• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.184-190
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• 2016

We investigated the antioxidative and protective effects of corn silk (Zea mays L.) ethanol extracts on human HaCaT cells and erythrocytes. The NICS-2 fraction, extracted from corn silk, exhibited favorable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities with $IC_{50}$valuesof$13.3{\pm}0.3{\mu}g/mL$ and $14.2{\pm}0.1{\mu}g/mL$ when compared with those of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, a positive control, with $IC_{50}=10.4{\pm}02.2$ and $22.2{\pm}3.6{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. In addition, we investigated skin protection effects of NICS extracts of corn silk in HaCaT keratinocytes. To investigate the pharmacological potential of NICS-1 and NICS-2 extracts of corn silk on UV-B-induced damage in HaCaT cells, we measured the activity of interleukin (IL) 1a. Our results showed that all the corn silk extracts inhibited the UV-B-induced activity of IL-1a. In particular, NICS-1 extracts of corn silk significantly suppressed IL-1a activity in a dose-dependent manner without inducing cytotoxicity. These results indicate that the ethanol extracts of corn silk (Zea mays L.) could function as natural cytoprotective agents and antioxidants in biological systems, particularly the skin exposed to UV radiation, by protecting cellular membrane against reactive oxygen species (ROS).

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.989-997
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• 2013

In this study, based on the antioxidative effects in organic solvent fractions obtained from the main methanolic extract of L. japonica, the protective cellular effects and gene expression patterns of ethyl acetate fractions on $H_2O_2$-induced Raw 264.7 cell death ($IC_{50}$) were analyzed. The antioxidant activity of the fractions measured using DPPH free radical scavenging activity increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the $ED_{50}$ exhibited the highest $39.56{\mu}g/ml$ in the ethyl acetate fraction. In addition, the ethyl acetate fractions' cell viability on $H_2O_2$-induced Raw 264.7 cell damage increased in a concentration-dependent manner, showed a visible cell survival rate of 82.49% at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. The gene expression patterns related to the ethyl acetate fractions' cytoprotective effect in $H_2O_2$-induced Raw 264.7 cell damage presented similar patterns to those of BHA. In comparative analysis for antioxidant activity-related genes affected by ethyl acetate fractions and BHA in $H_2O_2$-induced Raw 264.7 cells, both ethyl acetate fractions and BHA showed very similar gene expression patterns, but the gene expression level of the heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1) gene making antioxidant enzymes in cells was four times higher in ethyl acetate fractions than BHA. In inflammation-related genes in $H_2O_2$induced Raw 264.7 cells, the T-box transcription factor (Tbx21) gene was expressed about two times more frequently in the ethyl acetate fraction treatment group, while it was expressed half as frequently in the BHA treatment group.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.1070-1077
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• 2017

Chondrocyte apoptosis induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Schisandrin A, a bioactive compound found in fruits of the Schisandra genus, has been reported to possess multiple pharmacological and therapeutic properties. Although several studies have described the antioxidant effects of analogues of schisandrin A, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this bioactive compound remain largely unresolved. The present study investigated the cytoprotective effect of schisandrin A against oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide [$H_2O_2$]) in SW1353 human chondrocyte cells. The results showed that schisandrin A preconditioning significantly inhibited $H_2O_2-induced$ growth inhibition and apoptotic cell death by blocking the degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase proteins and down-regulating pro-caspase-3. These antiapoptotic effects of schisandrin A were associated with attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction and normalization of expression changes of proapoptotic Bax and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 in $H_2O_2-stimulated$ SW1353 chondrocytes. Furthermore, schisandrin A effectively abrogated $H_2O_2-induced$ intracellular ROS accumulation and phosphorylation of histone H2AX at serine 139, a widely used marker of DNA damage. Thus, the present study demonstrates that schisandrin A provides protection against $H_2O_2-induced$ apoptosis and DNA damage in SW1353 chondrocytes, possibly by prevention of ROS generation. Collectively, our data indicate that schisandrin A has therapeutic potential in the treatment of oxidative disorders caused by overproduction of ROS.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.63-71
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• 2014

