• 대한본초학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Objectives : The present study was conducted to examine whether Toosendan Fructus has an ameliorative effect on diabetes-induced alterations such as oxidative stress and inflammation in the pancreas of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model of human type I diabetes. Methods : Extracts of Toosendan Fructus (ETF) were administered to NOD mice at three doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg). Mice at 18 weeks of age were measured glucose tolerance using intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. After 28 weeks of ETF treatment, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and proinflammatory cytokines in serum, western blot analyses and a histopathological examination in pancreas tissue, and on the onset of diabetes were investigated. Results : The results showed that levels of glucose, glucose tolerance, TC, TG, interferon-${\gamma}$, interleukin (IL)-1 ${\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-12 in serum were down-regulated, while IL-4, IL-10, SOD, and catalase significantly increased. In addition, ETF improved protein expression of proinflammatory mediaters (such as cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase) and a proapoptotic protein (caspase-3) in the pancreatic tissue. Also, in the groups treated with ETF (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg), insulitis and infiltration of granulocytes were alleviated. Conclusions : Based on these results, the anti-diabetic effect of ETF may be due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. Our findings support the therapeutic evidence for Toosendan Fructus ameliorating the development of diabetic pancreatic damage via regulating inflammation and apoptosis. Our future studies will be focused on the search for active compounds in these extracts.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.11-18
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• 2022

A disrupted immune system during pregnancy is involved in pregnancy complications, such as spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, and recurrent pregnancy loss. This study examined the role of toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD [c-terminal caspase recruitment domain]) in pregnancy complications using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced miscarriage mice model. Incidences of miscarriage and embryonic resorption were examined at 9.5 days of pregnancy in wild-type (WT), ASC knockout (KO), and TLR4 KO mice after injecting them with LPS. The fetuses and placenta were obtained after sacrifice at 15.5 days of pregnancy. A significantly lower frequency of fetus absorption was found in TLR4 KO mice, whereas corresponding absorption outcomes were strongly induced in the WT and ASC KO mice upon an LPS injection. As expected, TLR4 KO mice were resistant to LPS-induced abortion. A histological analysis of the miscarried placenta showed increasing levels of the eosin staining of spongiotrophoblast cells without any obvious difference between WT and ASC KO mice. These results suggest that TLR4 KO mice are resistant to LPS, which affects pregnancy persistence, whereas WT and ASC KO mice show high miscarriage rates due to LPS. Moreover, the ASC adaptor is not directly involved in LPS-induced miscarriages, and the NLRP3 inflammasome can be activated by other proteins in the absence of ASC.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.390-395
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• 2022

Objectives: Sweet bee venom (sBV) is purified from Apis mellifera, containing a high level of melittin-its main component. It has been used as a therapeutic agent for pain relief and anti-inflammation, as well as for treating neuronal abnormalities. Recently, there have been studies on the therapeutic application of sBV for anticancer treatment. In the present study, we investigated the pharmacological effect of sBV treatment in A549 human lung cancer cells. Methods: We used microscopic analysis to observe the morphological changes in A549 cells after sBV treatment. The MTT assay was used to examine the cytotoxic effect after dose-dependent sBV treatment. Molecular changes in sBV were evaluated by the expression of apoptosis marker proteins using western blot analysis. Results: Microscopic analysis suggested that the growth inhibitory effect occurred in a dose-dependent manner; however, cell lysis occurred at a concentration over 20 ㎍/mL of sBV. The MTT assay indicated that sBV treatment exhibited a growth inhibitory effect at a concentration over 5 ㎍/mL. On fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis, G0 dead cells were observed after G1 arrest at treatment concentrations up to 10 ㎍/mL. However, rapid cell rupture was observed at a concentration of 20 ㎍/mL. Western blot analysis demonstrated that sBV treatment modulated the expression of multiple cell death-related proteins, including cleaved-PARP, cleaved-caspase 9, p53, Bcl2, and Bax. Conclusion: sBV induced cell death in A549 human lung cancer cells at a pharmacological concentration, albeit causing hemolytic cell death at a high concentration.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국자원식물학회 2020년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.76-76
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• 2020

