• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2008

The source of nitric oxide (NO) in plants is unclear and it has been reported NO can be produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) like enzymes and by nitrate reductase (NR). Here we used wild-type, Atnos1 mutant and nia1, nia2 NR-deficient mutant plants of Arabidopsis thaliana to investigate the potential source of NO production in response to Verticillium dahliae toxins (VD-toxins). The results revealed that NO production is much higher in wild-type and Atnos1 mutant than in nia1, nia2 NR-deficient mutants. The NR inhibitor had a significant effect on VD-toxins-induced NO production; whereas NOS inhibitor had a slight effect. NR activity was significantly implicated in NO production. The results indicated that as NO was induced in response to VD-toxins in Arabidopsis, the major source was the NR pathway. The production of NOS-system appeared to be secondary.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.481-484
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• 1998

In activated macrophages the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS) generates high amounts of toxic mediator, nitric oxide (NO) which contributes to the circulatory failure associated with septic shock. A sesquiterpene lactone compound (yomogin) isolated from medicinal plant Artemisia princeps Pampan inhibited the production of NO in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells by suppressing i-NOS enzyme expression. Thus, yomogin may be a useful candidate for the development of new drugs to treat endotoxemia and inflammation accompanied by the overproduction of NO.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2000

To evaluate the involvement of nitric oxide production on the endothelium-dependent relaxation in diabetes, we have measured vascular and endothelial function and nitric oxide concentration, and the expression level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were induced by the injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg i.v.) in the Sprague-Dawley rats. Vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine (NE) showed that maximal contraction to norepinephrine $(10^{-5}\;M)$ was significantly enhanced in the aorta of diabetic rats. Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine was markedly impaired in the aorta of diabetic rats, these responses were little improved by the pretreatment with indomethacin. However, endothelium-independent relaxation induced by nitroprusside was not altered in the diabetic rats. Plasma nitrite and nitrate $(NO_2/_3)$ levels in diabetic rats were significantly lower than in non-diabetic rats. Western blot analysis using a monoclonal antibody against endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) revealed that the protein level was lower in the aorta of diabetic rats than in non-diabetic rats. These data indicate that nitric oxide formation and eNOS expression is reduced in diabetes, and this would, in part, account for the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in the aorta of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2017

A sesquiterpene was purified from Artemisia iwayomogi methanolic extract during the course of searching anti-inflammatory principle from medicinal plants. A sesquiterpene identified as armefolin inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein level in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Armefolin also down-regulated mRNA expressions of iNOS and pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and interleukin-6 in LPS-activated macrophages. Moreover, armefolin suppressed the degradation of inhibitory-${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ (I-${\kappa}B{\alpha}$) in LPS-activated macrophages. These data suggest that armefolin from A. iwayomogi can suppress the LPS-induced production of NO and the expression of iNOS gene through inhibiting the degradation of I-${\kappa}B{\alpha}$. Taken together, armefolin from A. iwayomogi might be a candidate as promising anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.64-73
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• 2013

Korean red ginseng water extract (KG-WE) has known beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system via inducting nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelium. Endothelial arginase inhibits the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) by substrate depletion, thereby reducing NO bioavailability and contributing to vascular diseases including hypertension, aging, and atherosclerosis. In the present study, we demonstrate that KG-WE inhibits arginase activity and negatively regulates NO production and reactive oxygen species generation in endothelium. This is associated with increased dimerization of eNOS without affecting the protein expression levels of either arginase or eNOS. In a vascular tension assay, when aortas isolated from wild type mice were incubated with KG-WE, NO-dependent enhanced vasorelaxation was observed. Furthermore, KG-WE administered via by drinking water to atherogenic model mice being fed high cholesterol diet improved impaired vascular function. Taken together, these results suggest that KG-WE may exert vasoprotective effects through augmentation of NO signaling by inhibiting arginase. Therefore, KG-WE may be useful in the treatment of vascular diseases derived from endothelial dysfunction, such as atherosclerosis.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.180-187
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• 2013

