• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2020

Oxidative stress is one of the pathogenic mechanisms of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Neuroglia, the most abundant cells in the brain, is thought to play an important role in the antioxidant defense system and neuronal metabolic support against neurotoxicity and oxidative stress. We investigated the protective effect of paeoniflorin (PF) against oxidative stress in C6 glial cells. Exposure of C6 glial cells to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂, 500 μM) significantly decreased cell viability and increased amounts of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, indicating H₂O₂-induced cellular damage. However, treatment with PF significantly attenuated H₂O₂-induced cell death as shown by increased cell survival and decreased LDH release. The H₂O₂-stimulated reactive oxygen species production was also suppressed, and it may be associated with improvement of superoxide dismutase activity by treatment with PF. In addition, an increase in ratio of Bcl-2/Bax protein expression was observed after treatment with PF. In particular, the down-stream of the apoptotic signaling pathway was inhibited in the presence of PF, mostly by reduction of cleaved-poly ADP ribose polymerase, cleaved caspase-3, and -9 protein expression. Furthermore, H₂O₂-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 was attenuated by treatment with PF. Taken together, neuroprotective effect of PF against oxidative stress probably result from the regulation of apoptotic pathway in C6 glial cells. In conclusion, our findings suggest that PF may be a potent therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative disorders.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1337-1343
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• 2005

The hepato-protective effects of the extract from Protaetia brevitarsis against hepatotoxicity by carbon tetrachloride ($CCI_4$) were studied in rats. The rats were orally treated with $CCI_4$ (50% in corn oil) at initial dose of $1\;m{\ell}/kg$ followed by $0.5m{\ell}/kg$ four times during 2-week period. The extract of P. brevitarsis (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg) or its vehicle was administered day after day from 1 week before $CCI_4$ Injection during five weeks. $CCI_4$ induced hepato-celluar degeneration and necrosis induced to increase in serum aspartate amintransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. In biochemical analyses, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in hepatic tissues were remarkably increased by $CCI_4$ treatment. Not only increases in serum AST and ALT, but also induction of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in hepatic tissues caused by $CCI_4$ were significantly attenuated by the P. brevitarsis extract in a dose-dependent manner. Such hepato-protective effects of P. brevitarsis extract were confirmed by histopathological examinations, wherein only mild hepatocytic vacuolations were observed in the liver of rats treated with a high dose (100 mg/kg) of P. brevitarsis extract in comparison with severe hepatocytic degenerations administered with $CCI_4$ alone. From these results, it is suggested that the extract of Protaetia brevitarsis could be a promising candidate for the protection of liver injury, based on the preventive effects against morphological cellular injuries, lipid peroxidation and serum biochemical parameters.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.376-383
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• 2008

Chungkookjang (CKJ) is a fermented soybean product and one of favorite traditional foods in Korea. In this study, the alcoholic extract from Korean fermented soybean (CKJ) and its one of major flavonoids, genistein were evaluated for their protective effect against B(a)P induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage in HepG2 cells. CKJ extract and genistein decreased B(a)P-induced cell cytotoxicity. CKJ extract inhibited DNA single strand breaks evaluated by single cell gel electrophoresis. From RT-PCR study, it was revealed that CKJ extract decrease DNA damage induced in HepG2 cells expressing CYP1A1 and 1A2 by B(a)P. The metabolizing activities of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, as measured by the 7-alkoxy resorufin O-deethylation (AROD) assay, showed that CKJ extract and genistein inhibited CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 activities. Genistein may contribute to these biological effects of CKJ extract at least in part. All these results indicate that CKJ extract and genistein may be useful for protection against B(a)P-induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage. Therefore, the alcoholic extract of Korean fermented soybean (CKJ) is suggested to be promising functional food which can prevent the cellular genotoxicity of dietary and lifestyle related carcinogens.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.383-388
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• 1993

