• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.275-282
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• 2015

In the present study, we synthesized a series of novel 7-methoxy-N-(substituted phenyl)benzofuran-2-carboxamide derivatives in moderate to good yields and evaluated their neuroprotective and antioxidant activities using primary cultured rat cortical neuronal cells and in vitro cell-free bioassays. Based on our primary screening data with eighteen synthesized derivatives, nine compounds (1a, 1c, 1f, 1i, 1j, 1l, 1p, 1q and 1r) exhibiting considerable protection against the NMDA-induced excitotoxic neuronal cell damage at the concentration of $100{\mu}M$ were selected for further evaluation. Among the selected derivatives, compound 1f (with $-CH_3$ substitution at R2 position) exhibited the most potent and efficacious neuroprotective action against the NMDA-induced excitotoxicity. Its neuroprotective effect was almost comparable to that of memantine, a well-known NMDA antagonist, at $30{\mu}M$ concentration. In addition to 1f, compound 1j (with -OH substitution at R3 position) also showed marked anti-excitotoxic effects at both 100 and $300{\mu}M$ concentrations. These findings suggest that $-CH_3$ substitution at R2 position and, to a lesser degree, -OH substitution at R3 position may be important for exhibiting neuroprotective action against excitotoxic damage. Compound 1j was also found to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals and inhibit in vitro lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate in moderate and appreciable degrees. Taken together, our structure-activity relationship studies suggest that the compound with $-CH_3$ substitution at R2 and -OH substitution at R3 positions of the benzofuran moiety might serve as the lead exhibiting potent anti-excitotoxic, ROS scavenging, and antioxidant activities. Further synthesis and evaluation will be necessary to confirm this possibility.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidative capacity of ethanol extracts from Sanguisorbae officinalis L. root (Sanguisorbae radix) in vitro. The concentration of Sanguisorbae radix extract at which DPPH radical scavenging activity was inhibited by 50% was 0.33 mg/mL, which was similar to $IC_{50}$ of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol (0.40 mg/mL), as compared to 100% by pyrogallol as a reference. Total antioxidant status was examined by total antioxidant capacity against ABTS radical reactions. Total antioxidant capacities of Sanguisorbae radix extract were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. Superoxide scavenging activities of Sanguisorbae radix extract were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of catechin. Oxygen radical absorbance capacities of Sanguisorbae radix extract were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of ascorbic acid. Cupric reducing antioxidant capacities of Sanguisorbae radix extract were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol. Sanguisorbae radix extract prevented supercoiled DNA strand breakage induced by hydroxyl radical and peroxyl radical. Total phenolic contents of Sanguisorbae radix extract at concentrations of 0.5 and 5 mg/mL were 0.50 and 3.33 mM gallic acid equivalents, respectively. Sanguisorbae radix extract at concentration of 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/mL inhibited 0.2 mM tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced cytotoxicity by 33.8, 79.1 and 96.9%, respectively, in HepG2 cell culture system. Thus, strong antioxidant and cytotoxicity-ihnibiting effects of Sanguisorbae radix extract seem to be due to, at least in part, the prevention from free radicals-induced oxidation as well as high levels in total phenolic contents.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2009

