• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.669-675
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• 2007

The present study was conducted to explore the anti-inflammatory action of $2-hydroxyethyl-{\beta}-undecenate$ (HPS) purified from Cumin (Cuminum cymium L.) seed against periodontitis. From the study in which human leukocyte was employed to detect the inhibiting effects of 5-lipokygenase and cyclooxygenase, enzymes generating carriers of infection like $LTB_4$ and PGs, as well as of collagenase and elastase, organ-destroying enzymes, following conclusions could be drawn: HPS was found to inhibit leukotrien $B_4$ biosynthesis by stimulating more than 97% of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) with addition of $5\;{\times}\;10^{-2}\;M$ when $IC_{50}$ was set at $2\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;M$. Ninety-two percent of enzyme activation turned out to be inhibited when $5\;{\times}\;10^{-2}\;M$ was added in a test to prove inhibiting effects of HPS against activation of PMNL 5-lipoxygenase from homogeneous humans and purified 5-lipoxygenase on the market. Besides, $IC_{50}$ for enzyme activation was valued at $2.5\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;M$, while the value of $IC_{50}$ for purified 5-lipoxygenase was $2.3\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;M$. The $IC_{50}$ values of COX-activated leukocyte and purified collagenase were $5.1\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;M$ and $2.3\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;M$, respectively. Moreover, the value of $IC_{50}$ for activation of leukocyte collagenase was $2\;{\times}\;10^{-3}\;M$, whereas that for purified collagenase was $5\;{\times}\;10^{-2}\;M$. In case of leukocyte elastase, addition of $5\;{\times}\;10^{-2}\;M$ inhibited its activation by 66%. In case of purified one, however, activation of enzyme was inhibited by 25% with addition of $5\;{\times}\;10^{-2}\;M$. Furthermore, the $IC_{50}$ value for activation of leukocyte elastase was revealed to be $7.5\;{\times}\;10^{-3}\;M$. From the virulence test with human gingiva cell, it was shown that, on the second day of cultivation, 47.83% of the cell had been activated when HPS was added by $5\;{\times}\;10^{-2}\;M$. Even the addition of HPS by $1\;{\times}\;10^{-2}\;M$ featured 68.53% of cell activation, suggesting relatively strong toxicity of the substance against gingiva cell.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.953-960
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• 2011

Necrosis is characterized by the cell membrane rupture and release of the cellular contents, including high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), into the extracellular microenvironment. HMGB1 acts as a transcriptional regulator in nuclei, but exerts a pro-inflammatory and tumor-promoting cytokine activity when released into the extracellular space. Its overexpression is associated with tumor progression and chemoresistance. Thus, HMGB1 acts as a clinically important molecule in tumor biology. In this study, we examined whether HMGB1 affects cell death induced by anti-cancer drugs. Here we show that HMGB1 prevented cisplatin (alkylating agent)-induced apoptosis and switched the cell fate to necrosis in MCF-7, MDA-MB231, and MDA-MB361 cells. Similar apoptosis-to-necrosis switch effects of HMGB1 were observed in cells treated with 4-HC, another alkylating agent. In contrast, HMGB1 did not exert any significant effects on docetaxel (DOC)-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. We also show that cisplatin-induced apoptosis was switched to necrosis in MCF-7 multicellular tumor spheroids (MTS) that were cultured for 8 days and had necrotic cores, but DOC-induced apoptosis was prevented without the apoptosis-to-necrosis switch. Finally, the levels of RAGE, a receptor of HMGB1, were increased with extended culture of MTS. These findings demonstrate that HMGB1 switches alkylating agent-induced apoptosis to necrosis, suggesting that the strategy to prevent necrosis occurring as an undesirable action of alkylating agent-based chemotherapy should be delineated to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy for cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.615-620
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• 2018

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), one of catechins of green tea, has been known to possess anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer effects. The present study analyzed global gene expression changes in EGCG-treated HCT116 cells and p53-null HCT116 cells by oligo DNA microarray analysis. Among the differentially expressed genes in EGCG-treated HCT116 cells, four were selected that are known as tumor suppressor genes (activating transcription factor 3 [ATF3], cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A [CDKN1A], DNA damage-inducible transcript 3 [DDIT3] and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug activated gene [NAG-1]) and their expression was compared to the expression of genes in p53-null HCT116 cells. We found that the expression of these genes was not dependent on their p53 status except for NAG-1, which was only up-regulated in HCT116. The results of RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that ATF3 up-regulation by EGCG was not affected by the presence of p53, whereas NAG-1 expression was not induced in p53-null HCT116 cells. We also detected ATF3 and NAG-1 expression changes through genistein and resveratrol treatment. Interestingly, genistein could not up-regulate ATF3 regardless of p53 status, but genistein could induce NAG-1 only in HCT116 cells. Resveratrol could significantly induce NAG-1 as well as ATF3 independent of p53 presence. These results indicate that EGCG, genistein and resveratrol may have different anti-cancer effects. Overall, the results of this study may help to increase our understandings of molecular mechanisms on anti-cancer activities mediated by EGCG, genistein and resveratrol in human colorectal cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1629-1636
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• 2009

