• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.12
• /
• pp.1516-1522
• /
• 2018

Atherosclerosis is an obstructive vessel disease mainly caused by chronic arterial inflammation to which the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is the main pathological response. In the present study, the primary responsible inflammatory cytokine and its signaling pathway was investigated. The proliferation and migration of VSMCs was significantly enhanced by the prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}$ ($PGF_{2{\alpha}}$), while neither was affected by tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$. Prostacyclin $I_2$ was seen to enhance the proliferation of VSMCs while simultaneously suppressing their migration. Both prostaglandin $D_2$ and prostaglandin $E_2$ significantly enhanced the migration of VSMCs, however, proliferation was not affected by either of them. The proliferation and migration of VSMCs stimulated by $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ progressed in a dose-dependent manner; the $EC_{50}$ value of both proliferation and migration was $0.1{\mu}M$. VSMCs highly expressed the phospholipase isoform $C-{\beta}3$ ($PLC-{\beta}3$) while others such as $PLC-{\beta}1$, $PLC-{\beta}2$, and $PLC-{\beta}4$ were not expressed. Inhibition of the PLCs by U73122 completely blocked the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$-induced migration of VSMCs, and, in addition, silencing $PLC-{\beta}3$ significantly diminished the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Given these results, we suggest that $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ plays a crucial role in the proliferation and migration of VSMCs, and activation of $PLC-{\beta}3$ could be involved in their $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$-dependent migration.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.8
• /
• pp.854-860
• /
• 2019

This study investigated the optimum pH conditions for efficient extraction of protein from defatted Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae. We examined the anti-inflammatory effect of protein derived from defatted TM larvae obtained by an alkaline extraction method. Six extraction pH values (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12) and three precipitation pH values (2, 4, and 6) were used. The protein content, browning degree, and recovery yield of the protein obtained under each pH condition were determined. For efficient extraction of protein from defatted TM larvae, a combination of an extraction pH of 9 and precipitation pH of 4 resulted in a 32.4% recovery yield based on the extraction value and degree of browning. To determine whether the protein ameliorated inflammation by inhibition of macrophage activation by lipopolysaccharides (LPS), we measured nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in LPS-stimulated raw 264.7 macrophage cells. The protein markedly inhibited the production of NO without cytotoxicity and reduced the expression level of COX-2 and iNOS protein through the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) signaling. These results suggested that protein derived from TM larvae could have potential applications in anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents and protein supplements.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.287-297
• /
• 2021

Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc. is traditionally used as an edible and medicinal plant in many countries in East Asia. Previous studies have shown the pharmacological potential of extracts and components of C. officinalis, but comparative analysis of the composition of the leaf, stem, and fruit extracts has been insufficient to date. In the present study, the content of active antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients was verified in different C. officinalis parts (under-ripe sansuyu, ripe sansuyu, seed, leaf, stem, and dried sansuyu). One active component, morroniside, was high in fruit (under-ripe and ripe sansuyu), while loganin was high in fruit (under-ripe sansuyu) and cornin was high in seeds. Total polyphenol contents were highest in fruit (ripe sansuyu) and flavonoids were highest in leaves. DPPH radical scavenging activity was highest in leaves, followed by seeds and then ripe sansuyu extract. The anti-inflammatory efficacy of leaf extracts of C. officinalis (LCO) was further investigated by measuring their effects on levels of nitric oxide (NO) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of LCO effectively decreased the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of inducible NO synthase, resulting in decreased NO production. LCO also significantly suppressed LPS-induced production and expression of IL-1β and IL-6. Taken together, the present findings suggest that C. officinalis leaves have potential as natural materials for the development of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.17-27
• /
• 2021