Pharmacokinetics of aucubin, an irdoid glucoside, was compared in rats of experimental hepatic failure(EHF). EHF was induced by CCI$_{4}$ or D-galactosamine pretreatment. This work was designed to find out any differences in the pharmacokinetics of aucubin that may explain the different protective effect of aucubin on CCI$_{4}$- and galactosamine-induced EHF : aucubin reportedly protected CCI$_{4}$-inducing hepatotoxicity effectively, but did not for galactosamine-hepatotoxicity. EHF was induced by intraperitoneal injection Of CCI$_{4}$(0.9ml/kg) or galactosamine(250 mg/kg) to Wistar rats 24 hr before the pharmacokinetic study. The rats were fasted during the 24 hr. Aucubin was iv injected at a dose of 15 mg/kg and the plasma aucubin was assayed by HPLC. There were no significant differences in the pathophysiologies(body weight, liver weight, GTP, hematocrit, blood cell distrbution and plasma protein binding of aucubin) between the two EHF models except GOP which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in CCI$_{4}$-than in galactosamine-EHF. On the other hand, pharmacokinetics of aucubin such as total cleatance(CL$_{t}$), distribution volume at steady-state(Vd$_{ss}$), and mean residence time(MRT) differed significantly(p<0.05) between the models : for example, CL$_{t}$ was increased two fold by CCI$_{4}$, but not by galaclosamine ; Vd$_{ss}$, in galactosamine-EHF was higher than that in CCI$_{4}$-EHF ; MRT was decreased by CCI$_{4}$, but increased conversely by galactosamine. The increase of CL$_{t}$(and decrease of MRT) in rats of CCI$_{4}$-EHF was contrary to the general expectation for the hepatic failure : most of the hepatic failures have been known to decrease CL$_{t}$ of the administered drugs. Whether the difference in the pharmacokinetics is responsible for the different protective effect of aucubin against the two EHF models is of interest. However, much more studies on biliary excretion, urinary excretion, and hepatic uptake in cellular level should be preceded before any conclusions are made on the role of different pharmacokinetics on the different pharmacology of aucubin.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

Objectives : This study investigated the protective effect of Ojeok-san (OJS) on cellular damage induced by oxidative stress and whether it induces changes in CYP450 expression. Methods : To investigate the protective effect, we used cells stimulated by oxidative stress caused by the combination treatment of AA+iron. Changes in CYP450 expression were detected by immunoblotting analysis using Huh7 cells. Results : We observed that OJS altered the expression of CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1. OJS increased cell viability against AA+iron-induced oxidative stress and inhibited mitochondrial dysfunction. OJS increased phosphorylation of LKB1, phosphorylation of AMPK, and phosphorylation of ACC, which are related to the LKB1-AMPK pathway. In addition, phosphorylation of LATS1 and phosphorylation of YAP, which are related to the Hippo-YAP pathway, were increased. Conclusions : Our results show that OJS has 1) the ability to protect hepatocytes against oxidative stress, and 2) the potential to induce changes in CYP450.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.1269-1284
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• 2021

Objectives: Phragmitis Rhizoma is the fresh or dried rhizome of Phragmites communis Trin., which has been prescribed in traditional Korean medicine to relieve fever and vomiting and to nourish the body fluids. Recently, the protective effect of Phragmitis Rhizoma extract or its components on myelotoxicity and inflammatory responses have been reported, but no study has yet been conducted on oxidative stress. Methods: The present study investigated whether an ethanol extract of Phragmitis Rhizoma (PR) could protect against cellular damage induced by oxidative stress in Chang liver cells. Results: Pretreatment with PR significantly suppressed the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced reduction of Chang cell viability and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby deferring apoptosis. PR also markedly inhibited H₂O₂-induced comet tail formation and phospho-γH2AX expression, suggesting that PR protected against oxidative stress-mediated DNA damage. PR also effectively prevented the inhibition of ATP synthesis in H₂O₂-treated Chang cells by inhibiting the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating that PR maintains energy metabolism through preservation of mitochondrial function while eliminating ROS generated by H₂O₂. Immunoblotting results indicated that PR attenuated the H₂O₂-induced downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax expression. Conclusions: PR protects against oxidative injury in Chang liver cells by regulating energy homeostasis via ROS generation blockade, which is at least partly mediated through inactivation of the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.82-91
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• 2001

This study was carried out to elucidate the protective effect of zinc chloride(ZnCl$_2$) and its mechanism against the immuno-cytotoxicity of methylmercury chloide($CH_3$HgCl). This study was observed in the culture of EMT-6 cells which are originated from mammary adenocarcinoma of Balb/c mouse. Cytotoxicity of metals was measured by cell viability and NO$_2$$^{[-10]}$ , and mitochondrial function was evaluated by adenosine triphosohate (ATP) production. $CH_3$HgCl significantly decreased the sythesis of nitric oxide(NO), ATP and glutathione(GSH) in a dose-dependent manner. ZnCl$_2$ significantly increased the synthesis of GSH in a dose-dependent manner, but synthesis of NO and ATP were not changed. The immuno-cytotoxicity of $CH_3$HgCl was not fully protected when combined addition of ZnCl$_2$, whereas ZnCl$_2$ prior to addition of $CH_3$HgCl completly protected the Hg-induced immuno-cytotoxicity. Similarly, intracellular accumulation of mercury significantly decreased by ZnCl$_2$. Degree of diminution of intracellular mercury was larger in ZnCl$_2$ prior to addition of $CH_3$HgCl than in combined addition of ZnCl$_2$ and $CH_3$HgCl.. Dithiothreitol(DTT) or buthionine sulfoximine(BSO) addition at 50$\mu$M or less, which was not toxic to the cells, did not affect synthesis of NO and ATP. DTT increased intracellular GSH level and DTT pretreatment protected toxicity induced by $CH_3$HgCl as shown complete recover in the NO and ATP values. BSO decreased intracellular GSH level and BSO pretreatment exaggerated toxicity induced by $CH_3$HgCl as shown synergistic reduction in the NO and ATP values. These results indicated that the protective effects of zinc against immuno-cytotoxicity of methylmercury associated with increasing cellular level of GSH. Increased intracellular GSH transports methylmercury to out of cells. In accordance with intracellular level of mercury decreased, immuno-cytotoxicity of methylmercury decreased. These result also suggest that the protective mechanism of zinc against the mercury toxicity would be exerted in the immune system in vivo.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2017

