• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.368-378
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• 2024

Cordycepin, a valuable bioactive component isolated from Cordyceps militaris, has been reported to possess anti-cancer potential and the property to enhance the effects of chemotherapeutic agents in various types of cancers. However, the ability of cordycepin to chemosensitize cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells to gemcitabine has not yet been evaluated. The current study was performed to evaluate the above, and the mechanisms associated with it. The study analyzed the effects of cordycepin in combination with gemcitabine on the cancer stem-like properties of the CCA SNU478 cell line, including its anti-apoptotic, migratory, and antioxidant effects. In addition, the combination of cordycepin and gemcitabine was evaluated in the CCA xenograft model. The cordycepin treatment significantly decreased SNU478 cell viability and, in combination with gemcitabine, additively reduced cell viability. The cordycepin and gemcitabine co-treatment significantly increased the Annexin V+ population and downregulated B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression, suggesting that the decreased cell viability in the cordycepin+gemcitabine group may result from an increase in apoptotic death. In addition, the cordycepin and gemcitabine co-treatment significantly reduced the migratory ability of SNU478 cells in the wound healing and trans-well migration assays. It was observed that the cordycepin and gemcitabine cotreatment reduced the CD44^highCD133^high population in SNU478 cells and the expression level of sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox-2), indicating the downregulation of the cancer stem-like population. Cordycepin also enhanced oxidative damage mediated by gemcitabine in MitoSOX staining associated with the upregulated Kelch like ECH Associated Protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression ratio. In the SNU478 xenograft model, co-administration of cordycepin and gemcitabine additively delayed tumor growth. These results indicate that cordycepin potentiates the chemotherapeutic property of gemcitabine against CCA, which results from the downregulation of its cancer-stem-like properties. Hence, the combination therapy of cordycepin and gemcitabine may be a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of CCA.

• 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.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.617-630
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• 2021

Chemotherapy-induced side effects affect the quality of life and efficacy of treatment of cancer patients. Current approaches for treating the side effects of chemotherapy are poorly effective and may cause numerous harmful side effects. Therefore, developing new and effective drugs derived from natural nontoxic compounds for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced side effects is necessary. Experiments in vivo and in vitro indicate that Panax ginseng (PG) and its ginsenosides are undoubtedly non-toxic and effective options for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced side effects, such as nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, immunotoxicity, and hematopoietic inhibition. The mechanism focus on anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis, as well as the modulation of signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), P62/keap1/Nrf2, c-jun Nterminal kinase (JNK)/P53/caspase 3, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MKK4)/JNK, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT. Since a systemic review of the effect and mechanism of PG and its ginsenosides on chemotherapy-induced side effects has not yet been published, we provide a comprehensive summarization with this aim and shed light on the future research of PG.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권12호
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• pp.1892-1903
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• 2022

Objective: A series of experiment were conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing a part of soybean meal (SBM) at 6% of broiler diets with fermented soybean meal (FSBM) obtained by single or two-stage fermentation by measuring growth performance, antioxidant activity in the jejunum and distal intestinal microflora. Methods: Soybean meal samples were prepared by single-stage fermentation using Bacillus velezensis (Bv) (FSBM_B), or Lactobacillus spp. (as commercial control) (FSBM_L). Additional SBM sample was prepared by two-stage fermentation using Bv and subsequently using Lactobacillus brevis ATCC 367 (Lb) (FSBM_B+L). Enzyme activity, chemical composition, trichloroethanoic acid-nitrogen solubility index (TCA-NSI) and antioxidant activity were measured. Then, in an in vivo study, 320 Ross308 broilers were divided into four groups with ad libitum supply of feed and water. Four groups were fed either a corn-soybean meal diet (SBM), or one of fermented SBM diets (FSBM_B+L, FSBM_B, and FSBM_L). Growth, serum characteristics, microflora, and the mRNA expression of selected genes were measured. Results: Compared to SBM, FSBM_B+L contained lower galacto-oligosaccharide, allergic protein, and trypsin inhibitor, and higher TCA-NSI by about three times (p<0.05). Reducing power and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging ability correlated positively with the TCA-NSI content in FSBM. Growth performances were not significantly different among four groups. In jejunum of 35-day-old broilers, partial replacement of SBM by FSBM_B+L increased the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT), and the FSBM_B group had the highest catalase activity (p<0.05). Partial replacement of SBM by FSBM increased relative mRNA expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and peptide transporter 1 (PepT1) (p<0.05); however, FSBM_B+L increased CAT mRNA level to 5 times of the control (p<0.05). Conclusion: Using Bv- and Lb-processed SBM through two-stage fermentation to partially replace 6% of diets will improve the gut's antioxidant activity under commercial breeding in broilers.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권9호
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• pp.1434-1443
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• 2022