Stachys sieboldii Miq. (chinese artichoke), which has been extensively used in oriental traditional medicine to treat of ischemic stroke; however, the role of Stachys sieboldii Miq. (SSM) in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is not yet fully understood. In the current study, the neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) to simulate I/R injury in vitro model. The results showed that SSM improved OGD/R-induced inhibitory effect on cell viability of SH-SY5Y Cells. SSM displayed anti-oxidative activity as proved by the decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in OGD/R-induced SH-SY5Y Cells. In addition, cell apoptosis was markedly decreased after SSM treatment in OGD/R-induced SH-SY5Y Cells. The up-regulation of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax, thus reducing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio that in turn protected the activation of caspase-9 and -3, and inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, which was associated with the blocking of cytochrome c release to the cytoplasm. Collectively, SSM protected human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells from OGD/R-induced injury via preventing mitochondrial-dependent pathway through scavenging excessive ROS, suggesting that SSM might be a potential agent for the ischemic stroke therapy.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국자원식물학회 2020년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.77-77
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• 2020

Purple loosestrife-Lythrum anceps (Koehne) Makino is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Lythraceae family. It has been used for centuries in Korea and other Asian traditional medicine. It has been showed pharmacological effects, including anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effects. However, the mechanisms underlying its anti-cancer mechanisms are not yet understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of apoptosis signaling pathways by ethanol extract of Lythrum anceps (Koehne) Makino (ELM) in human leukemia U937 cells. Treatment with ELM significantly inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies (ApoBDs), DNA fragmentation and increased populations of sub-G1 ratio. Induction of apoptosis by ELM was connected with up-regulation of death receptor (DR) 4 and DR5, pro-apoptotic Bax protein expression and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, and inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family proteins (XIAP, cIAP-1, survivin), depending on dosage. This induction was associated with Bid truncation, mitochondrial dysfunction, proteolytic activation of caspases (-3, -8 and -9) and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase protein. Therefore, our data indicate that ELM suppresses U937 cell growth by activating the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways, and thus may have applications as a potential source for an anti-leukemic chemotherapeutic agent.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.42.1-42.20
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• 2021

