• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.797-810
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• 2023

Elaeagnus umbellata leaves have been reported to suppress inflammation, allergic responses, lung cancer proliferation and oral bacterial growth. Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that has been found to cause many toxicities, including liver toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of 70% ethanol extract of E. umbellata leaves (EUL) to protect human hepatocytes from Cd toxicity. After exposure of HepG2 cells to Cd at 10 𝜇M for 24 h, cell viability, expression levels of apoptosis- and antioxidant-related proteins, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and Cd uptake were assessed. EUL protected HepG2 cells from Cd-induced apoptosis as determined by MTT assay. A decrease in caspase-3 and p-p53 protein levels was observed in cells pretreated with EUL prior to Cd exposure. Furthermore, the Cd-induced increase in intracellular DCF fluorescence was attenuated by EUL, indicating that the Cd-induced apoptosis preventing effect was associated with the suppression of ROS accumulation. Moreover, EUL's effects on the inhibition of p38, JNK, and AKT phosphorylation also appear to be associated with protection against Cd toxicity. Moreover, EUL upregulated Cd-depressed expression of Nrf2, HO-1, catalase, and MT-1,2 proteins, suggesting that Cd uptake-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells may be inhibited by EUL's antioxidative potential.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.791-797
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• 2020

Maqui berry are known as one of the "superfoods" and can purportedly improve health. The effects of orally administered maqui berry extract on biological parameters such as serum lipids and blood cells in healthy subjects were investigated in rats in vivo for 2 weeks. Possible causes of harmful effects on liver and kidney function were also examined. After oral administration of maqui berry extract, levels of serum triglyceride (TG) were decreased to almost 30% less from the control, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was increased to 18% more; thus, serum lipids profile seemed to be improved. The administration of maqui berry extract increased red blood cell concentration by 10% from the control, while both the hemoglobin and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were increased by 12%. Maqui berry extract also increased the concentration of serum total proteins by 30% of the control and that suggests protein metabolism might be improved. Moreover, maqui berry decreased serum levels of glutamin oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamin pyruvate transaminase (GPT) by 12% from the control group so maqui berry improved liver function. This study suggests that oral administration of maqui berry extract may be helpful to improve those heath parameters like serum lipids profile, red blood cell level, liver protection. It would also be very useful for the development of high value products such as functional foods and pharmaceutics in the future.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2002

We investigated the effect of Paeonia japonica (PJ) on radiation-induced oxidative damage to macromolecules in vitro and in vivo. The PJ reduced the tail moment (TM) which was a marker of DNA strand break in single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE; comet assay) in the human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Lipid peroxidation in the liver of the ICR mouse, measured as malondialdehyde (MDA), was also reduced by PJ administration. Ethanol fraction of PJ was more effective than polysaccharide fraction of that on reduction of TM in SCGE and lipid peroxidation. Also, Their activities to scavenge DPPH radicals and hydroxyl radicals were observed in vitro, and the activities were due to its ethanol fraction. It is plausible that scavenging of flee radicals by PJ extract may have played an important role in providing the protection against the radiation-induced damage. These results indicated that Paeonia japonica might be a useful radioprotector, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2021

This study is desinged to examine for radiation protection effect of Protaetia Brevitarsis Larvae extracts on the blood and prostate of male rat as a natural radiation protection agent. 5 groups were classified using 90 male rat as experimental animals. Each group was clssified as normal control group (NC Group), the group administered protaetia brevitarsis larvae extracts (PBE Group), irradiated group (IR Group), irradiated group after administration of protaetia brevitarsis larvae extracts (PBE+IR Group), the group administered protaetia brevitarsis larvae extracts after irradiaton (IR+PBE Group). In IR Group, 7 Gy/h of Co-60 gamma ray was irradiated to SD rats. In PBE+IR Group, protaetia brevitarsis larvae extacts wewe injected at 200 mg/kg/day for 14 days before irradiation, In IR+PBE Group, protaetia brevitarsis larvae extract was injeted after irradiation. On the 1, 7 and 21 days after irradiation, the experimental animals were sacrificed to evaluate the changes in blood cell component, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, histopathological evaluation of the liver and prostate gland. As a result, the PBE+IR Group and IR+PBE Group showed a significantly recovery of white blood cell (p<0.01, p<0.01), platelet (p<0.01, p<0.01) than the IR Group. It was also confirmed that SOD activity of PBE+IR Group (p<0.01) and IR+PBE Group (p<0.01) was significantly increased than the IR Group. Also PBE+IR Group and IR+PBE Group showed less inflammatory reactions of cystoplasm in the prostate gland than the IR Group. In conclusion, the protaetia brevitarsis larvae have radioprotection effect against blood and prostate gland. It is expected to be useful for research of radiation protection agent.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.327-337
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• 2020

