• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.31-31
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• 2022

Plant-derived antioxidants are used as a healthy diet and are known to inhibit various human diseases. In this study, we investigated free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of extracts from three plants (Ammannia multiflora, Ammannia coccinea and Salix gracilistyla) with the most DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity from 196 plant extracts inhabiting along Nakdong River in Republic of Korea. The three extracts also have strong total antioxidant activity. Moreover, the extracts inhibited hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced reactive oxygen species production and depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential in RAW264.7 macrophages. In zebrafish larvae, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescent intensity, induced by H₂O₂, was markedly reduced by the extracts of A. multiflora, A. coccinea and S. gracilistyla. Meanwhile, the extracts were upregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 expression, and an HO-1 inhibitor reversed the extract-induced oxidative responses both in vivo and in vitro. The data suggest that the extracts of A. multiflora, A. coccinea, and S. gracilistyla exert potential free radical scavenging and antioxidant capacities both in vivo and in vitro by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.95-111
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• 2022

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important healthcare problem worldwide. Often, glucocorticoid (GC) resistance develops during COPD treatment. As a classic hypoglycemic drug, metformin (MET) can be used as a treatment strategy for COPD due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but its specific mechanism of action is not known. We aimed to clarify the role of MET on COPD and cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced GC resistance. Through establishment of a COPD model in rats, we found that MET could improve lung function, reduce pathological injury, as well as reduce the level of inflammation and oxidative stress in COPD, and upregulate expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2). By establishing a model of GC resistance in human bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by CSE, we found that MET reduced secretion of interleukin-8, and could upregulate expression of Nrf2, HO-1, MRP1, and HDAC2. MET could also increase the inhibition of MRP1 efflux by MK571 significantly, and increase expression of HDAC2 mRNA and protein. In conclusion, MET may upregulate MRP1 expression by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, and then regulate expression of HDAC2 protein to reduce GC resistance.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.376-382
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• 2011

Background: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a cytoprotective and homeostatic molecule with important signaling capabilities in physiological and pathophysiological situations. CO protects cells/tissues from damage by free radicals or oxidative stress. NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) is a highly inducible enzyme that is regulated by the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway, which is central to efficient detoxification of reactive metabolites and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Methods: We generated NQO1 promoter construct. HepG2 cells were treated with CO Releasing Molecules-2 (CORM-2) or CO gas and the gene expressions were measured by RT-PCR, immunoblot, and luciferase assays. Results: CO induced expression of NQO1 in human hepatocarcinoma cell lines by activation of Nrf2. Exposure of HepG2 cells to CO resulted in significant induction of NQO1 in dose- and time-dependent manners. Analysis of the NQO1 promoter indicated that an antioxidant responsible element (ARE)-containing region was critical for the CO-induced Nrf2-dependent increase of NQO1 gene expression in HepG2 cells. Conclusion: Our results suggest that CO-induced Nrf2 increases the expression of NQO1 which is well known to detoxify reactive metabolites and ROS.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2016

Antioxidant effects and nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) signal pathway of methanol extract and 4 fractions [n-hexane, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol fractions] from Petasites japonicus were investigated. The EtOAc fraction showed highest polyphenol and flavonoid contents among other fractions. In addition, EtOAc fraction showed stronger scavenging activity against superoxide anion radical than other fractions. Furthermore, we investigated antioxidants effects of the EtOAc fraction under cellular system using $LLC-PK_1$ cells. The EtOAc fraction dose-dependently increased the antioxidant protein expressions of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) known to be involved in oxidative stress, through activation of Nrf-2. The treatment of EtOAc fraction ($100{\mu}g/mL$) led to the elevation of the high expression of Nrf-2-dependent factor such as HO-1 and TrxR1. These results indicated that the EtOAc fraction of P. japonicus showed high antioxidant activity by regulation of Nrf-2 signaling pathway.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.396-401
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• 2015

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an important redox-sensitive transcription factor that regulates the expression of several cytoprotective genes. More recently, genetic analyses of human tumors have indicated that Nrf2 may cause resistance to chemotherapy. In this study, we found that the expression levels of Nrf2 and its target genes GCLC, HO-1, NQO1 were significantly higher in cisplatin-resistant A549 (A549/CDDP) cells than those in A549 cells, and this resistance was partially reversed by Nrf2 siRNA. 3,4,5,5,7-Pentamethoxyflavone (PMF), a natural flavon extracted from Rutaceae plants, sensitized A549/CDDP to CDDP and substantially induced apoptosis compared with that of CDDP alone treated group, and this reversal effect decreased when Nrf2 was downregulated by siRNA. Mechanistically, PMF reduced Nrf2 expression leading to a reduction of Nrf2 downstream genes, and in contrast, this effect was decreased by blocking Nrf2 with siRNA. Taken together, these results demonstrated that PMF could be used as an effective adjuvant sensitizer to increase the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs by downregulating Nrf2 signaling pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.486-493
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• 2011

