• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4809-4813
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• 2014

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been reported to interfere with estrogen signaling. Exposure to these chemicals decreases the immune response and causes a wide range of diseases in animals and humans. Recently, many studies showed that licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract (LRE) commonly called "gamcho" in Korea exhibits antioxidative, chemoprotective, and detoxifying properties. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of LRE and to determine if and how LRE can alleviate the toxicity of EDCs. LRE was prepared by vacuum evaporation and freeze-drying after homogenization of licorice root powder that was soaked in 80% ethanol for 72 h. We used 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as a representative EDC, which is known to induce tumors or cancers; MCF-7 breast cancer cells, used as a tumor model, were treated with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE (0, 50, 100, 200, $400{\mu}g/mL$) for 24, 48, and 72 h. As a result, TCDD stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation, but LRE significantly inhibited TCDD-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The expression of TCDD toxicity-related genes, i.e., aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator, and cytochrome P450 1A1, was also down-regulated by LRE in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of cell cycle distribution after treatment of MCF-7 cells with TCDD showed that LRE inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells via G2/M phase arrest. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis also revealed that LRE dose-dependently increased the expression of the tumor suppressor genes p53 and p27 and down-regulated the expression of cell cycle-related genes. These data suggest that LRE can mitigate the tumorigenic effects of TCDD in breast cancer cells by suppression of AhR expression and cell cycle arrest. Thus, LRE can be used as a potential toxicity-alleviating agent against EDC-mediated diseases.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1101-1108
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• 1999

Soybean (SoyPep) was prepared and evaluated their action on blood lipid profiles, select biochemical indexes and histopathological changes in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Male SHRs were divided into three groups and fed the experimental diet containing 0% (control), 3%, 10% SoyPep for 8 weeks. Lipids, antioxidative vitamin levels, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activities in plasma were measured, and angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) activities in kidney, vascular tissue and plasma were also measured. In addition, histopathological changes in various organs were investigated. Dietary SoyPep was effective for lowering plasma levels of triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol. ACE activities in aorta and kidney were decreased in the group fed SoyPep compared to control. There was no difference of plasma GOT and GPT activities, and no histopathological difference in various organs among the experimental groups. Our results suggest that SoyPep has beneficial effects on diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. SoyPep could be useful to develop a novel functional safe food additive for preventing the chronic diseases.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.243-250
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• 2013

Pyracantha is a genus of thorny evergreen large shrubs in the family of Rosaceae, with common names Firethorn or Pyracantha. It's extract has also been used in cosmetics as a skin-whitening agent and functioning through tyrosinase inhibition. Recent studies have shown that pyracantha extract possesses antioxidant activities and may significantly improve lipoprotein metabolism in rats. Although the mode of action of Pyracantha extract is not fully understood, a strong relationship was observed between antioxidant and apoptosis in some types of cells. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluated the effect of pyracantha extract on blastocysts formation and their quality of the porcine parthenogenetic embryos. After parthenogenetic activation by chemicals, presumptive porcine parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in PZM-3 medium supplemented with extracts of pyracantha leaf, stalk and root for 6 day (1, 5 and $10{\mu}g/ml$, respectively). In our results, the frequency of blastocyst formation in pyracantha root extract ($5{\mu}g/ml$) treated group had increased that of other groups. Furthermore, blastocysts derived from pyracantha root extract ($5{\mu}g/ml$) treated group had increased the total cell numbers and reduced apoptotic index. Blastocyst development was significantly improved in the pyracantha root extract ($5{\mu}g/ml$) treated group when compared with the $H_2O_2$ treated group (p<0.05). Subsequent evaluation of the intracellular levels of ROS in pyracantha root extract ($5{\mu}g/ml$) treated groups under $H_2O_2$ induced oxidative stress were decreased (p<0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that treatment of pyracantha root extract may improve in vitro development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos through its antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5117-5121
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• 2014