Pine trees (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zacc.) have been used as a traditional health-promoting medicinal food in Korea. This research was performed to determine the antioxidative and antibacterial activities, tyrosinase, nitric oxide synthesis, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and xanthine oxidase inhibition effects of the pine bud ethanol extract (PBE). Antioxidative activities of PBE were measured by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase-like activity (SODA). DPPH radical scavenging and SOD-like activities of PBE were remarkably increased in a dose-dependent manner, and were about 88.9% and 47.9% at 1 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml, respectively. The xanthine oxidase and angiotensin converting enzyme activities were inhibited about 71.9% and 60.8% at 1 mg/ml and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of PBE, respectively. The tyrosinase inhibitory activities of PBE were slightly increased in a dose-dependent manner. The PBE showed strong antimicrobial activities on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Vibrio paraheamolyticus. Stimulation of the macrophages RAW264.7 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in increased production of nitric oxide (NO) in the medium. However, NO synthesis was reduced up to 54% by addition of PBE at $200{\mu}g/ml$. These results revealed that pine buds have a strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity, and exhibit angiotensin converting enzyme and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities. This suggests that pine buds have the greatest property as a source for natural health products.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.616-621
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• 2013

Aconitum pesudo-laeve var erectum has been known to possess anti-inflammatory activity and modulate the intestinal immune system. In addition, it has traditionally been used for the treatment of water retention in the body. In this study, the anti-aging and anti-diabetes effects of water and ethanol extracts from Aconitum pesudo-laeve var. erectum were investigated. The activities of each extract were measured by antioxidant tests such as DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, antioxidant protection factor (PF), TBARs content, and ${\alpha}$-amylase and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity assay. DPPH radical scavenging activity was found in over 50% of water and ethanol extracts at $100{\mu}g/ml$, $50{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The ABTS radical scavenging activity of ethanol extract was $99.8{\pm}0.1$% at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ in water, which was highest among the ethanol extract concentrations. PFs measured with ${\beta}$-carotene-linoleate model systems were in the order of ethanol (1.49 PF at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$) > ethanol (1.40 PF at $500{\mu}g/ml$) > water (1.33 PF at $1,000{\mu}g/ml$) > water (1.27 PF at $500{\mu}g/ml$). TBARs content in ethanol extracts ($1,000{\mu}g/ml$) was $0.16{\pm}0.03{\mu}M$, which was lower than that of water extracts and other ethanol extract concentrations. The extracts also showed over 90% of ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibition and over 60% of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition ratio in water ($1,000{\mu}g/ml$) and ethanol extracts (100~$1,000{\mu}g/ml$). These results suggest that Aconitum pesudo-laeve var. erectum extracts could be used as a cosmetic source and preventive agent for aging and diabetes.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Obesity is a pro-inflammatory state that contributes to the development of metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and cardiovascular disease. In this study, we evaluated the inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice by Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg L. water extract (PJT). Lipid accumulation measurement indicates that PJT markedly inhibited adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) in 3T3-L1 cells were significantly down-regulated by PJT treatment. Oral administration of PJT (100, 300, and 500 ㎎/㎏, b.w/daily for 4 weeks) was conducted in high-fat diet induced obese mice and C57BL/6 mice. The PJT-administered group of HFD-induced mice had a lower body weight gain, along with decreased serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol compared with the control mice, however, the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was increased. Furthermore, the elevated mRNA expression levels of adipogenesis related genes in the white adipose tissue of obese mice were significantly suppressed by PJT. These results indicate that PJT exhibits anti-obesity effects in obese mice by decreasing in serum lipid levels and lipogenesis related gene.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.257-267
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• 2017

