• Journal of Photoscience
• /
• 제9권2호
• /
• pp.482-484
• /
• 2002

UV irradiation activates various intracellular signaling pathways causing cell death in a DNA damage-dependent and an independent manner. As DNA photoproducts, major forms of DNA damage, are maximally formed by UV light at 260-nm, short wavelength UV (UVC) is more harmful than middle wavelength UV (UVB). However, the differences or similarities in responses of DNA damage-independent intracellular signaling molecules to UVB and UVC are not elucidated. We examined activation of signaling molecules towards apoptosis in normal human fibroblastic cells after irradiation with UVB or UVC at a dose generating the equal amount of DNA photoproducts. Both UVB and UVC induced transient phosphorylation of ERK and sustained phosphorylation of p38. Phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15 and at Ser392 residues were also observed, which were inhibited by a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin. In contrast, an antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine and a p38 inhibitor SB203580 suppressed only Ser392 phosphorylation, suggesting that UV-induced oxidative stress and p38 activation were involved in the phosphorylation of this site. The apoptic signals such as mitochondrial cytochrome C release and annexin V binding were then observed. Overall, no difference was found in chronological responses of p53, MAPK, and apoptosis between UVB-irradiated and UVC-irradiated cells. These results suggested that DNA damage-independent intracellular signaling molecules similarly responded to UVB and UVC when the equal level of DNA photoproducts were generated.

• 대한한방내과학회지
• /
• 제29권4호
• /
• pp.1037-1047
• /
• 2008

Background : A traditional Oriental medicine, GongJjn-dan (GJD), is one of the most well-known tonic agents in Korea. Among 6 types of GJD components, antler, red ginseng, and Cornus fructus have shown antioxidant effects, while EtOH-induced tissue damage may be a consequence of oxidative stress. Objectives & Methods : The hepatoprotective effects of GJD were evaluated on EtOH-mediated experimental liver damaged rats at 50, 100, 250 and 500mg/kg comparing with 100mg/kg of silymarin as a reference drug in the present study. Test substances were dosed once a day for 60 days with oral administration of 20% ethanol 2.5ml/100g body weight twice a day (equivalent to 7.9g ethanol/kg/day). Each of 8 rats per group was selected using body weight at 10 days after acclimatization. Experimental animals were sacrificed after 60 days of continuous oral treatment of test substances with 20% ethanol treatment, and changes on the body weight, liver weight, and serum AST and ALT were observed. Results : There were dramatic decreases of body weight and increases of liver weight and serum AST and ALT. Similar inhibition effects on the EtOH-induced hepatic damages were detected between equal dosages of GJD and silymarin. Conclusion : Based on these results. it is concluded that GJD showed clear hepatoprotective effects on EtOH-induced hepatic damage.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• 제35권6호
• /
• pp.1633-1638
• /
• 2014

[6]-Gingerol is known as the major bioactive constituent of ginger. In the study, it was observed to effectively protect against ${\bullet}OH$-induced DNA damage ($IC_{50}$ $328.60{\pm}24.41{\mu}M$). Antioxidant assays indicated that [6]-gingerol could efficiently scavenge various free radicals, including ${\bullet}OH$ radical ($IC_{50}$ $70.39{\pm}1.23{\mu}M$), ${\bullet}O_2{^-}$ radical ($IC_{50}$ $228.40{\pm}9.20{\mu}M$), $DPPH{\bullet}$radical ($IC_{50}$ $27.35{\pm}1.44{\mu}M$), and $ABTS{^+}{\bullet}$radical ($IC_{50}$ $2.53{\pm}0.070{\mu}M$), and reduce $Cu^{2+}$ ion ($IC_{50}$ $11.97{\pm}0.68{\mu}M$). In order to investigate the possible mechanism, the reaction product of [6]-gingerol and $DPPH{\bullet}$ radical was further measured using HPLC combined mass spectrometry. The product showed a molecular ion peak at m/z 316 $[M+Na]^+$, and diagnostic fragment loss (m/z 28) for quinone. On this basis, it can be concluded that: (i) [6]-gingerol can effectively protect against ${\bullet}OH$-induced DNA damage; (ii) a possible mechanism for [6]-gingerol to protect against oxidative damage is ${\bullet}OH$ radical scavenging; (iii) [6]-gingerol scavenges ${\bullet}OH$ radical through hydrogen atom ($H{\bullet}$) transfer (HAT) and sequential electron (e) proton transfer (SEPT) mechanisms; and (iv) both mechanisms make [6]-gingerol be oxidized to semi-quinone or quinone forms.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제13권10호
• /
• pp.4993-4998
• /
• 2012

