• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.23-30
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• 2017

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1 is a class of steroid glycoside and triterpene saponin in Panax ginseng. Many studies suggest that Rg1 suppresses adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1. However, the detail molecular mechanism of Rg1 on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 is still not fully understood. Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocyte was used to evaluate the effect of Rg1 on adipocyte development in the differentiation in a stage-dependent manner in vitro. Oil Red O staining and Nile red staining were conducted to measure intracellular lipid accumulation and superoxide production, respectively. We analyzed the protein expression using Western blot in vitro. The zebrafish model was used to investigate whether Rg1 suppresses the early stage of fat accumulation in vivo. Results: Rg1 decreased lipid accumulation in early-stage differentiation of 3T3-L1 compared with intermediate and later stages of adipocyte differentiation. Rg1 dramatically increased CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein-10 (CHOP10) and subsequently reduced the $C/EBP{\beta}$ transcriptional activity that prohibited the initiation of adipogenic marker expression as well as triglyceride synthase. Rg1 decreased the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and glycogen synthase kinase $3{\beta}$, which are also essential for stimulating the expression of $CEBP{\beta}$. Rg1 also reduced reactive oxygen species production because of the downregulated protein level of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4). While Rg1 increased the endogenous antioxidant enzymes, it also dramatically decreased the accumulation of lipid and triglyceride in high fat diet-induced obese zebrafish. Conclusion: We demonstrated that Rg1 suppresses early-stage differentiation via the activation of CHOP10 and attenuates fat accumulation in vivo. These results indicate that Rg1 might have the potential to reduce body fat accumulation in the early stage of obesity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.3-12
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sageretia thea is traditionally used as a medicinal herb to treat various diseases, including skin disorders, in China and Korea. This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of Sageretia thea fruit on melanogenesis and its underlying mechanisms in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. The active chemical compounds in anti-melanogenesis were determined in Sageretia thea. MATERIALS/METHODS: Solvent fractions from the crude extract were investigated for anti-melanogenic activities. These activities and the mechanism of anti-melanogenesis in B16F10 cells were examined by determining melanin content and tyrosinase activity, and by performing western blotting. RESULTS: The n-hexane fraction of Sageretia thea fruit (HFSF) exhibited significant anti-melanogenic activity among the various solvent fractions without reducing viability of B16F10 cells. The HFSF suppressed the expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1). The reduction of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression by the HFSF was mediated by the Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta ($GSK3{\beta}$) signaling pathway, which promotes the reduction of ${\beta}-catenin$. Treatment with the $GSK3{\beta}$ inhibitor 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime (BIO) restored HFSF-induced inhibition of MITF expression. The HFSF bioactive constituents responsible for anti-melanogenic activity were identified by bioassay-guided fractionation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis as methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that HFSF and its constituents, methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate, could be used as whitening agents in cosmetics and have potential for treating hyperpigmentation disorders in the clinic.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.127-138
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• 2023

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) is an important serine/threonine kinase that implicates in multiple cellular processes and links with the neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, structure-based virtual screening was performed to search database for compounds targeting GSK-3β from Enamine's screening collection. Of the top-ranked compounds, 7 primary hits underwent a luminescent kinase assay and a cell assay using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells expressing Tau repeat domain (Tau_RD) with pro-aggregant mutation ΔK280. In the kinase assay for these 7 compounds, residual GSK-3β activities ranged from 36.1% to 90.0% were detected at the IC₅₀ of SB-216763. In the cell assay, only compounds VB-030 and VB-037 reduced Tau aggregation in SH-SY5Y cells expressing ΔK280 Tau_RD-DsRed folding reporter. In SH-SY5Y cells expressing ΔK280 Tau_RD, neither VB-030 nor VB-037 increased expression of GSK-3α Ser21 or GSK-3β Ser9. Among extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT), mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (P38) and mitogenactivated protein kinase 8 (JNK) which modulate Tau phosphorylation, VB-037 attenuated active phosphorylation of P38 Thr180/ Tyr182, whereas VB-030 had no effect on the phosphorylation status of ERK, AKT, P38 or JNK. However, both VB-030 and VB-037 reduced endogenous Tau phosphorylation at Ser202, Thr231, Ser396 and Ser404 in neuronally differentiated SH-SY5Y expressing ΔK280 Tau_RD. In addition, VB-030 and VB-037 further improved neuronal survival and/or neurite length and branch in mouse hippocampal primary culture under Tau cytotoxicity. Overall, through inhibiting GSK-3β kinase activity and/or p-P38 (Thr180/Tyr182), both compounds may serve as promising candidates to reduce Tau aggregation/cytotoxicity for AD treatment.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.282-289
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• 2018