Eosinophils play critical roles in the maintenance of homeostasis in innate and adaptive immunity. Although primarily known for their roles in parasitic infections and the development of Th2 cell responses, eosinophils also play complex roles in other immune responses ranging from anti-inflammation to defense against viral and bacterial infections. However, the contributions of pattern recognition receptors in general, and NOD-like receptors (NLRs) in particular, to eosinophil involvement in these immune responses remain relatively underappreciated. Our in vivo studies demonstrated that NLRC4 deficient mice had a decreased number of eosinophils and impaired Th2 responses after induction of an allergic airway disease model. Our in vitro data, utilizing human eosinophilic EoL-1 cells, suggested that TLR2 induction markedly induced pro-inflammatory responses and inflammasome forming NLRC4 and NLRP3. Moreover, activation by their specific ligands resulted in caspase-1 cleavage and mature IL-1β secretion. Interestingly, Th2 responses such as secretion of IL-5 and IL-13 decreased after transfection of EoL-1 cells with short interfering RNAs targeting human NLRC4. Specific induction of NLRC4 with PAM3CSK4 and flagellin upregulated the expression of IL-5 receptor and expression of Fc epsilon receptors (FcεR1α, FcεR2). Strikingly, activation of the NLRC4 inflammasome also promoted expression of the costimulatory receptor CD80 as well as expression of immunoregulatory receptors PD-L1 and Siglec-8. Concomitant with NLRC4 upregulation, we found an increase in expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, but not MMP-2. Collectively, our results present new potential roles of NLRC4 in mediating a variety of eosinopilic functions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.664-671
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside compound-Mc1 (Mc1) is a member of the deglycosylated ginsenosides obtained from ginseng extract. Although several ginsenosides have a cardioprotective effect, this has not been demonstrated in ginsenoside Mc1. Methods: We treated H9c2 cells with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ginsenoside Mc1 to evaluate the antioxidant effects of Mc1. The levels of antioxidant molecules, catalase, and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were measured, and cell viability was determined using the Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax):B-cell lymphoma-extra large ratio, a cytotoxicity assay, and flow cytometry. We generated mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity using ginsenoside Mc1 and assessed their heart tissues to evaluate the antioxidant effect and the fibrosis-reducing capability of ginsenoside Mc1. Results: Ginsenoside Mc1 significantly increased the level of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the H9c2 cells. The expression levels of catalase and SOD2 increased significantly after treatment with ginsenoside Mc1, resulting in a decrease in the production of H₂O₂-mediated reactive oxygen species. Treatment with ginsenoside Mc1 also significantly reduced the H₂O₂-mediated elevation of the Bax:Bcl2 ratio and the number of DNA-damaged cells, which was significantly attenuated by treatment with an AMPK inhibitor. Consistent with the in vitro data, ginsenoside Mc1 upregulated the levels of catalase and SOD2 and decreased the Bax:B-cell lymphoma-extra large ratio and caspase-3 activity in the heart tissues of HFD-induced obese mice, resulting in reduced collagen deposition. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Mc1 decreases oxidative stress and increases cell viability in H9c2 cells and the heart tissue isolated from HFD-fed mice via an AMPK-dependent mechanism, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for oxidative stress-related cardiac diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제22권12호
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• pp.1665-1672
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• 2012

An 80% ethanol extract of Hizikia fusiforme was obtained and followed by successive fractionation using the organic solvents n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol to identify the antioxidative substance. The aqueous part of the nbutanol fractionation step, showing high antioxidative activity, was subjected to reverse-phase liquid chromatography. As a result, a substance purified from a BB-2 fraction showed high antioxidative activity. The m/z 419 [M+H] molecular ion peak in the fraction was observed by the analysis of the ESI-LC/MS spectrum. By the analysis of 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-$d_6$) and $^{13}C$ NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-$d_6$) spectra, a unique compound of the fraction was biochemically identified as a 5-hydroxy-3,6,7,8,3',4'-hexamethoxyflavone (5HHMF). We also investigated the effect of 5HHMF on human gastric AGS carcinoma cells. Western blot analysis suggested that the flavone substantially increased the levels of the death receptor-associated apoptosis mediators Fas, Fas L, FADD, TRADD, and DR4 in a concentration-dependent manner. The levels of Fas, Fas L, TRADD, and DR4 in the cells treated with 5HHMF ($5{\mu}g/ml$) were approximately 26.4-, 12.8-, 6.7-, and 9.8-times higher than those of non-treated cells, respectively. Of note, the level of FADD protein in the cells exposed to 5HHMF ($1{\mu}g/ml$) increased approximately 9.6-times. In addition, the cleavage of caspase-3, -8, and -9 in cultured AGS cells treated with 5HHMF was significantly confirmed. Therefore, our results suggest that 5HHMF from H. fusiforme is involved in the induction of death receptor-associated apoptosis mediators in human gastric AGS carcinoma cells.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.432-441
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• 2016

