• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.180-188
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• 2015

This study investigated the possible effects and molecular mechanisms of diallyl disulfide (DADS) against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) in rats. Inflammation response was assessed by histopathology and serum cytokines levels. We determined the protein expressions of nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-${\kappa}B$), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), oxidative stress, urinary nitrite-nitrate, malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Finally, we studied the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling in the protective effects of DADS against CP-induced HC. CP treatment caused a HC which was evidenced by an increase in histopathological changes, proinflammatory cytokines levels, urinary nitrite-nitrate level, and the protein expression of NF-${\kappa}B$, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-${\alpha}$, p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p-extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK). The significant decreases in glutathione content and glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase activities, and the significant increase in MDA content and urinary MDA and 8-OHdG levels indicated that CP-induced bladder injury was mediated through oxidative DNA damage. In contrast, DADS pretreatment attenuated CP-induced HC, including histopathological lesion, serum cytokines levels, oxidative damage, and urinary oxidative DNA damage. DADS also caused significantly decreased the protein expressions of NF-${\kappa}B$, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-${\alpha}$, p-JNK, and p-ERK. These results indicate that DADS prevents CP-induced HC and that the protective effects of DADS may be due to its ability to regulate proinflammatory cytokines production by inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs expressions, and its potent anti-oxidative capability through reduction of oxidative DNA damage in the bladder.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제30권10호
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• pp.1458-1466
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• 2020

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), classified as condensed tannins, have significant antioxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-cancer effects. This study was performed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of OPCs and the mechanism underlying these effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T). Real-time PCR and ELISA assays indicated that OPC treatment at 1, 3 and 5 ㎍/ml significantly reduced the mRNA and protein, respectively, of oxidant indicators cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (p < 0.05) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (p < 0.01) as well as inflammation cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 (p < 0.01), IL-1β (p < 0.01) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (p < 0.05) in LPS-induced MAC-T cells. Moreover, OPCs downregulated LPS-induced phosphorylation of p65 and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) (IκB) in the NF-κB signaling pathway (p < 0.01), and they inhibited p65 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus as revealed by immunofluorescence test and western blot. Additionally, OPCs decreased phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal regulated kinase and c-jun NH₂-terminal kinase in the MAPK signaling pathway (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of OPCs involve NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, thus inhibiting expression of pro-inflammatory factors and oxidation indicators. These findings provide novel experimental evidence for the further practical application of OPCs in prevention and treatment of bovine mastitis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.126-135
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• 2001

Quinacrine (QU), a phospholipase-A2 (PLA-2) inhibitor has been used clinically as a chemotherapeutic adjuvant. To understand the mechanisms leading to its chemotherapeutic effect, we have investigated QU-induced apoptotic signaling pathways in human cervical squamous carcinoma HeLa cells. In this study, we found that QU induced cytochrome c-dependent apoptotic signaling. The release of pro-apoptotic cytochrome c was QU concentration- and time-dependent, and preceded activation of caspase-9 and -3. Flow cytometric FACScan analysis using fluorescence intensities of $DiOC_6$/ demonstrated that QU-induced cytochrome c release was independent of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), since the concentrations of QU that induced cytochrome c release did not alter mitochondrial membrane potential (${\blacktriangle}{\Psi}_m$). Moreover, kinetic analysis of caspase activities showed that cytochrome c release led to the activation of caspase-9 and downstream death effector caspase-3, Caspase-3 inhibitor (Ac-DEVD-CHO) partially blocked QU-induced apoptosis, suggesting the importance of caspase-3 in this apoptotic signaling mechanism. Supplementation with arachidonic acid (AA) sustained caspase-3 activation induced by QU. Using inhibitors against cellular arachidonate metabolism of lipooxygenase (Nordihydroxyguaiaretic Acid, NDGA) and cyclooxygenase (5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid, ETYA) demonstrated that QU-induced apoptotic signaling may be dependent on its role as a PLA-2 inhibitor. Interestingly, NDCA attenuated QU-induced cytochrome c release, caspase activity as well as apoptotic cell death. The blockade of cytochrome c release by NDCA was much more effective than that attained with cyclosporin A (CsA), a MPT inhibitor. ETYA was not effective in blocking cytochrome c release, except under very high concentrations. Caspase inhibitor z-VAD blocked the release of cytochrome c suggesting that this signaling event is caspase dependent, and caspase-8 activation may be upstream of the mitochondrial events. In summary, we report that QU induced cytochrome c-dependent apoptotic signaling cascade, which may be dependent on its role as a PLA-2 inhibitor. This apoptotic mechanism induced by QU may contribute to its known chemotherapeutic effects.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.83-91
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• 1999

