• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.105-115
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• 2002

Objective : To evaluate the effects of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated with a xanthine (X) and xanthine oxidase (XO) system on sperm function, the change of sperm characteristics, lipid peroxidation, and DNA fragmentation in bovine spermatozoa. Materials and Methods: ROS were produced using a combination of 1000 uM X and 50 mU/ml XO. The ROS scavengers: superoxide dismu tase (SOD) (200 U/ml) and catalase (500 U/ml) were also tested. Spermatozoa were incubated for 2 hours in BWW medium with a combination of X-XO supplemented with or without ROS scavengers at $37^{circ}C$ under 5% $CO_2$ incubator. Sperm movement characteristics by CASA (computer-aided sperm analysis), HOST (hypoosmotic swelling test), Caionophore induced acrosome reaction, malondialdehyde formation for the analysis of lipid peroxidation, the percentage of DNA fragmentation using the method of TdT-mediated nick end labelling (TUNEL) by flow cytometry were determined after 2 hours incubation. Results: The action of ROS on bovine spermatozoa resulted in a decreased in capacity for sperm motility, Ca-ionophore induced acrosome reaction and membrane integrity, an increased in malondialdehyde formation and the percentage of sperm with DNA fragmentation. In the effects of antioxidant, catalase completely alleviated the toxic effects induced by the ROS in terms of sperm function and characteristics, however SOD exhibited no capacity to reduce the toxic effects. Conclusion: The ROS can induce significant damages to sperm functions and characteristics. The useful ROS scavengers can minimized the defects of sperm function and various damages of spermatozoa.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.27-42
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• 2005

Objectives : Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. These plaques are associated with degenerating neuronal processes and consist primarily of fibrillary aggregates of beta-amyloid$ protein, generated from amyloid precursor protein (APP). Another amyloidogenic fragment, the carboxyl terminus (CT) of APP, which is composed of 99-105 amino acid residues containing the complete $A{\beta}$ sequence, also appears to be toxic to neurones. Recent evidence suggest that CT105, carboxy terminal 105 amino acids peptide fragment of APP, may be an important factor causing neurotoxicity in AD. Methods : Although a variety of oriental prescriptions including Pinelliae rhizoma have traditionally been utilized for the treatment of AD, their pharmacological effects and action mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, we investigated effects of the dichloromethane extract of Pinelliae rhizoma (PINR) on neurotoxicity and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in SK-N-SH cells overexpressed with CT105. In addition, we evaluated its radical scavenging activity and effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Furthermore, effects on cognitive deficits induced by scopolamine treatment in rats were evaluated. Results ; We found in this study that PINR significantly inhibited apoptotic neuronal death induced by CT105 overexpression in SK-N-SH cells. Based on morphological examinations by phase-contrast microscopy, PINR reversed apoptotic changes of CT105-expressed cells. It was also found that PINR significantly promoted neurite outgrowth and inhibited formation of ROS nd NO. PINR was shown to scavenge DPPH radicals and noncompetitively inhibit AChE activity. Furthermore, it reduced scopolamine-induced memory impairment in rata, assessed by passive avoidance test. Conclusions : Taken together, these results demonstrate that PINR exhibits neuroprotective, antioxidant, and memory enhancing effects, and therefore may bs beneficial for the treatment of AD.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.445-451
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is positively associated with atherosclerosis via elevating macrophage cell death and plaque formation, in which oxidative stress plays a pivotal role. Antioxidative, lipid-lowering, and anti-atherogenic effects of kimchi, a Korean fermented vegetable, have been established, wherein capsaicin, ascorbic acid, quercetin, 3-(4'-hydroxyl-3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid, and lactic acids were identified. In this study, mechanisms of action of kimchi methanol extracts (KME) on fatty streak formation via suppression of ER stress and apoptosis in aorta were examined in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice fed a high cholesterol diet with an oral administration of KME (KME group, $200 mg{\cdot}kg-bw^{-1}{\cdot}day^{-1}$) or distilled water (control group) for 8 weeks (n = 20 for group). Plasma lipid and oxidative stress levels were evaluated. Protein expression was measured by western blot assay. Fatty streak lesion size and the degree of apoptosis were examined in the aorta. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, in the KME group, plasma lipids levels were decreased and oxidative stress was alleviated (P < 0.05). Protein expression levels of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2-mediated antioxidants in aorta were increased whereas those for ER stress markers, glucose regulated protein 78, phospho-protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase, phospho-eukaryotic initiation factor 2 subunit ${\alpha}$, X-box binding protein 1, and C/EBP homologous protein were decreased in the KME group (P < 0.05). Moreover, apoptosis was suppressed via downregulation of phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, bcl-2-associated X protein, caspases-9, and -3 with a concomitant upregulation of anti-apoptotic protein, B-cell lymphoma 2 (P < 0.05). Fatty streak lesion size was reduced and the degree of apoptosis was less severe in the KME group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, antioxidant activity of KME might prevent fatty streak formation through, in part, inhibition of ER stress and apoptosis in aortic sinus where macrophages are harbored.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.93-100
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• 2015

