• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.45-54
• /
• 2005

GST, an extract from 16 herbs, has been formulated and prescribed for the treatment of human rheumatoid arthritis(hRA) for many years. The present study was done to investigate whether GST has suppressive effects on activation of fibroblast-like sinoviocytes isolated from an RA patient. In tumor necrosis factor-a(TNF-a)/interleukin-1b(IL-1b) treated human sinoviocytes, The mRNA expression of molecular indicators related to pathologic changes of the sinoviocytes were examined using quantitative real-time PCR. The treatment of GST($100\;{\mu}g/ml$) suppressed the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-8 compared with the control. The mRNA level of intracellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) which is known to increase in the activated sinoviocytes of RA patients, was slightly decreased by GST. The expression of NOS-II was considerably reduced, which was accompanied by a decrease in the production of nitric oxide(NO). In addition, GST considerably increased the mRNA levels of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1), while those of matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) were decreased. Taken together, these data suggested that GST might suppress the activation of sinoviocytes in hRA.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.304.2-304.2
• /
• 2002

In central nervous system. matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are produced by neuron as well as glia and implicated in physiological events such as neurite outgrowth and myelination etc. In addition. MMPs also contribute to the pathogenesis of several CNS diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and malignant glioma. In spite of their functional importance, little is known about the signal transduction pathways leading to the induction of MMPs in CNS. Here. we investigated whether the activation of Erk(1/2) is involved in the induction of MMP-9 in LPS-stimulated primary astrocytes. (omitted)

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.91-96
• /
• 2010

The function of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) in cancer remains controversial, and its signaling pathways remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that MIC-1 induces the transactivation of EGFR, ErbB2, and ErbB3 through the activation of c-Src in SK-BR-3 breast cells. MIC-1 induced significant phosphorylation of EGFR at Tyr845, ErbB2 at Tyr877, and ErbB3 at Tyr1289 as well as Akt and p38, Erk1/2, and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Treatment of SK-BR-3 cells with MIC-1 increased the phosphorylation level of Src at Tyr416, and induced invasiveness of those cells. Inhibition of c-Src activity resulted in the complete abolition of MIC-1-induced phosphorylation of the EGFR, ErbB2, and ErbB3, as well as invasiveness and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in SK-BR-3 cells. Collectively, these results show that MIC-1 may participate in the malignant progression of certain cancer cells through the activation of c-Src, which in turn may transactivate ErbB-family receptors.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.37 no.8
• /
• pp.585-591
• /
• 2014

The ${\beta}_2$ adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) is a G protein-coupled transmembrane receptor expressed in the human respiratory tract and widely recognized as a pharmacological target for treatments of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Although a number of ADRB2 agonists have been developed for use in asthma therapy, indacaterol is the only ultra-long-acting inhaled ${\beta}_2$-agonist (LABA) approved by the FDA for relieving the symptoms in COPD patients. The precise molecular mechanism underlying the pharmacological effect of indacaterol, however, remains unclear. Here, we show that ${\beta}$-arrestin-2 mediates the internalization of ADRB2 following indacaterol treatment. Moreover, we demonstrate that indacaterol significantly inhibits tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity by reducing levels of both phosphorylated-IKK and -$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, thereby decreasing NF-${\kappa}B$ nuclear translocation and the expression of MMP-9, an NF-${\kappa}B$ target gene. Subsequently, we show that indacaterol significantly inhibits TNF-${\alpha}$/NF-${\kappa}B$-induced cell invasiveness and migration in a human cancer cell line. In conclusion, we propose that indacaterol may inhibit NF-${\kappa}B$ activity in a ${\beta}$-arrestin2-dependent manner, preventing further lung damage and improving lung function in COPD patients.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 2007.11a
• /
• pp.79-92
• /
• 2007

