• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2014

Background: Low levels of serum vitamin D is associated with several lung diseases. The production and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of emphysema. The aim of the current study therefore is to investigate if vitamin D modulates the expression and activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human lung fibroblasts (HFL-1) cells. Methods: HFL-1 cells were cast into three-dimensional collagen gels and stimulated with or without interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) in the presence or absence of 100 nM 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D ($1,25(OH)_2D$) for 48 hours. Trypsin was then added into the culture medium in order to activate MMPs. To investigate the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, gelatin zymography was performed. The expression of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of MMP-9 mRNA and TIMP-1, TIMP-2 mRNA was quantified by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: IL-$1{\beta}$ significantly stimulated MMP-9 production and mRNA expression. Trypsin converted latent MMP-2 and MMP-9 into their active forms of MMP-2 (66 kDa) and MMP-9 (82 kDa) within 24 hours. This conversion was significantly inhibited by 25(OH)D (100 nM) and $1,25(OH)_2D$ (100 nM). The expression of MMP-9 mRNA was also significantly inhibited by 25(OH)D and $1,25(OH)_2D$. Conclusion: Vitamin D, 25(OH)D, and $1,25(OH)_2D$ play a role in regulating human lung fibroblast functions in wound repair and tissue remodeling through not only inhibiting IL-$1{\beta}$ stimulated MMP-9 production and conversion to its active form but also inhibiting IL-$1{\beta}$ inhibition on TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 production.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.303-309
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• 2016

The human skins had a lot of changes as aging. The synthesis of collagens and elastic fibers were reduced and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) was increased in the dermis. These changes have been known to be responsible for skin wrinkle formation. In this study, we tried to develop pre-indicator of inner skin aging, and investigated the effect of the cream product containing Gynostemma pentaphyllum gypenoside fraction (Gynostemma pentaphyllum gypenoside cream). 21 ~ 34 years old 52 Korean female volunteers without crow's feet were chosen for this clinical study. The starting point of inner skin aging was confirmed through dermal density measurement, even though outside skin wrinkles were not observed. In addition, 4 and 8 weeks treatment of G. pentaphyllum gypenoside cream significantly increased age-related reduction of dermal density. These results suggest that the evaluation of dermal density can be used as pre-indicator of skin aging. Furthermore, G. pentaphyllum gypenoside fraction is a potential anti-wrinkle agent for prevention and treatment of skin aging.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.673-679
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• 2016

The development of safe and effective anti-cancer compounds has been seriously required to prevent and treat development of tumor in recent years. Among them, natural compounds derived traditional medicinal stuffs have been paid to attention as an anti-cancer candidate. In this study, aesculetin is a main component of a widely known as a medicinal stuff. It was reported that aesculetin has various biological effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, but its effect related to cell invasion was not discovered. Therefore, in this study, the effect of aesculetin on antioxidant and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) was investigated in human fibrosarcoma cells, HT1080. First of all, aesculetin showed the scavenging activity of DPPH radical and reducing power in a dose dependent manner. As a result of cytotoxicity, the nontoxic concentration of aesculetin was below 2 μM in HT1080 cells performed by MTT assay. In addition, aesculetin displayed the inhibitory effect on MMP-9 activity related to cell invasion in experiment carried out by gelatin zymography assay. Furthermore, aesculetin increased the expression level of TIMP-1 but decreased the expression level of MMP-9 stimulated with PMA in western blot assay. Furthermore, aesculetin remarkably inhibited cell invasion related to metastasis a dose dependent manner. Above results suggest that aesculetin could exert chemopreventive effect through inhibition of activity and expression of MMP-9 related to cell invasion.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.174-180
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• 2016

Dicumarol is a coumarin derivative isolated from sweet clover (Melilotus alba), and has anti-coagulant activity with the inhibitory activity of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1). NQO1 catalyzes the two-electron reduction of quinones to hydroquinones. Dicumarol competes with NAD(P)H for binding to NQO1, resulting in the inhibition of NQO1 enzymatic activity. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been implicated in the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. The expression of MMPs is regulated by cytokines and signal transduction pathways, including those activated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). However, the effects of dicumarol on metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression and activity are not investigated here. This study investigated whether dicumarol inhibits MMP-9 expression and activity in PMA-treated human renal carcinoma Caki cells. Dicumarol markedly inhibited the PMA-induced MMP-9 mRNA expression and MMP-9 activity. NF-κB and AP1 promoter activity, which is important in MMP-9 expression, also decreased in dicumarol-treated cells. Furthermore, dicumarol markedly suppressed the ability of PMA-mediated migration in Caki cells. When the relevance of NQO1 in the dicumarol-mediated inhibitory effect on PMA-induced MMP9 activity was elucidated, knock-down of NQO1 with siRNA was found to have no effect on PMA-induced MMP9 activity, suggesting that the stimulating effect of dicumarol on PMA-induced MMP9 activity is independent of NQO1 activity. Taken together, the present studies suggested that dicumarol may inhibit PMA-induced migration via down-regulation of MMP-9 expression and activity.