Objectives : Lonicerae japonicae Flos(LJF) has been reported to exhibit anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-rheumatoid properties. However, it is still largely unknown whether LJF inhibits the ultraviolet(UV)B-induced oxidative damage in human HaCaT keratinocytes. Therefore in this paper, we investigated the anti-oxidative capacity and protective effect of LJF against UVB-induced oxidative demage in human HaCaT keratinocytes. Methods : To evaluate the anti-oxidative activity of LJF extracts, we measured total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents, antioxidant capacity, and superoxide scavenging activity. To give an oxidative stress to HaCaT cells, UVB was irradiated with $200mJ/cm^2$ to HaCaT cells. To detect the protective effect of LJF against UVB, we measured cell viability, DNA fragmentation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In addition, we performed high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis to find a major component of LJF. Results : LJF contained phenolic and flavonoid contents, and showed the anti-oxidant and superoxide scavenging activity. The UVB-induced oxidative conditions led to the cell death, DNA fragmentation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, pretreatment with LJF reduced oxidative conditions, including inhibition of cell death, DNA fragmentation and ROS production. In addition, we found out chlorogenic acid as major component of LJF. Conclusions : These results could suggest that LJF contained anti-oxidative contents and exhibited protective effects against UVB on human HaCaT keratinocytes. And the effective compound of LJF which could show protective activities against UVB is chlorogenic acid. Thus, LJF and chlorogenic acid would be useful for the development of drug or cosmetics treating skin troubles.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.207-221
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• 2018

Objectives : Present study investigated hepatoprotective effect of Haegan-jeon extract (HE) and tried to elucidate molecular mechanism involved. According to molecular mechanism, present study optimized herbal composition of HE (op-HE) and compared in vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective effects of op-HE to HE. Methods : For in vitro experiments, HepG2 cells were exposed to arachidonic acid (AA, $10{\mu}M$) and iron ($5{\mu}M$) for inducing oxidative stress. Cell viability, GSH contents, $H_2O_2$ production, mitochondrial membrane potential, immunoblot and reporter gene assay were performed to investigate cytoprotective effects and responsible molecular mechanisms. For in vivo experiments, hepatoprotective effect of HE and op-HE were assessed on $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury mice model. Results : HE pretreatment prevented AA+iron-mediated hepatocytes apoptosis. In addition, AA+iron-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, $H_2O_2$ production, glutathione depletion were reduced by HE pretreatment. In addition, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) phosphorylation, antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven reporter gene activity, and antioxidant genes expression were increased by HE. Based on reporter gene and MTT assays, we found that op-HE consisting three medicinal herbs also significantly increased transactivation of Nrf2 and reduced the AA+iron-mediated cytotoxicity. Moreover, in $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury mice model, HE-op had an ability to ameliorate $CCl_4-mediated$ increases in serum alanine transferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity, hepatic degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen deposition. Hepatoprotective effects of op-HE were comparable to those of HE. Conclusions : Present study suggests that op-HE as well as HE exhibit hepatoprotective effect against oxidative stress-mediated liver injury via Nrf2 activation.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.509-526
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• 2017