This study was performed to investigate the antioxidant activities of subfractions of Peucedanum insolens Kitagawa root in various organic solvents and their anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. First, P. insolens Kitagawa roots were dried at room temperature for one week, chopped, and extracted with 70% ethanol. The resulting extracts were successively sub-fractionated with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water. The antioxidant potential of the fractions was evaluated using a DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay and by measuring total polyphenol and flavonoid contents. The anti-inflammatory potency of the fractions was evaluated by measuring the inhibition levels of the expressions of inflammatory-mediated genes and proteins (e.g., iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, and IL-6) in RAW264.7 cells. The results clearly showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of the P. insolens Kitagawa root contained relatively high total flavonoid (34.08±1.68 ㎍ of quercetin equivalents per mg) and total polyphenol (154.1±3.2 ㎍ of gallic acid equivalents per mg) contents. The DPPH assay results showed that the P. insolens Kitagawa root possessed strong free radical scavenging activity in the ethyl acetate fraction. Both the ethyl acetate and hexane fractions showed strong inhibitory potencies to nitric oxide production induced by lipopolysaccharide (1 ㎍/ml) treatment for 24 hr in RAW264.7 cells. The results also showed that both the hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of the P. insolens Kitagawa root strongly inhibited mRNA levels of iNOS, IL-1β, and IL-6, which were overexpressed by LPS treatment for 24 hr in the RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that P. insolens Kitagawa root may contain compounds that possess strong potency for anti-inflammatory activity. Further studies are needed to discover more detailed modes of action of P. insolens Kitagawa root fractions against inflammation modulation, such as the regulation of cytokine signaling and inflammatory signaling pathways.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.267-277
• /
• 2021

To evaluate hepatoprotective effects, the antioxidant capacities of matcha green tea extract (Camellia sinenesis) were compared to those of green leaf tea and the anti-inflammatory activities in HepG2 cells were investigated. Evaluation of the total phenolic and total flavonoid content, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation indicated that the aqueous extract of matcha green tea presented significant catechin content and antioxidant capacity compared to those of green leaf tea. In addition, the extract had considerable inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and advanced glycation end-products. The matcha green tea extract significantly increased cell viability and reduced reactive oxygen species in H₂O₂- and high-glucose-treated HepG2 cells. Furthermore, in response to oleic acid-induced HepG2 cell injury, treatment with matcha green tea aqueous extract inhibited lipid accumulation and regulated the expression of inflammatory proteins such as p-JNK, p-Akt, p-GSK-3β, caspase-3, COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-α. Matcha green tea could be used as a functional material to ameliorate hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.64 no.2
• /
• pp.113-119
• /
• 2021

Olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves, a raw material for health functional foods and cosmetics have abundant polyphenols including oleuropein (major bioactive compound) with various biological activities: antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer activity, and inhibit platelet activation. Oleuropein has been reported as skin protectant, antioxidant, anti-ageing, anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-atherogenic, anti-viral, and anti-microbial activity. Despite oleuropein is the important compound in olive leaves, there is still no quantitative approach to reveal oleuropein content in commercial products. Therefore, a validated method of analysis has to develop for oleuropein. In this study, the components and oleuropein content in 10 types of products were analyzed using a developed method with ultra-performance liquid chromatography to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, charge of aerosol detector, and photodiode array. The total of 18 compounds including iridoids (1, 3, 4, 14, and 16-18), coumarin (2), phenylethanoids (5, 9, and 11), flavonoids (6-8, 10, 12, and 13), lignan (15), were tentatively identified in the leaves extract based high resolution mass spectrometry data, and the content of oleuropein in each product was almost identical between two detection methods. The oleuropein in three commercial product (A, G, H) was contained more over the suggested content, and it of five products (B, E, H, I, J) were analyzed within 5-10% error range. However, the two products (C, D) were found far lower than suggested contents. This study provides that analytical results of oleuropein could be a potential information for the quality control of leaf extract for a manufactured functional food.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.127-136
• /
• 2019

Today, as the specification of pigs increases, it is important to develop eco-friendly livestock feeds that do not add antibiotics to highly utilizable materials as feed resources, and to produce functional eco-friendly pork and processed products. The purpose of this study was to establish Rubus occidentalis (RO) byproducts containing various amounts of physiologically active substances such as anticancer, anti - inflammation and antioxidant as a raw material for pig feed. The multifaceted efficacy of the RO fermented fodder (ROFF) was confirmed by the nutrient transport factors and antioxidant activity of Berkshire pigs. ROFF was added 0.3% to the general diet and the efficacy was confirmed by feeding diets to Berkshire pigs according to each weight for 43~73 days. As a result, the total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were decreased or were increased in the castrated male and female Berkshire pigs but not significantly. It was confirmed that the tendency was improved in nutrition physiology. The biochemical levels of female finishing pigs were not significant but increased. In the case of finishing pigs with possibility of pregnancy, it is expected that the nutrition supply for piglet production and will help in the production of the healthy piglet. Transferrin (TFE) levels tended to increase in female growing pig and 110-150 kg finishing pigs. Thus ROFF could minimize the negative effects of iron contents deficiency in female Berkshire pigs. Glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) activity was increased in castrated male and female 110-150 kg finishing pigs. Therefore, ROFF tends to improve the antioxidant capacity. The results of this study suggest that ROFF is one of the most favorable dietary sources when considering the contents of RO in feed. In particular, ROFF could have a positive effect on nutrient transport and iron content of female rather than castrated male Berkshire pigs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.20-25
• /
• 2022

