• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.40-49
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• 2018

We evaluated the antioxidant activity and neuronal cell-protective effect of fucoidan extract from Ecklonia cava (FEC) on hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced cytotoxicity in PC-12 and MC-IXC cells to assess its protective effect against oxidative stress. Antioxidant activities were examined using the ABTS radical scavenging activity and malondialdehyde-inhibitory effect, and the results showed that FEC had significant antioxidant activity. Intracellular ROS contents and neuronal cell viability were investigated using the DCF-DA assay and MTT reduction assay. FEC also showed remarkable neuronal cell-protective effect compared with vitamin C as a positive control for both $H_2O_2$-treated PC-12 and MC-IXC cells. Based on the neuronal cell-protective effects, mitochondrial function was analyzed in PC-12 cells, and FEC significantly restored mitochondrial damage by increasing the mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$) and ATP levels and regulating mitochondrial-mediated proteins (p-AMPK and BAX). Finally, the inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is a critical hydrolyzing enzyme of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the cholinergic system, were investigated ($IC_{50}$ value = 1.3 mg/ml) and showed a mixed (competitive and noncompetitive) pattern of inhibition. Our findings suggest that FEC may be used as a potential material for alleviating oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage by regulating mitochondrial function and AChE inhibition.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1090-1095
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• 2014

Anthocyanins, a class of flavonoids, are natural water-soluble pigments, which are mainly found in vegetables and fruits. Anthocyanins have attractive pharmacological activities, such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of anthocyanins-rich fraction (ANF) from Korean purple sweet potato variety, "Shinjami", against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced oxidative stress. In our results, pre-treatment of HepG2 cells with ANF ($10{\mu}g/mL$) significantly prevented cell death and maintained cell integrity, following exposure to 0.9 mM hydrogen peroxide. The $H_2O_2$-dependent production of intracellular ROS was also significantly decreased by pre-treatment with ANF (6 h, $10{\mu}g/mL$). In addition, ANF increased the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes, catalase and glutathione level in $H_2O_2$-treated HepG2 cells. These results indicated that ANF protected HepG2 cells against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress by inducing protective system.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1120-1128
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• 2004

Zinc ion has both essential and toxic effects on mammalian cells. The results demonstrated that the ability of zinc to act as an inducer of apoptosis in C6 glial cells. Incubation with 0.2 mM ZnCl₂ caused cell death that was characterized as apoptosis by internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, formation of apoptotic bodies, nuclear fragmentation and breakdown of the mitochondrial membrane potential. ZnCl₂-induced apoptosis of C6 glial cells was prevented by the addition of Sibjeondaebo-Tang and antioxidants including reduced glutathione, N-acetyl-L-cysteine. We further confirmed that ZnCl₂ decreased the intracellular levels of GSH as well as generation of H₂O₂ in C6 glial cells. In 2D-electrophoresis, computer-assisted comparative analysis of the respective silver stained spot patterns revealed 3 groups with strongly decreased intensity by ZnCl₂. Whereas, 3 groups with increasing intensity were recovered by Sibjeondaebo-Tang. These results suggest that Sibjeondaebo-Tang may function as an antioxidant against free radicals and be applicable to the treatment of brain cells against oxidative stress.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.517-524
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• 2015

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used in cell-based therapy to promote revascularization after peripheral or myocardial ischemia. High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the senescence and apoptosis of MSCs, causing defective neovascularization. Here, we examined the effect of the natural antioxidant lycopene on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in MSCs. Although $H_2O_2$ ($200{\mu}M$) increased intracellular ROS levels in human MSCs, lycopene ($10{\mu}M$) pretreatment suppressed $H_2O_2$-induced ROS generation and increased survival. $H_2O_2$-induced ROS increased the levels of phosphorylated p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), and p53, which were inhibited by lycopene pretreatment. Furthermore, lycopene pretreatment decreased the expression of cleaved poly (ADP ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and caspase-3 and increased the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), which were induced by $H_2O_2$ treatment. Moreover, lycopene significantly increased manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) expression and decreased cellular ROS levels via the PI3K-Akt pathway. Our findings show that lycopene pretreatment prevents ischemic injury by suppressing apoptosis-associated signal pathway and enhancing anti-oxidant protein, suggesting that lycopene could be developed as a beneficial broad-spectrum agent for the successful MSC transplantation in ischemic diseases.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 1996

