• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.156-160
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• 2008

The methanolic extract of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS-T) and its fractions (RVS-H, RVS-C, RVS-E and RVS-B) showed significant neuroprotective activity against glutamate-induced toxicity in primary cultures of rat cortical cells. RVS-B, which showed the most potent neuroprotective activity, was further fractionated to yield RVS-B5. Treatment of cortical cells with the RVS-T, RVS-B and RVS-B5 reduced the cellular ROS level and restored the reduced activities of glutathione reductase and SOD induced by glutamate. Although, the activity of glutathione peroxidase was not virtually changed by glutamate, RVS-B5 increased the glutathione peroxidase activity. In addition, these three tested fractions significantly restored the content of GSH which was decreased by glutamate insult in our cultures. Taken together, it could be postulated that RVS extract, in particular its fraction RVS-B5, protected neuronal cells against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity through acting on the antioxidative defense system.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.41-53
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• 2008

Objective&Methods The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of HK-1001 Pharmacopuncture at GB34(Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia in rats. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum, urine and liver, as well as the histological changes of liver and aorta. Results 1. HK-1001 Pharmacopuncture infusion solution increased the cell viability rate, DPPH radical scavenging activity and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition rate in rat liver cells. 2. The levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, phospholipid in serum and AI(atherogenic index) were decreased, and the ratio of HDL to TCL(HDL/TCL) and the level of TG in serum were increased as compared with those of the control group. 3. In the HK-1001 group, serum GOT was significantly lower than those of the HG group and the saline group, and serum ALP was significantly higher than that of the HG group. 4. Hepatic GSH and catalase activities were significantly increased as compared with those of the saline group. Conclusion From the above results, it is suggested that HK-1001 Pharmacopuncture at GB34 has a therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.195-202
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• 2015

The effects of waterborne arsenic (As) exposure on bioaccumulation and antioxidant defenses were examined in the liver and gills of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, under thermal stress. Tilapia were exposed to different As concentrations (0, 200, and $400{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$) at three water temperatures (20, 25, and $30^{\circ}C$) for 20 days. After As exposure, higher levels of As accumulation were observed in the gills compared with the liver in elevated water temperatures. In terms of the antioxidant response, glutathione (GSH) levels and the activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) significantly decreased in the liver and gills of tilapia exposed to As for 20 days, regardless of the As concentration (200 and $400{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$) or water temperature. These enzyme activities exhibited greater fluctuations in the liver and gills of tilapia after As exposure in water warmer than $20^{\circ}C$. The present findings suggest that the simultaneous stress of temperature change and As exposure can accelerate As accumulation and alter the antioxidant enzymes activities of tilapia.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.293-298
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• 2000

Bergenin is a C-glucoside of 4-O-methyl gallic acid that has been isolated from the cortex of Mallotus japonicus (Euphorbiaceae). Acetylbergenin was synthesized by acetylation from bergenin to increase lipophilic and physiological activities. The therapeutic effects of bergenin and acetylbergenin were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Bergenin and acetylbergenin were administered orally once daily for successive 5 days, after the intraperitoneal injection of a mixture 0.5 m1/kg of $CCl_4$ in olive oil (1:1). The substantially elevated serum enzymatic activities of alanine/aspartate aminotransferase, sorbitol dehydrogenase and ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase induced by $CCl_4$ were restored towards normalization by posttreatment with bergenin and acetylbergenin. Bergenin and acetylbergenin also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic malondialdehyde formation and depletion of glutathione content induced by $CCl_4$ in a dose dependent fashion. In addition, the decreased activities of glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase were restored towards normalization. These results suggest that therapeutic effects of bergenin and acetylbergenin may be related complex mechanisms that involve prevention of lipid peroxidation and preservation of hepatic GSH. The results of this study clearly indicate that bergenin and acetylbergenin have potent hepatothrapeutic action against $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. In addition, acetylbergenin 50 mgHg showed almost the same levels of hepatoprotective activity as those of bergenin 100 mgAg, indicating the fact that lipophilic acetylbergenin is more effective in the hepatoprotective action against $CCl_4$ than bergenin.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.812-818
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• 2016