Oxidative stress have known to be a risk factor for the degenerative processes and closely related to a lot of diseases. It is well established that antioxidants are good in protection and therapeutic means against oxidative damage. There is increasing interest in natural antioxidants and many natural antioxidants have been found and utilized as the possible protection for various diseases and skin aging. We have screened natural antioxidant agents for cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, and drugs as therapeutic and preventive means against oxidative stress, and have developed a number of novel antioxidants from various natural sources. A novel melanin synthesis inhibitor, Melanocin A, isolated from the metabolite of a fungal strain Eupenicillium shearii F80695 inhibited mushroom tyrosinase and melanin biosynthesis of B16 melanoma cells with $IC_{50}$ value of 9.0 nM and MIC value of $0.9\;{\mu}M$, respectively. Melanocin A also exhibited potent antioxidant activity by scavenging of DPPH and superoxide anion radicals. UV was found to increase the level of hydrogen peroxides and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skin tissues. This increase in ROS may not only alter the structure and function of many genes and proteins directly but may also modulate their expressions through signal transduction pathways and, ultimately, lead to skin damage. We investigated the effect of Melanocin A on UV-induced premature skin aging. Firstly, the effect of Melanocin A on UV-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT in vitro was investigated. Acute UV irradiation induced MMP-9 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels and Melanocin A suppressed this expression in a dose-dependent manner. We then investigated UV-induced skin changes in hairless mice in vivo by Melanocin A. Chronic exposure of hairless mouse dorsal skin to UV increased skin thickness and induced wrinkle formation and the gelatinase activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, Melanocin A significantly suppressed UV-induced morphologic skin changes and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. These results show that Melanocin A can prevent the harmful effects of UV that lead to skin aging. Therefore, we suggest that Melanocin A should be viewed as a potential therapeutic agent for preventing and/or treating premature skin aging. Terrein is a bioactive fungal metabolite isolated from Penicillium species. Terrein has a relatively simple structure and can be easily synthesized. However, the biologic effects of terrein are comparatively unknown. We found for the first time that terrein potently inhibit melanin production in melanocytes and has a strong hypopigmentary effect in a spontaneously immortalized mouse melanocyte cell line, Mel-Ab. Treatment of Mel-Ab cells with terrein (10-100 mM) for 4 days significantly reduced melanin levels in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, terrein at the same concentration also reduced tyrosinase activity. We then investigated whether terrein influences the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway and the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), which is required for tyrosinase expression. Terrein was found to induce sustained ERK activation and MITF down-regulation, and luciferase assays showed that terrein inhibits MITF promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. To elucidate the correlation between ERK pathway activation and a decreased MITF transcriptional level, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of the ERK pathway, was applied before terrain treatment and found to abrogate the terrein-induced MITF attenuation. Terrein also reduced the tyrosinase protein level for at least 72 h. These results suggest that terrain reduces melanin synthesis by reducing tyrosinase production via ERK activation, and that this is followed by MITF down-regulation.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.310-316
• /
• 2016

In this study, the anti-osteoarthritis effects of Cynanchum wilfordii, Phlomis umbrosa, and Angelica gigas extract (CPAE), observed and confirmed in previously clinical studies were further investigated by in vitro and in vivo studies. Anabolic biomarkers related to healthy cartilage maintenance, such as aggrecan, type II collagen ${\alpha}$-1 (Col2a1), sex determining region Y-box-9 (Sox-9), and catabolic biomarkers related to osteoarthritis, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (Mmp13), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ($Nf{\kappa}b$), were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and reporter gene assay. In vitro study results showed significant changes in both anabolic and catabolic biomarkers. For anabolic factors, significant changes in the level of aggrecan (P<0.05), Col2a1 (P<0.05), and Sox-9 (P<0.01) activation were shown after treatment of cartilage cells with CPAE (50 ng/mL) with similar efficacy compared to insulin growth factor, the positive control (100 ng/mL). For catabolic factors, significant changes in the inhibition activity of Cox-2 (P<0.05), Mmp13 (P<0.01), and $Nf{\kappa}b$ (P<0.05) were shown for CPAE (50 ng/mL) with similar efficacy compared to Celecoxib, the positive control ($10{\mu}M$). In the in vivo carrageenan-induced paw edema model study results showed that CPAE-treated groups (100 mg/kg) and Celecoxib-treated groups (60 mg/kg) showed comparably significant efficacy of inhibition by 37.1% and 52.1%, respectively. Furthermore, CPAE (200 mg/kg) showed similar effect to Celecoxib (60 mg/kg) with an inhibition rate of 54.3%. This result confirms that CPAE effectively inhibited the inflammation-induced osteoarthritis symptoms.

