• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제20권9호
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• pp.1331-1338
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• 2010

This study was designed to investigate the potentially protective effects of Curcuma longa Linn. extract (CLE) on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with 50 or 100mg/kg of CLE or 100mg/kg of butylated hydroxytoluene(BHT) for 14 days before $CCl_4$ administration. In addition, the CLE control group was pretreated with 100mg/kg CLE for only 14 days. Three hours after the final treatment, a single dose of $CCl_4$ (20mg/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally to each group. After the completion of this phase of the experiment, food and water were removed 12 h prior to the next step. The rats were then anesthetized by urethane and their blood and liver were collected. It was observed that the aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities of the serum, and the hepatic malondialdehyde levels had significantly decreased in the CLE group when compared with the $CCl_4$-treated group. The antioxidant activities, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities, in addition to glutathione content, had increased considerably in the CLE group compared with the $CCl_4$-treated group. Phase II detoxifying enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferase, were found to have significantly increased in the CLE group as opposed to the $CCl_4$-treated group. The content of Nrf2 was determined by Western blot analysis. Pretreated CLE increased the level of nuclear translocated Nrf2, and the Nrf2 then increased the activity of the antioxidant and phase II detoxifying enzymes. These results indicate that CLE has protective effects against $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, via activities of antioxidant and phase II detoxifying enzymes, and through the activation of nuclear translocated Nrf2.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.108-118
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• 2021

Background: Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) contains a variety of ginsenosides that can be metabolized to a biologically active substance, compound K. Previous research showed that compound K could be enriched in the red ginseng extract (RGE) after hydrolysis by pectinase. The current study investigated whether the enzymatically hydrolyzed red ginseng extract (HRGE) containing a notable level of compound K has cognitive improving and neuroprotective effects. Methods: A scopolamine-induced hypomnesic mouse model was subjected to behavioral tasks, such as the Y-maze, passive avoidance, and the Morris water maze tests. After sacrificing the mice, the brains were collected, histologically examined (hematoxylin and eosin staining), and the expressions of antioxidant proteins analyzed by western blot. Results: Behavioral assessment indicated that the oral administration of HRGE at a dosage of 300 mg/kg body weight reversed scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits. Histological examination demonstrated that the hippocampal damage observed in scopolamine-treated mouse brains was reduced by HRGE administration. In addition, HRGE administration increased the expression of nuclear-factor-E2-related factor 2 and its downstream antioxidant enzymes NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase and heme oxygenase-1 in hippocampal tissue homogenates. An in vitro assay using HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells demonstrated that HRGE treatment attenuated glutamate-induced cytotoxicity by decreasing the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Conclusion: These findings suggest that HRGE administration can effectively alleviate hippocampus-mediated cognitive impairment, possibly through cytoprotective mechanisms, preventing oxidative-stress-induced neuronal cell death via the upregulation of phase 2 antioxidant molecules.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권10호
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• pp.761-772
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• 2017

Glioblastoma is the most frequent and most aggressive brain tumor in adults. Solute carrier family 8 member 2 (SLC8A2) is only expressed in normal brain, but not present in other human normal tissues or in gliomas. Therefore, we hypothesized that SLC8A2 might be a glioma tumor suppressor gene and detected the role of SLC8A2 in glioblastoma and explored the underlying molecular mechanism. The glioblastoma U87MG cells stably transfected with the lentivirus plasmid containg SLC8A2 (U87MG-SLC8A2) and negative control (U87MG-NC) were constructed. In the present study, we found that the tumorigenicity of U87MG in nude mice was totally inhibited by SLC8A2. Overexpression of SLC8A2 had no effect on cell proliferation or cell cycle, but impaired the invasion and migration of U87MG cells, most likely through inactivating the extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK)1/2 signaling pathway, inhibiting the nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), reducing the level of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)-its receptor (uPAR) system (ERK1/2-$NF-{\kappa}B$-MMPs/uPA-uPAR), and altering the protein levels of epithelial to mesenchymal transitions (EMT)-associated proteins E-cardherin, vimentin and Snail. In addition, SLC8A2 inhibited the angiogenesis of U87MG cells, probably through combined inhibition of endothelium-dependent and endothelium-nondependent angiogenesis (vascular mimicry pattern). Totally, SLC8A2 serves as a tumor suppressor gene and inhibits invasion, angiogenesis and growth of glioblastoma.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.236-245
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• 2017