Protective effects of fermented Curcuma longa L. (CL) against alcoholic liver damage were investigated in HepG2/2E1 cells. Fermented CL was extracted by cold water (FCC), hot water, 80% ethanol, and methanol. Of the four extracts, the strongest hepatoprotective effect against ethanol-induced oxidative stress was observed in FCC. Pretreatment with FCC also reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species formation compared to ethanol-alone treated cells. FCC also enhanced catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, and non-enzymatic antioxidative activities such as glutathione compared to alcohol-treated HepG2/2E1 cells. Our findings suggest that FCC might be considered as a useful agent in the prevention of liver damage induced by oxidative stress by increasing the antioxidant defense mechanism.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.79-88
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• 1997

This experiment was conducted to investigate the protoporphyrin Ⅸ (PPIX)accumulation, activity of antioxidative enzymes and contents of antioxidant in tolerant-wheat and susceptible-barley to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (Protox) inhibiting-herbicides [oxyfluorfen(2-chloro-l-(3-ethoxy-nitrophenoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzene, acifluorfen (5-[2-chloro-4-(trifl-uoromethyl) phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid), bifenox(methyl-5-(2, 4-dichlorophenoxy) 2-nitroben-zoate), and oxadiazon (5-tert-butyl-3-(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-one)]. The tolerant-wheat and susceptible-barley were soaked in these compounds at 10$^{-6}$ M for 2hrs and exposed to light for 2,4,6 or 8hrs to investigate change of the activity of antioxidative enzymes. The activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase(MDAR), catalase(CAL) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) were lower in the barley than in the wheat after the treatement of these compounds. The activity of peroxidase(POX) was lower in the barley than in the wheat at 8hrs after the treatment of oxyfluorfen but other compounds showed no difference in activity in wheat and barley. The activity of glutathione reductase(GR) was increased in wheat and barley according as hours of treatment of these compounds became increased but its activity was no difference between wheat and barley. In the case of the content of vitamin C due to the treatment of these compounds, the wheat decreased less than the barley. After the treatment of oxyfluorfen the content of vitamin E in the wheat was higher than in the barley but other compounds didn't have any difference between wheat and barley. And after the treatment of acifluorfen the content of carotenoid was greater in the wheat than in the barley but other compounds didn't have any difference between wheat and barley. The content of glutathione (GSH, GSSG) was greater in the barley than in the wheat. The content of protoporphyrin Ⅸ (PPIX) accumulation by the treatments of these compounds was more in the barley than in the wheat. Especially, the treatment of oxyfluorfen and acifluorfen were more accumulated 2.3 and 1.3 fold in the barley than in the wheat, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.309-313
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• 2000

To investigate the effects of different UV-B levels on growth and biochemical defense response in plants, cucumber plants were subjected to three levels of biologically effective ultraviolet-B $(UV-B_{BE})$ radiation [daily dose: 0.03 (No), 6.40 (Low) and $11.30\;(High)\;kJ{\cdot}m^{-2}$, $UV-B_{BE}$] in the growth chambers for 3 weeks during the early growth period. Enhanced UV-B radiation drastically decreased both dry weight and leaf area of cucumber. With increasing UV-B intensity, chlorophyll content was decreased, however the level of malondialdehyde was highly increased linearly. Total contents of ascorbic acid and glutathione were tended to increase by UV-B, while the ratios of dehydroascorbate/ascorbate and oxidized glutathione/reduced glutathione were significantly increased with increasing UV-B intensity in cucumber. All the enzyme activities investigated (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, guaiacol peroxidase etc.) in cucumber were increased by the UV-B enhancement. These results suggested that enhanced UV-B irradiation caused photooxidative stress in cucumber plant and resulted in significant reduction in plant growth. Biochemical protection responses might be activated to prevent the leaves from damaging effects of oxidative stress generated by UV-B irradiation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1163-1169
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• 2007

