• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제22권11호
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• pp.1591-1595
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• 2012

We previously isolated a novel compound, HY251, with the molecular structure of 3-propyl-2-vinyl-1,2,3,3a,3b,6,7,7a,8,8a-decahydrocyclopenta[a]indene-3,3a,7a,8a-tetraol from the roots of Aralia continentalis. The current study was designed to evaluate the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the apoptotic induction by HY251 in human ovarian cancer PA-1 cells. TUNEL assay and Western blot analyses revealed an appreciable apoptotic induction in PA-1 cells treated with $60{\mu}M$ of HY251 for 24 h. This apoptotic induction was associated with caspase-8-dependent Bid cleavage, which in turn resulted in the formation of pro-apoptotic truncated Bid (tBid), and activation of caspase-9 and -3, as well as the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Moreover, we found that this death event was also associated with the significant up-regulation and activation of the p53 tumor-suppressor protein through phosphorylation at Ser15. Therefore, we suggest that HY251 may be a potent cancer chemotherapeutic candidate for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.367-372
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• 2013

Effects of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) on cellular protein expression are essential for viral pathogenesis. To characterize the cellular response to EBV infection, differential proteomes of gastric epithelial AGS cells were analyzed with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and liquid chromatography electrospray/ionization ion trap (LC-ESI-IT) mass spectrometry identification. Mass spectrometry identified 9 altered cellular proteins, including 5 up-regulated and 4 down-regulated proteins after EBV infection. Notably 2-DE analysis revealed that EBV infection induced increased expression of heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein, actin cytoplasmic 1, pyridoxine-5'-phosphate oxidase, caspase 9, and t-complex protein 1 subunit alpha. In addition, EBV infection considerably suppressed those cellular proteins of zinc finger protein 2, cyclin-dependent kinase 2, macrophage-capping protein, and growth/differentiation factor 11. Furthermore, the differential expressional levels of partial proteins (cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and caspase 9) were confirmed by Western blot analysis.Thus, this work effectively provided useful protein-related information to facilitate further investigation of the mechanisms underlying EBV infection and pathogenesis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.3-11
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress causes cell damage and death, which contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Urolithin A (UA), a gut microbial-derived metabolite of ellagitannins and ellagic acid, has high bioavailability and various health benefits such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is unknown whether it has protective effects against oxidative stress-induced cell death. We investigated whether UA ameliorates H₂O₂-induced neuronal cell death. MATERIALS/METHODS: We induced oxidative damage with 300 μM H₂O₂ after UA pretreatment at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 μM in SK-N-MC cells. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were determined using the CCK-8 assay. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using a 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. Hoechst 33342 staining was used to characterize morphological changes in apoptotic cells. The expressions of apoptosis proteins were measured using Western blotting. RESULTS: UA significantly increased cell viability and decreased intracellular ROS production in a dose-dependent manner in SK-N-MC cells. It also decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the expressions of cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP. In addition, it suppressed the phosphorylation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. CONCLUSIONS: UA attenuates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis via inhibiting the mitochondrial-related apoptosis pathway and modulating the p38 MAPK pathway, suggesting that it may be an effective neuroprotective agent.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.214-223
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• 2003

Methamphetamine (METH) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) have become popular recreational drugs of abuse in many countries. Although the neurotoxic damage caused by METH and MDMA is characterized by degeneration of the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in brain, the molecular and cellular mechanisms remain to be clarified. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to confirm the capability of METH and MDMA to induce apoptosis and to clarify the action of its molecular mechanism by using serotonergic JAR cells and dopaminergic SK-N-SH cells. METH and MDMA were dose-dependently cytotoxic to human serotonergic JAR cells and dopaminergic SK-N-SH cells. The morphological change of apoptosis was found in Giemsa staining and TUNEL and further verified in DNA fragmentation analysis. Immunoblotting analysis revealed proteolytic cleavage of caspase-3 and -9 and change of bcl-2 and bax proteins. These results suggest that METH and MDMA may induce caspase-dependent apoptosis via the mitochondrial cell death pathway and METH and MDMA-induced neurotoxicity may happen to broadly and independently of both dopaminergic and serotonergic systems.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.488-495
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• 2019

