• 대한본초학회지
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.9-19
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• 2022

Objectives : Angelicae Gigantis Radix (AG) is a plant of the Ranunculus family. AG have been reported to have various pharmacological effects on human health which include uterine growth promotion, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immune enhancement. However, research on dermatitis disease is insufficient. Therefore, we investigated the effects of AG on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ) stimulated HaCaT cell. Methods : To investigate the effect of AG on HaCaT cell, HaCaT cells were pre-treated with AG for 1 hour and then stimulated with TNF-α/IFN-γ. After 24 hours, media and cells were harvested to analyze the inflammatory mediators. Concentration of human interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and TNF-α in the media were assessed by ELISA. mRNA expression of human thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), IL-6, and IL-8 were analyzed by RT-PCR. Additionally, the mechanisms of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway were investigated by Western blot. Results : The treatment of AG inhibited gene expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TARC and protein expression levels of IL-1β, MCP-1, and GM-CSF. Also, AG significantly reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and NF-κB translocation in TNF-α/IFN-γ stimulated HaCaT cell. Conclusions : Taken together, these results demonstrate that AG can alleviate inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis by regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Also, it suggest that AG may a promising candidate drug for the treatment of inflammatory disease such as atopic dermatitis.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권5호
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• pp.763-777
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• 2022

Objective: Excessive lipid accumulation in adipocytes results in prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Curcumin (CUR), a naturally phenolic active ingredient, has been shown to have lipid-lowering effects. However, its underlying mechanisms have remained largely unknown. Therefore, the study aims to determine the effect of CUR on cellular lipid accumulation in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes (PSPA) and to clarify novel mechanisms. Methods: The PSPA were cultured and treated with or without CUR. Both cell counting Kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were used to examine cytotoxicity. Intracellular lipid contents were measured by oil-red-o staining extraction and triglyceride quantification. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-nick end labelling assay. Adipogenic and apoptosis genes were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Results: The CUR dose-dependently reduced the proliferation and lipid accumulation of PSPA. Noncytotoxic doses of CUR (10 to 20 μM) significantly inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and expression of adipogenic genes peroxisome proliferation-activity receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, adipocyte protein-2, glucose transporter-4 as well as key lipogenic enzymes fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, while ERK1/2 activation significantly reversed CUR-reduced lipid accumulation by increasing PPAR-γ. Furthermore, compared with differentiation induced media treated cells, higher dose of CUR (30 μM) significantly decreased the expression of AKT and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), while increased the expression of BCL-2-associated X (BAX) and the BAX/BCL-2 expression ratio, suggesting triggered apoptosis by inactivating AKT and increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3 expression. Moreover, AKT activation significantly rescued CUR inhibiting lipid accumulation via repressing apoptosis. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that CUR is capable of suppressing differentiation by inhibiting ERK1/2-PPAR-γ signaling pathway and triggering apoptosis via decreasing AKT and subsequently increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3, suggesting that CUR provides an important method for the reduction of porcine body fat, as well as the prevention and treatment of human obesity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.685-699
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has long been known as a medicinal herb effective in various diseases, including bronchitis and asthma, but is still more widely used for food. Fermentation methods are being applied to increase the pharmacological composition of PG extracts and commercialize them with high added value. This study examines the hydrolyzed and fermented PG extract (HFPGE) fermented with Lactobacillus casei in RAW 264.7 cells, and investigates the effect of amplifying the immune and the probable molecular mechanism. MATERIALS/METHODS: HFPGE's total phenolic, flavonoid, saponin, and platycodin D contents were analyzed by colorimetric analysis or high-performance liquid chromatography. Cell viability was measured by the MTT assay. Phagocytic activity was analyzed by a phagocytosis assay kit, nitric oxide (NO) production by a Griess reagent system, and cytokines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cytokines were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, whereas MAPK and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation were analyzed by Western blots. RESULTS: Compared to PGE, HFPGE was determined to contain 13.76 times and 6.69 times higher contents of crude saponin and platycodin D, respectively. HFPGE promoted cell proliferation and phagocytosis in RAW 264.7 cells and regulated the NO production and iNOS expression. Treatment with HFPGE also resulted in increased production of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand10, granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and the mRNA expressions of these cytokines. HFPGE also resulted in significantly increasing the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results imply that fermentation and hydrolysis result in the extraction of more active ingredients of PG. Furthermore, we determined that HFPGE exerts immunostimulatory activity via the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.7-11
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• 2013