Vanillic acid, a vegetable phenolic compound, is a strong antioxidant. The aim of the present study was to determine its effects on mitomycin C-induced DNA damage in human blood lymphocyte cultures in vitro, both alone and in combination with mitomycin C (MMC). The cytokinesis block micronucleus test and alkaline comet assay were used to determine genotoxic damage and anti-genotoxic effects of vanillic acid at the DNA and chromosome levels. MMC induced genotoxicity at a dose of $0.25{\mu}g/ml$. Vanillic acid ($1{\mu}g/ml$) significantly reduced both the rates of DNA damaged cells and the frequency of micronucleated cells. A high dose of vanillic acid ($2{\mu}g/ml$) itself had genotoxic effects on DNA. In addition, both test systems showed similar results when tested with the negative control, consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in combination with vanillic acid ($1{\mu}g/ml$)+MMC. In conclusion, vanillic acid could prevent oxidative damage to DNA and chromosomes when used at an appropriately low dose.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
• /
• 제17권2호
• /
• pp.123-132
• /
• 2009

Acetaminophen (AP) is widely used as an over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic drug. AP-induced hepatotoxicity is a common consequence of AP overdose and may lead to acute liver failure. In this study, we investigated the liver damage in mice using single dose (300 mg/kg) of AP and the possible protective effects of administration (50-200 mg/kg body weight) of Joo-Juk on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in mice. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were determined in the plasma of mice. The effect of Joo-Juk on lipid peroxidation product thiobarbituric reacting substances (TBARS) and some antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, d-aminolevulinate dehydratase ($\sigma$-ALA-D) activities, and gluthathione peroxidase (GPx), were also evaluated in the mouse liver homogenate. AP caused liver damage as evident by statistically significant increased in plasma activities of AST and ALT. There were statistically significant losses in the activities of SOD, catalase, $\sigma$-ALA-D, and GPx and an increase in TBARS in the liver of AP-treated group compared with the control group. However, Joo-Juk was able to counteract these effects. These results suggest that Joo-juk can act as hepato-protectant against AP toxicity and is a good candidate for further evaluation as an effective chemotherapeutic agent.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
• /
• 제16권2호
• /
• pp.183-191
• /
• 2008

Acetaminophen (N-acety1-p-aminophenol, paracetamol) is widely used as an over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic drug. Intake of a over dose of acetaminophen may result in severe hepatic necrosis. In this study, we investigated the liver damage in mice using single dose (300 mg/kg) of acetaminophen and the possible protective effects of administration (50-200 mg/kg body weight) of SB-Ex on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in mice. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were determined in the plasma of mice. The effect of SB-Ex on lipid peroxidation product thiobarbituric reacting substances (TBARS) and some antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, d-aminolevulinate dehydratase (${\sigma}$-ALA-D) activities, and gluthathione peroxidase (GPx), were also evaluated in the mouse liver homogenate. Acetaminophen caused liver damage as evident by statistically significant increased in plasma activities of AST and ALT. There were general statistically significant losses in the activities of SOD, catalase, ${\sigma}$-ALA-D, and GPx and an increase in TBARS in the liver of acetaminophen-treated group compared with the control group. However, SB-Ex was able to counteract these effects. These results suggest that SB-Ex can act as hepatoprotectives against acetaminophen toxicity and is a good candidate for further evaluation as an effective chemotherapeutic agent.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• 제13권1호
• /
• pp.26-35
• /
• 2010

In our previous study, we preliminarily demonstrated that Celluclast and Neutrase extracts exhibited the strongest $H_2O_2$-scavenging activities among five carbohydrases (Viscozyme, Celluclast, Termamyl, Ultraflo and AMG) and five proteases (Kojizyme, Alcalse, Flavourzyme Protamex and Neutrase) extracts. Thus, Celluclast and Neutrase extracts were selected for use in further experiments and were separated into four different molecular weight fractions (<5, 5-10, 10-30 and >30 kDa). Among them, the 5-10 kDa fraction showed the highest $H_2O_2$-scavenging activity. The 5-10 kDa fraction also strongly enhanced cell viability against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative damage. Furthermore, the fraction reduced the proportion of apoptotic cells induced by $H_2O_2$, as demonstrated by decreased sub-G1 hypodiploid cells and decreased apoptotic body formation by flow cytometry. These results indicated that the 5-10 kDa fraction of the Celluclast and Neutrase extracts from S. coreanum exhibited strong antioxidant activity over $H_2O_2$-mediated cell damage in vitro.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
• /
• 제35권1호
• /
• pp.58-64
• /
• 2020

