• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.326-332
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• 2010

Daidzein, a natural isoflavonoid phytoestrogen, structurally resembles estradiol (E2) and possesses estrogenic activity. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that daidzein may mimic the effects of E2 on ovine follicle development by regulation of the mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic protein receptor genes and thereby influence the reproductive system. Granulosa cells were cultured in serum-free McCoy's 5A medium with and without supplementation of daidzein. Results showed that daidzein (10-100 ng/ml) significantly increased the proliferation of ovine granulosa cells (p<0.05), but inhibited the growth of granulosa cells at a dose of 1,000 ng/ml (p<0.01). Daidzein inhibited progesterone production in a dose dependent manner; however, it did not affect estradiol production by granulosa cells. We also investigated the effects of daidzein on BMPRII, BMPRIB and ALK-5 mRNA expression in ovine granulosa cells by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of granulosa cells with daidzein increased significantly expression of these genes at 10-100 ng/ml. Thus, these data suggested that a low concentration of daidzein (10-100 ng/ml) had a direct stimulatory effect on ovine granulosa cells while a high concentration was toxic.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.191-202
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-depressive effects of BanHaHuBakTang-kami (BHHBT) on an animal model of depression induced by chronic immobility stress. Methods: Mice were treated daily with immobilization stress for 2 hours over a period of 21 days. To examine the effect of BHHBT, we performed behavioral, biochemical and histological analysis to measure immobility time (FST), brain neurotransmitter concentration (HPLC, ELISA), hippocampal damage (H&E staining) and CRF-R1 expression (immunohistochemistry). Results: BHHBT has reduced the immobility time of immobilization stress exposed mice in the forced swimming test. BHHBT has increased the amount of serotonin in the brain. BHHBT has increased the expression level of serotonin in the brain. BHHBT 540 mg/kg were sufficient to prevent tissue damage in the hippocampus region. BHHBT has reduced the expression level of CRF receptors in the hippocampus region. Conclusions: These results suggest that BHHBT may have anti-depressive effects on mice treated with immobilization stress by reducing immobility, increasing brain serotonin concentration and reducing CRF-R1 expression in the hippocampus region.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.53-59
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• 2018

Tick saliva is critically important for continuous attachment to the host, blood feeding for days, and transmission of tick-borne pathogens. To characterize the patterns of inflammatory cytokine gene expression during its attachment and blood sucking time, peripheral blood samples of rabbits infested with Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks were collected at different intervals. Blood histamine concentration was evaluated as well as gene encoding IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-2, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10 were compared with non-infested rabbits. Blood histamine concentration of tick-infested rabbits during fast feeding time was significantly higher than that of non-infested rabbits. In both nymph and adult tick infested rabbits, expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$ genes were decreased significantly (P<0.05), while expression of IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were increased 1.3 to 7 folds in adult infested rabbits with the exception of IL-6 that was significantly (P<0.05) decreased in nymph infested rabbits. IL-2 was not expressed in either nymph or adult infestation. H. longicornis saliva is capable of modulate host responses through a complex correlation with histamine and Th1, Th2 mediated cytokines that suppress the inflammatory responses directed toward inflammatory mediators introduced into the host during tick feeding.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.1280-1285
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• 2005

Using the nodY::lacZ fusion system in Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA 110, 22 flavonoids, which have structurally different features, were tested to define the role of the substituted functional groups as an inducer or inhibitor for the nod gene expression. A functional ,group of 4'-OH on the B-ring and the double bond between 2-C and 3-C on the C ring were required to induce the nod gene expression in B. japonicum USDA 110. In the case of isoflavones, the 4'-methoxyl group, which blocks the open 4'-OH functional group, did not significantly lower inducing activity, as compared with isoflavones with 4'-OH. However, all flavonols tested, which have a 3-OH functional group on the C-ring, did not induce, but inhibited the nod gene expression. Flavone, 7-hydroxyflavone, and kaempferol (5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavonol) at $1\;{\mu}M$ concentration significantly inhibited the nod gene expression induced by 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone. However, 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone at $1\;{\mu}M$ concentration showed a synergistic effect with genistein and 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone on the induction activity.

• 한국한의학연구원논문집
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• 제13권1호통권19호
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• pp.139-145
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• 2007

Emodin is one of the main active components of a traditional Korean medicine isolated from the root and rhizomes of Rheum palmatum L. In this study, of 222 natural compounds to evaluate the anabolic activities, emodin activated bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 promoter in the differentiation process of mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Emodin was shown to significantly stimulate the activity and expression of alkaline phosphatase, an earlyphase marker of osteoblastic differentiation, on the differentiation day 7, and induce the osteopontin mRNA expression from the differentiation day 14. In addition, low concentration (up to 5 M) of emodin dramatically promoted the induction of mineralization in MC3T3-E1 subclone 4 cells. The stimulatory effect of emodin on the osteoblast differentiation/mineralization could be associated with its potential to stimulate the BMP-2 gene expression. Although further studies are needed to determine the precise mechanism, this study suggests that the use of herbal medicine containing natural compounds with anabolic activity such as emodin could have a beneficial effect on bone health.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.50-55
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• 2017

