• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.272-278
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• 2017

Fucoidan has been reported to exhibit various beneficial activities ranging from to antivirus and anticancer properties. However, little information is available about the effects of fucoidan on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Our study aimed to explore the effects of fucoidan on cerebral IRI, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly subjected to four groups: Sham, IRI+saline (IRI+S), IRI+80 mg/kg fucoidan (IRI+F80), and IRI+160 mg/kg fucoidan (IRI+F160). Fucoidan (80 mg/kg or 160 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected from 7 days before the rats were induced to cerebral IRI model with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method. At 24 h after reperfusion, neurological deficits and the total infarct volume were determined. The levels of inflammation-associated cytokines (interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$), oxidative stress-related proteins (malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) in the ischemic brain were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Besides, the levels of apoptosis-related proteins (p-53, Bax, and B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway (phosphorylation-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p-p38) were measured. Results showed that administration of fucoidan significantly reduced the neurological deficits and infarct volume compared to the IRI+S group in a dose-dependent manner. Also, fucoidan statistically decreased the levels of inflammation-associated cytokines, and oxidative stress-related proteins, inhibited apoptosis, and suppressed the MAPK pathway. So, Fucoidan plays a protective role in cerebral IRI might be by inhibition of MAPK pathway.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.229-232
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• 2002

There are two distinct UV-responsive signaling pathways in UV-irradiated mammalian cells, i.e., the DNA damage-dependent and -independent pathways. The former occurs in nucleus and results in growth arrest and apoptosis via post-translational modification of p53. The latter is initiated by oxidative stress and/or by damages in cell membrane or cytoplasm, which activate signaling cascade through intracellular molecules including mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK). In normal human fibroblastic cells, all of MAPK family members, extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38, were rapidly phosphorylated following UV-irradiation. ERK phosphorylation was suppressed by an inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). As ERK usually responds to mitogenic stimuli from RTK ligands, UV-induced ERK phosphorylation may be linked to the proliferation of survived cells. In contrast, phosphorylation of JNK and p38, as well as apoptosis, were modulated by the level of UV-generated oxidative stress Therefore, JNK and p38 may take part in oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis. Phosphorylation of p53 at Ser and Thr residues are essential for stabilization and activation of p53. Among several sites reported, we confirmed phosphorylation at Ser-15 and Ser-392 after UV-irradiation. Both of these were inhibited by a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor, presumably due to the shutdown of signals from DNA damage to p53. Phosphorylation at Ser-392 was also sensitive to an antioxidant and a p38 inhibitor, suggesting that Ser-392 of p53 is one of the possible points where DNA damage-dependent and -independent apoptic signals merge. Thus, MAPK pathway links UV-induced intracellular signals to the nuclear responses and modifies DNA damage-dependent cellular outcome, resulting in the determination of cell death.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.315-320
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• 2013

Here, we show that radicicol, a fungal antibiotic, resulted in marked inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) transcription by the pancreatic beta cell line MIN6N8a in response to cytokine mixture (CM: TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$). Treatment of MIN6N8a cells with radicicol inhibited CM-stimulated activation of NF-${\kappa}B$/Rel, which plays a critical role in iNOS transcription, in a dose-related manner. Nitrite production in the presence of PD98059, a specific inhibitor of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase-1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway, was dramatically diminished, suggesting that the ERK1/2 pathway is involved in CM-induced iNOS expression. In contrast, SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38, had no effect on nitrite generation. Collectively, this series of experiments indicates that radicicol inhibits iNOS gene expression by blocking ERK1/2 signaling. Due to the critical role that NO release plays in mediating destruction of pancreatic beta cells, the inhibitory effects of radicicol on iNOS expression suggest that radicicol may represent a useful anti-diabetic activity.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 2022

It has been reported that the ethanolic extract of the root of Piper methysticum (P. methysticum) inhibits melanogenesis in melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)-activated B16 melanoma cells. Flavokawain B (FKB) and Flavokawain C (FKC) isolated from this extract have been found to inhibit melanin production based on anti-melanogenesis activity. This study was designed to find out the inhibition and its process of FKB and FKC on melanin synthesis in melan-a melanocytes. FKB and FKC inhibited melanogenesis at 10 μM, 5 μM respectively in melan-a melanocytes. However, they did not inhibit extracellular tyrosinase activity from melan-a melanocytes. FKB reduced the protein level of tyrosinase (Tyr), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and the mRNA level of Tyr and TRP-1. FKC reduced the protein level of TRP-2 and MITF and the mRNA level of TRP-1 and Tyr. The reduced expression of Tyr and TRP-1 might be resulted from the decreased MITF which regulates major melanogenic proteins. However, since the mRNA expression of MITF did not change by FKB and FKC treatment, the effects of FKB and FKC on extracellular signal regulating kinase (ERK)/AKT phosphorylation, known to regulate the degradation of MITF, were confirmed. FKB and FKC significantly increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, not in AKT. These results suggest that FKB and FKC may be helpful as a potential depigmenting agent for various hyper-pigmentary disorders.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2007

