• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.231-238
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• 2012

Menthae herba (MH) extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the anti-inflammatory effects of MH extracts vary according to the cultivation regions. We performed a comparative analysis of MH extracts by evaluating the production of inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells and HaCaT human keratinocyte cells. MH extracts obtained from different cultivation regions in Korea and China significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). No differences in these inhibitory activities were observed between MH extracts. In HaCaT cells stimulated with TNF-${\alpha}$ and interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$), MH extracts did not inhibit the production of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22), but most extracts reduced the production of the regulated on activation normal T-cell expression and secreted (RANTES/CCL5). We used clustering tree analysis of the MH extracts according to the chromatographic pattern and anti-inflammatory potency of MH extracts. We observed differences in the chromatographic pattern of MH extracts but no difference in anti-inflammatory potency. Our findings suggest that MH extracts from different regions do not show any differences in their pharmacological potency in that MH extracts are used as therapeutic agents to treat inflammatory disorders.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.296-307
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• 2017

In spite of frequent usage of primary human foreskin keratinocytes (HFKs) in the study of skin biology, senescence-induced block-age of in vitro proliferation has been a big hurdle for their effective utilization. In order to overcome this passage limitation, we first isolated ten HFK lines from circumcision patients and successfully immortalized four of them via a retroviral transduction of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 oncogenes. We confirmed expression of a keratinocyte marker protein, keratin 14 and two viral oncoproteins in these immortalized HFKs. We also observed their robust responsiveness to various exogenous stimuli, which was evidenced by increased mRNA expression of epithelial differentiation markers and pro-inflammatory genes in response to three reactive chemicals. In addition, their applicability to cytotoxicity assessment turned out to be comparable to that of HaCaT cells. Finally, we confirmed their differentiation capacity by construction of well-stratified three dimensional skin cultures. These newly established immortalized HFKs will be valuable tools not only for generation of in vitro skin disease models but also for prediction of potential toxicities of various cosmetic chemicals.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.62-72
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• 2018

An active ingredient with hyaluronidase (HAse) inhibitory effect is one of the anti-aging approaches in cosmeceuticals. Here, red sea cucumbers (RSCs), Stichopus japonicus, from Jeju Island were evaluated to examine their HAse inhibitory and antioxidant activity effect. In this study, RSCs were extracted by six enzymatic hydrolysis (Alcalase; Al, Trypsin; Try, Neutrase; Neu, Pepsin; Pep, Alpha-chymotrypsin; Chy and Protamex; Pro). Alcalase hydrolysate (AlH) showed the highest antioxidant capacities for both of oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) methods, compared to those of other hydrolysates, at $66.59{\pm}0.78{\mu}M\;TE/mg$ and $135.78{\pm}3.24{\mu}M\;TE/mg$, respectively. Furthermore, AlH performed the highest capacity of HAse inhibitory with $IC_{50}$ value of 3.21 mg/ml. Thus, RSCs hydrolyzed by Al were chosen to determine the cellular antioxidant activity and hyaluronic acid (HA) production effect on Human immortalized keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). The results showed that AlH improved the cell viabilities and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by 2,2'-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) were significantly decreased. In addition, AlH increased HA amount by regulating HYAL2 and HAS2 expressions in the HaCaT cells. Taken together, AlH of RSCs collected from Jeju Island showed HAse inhibitory and antioxidant activities against skin-aging which shows its potentials can be an optional natural bioactive ingredient for novel cosmeceuticals.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.306-312
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• 2018

In a previous study, we have demonstrated that S-methylmethionine sulfonium (SMMS) confers wound-healing and photoprotective effects on the skin, suggesting that SMMS can be used as a cosmetic raw material. However, it has an unpleasant odor. Therefore, in the present study, we synthesized odor-free SMMS derivatives by eliminating dimethyl sulfide, which is the cause of the unpleasant odor and identified two derivatives that exhibited skin-protective effects: one derivative comprised (2S,4S)- and (2R,4S)-2-phenylthiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid and the other comprised (2S,4R)-, (2S,4S)-, (2R,4R)-, and (2R,4S)-2-phenyl-1,3-thiazinane-4-carboxylic acid. We performed in vitro proliferation assays using human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) and an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). The two SMMS derivatives were shown to increase hDF and HaCaT cell proliferation as well as improve their survival by protecting against ultraviolet exposure. Moreover, the derivatives regulated the expression of collagen type I and MMP mRNAs against ultraviolet exposure in hDFs, suggesting that these derivatives can be developed as cosmetic raw materials.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.339-345
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• 2019