One mechanism of free-radical production by ethanol is suggested to be through the intracellular conversion of XDH to XO by increased ratio of NADH to NAD. The major mechanism for physiological compensation of cytosolic NADH/NAD balance is the malate/aspartate shutfie. Therefore, it is important to develop the method to improve the efficiency of malate/aspartate shuttle in ethanol metabolism. In the present study, various amino acids and organic acid involved in the shuttle were tested for their functional efficiency in modulating shuttle in the ethanol-perfused rat liver. The rate of ethanol oxidation in the liver perfused with aspartate alone or aspartate in combination with pyruvate, respectively, was increased by about 10% compared to control liver, but not in the tissues perfused with glummate, cysteine or pyruvate alone. Though glummate, cysteine and pyravate did not affect the ethanol oxidation significanfiy, they showed some suppresive effect on the ethanol-induced radical generation monitored by protein carbonylation analysis. Among the tested components, aspartate is confirmed to be the most efficient as a metabolic regulator for both ethanol oxidation and ethanol-induced oxidative stress in our perfusion system. These effects of aspartate would result from NAD recycling by its supplementation through the coupled aspartate aminotransferase/malate dehydrogenase reactions and the malate-aspartate shuttle.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2015

Phenolic rich ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) from lotus leaves was prepared and its bioactive components, antioxidant and cytoprotective effects were investigated. EAF showed high total phenolic content and flavonoid content and contained rutin ($11,331.3{\pm}4.5mg/100g\;EAF$), catechin ($10,853.8{\pm}5.8mg/100g\;EAF$), sinapic acid ($1,961.3{\pm}5.6mg/100g\;EAF$), chlorogenic acid ($631.9{\pm}2.3mg/100g\;EAF$), syringic acid ($512.3{\pm}2.5mg/100g\;EAF$), and quercetin ($415.0{\pm}2.1mg/100g\;EAF$). EAF exerted the $IC_{50}$ of $4.46{\mu}g/mL$ and $5.35{\mu}g/mL$ toward DPPH and ABTS cation radicals, respectively, and showed strong reducing power, which was better than that of ascorbic acid, a positive control. Additionally, EAF protected hydroxyl radical-induced DNA damage indicated by the conversion of supercoiled pBR322 plasmid DNA to the open circular form and inhibited lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acid in a linoleic acid emulsion. In cultured hepatocytes, EAF exerted a cytoprotective effect against oxidative stress by inhibiting intracellular reactive oxygen species formation and membrane lipid peroxidation. In addition, depletion of glutathione under oxidative stress was remarkably restored by treatment with EAF. The results suggest that EAF have great potential to be used against oxidative stress-induced health conditions.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.374-385
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• 2013

Environmental stresses induce several plant pathogenic bacteria into a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state, but the basis for VBNC is largely uncharacterized. We investigated the physiology and morphology of the copper-induced VBNC state in the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum in liquid microcosm. Supplementation of $200{\mu}M$ copper sulfate to the liquid microcosm completely suppressed bacterial colony formation on culture media; however, LIVE/DEAD BacLight bacterial viability staining showed that the bacterial cells maintained viability, and that the viable cells contain higher level of DNA. Based on electron microscopic observations, the bacterial cells in the VBNC state were unchanged in size, but heavily aggregated and surrounded by an unknown extracellular material. Cellular ribosome contents, however, were less, resulting in a reduction of the total RNA in VBNC cells. Proteome comparison and reverse transcription PCR analysis showed that the Dps protein production was up-regulated at the transcriptional level and that 2 catalases/peroxidases were present at lower level in VBNC cells. Cell aggregation and elevated levels of Dps protein are typical oxidative stress responses. $H_2O_2$ levels also increased in VBNC cells, which could result if catalase/peroxidase levels are reduced. Some of phenotypic changes in VBNC cells of R. solanacearum could be an oxidative stress response due to $H_2O_2$ accumulation. This report is the first of the distinct phenotypic changes in cells of R. solanacearum in the VBNC state.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.211-216
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• 2016