Curcumin is a major active component of the food flovour tumeric. It has been used for the treatment of many diseases such as inflammatory and infectious diseases, cancer and other disease due to its antioxidant properties. Curcumin is a powerful scavenger of many free radicals such as superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide. The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidative effects of curcumin against hydrogen peroxide on semen quality during in vitro storage of boar semen. The sperm treated with different concentration of curcumin (1, 5 and 10 ${\mu}M$) in the presence or absence of hydrogen peroxide (250 ${\mu}M\;H_2O_2$) were incubated for 3, 6 and 9 hr at $37^{\circ}C$ and analyzed sperm characteristics such as motility, membrane integrity (MI), lipid peroxidation (LPO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA fragmentation (DF). The sperm motility and MI in $H_2O_2$ treated group ($47.8%{\pm}6.8$ and $24.8%{\pm}2.2$) were significantly decreased when compare to curcumin treated group ($79.8%{\pm}2.7$ and $34.6%{\pm}1.0$, respectively) irrespective of incubation periods(p<0.05). The LPO of spermatozoal plasma membrane was measured by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reactions for malondialdehyde (MDA), MDA level in control ($11.6{\pm}0.6\;nmol/L{\times}10^6$) and curcumin groups ($10.7{\pm}0.3\;nmol/L{\times}10^6$) were lower than those of curcumin plus $H_2O_2$ ($17.1{\pm}0.8\;nmol/L{\times}10^6$) or $H_2O_2$ group ($22.5{\pm}1.9\;nmol/L{\times}10^6$) from 3 to 9 hr incubation periods. The DF by sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test and ROS production measured by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence intensity were no significantly difference through all experimental groups (p>0.05). Correlation among evaluation methods for sperm quality, motility vs MI and DF vs ROS was positively correlated while motility vs DF and ROS vs LPO were negatively correlated in all treatment groups. These results demonstrate that curcumin can effectively improve the sperm quality during in vitro storage of boar semen through its hydrogen peroxide scavenging mechanism as an antioxidant.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.445-450
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidative capacity of Ampelopsis brevipedunculata 95% ethanol extracts. The concentration of A. brevipedunculata extract at which DPPH radical scavenging activity was inhibited by 50% was 0.42 mg/mL as compared to 100% by pyrogallol as a reference. Total antioxidant status was examined by total antioxidant capacity against ABTS radical reactions. Total antioxidant capacities of A. brevipedunculata extract at the concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/mL were 0.65 and 3.71 mM Trolox equivalents, respectively. Oxygen radical absorbance capacities of A. brevipedunculata extract at the concentrations of 5 and $100\;{\mu}g/mL$ were 22.75 and $131.25\;{\mu}M$ gallic acid equivalents, respectively. Superoxide scavenging activities of A. brevipedunculata extract at the concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/mL were 27.7 and 56.0%, respectively. Total phenolic contents of A. brevipedunculata extract at the concentrations of 0.5 and 2.0 mg/mL were 0.55 and 2.06 mM gallic acid equivalents, respectively. A. brevipedunculata extract at the concentration of 0.1 mg/mL inhibited 0.2 mM and 0.5 mM tert-butyl hydroperoxide induced cyototoxicity by 36.2 and 23.3%, respectively, in HepG2 cell culture system. Thus strong antioxidant and cytotoxicity-inhibiting effects of A. brevipedunculata extract seem to be due to, at least in part, the prevention from free radicals-induced oxidation as well as high levels in total phenolic contents.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.529-538
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• 1995

It has been believed that the increased release of free oxygen radicals ($O_2^-,H_2O_2$, and $OH^-$) might be a factor in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. Antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX) and catalase can protect the tissue damage from the $H_2O_2$. In order to investigate the GSH-PX and catalase activity in the blood plasma and red blood cells(RBCs) of the patients with periodontitis, 19 patients who had good general health, attachment loss more than 6 mm and bone loss were selected as periodontitis group, 7 patients who had severely inflamed gingiva were selected as gingivitis group, and 15 volunteers with good general and periodontal health were selected as normal group. 17 of 26 patients were performed scaling and root planing to reduce the gingival inflammation for gingivitis and periodontitis groups, and were selected as posttreatment group. After blood plasma and RBCs were collected and separated 1 ml of peripheral blood from each subject, GSH-PX activity in blood plasma and RBCs was measured by the same method that Stefan et al. did, and catalase activity in RBCs was measured by the same method that Beers et al. did. The difference of GSH-PX and catalase activity between normal, gingivitis, and periodontitis groups was statistically analyzed by ANOVA with SPSS/PC+ program, and the difference between pretreatment and posttreatment groups was analyzed by Student t-test. The results were as follows : 1. GSH-PX activity in blood plasma was significantly lower in the gingivitis group($0.8683{\pm}0.0658$), periodontitis group($0.7130{\pm}0.1333$) than in the normal group($1.0241{\pm}0.0801$)(p<0.05), and GSH-PX activity in RBCs was significantly lower in the gingivitis groupt. $0.8156{\pm}0.1167$), periodontitis group($0.7533{\pm}0.1185$) than in the normal group($l.1963{\pm}0.2044$)(P<0.05), but there was no statistical significance in the difference of GSH-PX activity in RBCs between the gingivitis group and periodontitis group(p>0.05). 2. Catalase activity in RBCs was siginficantly lower in the periodontitis group($117.34{\pm}35.01$) than in the normal group($l52.38{\pm}32.09$)(p<0.05). 3. GSH-PX activity in blood plasma was significantly increased in the posttreatment groupe $1.0376{\pm}0.2820$) compared to the pretreatment group(0.7608 0.1600) (p<0.05), and GSH-PX activity in RBC was significantly increased in the posttreatment group($1.0421{\pm}0.2330$) compared to the pretreatment group($0.7728{\pm}0.1210$)(p<0.05). 4. There was no statistical significance in the difference of catalase activity in RBCs between the pretreatment group($112.04{\pm}43.65$) and posttreatment group($l33.41{\pm}39.16$)(p>0.05).The results, within the limits of the present experiment, suggest that the lowered activity of GSH-PX and catalase in blood plasma and RBCs may be related with periodontopathogenesis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.105-110
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• 2009