본 연구에서는 난소절제 흰쥐에 구아바잎 추출물을 8주 동안 경구투여한 결과 난소절제 대조군인 OVX군과 비교시 체중 증가량 및 혈중 유리지방산이 유의적으로 감소된 것을 확인하였다. 또한 간 내 중성지방 농도가 $OVX{\cdot}GL$군과 $OVX{\cdot}GH$군에서 모두 유의적으로 감소하였으며 혈중 항산화 효소인 GPx 농도가 유의적으로 증가하였다. 간 내 항산화 효소 및 eNOS의 mRNA 발현 정도를 측정한 결과 OVX군에 비해 구아바잎 추출물 급여군인 $OVX{\cdot}GL$군과 $OVX{\cdot}GH$군에서 모두 Nrf2 및 CAT의 mRNA 발현 정도가 유의적으로 증가하였으며 eNOS또한 $OVX{\cdot}GH$군에서 유의적으로 증가함을 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서 본 연구의 결과를 종합해 볼 때 구아바잎 추출물 경구투여는 항산화 효소의 활성을 증가시키고 혈관내피세포의 기능을 향상시킴으로써 폐경 후 나타날 수 있는 혈관질환과 산화스트레스로 인한 대사적 장애 개선에 도움이 될 것으로 사료된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.44-54
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• 2013

본 연구에서는 한약재를 Lactobacillus속 균주로 발효시켜 기능성물질을 확인하고자 하였다. 선행연구를 통해 선별한 발효에 사용한 10가지 한약은 100% methanol로 추출하여 Lactobacillus속 균주와 MRS배지를 첨가하여 사용하였고 발효 후 ethyl acetate로 추출하여 사용하였다. 10가지 중 붉나무를 Lb. brevis KCTC 3498로 발효하고 ethyl acetate로 추출한 추출물에서 마우스 해마 유래 세포주인 HT22 세포에서 glutamate로 유발된 산화적 손상으로부터 세포 보호효과가 우수했으며, 이는 heme oxygenase-1 단백질 발현에 의한 것 임을 밝혔다. 또한, 뇌세포 보호에 heme oxygenase-1 발현의 주요 기전인 Nrf2 핵 내의 전사와 직접적인 연관이 있음을 확인하였다. 붉나무의 발효 전과 후의 항균, 항산화 효과 비교 실험에서는 붉나무를 Lb. plantarum subsp. plantarum KCTC 3108, Lb. fermentum KCTC 3112, Lb. brevis KCTC 3498 균주로 각각 발효한 한약재는 발효 전보다 항산화 활성이 높아지거나 비슷한 수준으로 나타났다. Lb. plantarum subsp. plantarum KCTC 3108, Lb. casei KCTC 3109로 발효한 붉나무 발효액과 ethyl acetate 여액층은 Bacillus subtilis PCI 219, Escherichia coli KCTC 1682, Shigella flexneri KCTC 2517, Vibrio parahaemolyticus KCTC 7471, Pseudomonas aeruginosa KCTC 2004에 모두 항균활성을 보였다. 붉나무를 Lb. brevis KCTC 3498로 발효하여 ethyl acetate로 추출한 추출물은 B. subtilis PCI 219, E. coli KCTC 1682, S. flexneri KCTC 2517, V. parahaemolyticus KCTC 7471 균주에서 발효한 추출물이 단순 붉나무 추출물보다 높은 항균활성을 보였다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.463-470
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• 2023

This study confirmed the change in functional composition and alcohol-induced acute liver injury in Aloe arborescens after fermentation. An acute liver injury was induced by administration of ethanol (3 g/kg/day) to C57BL/6J mice for 5 days. A fermented A. arborescens Miller leaf (FAAL) extract was orally administered 30 minutes before ethanol treatment. After fermentation, the emodin content was approximately 13 times higher than that of the raw material. FAAL extract significantly attenuated ethanol-induced aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and triglyceride increases in serum and liver tissue. Histological analysis revealed that FAAL extract inhibits inflammatory cell infiltration and fat accumulation in liver tissues. The cytochrome P450 2E1, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione (GSH), which involved in alcohol-induced oxidative stress, were effectively regulated by FAAL extract in serum and liver tissues, except for GSH. FAAL also maintained the antioxidant defense system by upregulating heme oxygenase 1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 protein expression. In addition, FAAL extract inhibited the decrease in alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, which promoted alcohol metabolism and prevented the activation of inflammatory response. Our results suggest that FAAL could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for ethanol-induced acute liver injury.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.343-351
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• 2019

Background: Preterm labor and miscarriage may occur in stressful situations, such as a surgical operation or infection during pregnancy. Pharyngeal and buccal abscess and facial bone fractures are inevitable dental surgeries in pregnant patients. Remifentanil is an opioid analgesic that is commonly used for general anesthesia and sedation. Nonetheless, no study has investigated the effects of remifentanil on amniotic epithelial cells. This study evaluated the effects of remifentanil on the factors related to uterine contraction and its mechanism of action on amniotic epithelial cells. Methods: Amniotic epithelial cells were preconditioned at various concentrations of remifentanil for 1 h, followed by 24-h lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure. MTT assays were performed to assess the cell viability in each group. The effects of remifentanil on factors related to uterine contractions in amniotic epithelial cells were assessed using a nitric oxide (NO) assay, western blot examinations of the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂), and RT-PCR examinations of the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Results: Remifentanil did not affect viability and nitric oxide production of amniotic epithelial cells. Western blot analysis revealed that remifentanil preconditioning resulted in decreased expressions of NF-κB and PGE2 in the cells in LPS-induced inflammation, and a tendency of decreased COX2 expression. The results were statistically significant only at high concentration. RT-PCR revealed reduced expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α. Conclusions: Preconditioning with remifentanil does not affect the viability of amniotic epithelial cells but reduces the expression of factors related to uterine contractions in situations where cell inflammation is induced by LPS, which is an important inducer of preterm labor. These findings provide evidence that remifentanil may inhibit preterm labor in clinical settings.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권8호
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• pp.1057-1063
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• 2013

