• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.108-118
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• 2021

Background: Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) contains a variety of ginsenosides that can be metabolized to a biologically active substance, compound K. Previous research showed that compound K could be enriched in the red ginseng extract (RGE) after hydrolysis by pectinase. The current study investigated whether the enzymatically hydrolyzed red ginseng extract (HRGE) containing a notable level of compound K has cognitive improving and neuroprotective effects. Methods: A scopolamine-induced hypomnesic mouse model was subjected to behavioral tasks, such as the Y-maze, passive avoidance, and the Morris water maze tests. After sacrificing the mice, the brains were collected, histologically examined (hematoxylin and eosin staining), and the expressions of antioxidant proteins analyzed by western blot. Results: Behavioral assessment indicated that the oral administration of HRGE at a dosage of 300 mg/kg body weight reversed scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits. Histological examination demonstrated that the hippocampal damage observed in scopolamine-treated mouse brains was reduced by HRGE administration. In addition, HRGE administration increased the expression of nuclear-factor-E2-related factor 2 and its downstream antioxidant enzymes NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase and heme oxygenase-1 in hippocampal tissue homogenates. An in vitro assay using HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells demonstrated that HRGE treatment attenuated glutamate-induced cytotoxicity by decreasing the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Conclusion: These findings suggest that HRGE administration can effectively alleviate hippocampus-mediated cognitive impairment, possibly through cytoprotective mechanisms, preventing oxidative-stress-induced neuronal cell death via the upregulation of phase 2 antioxidant molecules.

• 한국자원식물학회지
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.466-477
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• 2018

본 연구는 헛개나무 잎, 줄기, 뿌리로부터 얻어진 메탄올 추출물의 항염증 효과를 구명하기 위해서 수행되었다. LPS로 염증이 유도된 RAW264.7 세포 내 부위별 추출물을 동시에 처리하여 염증 매개성 물질인 NO 생성량 분석 결과 $40{\mu}g/m{\ell}$농도에서 뿌리(94.7%)와 줄기(42.6%)에서는 효과가 있는 반면 잎에서는 효과가 없는 것으로 확인되었다. 이 중 탁월한 효과를 보인 뿌리 추출물(RE)의 항염증 효과 및 관련 분자적 기전을 확인하였다. 그 결과, 염증 반응의 주요 경로인 NF-kB 및 MAPK 신호전달경로에서 RE가 LPS로 유도된 NF-kB의 핵 이동을 억제하고, ERK, JNK, p38의 인산화를 억제함으로써 iNOS, COX-2의 발현이 감소되고, NO와 pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$)의 생성이 억제됨을 확인하였다. 또한 RE는 대식세포에서 Nrf2를 활성화시켜 항염증성 단백질인 HO-1 발현을 유도하여 항염증 효과를 나타내었다. 또한, RE로부터 주요 성분을 분리한 후 NMR과 MS 기기를 이용하여 구조 동정된 27-O-protocatechuoylbetulinic acid 화합물에서도 높은 항염증 효과를 확인하였다. 이러한 연구결과는 헛개나무뿌리와 그 주요성분은 의약품 소재 및 기능성 식품 등의 기능성 소재로 활용될 수 있는 기초적인 정보를 제공할 것으로 생각된다.

• 생약학회지
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.39-45
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• 2012

Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense has long been used in herbal medicine for the treatment of arthritis, dyspepsia, and bleeding in Korea. In the present study, we investigated anti-inflammatory effects of C. japonicum var. ussuriense against lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced activation in RAW264.7 cells by the expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1. The 70% EtOH extract of the aerial parts of C. japonicum var. ussuriense (CJE), showed the potent anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells. The anti-inflammatory effect of CJE was demonstrated by the suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including pro-inflammatory enzymes (inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2). Furthermore CJE induced HO-1 expression through nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and increased HO activity in RAW264.7 macrophages. The effects of CJE on LPS-induced NO and $PGE_2$ productions were partially reversed by an HO-1 inhibitor, tin protoporphyrin (SnPP). Therefore, it is suggested that CJE-induced HO-1 expression plays a role of the resulting anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages. These results suggest that CJE may be a promising candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.