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the hypothesis that dietary quercetin (QUE) and coated sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation alleviate oxidative stress in the small intestine of diquat (DIQ)-challenged pullets. Methods: A total of 200 13-week-old pullets were divided into four groups: the control group (CON), the DIQ group, the QUE group, and the coated SB group, and injected intraperitoneally with either saline (CON) or diquat (DIQ, QUE, and SB) to induce oxidative stress on day 0. Results: On the first day, the malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations in the SB group were significantly different from those in the DIQ and QUE groups (p<0.05), and dietary supplementation with SB increased serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels compared with the DIQ group (p<0.05). Quercetin and SB increased the levels of CLAUDIN-1 and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the jejunum. On the tenth day of treatment, QUE attenuated the decrease in GSH-PX levels compared to those of the CON group (p<0.05), while SB increased SOD, GSH-PX, and total antioxidant capacity levels compared to those of the DIQ group. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA levels in the QUE and SB groups increased (p<0.05) and CLAUDIN-1 mRNA levels in the QUE and SB groups were upregulated compared to those in the DIQ group ileum tissue. Conclusion: Supplementation of QUE and SB demonstrated the ability to relieve oxidative stress in pullets post DIQ-injection with a time-dependent manner and QUE and SB may be potential antioxidant additives for relieving oxidative stress and protecting the intestinal barrier of pullets.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.106-116
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• 2023

Background: Pirarubicin (THP) is an anthracycline antibiotic used to treat various malignancies in humans. The clinical usefulness of THP is unfortunately limited by its dose-related cardiotoxicity. Ginsenoside F1 (GF1) is a metabolite formed when the ginsenosides Re and Rg1 are hydrolyzed. However, the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of GF1 on THP-induced cardiotoxicity remain unclear. Methods: We investigated the anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative stress effects of GF1 on an in vitro model, using H9c2 cells stimulated by THP, plus trigonelline or AKT inhibitor imidazoquinoxaline (IMQ), as well as an in vivo model using THP-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent test, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), creatine kinase (CK-MB), cardiac troponin (c-TnT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) were determined. Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and the expression of Nrf2 target genes, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione-S-transferase (Gst), glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), and expression levels of AKT/Bcl-2 signaling pathway proteins were detected using Western blot analysis. Results: THP-induced myocardial histopathological damage, electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, and cardiac dysfunction were reduced in vivo by GF1. GF1 also decreased MDA, BNP, CK-MB, c-TnT, and LDH levels in the serum, while raising SOD and GSH levels. GF1 boosted Nrf2 nuclear translocation and Nrf2 target gene expression, including HO-1, Gst, and GCLM. Furthermore, GF1 regulated apoptosis by activating AKT/Bcl-2 signaling pathways. Employing Nrf2 inhibitor trigonelline and AKT inhibitor IMQ revealed that GF1 lacked antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. Conclusion: In conclusion, GF1 was found to alleviate THP-induced cardiotoxicity via modulating Nrf2 and AKT/Bcl-2 signaling pathways, ultimately alleviating myocardial oxidative stress and apoptosis.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.207-215
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• 2018

