• CELLMED
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.7.1-7.6
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• 2023

Raphanus sativus L. has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity. However, the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of action of the Raphanus sativus L. seeds (RSS) with or without oil are still unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate the in-vitro anti-inflammatory effect with or without oil in the RSS on RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results showed the suppressed LPS-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, TNF-α). Additionally, a decrease in protein expression of iNOS was observed, but nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 was not inhibited. To elucidate the underlying mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of RSS, the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways was examined. We also found that RSS blocked LPS-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK) signaling but did not affect the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. These results suggest that RSS may have potential as an anti-inflammatory agent through the inhibition of LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production via regulation of the JNK pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.227-231
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• 2017

Background: Ginsenosides are active components of Panax ginseng that exert various health benefits including kidney protection effect. The medicinal activity of ginsenosides can be enhanced by modulating their stereospecificity by heat processing. Ginsenosides Rk2 and Rh3 represent positional isomers of the double bond at C-20(21) or C-20(22). Methods: The present study investigated the kidney-protective effects of ginsenosides Rk2 and Rh3 against cisplatin, a platinum based anticancer drug, induced apoptotic damage in renal proximal LLC-PK1 cells. Results: As a result, ginsenoside Rh3 shows a stronger protective effect than that shown by Rk2. Cisplatin-induced elevated protein levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and cleaved caspase-3 decreased after cotreatment with ginsenoside Rh3. The increase in the percentage of apoptotic LLC-PK1 cells induced by cisplatin treatment also significantly reduced after cotreatment with ginsenoside Rh3. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that inhibition of the JNK and ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade plays a critical role in mediating the renoprotective effect of ginsenoside Rh3.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2016

In the present study, we extracted the hydrosol from flower of Chrysanthemum boreale Makino (CBMF hydrosol) by steam distillation and tested the effect of the CBMF hydrosol on skin regeneration using normal human keratinocytes (HaCaTs). CBMF hydrosol induced proliferation as well as migration in HaCaTs in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with $1{\mu}g/mL$ CBMF hydrosol increased proliferation to $143.71{\pm}3.37%$ and migration to $139.98{\pm}5.72%$ compared with a control group. CBMF hydrosol also significantly enhanced the phosphorylations of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) 1/2 and serine/threonine-specific protein kinase (Akt) in HaCaTs. Moreover, CBMF hydrosol dose-dependently induced sprout outgrowth in HaCaTs. These results demonstrate that CBMF hydrosol has skin regeneration and wound healing activity in HaCaTs. Therefore, CBMF hydrosol could be used as a potential cosmetic material.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 2012

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family is involved in the breakdown of the extracellular matrix during normal physiological processes such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodeling, as well as in disease processes such as pathological aging, arthritis, and metastasis. Oxidative conditions generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) (e.g., hydrogen peroxide [$H_2O_2$]) in cells, which subsequently induce the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1). MMP-1, an interstitial collagenase, in turn stimulates an aging phenomenon. In this study, baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyfl avone) was investigated for its in vitro activity against $H_2O_2$-induced damage using a human skin keratinocyte model. Baicalein pretreatment signifi cantly inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced up-regulation of MMP-1 mRNA, MMP-1 protein expression and MMP-1 activity in cultured HaCaT keratinocytes. In addition, baicalein decreased the transcriptional activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and the expression of c-Fos and c-Jun, both components of the heterodimeric AP-1 transcription factor. Furthermore, baicalein reduced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), which are upstream of the AP-1 transcription factor. The results of this study suggest that baicalein is involved in the inhibition of oxidative stress-induced expression of MMP-1 via inactivation of the ERK/JNK/AP-1 signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2002

We have previously demonstrated that phytoestrogens isolated from safflower seeds significantly attenuated bone loss in ovariectomized rats, and directly stimulated proliferation and differentiation of cultured osteoblastic cells. In an attempt to elucidate underlying cellular mechanisms, in the present study we investigated effects of $17{\beta}-estradiol\;(E_2)$ and phytoestrogens such as matairesinol and acacetin, a type of lignan and flavonoid, respectively, on activation of mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2, in cultured osteoblastic ROS 17/2.8 cells. Western blot analysis with anti-MAP kinase antibody showed that a wide range concentrations $(10^{-14}\;to\;10^{-6}\;M)\;of\;E_2$ as well as both phytoestrogens induced rapid and transient activation of ERK1/2 through phosphorylation within minutes. Maximum activation of MAP kinases by $E_2$ and phytoestrogens were observed at 10 and 15 min, respectively. $E_2-induced$ phosphorylation of ERK1/2 returned to the control level at 30 min, whereas phytoestrogen-induced phosphorylation was maintained at high level until 30 min. PD-98059, a highly selective inhibitor of MAP kinase, prevented phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in the cells treated either with $E_2$ or phytoestrogens. To examine a possible involvement of estrogen receptor in the activation process of MAP kinase, Western blot analysis was performed in the presence and absence of the estrogen receptor antagonists, ICI 182,780 and tamoxifen. These antagonists blocked MAP kinase phosphorylation induced not only by $E_2,$ but also by the phytoestrogens. To the best our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that phytoestrogens such as flavonoid and lignan extracted from safflower seeds produce a rapid activation of MAP kinase, at least partially via membrane estrogen receptor of the cultured osteoblastic cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.148-153
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• 2009