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been reported to interfere with estrogen signaling. Exposure to these chemicals decreases the immune response and causes a wide range of diseases in animals and humans. Recently, many studies showed that licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract (LRE) commonly called "gamcho" in Korea exhibits antioxidative, chemoprotective, and detoxifying properties. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of LRE and to determine if and how LRE can alleviate the toxicity of EDCs. LRE was prepared by vacuum evaporation and freeze-drying after homogenization of licorice root powder that was soaked in 80% ethanol for 72 h. We used 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as an EDC, which is known to induce tumors or cancers; MCF-7 breast cancer cells were used as a tumorigenic model. These were treated with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE (0, 50, 100, 200, $400{\mu}g/mL$) for 24, 48, and 72 h. As a result, TCDD stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation, but LRE significantly inhibited TCDD-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Expression of TCDD toxicity-related genes, i.e., aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator, and cytochrome P450 1A1, were subsequently down-regulated by LRE in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of cell cycle distribution after treatment of MCF-7 cells with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE showed that LRE inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells via G2/M phase arrest. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses also revealed that LRE dose-dependently increased the expression of the tumor suppressor genes p53 and p27 and down-regulated the expression of cell cycle-related genes. These data suggest that LRE can mitigate the tumorigenic effects of TCDD in breast cancer cells by suppression of AhR expression and cell cycle arrest. Thus, LRE can be used as a potential toxicity-alleviating agent against EDC-mediated disease.

• 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.23 no.8
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• pp.1041-1049
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• 2013

The root of Polygala radix has been widely known as an oriental traditional medicinal stuff that improves memory. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, the effect of Polygala radix hot water extracts (PRHWE) on cognitive function related to the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) derived from neural cells (PC12) in addition to antioxidant activity was examined both in a cell-free system and live cells. First, in the study on cell viability using an MTT assay, PRHWE did not exhibit any cell toxicity at 0.1% (w/v) or below. It also was observed that PRHWE increased the scavenging activity of DPPH radical, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, reducing power in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, PRHWE had a protective effect on DNA oxidation induced by hydroxyl radicals. Additionally, it inhibited the production of inducible nitric oxide in neuronal cells. Furthermore, the AchE activity decreased with increasing concentrations. In addition, PRHWE increased the expression level of SOD-1 and NOS-2 in PC12 cells. Moreover, the transcriptional activities of p53 and NF-${\kappa}B$ were reduced in the presence of PRHWE in an experiment using a reporter gene assay. Therefore, these results prove that PRHE has antioxidative and protective effects on neuronal cells, suggesting that it may have great potential as a therapeutic agent for human health.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2010

It has been known that propolis possesses anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative properties. Although antifungal activity of Propolis has already been demonstrated, very few studies has been conducted for action mechanism and its spectrum on fungi. We found that ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) inhibited in vitro translation. Since we also observed the growth inhibition of pathogenic fungi and anti-oxidative properties preliminarily, we try to see where those properties come from. Therefore we extracted the EEP further with chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol. When their fractions were examined for the growth inhibition of Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida glabrata, Candida lusitaniae, Cryptococcos neoformans, chloroform fraction exhibited the highest anti-fungal as well as anti-oxidative properties. Similarly the chloroform fraction showed highest translation-inhibiting activities among the various Propolis fractions. These data indicate that those properties might come from similar compounds.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.729-744
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is a biomarker for oxidative stress to induce inflammation. Methionine is an essential sulfur-containing amino acid with antioxidative activity. On the other hand, the evidence on whether and how methionine can depress HNE-derived inflammation is lacking. In particular, the link between the regulation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and methionine intake is unclear. This study examined the link between depression from HNE accumulation and the anti-inflammatory function of ⳑ-methionine in rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Wistar rats (3-week-old, weighing 70-80 g) were administered different levels of ⳑ-methionine orally at 215.0, 268.8, 322.5, and 430.0 mg/kg body weight for two weeks. The control group was fed commercial pellets. The hepatic HNE contents and the protein expression and mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators were measured. The interleukin-10 (IL-10) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels were also estimated. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, hepatic HNE levels were reduced significantly in all groups fed ⳑ-methionine, which were attributed to the stimulation of GST by ⳑ-methionine. With decreasing HNE levels, ⳑ-methionine inhibited the activation of NF-κB by up-regulating inhibitory κBα and depressing phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B. The mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators (cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrotic factor alpha) were decreased significantly by ⳑ-methionine. In contrast, the protein expression of these inflammatory mediators was effectively down regulated by ⳑ-methionine. The anti-inflammatory action of ⳑ-methionine was also reflected by the up-regulation of IL-10. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a link between the inhibition of HNE accumulation and the depression of inflammation in growing rats, which was attributed to ⳑ-methionine availability. The anti-inflammatory mechanism exerted by ⳑ-methionine was to inhibit NF-κB activation and to up-regulate GST.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.61-70
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• 2018