Raphanus sativus L. (RS) is a cruciferous vegetable that is widely consumed in Korea. The anticancer activity of leaves of RS (RSL) extract has been investigated; however, no studies focused on its anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of RSL extract. In brief, RSL powder was fractionated into n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water-soluble fractions. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were treated with each fraction for initial screening. It was found that the chloroform fraction significantly inhibited nitric oxide release in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with a half maximal inhibitory concentration value of $196{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, measured using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively, were reduced in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, the inflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme expression decreased. Furthermore, the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), the key regulator of the transcriptional activation of the inflammatory cytokine genes, was reduced by the RSL chloroform fraction. Therefore, the results of our study suggest that RSL exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated macrophages via $NF-{\kappa}B$ inactivation.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.392-401
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• 2017

Variations in physical toughness between muscles and animals are a function of growth rate and extend of collagen type I and III. The current study was designed to investigate the ability of growth rate, collagen concentration, collagen synthesizing and degrading genes on two different fibroblast cells derived from Hanwoo m. longissimus dorsi (LD) and semimembranosus (SM) muscles. Fibroblast cell survival time was determined for understanding about the characteristics of proliferation rate between the two fibroblasts. We examined the collagen concentration and protein expression of collagen type I and III between the two fibroblasts. The mRNA expression of collagen synthesis and collagen degrading genes to elucidate the molecular mechanisms on toughness and tenderness through collagen production between the two fibroblast cells. From our results the growth rate, collagen content and protein expression of collagen type I and III were significantly higher in SM than LD muscle fibroblast. The mRNA expressions of collagen synthesized genes were increased whereas the collagen degrading genes were decreased in SM than LD muscle. Results from confocal microscopical investigation showed increased fluorescence of collagen type I and III appearing stronger in SM than LD muscle fibroblast. These results implied that the locomotion muscle had higher fibroblast growth rate, leads to produce more collagen, and cause tougher than positional muscle. This in vitro study mirrored that background toughness of various muscles in live animal is likely associated with fibroblast growth pattern, collagen synthesis and its gene expression.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.175-182
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• 2017

This study evaluated the anti-Helicobacter and anti-inflammatory effects of Sohamhyungtang (SHHT). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of SHHT against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was determined by the agar dilution method. Expression of the H. pylori cagA gene in the presence of SHHT was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Inhibition of H. pylori urease by SHHT was determined by the phenol-hypochlorite assay. Antiadhesion activity of SHHT was measured by urea-phenol red reagent. Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in AGS cells was measured with Griess reagent. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and IL-8 mRNA expression in AGS cells which were infected with H. pylori was determined by qRT-PCR. IL-8 level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The MIC of SHHT was $100{\mu}g/mL$ and the expression of cagA gene was decreased about 25 folds in the presence of SHHT. H. pylori urease was inhibited 90% by SHHT. SHHT inhibited H. pylori adhesion on AGS cell in a concentration dependent manner. mRNA expression of iNOS and IL-8 and the production of NO and IL-8 were significantly decreased in the presence of SHHT. In conclusion, SHHT showed anti-Helicobacter activity and has potent anti-inflammatory effect on H. pylori-induced inflammation in human gastric epithelial AGS cells.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.15-20
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• 2006

Genistein is a potent, plant-derived isoflavone that displays estrogenic activity at low concentrations but inhibits proliferation at high amounts. However, the molecular mechanism of genistein is not completely understood. In the present study, the biphasic effects (estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity) of genistein on the growth of MCF-7 cells were identified. Genistein within a low range of concentration, $1-10\;{\mu}M$, stimulated proliferation, while $50-100\;{\mu}M$ caused apoptotic cell death. Additionally, genistein at a low concentration induced estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated gene expression and ER phosphorylation. When pre-treated with PD98059, an MEK inhibitor, ER-mediated gene expression and ER phosphorylation by genistein were noticeably increased. However, the increased gene expression and phosphorylation did not enhance cell proliferation. Moreover, it was observed that ER-mediated signaling performs an important role in the MAPK pathway. The proliferation and apoptosis in genistein-treated MCF-7 cells were partially dependent on the Bcl-2 level. The addition of IC1 182, 780, an estrogen receptor antagonist, inhibited Bcl-2 expression induced by genistein. This study suggests that there is a close relationship between Bcl-2 and the ER signaling pathways in MCF-7 cells.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.82-85
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• 1997

The nar promoter as an inducible promoter was characterized for the process development for the gene expression and the protein production under anaerobic condition. The LB medium was selected as a main culture medium showing the enzyme activity of 18,000 units/min/g cell in the flask cultivation. The optimum concentration of nitrate was 1%. Under anaerobic conditions, the gene expression was fully induced in the presence of nitrate.