• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is one of the most widely distributed environmental pollutants and causes neurotoxicities. Fucoidan is a main bioactive constituent of the brown sea-weed and has many functions in a variety of physiological conditions. The present study attempted to investigate the potential role of fucoidan as neuroprotective marine polypeptide in environmental pollutant-induced apoptosis of neuronal cells in culture. MTT assay showed that cell viability was significantly reduced to 68 % at $30{\mu}M$ PFOS, which was recovered up to 77% and 92% in the presence of fucoidan 25 and $50{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Cytotoxicity assay showed that LDH release was significantly increased to 160% at $30{\mu}M$ PFOS but was reduced to 150% and 122% in the presence of fucoidan 25 and $50{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Caspase-3 activity, a hallmark of apoptosis, was measured to determine the cytotoxicity of PFOS and the cytoprotective effects of fucoidan. PFOS induced a 250% increase of caspase-3 activity at $30{\mu}M$ but the increase was dampened to 180% and 130% in the presence of fucoidan 25 and $50{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. PFOS $30{\mu}M$ induced 180 % increase in ROS accumulation, which was effectively blocked by $50{\mu}g/ml$ fucoidan (120% of control). Our results demonstrated that PFOS is a powerful neurotoxicant and fucoidan may be a protective marine bioactive polypeptide against the neurotoxic environmental pollutants. It may contribute to establishing the potential role of fucoidan as a neuroprotective polypeptide that prevents the risk of neurological disorders from the possible neurotoxic pollutants.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.140-154
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• 2023

Purpose: Deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolata) is generally used in conventional medicines and is considered to have remedial properties to cure several diseases. However, application of the C. lanceolata bud as a novel food ingredient has not been fully explored. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is associated with the production of oxidative damage that results in mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and cell death. This study examines the neuroprotective effect of C. lanceolate bud extracts (CLBE) on H₂O₂-stimulated apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Methods: C. lanceolata bud of length 10 to 15 cm was collected and extracted using 70% ethanol. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the EZ-cytox reagent, measurement of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The morphological changes of the nuclei were determined using the Hoechst 33258 dye. Enzyme activities were analyzed using the caspase activity assay kit. Related protein expressions were quantified by the Western blot immunoassay in H₂O₂-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells. Results: Cell viability, LDH release and ROS generation, demonstrated neuroprotective effects of CLBE in H₂O₂-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells. The occurrence of apoptosis in H₂O₂-stimulated cells was confirmed by caspase activity, which was increased in H₂O₂-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells compared to the unexposed group. Pretreatment of CLBE was observed to inhibit the H₂O₂-stimulated apoptosis. In addition, exposure to CLBE resulted in increased expression of the Bcl-2 (B cell lymphoma 2) protein and decreased expression of the Bax (Bcl2 associated X) protein. Conclusion: This study shows that exposure to CLBE alleviates the H₂O₂-stimulated neuronal damage in SH-SY5Y cells. Our results indicate the potential application of CLBE in neurodegenerative disease therapy or prevention.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.358-365
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• 2011

The antioxidant and neuronal cell-protective effects of hot water extract from commercial buckwheat tea (CBTE) were evaluated. The 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and malondialdehyde (MDA) inhibitory effect of the CBTE increased in a dose-dependent manner. The Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation that resulted from hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) treatment more significantly decreased when CBTE was present in the media than when the PC12 cells were treated only with $H_2O_2$. In the neuronal cell viability assay using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT), the aqueous extracts showed a protective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity, and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into the medium was also inhibited by CBTE. The total phenolics of CBTE was 9,608.10 mg/100 g, and the major phenolic compounds were rutin (13.42 mg/100 g) and quercitrin (0.90 mg/100 g). These data suggested that CBTE, including the aforementioned phenolics, may be useful in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.893-902
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• 2020

