• 대한본초학회지
• /
• 제35권1호
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2020

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Corni Fructus, the dried fruits of Cornus officinalis Sieb., on unilateral common carotid artery occlusion (UCCAO) in mouse model. Methods : The Corni Fructus used in the experiment was extracted with anhydrous methanol, then filtered and freeze-dried. C57BL/6 mice used in the experiments were conducted left UCCAO surgery to set up UCCAO rodent model for mice. The mice were divided into five groups for evaluate the effect of methanol extract of Corni Fructus (COM) on UCCAO induced ischemic brain injury. The expression levels of nitric oxide in cerebrum and serum, body weight change were measured. To determine the effect of UCCAO and COM administration on brain neurons, morphological changes of the cerebrum through a microscope was conducted. And western blot was performed to confirm the underlying mechanism of neuroprotective effect of COM administration. Results : COM administered UCCAO groups (CO50, CO150, and CO500) had no significant effects on nitric oxide production in ipsilateral hemisphere proteins and sera. The CO500, 500 mg/kg COM administration, attenuated UCCAO-induced p38 inflammatory signaling pathway and inflammatory mediators such as iNOS and COX-2. The CO500 group showed resilient morphological changes of hippocampus neuronal cells about brain damage caused by decreased flow of blood. These group also showed decreased inflammation and cellular stress response in neuronal cells. Conclusions : From these results, COM has a neuroprotective property via moderating inflammatory factors and cellular stress inducing factors in brain cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제33권10호
• /
• pp.1281-1291
• /
• 2023

Infectious diseases caused by drug-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) pose a critical concern for medical institutions as they can lead to high morbidity and mortality rates. In this study, amygdalin exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, as well as other potentials. However, whether it could influence the drug-resistant E. coli-infected cells remained unanswered. Amygdalin was therefore tested in a cellular model in which human macrophages were exposed to resistant E. coli. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. Western immunoblotting and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to quantify interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in macrophages was detected by ROS kit. The expression of pan-apoptotic proteins in macrophages was measured by qRT-PCR and Western immunoblotting. Drug-Resistant E. coli inhibited cell viability and enhanced apoptosis in the cellular model. In cells treated with amygdalin, this compound can inhibit cell apoptosis and reduce the expression of pro - inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-18 and IL-6. Additionally, it decreases the production of PANoptosis proteins, Furthermore, amygdalin lowered the levels of reactive oxygen species induced by drug-resistant E. coli, in cells, demonstrating its antioxidant effects. Amygdalin, a drug with a protective role, alleviated cell damage caused by drug-resistant E. coli in human macrophages by inhibiting the PANoptosis signaling pathway.

• 대한한의학회지
• /
• 제26권1호
• /
• pp.174-186
• /
• 2005

Objectives : The water extract of Samul-tang (SMT) has traditionally been used for treatment of ischemic heart and brain damage in oriental medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which the water extract of SMT rescues cells from these damages. Methods: This study was designed to investigate the protective mechanisms of SMT on oxidative stress-induced toxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. Treatment with $H_2O_2$ markedly induced death of H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Results: The characteristics of H20z-induced death of H9c2 showed apparent apoptotic features such as DNA fragmentation and morphological change. However, SMT significantly reduced both H202-induced cell death and morphological change. The decrease of Bc-2 expression by High were inhibited by SMT. In addition, the increase of Bax expression was also inhibited by SMT. The cotreatment of SMT and $H_2O_2$ in H9c2 cells also induced the phosphorylation of ERK in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2 attenuated the protective effects of SMT on $H_2O_2-induced$ toxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. These results suggest that both ERK1/2 signaling pathways play important roles in the protective effects of SMT on $H_2O_2-induced$ apoptotic death of H9c2 cells. Also, the expression profile of proteins in $H_2O_2$ cardiomyoblast cells were screened by using two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis. Among 300 spots resolved in 2-D gels, the comparison of control versus apoptosis cells revealed that signal intensity of 17 spots increased and 11 spots decreased. Conclusions: Taken together, this study suggests that the protectiw effects of the water extract of SMT against oxidative damages may be mediated by the modulation of Bc1-2 and Bax expression via the regulation of the ERK signaling pathway.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제33권5호
• /
• pp.397-405
• /
• 2023