The present study aims to investigate the potential applications of Aristotelia chilensis (A. chilensis) extracts as novel cosmetic materials. The total extracts of A. chilensis were partitioned into chloroform (CHCl₃), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and distilled water (DW) fractions. A. chilensis extracts exhibited no cytotoxicity toward HaCaT human keratinocyte and B16F10 mouse melanoma cell lines. CHCl₃, EtOAc, and DW extracts reduced oxidative stress, and EtOAc extract was superior to glutathione, a natural human antioxidant positive control. The extracts of A. chilensis reduced melanin synthesis in cells treated with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. The extracts of A. chilensis exhibited antibacterial effects toward Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). In particular, the EtOAc extract was effective in terms of antibacterial activity against S. aureus. In the present study, we identified several potential applications of A. chilensis extracts in terms of novel antioxidant and whitening cosmetic materials as well as antibacterial preservatives.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.157-165
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• 2014

Background: Incisional site of surgical operation become transient ischemic state and then occur reoxygenation due to vasodilatation by inflammatory reaction, the productive reactive oxygen species (ROS) give rise to many physiologic results. Apoptosis have major role on elimination of inflammatory cell and formation of granulation tissue in normal wound healing process. Remifentanil can prevent the inflammatory response and can suppress inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in a septic mouse model. After cardiopulmonary bypass for coronary artery surgery, remifentanil can also inhibit the release of biomarkers of myocardial damage. Here we investigated whether remifentanil pretreatment has cellular protective effect against hypoxia-reoxygenation in HaCaT human keratinocytes, if so, the role of apoptosis and autophagy on this phenomenon. Methods: The HaCaT human keratinocytes were exposed to various concentrations of remifentanil (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 ng/ml) for 2 h before hypoxia (RPC/HR group). These cells were cultured under 1% oxygen tension for 24h at $37^{\circ}C$. After hypoxia, to simulate reoxygenation and recovery, the cells were reoxygenated for 12 h at $37^{\circ}C$. 3-MA/RPC/HR group was treated 3-methyladenine (3-MA), autophagy inhibitor for 1h before remifentanil treatment. Cell viability was measured using a quantitative colorimetric assay with thiazolyl blue tetrazoliumbromide (MTT, amresco), showing the mitochondrial activity of living cells. To investigate whether the occurrence of autophagy and apoptosis, we used fluorescence microscopy and Western blot analysis. Results: The viability against hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in remifentanil preconditioning keratinocytes were increased, and these cells were showed stimulated expression of autophagy 3-MA suppressed the induction of autophagy effectively and the protective effects on apoptosis. Atg5, Beclin-1, LC3-II and p62 were elevated in RPC/HR group. But they were decreased when autophagy was suppressed by 3-MA. Conclusions: Remifentanil preconditioning showed the protective effect in human keratinocytes, and we concluded that autophagy may take the major role in the recovery of wound from hypoxia-reoxygenation injury. We suggest that further research is needed about the cell protective effects of autophagy.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.417-421
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• 2018

Ultraviolet rays are electromagnetic waves with a shorter wavelength than visible light, and ultraviolet rays that pass through the ozone layer are the main cause of skin aging. Chronic exposure of skin tissue to ultraviolet light activates the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathways in human keratinocytes, resulting in increased production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In this study, we investigated the herbal extracts from Jeju Island on the anti-aging effect in human keratinocytes (HaCaTs) by ultraviolet stimulation. We examined that herb extract from Jeju Island were decreased in anti-aging activity on measuring the level of MMP-1 gene and protein expression in ultraviolet-induced keratinocytes. As a result, it was confirmed that Thymus quinquecostatus extract (TQE) significantly reduced the expression of MMP-1 in a dose-dependent manner by UV irradiated HaCaTs. According to our data, TQE significantly attenuated UV-induced phosphorylation of the MAPKs signaling elements ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38 proteins. These results suggest that the MAPKs pathway may contribute to the inhibitory effect of TQE on UV-induced MMP-1 production in human keratinocytes. Our results suggest that TQE may be a protective agent against skin aging by preventing UV-induced MMP-1 production.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.529-535
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• 2016