Background: Timosaponin AIII (TA3) is a steroidal saponin extracted from Anemarrhena asphodeloides. Here, we investigated the anticancer effects of TA3 in MG63 human osteosarcoma cells. TA3 attenuates migration and invasion of MG63 cells via regulations of two matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2 and MMP-9, which are involved with cancer metastasis in various cancer cells. TA3 reduced enzymatic activities and transcriptional expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in MG63 cells. TA3 also inhibited Src, focal adhesion kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, ${\beta}-catenin$, and cAMP response element binding signaling, which regulate migration and invasion of cells. TA3 induced apoptosis of MG63 cells via regulations of caspase-3, caspase-7, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Then, we tested several ginsenosides to be used in combination with TA3 for the synergistic anticancer effects. We found that ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc have synergistic effects on TA3-induced apoptosis in MG63 cells. Methods: We investigated the anticancer effects of TA3 and synergistic effects of various ginseng saponins on TA3-induced apoptosis in MG63 cells. To test antimetastatic effects, we performed wound healing migration assay, Boyden chamber invasion assays, gelatin zymography assay, and Western blot analysis. Annexin V/PI staining apoptosis assay was performed to determine the apoptotic effect of TA3 and ginsenosides. Results: TA3 attenuated migration and invasion of MG63 cells and induced apoptosis of MG63 cells. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc showed the synergistic effects on TA3-induced apoptosis in MG63 cells. Conclusions: The results strongly suggest that the combination of TA3 and the two ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc may be a strong candidate for the effective antiosteosarcoma agent.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.181-189
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• 2024

Background: Cigarette smoke is generally accepted as a major contributor to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterized by emphysematous lesions. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) against cigarette smoke condensate (CSC)-induced emphysema. Methods: Mice were instilled with 50 mg/kg of CSC intranasally once a week for 4 weeks, KRG was administered to the mice once daily for 4 weeks at doses of 100 or 300 mg/kg, and dexamethasone (DEX, positive control) was administered to the mice once daily for 2 weeks at 3 mg/kg. Results: KRG markedly decreased the macrophage population in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and reduced emphysematous lesions in the lung tissues. KRG suppressed CSC-induced apoptosis as revealed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling staining and Caspase 3 immunohistochemistry. Additionally, KRG effectively inhibited CSC-mediated activation of Bcl-2-associated X protein/Caspase 3 signaling, followed by the induction of cell survival signaling, including vascular endothelial growth factor/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B in vivo and in vitro. The DEX group also showed similar improved results in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion: Taken together, KRG effectively inhibits macrophage-mediated emphysema induced by CSC exposure, possibly via the suppression of pro-apoptotic signaling, which results in cell survival pathway activation. These findings suggest that KRG has therapeutic potential for the prevention of emphysema in COPD patients.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.26-38
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• 2014