Propolis is a resinous substance that is collected by Apis mellifera from plant sources and is used in traditional medicine. To study the phytochemical constituents and apoptotic potential of Jordanian propolis extract against different cancer cell lines, propolis was extracted using methanol, hexane, and ethyl acetate and was fractionated using chromatographic methods. Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT and LDH assays. The apoptotic potential was investigated using florescence microscopy, multicaspase assay, Annexin-V and dead cell assay, and cell cycle assay. The phytochemical constituents were analyzed using GC-MS. The methanol extract of propolis exhibited cytotoxic potential against all cell lines tested. The IC₅₀ values of the methanol extract were 47.4, 77.8, 91.2, and 145.0 ㎍/ml for HepG2, LoVo, MDAMB231, and MCF7 cell lines, respectively. The IC₅₀ values of the F1 fraction were 31.6 (MDAMB231), 38.9 (HepG2), 36.7 (LoVo) and 75.5 (MCF7) ㎍/ml. On further purification using thin-layer chromatography, the IC₅₀ values of the F1-3 fraction were found to be 84.31(HepG2), 79.2 (MCF7), 70.4 (LoVo), and 68.9 (MDAMB231) ㎍/ml, respectively. The anticancer potential of the F1 fraction was confirmed through the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. The GC-MS analysis of the F1 fraction revealed the presence of 3-methyl-4-isopropylphenol (29.44%) as a major constituent. These findings indicate the potential of propolis extract as a cancer therapy. However, further investigation is required to assess the acute and subacute toxicity of the most active fraction.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigates the alterations in A549 human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells exposed to Citrus junos extract (CJE). We further examine the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of CJE on NSCLC cells. Methods: Inhibition of proliferation was examined by applying the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay on CJE-treated A549 NSCLC cells. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay was performed to measure the degree of toxicity of CJE on NSCLC cells. The effect on migratory proliferation was confirmed using the scratch wound healing assay. The antiproliferative effect of the CJE on human lung cancer cells was verified through morphological observation, fluorescence microscopy, and caspase-3 colorimetry. Results: Exposure of NSCLC cells to CJE resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell activity and increased toxicity to the cells. In addition, microscopic observation revealed a reduced ability of the cancer cells to migrate and proliferate after exposure to the CJE, with simultaneous morphological apoptotic changes. Fluorescence staining and microscopic examination revealed that this death was a process of self-programmed cell death of NSCLC cells. Compared to unexposed NSCLC cells, the expression of caspase-3 was significantly increased in cells exposed to CJE. Conclusion: Exposure of A549 human NSCLC cells to CJE inhibits the proliferation, increases the cytotoxicity, and decreases the ability of cells to migrate and grow. Moreover, the expression of caspase-3 increases after CJE treatment, suggesting that the apoptosis of NSCLC cells is induced by a chain reaction initiated by caspase-3. These results indicate that Citrus junos is a potential therapeutic agent for human non-small-cell lung cancer.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.120-128
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• 2008

Purpose: Mistletoe extract was widely used for cancer treatment as complementary or alternative therapy in European area from early twenty century. It is currently used as alternative anti-cancer remedy by piecemeal in domestic medical group, however, the anti-cancer mechanism of mistletoe extract was not known precisely until now. In this study the effect of mistletoe extract on gastric cancer was studied vis cell line experiments. Materials and Methods: The SNU719 gastric cancer cell line was used, and ABNOBAviscum-Q and ABNOBAviscum-F were treated to cells as mistletoe extract, or 5-FU and cisplatin were used with mistletoe extract. The cell viability and cell death rate were estimated by CCK-8 assay kit and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay kit in each. Caspase 3 assay kit was used to measure caspase 3 activity. The protein expression amounts of Bcl2, p53, and PTEN were estimated through Western blot analysis. Results: The co-treatments of mistletoe extract Q/F and 5-FU/cisplatin decreased lesser cell viability than only mistletoe treat. Caspase 3 activity was increased 4~6 times in co-treatment of mistletoe extracts and 5-FU than control. Bcl2 protein expression was reduced by mistletoe extracts or anti-cancer drugs, further more, the co-treatment of mistletoe extracts and 5-FU/cisplatin diminished more the expression than only mistletoe treatment. Mistletoe extracts did not affect the protein expressions of p53 and PTEN. Conclusion: It was concluded that the anti-cancer mechanism of mistletoe extracts was made by caspase 3 activation and lowered Bcl2 expression, and this apoptosis inducing mechanism was independent to p53.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6869-6874
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• 2013