항산화제로서 산화적 손상의 방지에 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 알려진 glutathione (GSH)의 면역 조절에 대한 연구는 현재까지 제대로 이루어지지 않았다. 본 연구에서 우리는 환원형 GSH인 luthione^®이 RAW 264.7 세포에서 면역 강화 효과가 있는지를 조사하였다. 유세포 분석 및 면역 형광 실험의 결과에 의하면, luthione은 대조군 세포에 비해 대식세포의 대표적인 기능인 식세포 활성을 luthione 처리 농도 의적으로 증가시키는 것으로 나타났다. 또한, cytokine array의 결과에 의하면, IL-5, IL-1β와 IL-27의 발현이 luthione이 처리된 세포에서 유의하게 증가하였다. 아울러 luthione에 의한 TNF-α 및 IL-1β의 생성 증가는 그들의 단백질 발현 증가를 통해 이루어졌으며, NO 및 PGE₂와 같은 면역 매개체 유리의 증가는 iNOS 및 COX-2의 발현 증가와 관련이 있었으며, 이는 M1 대식세포 분화 마커인 CD86 발현의 증가와 연관성이 있었다. 그리고 heatmap 분석을 통하여 SOCS1/3 매개 STAT/JAK 신호 전달 경로가 luthione에 의한 면역 조절 증가에 관여함을 확인하였다. 결론적으로, 우리의 결과는 luthione이 M1 macrophage polarization의 분자 조절자로 작용하여 면역 능력을 향상시킬 수 있음을 시사한다.

• 대한화장품학회지
• /
• 제48권3호
• /
• pp.213-223
• /
• 2022

본 연구에서는 과도한 산화 스트레스에 따른 각종 염증 질환과 피부 노화를 예방하기 위해 수영 지상부(aerial parts of Rumex acetosa L.) 추출물의 항염증, 항산화 효과를 확인하였다. ABTS assay를 시행한 결과 농도 의존적으로 radical 소거능이 증가함을 확인하였다. 활성산소종(reactive oxygen species, ROS) 억제능은 DCF-DA assay를 통하여 확인하였고, 농도 의존적인 ROS 생성억제를 확인하였다. ROS에 따른 세포 핵 손상 억제 효과는 DAPI staining을 통하여 확인하였다. 또한 iNOS, COX-2의 mRNA 발현 수준은 qPCR을 통하여 농도 의존적으로 억제함을 확인하였다. iNOS, COX-2의 단백질 수준을 western blotting을 통해 확인한 결과, iNOS는 모든 농도에서 유의하게 감소하였으며, COX-2는 800 ㎍/mL에서 유의하게 감소하였다. iNOS에 의해 생성된 NO의 생성 억제 효과는 NO assay로 확인하였으며 농도 의존적으로 NO가 감소하였다. 또한, MAPKs 신호전달 경로 중 ERK와 JNK의 인산화를 억제하였다. 따라서 Rumex acetosa L.은 MAPKs 경로를 통한 항염증 효과와 항산화 효과를 보여 항염증 및 항산화 화장품 원료로 사용될 수 있는 가능성이 있다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제47권2호
• /
• pp.337-346
• /
• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside Rb2, a major active component of Panax ginseng, has various physiological activities, including anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanisms underlying the rejuvenation effect of Rb2 in human skin cells have not been elucidated. Methods: We performed a senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining assay to confirm cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The regulatory effects of Rb2 on autophagy were evaluated by analyzing the expression of autophagy marker proteins, such as microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain (LC) 3 and p62, using immunoblotting. Autophagosome and autolysosome formation was monitored using transmission electron microscopy. Autophagic flux was analyzed using tandem-labeled GFP-RFP-LC3, and lysosomal function was assessed with Lysotracker. We performed RNA sequencing to identify potential target genes related to HDF rejuvenation mediated by Rb2. To verify the functions of the target genes, we silenced them using shRNAs. Results: Rb2 decreased β-galactosidase activity and altered the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in senescent HDFs. Rb2 markedly induced the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II and LC3 puncta. Moreover, Rb2 increased lysosomal function and red puncta in tandem-labeled GFP-RFP-LC3, which indicate that Rb2 promoted autophagic flux. RNA sequencing data showed that the expression of DNA damage-regulated autophagy modulator 2 (DRAM2) was induced by Rb2. In autophagy signaling, Rb2 activated the AMPK-ULK1 pathway and inactivated mTOR. DRAM2 knockdown inhibited autophagy and Rb2-restored cellular senescence. Conclusion: Rb2 reverses cellular senescence by activating autophagy via the AMPK-mTOR pathway and induction of DRAM2, suggesting that Rb2 might have potential value as an antiaging agent.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• 제37권1호
• /
• pp.131-141
• /
• 2024