Hypoxia is an integral part of the environment during luteolysis. In this study we examined whether hypoxia could directly stimulate endothelial cells to produce nitric oxide (NO). Endothelial cells were cultured in hypoxic (5% $O_2$) or normoxic (20% $O_2$) conditions and the levels of total NO, inducible NO and endothelial NO was measured. We found that hypoxia but not normoxia upregulated NO production. The increased NO levels correlated with increased inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression whereas expression of endothelial NOS (eNOS) expression remained constant. Addition of the iNOS specific inhibitor 1400W to hypoxic cultures prevented NO production suggesting that hypoxia-induced NO production in endothelial cells was due mainly to upregulation of iNOS. We also found that prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}$ (PGF) production was unaffected by hypoxia suggesting that upregulation of NO was not due to increased synthesis of PGF. In summary, we report that endothelial cells cultured under hypoxic conditions produce NO via the iNOS pathway. This study provides the importance of the relation between the hypoxic environment and the induction of NO by endothelial cells during regression of the corpus luteum in the ovary.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.362-365
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• 2008

Agaricus bisporus, also known as white button mushroom, is one of the most popular mushrooms consumed in Korea. This mushroom contains high concentrations of flavanoids and exhibits antioxidant activity. In this study, we examined the effects of Agaricus bisporus ethanol extract (ABE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells. Nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein levels were assessed in cells treated with $100\;{\mu}M$ LPS in the presence or absence of ABE. 0.5 mg/mL of ABE suppressed NO production significantly. Moreover, ABE inhibited levels of iNOS protein. Taken together, these results suggest that ABE exerts anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.389-397
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• 1996

Gatric mucosa is exposed to toxic, reactive oxygen species generated within the lumen. Nitric oxide protected acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by maintaining glutathione homeostasis. The present study examined the role of nitric oxide in mediating hydrogen peroxide - induced damage to gastric cells. Hydrogen peroxide was generated by glucose oxidase acting on ${\beta}-D-glucose$. L-arginine, $N^G-nitro-L-arginine$ methyl ester, or $N^G-nitro-L-arginine$ were treated to the cells with glucose/glucose oxidase. Lipid peroxidation and nitrite release and cellular content of glutathione were determined. As a result, dose - dependent increase in lipid peroxide production as well as dose - dependent decrease in nitrite release and cellular glutathione content were observed in glucose/glucose oxidase - treated cells. Pretreatment of L-arginine, a substrate for nitric oxide synthase, prevented the increase of lipid peroxide production and the reduction of nitrite release as well as glutathione content. Inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase such as $N^G-nitro-L-arginine$ methyl ester and $N^G-nitro-L-arginine$ did not protect hydrogen peroxide - induced cell damage. In conclusion, nitric oxide protects gestric cells from hydrogen peroxide possibly by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and by preserving cellular glutathione stores.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.309-316
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• 2004

The present investigation was undertaken to find out the anticancer activity of monoterpene compounds. Monoterpenes showed generally the inhibitory effect on the proliferation o f L1210 cancer cells (cytotoxicity). Geraniol was found to exibit the most potent cytotoxic effect on L1210 cells with an IC50 values of $0.67{\mu}g/ml$. On the other hand, geraniol proved to be capable of stimulating the macrophage proliferation (135% of control). When the life prolonging activity of geraniol by daily oral administration of 0.1~10${\mu}g/10{\mu}l/20$ g body weight to Sarcoma 180 bearing ICR mouse was examined, there was also a significant elevation of survival (best result of 134% of control). The contradictory effects of geraniol on the proliferation of L1210 cells and macrophages proved to be accompanied by the coincident alterations of RNS (reactive nitrogen species) related enzymes activities such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (Inos) in macrophages and ROS (reactive oxygen species) related enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) in L1210 cells, respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.112-124
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Brousson etiae fructus (BF) on the urethral nitrite level and the urethral nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. In vitro, the urethral NOS activity was not noted in the level of Dose of extract prepared from BF. In vivo, the urethral NOS activity was increased in normal rats and STZ induced diabetic rats by dose and term of extract prerared from BF. The the NOS activity decreased in STZ induced diabetic rats was increased as highly as norma1 group by the extract of BF The level of urethral nitrite and glutathione was increased too. But the level of urethral lipid peroxide increased in STZ induced diabetic rats was decreased as lowly as normal group by the extract of BF. In conclusion, the extract of BF can restore erectile dysfunction of STZ induced diabetic rats.