Effects of Sotosaja hwan on Blood Glucose, Hyperlipidemia, Polyol Pathway and Antioxidative Mechanism in ob/ob Mouse Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Etiological studies of diabetes and its complications showed that oxidative stress might play a major role. Therefore, many efforts have been tried to regulate free oxygen radicals for treating diabetes and its complications. Sotosaja-hwan has been known to be effective for the antiaging and composed of four crude herbs. In male ob/ob mouse in severe obesity, hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia, which are features of NIDDM, the hyperglycemic activites and mechanisms of Sotosaja-hwan were examined. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and diabetic (ob/ob mice) control groups received standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 30 and 90 mg Sotosaja-hwan per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. The effects of Sotosaja-hwan extract on the ob/ob mice were observed by measuring the serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipid components, and the kidney levels of superoxide anion radical $({\cdot}O_2)$, MDA+HAE, GSH/GSSG ratio, and also the enzyme activities involved in polyol pathway. Sotosaja-hwan lowered the levels of serum glucose and insulin in a dose dependent manner. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels were decreased, while the HDL-cholesterol level was increased, in Sotosaja-hwan treated groups. Renal aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were increased in the ob/ob mice, whereas those were inhibited in the Sotosaja-hwan-administered groups. Sotosaja-hwan inhibited the generation of ${\cdot}O_2$ in the kidney. Finally, MDA+HAE levels was increased and GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas those were improved in the Sotosaja-hwan-administered groups. Sotosaja-hwan showed the antidiabetic and anti hyperlipidemic activities by regulating the activities of polyol pathway enzymes, scavenging reactive oxygen species and reducing the MDA+HAE levels in the ob/ob mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1557-1562
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• 2005

A mechanism of hair cell damage caused by noise and ototoxic agents is mediated through generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is known that most of animals have defense systems to protect against ROS, and the cochlea of inner ear in animals also has ROS defense systems including several antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione (GSH), which efficiently detoxifying ROS generated under normal condition. Steamed roots of Rehmannia glutinosa have been traditionally used in Oriental medicine for the treatment of auditory disease such as tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss as well as inflammatory diseases, hectic fever, night sweat, and headache. In the present study, we showed that the ethanol extract from steamed roots of R. giutinosa (ESRG) increased the antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GPX, and GR activities and GSH level in HEI-OC1 auditory cells. This extract itself did not show any significant cytotoxicity up to $50{\mu}g/ml$. Our results further support the view that ESRG is promising sources of potential antioxidants. Future studies will be aimed at investigating the effects of ESRG on the regulation of cellular mechanisms and isolating and identifying the substances responsible for the regulation of antioxidant enzyme system from the plant extracts.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.7-18
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• 2015

Objectives: Lawsone (1,4 naphthoquinone) is a non redox cycling compound that can be catalyzed by DT diaphorase (DTD) into 1,2,4-trihydroxynaphthalene (THN), which can generate reactive oxygen species by auto oxidation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of the phytomarker 1,4 naphthoquinone and its metabolite THN by using the molecular docking program AutoDock 4. Methods: The 3D structure of ligands such as hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) were drawn using hyperchem drawing tools and minimizing the energy of all pdb files with the help of hyperchem by $MM^+$ followed by a semi-empirical (PM3) method. The docking process was studied with ligand molecules to identify suitable dockings at protein binding sites through annealing and genetic simulation algorithms. The program auto dock tools (ADT) was released as an extension suite to the python molecular viewer used to prepare proteins and ligands. Grids centered on active sites were obtained with spacings of $54{\times}55{\times}56$, and a grid spacing of 0.503 was calculated. Comparisons of Global and Local Search Methods in Drug Docking were adopted to determine parameters; a maximum number of 250,000 energy evaluations, a maximum number of generations of 27,000, and mutation and crossover rates of 0.02 and 0.8 were used. The number of docking runs was set to 10. Results: Lawsone and THN can be considered to efficiently bind with NOS, CAT, GSH, GR, G6PDH and NADPH, which has been confirmed through hydrogen bond affinity with the respective amino acids. Conclusion: Naphthoquinone derivatives of lawsone, which can be metabolized into THN by a catalyst DTD, were examined. Lawsone and THN were found to be identically potent molecules for their affinities for selected proteins.