염증 반응과 산화적 스트레스는 다양한 질환의 발생과 진행에 중요한 역할을 담당한다. 따라서 염증과 산화적 스트레스를 동시에 억제할 수 있는 소재의 발굴은 인체 질환 제어에 매우 유용하게 적용될 수 있다. 본 연구의 목적은 RAW 264.7 대식세포에서 검은콩 품종인 소청자와 소청2호 추출물이 염증성 및 산화적 스트레스에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위함이다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면 소청자 및 소청2호 추출물은 LPS에 의한 iNOS와 COX-2의 발현을 억제하여 NO와 $PGE_2$의 생성을 억제하였으며, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$와 같은 염증성 cytokine의 분비와 발현을 감소시켰다. 또한 소청자 및 소청2호 추출물은 LPS로 자극된 세포 내 ROS 축적을 유의적으로 차단시켰고, Nrf2와 HO-1 발현을 증가시켰다. 또한 LPS에 의해 유도된 MAPKs의 활성화도 소청자 및 소청2호 추출물에 의하여 억제되었다. 결론적으로 소청자 및 소청2호 추출물은 RAW 264.7 대식세포에서 MAPKs 경로를 차단시킴으로써 LPS-유도 염증 및 산화 반응에 대한 보호 역할을 할 수 있으며, 이러한 효과에는 최소한 Nrf2/HO-1 경로 활성화가 관련되어 있었다. 이러한 결과를 고려해 볼 때 소청자 및 소청2호 추출물은 대식세포의 과다 활성화로 인한 염증성 및 산화적 반응 차단에 잠재적인 효과가 있음을 일 수 있었다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.454-464
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• 2018

식품 원료로도 널리 애용되는 검은콩은 풍부한 천연 페놀 화합물을 함유하고 있기 때문에 기능성 소재로서의 개발에도 매우 유용한 자원이다. 본 연구에서는 3가지 검은콩 품종[소청자(SCJ), 소청2호(SC2) 및 청자2호(CJ2)]을 대상으로 TPCs과 항산화 능을 조사하였다. 그 중에서도 TPCs는 CJ2 $H_2O_2$ 처리에 의한 HaCaT 세포의 생존력 감소를 현저히 억제하여 산화적 스트레스에 대한 보호 효과가 있음을 알 수 있었다. SCJ와 SC2 전처리는 또한 HaCaT 세포에서 mitochondrial dysfunction의 차단과 pro-apoptotic Bax의 발현 변화의 정상화를 통해 $H_2O_2$에 의하여 유도된 apoptosis를 효과적으로 억제하였으며, DNA 손상에 대한 보호 효과와 연관성이 있었다. 또한 SCJ와 SC2는 Nrf2와 연관된 TrxR1의 발현을 효과적으로 유도하였으나, 산화적 스트레스에 대한 SCJ와 SC2의 보호 효과는 TrxR 억제제에 의하여 상쇄되었다. 이러한 결과는 SCJ와 SC2가 Nrf2 신호전달 경로 활성을 통하여 산화적 스트레스와 관련된 세포 손상을 차단함으로써 세포 보호 활성을 갖는다는 것을 의미한다. 결론적으로, SCJ와 SC2는 산화스트레스로 인한 피부 질환의 치료와 예방을 위한 응용 가능성이 높음을 보여주었다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권11호
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• pp.1273-1280
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• 2019

고령층 인구에서 노인성 황반변성(AMD)은 실명의 주요 원인 중 하나이며, 망막 항상성을 유지하는 망막색소상피(RPE) 세포의 산화적 스트레스에 의한 손상은 AMD의 발달에 기여한다. 감초는 한국을 포함한 아시아 국가의 다양한 질병 치료에 가장 널리 사용되는 약초 중 하나이다. 비록 감초는 다양한 실험 모델에서 항산화 효능이 있는 것으로 알려져 있지만, 망막색소상피세포의 손상에 대한 보호 기전은 알려진 바 없다. 본 연구에서는 ARPE-19 인간 망막색소상피에서 과산화수소($H_2O_2$)에 의해 유도된 산화적 손상에 대한 감초 에탄올 추출물의 효능을 평가하였다. 본 결과에 의하면 감초 추출물은 Nrf2 및 HO-1의 발현을 유도하면서 $H_2O_2$에 의한 ROS의 생성을 유의적으로 차단하였다. 또한 감초 추출물은 $H_2O_2$에 의해 유도된 DNA 손상을 억제하였으며, 미토콘드리아막 전위의 소실을 약화시켰다. 그리고 감초 추출물 $H_2O_2$에 의한 caspase-3의 활성을 억제하면서 apoptosis 유도를 차단하였다. 이러한 결과는 감초 추출물이 DNA 손상을 억제하고 apoptosis를 감소시킴으로써 산화적 손상으로부터 망막색소상피세포를 보호할 수 있음을 의미한다. 비록 감초 추출물에 함유된 생리활성 성분들의 분석과 Nrf2-매개 HO-1 발현의 조절에 대한 추가 연구가 수행되어야 하지만, 감초 추출물은 AMD의 위험을 감소시킬 잠재력을 지니고 있음을 시사한다.