• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2016

Apium graveolens Linn. (Apiaceae) is an indigenous plant of the North and South Americas, Southern Europe, and Asia and has been widely used as a food or a traditional medicine for treatment of inflammation and arthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of a methanolic extract of A. graveolens (AGE) against liver oxidative stress in an adjuvant-induced arthritic rat model. The AGE (250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg) was given orally for 24 consecutive days after induction by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant. Liver and spleen weights were recorded. The superoxide anion level, total peroxide (TP), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total antioxidant status, and oxidative stress index (OSI) were also measured. AGE treatment significantly decreased the levels of the superoxide anion, TP, and OSI whereas the GPx and SOD activities significantly increased in the liver of the arthritic rats. These results indicated that AGE showed an ameliorative effect against liver oxidative stress in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats by reducing the generation of liver free radicals and increasing the liver antioxidant enzyme activity.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.216-223
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• 2010

Abalone (Haliotis discus hannai), mostly distributed and maricultured in southwestern coastal areas of South Korea, is recognized as an economically important species in the fishery industry. Abalone intestines are one of the by-products of abalone processing. To investigate abalone intestines as bioactive substances, abalone intestine gastrointestinal digests (AIGIDs) of various molecular weights (MWs) were prepared using in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and an ultrafiltration system, and tested for inhibitory effects against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in macrophage cells treated with hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$). In our results, among AIGIDs, AIGID-III (MW=5-10 kDa) showed potent inhibitory activities for lipid peroxidation and free radicals. Additionally, the results clearly indicated that AIGID-III treatment could prevent cytotoxic damage of macrophages by $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress due to its potent scavenging ability against cellular ROS. These results suggest that AIGIDs may have protective and therapeutic potential for oxidative stress syndromes and immune diseases through ROS inhibition in macrophage cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 1999

Overstimulation of both kainate (KA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors has been reported to induce excitatoxicity which can be characterized by neuronal damage and formation of reactive oxygen free radicals. Neuroprotective effect of melatonin against KA-induced excitotoxicity have been documented in vitro and in vivo. It is, however, not clear whether melationin is also neuroportective against excitotoxicity mediated by NMDA receptors. In the present work, we tested the in vivo protective effects of striatally infused melatonin against the oxidative stress and neuronal damage induced by the injection of KA and NMDA receptors into the rat striatum. Melatonin implants consisting of 22-gauge stainless-steel cannule with melatonin fused inside the tip were placed bilaterally in the rat brain one week prior to intrastriatal injection of glutamate receptor subtype agonists. Melatonin showed protective effects against the elevation of lipid peroxidation induced by either KA or NMDA and recovered Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase activities reduced by both KA and NMDA into the control level. Melatonin also clearly blocked both KA- and NMDA-receptor mediated neuronal damage assessed by the determination of choline acetyltransferase activity in striatal monogenages and by microscopic observation of rat brain section stained with cresyl violet. The protective effects of melatonin are comparable to those of DNQX and MK801 which are the KA- and NMDA-receptor antagonist, respectively. It is suggested that melatonin could protect against striatal oxidative damages mediated by glutamate receptors, both non-NMDA and NMDA receptors.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.92-92
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• 1995

It has been suggested that oxygen-derived free radicals have an important role in the pathophysiology of acute gastric ulceration induced by NSAIDs and ischemia-reperfusion. Taurine is hypothetized to exert its protective effect on NSAIDS-induced gastric injury by its antioxidant properties, Protect ive effect of taurine on indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesion and its protective mechanism were investigated. Intragastric administration of 25 mg/kg of indomethacin induced hemorrhagic lesions on the glandular stomach in rats, Pretreatment with 0.25 g/kg of taurine for 3 days significantly reduced the gastric lesion formation and Inhibited the elevation of lipid peroxide level In gastric mucosa. Both resting and FMLP-induced luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of rat peritoneal neutrophils increased immediately after treatment of indomethacin. 5-20mM of taurine inhibited chemiluminescence of neutrophils activated by indomethacin and/or FMLP. Human neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) significantly adhered to confluent monolayer of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC) after coincubation with aspirin or indomethacin. Also taurine prevented neutrophil adhesion induced by these drugs to HUVEC in dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that the protective effect of taurine against NSAIDS-induced gastric mucosal Injury is due to its antioxidant effect, which inhibits lipid peroxidation and neutrophil activation.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2009

Carotenoids being most important pigments among those occurring in nature, have received increased interest owing to their beneficial effects on human health. An effort is made to review marine carotenoids as important bioactive compounds with reference to their presence, chemical, and biofunctional benefits they afford. The potential beneficial effects of marine carotenoids were particularly focused on astaxanthin and fucoxanthin, major marine carotenoids found in marine animals and aquatic plants, respectively. Both carotenoids show strong antioxidant activity which is attributed to quenching singlet oxygen and scavenging free radicals. The potential role of the carotenoids as dietary antioxidants has been suggested as being one of the main mechanism by which they afford their beneficial health effects such as anticancer activity and anti-inflammatory effect. Only recently, antiobesity effect and antidiabetic effect have been noted as specific and novel bio-functions of fucoxanthin. Nutrigenomic study reveals that fucoxanthin induces uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) mitochondria to lead to oxidation of fatty acids and heat production in WAT. Fucoxanthin improves insulin resistance and decreases blood glucose level, at least in part, through the down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$ ($TNF{\alpha}$) in WAT of animals.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.13 no.1_2
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• pp.1-9
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• 1998

