• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• 제8권6호
• /
• pp.638-643
• /
• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented vegetable containing several ingredients. We investigated the protective activity of methanol extract of kimchi under different fermentation stages against oxidative damage. MATERIALS/METHODS: Fresh kimchi (Fresh), optimally ripened kimchi (OptR), and over ripened kimchi (OvR) were fermented until the pH reached pH 5.6, pH 4.3, and pH 3.8, respectively. The radical scavenging activity and protective activity from oxidative stress of kimchi during fermentation were investigated under in vitro and cellular systems using LLC-$PK_1$ cells. RESULTS: Kimchi exhibited strong radical scavenging activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radical. In addition, the free radical generators led to loss of cell viability and elevated lipid peroxidation, while treatment with kimchi resulted in significantly increased cell viability and decreased lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the protective effect against oxidative stress was related to regulation of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ p65, and $I{\kappa}B$ expression. In particular, OvR showed the strongest protective effect from cellular oxidative stress among other kimchi. CONCLUSION: The current study indicated that kimchi, particularly OptR and OvR, played a protective role against free radical-induced oxidative stress. These findings suggest that kimchi is a promising functional food with an antioxidative effect and fermentation of kimchi led to elevation of antioxidative activity.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제27권1호
• /
• pp.5-14
• /
• 2009

The availability of effective vaccines has had the most profound positive effect on improving the quality of public health by preventing infectious diseases. Despite many successful vaccines, there are still old and new emerging pathogens against which there is no vaccine available. A better understanding of how vaccines work for providing protection will help to improve current vaccines as well as to develop effective vaccines against pathogens for which we do not have a proper means to control. Recent studies have focused on innate immunity as the first line of host defense and its role in inducing adaptive immunity; such studies have been an intense area of research, which will reveal the immunological mechanisms how vaccines work for protection. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a family of receptors for pathogen-associated molecular patterns on cells of the innate immune system, play a critical role in detecting and responding to microbial infections. Importantly, the innate immune system modulates the quantity and quality of long-term T and B cell memory and protective immune responses to pathogens. Limited studies suggest that vaccines which mimic natural infection and/or the structure of pathogens seem to be effective in inducing long-term protective immunity. A better understanding of the similarities and differences of the molecular and cellular events in host responses to vaccination and pathogen infection would enable the rationale for design of novel preventive measures against many challenging pathogens.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제37권2호
• /
• pp.185-191
• /
• 2004

Tissue transglutaminase (tTGase) regulates various biological processes, including extracellular matrix organization, cellular differentiation, and apoptosis. Here we report the protective role of tTGase in the cell death that is induced by the tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) and ceramide, a product of the TNF-$\alpha$ signaling pathway, in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Treatment with retinoic acid (RA) induced the differentiation of the neuroblastoma cells with the formation of extended neurites. Immunostaining and Western blot analysis showed the tTGase expression by RA treatment. TNF-$\alpha$ or $C_2$ ceramide, a cell permeable ceramide analog, induced cell death in normal cells, but cell death was largely inhibited by the RA treatment. The inhibition of tTGase by the tTGase inhibitors, monodansylcadaverine and cystamine, eliminated the protective role of RA-treatment in the cell death that is caused by TNF-$\alpha$ or $C_2$-ceramide. In addition, the co-treatment of TNF-$\alpha$ and cycloheximide ecreased the protein level of tTGase and cell viability in the RA-treated cells, supporting the role of tTGase in the protection of cell death. DNA fragmentation was also induced by the co-treatment of TNF-$\alpha$ and cycloheximide. These results suggest that tTGase expressed by RA treatment plays an important role in the protection of cell death caused by TNF-$\alpha$ and ceramide.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제43권2호
• /
• pp.179-185
• /
• 2019

Background: Oxidative stress induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play important causative roles in various pathological conditions. Black ginseng (BG), a type of steam-processed ginseng, has drawn significant attention due to its biological activity, and is more potent than white ginseng (WG) or red ginseng (RG). Methods: We evaluated the protective effects of BG extract (BGE) against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage, in comparison with WG extract (WGE) and RG extract (RGE) in a cell culture model. Ethanolic extracts of WG, RG, and BG were used to evaluate ginsenoside profiles, total polyphenols, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity. Using AML-12 cells treated with $H_2O_2$, the protective effects of WGE, RGE, and BGE on cellular redox status, DNA, protein, lipid damage, and apoptosis levels were investigated. Results: BGE exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant potential, as well as total flavonoid and polyphenol contents. ATP levels were significantly higher in BGE-treated cells than in control; ROS generation and glutathione disulfide levels were lower but glutathione (GSH) and NADPH levels were higher in BGE-treated cells than in other groups. Pretreatment with BGE inhibited apoptosis and therefore protected cells from oxidative stress-induced cellular damage, probably through ROS scavenging. Conclusion: Collectively, our results demonstrate that BGE protects AML-12 cells from oxidative stress-induced cellular damages more effectively than WGE or RGE, through ROS scavenging, maintenance of redox status, and activation of the antioxidant defense system.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• 제12권3호
• /
• pp.134-137
• /
• 2006

