• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.381-388
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• 2001

This work describes the pharmacological inhibition by KR 31378 and its acetyl metabolite, KR 31612, of the apoptotic cell death induced by $H_2O_2$ in the A7r5 cells. Exposure of A7r5 cells to $H_2O_2$ (0.5 mM) induced a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in association with oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation. $H_2O_2-induced$ cell death was potently suppressed by KR 31378, KR 31612, ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ or trolox. Additionally, the apoptotic death of A7r5 cells (DNA ladders on electrophoresis) was also strongly suppressed by KR 31378 and KR 31612, but to a less degree by ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ and trolox. As a mechanistic study, incubation with $H_2O_2$ markedly showed a decreased Bcl-2 level and, in contrast, increased Bax protein and cytochrome C release, which were significantly and concentration-dependently reversed by KR 31378 and KR 31612 as well as by ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ and trolox. KR 31378 and ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ significantly reduced lipid peroxidation in accordance with reduced intracellular ROS and peroxyl radical. These results suggest that KR 31378 has a therapeutic potential against the apoptotic injury via mediation of anti- oxidative stress.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.2955-2962
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• 2014

Asian ginseng is used as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases, ischemia, and cancers. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein acts as a late mediator of severe vascular inflammatory conditions. However, the effect of ginsenosides from Asian ginseng on HMGB1-induced inflammatory responses has not been studied. We addressed this question by monitoring the effects of ginsenoside treatment on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-mediated release of HMGB1, and HMGB1-mediated regulation of proinflammatory responses. Ginsenoside treatment suppressed LPS-mediated release of HMGB1 and HMGB1-mediated cytoskeletal rearrangements. Ginsenosides also inhibited HMGB1-mediated inflammatory responses. In addition, ginsenosides inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and activation of protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), and extracellular-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 by HMGB1. Ginsenosides also decreased CLP-induced release of HMGB1, production of interleukin (IL) $1{\beta}/6$, and mortality. These results suggested that ginsenosides may be potential therapeutic agents for treatment of vascular inflammatory diseases through inhibition of the HMGB1 signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2024

Background: Stingless bee propolis is a popular traditional folk medicine and has been employed since ancient times. This study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive activities of the chemical constituents of aqueous propolis extract (APE) collected by Trigona thoracica in a nociceptive model in mice. Methods: The identification of chemical constituents of APE was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ninety-six male Swiss mice were administered APE (400 mg/kg, 1,000 mg/kg, and 2,000 mg/kg) before developing nociceptive pain models. Then, the antinociceptive properties of each APE dose were evaluated in acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, hot plate test, and formalin-induced paw licking test. Administration of normal saline, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, 100 mg/kg, orally), and morphine (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) were used for the experiments. Results: HPLC revealed that the APE from Trigona thoracica contained p-coumaric acid (R² = 0.999) and caffeic acid (R² = 0.998). Although all APE dosages showed inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, only 2,000 mg/kg was comparable to the result of ASA (68.7% vs. 73.3%, respectively). In the hot plate test, only 2,000 mg/kg of APE increased the latency time significantly compared to the control. In the formalin test, the durations of paw licking were significantly reduced at early and late phases in all APE groups with a decrease from 45.1% to 53.3%. Conclusions: APE from Trigona thoracica, containing p-coumaric acid and caffeic acid, exhibited antinociceptive effects, which supports its potential use in targeting the prevention or reversal of central and peripheral sensitization that may produce clinical pain conditions.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.30
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• pp.6.1-6.7
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• 2015