Pachymic acid (PA) is a lanostane-type triterpenoid derived from the Poria cocos mushroom. Several beneficial biological features of PA provide medicine with a wide variety of valuable effects, such as anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity; it also has antioxidant effects against oxidative stress. Nonetheless, the biological properties and mechanisms that produce this anti-cancer action of PA remain largely undetermined. In this study, we investigated the pro-apoptotic effects of PA in T24 human bladder cancer cells. It was found that PA could inhibit the cell growth of T24 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies and chromatin condensation and accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. The induction of apoptotic cell death by PA was connected with an up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax and Bad protein expression and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins, and inhibition of apoptosis family proteins. In addition, apoptosis-inducing concentrations of PA induced the activation of caspase-9, an initiator caspase of the mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathway, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase. PA also induced apoptosis via a death receptor-mediated extrinsic pathway by caspase-8 activation, resulting in the truncation of Bid and suggesting the existence of cross-talk between the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. Taken together, the present results suggest that PA may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human bladder cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1364-1370
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• 2014

Ascorbic acid (AA) is a multifunctional metabolite in plants that is essential for plant development and growth. We examined the effect of AA, an antioxidant, on the gravitropic response of primary roots in maize. The application of $10^{-3}$ M AA to the elongation zone did not affect the gravitropic response and slightly inhibited the root growth. However, treatment with both $10^{-5}$ M and $10^{-3}$ M AA at the root tip increased the gravitropic response and inhibited root growth. Differences in indole-3- acetic acid (IAA) activity between the upper and lower hemispheres of the root resulted in differential elongation along the horizontal root. Roots are extremely sensitive to IAA, and increasing the amount of IAA in the lower hemisphere of the root inhibited elongation. Therefore, we examined the effect of IAA in the presence of AA. The inhibitory effect of AA on the gravitropic response was greater in combination with IAA. To understand the role of AA in the regulation of root growth and the gravitropic response, we measured ethylene production in the presence of AA in the primary roots of maize. AA stimulated ethylene production via the activation of the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase gene, which regulates the conversion of ACC to ethylene. These results suggest that AA alters the gravitropic response of maize roots through modification of the action of ethylene.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.146-156
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• 2018

Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine compound that has recently emerged with anti-aging properties and suppresses inflammation and oxidation. However, its mechanisms of action on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects have not been fully elucidated. In this study, the potential of spermidine for reducing pro-inflammatory and oxidative effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages and zebrafish was explored. Our data indicate that spermidine significantly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and cytokines including tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and $interleukin-1{\beta}$ in RAW 264.7 macrophages without any significant cytotoxicity. The protective effects of spermidine accompanied by a marked suppression in their regulatory gene expression at the transcription levels. Spermidine also attenuated the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 subunit and reduced LPS-induced intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Moreover, spermidine prevented the LPS-induced NO production and ROS accumulation in zebrafish larvae and was found to be associated with a diminished recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages. Although more work is needed to fully understand the critical role of spermidine on the inhibition of inflammation-associated migration of immune cells, our findings clearly demonstrate that spermidine may be a potential therapeutic intervention for the treatment of inflammatory and oxidative disorders.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.350-355
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• 2012