Atopic dermatitis (AD) results from gene and environment interactions that lead to a range of immunological abnormalities and breakdown of the skin barrier. Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) belongs to a family of G-protein coupled receptors and is expressed in suprabasal layers of the epidermis. PAR2 is activated by both trypsin and a specific agonist peptide, SLIGKV-$NH_2$ and is involved in both epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis and epithelial inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effect of lobaric acid on inflammation, keratinocyte differentiation, and recovery of the skin barrier in hairless mice. Lobaric acid blocked trypsin-induced and SLIGKV-$NH_2$-induced PAR2 activation resulting in decreased mobilization of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in HaCaT keratinocytes. Lobaric acid reduced expression of interleukin-8 induced by SLIGKV-$NH_2$ and thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC) induced by tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-${\alpha}$) and IFN-${\gamma}$ in HaCaT keratinocytes. Lobaric acid also blocked SLIGKV-$NH_2$-induced activation of ERK, which is a downstream signal of PAR2 in normal human keratinocytes (NHEKs). Treatment with SLIGKV-$NH_2$ downregulated expression of involucrin, a differentiation marker protein in HaCaT keratinocytes, and upregulated expression of involucrin, transglutamase1 and filaggrin in NHEKs. However, lobaric acid antagonized the effect of SLIGKV-$NH_2$ in HaCaT keratinocytes and NHEKs. Topical application of lobaric acid accelerated barrier recovery kinetics in a SKH-1 hairless mouse model. These results suggested that lobaric acid is a PAR2 antagonist and could be a possible therapeutic agent for atopic dermatitis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2017

Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum and its active component, norgalanthamine have been reported to have hair growth-promoting effect via the proliferation of dermal papilla cells. In this study, we investigated the other mechanisms of C. asiaticum extract var. japonicum and norgalanthamine on the hair growth. The C. asiaticum var. japonicum extract inhibited $5{\alpha}$-reductase activity by 16%, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a main cause of androgenetic alopecia, whereas the C. asiaticum var. japonicum extract didn't function as an opener of the $K_{ATP}$ channel. On the other hand, we examined whether norgalanthamine can inhibit transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) signal pathway, which is essential in the regression induction of hair growth. Norgalanthamine inhibited the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 on TGF-${\beta}1$-induced canonical pathway in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. These results suggested that the C. asiaticum var. japonicum extract and norgalanthamine had the potential to influence hair growth through the inhibition of $5{\alpha}$-reductase activity and TGF-${\beta}1$-induced canonical pathway.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2018

Environmental stimuli can lead to the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is one of the risk factors for premature skin aging. Here, we investigated the protective effects of $7-MEGA^{TM}$ 500 (50% palmitoleic acid, 7-MEGA) against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and its underlying therapeutic mechanisms in the HaCaT human skin keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT cells). Our results showed that treatment with 7-MEGA prior to hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced damage significantly increased the viability of HaCaT cells. 7-MEGA effectively attenuated generation of $H_2O_2$-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced inflammatory factors, such as prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), and $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$). In addition, cells treated with 7-MEGA exhibited significantly decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and increased expression of procollagen type 1 (PCOL1) and Elastin against oxidative stress by $H_2O_2$. Interestingly, these protective activities of 7-MEGA were similar in scope and of a higher magnitude than those seen with 98.5% palmitoleic acid (PA) obtained from Sigma when given at the same concentration (100 nL/mL). According to our data, 7-MEGA is able to protect HaCaT cells from $H_2O_2$-induced damage through inhibiting cellular oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, 7-MEGA may affect skin elasticity maintenance and improve skin wrinkles. These findings indicate that 7-MEGA may be useful as a food supplement for skin health.