Background: Heat-processed ginseng, sun ginseng (SG), has been reported to have improved therapeutic properties compared with raw forms, such as increased antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperglycemic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiobesity effects of SG through the suppression of cell differentiation and proliferation of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells and the lipid accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods: To investigate the effect of SG on adipocyte differentiation, levels of stained intracellular lipid droplets were quantified by measuring the oil red O signal in the lipid extracts of cells on differentiation Day 7. To study the effect of SG on fat accumulation in C. elegans, L4 stage worms were cultured on an Escherichia coli OP50 diet supplemented with $10{\mu}g/mL$ of SG, followed by Nile red staining. To determine the effect of SG on gene expression of lipid and glucose metabolism-regulation molecules, messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of genes were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. In addition, the phosphorylation of Akt was examined by Western blotting. Results: SG suppressed the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells stimulated by a mixture of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin (MDI), and inhibited the proliferation of adipocytes during differentiation. Treatment of C. elegans with SG showed reductions in lipid accumulation by Nile red staining, thus directly demonstrating an antiobesity effect for SG. Furthermore, SG treatment down-regulated mRNA and protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor subtype ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) and decreased the mRNA level of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c in MDI-treated adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, mRNA expression levels of lipid metabolism-regulating factors, such as amplifying mouse fatty acid-binding protein 2, leptin, lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid transporter protein 1, fatty acid synthase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, were increased, whereas that of the lipolytic enzyme carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 was decreased. Our data demonstrate that SG inversely regulated the expression of these genes in differentiated adipocytes. SG induced increases in the mRNA expression of glycolytic enzymes such as glucokinase and pyruvate kinase, and a decrease in the mRNA level of the glycogenic enzyme phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase. In addition, mRNA levels of the glucose transporters GLUT1, GLUT4, and insulin receptor substrate-1 were elevated by MDI stimulation, whereas SG dose-dependently inhibited the expression of these genes in differentiated adipocytes. SG also inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) at an early phase of MDI stimulation. Intracellular nitric oxide (NO) production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels were markedly decreased by MDI stimulation and recovered by SG treatment of adipocytes. Conclusion: Our results suggest that SG effectively inhibits adipocyte proliferation and differentiation through the downregulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$, by suppressing Akt (Ser473) phosphorylation and enhancing NO production. These results provide strong evidence to support the development of SG for antiobesity treatment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.908-914
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• 2012

To investigate the difference and change of ingredient and efficacy of Galgeun-tang (GGT) according to extraction solvent, water and 70% EtOH, the quantities of index components and the several in vitro activities of two kinds of GGT extract were compared. The contents of extracts were analyzed with HPLC. The biological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity effects were measured through cell line-based in vitro assay. The cytotoxicity was measured by CCK-8 assay in RAW 264.7 cell, BEAS-2B cell, HaCaT cell and 3T3-L1 cell. We compared effects of two kinds of extract by measuring NO, PGE2, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ in RAW264.7 cell, RANTES in BEAS-2B cell, MDC and RANTES in HaCaT cell and GPDH activity and leptin level in differentiated 3T3-L1. 70% EtOH extract of GGT contained more compositions than water extract. The inhibitory effect of water extract of GGT on NO in RAW 264.7 cell and GPDH activity in 3T3-L1 was stronger than that of 70% EtOH. 70% EtOH has a stronger inhibitory effect on PGE2 in RAW264.7 cell, RANTES in BEAS-2B cell, MDC, RANTES in HaCaT cell, leptin in 3T3-L1 cell than water extraction. These results suggest that the ingredient and efficacy from 70% EtOH extract of GGT are more effective than water extract.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2016

In this study, 4-week-old rats were fed bread supplemented with Terminalia chebula (TC), Plantago asiatica (PA), Linder obtusiloba (LO), and Capsosiphon fulvescens (CF) ethanol extracts, to determine the decrease in blood glucose levels, as well as the anti-inflammatory and lipid-enhancing effects. Previous studies have demonstrated the antioxidative effects of these ethanol extracts. After sacrifice, the liver tissue, whole blood, and serum samples were collected for biochemical analysis. The results showed a significant decrease in blood glucose level, lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, HbA1c level, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (p<0.05) and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level in rats fed bread supplemented with LO and CF ethanol extracts (p<0.05). Therefore, the results of this study demonstrate that bread supplemented with LO and CF ethanol extracts can potentially affect the blood glucose level and lead to lipid enhancement.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.295-302
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• 2019

Liquiritigenin (LG) is a chiral flavonoid isolated from the roots of licorice. It exhibits multiple biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. In particular though, the anti-cancer activity of LG in oral squamous cell carcinoma has yet to be elucidated, and LG-induced apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma remains poorly understood. In the present study, we tested the role of LG in inducing apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. LG treatment of HN22 cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability as detected by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The induction of apoptosis in terms of Annexin V/7-Aminoactinomycin D staining, sub-G1 population, and multi-caspase activity were assessed with a $Muse^{TM}$ Cell Analyzer. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that LG treatment resulted in G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression and downregulation of cyclin B1 and CDC2 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. It also resulted in significant upregulation of p27. In addition, LG was seen to trigger the generation of reactive oxygen species and induce CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein and 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein in concentration-dependent upregulation. The LG treatment of HN22 cells led to a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$); it also reduced the levels of anti-apoptotic protein and increased the expression of apoptotic protease activating factor-1, cleaved poly (ADP-ribose)polymerase and Bax. Overall, our results indicate that the pro-apoptotic effects of LG in HN22 cells depend on the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways. Thus, our results suggest that LG constitutes a natural compound with a potential role as an anti-tumor agent in oral squamous cell carcinoma.