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinases are two important factors for angiogenesis associated with breast cancer growth and progression. The present study was aimed to examine the effects of tamoxifen and tranilast drugs singly or in combination on proliferation of breast cancer cells and also to evaluate VEGF and MMP-9 expression and VEGF secretion levels. Materials and Methods: Human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, were treated with tamoxifen and/or tranilast alone or in combination and percentage cell survival and proliferative activity were evaluated using LDH leakage and MTT assays. mRNA expression and protein levels were examined by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA assay, respectively. Results: LDH and MTT assays showed that the combined treatment of tamoxifen and tranilast resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability and cell proliferation compared with tamoxifen or tranilast treatment alone, with significant decrease in VEGF mRNA and protein levels. We also found that tamoxifen as a single agent rarely increased MMP-9 expression. A decrease in MMP-9 expression was seen after treatment with tranilast alone and in the combined treatment MMP-9 mRNA level was decreased. Conclusions: This combination treatment can able to inhibit growth, proliferation and angiogenesis of breast cancer cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.248-255
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• 2012

Potential antioxidant effect of processed ginseng (sun ginseng, SG) on oxidative stress generated by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) was investigated in HepG2 cells. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage test demonstrated that SG dose-dependently prevents a loss of cell viability against t-BHP-induced oxidative stress. Also, SG treatment dose-dependently relieved the increment of activities of hepatic enzymes, such as aspartate aminotrasferase and alanine aminotransferase, and lipid peroxidation mediated by t-BHP treatment in HepG2 cells. SG increased the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. However, high dose of SG treatment caused decrease in mRNA level of glutathione peroxidase as compared to low dosage of SG-treated cells. The gene expression of glutathione reductase was found to be slightly increased by SG treatment. In addition, SG extract attributed its hepaprotective effect by inducing the mRNA level of bcl-2 and bcl-xL but reducing that of bax. But, the gene expression of bad showed no significant change in SG-treated HepG2 cells. These findings suggest that SG has hepatoprotective effect by showing reduction of LDH release, activities of hepatic enzymes and lipid peroxidation and regulating the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and apoptosis-related molecules against oxdative stress caused by t-BHP in HepG2 cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.133-137
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• 2011

Objectives : Socheongryong-Tang (小靑龍湯, SCRT) has been widely used to treat respiratory disease. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of SCRT on hydrogen peroxide-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods : In the mouse primary liver cells, SCRT was pretreated for 1 h, and 1 mM $H_2O_2$ was treated to mouse primary liver cells. Cell viability was analyzed by using 3- 4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Also, the activity of AST, ALT and LDH were measured for the evaluation the protective effect of SCRT on $H_2O_2$-induced hepatotoxicity. Intracellular ROS level was analyzed by FACS. Results : SCRT pretreatment decreased $H_2O_2$-induced hepatotoxicity and intracellular ROS production. Pretreatment of SCRT significantly reduced the cytotoxic effect induced by $H_2O_2$, associated with reducing DNA fragmentation and AST, ALT, LDH activities. Conclusions : These results suggest that SCRT has protective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2017

In this study, we examined the effect of Perilla frutescens extract (PFE) on oxidative stress-induced cell death in RGC-5 cell lines. Staurosporine-differentiated RGC-5 (ssdRGC-5) cells obtained by treating RGC-5 cells with $1{\mu}M$ staurosporine were incubated with PFE for 30 min and then exposed to buthionine sulfoximine plus glutamate (B/G) for 20 h. Cell death was detected using lactate dehydrogenase release assay and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction assay. To investigate the mechanism underlying cell death, we determined caspase-3 activity, level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and expression levels of cytoplasmic cytochrome c and mitochondrial Bax. Treatment of ssdRGC-5 cells with B/G increased intracellular ROS and induced apoptosis with increasing caspase-3 activity. PFE rescued ssdRGC-5 cells from oxidative stress-induced cell death by inhibiting intracellular ROS production and caspase-3 activation and regulating apoptosis-related proteins such as cytochrome c and Bax. These findings suggest that PFE may have a beneficial neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress-induced apoptotic death in ssdRGC-5 cells.