophages. Human chronic periodontitis tissues were employed to evaluate potential changes in inflammatory marker expression and pyroptosis. Finally, the effects of Dec2 deficiency on inflammation and pyroptosis were characterized in a P. gingivalis-treated experimental periodontitis Dec2-knockout mouse model. Results: Macrophages treated with LPS revealed significantly increased messenger RNA expression levels of Dec2 and interleukin (IL)-1β. Dec2 overexpression reduced IL-1β expression in macrophages treated with LPS. Overexpression of Dec2 also repressed the cleavage of gasdermin D (GSDMD), and the expression of caspase-11 was concurrently reduced in macrophages treated with LPS. Human chronic periodontitis tissues showed significantly higher gingival inflammation and pyroptosis-related protein expression than non-periodontitis tissues. In vivo, P. gingivalis-challenged mice exhibited a significant augmentation of F4/80, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-1β. Dec2 deficiency markedly induced GSDMD expression in the periodontal ligament of P. gingivalis-challenged mice. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that Dec2 deficiency exacerbated P. gingivalis LPS-induced periodontal inflammation and GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis. Collectively, our results present novel insights into the molecular functions of macrophage pyroptosis and document an unforeseen role of Dec2 in pyroptosis.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.67-83
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• 2022

Objectives : In this study, the anticancer activity of water extracts of three herbal medicine formulas, Bigihwan (BGH), Daechilgitang (DCGT) and Mokwhyangbinranghwan (MHBRH) listed in Donguibogam, was evaluated in HepG2 cells, a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. Methods : We investigated whether the cell viability of HepG2 cells was inhibited by the treatment of water extracts of three prescriptions, and whether their viability inhibitory effect was related to the induction of apoptosis. In addition, the role of autophagy on the induction of apoptosis by the treatment of these extracts was investigated. Results : The anticancer activity of the three water extracts on HepG2 cells was due to induction of apoptosis, not necrosis. Among them, BGH activated the caspase-dependent intrinsic apoptosis pathway associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. However, autophagy was induced more than 2-fold in DCGT-treated HepG2 cells, and the anticancer activity of DCGT was enhanced 1.5-fold in the presence of an autophagy inhibitor, but was attenuated in BGH and MHBRH-treated cells. Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that DCGT-induced autophagy was involved in the inhibition of apoptosis, whereas autophagy by BGH and MHBRH was related to induction of apoptosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.367-375
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• 2022

Gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) are a major cause of radioresistance and chemoresistance in gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, targeting GCSCs is regarded as a powerful strategy for the effective treatment of GC. Atorvastatin is a widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drug that inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway. The anticancer activity of atorvastatin, a repurposed drug, is being investigated; however, its therapeutic effect and molecular mechanism of action against GCSCs remain unknown. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer effects of atorvastatin on MKN45-derived GCSCs. Atorvastatin significantly inhibited the proliferative and tumorsphere-forming abilities of MKN45 GCSCs in a mevalonate pathway-independent manner. Atorvastatin induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and promoted apoptosis by activating the caspase cascade. Furthermore, atorvastatin exerted an antiproliferative effect against MKN45 GCSCs by inhibiting the expression of cancer stemness markers, such as CD133, CD44, integrin α6, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1, Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog, through the downregulation of β-catenin, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and protein kinase B activities. Additionally, the combined treatment of atorvastatin and sorafenib, a multi-kinase targeted anticancer drug, synergistically suppressed not only the proliferation and tumorsphere formation of MKN45 GCSCs but also the in vivo tumor growth in a chick chorioallantoic membrane model implanted with MKN45 GCSCs. These findings suggest that atorvastatin can therapeutically eliminate GCSCs.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권10호
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• pp.512-517
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• 2022

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is brain damage which is caused by the impact of external mechanical forces. TBI can lead to the temporary or permanent impairment of physical and cognitive abilities, resulting in abnormal behavior. We recently observed that a single session of early exercise in animals with TBI improved their behavioral performance in the absence of other cognitive abnormalities. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of continuous exercise during the early stages of TBI in rats. We found that continuous low-intensity exercise in early-stage improves the locomotion recovery in the TBI of animal models; however, it does not significantly enhance short-term memory capabilities. Moreover, continuous early exercise not only reduces the protein expression of cerebral damage-related markers, such as Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein (GFAP), Neuron-Specific Enolase (NSE), S100β, Protein Gene Products 9.5 (PGP9.5), and Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70), but it also decreases the expression of apoptosis-related protein BAX and cleaved caspase 3. Furthermore, exercise training in animals with TBI decreases the microglia activation and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the serum, such as CCL20, IL-13, IL-1α, and IL-1β. These findings thus demonstrate that early exercise therapy for TBI may be an effective strategy in improving physiological function, and that serum protein levels are useful biomarkers for the predicition of the effectiveness of early exercise therapy.