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) is a stable anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant, depending on the situation, and it is widely used to inhibit the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$. We recently reported that PDTC activates the MIP-2 gene in a NF-${\kappa}B$-independent and c-Jun-dependent manner in macrophage cells. In this work, we found that PDTC activates signal transduction pathways in mouse ES cells. Among the three different mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, including the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 MAP kinase, and stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways, only the ERK pathway was significantly activated in mouse ES cells after stimulation with PDTC. Additionally, we observed a synergistic activation of ERK and induction of c-Fos after stimulation with PDTC in the presence of mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) conditioned medium. In contrast, another NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitor, BMS-345541, did not activate the MAP kinase pathways or induce expression of c-Fos. These results suggest that changes in the presence of the NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitor PDTC should be carefully considered when it used with mouse ES cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.291-299
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• 2006

Vitexin, a natural flavonoid compound identified as apigenin-8-C-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside, has been reported to exhibit antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated its effect on hypoxiainducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) in rat pheochromacytoma (PC12), human osteosarcoma (HOS) and human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. Vitexin inhibited HIF-$1{\alpha}$ in PC12 cells, but not in HOS or HepG2 cells. In addition, it diminished the mRNA levels of hypoxia-inducible genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), smad3, aldolase A, enolase 1, and collagen type III in the PC12 cells. We found that vitexin inhibited the migration of PC12 cells as well as their invasion rates, and it also inhibited tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelium cells (HUVECs). Interestingly, vitexin inhibited the hypoxia-induced activation of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not of extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase (ERK), implying that it acts in part via the JNK pathway. Overall, these results suggest the potential use of vitexin as a treatment for diseases such as cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.298-304
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• 2022

The present study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of DK-5-62, a novel (-)-catechin derivative on HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells. DK-5-62 inhibited the proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manner accompanied by the morphological changes. Effects of DK-5-62 appeared to be mediated by the induction of apoptosis, as manifested through DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33258 staining. Analysis of the mechanism of these events indicated that DK-5-62-treated cells exhibited an increased ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, resulting in the activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, DK-5-62-induced apoptosis was accompanied by phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. These results suggest that HCT116 cells are moderately sensitive to growth inhibition by DK-5-62 via apoptosis, as evidenced by activation of ERK/p38/Bcl-2 family signaling, as well as alteration in caspase-9 and caspase-3.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 2013

Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), P- and E-selectin play a pivotal role for initiation of atherosclerosis. Ginsenoside, a class of steroid glycosides, is abundant in Panax ginseng root, which has been used for prevention of illness in Korea. In this study, we investigated the mechanism(s) by which ginsenoside Rg2 may inhibit VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expressions stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). LPS increased VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression. Ginsenoside Rg2 prevented LPS-mediated increase of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression. On the other hand, JSH, a nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) inhibitor, reduced both VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression stimulated with LPS. SB202190, inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and wortmannin, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) inhibitor, reduced LPS-mediated VCAM-1 but not ICAM-1 expression. PD98059, inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) did not affect VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression stimulated with LPS. SP600125, inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), reduced LPS-mediated ICAM-1 but not VCAM-1 expression. LPS reduced IkappaB${\alpha}$ ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$) expression, in a time-dependent manner within 1 hr. Ginsenoside Rg2 prevented the decrease of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ expression stimulated with LPS. Moreover, ginsenoside Rg2 reduced LPS-mediated THP-1 monocyte adhesion to HUVEC, in a concentration-dependent manner. These data provide a novel mechanism where the ginsenoside Rg2 may provide direct vascular benefits with inhibition of leukocyte adhesion into vascular wall thereby providing protection against vascular inflammatory disease.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2009

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2 is a potent osteogenic factor. Although both Smad1/5 and mitogenactivated protein kinases (MAPKs) are activated by BMP2, the hierarchical relationship between them is unclear. In this study, we examined if BMP2-stimulated MAPK activation is regulated by Smad1/5 or vice versa. When C2C12 cells were treated with BMP2, the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 MAPK and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase was evident within 5 min. The knockdown of both Smad1 and Smad5 by small interfering RNA did not affect the activation of these MAPKs. In addition, neither the overexpression of Smad1 nor Smad5 induced ERK activation. When ERK activation was induced by constitutively active MEK1 expression, the protein level and activation of Smad1 increased. Furthermore, the inhibition of constitutively active BMP receptor type IB-induced ERK activation significantly suppressed Smad1 activation. These results indicate that Smad1/5 activation is not necessary for BMP2-induced MAPK activation and also that ERK positively regulates Smad1 activation.