진피(Citri Pericarpium)의 항암작용 기전 해석을 위하여 U937 백혈병 세포의 apoptosis 유발에 미치는 메탄올 추출물(EMCP)의 영향을 조사하였으며, apoptosis 조절에 중요한 몇 가지 유전자들의 발현 및 활성 변화, ROS의 생성 변화를 조사하였다. EMCP 처리에 의한 U937 세포의 증식 억제는 apoptosis 유도와 연관성이 있음을 DAPI 염색을 통한 apoptotic body 출현의 증가 및 Flow cytometry 분석에 의한 Sub-G1기 세포 빈도의 증가로 확인하였다. EMCP 처리에 의한 apoptosis 유도에서 Bax 발현 증가, caspases의 활성 및 PARP의 단편화 등이 동반되었으며, ROS 생성의 증가와 연관성이 있었다. 산화적 손상에 대해 세포나 조직을 보호하는 역할을 하는 것으로 알려진 세포 내 항산화 효소인 HO-1의 발현이 EMCP의 처리에 의해 증가되었으나 ROS 생성 억제제인 NAC의 전처리에 의해 감소된 HO-1의 발현은 전사인자인 Nrf2의 핵으로의 이동 억제와 관련되어 있었다. 이상의 결과에서 EMCP 처리에 의한 U937 세포의 apoptosis 유발에는 ROS 생성의 증가와 pNrf2에 의해 조절되는 HO-1의 발현 증가가 중요한 기전으로 작용한다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 자료는 진피의 항암기전 해석을 이해하는데 중요한 기초자료로서 활용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국자원식물학회지
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.466-477
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• 2018

본 연구는 헛개나무 잎, 줄기, 뿌리로부터 얻어진 메탄올 추출물의 항염증 효과를 구명하기 위해서 수행되었다. LPS로 염증이 유도된 RAW264.7 세포 내 부위별 추출물을 동시에 처리하여 염증 매개성 물질인 NO 생성량 분석 결과 $40{\mu}g/m{\ell}$농도에서 뿌리(94.7%)와 줄기(42.6%)에서는 효과가 있는 반면 잎에서는 효과가 없는 것으로 확인되었다. 이 중 탁월한 효과를 보인 뿌리 추출물(RE)의 항염증 효과 및 관련 분자적 기전을 확인하였다. 그 결과, 염증 반응의 주요 경로인 NF-kB 및 MAPK 신호전달경로에서 RE가 LPS로 유도된 NF-kB의 핵 이동을 억제하고, ERK, JNK, p38의 인산화를 억제함으로써 iNOS, COX-2의 발현이 감소되고, NO와 pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$)의 생성이 억제됨을 확인하였다. 또한 RE는 대식세포에서 Nrf2를 활성화시켜 항염증성 단백질인 HO-1 발현을 유도하여 항염증 효과를 나타내었다. 또한, RE로부터 주요 성분을 분리한 후 NMR과 MS 기기를 이용하여 구조 동정된 27-O-protocatechuoylbetulinic acid 화합물에서도 높은 항염증 효과를 확인하였다. 이러한 연구결과는 헛개나무뿌리와 그 주요성분은 의약품 소재 및 기능성 식품 등의 기능성 소재로 활용될 수 있는 기초적인 정보를 제공할 것으로 생각된다.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제28권12호
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• pp.1350-1357
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• 2005

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-$\kappa$B) regulates the expression of multiple cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules that are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. We investigated the anti-asthmatic effects and the mechanism of action of DA-9201, an extract of the black rice, in a mouse model of asthma. Mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) were administered with DA-9201 (30, 100 or 300 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (DEXA, 3 mg/kg) for 2 weeks and challenged with aerosolized OVA during the last 3 days. Anti-asthmatic effects were assessed by means of enhanced pauses, level of total lgE and Th2 cytokines in plasma or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the percentage of eosinophils in BALF, and histopathological examination. The expression of NF-$\kappa$B in nuclear and cytoplasmic fraction and its DNA-binding activity in lung tissues were analyzed by means of Western blotting and electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA), respectively. DA-9201 significantly reduced airway hyperrespon-siveness (AHR), total lgE level in plasma and BALF, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels in BALF, and the percentage of eosinophils in BALF. Tissue inflammation was significantly improved by DA­9201 treatment. In addition, DA-9201 dramatically suppressed the expression of NF-$\kappa$B and its DNA-binding activity. These results suggest that DA-9201 may be useful for the treatment of asthma and its efficacy is related to suppression of NF-$\kappa$B pathway.