• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.139-150
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• 2016

Few studies have been reported that horse-bone extract(HBE) can prevent and treatment of bone diseases. However, HBE' therapeutic activities are still not fully understood. This study determined whether HBE up-regulates hemeoxygenase 1(HO-1) and this mediates its anti-inflammatory effect in murine macrophages.Nitric oxide(NO) assay, MTT assay and DPPH assay were performed. In addition, Western blotting and real time PCR were used to determine protein expression, and gene expression, respectively. HBE significantly inhibited NO production without observable cytotoxicity. In addition, HBE attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and phospho (p)-ERK protein expressions in LPS(0.1㎍/ml) stimulated RAW264.7 cells. On the other hand, HBE alone up-regulated HO-1 and Nrf-2 expressions, which mediated HBE's anti-inflammatory effect in RAW264.7 cells. Finally, HBE up-regulated HO-1 and impaired ERK1/2 signaling pathways, and thus it may provide protection against cellular oxidation and inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.13-21
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• 2019

[Purpose] Chronic stress is a precipitating factor for depression, whereas exercise is beneficial for both the mood and cognitive process. The current study demonstrates the anti-depressive effects of regular exercise and the mechanisms linked to hippocampal neurogenesis. [Methods] Mice were subjected to 14 consecutive days of restraint, followed by 3 weeks of treadmill running, and were then subjected to behavioral tests that included the forced swimming and Y-maze tests. Protein levels were assessed using western blot analysis and newborn cells were detected using 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). [Results] Three weeks of treadmill running ameliorated the behavioral depression caused by 14 days of continuous restraint stress. The exercise regimen enhanced BrdU-labeled cells and class III β-tubulin levels in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, as well as those of thioredoxin-1 (TRX-1) and synaptosomal β2-adrenergic receptors (β2-AR) under stress. In vitro experiments involving treatment with recombinant human TRX-1 (rhTRX-1) augmented the levels of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), nuclear β-catenin, and proliferating cell nuclear antigens, which were previously inhibited by U0216 and FH535 (inhibitors of ERK1/2 and β-catenin/T cell factor-mediated transcription, respectively). The hippocampal neurogenesis elicited by a 7-day exercise regimen was abolished by a selective inhibitor of β2-AR, butoxamine. [Conclusion] These results suggest that TRX-1-mediated hippocampal neurogenesis by β2-AR function is a potential mechanism underlying the psychotropic effect of exercise.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.54.1-54.13
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• 2021

Background: Hypoxia causes oxidative stress and affects cardiovascular function and the programming of cardiovascular disease. Melatonin promotes antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the correlation between melatonin and hypoxia induction in cardiomyocytes differentiation. Methods: Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) were induced to myocardial differentiation. To demonstrate the influence of melatonin under hypoxia, mESC was pretreated with melatonin and then cultured in hypoxic condition. The cardiac beating ratio of the mESC-derived cardiomyocytes, mRNA and protein expression levels were investigated. Results: Under hypoxic condition, the mRNA expression of cardiac-lineage markers (Brachyury, Tbx20, and cTn1) and melatonin receptor (Mtnr1a) was reduced. The mRNA expression of cTn1 and the beating ratio of mESCs increased when melatonin was treated simultaneously with hypoxia, compared to when only exposed to hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α protein decreased with melatonin treatment under hypoxia, and Mtnr1a mRNA expression increased. When the cells were exposed to hypoxia with melatonin treatment, the protein expressions of phospho-extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK) and Bcl-2-associated X proteins (Bax) decreased, however, the levels of phospho-protein kinase B (p-Akt), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) proteins, and antioxidant enzymes including Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and catalase were increased. Competitive melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole blocked the melatonin-induced effects. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that hypoxia inhibits cardiomyocytes differentiation and melatonin partially mitigates the adverse effect of hypoxia in myocardial differentiation by regulating apoptosis and oxidative stress through the p-AKT and PI3K pathway.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2008