Objective : Citri Unshius Pericarpium is the dried peel of mature fruit of Citrus unshiu Markovich and has been used to treat indigestion, vomiting, and removal of phlegm. This study investigated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of CEE (Ethanol extract of Citri Unshius Pericarpium) in cadmium (CdCl₂)-treated HepG2 cells. Methods : Component analysis of Citri Unshius Pericarpium was analyzed by UPLC with C₁₈ column. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were analyzed using commercially available kits. Results : Cadmium caused severe HepG2 cell death. Cadmium also increased ROS production, consistent with depletion of GSH and inhibition of the SOD enzyme. However, CEE treatment reduced cell death and relieved oxidative stress caused by cadmium toxicity. CEE lowered ROS levels and improved depletion of GSH levels. CEE also enhanced the enzymatic activity of SOD. In component analysis, hesperidin was the most abundant of the five marker compounds (Narigenin, Narigin, Narirutin, Hesperidin and Hesperidin), which assumes that hesperidin partially contributed to the antioxidant activity of CEE. Conclusion : These results suggested that CEE could be a potential substance to solve heavy metal-related health problems. In particular, inhibition of oxidative stress by CEE can be a way to treat liver damage caused by cadmium.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.1386-1392
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• 2006

Kahweol and cafestol significantly reduced t-BHP-induced oxidative injuries in cultured rat hepatocytes, as determined by cell cytotoxicity, intracellular glutathione (GSH) content and lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, kahweol and cafestol provided good protection from the t-BHPinduced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species and DNA damage. The in vivo study showed that pretreatment with kahweol and cafestol prior to the administration of t-BHP significantly prevented the increase in serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and reduced oxidative stress, such as GSH content and lipid peroxidation, in the liver in a dose-dependent manner. The histopathological evaluation of the livers also revealed that kahweol and cafestol reduced the incidence of liver lesions induced by t-BHP. Taken together, these results support the anti-oxidative role of kahweol and cafestol and demonstrate that kahweol and cafestol can protect hepatocytes from oxidative stress.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2015

Pueraiae Radix (PR), Pueratia Folium (PF) and Sorbus commixta (SC) mixture, namely GS-SP (PR (1)/PF (2)/SC (0.5): v/v/v) was developed as hangover-relieving elixir and its effects on alcoholic metabolism have been investigated. The enzymatic activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) of GS-SP was shown higher than those of single treatment with PR, PL, SC, and the positive control group (YM-808). The survival rate of mouse liver cell line NCTC clone 1469 in the presence of acetaldehyde was 30.6, 22.2, and 8.7% at the GS-SP dosage level of 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL respectively. Different concentrations of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of GS-SP showed efficient activity for ADH and ALDH than YM-808 in rat fed with 25% ethanol. The levels of blood alcohol and acetaldehyde after oral administration of 200 mg/kg of GS-SP showed efficient activity of 11.7% and 37% than those of YM-808. These results have been supported to the potential for GS-SP to serve as an excellent potential in providing hangover relief and liver protection.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.403-409
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• 2010

