• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.97-110
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• 2006

Purpose : To address the ability of Myrrha (MY) to induce cell death, we investigated the effect of MY on apoptosis. In human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells, apoptosis occurred following MY exposure in a dose-dependent manner. Methods : We have tested several kinds of anti-oxidants to investigate the MY-induced apoptotic mechanism. Among the anti-oxidants, N-acetyl cysteine(NAC) or reduced glutathione (GSH) protects MY-induced apoptosis. NAC is an aminothiol and synthetic precursor of intracellular cysteine and GSH. To confirm the role of GSH in MY-induced apoptosis, methionine and cystathionine-glutathione extrusion inhibitors were treated in the presence of MY. Results : NAC, GSH, methionine or cystathionine led to protective effect against MY-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. The GSH and GSH-associated reagents regulate MY-induced cytochrome c release and the resultant caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, the two specific inhibitors of carrier-mediated GSH extrusion, methionine and cystathionine demonstrate GSH extrusion occurs via a specific mechanism. While decreasing GSH extrusion and protecting against MY-induced apoptosis, methionine and cystathionine failed to exert anti-apoptotic activity in cells previously deprived of GSH. Conclusion : the target of the protection is indeed GSH extrusion. This shows that the protective effect is achieved by forcing GSH to stay within the cells during apoptogenic treatment. All this evidence indicates the extrusion of GSH precedes andis responsible for the apoptosis, probably by altering the intracellular redox state, thus giving a rationale for the development of redox-dependent apoptosis in MY-treated human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.352-358
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• 2016

Quercetin (QT) and taxifolin (TF) are structurally similar plant-derived flavonoids that have antioxidant properties and act as free radical scavengers. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of QT and TF on nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes. Effects of TF at 0, 1, 10, and $50{\mu}g/mL$ on oocyte nuclear maturation (polar body extrusion) were investigated. After incubation for 44 h, there were no significant differences between the treatment and control groups except in the $50{\mu}g/mL$ group which was significantly lower (59.2%, p<0.05) than the other groups (control: >80%). After parthenogenetic activation, further in vitro development of QT- or TF-treated vs control oocytes was investigated. A significantly higher proportion of QT-treated ($1{\mu}g/mL$) oocytes developed into blastocysts compared to controls (24.3% vs 16.8%, respectively); however, cleavage rate and blastocyst cell number were not affected. The TF-treated group was not significantly different from controls. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular glutathione (GSH) in oocytes and embryos in a culture medium supplemented with QT or TF were measured. Both treatment groups had significantly lower (p<0.05) levels of ROS than controls, however GSH levels were different only in QT-treated oocytes. We conclude that exogenous flavonoids such as QT and TF reduce ROS levels in oocytes. Although at high concentration ($50{\mu}g/mL$) both QT and TF appear to be toxic to oocytes.