Objectives This study aimed to estimate the effects of 4-nonylphenol (NP), a ubiquitously present surfactant in aquatic environments, on the anti-oxidant systems of the liver in the Far Eastern catfish Silurus asotus. Methods Changes in biochemical parameters involved in glutathione (GSH)-related and other anti-oxidant systems were analyzed following 4 weeks of 4-NP administration (0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg diet) via a formulated diet to catfish. Results 4-NP exposure induced an elevation in hepatic lipid peroxide levels and an accompanying decrease in reduced state GSH after 2 weeks, suggesting pro-oxidant effects of the chemical in catfish. This oxidative stress was associated with an inhibition of the GSH-utilizing enzyme glutathione peroxidase at the same time point. This inhibition was restored after 4 weeks. The activities of other anti-oxidant enzymes, i.e., glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were increased after 4 weeks. These enzyme increases occurred more strongly at the higher 4-NP concentration (1.0 mg/kg diet). Conclusions 4-NP given to catfish at 0.1 to 1.0 mg/kg diet, concentrations relevant to environmental levels, depletes the endogenous anti-oxidant molecule GSH and temporarily inhibits GSH-related anti-oxidant enzymes. Such declines in anti-oxidant capacity and elevated oxidative stress seem to be compensated eventually by subsequent activation of various anti-oxidant enzyme systems.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.252-258
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• 2009

Shade-dried flowers of Sarcostemma brevistigma Wight Syn (SBF) belonging to Asclepiadaceae yielded a rare flavonol glycoside viz., Quercetin 5a prenyl, 3-O-glucosyl, 7-O-(4c-p-coumaroyl) neohesperidoside which were characterized based on chemical and spectral (including 2D NMR) studies. The ethyl acetate fraction of alcoholic concentrate (test sample) of flowers of this plant (SBF) was evaluated for its hepatoprotective and inhibition of lipid peroxidation activities to investigate the scientific basis of the traditional uses. The oral administration in varying doses viz., 125 and 250 mg/kg of aqueous suspension of SBF to rats for 7 days produced significant (P < 0.01) hepatoprotective effect comparable to that of standard drug silymarin. The SBF afforded good hepatoprotection against $CCl_4$ induced elevation levels of serum marker enzymes, serum bilirubin and liver weight. The free radical scavenging effects of SBF and flavonol glycoside (SA) were assigned by $Fe^{2+}$/ascorbate induction method (in vitro), which revealed the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The SBF and SA showed prominent anti-lipid peroxidation activity ($IC_{50}$ about $\sim$180 mg/ml and 11.0 mg/ml respectively), which was comparable to standard drug curcumin ($IC_{50}$ about $\sim$8.25 mg/ml). Thus the hepatoprotective activity of SB could be correlated to the free radical scavenging property of the flavonol glycoside.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 1999

A series of organosulfur compounds were synthesized with the aim of developing chemopreventive compounds active against hepatotoxicity and chemical carcinogesis. 2-(Allylthio) prazine (2-AP) was effective in inhibiting cytochrome P450 2E1-mediated catalytic activities and protein expression, and in inducing microsomal epoxide hydrolase and major glutathione S-transferases. 2-AP reduced the hepatotoxicity caused by toxicant sand elevated cellular GSH content. Development of skin tumors, pulmonary adenoma and aberrant crypt foci in colon by various chemical carcinogens was inhibited by 2-AP pretreatment. Anticarcinogenic effects of 2-AP at the stage of initiation of tumors were also observed in the aflatoxin B1 ($AFB_1$)-induced three-step medium-term hepatocarcinogenesis model. Reduction of $AFB_1$-DNA adduct by 2-AP appeared to result from the decreased formation of $AFB_1$-8,9-epoxide via suppression of cytochrome P450, while induction of GST 2-AP increases the excretion of glutathione-conjugated $AFB_1$ . 2-AP was a radioprotective agent effective against the lethal dose of total body irradiation and reduced radiation-induced injury in association with the elevation of detoxifying gene expression. 2-AP produces reactive oxygen species in vivo, which is not mediated with the thiol-dependent production of oxidants and that NF-KB activation is not involved in the induction of the detoxifying enzymes. the mechanism of chemoprotection by 2-AP may involve inhibition of the P450-mediated metabolic activation of chemical carcinogens and enhancement of electrophilic detoxification through induction of phase II detoxification enzymes which would facilitate the clearance of activated metabolites through conjugation reaction.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.2165-2172
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• 2017