잡곡류의 항산화활성을 조사하기 위해 국내산 11종의 잡곡으로부터 80% 에탄올 추출물을 얻어 DPPH- 및 ABTS-라디칼 소거활성을 측정한 결과, 황금찰수수(Sorghum bicolor L. Moench cv. Hwanggeumchalsusu), 찰수수(Sorghum bicolor L. Moench cv. Chalsusu) 및 식용피(Echinochloa esculenta)의 에탄올 추출물이 다른 잡곡류의 에탄올 추출물에 비해 높은 라디칼 소거활성을 나타내었다. 이들 황금찰수수, 찰수수 및 식용피의 에탄올 추출물을 n-hexane, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate 및 n-butanol로 분획하였을 때, 대부분의 라디칼 소거활성은 페놀성 화합물이 주로 함유되어 있는 것으로 나타난 ethyl acetate 분획과 butanol 분획에서 집중적으로 확인되었다. 특히, 황금찰수수의 ethyl acetate 분획과 butanol 분획의 라디칼 소거활성은 천연 항산화제인 ${\alpha}$-tocopherol에 비해 더 높게 나타났다. 황금찰수수, 찰수수 및 식용피 유래의 ethyl acetate 분획과 butanol 분획은 지질 과산화를 저해하는 것으로 ferric thiocyanate (FTC)와 thiobarbituric acid (TBA) 방법에 의해 확인되었다. 황금찰수수, 찰수수 및 식용피 유래의 ethyl acetate 분획의 경우, tertiary-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) 처리에 의해 HL-60 세포에서 유도되는 에폽토시스 현상들 즉, sub-G1 세포 등장, ${\Delta}{\Psi}m$ 소실, caspase-9과 caspase-3의 활성화, 그리고 PARP와 lamin B의 분해 등을 저해하는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과들은 황금찰수수, 찰수수 및 식용피가 효율적인 항산화 활성을 지니고 있으며 산화적 손상에 의해 매개되는 에폽토시스를 억제할 수 있음을 보여준다. 아울러 이러한 연구결과들은, 황금찰수수, 찰수수 및 식용피가 산화적 스트레스로부터 세포를 보호하는 항산화 식이소재가 될 수 있음을 시사한다.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.163-170
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• 2006

Nardostachyos Rhizoma (N. Rhizoma) belonging to the family Valerianaceae has been anti-arrhythmic effect, and sedation to the central nerve and a smooth muscle. We reported that the water extract of N. Rhizoma induced apoptotic cell death and differentiation in human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. Cytotoxicity of N. Rhizoma was detected only in HL-60 cells (IC50 is about 200 ${\mu}g/ml$). The cytotoxic activity of N. Rhizoma in HL-60 cells was increased in a dose-dependent manner. We used several measures of apoptosis to determine whether these processes were involved in N. Rhizoma-induced apoptotic cell death. The high-dose (200 ${\mu}g/ml$) treatment of N. Rhizoma to HL-60 cells showed cell shrinkage, cell membrane blobbing, apoptotic bodies, and the fragmentation of DNA, suggesting that these cells underwent apoptosis. Treatment of HL-60 cells with N. Rhizoma time-dependently induced activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 and proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Also, we investigated the effect of N. Rhizoma on cellular differentiation and proliferation in HL-60 cells. Differentiation and proliferation of HL-60 cells was determined through expression of CD11b and CD14 surface antigens using flow cytometry and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay, and through analysis of cell cycle using propidium iodide assay, respectively. N. Rhizoma induced the differentiation of HL-60 at the low-dose (100 ${\mu}g/ml$) treatment, as shown by increased expression of differentiation surface antigen CD11b, but not CDl4 and increased reducing activity of NBT. When HL-60 cells were treated with N. Rhizoma at concentration of $50{\mu}g/ml\;and\;100{\mu}g/ml$, NBT-reducing activities induced approximately 1.5-fold and 20.0-fold as compared with the control. In contrast, HL-60 cells treated with the N. Rhizoma-ATRA combination showed markedly elevated levels of 26.3-fold at $50{\mu}g/ml$ N. Rhizoma-0.1 ${\mu}M$ ATRA combination and 27.5-fold at 50 ${\mu}g/ml$ N. Rhizoma-0.2 ${\mu}M$ ATRA combination than when treated with N. Rhizoma alone or ATRA alone. It may be that N. Rhizoma plays important roles in synergy with ATRA during differentiation of HL-60 cells. DNA flow-cytometry indicated that N. Rhizoma markedly induced a G1 phase arrest of HL-60 cells. N. Rhizoma-treated HL-60 cells increased the cell population in G1 phase from 32.71% to 42.26%, whereas cell population in G2/M and S phases decreased from 23.61% to 10.33% and from 37.78% to 33.98%, respectively. We examined the change in the $p21^{WAF1/Cip1}\;and\;p27^{Kip1}$ proteins, which are the CKIs related with the G1 phase arrest. The expression of the CDK inhibitor $p27^{Kip1},\;but\;not\;p21^{WAF1/Cip1}$ were markedly increased by N. Rhizoma. Taken together, these results demonstrated that N. Rhizoma induces apoptotic cell death through activation of caspase-3, and potently inhibits the proliferation of HL-60 cells via the G1 phase cell cycle arrest in association with $p27^{Kip1}$ and granulocytic differentiation induction .