This study investigated the physiological effects of three species of Auricularia known as Auricularia polytricha (JNM21001), Auricularia auricula-judae black (JNM21002), and Auricularia auricula-judae brown (JNM21012). In the ORAC assay, Auricularia spp. showed antioxidant activities in the order of JNM21001>JNM21012>JNM21002. All Auricularia spp. strongly inhibited the action of ${\alpha}$-amyloglucosidase up to 60%. In order to further test in vivo anti-obesity effects, high fat diet induced ICR obese mice fed a diet containing 20% fat were used. All Auricularia spp. supplementation during high fat diet feeding significantly reduced body weight gain, epididymal fat pads weight, and lowered the food efficiency ratio compared to the high fat control (HFC) group. In particular, the group fed with JNM21012 had a lower average daily body weight gain of 0.45 g/day, demonstrating similar levels to the normal diet fed group. The group fed with JNM21012 significantly reduced lowered serum triglycerides (42%), total cholesterol (81%), and LDL-cholesterol level (66%) compared with the HFC group.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.607-614
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• 2015

Cancers are the largest cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world. Cordycepin, an adenosine analog, is a major functional component of the Cordyceps species, which has been widely used in traditional Oriental medicine. Over the last decade, this compound has been reported to possess many pharmacological properties, such as an ability to enhance immune function, as well as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer effects. Recently, numerous studies have reported interesting properties of cordycepin as a chemopreventive agent as well. There is an accumulating body of experimental evidences suggesting that cordycepin impedes cancer progression by promoting apoptosis, inducing cell cycle arrest, modulating intracellular signaling pathways, and inhibiting invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. In many cancer cell lines, cordycepin inhibits growth and cell cycle progression by inducing arrest of the G2/M phase, resulting from the inhibition of retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation and induction of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. To induce apoptosis, cordycepin activates the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, which promotes reactive oxygen species generation and the downstream activation of kinase cascades. Cordycepin also can activate alternative pathways to cell death such autophagy. In addition, cordycepin can inhibit the pro-metastatic processes of cancer cell detachment, migration, and invasion through a variety of mechanisms, including the nuclear factor-kappa B and activated protein-1 signaling pathways. In this review, we summarized the variety of action mechanisms by which cordycepin may mediate chemopreventive effects on cancer and discussed the potential of this natural product as a promising therapeutic inhibitor of cancer development.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.103-114
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• 2017

Gnaphalium affine D. DON (GA) has been used as a vegetable as well as a folk medicine in East Asia. The antioxidant and anti-complementary activity of GA extract (GAE) has also been reported. However, little is known about its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect and mechanism of action. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of GAE on the production of inflammatory mediators such as NO, $PGE_2$, TLR4, eotaxin-1 and histamine. Our results suggest that GAE inhibits the production of NO and $PGE_2$ by inhibiting transcriptional activation via the involvement of iNOS and COX-2. The LPS-induced expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was also attenuated. In addition, GAE inhibited A23187-induced histamine release from MC/9 mast cells. It also inhibited the production of eotaxin-1 induced by IL-4. Collectively, these results suggest that GAE may have considerable potential as a cosmetic ingredient with anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.45-57
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• 2006

Objective : This study was undertaker to determine if Juglandis Semen herbal acupuncture (JSA) exerts protective effect against alterations in membrane transport function in rabbits with mercury-induced acute renal failure. Methods : Nephrotoxicity was induced by subcutaneous administration of Hg(a single dose of 10mg/kg) and JSA was performed at both sides of Shenshu($(BL_{23})$, Sinsu) for 7 days. Results: The administration of Hg at a subcutaneous single dose of 10 mg/kg caused a reduction in GFR to 12% of the basal value and an increase in fractional $Na^+$ excretion to 8.9-fold, indicating generation of acute renal failure. When JSA were given for 7 days prior to Hg administration, such changes were significantly attenuated. The fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate was increased to approximately 102- and 35-fold, respectively, in rabbits treated with Hg alone. The increase in rabbits treated with Hg following ISA are significantly lower than that in animals treated with Hg alone. Uptakes of glucose and phosphate in purified isolated brush-border membrane and $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$ activity in microsomal fraction were inhibited in rabbits treated with Hg alone, suggesting that impairment in proximal reabsorption of glucose and phosphate is resulted from a direct damage of membrane transport carriers and disruption of the normal $Na^+$ gradient. Such changes were prevented by JSA. Conclusion These results indicate that the administration of Hg causes impairment in reabsorption of solutes in the proximal tubule via the generation of reactive oxygen species. JSA provides the protection against the Hg-induced impairment in proximal reabsorption, and its effect may be resulted from its antioxidant action.