• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.127-141
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• 2002

Objectives: Haeganjeon(HGJ) has been used for the treatment of liver disease in traditional medicine. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant and protective effects of HGJ extract on oxidative damage of hepatocytes by tert-butyl hydroperoxide(t-BHP). Methods: In the linoleic acid water-alcohol system, the levels of lipid peroxide(LPO) were determined by TBA method. The scavenging effect of HGJ on ${\alpha},{\alpha}-diphenyl-{\beta}-picrylhydrazyl$(DPPH) radical was determined according to the method of Hatano. In the Fenton system(ferrous ion reaction with hydrogen peroxide), the levels of hydroxyl radical induced LPO in rat liver homogenate were determined according to the method of TBA. Inhibitory effect of HGJ on superoxide generation was measured by xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. In order to evaluate antioxidative activity of HGJ in the liver cell, cultured normal rat liver cells(Ac2F) were prepared and incubated with or without HGJ. After 18hr, cells placed in DMEM medium without serum, and then incubated with 1mM tert-butyl hydroperoxide(t-BHP) for 2hrs. Viable cells were detected by MTT assay. Conclusions: In the linoleic acid autoxidation system, HGJ extract significantly inhibited the time course of the lipid peroxidation. These effects were similar to those of BHA HGJ extracts showed about 70% scavenging effect on DPPH radical. And HGJ extract inhibited the lipid peroxide formation in rat liver homogenate induced by hydroxyl radical derived from Fenton system. In addition, HGJ extract protected the cell death induced by t-BHP and significantly increased cell viability in the normal rat liver cell. These result indicated that HGJ extract might playa protective role against oxidative hepatic cell injury by means of free radical scavenger.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.145-157
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• 2017

Background: Vitamin D is considered to exert a protective effect on various renal diseases but its underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether paricalcitol attenuates inflammation and apoptosis during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal proximal tubular cell injury through the prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) receptor EP4. Methods: Human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells were pretreated with paricalcitol (2 ng/mL) for 1 hour and exposed to LPS ($1{\mu}g/mL$). The effects of paricalcitol pretreatment in relation to an EP4 blockade using AH-23848 or EP4 small interfering RNA (siRNA) were investigated. Results: The expression of cyclooxygenase-2, $PGE_2$, and EP4 were significantly increased in LPS-exposed HK-2 cells treated with paricalcitol compared with cells exposed to LPS only. Paricalcitol prevented cell death induced by LPS exposure, and the cotreatment of AH-23848 or EP4 siRNA offset these cell-protective effects. The phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 nuclear factor-kappaB ($NF-{\kappa}B$) were decreased and the phosphorylation of Akt was increased in LPS-exposed cells with paricalcitol treatment. AH-23848 or EP4 siRNA inhibited the suppressive effects of paricalcitol on p65 $NF-{\kappa}B$ nuclear translocation and the activation of Akt. The production of proinflammatory cytokines and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells were attenuated by paricalcitol in LPS exposed HK-2 cells. The cotreatment with an EP4 antagonist abolished these anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. Conclusion: EP4 plays a pivotal role in anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects through Akt and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling after paricalcitol pretreatment in LPS-induced renal proximal tubule cell injury.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.719-730
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• 2014

The hot water extract from Artemisia capillaris fermented with Hericium erinaceum mycelium (AC-HE) were assessed for the protection against oxidative modification of biological macromolecules and cell death. Antioxidant activity of AC-HE evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical and peroxyl radical scavenging assays. AC-HE showed 61.73% DPPH radical scavenging activity at $500{\mu}g/mL$, 97.39% ABTS radical scavenging activity at $250{\mu}g/mL$, and 44.18% peroxyl radical scavenging activity at $100{\mu}g/mL$. AC-HE were shown to significantly inhibited DNA strand breakage induced by peroxyl radical. AC-HE also prevented peroxyl radical-mediated human serum albumin modification. AC-HE effectively inhibited $H_2O_2$ induced cell death and significantly increased of the 11.47% cell survival at $100{\mu}g/mL$. AC-HE also decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in $H_2O_2$-treated cells. The results suggested that AC-HE can contribute to antioxidant and protected cells from oxidative stress-induced cell injury.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 2011