Objective: This experiment aimed to explore the protective action of dietary supplementation with isoquinoline alkaloids (IA) from Macleaya cordata on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury in broilers. Methods: Total 216 healthy broilers were selected in a 21-d trial and assigned randomly to the following 3 treatments: control (CON) group, LPS group, and LPS+IA group. The CON and LPS groups were provided with a basal diet, whereas the LPS+IA group received the basal diet supplemented with 0.6 mg/kg Macleaya cordata IA. Broilers in LPS and LPS+IA groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (1 mg/kg body weight) at 17, 19, and 21 days of age, while those in CON group were injected with equivalent amount of saline solution. Results: Results showed LPS injection caused systemic and liver inflammation in broilers, inhibited immune function, and ultimately lead to liver injury. By contrast, supplementation of IA ameliorated LPS-induced adverse change in serum parameters, boosted immunity in LPS+IA group. Furthermore, IA suppressed the elevation of hepatic inflammatory cytokines and caspases levels induced by LPS, as well as the expressions of genes related to the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Conclusion: Dietary inclusion of 0.6 mg/kg Macleaya cordata IA could enhance immune function of body and inhibit liver damage via inactivating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in broilers.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제32권5호
• /
• pp.647-657
• /
• 2024

Gefitinib is the well-tolerated first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. As it needs analgesics during oncology treatment, particularly in the context of the coronavirus disease, where patients are more susceptible to contract high fever and sore throat. This has increased the likelihood of taking both gefitinib and antipyretic analgesic acetaminophen (APAP). Given that gefitinib and APAP overdose can predispose patients to liver injury or even acute liver failure, there is a risk of severe hepatotoxicity when these two drugs are used concomitantly. However, little is known regarding their safety at therapeutic doses. This study simulated the administration of gefitinib and APAP at clinically relevant doses in an animal model and confirmed that gefitinib in combination with APAP exhibited additional hepatotoxicity. We found that gefitinib plus APAP significantly exacerbated cell death, whereas each drug by itself had little or minor effect on hepatocyte survival. Mechanistically, combination of gefitinib and APAP induces hepatocyte death via the apoptotic pathway obviously. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and DNA damage accumulation are involved in hepatocyte apoptosis. Gefitinib plus APAP also promotes the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and downregulated the antioxidant factor, Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), by inhibiting p62 expression. Taken together, this study revealed the potential ROS-mediated apoptosis-dependent hepatotoxicity effect of the combination of gefitinib and APAP, in which the p62/Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway participates and plays an important regulatory role.

• 한국해양바이오학회지
• /
• 제11권2호
• /
• pp.42-51
• /
• 2019

We compared the antibacterial activities of spermidine and astaxanthin against two gram-positive bacteria such as Streptococcus parauberis and S. iniae to find new antibacterial candidates. We also evaluated the preventive effects of spermidine against oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity in C2C12 myoblasts. Our results indicated that spermidine has more significant antibacterial activities than astaxanthin against both two fish pathogenic bacteria as well as gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli used as a control group. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of spermidine were 0.25 mM and 1 mM against S. parauberis, 1 mM and 3 mM against S. iniae, and 0.5 mM and 1.5 mM against E. coli, respectively. In addition, the postantibiotic effect lasted from 7 h, 5 h and 6 h for S. parauberis, S. iniae and E. coli, respectively. The results also showed that the decreased C2C12 cell viability by H₂O₂ could be attributed to the induction of DNA damage and apoptosis accompanied by the increased production of reactive oxygen species, which was remarkably protected by spermidine. Additionally, the antioxidant effect of spermidine was associated with the activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway. According to the data, spermidine may be a potential lead compound which can be further optimized to discover novel antibacterial and antioxidant agents.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제7권1호
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 2003

Recent studies indicated that cancer cells become resistant to ionizing radiation (IR) and chemotherapy drugs by enhanced DNA repair of the lesions. Therefore, it is expected to increase the killing of cancer cells and reduce drug resistance by inhibiting DNA repair pathways that tumor cells rely on to escape chemotherapy. There are a number of key human DNA repair pathways which depend on multimeric polypeptide activities. For example, Ku heterodimer regulatory DNA binding subunits (Ku70/Ku80) on binding to double strand DNA breaks (DSBs) are able to interact with 470-kDa DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), and are essential for DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) activity. It has been known that DNA-PK is an important factor for DNA repair and also is a sensor-transmitting damage signal to downstream targets, leading to cell cycles arrest. Our ultimate goal is to develop a treatment of breast tumors by targeting proteins involved in damage-signaling pathway and/or DNA repair. This would greatly facilitate tumor cell cytotoxic activity and programmed cell death through DNA damaging drug treatment. Therefore, we designed a domain of Ku80 mutants that binds to Ku70 but not DNA end binding activity and used the peptide in co-therapy strategy to see whether the targeted inhibition of DNA-PK activity sensitized breast cancer cells to irradiation or chemotherapy drug. We observed that the synthesized peptide (HNI-38) prevented DNA-PKcs from binding to Ku70/Ku80, thus resulting in inactivation of DNA-PK activity. Consequently, the peptide treated cells exhibited poor to no DNA repair, and became highly sensitive to IR or chemotherapy drugs, and the growth of breast cancer cells was inhibited. Additionally, the results obtained in the present study also support the physiological role of resistance of cancer cells to IR or chemotherapy.