Background and objectives : Soeumin Bojungykgi-tang (seBYTE) has been used to supplement qi in Korean medicine. It has been demonstrated to possess various biological functions such as anti-cancer, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study evaluated the protective roles of seBYTE in hepatotoxic in vitro and in vivo model. Methods : To investigate cytoprotective effect of seBYTE, HepG2 cells were pretreated with seBYTE and then subsequently exposed to $10{\mu}m$ AA for 12 h, followed by $5{\mu}m$ iron. Cell viability was examined by MTT assay, and expression of apoptosis-related proteins was evaluated by immunoblot analysis. For responsible molecular mechanisms, ROS production, GSH contents, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured. In addition, hepatoprotective effect of seBYTE in vivo was assessed in $CCl_4$-induced animal model. Results : seBYTE prevented AA + iron-induced cytotoxicity in concentration dependent manner. In addition, ROS production, GSH depletion, and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by AA + iron were significantly reduced by seBYTE pretreatment. Furthermore, seBYTE recovered expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins such as PARP and pro-caspase-3. In animal experiment, plasma ALT and AST levels were significantly elevated in $CCl_4$ treatment, but seBYTE significantly decreased the ALT and AST levels. Moreover, seBYTE alleviated the numbers of histological activity index, percentages of degenerative regions, degenerated hepatocytes, infiltrated inflammatory cells, nitrotyrosine- and 4-hydroxynonenal-positive cells in liver. Conclusions : These results showed that hepatoprotective effect of seBYTE against on $CCl_4$-induced hepatic damages is partly due to antioxidative and anti-apoptotic process.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.175-183
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• 2014

Objectives : We tried to uncover the anti-lipogenic effect and underlying mechanism of Laminaria japonica on an experimental cellular model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods : Ethanol extract of Laminaria japonica (LJ) was prepared. Intracellular lipid content of palmitate-treated HepG2 cells was evaluated with or without LJ treatment. We measured the effects of LJ on liver X receptor ${\alpha}$ ($LXR{\alpha}$) and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1c (SREBP-1c) expression, transcription level of lipogenic genes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation in HepG2 cells. Results : LJ markedly attenuated palmitate-induced intracellular lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. LJ suppressed $LXR{\alpha}$-dependent SREBP-1c activation, and SREBP-1c mediated induction of ACC, FAS, and SCD-1. Furthermore, LJ activated Nrf2, which plays an important cytoprotective role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions : Our study suggests that LJ has the potential to alleviate hepatic lipid accumulation, and this effect was mediated by inhibiting the $LXR{\alpha}$-SREBP-1c pathway that leads to hepatic steatosis. In addition, the anti-lipogenic potential may, at least in part, be associated with activation of Nrf2.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.40-49
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• 2014

Objectives: The gastric ulcer is a common disorder of the stomach and duodenum. The basic physiopathology of a gastric ulcer results from an imbalance between some endogenous aggressive and cytoprotective factors. This study examined whether Ganoderma lucidum pharmacopuncture (GLP) would provide protection against acute gastric ulcers in rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 4 groups of 8 rats each: normal, control, normal saline (NP) and GLP groups. The experimental acute gastric ulcer was induced by using an EtOH/HCl solution and the normal group received the same amount of normal saline instead of ethanol. The NP and the GLP groups were treated once with injections of saline and GLP, respectively. Two local acupoints were used: CV12 (中脘) which is the alarm point of the Stomach Meridian, and ST36 (足三里), which is the sea point of the Stomach Meridian. The stomachs from the rats in each group were collected and analyzed for gross appearance and histology. Also, immunohistochemistry staining for BAX, Bcl-2 and TGF-${\beta}1$ was performed. Results: Histological observations of the gastric lesions in the control group showed comparatively extensive damage of the gastric mucosa and necrotic lesions had penetrated deeply into the mucosa. The lesions were long, hemorrhagic, and confined to the glandular portions. The lesions were measured microscopically by using the clear depth of penetration into the gastric mucosal surface. The length and the width of the ulcer were measured and the inhibition percentage was calculated. Wound healing of the acute gastric ulcer was promoted by using GLP, and significant alterations of indices in gastric mucosa were observed. Such protection was shown by gross appearance, histology and immunohistochemistry staining for BAX, Bcl-2 and TGF-${\beta}1$. Conclusion: These results suggest that GLP administered at CV12 and ST36 can provide significant protection to the gastric mucosa against an ethanol-induced acute gastric ulcer.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.566-578
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• 2020