The ROS-producing potency of chromium compounds of several oxidation states were determined in the H4 cells. $K_2Cr_2O_7$ as Cr (VI), synthetic Cr (V) compounds and Cr (III) as TPP produced high level of ROS. However, ROS values of Cr-picolinate as Cr (III), CrCl$_2$, CrCI$_2$, were almost equal to the control. The effects of physiological antioxidants compounds which react with free radicals were examined for their effects on chromate-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A549 cells after the addition of $K_2Cr_2O_7$. The compounds used were vitamin C (ascorbate), vitamin E ($\alpha$-tocopherol), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. The preincubation of ascorbate (200uM) with A549 cells for 20hr resulted in a significant reduction of hexavalent chromate(100uM) induced ROS. However, there is no effects of preincubation of the cells with vitamin E succinate (10 and 20uM, 20hr) on the ROS production. Also, the effects of Cr (VI) on the cell cycle of A549 cells was measured by adding the DNA intercalating agent, propidium iodide. S phase of the cell cycle was increased by the chromium (VI) compounds up to 20uM indicating toxicity or possible mitogenic action of the cell. The shoulder in Go/G1 phase at 20uM Cr (VI) with 24 hr treatment indicates apoptosis.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.517-525
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• 1993

Glutathione(GSH),a tripeptide thiol, found in virtually all cells, functions in metabolism tranasport and cellular protection. It protects cells against the destructive effects of reactive oxygen intermediates and free radicals. Also ${\gamma}-Glutamyl$ transpeptidase(${\gamma}-GTT$), an enzyme of major importance in GSH metabolism, initiates GSH degradation. In order to explore the $GSH-{\gamma}-GTT$ system as periodontal disease activity indicator, we observed the ${\gamma}-GTT$ and arachidonic acid metabolits according to clinical groups(Control, Adult periodontitis, Rapidly progressive Periodontitis). From the experiments, the following results were obtained. 1. When compared with normal, ${\gamma}-GTT$ of A. P. and R. P. P. were increased, and only the change of ${\gamma}-GTT$ of R. P. P. was statistically significant(P<0. 05). 2. The amounts of arachidonic acid metabolites were not different with statistical significance among the clinical groups. 3. ${\gamma}-GTT$ may by useful adjuncts as new cytoprotective indicator and periodontal disease activity indicator in accordance with positive corelation pocket depth, attachment level and ${\gamma}-GTT$.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.199-204
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• 2003

Among 59 Korean isolated, 20 were confirmed as members of the genus Bifidobaferium species based on gram staining, microscopic examination of cell morphology and the TLC method, The oxygen tolerance and antioxidative activities of these 20 Bifidobacterium strains and 5 standard Bifidobaferium strains were tested. All the strains demonstrated antioxidative activities as regards inhibiting linoleic acid peroxidation. The antioxidative activities of isolated and standard strains were found to range from 10.7-46.4% and from 10.7-22.2%, respectively. In addition, all tested strains exhibited a Scavenging ability on DPPH free radicals, range from 15-41% for the isolated strains and 8.3-22% for the standard strain. Accordingly. the isolated Bifidobarterium strains demonstrated higher antioxidative artivities than the 5 standa rd Bifidobarterium strains. On the base of grades for each test, HJL 7511 was identified 35 the best strain, followed by HJL 7501. 2 strains were identified with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay using group-specific primers designed from the nucleotide Sequences of the 16S rRNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the Bifidobacteria. Based on the Sequencing results, HJL 7511 and HJL 7501 were identified as Bifidobacterium infantis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1998

In the present study, to determine whether the antioxidative components of Korean red ginseng protect against radiation damage and the possible relationship among the radioprotective effects and antioxidant actions, the effects of total saponin (200 mg/kg, ip) and lipophilic fraction (200 mg/kg, oral) preferment of mice on the survival ratio, major antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) activities, glutathione levels and lipid peroxidation in the liver were exiled for 2 weeks after whole ${\gamma}$-body ${\gamma}$-irradiation (6.5 Gy). The 30-day survival ratio increased from 10% to 57% and 40% for mice treated with total saponin and lipophilic fraction, respectively. On day 14 after ${\gamma}$-irradiation, the ginseng total saponin pretreatment produced a slight increase of antioxidant enzymes activities and significantly Increased reduced glutathione (GSH) contents (p<0.05) in the liver compared with non-treated group. Pretreatment with ginseng total saponin significantly deceased GSSG/total GSH ratio (p<0.05) without change of GSSG in the liver and inhibited the radiation-induced incense in the hepatic malondialdehyde levels. (p<0.05) In these results, GSH plays an important role in the liver in several detoxifications and the reduction of lipid peroxides. Thus, it appears that total saponin of red ginseng exerts its radioprotective effect by accelerating the production of endogenous antioxidants, such as glutathione from radiation induced damages and thereby oxygen free radicals.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2008

There are increasing evidences in the literatures on the potential role of ginsenosides in treating cardiovascular diseases. In this article, current information about ginsenosides-mediated vascular relaxation are reviewed. From the published studies using isolated organs, cell culture systems and animal models, ginsenosides are shown to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow through diverse mechanisms, including nitric oxide release by activating eNOS phosphorylation via PI3K/Akt and/or ERK1/2 pathways in endothelial cells, induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase through activation of NF-${\kappa}$B, reducing the intracelluar Ca$^{2+}$ levels by activating Ca$^{2+}$-activated K$^{+}$ channels in vascular smooth muscle cells and reducing platelet aggregation by decreasing thromboxane A$_2$ formation and intracelluar Ca$^{2+}$in platelets. In addition, the relevant clinical trials regarding the effects of ginsenosides on the cardiovascular disease are summarized, particulary focusing on managing hypertension and improving thrombotic disorders. Finally, antagonistic effects of ginsenosides on the prostaglandin H$_2$ receptor and scavenging effects on the generation of oxygen-derived free radicals in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are discussed.