Chemotherapy is associated with male infertility. Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloro-platinum (II) (CDDP) as a chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of cancers has been reported to most likely induce testicular toxicity. Administration of antioxidants, such as pentoxifylline (PTX) may reduce some Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) of CDDP. Therefore, this study investigated the potentially protective effects of PTX on CDDP-induced testicular toxicity in adult male rats. For this purpose, 42 male rats were randomly divided into 7 groups. The rats were orally pretreated with PTX at the 3 doses of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg once a day for 14 successive days. On the $14^{th}$ day of the study, they were intraperitoneally (IP) administered with a single dose of CDDP (7 mg/kg). Finally, the sperm/testis parameters, serum levels of reproductive hormones, including testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) as the pivotal endocrine factors controlling testicular functions, and histopathological changes of testis tissue were examined. Pretreatment with the two doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg PTX indicated significant increases in the sperm count and motility induced by CDDP administration. The right and significantly left testis weights were decreased following the treatment with 300 mg/kg of PTX plus CDDP. However, 75 mg/kg of PTX plus CDDP showed the best near-to-normal histopathological features. The results demonstrated that PTX alone enhanced some parameters, such as the sperm count, while reducing other parameters, including sperm fast motility and germ layer thickness. Furthermore, despite testosterone or LH levels, the mean serum FSH level was significantly augmented by the doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg. It was concluded that PTX administration cannot reduce CDDP-induced testicular toxicity even at high doses (e.g., 300 mg/kg), while it seemed to partially intensify CDDP toxicity effects at a dose of 75 mg/kg. Thus, further research is required in this regard.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.570-576
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• 2003

The remarkable change of phenomenon induced by stress increase energy metabolism that can induce many reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. ROS can peroxidize cellular macromolecules including lipid and protein. The object of this study was to investigate whether stress may induce cellular damage by producing ROS and whether vitamin E, as a strong lipid-soluble antioxidant, can protect cells against reactive oxygen species produced by noise and immobilization stress in SD rats. The stress group increased 5-hydroxyindole aceti acid (5-HIAA) , one of the stress hormone, in brain tissue and free fatty acid in plasma. Vitamin I treatment had no effect on 5-HIAA but free fatty acid contents decreased with a fortified vitamin I diet. Furthermore, the body weight of vitamin I-treated rats increased more than that of the stress group. Lipid peroxidation and protein degradation as an index of oxidative damage in brain tissue decreased with the use of the fortified vitamin I diet supplement. The results suggest that vitamin I supplements have a protective effect against noise and immobilization stress-induced oxidative damage in brain tissue.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Exposure of the normal lung tissue around the cancerous tumor during radiotherapy causes serious side effects such as pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis. Radioprotectors used during cancer radiotherapy could protect the patient from side effects induced by radiation injury of the normal tissue. Delphinidin has strong antioxidant properties, and it works as the driving force of a radioprotective effect by scavenging radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, no studies have been conducted on the radioprotective effect of delphinidin against high linear energy transfer radiation. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the radioprotective effects of delphinidin on human lung cells against a proton beam. MATERIALS/METHODS: Normal human lung cells (HEL 299 cells) were used for in vitro experiments. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay assessed the cytotoxicity of delphinidin and cell viability. The expression of radiation induced cellular ROS was measured by the 2'-7'-dicholordihydrofluorescein diacetate assay. Superoxide dismutase activity assay and catalase activity assay were used for evaluating the activity of corresponding enzymes. In addition, radioprotective effects on DNA damage-induced cellular apoptosis were evaluated by Western blot assay. RESULTS: Experimental analysis, including cell survival assay, MTT assay, and Western blot assay, revealed the radioprotective effects of delphinidin. These include restoring the activities of antioxidant enzymes of damaged cells, increase in the levels of pro-survival protein, and decrease of pro-apoptosis proteins. The results from different experiments were compatible with each to provide a substantial conclusion. CONCLUSION: Low concentration ($2.5{\mu}M/mL$) of delphinidin administration prior to radiation exposure was radioprotective against a low dose of proton beam exposure. Hence, delphinidin is a promising shielding agent against radiation, protecting the normal tissues around a cancerous tumor, which are unintentionally exposed to low doses of radiation during proton therapy.