• 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.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.164-174
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• 2021

This study confirmed the potential of Punica granatum L. extract for functional activity verification and cosmetic development. The electron-donating ability of Punica granatum L. extract was shown 60.6% at a 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. Its ABTS+ radical scavenging ability was shown 93.9% at a 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. Additionally, the inhibitive effects of elastase and collagenase inhibition effects were measured as 30% and 47.2%, respectively, at a 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration. To determine the effect of Punica granatum L. extract on the proliferation of fibroblasts (CCD-986sk), cell viability was measured using a 3-[4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay. As a result, survival rates of 130% or higher at a 500 ㎍/ml concentration or less were confirmed. According to the results of Western blot with Punica granatum L. extract, the expression inhibition rates of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) were decreased by 23.2%, 81.9%, and 69.2%, respectively, at a 100 ㎍/ml concentration. Based on the results above, O/W liquid crystal cream with 0.1% Punica granatum L. extract was prepared. The stabilities were tested at 4, 25, 45, and 50℃. By checking the pH, change over time, and stability by temperature, it was confirmed that all were stable for one month. Thus, Punica granatum L. extract shows potential as a natural material for cosmetics.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.27-35
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• 2022

Objectives : 3-Acetyl-11-keto-𝛽-boswellic acid (AKBA) is a major active compound in Boswellia serrata. We investigated the arthritic changes following AKBA administration in monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rats. Methods : All rats were randomly divided into five groups: Normal, Control, INDO (indomethacin 2 mg/kg treated), AKBA30 (AKBA 30 mg/kg treated), and AKBA60 (AKBA 60 mg/kg treated); drugs were given 2 weeks before MIA injection. For all groups except the normal group, 50 µL of sterile saline with MIA (80 mg/mL) was injected into the right knee joint 2 weeks after drug administration. The drug administration was continued for 4 weeks from 1 week after osteoarthritis induction. The histomorphological changes of knee joint cartilage were observed by H&E staining. Also, the levels of glycosaminoglycan (GAG), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), 5-LOX-activating protein (FLAP), and leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) in the knee joint were determined by the ELISA kits. The expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), inflammatory cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in knee joint were detected by Western blot. Results : Data show that levels of 5-LOX, FLAP, LTB4, and COMP were downregulated significantly in the AKBA treated groups when compared to those in the Control group. On the other hand, GAG levels were significantly elevated. As a result of Western blot, the AKBA-treated groups significantly inhibited phosphorylation of MAPKs. In addition, significant downregulation of the expression of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs was found in the AKBA-treated groups. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that administration of AKBA could exert better chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects for MIA-induced osteoarthritis rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.175-188
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• 2022

Relaxin has been demonstrated to have regulatory functions on both the smooth muscle and extracellular matrix (ECM) of blood vessels and fibrotic organs. The diverse mechanisms by which relaxin acts on small resistance arteries and fibrotic organs, including the bladder, are reviewed here. Relaxin induces vasodilation by inhibiting the contractility of vascular smooth muscles and by increasing the passive compliance of vessel walls through the reduction of ECM components, such as collagen. The primary cellular mechanism whereby relaxin induces arterial vasodilation is mediated by the endothelium-dependent production of nitric oxide (NO) through the activation of RXFP1/PI3K, Akt phosphorylation, and eNOS. In addition, relaxin triggers different alternative pathways to enhance the vasodilation of renal and mesenteric arteries. In small renal arteries, relaxin stimulates the activation of the endothelial MMPs and EtB receptors and the production of VEGF and PlGF to inhibit myogenic contractility and collagen deposition, thereby bringing about vasodilation. Conversely, in small mesenteric arteries, relaxin augments bradykinin (BK)-evoked relaxation in a time-dependent manner. Whereas the rapid enhancement of the BK-mediated relaxation is dependent on IK_Ca channels and subsequent EDH induction, the sustained relaxation due to BK depends on COX activation and PGI₂. The anti-fibrotic effects of relaxin are mediated by inhibiting the invasion of inflammatory immune cells, the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and the differentiation and activation of myofibroblasts. Relaxin also activates the NOS/NO/cGMP/PKG-1 pathways in myofibroblasts to suppress the TGF-β1-induced activation of ERK1/2 and Smad2/3 signaling and deposition of ECM collagen.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.414-421
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• 2023

Cnidium japonicum (C. japonicum) is a type of halophyte that inhabits soil of a high salinity, and according to previous studies, it is known to have antitumor effects. However, the skin's protective effect, particularly against UVB irradiation, has not been revealed. In this study, C. japonicum crude extract was studied to determine its effect on damage to human keratinocytes (HaCaT) induced by UVB irradiation, and ROS assays were performed, the results of which showed that C. japonicum crude extract affects UVB-induced photoaging damage in human keratinocytes. To examine inhibitory effects against the expressions of MMPs, RT-PCR and Western blot assay were performed by treating the crude extract at concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 ㎍/ml by irradiating UVB at 15 mJ/cm². As a result, it was confirmed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 decreased in the group treated with C. japonicum crude extract, which also effectively regulated the antioxidant defense mechanism pathway by activating JNK, ERK, and p38. In conclusion, the current study suggested the possibility that C. japonicum could be used as a raw material for anti-photoaging cosmeceuticals in the future.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.231-246
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-osteoarthritic effect of the ethanol extract of Boswellia serrata gum resin (FJH-UBS) enriched with keto-β-boswellic acid and 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid compared to the conventional Boswellia serrata extract by adding the process of removing oil with hexane, in the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally administered 0, 40, or 80 mg of FJH-UBS/kg body weight (BW)/day for 5 weeks and injected with MIA intra-articularly into right knee joints on day 15 to induce osteoarthritis. Changes in the knee joint microarchitecture, cartilage degradation, the expression of inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in serum and synovia were observed. Results: Oral administration of FJH-UBS (80 mg/kg BW/day) reduced MIA-induced knee swelling and cartilage degradation and increased the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan in articular cartilage. Furthermore, FJH-UBS administration reduced MIA-induced increases in the serum levels of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and MMP-13, and MIA-induced increases in the mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, 5-lipoxygenase, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in the synovia of knee joints. Conclusion: These results indicate that FJH-UBS exerts its anti-osteoarthritic effects by suppressing the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs and, thus, cartilage degradation. Furthermore, they suggest that FJH-UBS has potential use as a functional food that improves joint and cartilage health.