Winterkill can be defined as any injury including freeze stress kill, winter desiccation, and low temperature disease to turfgrass plants that occurs during the winter period. The major damages from winterkill were low temperature kill, crown hydration, and winter desiccation. Low temperature kill is caused by air and soil temperature. Soil temperature affect more severe to turfgrass than air temperature because low soil temperature cause fetal damage to turfgrass crown. Crown hydration is a form of winter injury in which intercellular water within the plant freezes and causes physical injury to the cell membrane and wall. This is eventually resulted in dehydration of cell. Winter desiccation is the death of leaves or whole plants due to drought during the winter period. To reduce winterkill damage, cultivar selection is very important. If changing cultivar is not allowed, cold temperature hardiness needs to be increased by providing nutrients especially phosphorus and potassium in the late fall. Turf cover is effective way to reduce winterkill damage. Remaining snow is positive process to reduce winterkill damage by insulating soil temperature. The previous researches reported many materials as turf cover such as straw, polypropylene, polyester, and wood mat. Aeration and topdressing is one of the process against winterkill. Both methods are mainly conducted to reduce thickness of thatch layer. In recent, relatively new materials called black or winter topdressing sand are used to protect soil temperature from low air temperature and thaw ice crystal that may remain in soil.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.323-332
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• 2024

Background: Studies have reported that the combination of two or more therapeutic compounds at certain ratios has more noticeable pharmaceutical properties than single compounds and requires reduced dosage of each agent. Red ginseng and velvet antler have been extensively used in boosting immunity and physical strength and preventing diseases. Thus, this study was conducted to elucidate the skin-protective potentials of red ginseng extract (RGE) and velvet antler extract (VAE) alone or in combination on ultraviolet (UVB)-irradiated human keratinocytes and SKH-1 hairless mice. Methods: HaCaT cells were preincubated with RGE/VAE alone or in combination for 2 h before UVB (30 mJ/cm²) irradiation. SKH-1 mice were orally given RGE/VAE alone or in combination for 15 days before exposure to single dose of UVB (600 mJ/cm²). Treated cells and treated skin tissues were collected and subjected to subsequent experiments. Results: RGE/VAE pretreatment alone or in combination significantly prevented UVB-induced cell death, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species production, and DNA damage in keratinocytes and SKH-1 mouse skins by downregulating mitogen-activated protein kinases/activator protein 1/nuclear factor kappa B and caspase signaling pathways. These extracts also strengthened the antioxidant defense systems and skin barriers in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells and SKH-1 mouse skins. Furthermore, RGE/VAE co-administration appeared to be more effective in preventing UVB-caused skin injury than these extracts used alone. Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that the consumption of RGE/VAE, especially in combination, offers a protective ability against UVB-caused skin injury by preventing inflammation and apoptosis and enhancing antioxidant capacity.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.111-124
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• 2023

Objectives : Oxidative stress is an important cause of many diseases including liver injury. Therefore, adequate regulation of oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in maintaining liver function. Until recently, there has been no studies on the hepatoprotective effect of Samchulgeonbi-tang (SCGBT). Therefore, the hepatoprotective effect of SCGBT was investigated in HepG2 cells. In this study, oxidative stress was induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and iron. Methods : To analyze the hepatoprotective effects of SCGBT against oxidative stress induced by AA + iron, the cell viability, apoptosis-related proteins and intracellular ROS, glutathione (GSH), and mitochondrial membrane permeability (MMP) were measured. In addition, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) transcription activation and expressions of Nrf2 target gene were analyzed through immunoblot analysis. Results : SCGBT increased the cell viability from AA + iron - induced cell death and inhibited apoptosis by regulating apoptosis related proteins. SCGBT protected cells by inhibiting ROS production, GSH depletion, and MMP degradation against AA + iron induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, Nrf2 activation was increased by SCGBT, and the Nrf2 target genes were also activated by SCGBT. Conclusions : These results suggest that the SCGBT has a hepatocyte protection effect and antioxidant effect from AA + iron induced oxidative stress.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.140-146
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• 2019