Objectives : Seungmagalgeun-tang (SMGGT) is traditional medicine widely used for inflammatory disease and flu. But SMGGT exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity with an unknown mechanism. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of SMGGT water extract on pharmacological and biochemical actions in inflammation, we examined the effect of SMGGT on pro-inflammatory mediators in Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)+A23187-stimulated mast cells. Methods : In the present study, pro-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and western blot analysis to measure the activation of MAPKs. Cells were treated with SMGGT 1 h prior to the addition of 50 nM of PMA and $1{\mu}M$ of A23187. Cell viability was measured by MTS assay. The investigation focused on whether SMGGT inhibited the expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in PMA+A23187-stimulated mast cells. Results : SMGGT has no cytotoxicity at examined concentration (100, 250, and $500{\mu}g/ml$). Also, gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in HMC-1 cells stimulated by PMA+A23187 was down regulated by SMGGT. Furthermore, SMGGT suppressed the PMA+A23187-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-jun N-terminal Kinase(JNK). But, SMGGT could not regulate phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Conclusions : These results suggest that SMGGT has inhibitory effects on PMA+A23187-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production. These inhibitory effects occur through blockades on the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.234-241
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• 2023

최근 세계 여러 나라에서 대마초 및 대마제품을 합법화하고 대마를 이용한 다양한 치료법에 대한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있다. 그러나 대마에는 생물학적 효과가 아직 확립되지 않은 여러 화합물들이 포함되어 있다. 본 연구에서는 인간 모유두 세포(HDPC)의 모발 성장에 대한 칸나비디올(CBD)의 효과를 조사하였다. 2,2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) 및 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) 라디칼 소거 분석법을 활용하여 CBD의 항산화 활성을 측정하였다. 모유두 세포에서 CBD의 세포생존률은 WST-1 분석법으로 측정하였다. CBD 처리에 의한 모유두 세포에서 모발 성장과 관련된 인자의 발현은 real-time PCR 및 western blot으로 측정하였다. CBD의 항산화 활성 측정결과, DPPH 및 ABTS 자유 라디칼 소거 활성의 IC50 값은 각각 15.46±0.24 μM 및 13.90±0.06 μM으로 뛰어난 활성 산소 제거능을 나타냈다. CBD 처리군은 대조군에 비해 세포 증식이 증가하는 경향을 나타냈다. 또한 모유두 세포에서 Real-Time PCR과 Western blotting을 통해 모발 성장 관련 인자를 측정한 결과, CBD 처리로 인하여 성장 관련 인자들이 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 종합적으로, 항산화 활성이 높은 CBD는 모유두 세포에서 세포 증식을 증가시키고 모발 성장 관련 인자들을 긍정적으로 조절합니다. 이러한 결과는 CBD가 탈모증에 대한 잠재적으로 활용될 수 있음을 시사한다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.127-138
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• 2023