Lignocellulose is now a promising raw material for biofuel production. However, the lignin complex and crystalline cellulose require pretreatment steps for breakdown of the crystalline structure of cellulose for the generation of fermentable sugars. Moreover, several fermentation inhibitors are generated with sugar compounds, majorly furfural. The mitigation of these inhibitors is required for the further fermentation steps to proceed. Amino acids were investigated on furfural-induced growth inhibition in E. coli producing isobutanol. Glycine and serine were the most effective compounds against furfural. In minimal media, glycine conferred tolerance against furfural. From the $IC_{50}$ value for inhibitors in the production media, only glycine could alleviate growth arrest for furfural, where 6 mM glycine addition led to a slight increase in growth rate and isobutanol production from 2.6 to 2.8 g/l under furfural stress. Overexpression of glycine pathway genes did not lead to alleviation. However, addition of glycine to engineered strains blocked the growth arrest and increased the isobutanol production about 2.3-fold.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.500-506
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• 2010

TNF-${\alpha}$ and VCAM-1 play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, and the development of drugs targeting these molecules has extended the therapeutical approaches to rheumatoid arthritis patients. Bispecific antibodies combine the antigen-binding sites of two antibodies within a single molecule and thus they are able to bind to two different epitopes simultaneously. A specific bispecific antibody format termed "Di-diabody" was made for the efficient approach to anti-inflammation. In this study, the DNA vector construct of Di-diabody was built up against two antigens, VCAM-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$. For evaluating this Di-diabody as a bispecific antibody on the efficacy of anti-inflammation, the proteins were analyzed according to each antigen binding affinity and cell based assay related separate molecules. The 7H/Humira Di-diabody produced in this study interacted with its ligands, VCAM-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$, respectively. Also, this antibody exhibited the similar functional activities as compared to 7H-IgG in respect to inhibition of hVCAM-1-induced cell adhesion and Humira-IgG in respect to inhibition of TNF-${\alpha}$ induced cytotoxicity. Further study to elucidate the pharmacological significance of the Di-diabody is warranted using experimental animals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.511-515
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• 2002

Paeoniae radix has been considered as one of the most important crude drugs used in traditional oriental medicine and has been employed as a circulatory tonic in care of weakness, night sweats, and lumbar pain, etc. Platelet activation plays an important role in thrombosis and haemostasis. Active compounds for the inhibition of platelet activation from Paeoniae radix were extracted and fractionated into five fractions. Its fraction two and three of ethyl acetate extract inhibited the aggregation of washed rabbit platelets induced by collagen. Two active compounds, bezoyloxypaeoniflorin and paeoniflorin, were isolated from fraction two and three by silica gel column and high performance liquid chromatography. The chemical structures were determined by comparison of their proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Benzoyloxypaeoniflorin showed strong inhibition at the concentration of 100 ug/mL against collagen-induced washed rabbit platelets aggregation. It is suggested that Paeoniae radix has become food material to prevent a cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 2022

Purpose: Obesity and a high-fat diet (HFD) are risk factors for colorectal cancer. We have previously shown that luteolin (LUT) supplementation in HFD-fed mice markedly inhibits tumor development in chemically induced colon carcinogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer effect of LUT in the inhibition of cell proliferation in HFD-fed obese mice and HT-29 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells grown in an adipocyte-derived medium. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet (ND, 11.69% fat out of total calories consumed, n = 10), HFD (40% fat out of total calories consumed, n = 10), HFD with 0.0025% LUT (n = 10), and HFD with 0.005% LUT (n = 10) and were subjected to azoxymethane-dextran sulfate sodium chemical colon carcinogenesis. All mice were fed the experimental diet for 11 weeks. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and HT-29 cells were treated with various doses of LUT in an adipocyte-conditioned medium (Ad-CM). Results: The weekly body weight changes in the LUT groups were similar to those in the HFD group; however, the survival rates of the LUT group were higher than those of the HFD group. Impaired crypt integrity of the colonic mucosa in the HFD group was observed to be restored in the LUT group. The colonic expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptors were suppressed by the LUT supplementation in the HFD-fed mice. The LUT treatment (10, 20, and 40 µM) inhibited the proliferation and migration of HT-29 cells cultured in Ad-CM in a dose-dependent manner, as well as the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Conclusion: These results suggest that the anticancer effect of LUT is probably due to the inhibition of IGF-1 signaling and adipogenesis-related cell proliferation in colon cancer cells.