Background: This study investigated the effects of Vipera lebetina turanica snake venom (SV) on cerebral infarction induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice. Methods: Following cerebral infarction, SV was injected intravenously or added to BV2 cell culture. Tissue injury was detected using triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, neurological deficit score, NO, ROS, and GSH/GSSG assays, qPCR, Western blot, and cell viability. Results: Cerebral infarction caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion as observed by TTC staining, showed SV inhibited cell death, reducing the number of brain cells injured due to infarction. SV treatment for cerebral infarction showed a significant decrease in abnormal behavior, as determined by the neurological deficit score. The oxidation and inflammation of the cells that had cerebral infarction caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion (NO assay, ROS, GSH/GSSG assay, and qPCR), showed significant protection by SV. Western blot of brain infarction cells showed the expression of iNOS, COX-2, p-IkB-${\alpha}$, P38, p-JNK, p-ERK to be lower in the SV group. In addition, the expression of IkB increased. BV2 cells were viable when treated with SV at $20{\mu}g/mL$ or less. Western blot of BV2 cells, treated with 0.625, 1.5, $2.5{\mu}g/mL$ of SV, showed a significant decrease in the expression of p-IkB-${\alpha}$, p-JNK, iNOS, and COX-2 on BV2 cells induced by LPS. Conclusion: SV showed anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects against cerebral infarction and inflammation.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.1025-1035
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• 2017

In this study, the hot water extract from Mulberry (Morus alba) Leaves fermented with Hericium erinaceum mycelium (MA-HE) was assessed for antioxidant activity. Radical scavenging activity of MA-HE evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS) radical. MA-HE showed 63% DPPH radical scavenging activity at $500{\mu}g/mL$ and 98.27% ABTS radical scavenging activity at $250{\mu}g/mL$. MA-HE was shown to significantly inhibited DNA strand breakage induced by free radical. MA-HE also inhibited free radical-mediated human serum albumin modification. MA-HE effectively inhibited $H_2O_2$ induced cell death and significantly increased of the 8% cell survival at $100{\mu}g/mL$. MA-HE decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in $H_2O_2$-treated cells. The results suggested that MA-HE can contribute to antioxidant and protected cells from oxidative stress-induced cell injury.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.195-202
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• 2018

Hyperglycemia is one of the major risk factors for stroke. Hyperglycemia can lead to a more extensive infarct volume, aggravate neuronal damage after cerebral ischemia. ${\alpha}$-Synuclein is especially abundant in neuronal tissue, where it underlies the etiopathology of several neurodegenerative diseases. This study investigated whether hyperglycemic conditions regulate the expression of ${\alpha}$-synuclein in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced cerebral ischemic injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection to induce hyperglycemic conditions. MCAO were performed four weeks after streptozotocin injection to induce focal cerebral ischemia, and cerebral cortex tissues were obtained 24 hours after MCAO. We confirmed that MCAO induced neurological functional deficits and cerebral infarction, and these changes were more extensive in diabetic animals compared to non-diabetic animals. Moreover, we identified a decrease in ${\alpha}$-synuclein after MCAO injury. Diabetic animals showed a more serious decrease in ${\alpha}$-synuclein than non-diabetic animals. Western blot and reverse-transcription PCR analyses confirmed more extensive decreases in ${\alpha}$-synuclein expression in MCAO-injured animals with diabetic condition than these of non-diabetic animals. It is accepted that ${\alpha}$-synuclein modulates neuronal cell death and exerts a neuroprotective effect. Thus, the results of this study suggest that hyperglycemic conditions cause more serious brain damage in ischemic brain injuries by decreasing ${\alpha}$-synuclein expression.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2011

Objective: Glutamate is a key excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and its excessive release plays a key role in the development of neuronal injury. In order to define the effect of nimodipine on glutamate release, we monitored extracellular glutamate release in real-time in a global ischemia rat model with eleven vessel occlusion. Methods: Twelve rats were randomly divided into two groups: the ischemia group and the nimodipine treatment group. The changes of extracellular glutamate level were measured using microdialysis amperometric biosensor, in coincident with cerebral blood flow (CBF) and electroencephalogram. Nimodipine (0.025 ${\mu}g$/100 gm/min) was infused into lateral to the CBF probe, during the ischemic period. Also, we performed Nissl staining method to assess the neuroprotective effect of nimodipine. Results: During the ischemic period, the mean maximum change in glutamate concentration was $133.22{\pm}2.57\;{\mu}M$ in the ischemia group and $75.42{\pm}4.22\;{\mu}M$ (p<0.001) in the group treated with nimodipine. The total amount of glutamate released was significantly different (P<0.001) between groups during the ischemic period. The %cell viability in hippocampus was $47.50{\pm}5.64$ (p<0.005) in ischemia group, compared with sham group. But, the %cell viability in nimodipine treatment group was $95.46{\pm}6.60$ in hippocampus (p<0.005). Conclusion: From the real-time monitoring and Nissl staining results, we suggest that the nimodipine treatment is responsible for the protection of the neuronal cell death through the suppression of extracellular glutamate release in the 11-VO global ischemia model of rat.