Background and Objectives Globus pharyngeus is one of the most common symptoms of patients visiting otorhinolaryngology out-patient clinic, and usually long-lasting, difficult to treat, and frequently recurrent. Mucomyst^®, N-acetyl cysteine is an inhalation agent mainly used for mucolysis and reducing inflammation in airway via antioxidative effect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of inhaled Mucomyst^® treatment in patients with globus pharyngeus refractory to proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Materials and Method We prospectively evaluated the efficacy of Mucomyst^® in relieving symptoms of globus pharyngeus refractory to PPI in nine medical centers. Three hundred and three patients enrolled and finally 229 patients finished the inhaled Mucomyst^® therapy for 8 weeks. We analyzed the change of Reflux Symptom Index (RSI), Reflux Finding Score (RFS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for globus, and Globus Pharyngeus Symptom Scale (GPS) after use of Mucomyst^® for 4 and 8 weeks. Results The GPS, RSI, RFS, and VAS score significantly decreased serially in patients who finished 8 week-inhalation treatment. The GPS improvement gap was significantly correlated with initial GPS (p<0.001) in multiple regression analysis. Conclusion Inhaled Mucomyst^® therapy was effective for the reduction of both subjective and objective findings in refractory globus patients. This study might suggest new treatment option for patients with globus. However, further thorough studies would be needed to assess the real effect of inhaled Mucomyst^® treatment as a standard treatment for globus.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.565-573
• /
• 2022

Gingival inflammation is one of the main causes that can be related to various periodontal diseases. Human gingival fibroblast (HGF) is the major constituent in periodontal connective tissue and secretes various inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. This study is aimed at investigating the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of Lotus Root extract (LRE) in Porphyromonas gingivalis derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS-PG)-stimulated HGF-1 cells. The concentration of NO and PGE₂, as well as their responsible enzymes, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was analyzed by Griess reaction, ELISA, and western blot analysis. LPS-PG sharply elevated the production and protein expression of inflammatory mediators, which were significantly attenuated by LRE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. LRE treatment also suppressed activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in LPS-PG-stimulated HGF-1 cells. In addition, one of phase II enzyme, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase (NQO)-1, and its transcription factor, Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), were significantly induced by LRE treatment. Consequently, these results suggest that LRE ameliorates LPS-PG-induced inflammatory responses by attenuating TLR4/MyD88-mediated NF-κB, and activating NQO-1/Nrf2 antioxidant response element signaling pathways in HGF-1 cells.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.73-79
• /
• 2022

Objectives : Suicide is a global social problem. Social burden caused by suicide is gradually increasing. Various efforts have been made to prevent suicide. Lifestyle changes to western style, especially diet changes, have increased the risk for suicide. Therefore, in this study, we discussed diet as an adjuvant treatment for suicide. Methods : In this review, we summarized the biochemical mechanism of suicide, and diet as a risk factor for suicide and diet as a protective factor through a web search. Results : In this study, biochemical mechanisms for suicide were reviewed and diet as a risk factor and diet as a protective factor for suicide were investigated. It was confirmed that neurotoxic effects such as oxidative stress and inflammation in the neural system could increase the risk of suicide. Based on results of previous studies on the relationship between suicide and diet, it was found that heavy use of alcohol, coffee, carbonated soft drink, and fast food were risk factors for suicide. Protective factors for suicide included antioxidants such as vitamin C, carotene, and anti-inflammatory agents such as omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood in large amounts. Conclusions : The only treatment for suicide is prevention. In this context, effectiveness, accessibility, and safety are important for preventing for suicide. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that are relatively safe and readily available to the public could be effective adjuvant treatments to decrease the risk of suicide. In addition, it is necessary to educate the public on reducing diets that could increase the risk of suicide