• 생명과학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.199-208
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• 2021

Euonymus porphyreus는 노박덩굴과에 속하는 식물로 동아시아 지역에 널리 분포하며, 식물학상의 특징에 대한 보고는 있으나 항산화능과 항암활성 등에 관한 연구는 아직까지 밝혀진 바가 없다. 이에 본 연구에서는 인체 폐암세포인 A549를 사용하여 E. porphyreus 에탄올 추출물(EEEP)의 항산화 및 항암활성과 그 분자적 기전에 관하여 연구하였다. 먼저 EEEP의 총 폴리페놀 화합물과 플라보노이드 함량을 측정한 결과, 각각 115.42 mg/g, 23.07 mg/g이었다. EEEP의 DPPH radical 소거활성을 측정한 결과, IC50가 11.09 ㎍/ml로 뛰어난 항산화능을 보유한 것을 확인하였다. 또한 EEEP는 농도의존적으로 인체폐암세포주인 A549의 세포 성장을 저해하였으며, 세포 주기 변화를 분석한 결과 A549 세포의 SubG1기 세포비율이 증가하는 것을 확인하였다. Annexin V 염색과 DAPI 염색으로 EEEP 처리에 의해 apoptotic 세포와 apoptotic body가 증가하는 것을 확인하였으며, 이러한 결과는 EEEP에 의해 A549 세포의 apoptosis가 유도되는 것을 시사한다. 또한 관련 단백질들의 발현변화를 분석한 결과, EEEP에 의해 Fas, p53, Bax의 발현이 증가하고 Bcl-2의 발현은 감소하였으며, caspase-8, -9와 caspase-3의 활성화를 통해 PARP가 분해되어 apoptosis가 유도되었음을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과들로부터 EEEP는 내인성 및 외인성 경로를 통한 apoptosis 유도에 의하여 A549 세포의 증식을 억제하는 항암활성을 보유하였음을 확인하였다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권11호
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• pp.887-896
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• 2023

염증반응(inflammation)은 발병, 진행, 악성 전이를 포함한 암의 진행과정(tumorigenesis)에서 중요한 역할을 수행하기 때문에 암 치료를 위한 전략으로 고려되고 있다. 감태(Ecklonia cava) 열수추출물(AEC)의 항암활성 동안 나타나는 항염증 반응을 연구하기 위하여, 비만세포(mast cells)의 분포, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)단백질, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)단백질, nuclear factor (NF)-κB단백질, inflammasome 구성 단백질, inflammatory cytokines 발현의 변화는 AEC를 5주간 경구투여한 CT26 대장암을 내포하는 BALB/cKorl syngeneic 마우스에서 분석하였다. AEC를 처리한 후, 고형암의 무게와 조직 절편의 괴사 부위가 vehicle처리그룹에 비하여 감소하였다. 비만세포의 수는 vehicle처리그룹에 비하여 AEC처리그룹에서 증가했지만 COX-2와 iNOS의 발현은 AEC처리그룹에서 감소하였다. 또한, NF-κB, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC)과 Caspase-1 (Cas-1)단백질의 발현도 유사한 감소가 관찰되었다. 더불어, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1α (IL-1α)와 interleukin-6 (IL-6)의 mRNA 발현이 vehicle처리그룹에 비하여 AEC처리그룹에서 감소하였다. 이러한 결과는 AEC가 CT26 고형암을 내포하는 BALB/cKorl syngeneic 마우스에서 항암활성은 염증반응과 밀접한 관련이 있음을 제시하고 있다.