Objective: Transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily type 1 (TRPV1), a most specific marker of the nociceptive primary afferent, is expressed in peptidergic and non-peptidergic primary afferents innervating skin and viscera. However, its expression in sensory fibers to skeletal muscle is not well known. In this study, we studied the neurochemical characteristics of TRPV1-positive primary afferents to skeletal muscles. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with total $20{\mu}l$ of 1% fast blue (FB) into the gastrocnemius and erector spinae muscle and animals were perfused 4 days after injection. FB-positive cells were traced in the L4-L5 (for gastrocnemius muscle) and L2-L4 (for erector spinae muscle) dorsal root ganglia. The neurochemical characteristics of the muscle afferents were studied with multiple immunofluorescence with TRPV1, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and $P2X_3$. To identify spinal neurons responding to noxious stimulus to the skeletal muscle, 10% acetic acids were injected into the gastrocnemius and erector spinae muscles and expression of phospho extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) in spinal cords were identified with immunohistochemical method. Results: TRPVl was expressed in about 49% of muscle afferents traced from gastrocnemius and 40% of erector spinae. Sixty-five to 60% of TRPV1-positive muscles afferents also expressed CGRP. In contrast, expression of $P2X_3$ immnoreaction in TRPV1-positive muscle afferents were about 20%. TRPV1-positive primary afferents were contacted with spinal neurons expressing pERK after injection of acetic acid into the muscles. Conclusion: It is consequently suggested that nociception from skeletal muscles are mediated by TRPV1-positive primary afferents and majority of them are also peptidergic.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.217-231
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• 2011

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Saengmaekcheongpye-eum (SCE) on a LPS-induced COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) model. Materials and Methods : The extract of SCE was treated to A549 cells and and LPS-induced COPD mouse model. Then, various parameters such as cell-based cyto-protective activity and histopathological finding were analyzed. Results : SCE showed a protective effect on LPS-induced cytotoxicity in A549 cells. This effect was correlated with analysis for caspase 3 levels, elastin contents, protein levels of cyclin B1, Cdc2, and phospho-Erk1/2, and gene expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in A549 cells. SCE treatment also revealed a protective effect on LPS-induced lung injury in COPD mouse model. This effect was evidenced via histopathological findings including immunofluorescence stains against elastin and caspase 3, and protein levels of cyclin B1, Cdc2, and Erk1/2 in lung tissue. Conclusions : These data suggest that SCE has pharmaceutical properties on lung injury. This study thus provides scientific evidence for the efficacy of SCE for clinical application to patients with COPD.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.101-115
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• 2001

Objective : To characterize the antitumorigenic potential of Apamin, one of the major components of bee venom, its effects on cell proliferation and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway were characterized using the human melanoma cell line SK-MEL-2. Methods & Results : Cell counting analysis for cell death demonstrated that consistent with a previous results, SK-MEL-2 cells treated with $0.5-2.0{\mu}g/ml$ of Apamin showed no recognizable cytotoxic effect whereas detectable induction of cell death was identified at concentrations over $5.0{\mu}g/ml$. [3H]thymidine incorporation assay for cell proliferation demonstrated that DNA replication of SK-MEL-2 cells is inhibited by Apamin in a dose- and time-dependent manner. To explore whether Apamin-induced growth suppression is associated with the MAPK signaling pathway, phosphorylation of Erk, a function mediator of MAPK growth-stimulating signal, was examined Western blot assay using a phospho-specific Erkl/2 antibody. A significant increase of Erkl/2 phosphorylation level was observed in Apamin-treated cells compared with untreated control cells. Qantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that Apamin inhibit expression of MAPK downstream genes such as c-Jun, c-Fos, and cyclin D1 but not expression of MAPK pathway component genes including Ha-Ras, c-Raf-1, MEK1, and Erk. Conclusion : It is strongly suggested that the antitumorigenic activity of Apamin might result in part from its inhibitory effect on the MAPK signaling pathway in human melanoma cells SK-MEL-2.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.641-649
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• 2011

This study was purposed to evaluate the effects of root of Liriope spicata (RLS) on LPS-induced COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) model. The extract of RLS was treated to A549 cells and LPS-induced COPD mice model. Then, various parameters such as cell-based cyto-protective activity and histopathological finding were analyzed. RLS showed a protective effect on LPS-induced cytotoxicity in A549 cells. This effect was correlated with analysis for caspase 3 levels, protein level of cyclin B1, Cdc2, and phospho-Erk1/2, and gene expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in A549 cells. RLS treatment also revealed the protective effect on LPS-induced lung injury in COPD mice model. This effect was evidenced via histopathological finding including immunofluence stains against caspase 3, and protein level of cyclin B1, Cdc2, and Erk1/2 in lung tissue. These data suggest that RLS has a pharmaceutical properties on lung injury. This study would provide an scientific evidence for the efficacy of RLS for clinical application to patients with COPD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.352-356
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• 2012