Objectives : Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the accumulation of hepatic triglycerides (TG) that leads to inflammation and fibrosis. Crataegi Fructus ethanol extract (CE) is a korean traditional herb that used for digestive diseases. It has been investigated that CE has the effect that prevent hepatotoxicity caused by CCl4 or GaIN and regulate the inflammatory in several organs. However, a hypolipidemic effect of CF has not been reported. Methods : The purpose of this study is that examine the lipid accumulation inhibitory effect of CE on NAFLD. We checked the body and liver weight change of MCD-diet induced mice with/without administration of CE. The blood lipid levels of C57BL/6J mice were checked by biochemistry. Also we observed the liver histology of MCD-diet induced mice and investigate the molecular mechanisms in MCD-diet-induced NAFLD in C57BL/6J mice. Results : CE improved MCD-diet-induced lipid accumulation and TG and TC levels. Also, CE decreased hepatic lipogenesis such as SREBP-1, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, $PPAR{\gamma}$, ACC and FAS. Besides, we also found out that CE increased AMPK phosphorylation. These results indicated that CE has the same ability to activate AMPK and then reduce SREBP-1, and FAS expression, finally leading to inhibit hepatic lipogenesis and hepatic antioxidative ability. Conclusions : In this report, we found CE exerted a regulatory effect on lipid accumulation by decreasing lipogenesis in MCD-diet induced NAFLD model. Therefore, CE extract may be active in the prevention of fatty liver.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.323-335
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• 1983

The inhibitory effects of the extract and crude saponin of red and white ginsengs on lipoperoxide formation in vitro and in vivo were studied and correlated with anti-aging. To this end, antioxidant activity, induction period and lipoperoxide were measured by the methods of EDA, POV and TBA value. And also superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity were measured by pyrogallol autoxidation method (${\Delta}A$ 420/min) and initial velocity(${\Delta}A$ 436/min), respectively. From HPLC analysis, the PT/PD ratio of red and white ginsengs was found to be 0.561% and 0.401%, respectively, and red ginseng increased the PT/PD ratio in comparison with white ginseng. The EDA activity of red ginseng was higher than that of white ginseng; red ginseng showed stronger antioxidative effect than white ginseng. The inhibitory effect of red ginseng was lower than that of white ginseng during the induction period. It was proved that high molecular coloring substance was deeply related to the initial stage of lipoperoxidation. There was no significant difference between red and white ginsengs in both in vitro and intraperitoneal administration experiments, and red ginseng was more effective than white ginseng in longterm administration. And also inhibitory effect on lipoperoxide formation was mainly occurred in liver, suggesting that the function of liver played an important role in anti-aging actions. From the measurement of superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity for both ginseng groups intraperitoneally and orally administered, it was found that red ginseng group administered extract and crude saponin showed remarkable inhibitory effects in comparison with white ginseng. In particular, orally administered group showed more stronger inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation in comparison with intraperitoneally administered group. It was also found that the continuous oral administration was more effective than temporary administration. Red ginseng was more notable anti-aging effect in comparison with white ginseng in vivo, and this may be due to the increase of SOD activity in rat-liver. Peroxidase activity also showed similar trend to SOD activity in vitro and in vivo experiments. Red ginseng was not only superior to white ginseng for preservation but also for biochemical and pharmaceutical efficacy.