Angiotensin II (ANG II) has a biphasic effect on $Na^+$ transport in proximal tubule: low doses of ANG II increase the $Na^+$ transport, whereas high doses of ANG II inhibit it. However, the mechanisms of high dose ANG II-induced inhibition on $Na^+$ uptake are poorly understood. Thus the aim of the present study was to investigate signal transduction pathways involved in the ANG II-induced inhibition of $Na^+$ uptake in the primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs) in hormonally defined serum-free medium. ANG II $(10^{-9}\;M)-induced$ inhibition of $Na^+$ uptake was blocked by losartan $(10^{-8}\;M,\;AT_1\;antagonist),$ but not by PD123319 $(10^{-8}\;M,\;AT_2\;antagonist)$ (P<0.05). ANG II-induced inhibition of $Na^+$ uptake was also completely abolished by neomycin $(10^{-4}\;M,$ PLC inhibitor), W-7 $(10^{-4}\;M,$ calmodulin antagonist), and $AACOCF_3\;(10^{-6}\;M,\;PLA_2\;inhibitor)$ (P<0.05). ANG II significantly increased $[^3H]arachidonic$ acid (AA) release compared to control. The ANG II-induced $[^3H]AA$ release was blocked by losartan, $AACOCF_3,$ neomycin, and W-7, but not by PD123319. ANG II-induced $[^3H]AA$ release in the presence of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ was greater than in $Ca^{2+}-free$ medium, and it was partially blocked by TMB-8 $(10^{-4}\;M,$ intracelluar $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization blocker). However, in the absence of extracellular $Ca^{2+},$ it was completely blocked by TMB-8. In addition, econazole $(10^{-6}\;M,$ cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase inhibitor) and indomethacin $(10^{-6}\;M,$ cyclooxygenase inhibitor) blocked ANG II-induced inhibition of $Na^+$ uptake, but NGDA $(10^{-6}\;M,$ lipoxygenase inhibitor) did not affect it. In conclusion, $PLA_2-mediated$ AA release is involved in ANG II-induced inhibition of $Na^+$ uptake and is modulated by $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in the PTCs.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권9호
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• pp.1288-1294
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• 2011

식물에서 추출한 파이토케미컬은 암세포의 여러 신호전달 기작에 관여함으로써 apoptosis를 유도한다. 본 연구에서는 파이토케미컬의 한 종류인 레스베라트롤을 MCF-7 세포에 처리함으로써 암세포의 증식 억제와 apoptosis 유도 효과를 알아보았고, 이러한 효과가 암세포의 성장과 증식에 관여하는 단백질인 mTOR와 COX-2의 발현 양상에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 알아보고자 하였다. 그 결과 MCF-7 세포에 레스베라트롤을 처리했을 때 농도가 증가함에 따라 암세포의 생존률이 감소하였고, Hoechst 33342를 이용한 chromatin 염색과 Annexin V-propodium iodide staning을 통하여 암세포의 세포증식 효과가 apoptosis에 의해 유도된 것임을 알 수 있었다. MCF-7 세포에 레스베라트롤을 처리했을 때 mTOR 및 COX-2의 발현 양상을 확인하기 위해 Western blotting을 실시한 결과, 레스베라트롤의 농도가 높아짐에 따라 mTOR 및 COX-2의 발현이 감소함을 확인 하였다. 이와 같은 결과는 MCF-7 유방암 세포에서 레스베라트롤에 의한 암세포의 증식 억제 및 apoptosis 유도가 mTOR 신호경로 저해를 통한 COX-2의 발현을 감소시킴으로써 나타나는 것으로 보인다.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.191-198
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• 2018

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: Neuroinflammation plays critical role in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated the effect of three licorice varieties, Glycyrhiza uralensis, G. glabra, and Shinwongam (SW) on a mouse model of inflammation-induced memory and cognitive deficit. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 2.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and orally administrated G. uralensis, G. glabra, and SW extract (150 mg/kg/day). SW, a new species of licorice in Korea, was combined with G. uralensis and G. glabra. Behavioral tests, including the T-maze, novel object recognition and Morris water maze, were carried out to assess learning and memory. In addition, the expressions of inflammation-related proteins in brain tissue were measured by western blotting. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in spatial and objective recognition memory in LPS-induced cognitive impairment group, as measured by the T-maze and novel object recognition test; however, the administration of licorice ameliorated these deficits. In addition, licorice-treated groups exhibited improved learning and memory ability in the Morris water maze. Furthermore, LPS-injected mice had up-regulated pro-inflammatory proteins, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6, via activation of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF{\kappa}B$) pathways in the brain. However, these were attenuated by following administration of the three licorice varieties. Interestingly, the SW-administered group showed greater inhibition of iNOS and TLR4 when compared with the other licorice varieties. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain of LPS-induced cognitively impaired mice that were administered licorice, with the greatest effect following SW treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The three licorice varieties ameliorated the inflammation-induced cognitive dysfunction by down-regulating inflammatory proteins and up-regulating BDNF. These results suggest that licorice, in particular SW, could be potential therapeutic agents against cognitive impairment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.406-412
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• 2012