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) is an important serine/threonine kinase that implicates in multiple cellular processes and links with the neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, structure-based virtual screening was performed to search database for compounds targeting GSK-3β from Enamine's screening collection. Of the top-ranked compounds, 7 primary hits underwent a luminescent kinase assay and a cell assay using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells expressing Tau repeat domain (Tau_RD) with pro-aggregant mutation ΔK280. In the kinase assay for these 7 compounds, residual GSK-3β activities ranged from 36.1% to 90.0% were detected at the IC₅₀ of SB-216763. In the cell assay, only compounds VB-030 and VB-037 reduced Tau aggregation in SH-SY5Y cells expressing ΔK280 Tau_RD-DsRed folding reporter. In SH-SY5Y cells expressing ΔK280 Tau_RD, neither VB-030 nor VB-037 increased expression of GSK-3α Ser21 or GSK-3β Ser9. Among extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT), mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (P38) and mitogenactivated protein kinase 8 (JNK) which modulate Tau phosphorylation, VB-037 attenuated active phosphorylation of P38 Thr180/ Tyr182, whereas VB-030 had no effect on the phosphorylation status of ERK, AKT, P38 or JNK. However, both VB-030 and VB-037 reduced endogenous Tau phosphorylation at Ser202, Thr231, Ser396 and Ser404 in neuronally differentiated SH-SY5Y expressing ΔK280 Tau_RD. In addition, VB-030 and VB-037 further improved neuronal survival and/or neurite length and branch in mouse hippocampal primary culture under Tau cytotoxicity. Overall, through inhibiting GSK-3β kinase activity and/or p-P38 (Thr180/Tyr182), both compounds may serve as promising candidates to reduce Tau aggregation/cytotoxicity for AD treatment.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.97-105
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• 2023

Background: Hyperactivated airway mucosa cells overproduce mucin and cause severe breathing complications. Here, we aimed to identify the effects of saponins derived from Panax ginseng on inflammation and mucin overproduction. Methods: NCI-H292 cells were pre-incubated with 16 saponins derived from P. ginseng, and mucin overproduction was induced by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Mucin protein MUC5AC was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and mRNA levels were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Moreover, we performed a transcriptome analysis of PMA-treated NCI-H292 cells in the absence or presence of Rg5, and differential gene expression was confirmed using qPCR. Phosphorylation levels of signaling molecules, and the abundance of lipid droplets, were measured by western blotting, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. Results: Ginsenoside Rg5 effectively reduced MUC5AC secretion and decreased MUC5AC mRNA levels. A systematic functional network analysis revealed that Rg5 upregulated cholesterol and glycerolipid metabolism, resulting in the production of lipid droplets to clear reactive oxygen species (ROS), and modulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor (NF)-kB signaling pathways to regulate inflammatory responses. Rg5 induced the accumulation of lipid droplets and decreased cellular ROS levels, and N-acetyl-ⳑ-cysteine, a ROS inhibitor, reduced MUC5AC secretion via Rg5. Furthermore, Rg5 hampered the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 proteins, affecting the NF-kB signaling pathway and pro-inflammatory responses. Conclusion: Rg5 alleviated inflammatory responses by reducing mucin secretion and promoting lipid droplet-mediated ROS clearance. Therefore, Rg5 may have potential as a therapeutic agent to alleviate respiratory disorders caused by hyperactivation of mucosa cells.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.64-72
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• 2023