The present study was undertaken to determine whether $SM22{\alpha}$ participates in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle contractility using $SM22{\alpha}$ knockout mice and, if so, to investigate the mechanisms involved. Aortic ring preparations were mounted and equilibrated in organ baths for 60 min before observing contractile responses to 50 mM KCl, and then exposed to contractile agents such as phenylephrine and phorbol ester. Measurement of isometric contractions using a computerized data acquisition system was combined with molecular or cellular experiments. Interestingly, the aortas from $SM22{\alpha}$-deficient mice ($SM22^{-/-LacZ}$) displayed an almost three-fold increase in the level of $SM22{\beta}$ protein compared to wild-type mice, but no change in the levels of caldesmon, actin, desmin or calponin. $Ca^{2+}$-independent contraction in response to phenylephrine or phorbol ester was significantly decreased in the $SM22{\alpha}$-deficient mice, whereas in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$ neither contraction nor subcellular translocation of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in response to phenylephrine or 50 mM KCl was significantly affected. A decrease in phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was observed in the $SM22{\alpha}$-deficient mice and this may be related to the decreased vascular contractility. Taken together, this study provides evidence for a pivotal role of $SM22{\alpha}$ in the regulation of $Ca^{2+}$-independent vascular contractility.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

Objective : As more and more people are interested in appearance in modern society, the increasing number of hair loss population can have an important impact on psychological and social problems such as depression and inappropriate interpersonal symptoms. Therefore, much research is being done on treatments for alopecia using herbal extracts with relatively few side effects. This study was investigated about the effect of Achyranthis Radix (AR) extract with ethanol solvent on hair growth. Methods : We determined the promoting efficacy of AR-ethanol extract compared with minoxidil (MNXD) on the growth of human hair dermal papilla cells (HDPCs). Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and cell proliferation was confirmed by cell cycle analysis from flow cytometry in HDPCs. Also, we monitored the safe concentration range through MTT assay. And protein expression of hair growth-related genes (insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), Wnt3a, Protein kinase B (Akt), Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)) was monitored by western blot. Results : On cell cycle analysis, the G2/M phase was higher than that of the DW group in AR ethanol extract group at 0.05 and 0.1 mg/㎖. All protein expression levels of HDPCs were increased in AR ethanol extract groups and the MNXD group, compared to the DW group, respectively. Conclusion : As mentioned above, AR extract increased cell proliferation and the protein expression of IGF-1, Wnt3a, Akt, Erk in HDPCs. These results suggest that AR ethanol extract has promoted hair growth and it might be potential hair growth supplement.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.84-93
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• 2024

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a phenolic ester that protects human keratinocytes against oxidative damage induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure, however, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the cell signaling mechanisms that regulate the antioxidant activity of RA and confirm its cyto-protective role. To explore the signaling mechanisms, we used the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT and SKH1 hairless mouse skin. RA enhanced glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and glutathione synthetase (GSS) expression in HaCaT cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, RA induced nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2) nuclear translocation and activated the signaling kinases protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Treatment with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, the ERK inhibitor U0126, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) gene silencing suppressed RA-enhanced GCLC, GSS, and NRF2 expression, respectively. Cell viability tests showed that RA significantly prevented UVB-induced cell viability decrease, whereas the glutathione (GSH) inhibitors buthionine sulfoximine, LY294002, and U0126 significantly reduced this effect. Moreover, RA protected against DNA damage and protein carbonylation, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis caused by UVB-induced oxidative stress in a concentration-dependent manner in SKH1 hairless mouse skin tissues. These results suggest that RA protects against UVB-induced oxidative damage by activating AKT and ERK signaling to regulate NRF2 signaling and enhance GSH biosynthesis. Thus, RA treatment may be a promising approach to protect the skin from UVB-induced oxidative damage.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2005

The objective of this study is screening the shear stress related proteins in chondrocytes using twodimensional electrophresis and MALDI-TOF. C-28/I2 cell line were grown. The fluid-induced shear stress(FISS) was applied using a cone viscometer at a rotational velocity of 80rpm for periods of 12 hours. Control cultures were tested under identical conditions without mechanical load application. Collected samples were used for the two-dimensional electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF. The identified proteins were calcyclin, RPE-spondin, interleukin-2, extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), lamin B2, porA protein, and RET-ELE1 protein. All of them showed a decreased expression. In conclusion, seven proteins were identified as a shear stress related proteins in chondrocytes. As the destruction of articular cartilage is one of main pathogenesis of TMJ internal derangement, this study will give useful information for the understanding of the molecular aspect of TMJ disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.248-255
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• 2022

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), a green leafy vegetable, is well known as a functional food due to its biological activities. Vascular calcification is associated with several disease conditions including atherosclerosis, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and is known to raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases related morbidity and mortality. However, there are no previous studies that have investigated the effects of fermented spinach exract (FSE) against aortic and its underlying mechanisms. Therefore, this study investigated the effects and action of possible mechanisms of FSE on inorganic phosphate (PI)-induced vascular calcification in ex vivo mouse aortic rings. PI increased vascular calcification through calcium deposition in ex vivo aortic rings. FSE inhibited calcium accumulation and osteogenic key marker, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP-2) protein expression in ex vivo aortic rings. And, FSE inhibited PI-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 phosphorylation in ex vivo aortic rings. These results show that FSE can prevent vascular calcification which may be a crucial way for the prevention and treatment of vascular disease association with vascular calcification.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.705-711
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• 2014

In order to develop a skin-whitening agent, melanin contents and intracellular tyrosinase activity were determined by western blotting. Ethyl acetate fractions of 80% ethanol extracts from lily (Lilium Oriental Hybrid 'Siberia') bulbs (R-EA) inhibited melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner in ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH)-treated B16/F10 murine melanoma cells. Intracellular tyrosinase activity and melanin contents were suppressed by 45% and 74%, respectively, in response to treatment with $100{\mu}g/mL$ of R-EA. Examination of protein expression associated with ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanogenesis showed that tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1 was inhibited more strongly than tyrosinase, and these results were correlated with stronger inhibition of melanin synthesis than intracellular tyrosinase activity. Taken together, R-EA containing p-coumaric acid and resveratrol could be used as a hypopigmentation agent through suppression of sustained extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation via melanogenic induction.