The present study was undertaken to determine whether ethanol influences on the agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction and, if so, to investigate the related mechanism. The measurement of isometric contractions using a computerized data acquisition system was combined with molecular experiments. Ethanol significantly inhibited thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic-induced contraction with intact endothelial function, but there was no relaxation on thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic U-46619-induced contraction irrespective of endothelium suggesting that the pathway such as Rho-kinase activation, $Ca^{2+}$ entry or thin filament regulation was not affected. In addition, ethanol didn't decrease thromboxane $A_2$ mimetic-induced increase of phospho-myosin phosphatase targeting subunit protein 1 (pMYPT1) or pERK1/2. Interestingly, ethanol didn't inhibit significantly phorbol ester-induced contraction in denuded muscles suggesting that thin filament regulation is less important on the ethanol-induced regulation in the muscle than endothelial NO synthesis. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence and possible related mechanism concerning the effect of ethanol on the agonist-dependent contraction in rat aortic rings with regard to endothelial function.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9341-9346
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• 2014

Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L) Merr (AT) is commonly used as an herbal medicine and edible plant in some areas of China and other Asian countries. AT is thought to have anticancer effects, but potential mechanisms remain unknown. To assess the anticancer properties of AT, we exposed prostate cancer cells to AT extracts and assessed cell proliferation and signaling pathways. An ethanol extract of AT was suspended in water followed by sequential extraction with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. PC-3 cells were treated with different concentrations of each extract and cell viability was determined by the MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays. The ethyl acetate extract of the ethanol extract had a stronger inhibitory effect on growth and a stronger stimulatory effect on apoptosis than any of the other extracts. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that the ethyl acetate extract suppressed the transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$, increased the level of caspase-3, and decreased the levels of phospho-Erk1/2 and phospho-Akt. This is the first report on the anticancer activity of AT in cultured human prostate cancer cells. The results suggest that AT can provide a plant-based medicine for the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.133-146
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• 2012

Background: Most antitumor agents have the side effect of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Cancer patients who take antitumor agents suffer from CIPN, but there is no known treatment for it. Unlike the central nerve system, the peripheral nerve can self-repair, and the Schwann cell takes this mechanism. Objectives: In this study, we researched the effect of YideungJetong-Tang (YJT) extract on taxol-induced sciatic nerve damage, through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Also, we studied the effect of YJT extract on neurite recovery and anti-inflammatory effect after compression injury of sciatic nerve in vivo. Methods: Vehicle, taxol and taxol+YJT were respectively applied on sciatic nerve cells of rat in vitro, then the cells were cultured. The sciatic nerve cells and Schwann cells were then observed using Neurofilament 200, Hoechst, ${\beta}$ -tubulin, S-$100{\beta}$, caspase-3 and phospho-Erk1/2. CIPN was induced by taxol into the sciatic nerve of rat in vivo, then YJT extract was taken orally. The axons, Schwann cells and neurites of the DRG sensory nerve were then observed using Neurofilament 200, ${\beta}$-tubulin, Hoechst, S-$100{\beta}$, phospho-Erk1/2 and caspase-3. YJT was taken orally after sciatic nerve compression injury, and the changes in axon of the sciatic nerve, Schwann cells and TNF-${\alpha}$ concentration were observed. Results: The taxol and YJT treated group showed significant effects on Schwann cell recovery, neurite growth and recovery. In vivo, YJT compared with control group showed Schwann cell structural improvement and axons recovering effect after taxol-induced Schwann cell damage. After sciatic nerve compression injury, recovery of distal axon, changes of Schwann cell distribution, and anti-inflammatory response were observed in the YJT. Conclusions: Through this study, we found that after taxol-induced neurite damage of sciatic nerve in vivo and in vitro, YJT had significant effects on sciatic nerve growth and Schwann cell structural improvement. In vivo, YJT improved recovery of distal axons and Schwann cells and had an anti-inflammatory effect.