• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1289-1293
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• 2007

Persicaside has been isolated as a new alkaloid natural compound from a methanol (EtOA)-soluble extract of Prunus persica seed. It was purified by a combination of chromatographic techniques and recrystallization. The structure of Persicaside was determined by extensive NMR experiments and mass ppectroscopic data. It inhibited nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production via suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2 expression in rat osteoblast sarcoma cells (ROS 17/2.8) in concentration-dependent manner whereas it spares the COX-1 enzyme activity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2014

Cigarette smoke is considered a major risk factor for vascular diseases. There are many toxic compounds in cigarette smoke, including acrolein and other ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated aldehydes, which are regarded as mediators of inflammation and vascular dysfunction. Furthermore, recent studies have revealed that acrolein, an ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated aldehyde in cigarette smoke, induces inflammatory mediator expression, which is known to be related to vascular diseases. In this study, we investigated whether Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) water extract suppressed acrolein-induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Acrolein-induced COX-2 expression was accompanied by increased levels of phosphorylated p38 in HUVECs and KRG inhibited COX-2 expression in HUVECs. These results suggest that KRG suppresses acrolein-induced COX-2 expression via inhibition of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. In addition, KRG exhibited an inhibitory effect on acrolein-induced apoptosis, as demonstrated by annexin Vepropidium iodide staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay. Consistent with these results, KRG may exert a vasculoprotective effect through inhibition of COX-2 expression in acrolein-stimulated human endothelial cells.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1294-1298
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• 2008

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) induce innate immune responses recognizing conserved microbial structural molecules. All TLR signaling pathways culminate in the activation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$). The activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ leads to the induction of inflammatory gene products such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Guggul has been used for centuries to treat a variety of diseases. Guggulstreone, one of the active ingredients in guggul, has been used to treat many chronic diseases. However, the mechanism as to how guggulsterone mediate the health effects is largely unknown. Here, we report biochemical evidence that guggulsterone inhibits the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and COX-2 expression induced by TLR2, TLR3, and TLR4 agonists. Guggulsterone also inhibits the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation induced by downstream signaling components of TLRs, myeloid differential factor 88 (MyD88), $I{\kappa}B$ kinase ${\beta}$ ($IKK{\beta}$), and p65. These results imply that guggulsterone can modulate the immune responses regulated by TLR signaling pathways.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.145-150
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• 2007

Purpose: To investigate the degree and effect of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression on the survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GM). Materials and Methods: Between 1997 and 2006, thirty consecutive GM patients treated with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (dose range: $44{\sim}65.1$ Gy, median dose: 61.2 Gy) were included in the study. Three patients were excluded that discontinued radiotherapy before receiving a dose of 40 Gy due to mental deterioration. The expression of the COX-2 protein in surgical specimens was examined by immunohistochemical analysis. Survival analysis and verification were performed with respect to sex, age, performance status, resection extent, radiotherapy dose, and degree of COX-2 expression using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log rank test. Results: The median length of follow-up was 13.3 months (range:$6{\sim}83$ months). Staining for COX-2 was positive in all patient samples. Staining for COX-2 that was positive for over 75% of the tumor cells was found in 24 patients. Staining for COX-2 that was positive in less than 25% of tumor cells was found in 3 patients (10.0%), staining for COX-2 that was positive in 25 to 50% of tumor cells was found in 1 patient (3.3%), staining for COX-2 that was positive in 50 to 75% of tumor cells was found in 2 patients (6.7%) and staining for COX-2 that was positive in 75 to 100% of tumor cells was found in 24 patients (80.0%). The median survival and two-year survival rate were 13.5 months and 17.5%, respectively. The survival rate was influenced significantly by the degree of resection (tumor removal by 50% or more) and radiotherapy dose (59 Gy or greater) (p<0.05). The median survival of patients with staining for COX-2 that was positive in less than 75% of tumor cells and in at least 75% of tumor cells was 15.5 and 13.0 months, respectively (p>0.05), and the two-year survival for these groups was 33.3 and 13.3%, respectively (p>0.05). Conclusion: The absence of a statistical correlation between the degree of COX-2 expression and survival in GM patients, despite the high rate of COX-2 positive tumor cells in the GM patient samples, requires further studies with a larger series to ascertain the prognostic value of the degree of COX-2 expression in GM patients.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2013