This present study was conducted to investigate protective effect of discontinuous Percoll gradient containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) before freezing process on viability, acrosome damage, mitochondrial activity, and oxidative stress of frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa. The separation of spermatozoa by discontinuous Percoll gradient was performed by different concentration of Percoll solution (45/90%) containing ALA combined with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and collected sperm in each Percoll layer was cryopreserved. To evaluate viability, acrosome damage, mitochondrial activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level of frozen-thawed sperm, flow cytometry was used. Morphological abnormalities were observed under light microscope. In results, viability of sperm from 90% Percoll layer was higher than control and 45% Percoll group (p < 0.05). Separated sperm in 90% Percoll layer had lower acrosome damage and morphological abnormalities than control as well as viability, whereas 45% Percoll group was higher (p < 0.05). Similar with acrosome damage and abnormalities, mitochondrial activity was slightly enhanced and the population of live sperm with high ROS level was decreased by 90% Percoll separation, however, there was no significant difference. Supplementation of 3 ng/mL ALA into Percoll solution increased sperm viability and decreased population of live sperm with high ROS compared to control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, discontinuous Percoll gradient before freezing process could improve efficiency of cryopreservation of boar sperm through selection of sperm with high freezing resistance, and supplement of ALA during Percoll gradient might contribute suppression of ROS generation via stabilizing of plasma membrane during cryopreservation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제37권4호
• /
• pp.379-388
• /
• 2013

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the serious complications in patients with either type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus but current treatments remain unsatisfactory. Results of clinical research studies demonstrate that Panax ginseng can help adjust blood pressure and reduce blood sugar and may be advantageous in the treatment of tuberculosis and kidney damage in people with diabetes. The heat-processing method to strengthen the efficacy of P. ginseng has been well-defined based on a long history of ethnopharmacological evidence. The protective effects of P. ginseng on pathological conditions and renal damage associated with diabetic nephropathy in the animal models were markedly improved by heat-processing. The concentrations of less-polar ginsenosides (20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1) and maltol in P. ginseng were significantly increased in a heat-processing temperature-dependent manner. Based on researches in animal models of diabetes, ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 and maltol were evaluated to have therapeutic potential against diabetic renal damage. These effects were achieved through the inhibition of inflammatory pathway activated by oxidative stress and advanced glycation endproducts. These findings indicate that ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 and maltol are important bioactive constituents of heat-processed ginseng in the control of pathological conditions associated with diabetic nephropathy.

• 대한본초학회지
• /
• 제36권1호
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2021

Objective : Citri Unshius Pericarpium (Citrus unshiu peel) has been used in Korean medicine to treat indigestion, vomiting, coughing and phlegm. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extract of Citrus unshiu peel (CEE) in cadmium (CdCl2)-treated mouse model. Methods : CEE was dissolved in water and administered orally to mice once a day for 7 consecutive days. The mice were then exposed to a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cadmium (4 mg/kg body weight) to induce acute hepatotoxicity. At the end of the experiment, blood and liver tissue samples were collected, analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and histopathological evaluation. Liver damage was assessed as the percentage of degenerative areas of the hepatic parenchyma, the number of degenerative hepatocytes, and the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells. Results : In cadmium-treated rats, pretreatment with CEE significantly reduced the serum ALT and AST levels associated with liver damage. Histopathologically, CEE prevented degenerative changes on the hepatic tissues including confluent necrosis, congestions and infiltration of inflammatory cells. CEE also reduced the elevation of oxidative stress markers (nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynonenal) and apoptosis markers (cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP) positive cells. PARP protein expression in liver tissue was also restored by CEE. Conclusion : This study showed that CEE exerted antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects against cadmium-induced liver injury. Thus, it can be concluded that CEE can be used to prevent liver damage caused by cadmium.