In the course of our continuing search for biologically active components from Korean medicinal plants, we isolated the main compound, luteolin 5-glucoside from aqueous fraction of Ajuga spectabilis. The structure was elucidated by the basis of $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ NMR and TOF ESI-MS data. Quantitative analysis of luteolin 5-glucoside was carried out on a XBridge C18 column ($S-5{\mu}m$, $4.6{\times}250mm$) with gradient elution composed of acetonitrile:water. The results exhibit that the average content of main compound in A. spectabilis were 0.048%. Oxidative stress plays a major role Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodogenerative disease. AD is major health problem and there is currently no clinically accepted treatment to cure or stop its progression. Pretreatment with luteolin 5-glucoside markedly attenuated $H_2O_2$-induced cell viability loss in a dose-dependent manner. Luteolin 5-glucoside also inhibited the formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in SH-SY5Y. The results suggest that luteolin 5-glucoside from A. spectabilis has protective effects against oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity, which might be a potential therapeutic compound for treating and/or preventing neurodegenerative disease implicated with oxidative stress.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2015

Catalpol, an iridoid glucoside, isolated from the root of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. It possesses a broad range of biological and pharmacological activity including anti-tumor, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidant by acting as a free radical scavenger. Therefore, in this study, the effects of catalpol on blastocyst development, expression levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptotic index were investigated in porcine embryos. After in vitro maturation and fertilization, porcine embryos were cultured for 6 days in porcine zygote medium 3 (PZM-3) supplemented with catalpol (0, 100, 200 and $400{\mu}M$, respectively). Blastocyst development not significantly improved in the catalpol treated group when compared with control group. Otherwise, the intracelluar levels of ROS were decreased and the numbers of apoptotic nuclei were reduced in the catalpol ($100{\mu}M$) treated porcine blastocysts (P<0.05). On the other hand, blastocyst development was significantly improved in the catalpol ($100{\mu}M$) treated group when compared with the untreated catalpol group under $H_2O_2$ ($200{\mu}M$) induced oxidative stress (P<0.05). Otherwise, the intracellular levels of ROS in catalpol ($100{\mu}M$) treated group were significantly decreased in the untreated catalpol group under $H_2O_2$ ($200{\mu}M$) induced oxidative stress (P<0.05). Furthermore, the total cell numbers of blastocysts were significantly increased (P<0.05) in the catalpol ($100{\mu}M$) treated group under $H_2O_2$ ($200{\mu}M$) induced oxidative stress, whereas numbers of apoptoic nuclei were significantly reduced (P<0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that treatment of catalpol may have important implications for improving developmental competence and preimplantation quality of porcine embryos through its anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effect.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.175-183
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• 2013

Cathepsin B is abundantly expressed peptidase of the papain family in the lysosomes, and closely related to the cell degradation system such as apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. Abnormal degradation of organelles often occurs due to release of cathepsin B into the cytoplasm. Many studies have been reported that relationship between cathepsin B and intracellular mechanisms in various cell types, but porcine embryos has not yet been reported. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of cathepsin B inhibitor (E-64) on preimplantation developmental competence and quality of porcine embryos focusing on apoptosis and oxidative stress. The expression of cathepsin B mRNA in porcine embryos was gradually decreased in inverse proportion to E-64 concentration by using real-time RT-PCR. When putative zygotes were cultured with E-64 for 24 h, the rates of early cleavage and blastocyst development were decreased by increasing E-64 concentration. However, the rate of blastocyst development in $5{\mu}M$ treated group was similar to the control. On the other hand, both the index of apoptotic and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of blastocysts were significantly decreased in the $5{\mu}M$ E-64 treated group compared with control. We also examined the mRNA expression levels of apoptosis related genes in the blastocysts derived from $5{\mu}M$ E-64 treated and non-treated groups. Expression of the pro-apoptotic Bax gene was shown to be decreased in the E-64 treated blastocyst group, whereas expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL gene was increased. Taken together, these results suggest that proper inhibition of cathepsin B at early development stage embryos improves the quality of blastocysts, which may be related to not only the apoptosis reduction but also the oxidative stress reduction in porcine embryos.