This study was performed to examine the hepatoprotective effect of isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside, a flavonoid glycoside isolated from Artemisia capillaris Thunberg (Compositae), against carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatic injury. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with vehicle or isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) 30 min before and 2 h after $CCl_4$ (20 ${\mu}l/kg$) injection. Serum aminotransferase activities and hepatic level of malondialdehyde were significantly higher after $CCl_4$ treatment, and these increases were attenuated by isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside. $CCl_4$ markedly increased serum tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ level, which was reduced by isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein and their mRNA expression levels were significantly increased after $CCl_4$ injection. The levels of HO-1 protein and mRNA expression levels were augmented by isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside, while isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside attenuated the increases in iNOS and COX-2 protein and mRNA expression levels. $CCl_4$ increased the level of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38, and isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside reduced these increases. The nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$), activating protein-1, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were significantly increased after $CCl_4$ administration. Isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside attenuated the increases of NF-${\kappa}B$ and c-Jun nuclear translocation, while it augmented the nuclear level of Nrf2. These results suggest that isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside ameliorates $CCl_4$-induced hepatic damage by enhancing the anti-oxidative defense system and reducing the inflammatory signaling pathways.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.61-68
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• 2015

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a representative traditional herbal medicine with many different pharmacological properties including anticancer, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-diabetes, and anti-inflammatory activities. Only a few studies have explored the molecular mechanism of KRG-mediated anti-inflammatory activity. Methods: We investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the protopanaxadiol saponin fraction (PPD-SF) of KRG using in vitro and in vivo inflammatory models. Results: PPD-SF dose-dependently diminished the release of inflammatory mediators [nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and prostaglandin $E_2$], and downregulated the mRNA expression of their corresponding genes (inducible NO synthase, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and cyclooxygenase-2), without altering cell viability. The PPD-SF-mediated suppression of these events appeared to be regulated by a blockade of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and TANK (TRAF family member-associated NF-kappa-B activator)-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), which are linked to the activation of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) and interferon regulatory transcription factor 3 (IRF3). Moreover, this fraction also ameliorated HCl/ethanol/-induced gastritis via suppression of phospho-JNK2 levels. Conclusion: These results strongly suggest that the anti-inflammatory action of PPD-SF could be mediated by a reduction in the activation of p38-, JNK2-, and TANK-binding-kinase-1-linked pathways and their corresponding transcription factors (ATF2 and IRF3).

• 생약학회지
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.244-254
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• 2020

Atractylodes macrocephala is a perennial herb and is a member of the Compositae family. This plant is known to contain various bioactive constituents indicating anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-oxidant, immunological enhancement, and gastroprotective effects. In this investigation, we isolated four compounds with similar chemical structures from A. macrocephala, and evaluated their anti-inflammatory effects. Among the four compounds, compound 2(atractylenolide II) showed the second-best inhibitory effect on the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide in RAW264.7 macrophages and BV2 microglial cells. Compound 2 also inhibited the LPS-induced the production of prostaglandin E2(PGE2), and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 proteins in both cells. In addition, compound 2 suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α. These inhibitory effects were contributed by inactivation of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs) pathways by treatment with compound 2. This compound did not induce the expression of heme oxygenase(HO)-1 protein indicating that the anti-inflammatory effect of compound 2 was independent with HO-1 protein. Taken together, these results suggested that atractylenolide II can be a candidate material to treat inflammatory diseases.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권11호
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• pp.899-907
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• 2022

Quercetin은 과일과 채소에 풍부한 플라보노이드 중의 하나로써, 항산화, 항염증, 항암, 항바이러스 활성 등 다양한 약리학적 활성을 가지고 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 in vitro 모델에서 quercetin의 항염증 활성과 작용기전을 연구하였다. Quercetin은 LPS로 자극된 RAW264.7에서 세포 생존율에 영향 없이 NO 생산을 농도 의존적으로 저해하였고, iNOS와 COX-2 단백질의 발현을 억제하였다. 게다가, quercetin은 LPS로 유도된 p38, JNK, ERK의 인산화를 농도 의존적으로 저해하였고, NF-κB p65 단백질과 억제자인 IκBα 단백질의 인산화를 저해하였다. 이러한 결과는 quercetin의 항염증 활성이 MAPK 경로와 NF-κB를 조절함으로써 이루어진다는 것을 시사한다. Quercetin에 의해 4종류의 친 염증성 cytokine (CSF2, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α)의 발현 변화를 정량적 real-time PCR 방법으로 확인한 결과, 모든 cytokine 유전자의 발현이 감소됨을 확인하였다. 종합적으로, 본 연구결과는 플라보노이드 quercetin이 RAW264.7 세포에서 LPS로 유도된 염증반응을 MAPK 경로와 NF-κB경로를 통해 억제하고 친염증성 cytokine 유전자의 발현을 억제함으 로써 조절한다는 것을 제시한다.