Machaerium cuspidatum은 Fabaceae과 legume속에 속하는 캐노피 덩굴식물(canopy liana)로, 열대 우림 지역에 분포하는 식물이다. 본 연구에서는 Machaerium cuspidatum 메탄올 추출물(MEMC)의 항산화능을 확인하고, 항암 활성 및 그 기전을 인체 폐암세포 A549, 인체간암세포 HepG2를 사용하여 분석하였다. 먼저 DPPH를 이용하여 MEMC의 radical 소거능을 분석한 결과, 소거능 50%의 MEMC 농도($IC_{50}$)는 $1.66{\mu}g/ml$l이었으며, MEMC가 추출물인 것을 감안할 때 효과적인 항산화능을 보유하고 있음을 알 수 있었다. 또한 MEMC는 A549, HepG2 및 HT29에 대해 농도의존적으로 세포 사멸 효과를 보였으며, 세포 형태 변화를 유도하였다. A549와 HepG2를 사용하여 세포주기를 분석한 결과, MEMC 처리 농도가 증가할수록 apoptotic 세포를 의미하는 subG1기의 세포가 증가하였다. 따라서 MEMC에 의한 A549 및 HepG2의 apoptosis 유도를 Annexin V/7AAD 염색으로 확인한 결과, A549 및 HepG2에서 MEMC 농도의존적으로 Annexin V 양성 세포의 비율이 증가하였으며, DAPI 염색결과 MEMC 농도의존적으로 A549와 HepG2의 apoptotic body가 증가하였다. 특히 MEMC에 의한 apoptosis는 p53과 Bax의 발현증가 및 Bcl-2의 발현감소와 연관되어 있으며, caspase-3, -8, -9의 활성화와 poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP)의 단편화를 일으키는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과들로부터 MEMC는 외인성 및 내인성 경로를 통한 apoptosis 유도에 의해 A549와 HepG2의 증식을 억제시키는 것으로 사료된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제20권9호
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• pp.1324-1331
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• 2010

Mifepristone (MIF)와 Tamoxifen (TAM)은 각각 전립선암과 유방암치료제로 오랫동안 사용되고 있다. MIF는 안드로겐수용체(AR) 양성인 세포와 음성이 세포 모두에서 세포사멸을 유도하며, TAM 은, 리간드-수용체작용 기작의 다양한 특성에 의하여 에스트로겐(ER) 양성인 세포뿐 만 아니라 다른 종류의 암세포에서도 세포사멸을 유도하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 AR 음성인 DU-145 전립선암세포에 있어서, MIF와 TAM의 세포독성이 세포 내 칼슘농도 변화에 기인된 세포사멸기작에 의한 것임을 보여준다. MIF와 TAM을 처리시 세포성장은 농도와 시간의존적으로 감소하였으며, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM)과 fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FASC)로 세포를 분석한 결과 각각 MIF와 TAM을 2일간 처리한 세포에서 세포사멸이 진행되는 것을 관찰하였다. 세포독성효과를 비교했을 경우, TAM이 MIF 보다 강하게 작용하였다. MIF와 TAM을 처리한 세포 내 칼슘변화 측정 시, 칼슘농도 또한 처리 약물의 농도와 시간 의존적으로 증가하였다. 1.5 mM 칼슘배지와 칼슘제거된 배지에서의 실험결과를 비교한 바, 세포 내 칼슘증가는 외부로부터의 유입에 의한 것으로 생각된다. 세포독성효과와 마찬가지로 칼슘증대 효과 역시 TAM에서 뚜렷하게 나타났다. 수용체 매개 세포사멸기작의 초기에 관여하는 procaspase-8은 MIF 처리 시 뚜렷이 활성화 되었으나, TAM의 경우 활성화가 MIF의 경우에 비해 강하지 못하였다. 그러나, 세포사멸의 중추적인 역할을 하는 caspase-3은 TAM 을 처리한 세포에 있어서 활성 정도가 훨씬 높았다. 세포사멸과정의 중요한 조절 단백질인 Bcl-2 그룹단백질의 발현을 조사해 본 결과, 세포사멸 억제단백질인 Bcl-2의 발현은 MIF, TAM 처리 시 동일하게 감소한 반면, 촉진단백질인 Bax의 발현은 2-3배 가량 증대되었다. 이상의 결과로 보아 MIF와 TAM은 세포 내 칼슘조절을 통하여 세포사멸을 유도하나, 세포사멸의 초기단계는 MIF와 TAM이 서로 다른 경로를 경유할 가능성이 있는 것으로 생각된다.