Nitric oxide (NO) donors are a potent inducer of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). However, it is unclear whether or not HO-1 expression induced by NO donors is a direct consequence of NO released by NO donors. Here, we investigated the effects of NO donors on the expression of HO-1 in primary rat articular chondrocytes. NO donors (SIN-1, SNAP, and SNP) significantly induced the accumulation of HO-1 protein accompanied by an increase in HO-1 mRNA. NO donor-induced HO-1 expression exerted cytoprotection against NO and/or superoxide-induced cell death. Guanylate cyclase signaling was not associated with Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in NO donor-treated chondrocytes. Interestingly, NO scavenger carboxy-PTIO and SOD mimetic TEMPOL markedly inhibited NO donor-induced HO-1 expression in chondrocytes. In addition, NO donor-induced HO-1 expression was completely abrogated by the peroxynitrite scavenger MnTBAP. Since peroxynitrite can be physiologcally formed in the cell through reaction of NO with superoxide, we analyzed whether or not peroxynitrite could directly induce HO-1 expression in chondrocytes. Peroxynitrite treatment in chondrocytes evoked doseand time-dependent Nrf2 and HO-1 expression. These results indicate that HO-1 expression induced by NO donors in rat articular chondrocytes is due to NO-mediated peroxynitrite rather than NO.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.688-696
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the effects of red ginseng-derived saponin fraction (SF) on lipid accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) signaling during adipocyte differentiation. SF effectively inhibited lipid accumulation, with the downregulation of adipogenic factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$). A high dose of SF decreased the protein levels of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ by over 90% compared to the control. SF-mediated downregulation of adipogenic factors was due to the regulation of early adipogenic factors including $C/EBP{\beta}$ and $Kr{\ddot{u}}ppel$-like Factor 2 (KLF2). In addition, SF ($200{\mu}g/mg$) decreased intracellular ROS generation by 40% during adipocyte differentiation. However, the SF significantly upregulated Nrf2 and its target proteins, hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NADPH dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1). Furthermore, SF ($200{\mu}g/mg$) promoted the nuclear translocation of Nrf2. The SF-mediated reduction of lipid accumulation was associated with the regulation of the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.253-263
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• 2020

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis. However, excessive ROS production damages cellular components such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids and promotes skin aging. In this study, we confirmed the antioxidant effect of CSYJE to prevent excessive oxidative stress. First, DPPH and ABTS assays were performed to confirm the antioxidant effect of CSYJE and the radical scavenging activity was confirmed depending on the concentration. As a result of performing the MTT assay to confirm the cell viability, it was confirmed that there was no cytotoxicity at a concentration of 1,000 ㎍/mL. As a result of western blotting to confirm the expression levels of the antioxidant-related proteins nuclear-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), it was confirmed that the expression was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. After inducing ROS with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an intracellular ROS-causing substance, DCF-DA was performed to confirm the inhibitory effect of ROS production, and the inhibition of ROS production was confirmed to concentration-dependent. Real-time RT-PCR was performed to confirm the mRNA expression level of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediator caused by ROS generation, mRNA expression was reduced in a dose dependent manner. Therefore, this study confirmed the antioxidant effect of CSYJE through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, which suggests that CSYJE can be used as an antioxidant cosmetic material by inhibiting free radicals.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.311-318
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• 2023

Background: The beneficial effects of compound K (CK) on different chronic diseases have been shown to be at least related to antioxidant action. Nevertheless, since its antioxidant activity in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is still unknown, here we investigated whether CK alleviates oxidative stress-stimulated damage in RPE ARPE-19 cells. Methods: The cytoprotective consequence of CK in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-treated cells was evaluated by cell viability, DNA damage, and apoptosis assays. Fluorescence analysis and immunoblotting were performed to investigate the inhibitory action of CK on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial dysfunction. Results: H₂O₂-promoted cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, DNA damage, mitochondrial impairment, and apoptosis were significantly attenuated by CK in ARPE-19 cells. Furthermore, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) phosphorylation level and its shuttling to the nucleus were increased, which was correlated with upregulated activation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). However, zinc protoporphyrin, a blocker of HO-1, significantly abrogated the preventive action of CK in H₂O₂-treated ARPE-19 cells. Conclusion: This study indicates that activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling by CK plays an important role in rescuing ARPE-19 cells from oxidative cellular damage.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.227-233
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• 2021

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and ubiquitous environmental toxin with known harmful effects to human health. Abnormal phenotypes of keratinocytes are closely associated with their exposure to B[a]P. Resorcinol is a component of argan oil with reported anticancer activities, but its mechanism of action and potential effect on B[a]P damage to the skin is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of resorcinol on B[a]P-induced abnormal keratinocyte biology and its mechanisms of action in human epidermal keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Resorcinol suppressed aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity as evidenced by the inhibition of B[a]P-induced xenobiotic response element (XRE)-reporter activation and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) expression. In addition, resorcinol attenuated B[a]P-induced nuclear translocation of AhR, and production of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines. We also found that resorcinol increased nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) activity. Antioxidant response element (ARE)-reporter activity and expression of ARE-dependent genes NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were increased by resorcinol. Consistently, resorcinol treatment induced nuclear localization of Nrf2 as seen by Western analysis. Knockdown of Nrf2 attenuated the resorcinol effects on ARE signaling, but knockdown of AhR did not affect resorcinol activation of Nrf2. This suggests that activation of antioxidant activity by resorcinol is not mediated by AhR. These results indicate that resorcinol is protective against effects of B[a]P exposure. The mechanism of action of resorcinol is inhibition of AhR and activation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling. Our findings suggest that resorcinol may have potential as a protective agent against B[a]P-containing pollutants.