Four lignan compounds including gomisin J (1), schizandrin (2), gomisin A (3), and angeloyl gomisin H (4) have been isolated from the MeOH extract of Schizandra chinensis fruits. The evaluation for protective effect of compounds 1-4 against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced cytotoxicity in hippocampal HT22 cell line was conducted. Compound 1 showed significant protective effect with an $EC_{50}$ value of $43.3{\pm}2.3\;{\mu}M$, whereas compounds 2-4 were inactive. Trolox, one of the well-known antioxidant, used as a positive control, and also showed protective effect with an $EC_{50}$ value of $213.8{\pm}8.4\;{\mu}M$. These results suggest that compound 1 may possess the neuroprotective activity against oxidant-induced cellular injuries.

• 대한약침학회지
• /
• 제27권2호
• /
• pp.131-141
• /
• 2024

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common disorders and it shows up to 20% prevalence in reproductive-aged women populations, but no cures are available to date. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of Changbudodam-tang (CBD) on cell death signaling pathways, inflammation, and oxidative stress observed in Bone-Marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cell (BM-hMSC) by means of PCOS therapeutics in the future. Methods: BM-hMSCs were applied with cell deaths and injuries. Apoptosis and pyroptosis signals were quenched with their related signaling pathways using quantitative PCR, Western blot, and fluorescence image analysis. Results: Our data clearly displayed hydrogen peroxide- and nigericin-treated cell death signaling pathways via regulations of mitochondrial integrity and interleukin (IL)-1β at the cellular levels (p < 0.01 or 0.001). We further observed that pre-treatment with CBD showed protective effects against oxidative stress by enhancement of antioxidant components at the cellular level, with respect to both protein and mRNA expression levels (p < 0.05, 0.01 or 0.001). The mechanisms of CBD were examined by Western blot analysis, and it showed anti-cell death, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects via normalizations of the Jun N-terminal kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7/c-Jun signaling pathways. Conclusion: This study confirmed the pharmacological properties of CBD by regulation of cellular oxidation and the inflammation-provoked cell death condition of BM-hMSCs, which is mediated by the MKK7/JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway.

• 공업화학
• /
• 제29권2호
• /
• pp.176-184
• /
• 2018

본 논문에서는 금전초로부터 50% 에탄올 추출물, 에틸아세테이트 분획 및 아글리콘 분획을 제조하였고 이들의 항산화 활성, 세포 보호 효과 및 성분 분석에 대한 연구를 수행하였다. 항산화능 평가에서 50% 에탄올 추출물, 에틸아세테이트 분획 및 아글리콘 분획의 라디칼 소거 활성($FSC_{50}$)은 각각 146.8, 22.2 및 $27.2{\mu}g/mL$이었고, 총 항산화능($OSC_{50}$)은 29.3, 2.9 및 $4.5{\mu}g/mL$이었다. 에틸아세테이트 분획의 자유라디칼 소거 활성 및 총 항산화능이 가장 크게 나타났다. 또한 $^1O_2$로 유도된 적혈구 광용혈에 대한 세포 보호 효과(${\tau}_{50}$)는 금전초 50% 에탄올 추출물, 에틸아세테이트 분획 및 아글리콘 분획 $5{\mu}g/mL$에서 각각 26.9, 57.5 및 103.9 min을 나타냈다. 특히 아글리콘 분획물의 ${\tau}_{50}$은 (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol (37.7 min)보다 훨씬 큰 세포 보호 효과를 나타내었다. UVB로 유도된 세포 손상에서 에틸아세테이트 분획물은 최대 90.1%까지 세포 생존율을 증가시켰다. 과산화수소로 유도된 세포 손상에서도 에틸아세테이트 분획물은 $5-25{\mu}g/mL$에서 농도 의존적으로 세포 보호 효과를 나타내었다. 금전초 에틸아세테이트 분획물의 성분 분석을 위해 TLC, HPLC, UV-vis spectrum, LC-MS로 분석한 결과, quercetin, kaempferol 및 그 배당체가 주성분들로 확인되었다. 결론적으로 금전초가 자외선에 노출된 피부를 보호하는 항산화제로서 작용할 수 있고, 기능성 화장품 원료로 응용 가능성이 있음을 시사한다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• 제56권4호
• /
• pp.325-334
• /
• 2018

Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects most species of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The heavy incidence and severe or lethal damage caused by T. gondii infection clearly indicate a need for the development of an effective vaccine. T. gondii GRA8 is a member of the dense granules protein family and is used as a marker of acute infection. In the present study, we evaluated the protective immunity induced by DNA vaccination based on a recombinant eukaryotic plasmid, pDsRed2-GRA8, against acute toxoplasmosis in mice. BALB/c mice were intramuscularly immunized with the pDsRed2-GRA8 plasmid and then challenged by infection with the highly virulent GFP-RH strain of T. gondii. The specific immune responses and protective efficacy against T. gondii of this vaccine were analyzed by measuring cytokine and serum antibody titers, splenocyte proliferation assays, and the survival times of mice after challenge. Our results showed that mice immunized with pDsRed2-GRA8 demonstrated specific humoral and cellular responses, induced higher IgG antibody titers with predominant IgG2a production; increased levels of IL-10, IL-12 (p70), $IFN-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and splenocyte proliferation; and prolonged survival times compared to those of control mice. The present study showed that DNA immunization with pDsRed2-GRA8 induced humoral and cellular immune responses, and all immunized mice showed greater Th1-type immune responses and longer survival times than those of control mice. These results indicated that T. gondii GRA8 DNA immunization induces a partial protective effect against acute toxoplasmosis.

• 생약학회지
• /
• 제48권2호
• /
• pp.125-133
• /
• 2017

In this study, we investigated the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, component analysis, antioxidative activity and cellular protective effects against oxidative stress on human skin cells in 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction obtained from Gynostemma pentaphyllum (G. pentaphyllum) Makino. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activites ($FSC_{50}$) of the 50% ethanol extracts, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction were 246.8, 147.2, $128.9{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of the 50% ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay were 37.15, 10.74, $7.19{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. We investigated the cellular protective activity and the results showed that treatment of aglycone fraction ($0.05-0.39{\mu}g/mL$) protect human skin cells in a concentration-dependent manner when the skin cell damages were induced by treating them with $H_2O_2$. These results suggest that extract/fractions of G. pentaphyllum Makino may be applicable as natural antioxidants in cosmetics.

• 대한화장품학회지
• /
• 제42권3호
• /
• pp.217-226
• /
• 2016

본 연구에서는 드럼스틱 잎 추출물과 분획들의 항산화 활성 및 HaCaT 세포와 적혈구 세포에서의 세포보호효과를 측정하였다. 모든 실험은 드럼스틱 잎의 50% 에탄올 추출물, 에틸아세테이트 분획 및 아글리콘 분획을 이용하였다. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical을 이용한 자유 라디칼 소거 활성($FSC_{50}$)은 50% 에탄올 추출물($77.10{\mu}g/mL$) < 에틸아세테이트 분획($20.63{\mu}g/mL$) < 아글리콘 분획($17.00{\mu}g/mL$) 순으로 증가하였다. 루미놀을 이용한 $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$계에서의 활성산소 소거 활성(총항산화능, $OSC_{50}$)은 아글리콘 분획의 $OSC_{50}$ 값이 $0.63{\mu}g/mL$로 추출물 중 가장 큰 항산화능이 나타났으며, 이는 L-ascorbic acid ($1.50{\mu}g/mL$)의 항산화 활성보다 컸다. $^1O_2$로 유도된 적혈구 세포 손상에 있어서 50% 에탄올 추출물 및 아글리콘 분획의 세포 보호 효과(${\tau}_{50}$)는 $10{\mu}g/mL$에서 각각 46.9 및 122.1 min을 나타냈다. 이는 지용성 항산화제로 알려진 (+)-${\alpha}$-tocopherol (37.7 min)보다도 훨씬 큰 세포 보호 활성을 보여주었다. $400mJ/cm^2$의 UVB를 HaCaT 세포에 조사하여 세포손상을 유도한 후 에틸아세테이트 분획 및 아글리콘 분획은 $0.20{\sim}1.56{\mu}g/mL$ 농도에서 농도 의존적으로 세포보호효과를 나타내었다. 이상의 결과들은 자외선에 노출된 피부에서 드럼스틱잎 추출물과 분획들이 ROS 소거를 통하여 세포를 보호함으로서 화장품에서 천연 항산화제로서 사용 가능함을 시사하였다.