심장 발생과정에 관여하는 주요 전사인자들의 기능에 대한 규명 등의 발전에도 불구하고 줄기 세포에서 매우 효율적인 심근 세포로의 분화를 촉진하는 새로운 생체 활성 분자를 찾는 것이 여전히 필요하다. 마우스배아줄기세포(mESC) 유래 심근세포의 Illumina 발현 마이크로어레이 데이터를 분석하였다. 미분화 mESCs와 비교하여 mESC 유래 심근세포에서 4배 이상 유전자 발현이 증가한 276개 유전자가 스크리닝되었다. Secreted phosphoprotein 2 (Spp2)는 후보물질 중 하나이며 bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)에 대한 슈도수용체로서 BMP2 신호 전달을 억제하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 심근 형성과의 연관성은 알려진 바 없다. 우리는 mESC 세포주인 TC-1/Kh2와 E14를 이용하여 기능성 심근세포로 분화하는 동안 Spp2 발현이 증가함을 검증하였다. 흥미롭게도, Spp2 분비는 배아체(embryoid body, EBs) 형성 후 3일차에 일시적으로 증가했는데, 이는 Spp2의 분비가 ESCs의 심근세포로의 분화에 관여함을 시사한다. Spp2의 기능을 분석하기 위해, 우리는 BMP2를 처리하면 분화 경로를 근모세포에서 골모세포로 전환되는 특성을 가진 C2C12 마우스 근모세포 세포주를 사용하여 실험을 수행하였다. mESCs의 분화와 유사하게, Spp2의 전사는 C2C12 근모세포가 근관으로 분화됨에 따라 증가하였다. 특히, 분화 초기 단계에서 Spp2의 세포외 분비가 극적으로 증가하였다. 또한, Spp2-Flag 재조합 단백질로 처리하면 C2C12 근모세포의 근관으로의 분화가 촉진되었다. 종합하면, ESCs를 심근 세포로 분화시키는 새로운 생체 활성 단백질로 Spp2를 제안한다. 이것은 심근형성의 분자 경로를 이해하고 허혈성 심장질환에 대한 줄기세포 요법의 실험적 또는 임상적 발전을 촉진하는 역할을 할 것으로 기대한다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권9호
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• pp.703-712
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• 2023

기존 혈관에서 새로운 혈관을 형성하는 혈관 신생은 혈관 신생 조절인자에 의해 조절되는 다단계 과정이며 배아 발달, 만성 염증 및 상처 복구를 포함한 다양한 생리학적 과정에 필수적이다. 혈관 신생의 조절장애는 암, 자가 면역 질환, 류마티스 관절염, 심혈관 질환 및 상처 치유 지연과 같은 많은 질병을 유발한다. 그러나 효과적인 혈관신생 억제 약물은 제한되어 있으며, 최근 연구에서는 천연 자원에서 잠재적인 약물후보를 식별하는 데 중점을 두고 있다. 예를 들어, 해양 천연물은 항암, 항산화, 항염증, 항바이러스 및 상처 치유 효과를 입증했다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 톳(갈조류) 추출물의 혈관 신생 억제 효과를 확인했습니다. H. fusiformis 추출물은 인간 제대 정맥 내피 세포(HUVECs)에서 세포 이동, 침윤 및 관 형성을 억제하며, 동시에 Matrigel 겔 플러그 분석을 통해 생체 내 혈관 신생을 억제를 확인했다. 또한, 톳 추출물 처리 후 VEGF, Erk, Akt의 활성이 감소하는 것을 확인했다. 이 결과를 토대로 H. fusiformis 추출물이 in vitro 및 in vivo 혈관 신생을 억제함을 시사한다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.359-364
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• 2023

KAI1/CD82, a membrane tetraspanin protein, can prevent various cancers and retinal disorders through its anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic capacity. However, little is known about its anti-inflammatory effect and molecular mechanism. Therefore, the present study aimed to inLPSvestigate effect of a recombinant protein of the large extracellular domain of human KAI1 (Gly 111-Leu 228, rhKAI1) on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) and to identify its underlying mechanism. Our data showed that rhKAI1 suppressed expression levels of classically macrophages (M1) phenotype-related surface markers F4/80+CD86+ in LPS-stimulated BMDM and RAW264.7 cells. In addition, LPS markedly increased mRNA expression and release levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, cyclooxygenase-2, nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2, whereas these increases were substantially down-regulated by rhKAI1. Furthermore, LPS strongly increased expression of NF-κB p65 in the nuclei and phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK. However, nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and phosphorylation of JNK were greatly reversed in the presence of rhKAI1. Especially, rhKAI1 markedly suppressed expression of toll-like receptor (TLR4) and prevented binding of LPS with TLR4 through molecular docking predict analysis. Importantly, Glu 214 of rhKAI1 residue strongly interacted with Lys 360 of TLR4 residue, with a binding distance of 2.9 Å. Taken together, these findings suggest that rhKAI1 has an anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-polarized macrophages by interacting with TLR4 and down-regulating the JNK/NF-κB signaling pathway.