Objective : Radiation is known to induce autophagy in malignant glioma cells whether it is cytocidal or cytoprotective. Dexamethasone is frequently used to reduce tumor-associated brain edema, especially during radiation therapy. The purpose of the study was to determine whether and how dexamethasone affects autophagy in irradiated malignant glioma cells and to identify possible intervening molecular pathways. Methods : We prepared p53 mutant U373 and LN229 glioma cell lines, which varied by phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) mutational status and were used to make U373 stable transfected cells expressing GFP-LC3 protein. After performing cell survival assay after irradiation, the IC₅₀ radiation dose was determined. Dexamethasone dose (10 μM) was determined from the literature and added to the glioma cells 24 hours before the irradiation. The effect of adding dexamethasone was evaluated by cell survival assay or clonogenic assay and cell cycle analysis. Measurement of autophagy was visualized by western blot of LC3-I/LC3-II and quantified by the GFP-LC3 punctuated pattern under fluorescence microscopy and acridine orange staining for acidic vesicle organelles by flow cytometry. Results : Dexamethasone increased cell survival in both U373 and LN229 cells after irradiation. It interfered with autophagy after irradiation differently depending on the PTEN mutational status : the autophagy decreased in U373 (PTEN-mutated) cells but increased in LN229 (PTEN wild-type) cells. Inhibition of protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation after irradiation by LY294002 reversed the dexamethasone-induced decrease of autophagy and cell death in U373 cells but provoked no effect on both autophagy and cell survival in LN229 cells. After ATG5 knockdown, radiation-induced autophagy decreased and the effect of dexamethasone also diminished in both cell lines. The diminished autophagy resulted in a partial reversal of dexamethasone protection from cell death after irradiation in U373 cells; however, no significant change was observed in surviving fraction LN229 cells. Conclusion : Dexamethasone increased cell survival in p53 mutated malignant glioma cells and increased autophagy in PTEN-mutant malignant glioma cell but not in PTEN-wildtype cell. The difference of autophagy response could be mediated though the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.13-34
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• 2003

Fructose-1, 6-diphosphate (FOP), a glycolytic metabolite is reported to ameliorate inflammation and inhibit the nitric oxide production in murine macrophages stimulated with endotoxin. It is also reported that FOP has cytoprotective effects against hypoxia or ischemia/reperfusion injury in brain and heart. In this study, we examined whether FDP has protective effects on UV-induced oxidative damage in skin cell culture system and human skin in vivo. FDP had a protective role in UVB-induced LDH release and ROS accumulation in HaCaT although it did not show direct radical scavenging effect in the experiment using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). FDP also preserved cellular GSH content after UV irradiation in HaCaT and normal human fibroblast culture system. Cellular oxidative stress induces multiple downstream signaling pathways that regulate expression of multiple gene including MMP-1 and collagen, we examined the effects of FDP on UV-induced alteration of these protein expression in fibroblast culture and human skin in vivo. The increased MMP-1 expression in fibroblast and human skin by UV irradiation was significantly decreased by FDP. FDP also prevented the UV-induced decrease of collagen expression in fibroblast and human skin. Moreover, the decreasing the intracellular levels of reducing equivalents in human fibroblast by glutathione (GSH) depletion lowered the UVA dose threshold for reduction of procollagen expression, indicating that the differences of glutathione contents define the susceptibility of fibroblasts towards UV-induced reduction of procollagen expression. FDP also preserved cellular GSH content after UV irradiation, indicating that FDP has protective effects on UV-induced reduction of procollagen expression, which are possibly through maintaining intracellular reducing equivalent. Based on these premises, we examined the effect of daily use of a moisturizer containing FDP on facial wrinkle in comparison with vehicle moisturizer lacking FDP. In the clinical study, FDP significantly decreased facial wrinkle compared with vehicle alone after 6 months of use. Our results suggest that FDP has anti-aging effects in skin by increasing cellular antioxidant system and preventing oxidative signal and inflammatory reaction. Therefore FDP may be useful anti-aging agent for cosmetic purpose.