Purpose : Perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of neonatal mortality and subsequent lifelong neurodevelopmental handicaps. Although many treatment strategies have been tested, there is currently no clinically effective treatment to prevent or reduce the harmful effects of hypoxia and ischemia in humans. Erythropoietin (Epo) has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects in various brain injury models although the exact mechanisms through which Epo functions are not completely understood. This study investigates the effect of Epo on hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury and the possibility that its neuroprotective actions may be associated with iron-mediated metabolism. Methods : HI brain injury was produced in 7-day-old rats by unilateral carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxia with 8% oxygen for 2 h. At the end of HI brain injury, the rats received an intraperitoneal injection of 5,000 units/kg erythropoietin. Random premedication with iron, deferoxamine, iron-deferoxamine, or saline were performed 23 d before HI brain injury. The severity of the brain injury was assessed at 7 d after HI. Results : Single Epo treatment post-HI brain injury reduced the gross and histopathological findings of brain injury. Iron premedication did not increase the incidence or severity of the injury as measured by the damage score. Deferoxamine administration before HI brain injury improved the brain injury as compared to no treatment or Epo treatment. Conclusion : These findings indicate that Epo provides neuroprotective benefits after HI in the developing brain. These findings suggest that Epos neuroprotective actions may involve reducing iron in tissues that mediate the formation of free radicals.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.8 s.88
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• pp.1147-1151
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• 2007

The human skin is constantly exposed to environmental irritants such as ultraviolet, smoke and chemicals. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species caused by them play critical roles in cellular damage. They not only injure the skin structure but also participate in the immensely complex inflammatory reaction. Anti-wrinkle effects of the Oriental herb extracts(OHE) were evaluated by the determination of anti-oxidation, collagenase inhibition and collagen synthesis in normal human fibroblast. OHE showed antioxidative activity as high as vitamin C, trolox and DL-penicillamine. Also OHE showed promotive effect on collagen synthesis and inhibitory effect on collagenase activity. These results demonstrated that OHE could be useful as an anti-wrinkle cosmetic ingredient.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1352-1359
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• 2009

We designed this study to investigate the effects of continuous strenuous aerobic exercise on the respiratory system in a rat model. After exercise for 8 weeks, rats' weights were higher in the exercise groups than in the Control group (non-exercise). Rats in Exercise-120 min group (Ex-120 group) had the lowest weights. Total leukocyte counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were higher in exercise groups than in Control group. The Ex-30 and Ex-120 groups had higher neutrophil counts, whereas that in the Ex-60 group was lower than in the Control group, and that in the Ex-30 group was the highest. Lymphocyte and monocyte counts were higher in all exercise groups than in the Control group, and those in the Exercise-120 min group were the highest. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) level was the highest, while IL-10, interferon-$\gamma$ and nitric oxide (NO) levels were the lowest in the Ex-120 group when compared to the Control and other exercise groups. These findings suggest that strenuous aerobic exercise for short periods (30 min) may have a beneficial effect on decrease in body weight, whereas prolonged-strenuous aerobic exercise (>1 hr) may be adverse to leukocyte and immune levels in the bronchoalveolar system, as well as result in an increased production of oxygen free radicals.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.441-447
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• 2011

The study aim is to investigate the free radicals scavenging and spermatogenic potentials, as well as to analyze any reproductive toxicity of ethanolic extract of Mucuna prureins (M. pruriens) Linn. in spermatozoa, under different dosages in normal male rat. Normal rats were randomly selected and suspension of the extract was administered orally at the dosages of 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg body weight of the different groups of male rats (n=6) once in a day for 60 days and grouped as group II, III and IV respectively. Saline treated rats served as control -group I. On the $60^{th}$ day the animals were sacrificed and the epididymal sperm were subjected to various analyses like level of ROS production, LPO, enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant, morphology, morphometry, chromosomal integrity and DNA damage. Results showed significant reduction in ROS production and peroxidation and significant increase in both enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants in all concentration treated groups when compared with control. Results from all the drug treated groups showed good sperm morphology, increased sperm count and motility. There was no DNA damage and showed normal chromosomal integrity even in 250 mg/kg dose. When compared with control all the three extract treated groups showed increased ROS scavenging activity. However, group II (200 mg/kg) showed significant changes in all the parameters. From the present study it was confirmed that the M. pruriens has potential to improve the sperm qualitatively and quantitatively through scavenging the excess ROS with any adverse side effects. These observations suggest that ethanolic seed extract of M. pruriens may serve as anti-oxidant that can exploit to treat the oxidative stress mediated male factor infertility.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 1988

The inhibition mechanism of DNA damage by lipid peroxidation was studied through the reaction systems of plasmid pBR322 DNA, linoleic acid and the ethanol extracts obtained from ginger and garlic. The DNA damage was greatly inhibited by the addition of ginger and garlic extracts, and their scavenging effects of active oxygens were also great. It is considered that the inhibitory effects of these extracts on the DNA damage are mainly due to their scavenging effects of active oxygen radicals.