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine mainly derived from T helper 17 cells and is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cigarette smoke (CS) has been considered as a primary risk factor of COPD. However, the interaction between CS and IL-17A and the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been clarified. In the current study, we investigated the effects of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on IL-17A-induced IL-8 production in human bronchial epithelial cells, and sought to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms. IL-8 production was significantly enhanced following treatment with both IL-17A and CSE, while treatment with either IL-17A or CSE alone caused only a slight increase in IL-8 production. CSE increased the transcription of IL-17RA/RC and surface membrane expression of IL-17R, which was suppressed by an inhibitor of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway (LY294002). CSE caused inactivation of glycogen synthase $kinase-3{\beta}$ ($GSK-3{\beta}$) via the PI3K/Akt pathway. Blockade of $GSK-3{\beta}$ inactivation by overexpression of constitutively active $GSK-3{\beta}$ (S9A) completely suppressed the CSE-induced up-regulation of IL-17R expression and the CSE-induced enhancement of IL-8 secretion. In conclusion, inactivation of $GSK-3{\beta}$ via the PI3K/Akt pathway mediates CSE-induced up-regulation of IL-17R, which contributes to the enhancement of IL-17A-induced IL-8 production.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.92.1-92.12
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• 2021

Background: Naringin and its aglycone naringenin are citrus-derived flavonoids with several pharmacological effects. On the other hand, the mechanism for the anti-diabetic effects of naringenin and naringin are controversial and remain to be clarified further. Objective: This study examined the relationship between glucose uptake and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation by naringenin and naringin in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. Methods: Glucose uptake was measured using the 2-NBDG fluorescent D-glucose analog. The phosphorylation levels of AMPK and GSK3β (Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta) were observed by Western blotting. Molecular docking analysis was performed to evaluate the binding affinity of naringenin and naringin to the γ-subunit of AMPK. Results: The treatment with naringenin and naringin stimulated glucose uptake regardless of insulin stimulation in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. Both flavonoids increased glucose uptake by promoting the phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172 and increased the phosphorylation of GSK3β. Molecular docking analysis showed that both naringenin and naringin bind to the γ-subunit of AMPK with high binding affinities. In particular, naringin showed higher binding affinity than the true modulator, AMP with all three CBS domains (CBS1, 3, and 4) in the γ-subunit of AMPK. Therefore, both naringenin and naringin could be positive modulators of AMPK activation, which enhance glucose uptake regardless of insulin stimulation in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. Conclusions: The increased phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172 by naringenin and naringin might enhance glucose uptake regardless of insulin stimulation in high glucose treated HepG2 cells.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.24-34
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• 2023

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) at high concentrations induce oxidative stress, an imbalanced redox state that is a prevalent cause of neurodegenerative disorders. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Capsosiphon fulvescens (CF) extract on oxidative stress-induced impairment of cognitive function in models of neurodegenerative diseases. CF was extracted with subcritical water and several solvents and H₂O₂ (0.25 mM) or aluminum chloride (AlCl₃; 25 µM) as an inducer of ROS was treated in PC12 neuronal cells and zebrafish larvae. All statistical analyses were performed using one-way analysis of variance and Dunnett's test using GraphPad Prism. H₂O₂ and AlCl₃ were found to significantly induce ROS production in PC12 neuronal cells and zebrafish larvae. In addition, they strongly affected intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, antioxidant enzyme activity, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. However, treatment of H₂O₂-induced PC12 cells or AlCl₃-induced zebrafish larvae with CF subcritical water extract at 90℃ and CF water extract effectively regulated excessive ROS production, intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, and mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxide, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta, β-amyloid, tau, AChE, BDNF, and TrkB. Our study suggested that CF extracts can be a potential source of nutraceuticals that can improve the impairment of cognitive function and synaptic plasticity by regulating ROS generation in neurodegenerative diseases.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.417-425
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• 2017

벌사상자는 여성의 생식기 질환이나 화농성 피부염에 주로 사용되어온 한약재로, 최근 들어 암과 관련된 연구가 많이 이루어짐에 따라 벌사상자의 항암 효과에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있다. 벌사상자의 대표적인 성분인 osthole, xanthotoxol 등은 벤젠고리 화합물로 에탄올과 같은 유기용매에 잘 용해된다. 이에 따라 본 연구에서는 AGS 위암세포에서 벌사상자 에탄올 추출물(CME)에 대한 세포주기 정지 유도 효과를 확인하고자 하였다. CME 처리에 의한 AGS 위암세포의 증식 억제 유도 효과 및 세포독성 효과를 확인하기 위하여 MTT assay와 LDH release assay를 실시한 결과, 농도 및 시간 의존적으로 세포생존율이 감소하였으며, 농도 의존적인 세포독성 효과를 확인하였다. 또한, CME의 농도가 증가할수록 AGS 위암세포의 형태학적 변화가 관찰되었다. 이러한 세포증식 억제 유도 효과가 세포주기 정지에 의한 것인지 확인하기 위하여 CME를 농도별로 24시간 동안 처리한 후 세포주기를 측정하였다. 그 결과 G1기의 세포가 농도 의존적으로 증가함을 확인하였다. 그리고 CME의 처리가 세포주기와 관련된 단백질에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위하여 western blot analysis를 실시하여 G1기 세포주기 정지와 관련된 신호 단백질들의 발현 변화를 확인하였다. 그 결과 CME의 처리가 세포 증식과 분열에 중요한 역할을 하는 p-Akt와 p-GSK-$3{\beta}$의 발현을 저해하는 것을 확인하였고, 이에 따라 p53의 발현과 활성이 증가하여 p21의 발현이 증가함을 확인하였다. 또한, p21의 증가에 따른 cyclin E의 발현 감소와 CDK2의 비활성화 상태인 p-CDK(T14), p-CDK(Y15)의 발현 증가를 확인하였다. 이와 같은 CME의 세포주기 억제 유도 효과가 일어나는 신호경로를 확인하기 위하여 LY294002(PI3K/Akt 저해제), BIO(GSK-$3{\beta}$ 저해제), Pifithrin-${\alpha}$(p53 저해제)를 CME와 각각 또는 병행 처리한 후 MTT assay, 세포주기 측정, western blot analysis를 진행하였다. 그 결과 LY294002의 처리는 CME 처리군과 유사하게 세포생존율을 저해시키고 G1기 정지를 유도했으며, 세포주기 단백질을 조절하였다. 또한, GSK-$3{\beta}$와 p53 저해제를 처리하였을 때 CME를 병행 처리했음에도 불구하고 세포증식 억제나 G1기 정지와 같은 항암 효과가 나타나지 않았으며, 관련 신호경로 단백질의 변화도 관찰되지 않았다. 이러한 결과는 CME의 처리가 Akt/GSK-$3{\beta}$/p53 신호경로를 조절하여 cyclin E의 발현을 감소시키고 CDK2의 활성을 억제함으로써 G1기 세포주기 정지를 유도함을 확인하였다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제25권7호
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• pp.1170-1176
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• 2015