• Food preservation and processing industry
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.9-18
• /
• 2008

The health benefits of garlic (Allium sativum L.) are derived from a wide variety of components and from the different ways it is administered. The known health benefits of garlic include cardiovascular protective effects, stimulation of immune function, reduction of blood glucose level, protection against microbial, viral and fungal infections, as well as anticancer effects. In the present study, it was examined the effects of water extract of A. sativum (WEAS) on the growth of cultured human tumor cells in order to investigate its anti-proliferative mechanism. Treatment of WEAS to tumor cells resulted in the growth inhibition, especially in leukemia cells, which was associated with induction of G2/M arrest of the cell cycle and apoptosis. In order to further explore the critical events leading to apoptosis in WEAS-treated U937 human leukemia cells, the following effects of WEAS on components of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway were examined: generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alteration of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the expression changes of Bcl-2 and IAP family proteins. The cytotoxic effect of WEAS was mediated by its induction of apoptosis as characterized by the occurrence of DNA ladders, apoptotic bodies and chromosome condensation in U937 cells. The WEAS-induced apoptosis in U937 cells was correlated with the generation of intracellular ROS, collapse of MMP, activation of caspase-3 and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins. The quenching of ROS generation with antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine conferred significant protection against WEAS-elicited ROS generation, caspase-3 activation, G2/M arrest and apoptosis. In conclusion, the present study reveals that the cellular ROS generation plays a pivotal role in the initiation of WEAS-triggered apoptotic death in U937 cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.1423-1430
• /
• 2009

Rosmarinic acid frequently found as a secondary metabolite in herbs and medicinal plants, has exhibited antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities. The proliferation and migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) in response to activation by various stimuli plays a critical role in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. This study was conducted to examine the effects of Rosmarinic acid on the proliferation and migration of HASMC. Rosmarinic acid suppressed the proliferation of HASMC via induction of the expression of apoptotic proteins including cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and caspase-3. Rosmarinic acid decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and increased pro-apoptotic Bax. Moreover, treatment of rosmarinic acid decreased the G1/S cycle regulation proteins (cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6) and increased p21, p27 and p53. Rosmarinic acid also blocked HASMC migration via suppression of MMP-9 and MMP-2. Taken together, these results indicate that rosmarinic acid has the potential for use as an anti-atherosclerosis agent.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.405-417
• /
• 2012

Objectives : In the present study, anti-metastatic properties of the methanol extract of L. obtusiloba (MLO) were evaluated. Methods : To determine the effect of MLO on cancer metastasis, we checked matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activities and expressions in B16F10 melanoma cells. In addition, we performed cell migration assay as well as invasion assay using Matrigel. Finally, we used an in vivo lung metastasis model to confirm the anti-metastatic activity of MLO. Results : 1. MLO showed potent inhibitory effects on MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities and expressions via down-regulation of activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ in B16F10 melanoma cells. 2. Melanoma cell migration and invasion were down-regulated by MLO treatment. 3. Not only in vitro model, but MLO also significantly suppressed lung metastasis in vivo. Conclusions : The present results indicate that MLO has strong inhibitory effect on cancer metastasis. Therefore, L. obtusiloba could be a valuable anti-metastatic agent.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.87-94
• /
• 2021

Skin photoaging occurs due to chronic exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV), the main factor contributing to extrinsic skin aging. Clinical signs of photoaging include the formation of deep, coarse skin wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Although melanogenesis and skin wrinkling occur in different skin cells and have different underlying mechanisms, their initiation involves intracellular calcium signaling via calcium ion channels. The ORAI1 channel initiates melanogenesis in melanocytes, and the TRPV1 channel initiates MMP-1 production in keratinocytes in response to UV stimulation. We aimed to develop a drug that may simultaneously inhibit ORAI1 and TRPV1 activity to help prevent photoaging. We synthesized nootkatol, a chemical derivative of valencene. TRPV1 and ORAI1 activities were measured using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i was measured using calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye (Fura-2 AM). UV-induced melanin formation and MMP-1 production were quantified in B16F10 melanoma cells and HaCaT cells, respectively. Our results indicate that nootkatol (90 μM) reduced TRPV1 current by 94% ± 2% at -60 mV and ORAI1 current by 97% ± 1% at -120 mV. Intracellular calcium signaling was significantly inhibited by nootkatol in response to ORAI1 activation in human primary melanocytes (51.6% ± 0.98% at 100 μM). Additionally, UV-induced melanin synthesis was reduced by 76.38% ± 5.90% in B16F10 melanoma cells, and UV-induced MMP-1 production was reduced by 59.33% ± 1.49% in HaCaT cells. In conclusion, nootkatol inhibits both TRPV1 and ORAI1 to prevent photoaging, and targeting ion channels may be a promising strategy for preventing photoaging.