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and regulate the activation of innate immunity. All TLR signaling pathways culminate in the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, leading to the induction of inflammatory gene products such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Triptolide (TP), a natural component of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F, has been used as folk remedies to treat many chronic diseases for many years. In the present report, we present biochemical evidence that TP inhibits the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation induced by polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (Poly[I:C], TLR3 agonist) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, TLR4 agonist). TP also inhibits COX-2 expression induced by Poly[I:C] and LPS. These results suggest that TP can modulate the immune responses regulated by TLR3 and TLR4 signaling pathways.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2010

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and regulate the activation of innate immunity. All TLR signaling pathways culminate in the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, leading to the induction of inflammatory gene products such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the herb feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), has been used as folk remedies to treat many chronic diseases for many years. In the present report, we present biochemical evidence that parthenolide inhibits the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation induced by TLR agonists and the overexpression of downstream signaling components of TLRs, MyD88, $IKK{\beta}$, and p65. Parthenolide also inhibits TLR agonists-induced COX-2 and iNOS expression. These results suggest that parthenolide can modulate the immune responses regulated by TLR signaling pathways.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.95.1-95
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• 2003

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae) has a wide array of pharmacologic effects. Our previous studies have demonstrated that [6]-gingerol, a major pungent ingredient of ginger, inhibits mouse skin tumor promotion and anchorage-independent growth of cultured mouse epidermal cells stimulated with epidermal growth factor. In this study, we have investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive effects of [6]-gingerol on mouse skin carcinogenesis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a key enzyme in the formation of prostaglandins, has been recognized as a molecular target of many chemopreventive as well as anti-inflammatory agents. The murine COX-2 promoter contains several transcriptional elements, particularly those involved in regulating inflammatory processes. One of the essential transcription factors responsible for COX-2 induction is NF-kappa B. Topical application of [6]-gingerol inhibited the COX-2 expression through suppression of NF-kappa B activation in phorbol ester-treated mouse skin. [6]-Gingerol, through down-regulation of p38 MAPK, abrogated the DNA binding activity of NF-kappa B by blocking phosphorylation of p65/RelA at the Ser 536 residue. These findings suggest that [6]-gingerol exerts an anti-tumor promotional activity through inhibition of the p38 MAPK-NF-kappa B siganling cascade in mouse skin.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2008

We investigated the combinatorial effects of different doses of dietary soy isoflavones (SI) and fructooligosaccharide (FOS) in a rat model of colon cancer. We hypothesized that increased bioavailability of SI metabolites due to dietary FOS may increase production of bioactive equol and affect colon carcinogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Sprague-Dawley male rats were injected with 12-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and were providec experimental diets that contained 0, 10, 50, 150, or 500 mg SI per kg of diet and 6% FOS for 12 weeks. The number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colonic tissues were significantly decreased in the 6% FOS-fed groups compared to the control group. Gut transit time and fecal pH were significantly lower, and fecal concentrations of bifidobacteria were increased with 6% FOS. However, dietary SI supplementation in combination with 6% dietary FOS did not affect ACF formation or COX-2 expression. Plasma equol concentrations were dose-dependently increased by supplementation of SI up to 500 mg/kg of diet. In conclusion, SI supplementation up to 500 mg/kg of diet appeared to have no additive beneficial effects in rats with chemically-induced colon cancer that were fed 6% FOS, although plasma equol was dose-dependently increased.

• CELLMED
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.10.1-10.8
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• 2014

Affecting more than half of menstruating women, dysmenorrhea is a cramp which causes abdominal or lower back pain just before or during a menstruation. In western medicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are normally used to treat primary dysmenorrheal symptoms. Despite their rapidity in relieving pain, NSAIDs have many serious side effects on the liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract. Thai traditional medicines comprise many preparations for treating dysmenorrhea, especially Prasaplai preparation which has been listed in the Thai traditional common household drug list since 2006. The use of Prasaplai was originated about 100 years ago and is still being used in the present time to treat dysmenorrhea. This review focuses on the history of the preparation, active ingredients, and biological activities especially on cyclooxygenase inhibitor, artifacts occurred in the preparation, quantitative analysis, and clinical trial of Prasaplai formulation.

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.117-117
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• 2004