Ginsenosides, the major active component of ginseng, are traditionally used to treat various diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and obesity. Among these, compound K (CK), an intestinal bacterial metabolite of the ginsenosides Rb₁, Rb₂, and Rc from Bacteroides JY-6, is reported to inhibit cancer cell growth by inducing cell-cycle arrest or cell death, including apoptosis and necrosis. However, the precise effect of CK on breast cancer cells remains unclear. MCF-7 cells were treated with CK ($0-70{\mu}M$) for 24 or 48 h. Cell proliferation and death were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Changes in downstream signaling molecules involved in cell death, including glycogen synthase kinase $3\beta$ ($GSK3\beta$), $GSK3\beta$, $\beta$-catenin, and cyclin D1, were analyzed by western blot assay. To block $GSK3\beta$ signaling, MCF-7 cells were pretreated with $GSK3\beta$ inhibitors 1 h prior to CK treatment. Cell death and the expression of $\beta$-catenin and cyclin D1 were then examined. CK dose- and time-dependently inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation. Interestingly, CK induced programmed necrosis, but not apoptosis, via the $GSK3\beta$ signaling pathway in MCF-7 cells. CK inhibited $GSK3\beta$ phosphorylation, thereby suppressing the expression of $\beta$-catenin and cyclin D1. Our results suggest that CK induces programmed necrosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells via the $GSK3\beta$ signaling pathway.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.515-525
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• 2023

The most common heart valve disorder is calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), which is characterized by a narrowing of the aortic valve. Treatment with the drug molecule, in addition to surgical and transcatheter valve replacement, is the primary focus of researchers in this field. The purpose of this study is to determine whether niclosamide can reduce calcification in aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs). To induce calcification, cells were treated with a pro-calcifying medium (PCM). Different concentrations of niclosamide were added to the PCM-treated cells, and the level of calcification, mRNA, and protein expression of calcification markers was measured. Niclosamide inhibited aortic valve calcification as observed from reduced alizarin red s staining in niclosamide treated VICs and also decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of calcification-specific markers: runt-related transcription factor 2 and osteopontin. Niclosamide also reduced the formation of reactive oxygen species, NADPH oxidase activity and the expression of Nox2 and p22^phox. Furthermore, in calcified VICs, niclosamide inhibited the expression of β-catenin and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3β), as well as the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK. Taken together, our findings suggest that niclosamide may alleviate PCM-induced calcification, at least in part, by targeting oxidative stress mediated GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway via inhibiting activation of AKT and ERK, and may be a potential treatment for CAVS.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.211-218
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• 2011

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3${\beta}$)의 선택적 저해제인 Kenpaullone가 B16 멜라노마 및 사람의 멜라노사이트에 미치는 멜라닌 합성능을 조사하였다. Kepaullone은 B16 멜라노마 및 사람의 멜라노사이트에 대하여 세포증식에는 영향이 없는 범위 내에서 농도 의존적으로 멜라닌 합성을 촉진시켰다. B16 멜라노마 세포에 Kenpaullone을 첨가 48 h 후 tyrosinase 활성이 증가하였으며, 농도별 처리에 대하여 tyrosinase 단백질의 발현 및 tyrosinase mRNA양이 증가함을 관찰하였다. 결론적으로 Kenpaullone는 B16 멜라노마 세포에서 tyrosinase 효소의 발현을 증가시켜 멜라닌 합성을 촉진하는 것으로 판단되어진다. 따라서 GSK3${\beta}$ 저해제가 멜라닌 합성을 촉진시키는 결과는 백반증과 같은 저색소관련 질병의 치료제 개발의 가능성을 갖고 있는 소재로서 응용가능하리라고 판단되어진다.