Gardenia jasminoides is a popular traditional herb used to treat inflammatory diseases including liver disorders. This study was performed to examine protective effect of G. jasminoides on galactosamine (GalN)-induced acute hepatitis. Rats were treated intraperitoneally with GalN (700 mg/kg). G. jasminoides (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) was administered orally 48, 24, and 2 h before and 6 h after GalN injection. Serum ALT and AST activities were significantly increased after GalN injection, and these increases were attenuated by G. jasminoides. Histological studies showed that G. jasminoides inhibited hepatocellular necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration. GalN decreased the serum levels of total cholesterol and this decrease was attenuated by G. jasminoides. Hepatic glutathione content was decreased and lipid peroxidation was increased after GalN treatment and these changes were attenuated by G. jasminoides. Furthermore, the level of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression was significantly increased after GalN injection, and this increase was attenuated by G. jasminoides. The level of interleukin-10 mRNA expression was significantly increased after GalN injection, and this increase was augmented by G. jasminoides. Our results suggest that G. jasminoides ameliorates GalN-induced acute hepatitis and this protection is likely due to antioxidative activity and regulation of inflammatory mediators.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.27-39
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• 2006

Objectives : Induction of CYP2E1 by ethanol is believed to be one of the major mechanism by which ethanol generate a state of oxidative stress. Previous studies showed that treatment with Chungganhaeju-tang prevents hepatic inflammation and apoptosis in alcoholic liver disease. The purpose of our study is to determine if Chungganhaeju-tang can also protect against alcohol-induced cytotoxicity in CYP2E1-transfected HepG2 cells. Materials and Methods : CYP2E1-transfected HepG2 cells and control vector-transfected HepG2 cells were exposed for isx hours to Chungganhaeju-tang, and then 50 mM of ethanol was added and left for two days. Results : Ethanol significantly decreased cell viability in CYP2E1-transfected HepG2 cells and increased apoptosis. These alterations were attenuated by Chungganhaeju-tang. This was accompanied by an improvement of NF-${\kappa}B$ and Akt activation. Conclusion : These results suggest that Chungganhaeju-tang exerts inhibitory effect against the cytotoxicity induced by alcohol in CYP2E1-transfected HepG2 cells, and that this is a protective action due, at least in part, to an activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ that plays a key role in the protection mechanism, and in reducing hepatotoxic cytokine gene expression.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.257-265
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• 2017

Ferulic Acid (FA) is a metabolite of phenylalanine and tyrosine, a phenolic compound commonly found in fruits and vegetables. Several studies have shown that FA has various functions such as antioxidant effect, prevention of cell damage from irradiation, protection from cell damage caused by oxygen deficiency, anti-inflammatory action, anti-aging action, liver protective effect and anti-cancer action. In this study, we investigated the maturation rate, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) of porcine oocytes by adding FA to the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium and examined subsequent embryonic developmental competence at 5% oxygen through parthenogenesis. There is no significant difference between the control group ($0{\mu}M$) and treatment groups ($5{\mu}M$, $10{\mu}M$, $20{\mu}M$) on maturation rates. Intracellular GSH levels in oocyte treated with $5{\mu}M$ of FA significantly increased (P < 0.05), and $20{\mu}M$ of FA revealed significant decrease (P < 0.05) in intracellular ROS levels compared with the control group. Oocytes treated with FA exhibited significantly higher cleavage rates (79.01% vs 89.19%, 92.20%, 90.89%, respectively) than the control group. Oocytes treated with $10{\mu}M$ showed significantly higher blastocyst formation rates (28.3% vs 40.3%, respectively) after PA than the control group. Total cell numbers in blastocyst of $10{\mu}M$ FA displayed significantly higher (39.4 vs 51.9, respectively) than the control group. In conclusion, these results suggested that treatment with FA during IVM improved the developmental potential of porcine embryos by increasing intracellular GSH synthesis and reducing ROS levels. Also, there was an improvement of cleavage rate, blastocyst formation and total cell numbers in blastocysts. It might be associated with Keap1-Nrf2 pathway as an antioxidant regulate pathway that plays a crucial role in determining the sensitivity of cells to oxidative damages by regulating the basal and inducible expression of enzymes which is related to detoxification and anti-oxidative effects, stress response enzymes and/or proteins and ABC transporters.