• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

Purpose: Lycopene is abundantly contained in Tomatoes and is known for diverse biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. In this study, the antioxidative potential of lycopene was investigated through the induction of hemeoxygenase (HO)-1 by nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor2 (Nrf2) and upstream signaling molecules, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Aktin RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: The antioxidative potential of lycopene against oxidative stress and its molecular mechanisms were determined by the cell viability assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation assay, and Western blot analysis in RAW 264.7 cells. Results: Lycopene treatment significantly attenuated tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced intracellular ROS formation in a dose-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. In addition, 50 µM of lycopene for 6 h treatment induced potent HO-1 expression and its transcription factor, Nrf2. MAPK and PI3K/Aktwere also analyzed due to their critical roles in the regulation of cellular redox homeostasis against oxidative damage. As a result, phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) was significantly induced by lycopene treatment while the activated status of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, and Akt, were not given any effect. To confirm the antioxidative mechanism of HO-1 mediated by ERK activation, each selective inhibitor was employed in a protection assay, in which oxidative damage occurred by t-BHP. Lycopene, SnPP, and CoPP treatments reflected accelerated HO-1 expression could be a protective role against oxidative damage-initiated cell death. A selective inhibitor for ERK significantly inhibited the lycopene-induced cytoprotective effect but selective inhibitors for other signaling molecules did not attenuate the rate of t-BHP-induced cell death. Conclusion: In conclusion, lycopene potently scavenged intracellular ROS formation and enhanced the HO-1 mediated antioxidative potential through the modulation of Nrf2, MAPK signaling pathway in RAW 264.7 cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.482-487
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• 2012

To identify the novel inhibitors of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cell death, we performed a high throughput assay with a chemical library containing a total of 3,280 bioactive small molecules. Cyclosporine A and bromocriptine were identified as potent inhibitors of thapsigargiin-induced cell death (cut-off at $4{\sigma}$ standard score). However, U74389G, the potent inhibitor of lipid peroxidation had lower activity in inhibiting cell death. The inhibition effect of cyclosporine A and bromocriptine was specific for only thapsigargin-induced cell death. The mechanism of inhibition by these compounds was identified as modification of the expression of glucose regulated protein-78 (GRP-78/Bip) and inhibition of phosphorylation of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). However, these compounds did not inhibit the same events triggered by tunicamycin, which was in agreement with the cell survival data. We suggest that the induction of protective unfolded protein response by these compounds confers resistance to cell death. In summary, we identified compounds that may provide insights on cell death mechanisms stimulated by ER stress.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.673-680
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• 2010

Environmental factors and phytoplankton community in Lake Doam were monthly investigated at 3 stations from April 2009 to November 2009. During the study period, the concentrated rainfalls occurred at between July and August and then the TP and turbidity were sharply increased in in-lake. A total of 91 phytoplankton species was classified and these were consisted of 38 Bacillariophyceae, 35 Chlorophyceae, 10 Cyanophyceae, and 8 other species. Bacillariophyceae and Chlorophyceae were dominated during the seasonal succession of phytoplankton community, especially summer season. Bacillariophyceae was dominated from spring season to summer season and Chlorophyceae was dominated at summer season and autumn season. However, the dominance of Cyanophyceae generally developed at summer season in eutrophic water was not observed. From the analysis of correlation coefficient between environmental factors and phytoplankton cell number, we confirmed that there was a negative correlation between turbidity and cyanobacteria cell number (P<0.01). This result indicated that turbid water acts as the inhibitor of the cyanobacteria growth than other phytoplankton community.

• BMB Reports
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 1995

Protein methylase II (S-adenosyl-L-methionine : protein O-methyl-transferase, EC 2.1.1.24; PM II) was purified approximately 1250-fold from porcine testis by fractional precipitation and DEAE-cellulose chromatography, followed by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-75 column and HPLC on a Protein Pak 125 column. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 33,000 daltons by SDS-PAGE, which agreed with the value determined by gel filtration. Isoelectric focusing of purified PM II showed a single protein species with an isoelectric point of 6.2. The optimum pH for the reaction was 6.0. The $K_m$ value of the enzyme was $1{\times}10^{-5}M$ with a $V_{max}$ value of 769 pmol/min/mg of enzyme. S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine is a competitive inhibitor of PM II with a $K_i$ value of $1.38{\times}10^{-6}M$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.281-285
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• 2009

Rotenone, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, can induce the pathological features of Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present study, naringin, a grapefruit flavonoid, inhibited rotenone-induced cell death in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. We assessed cell death and apoptosis by measuring mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) and caspase (CASPs) activities and by performing 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Naringin also blocked rotenone-induced phosphorylation of Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and P38, and prevented changes in B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) expression levels. In addition, naringin reduced the enzyme activity of caspase 3 and cleavages of caspase 9, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and caspase 3. These results suggest that naringin has a neuroprotective effect on rotenone-induced cell death in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 1997

Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF), a polypeptide of 53 amino acid residues, is subject to degradation by numerous enzymes, especially proteases, when it is applied on the skin for the treatment of open wound. Amastatin, aprotinin, bestatin, EDTA, EGTA, gabexate, gentamicin, leupeptin, and TPCK were investigated for the possible protease inhibitors, which may use to protect rhEGF from degradation by the enzymes in the skin. Skin homogenates containing protease inhibitors and rhEGF were incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes. After the reaction was stopped with trifluoroacetic acid, the amount of rhEGF remaining in the sample was determined with an HPLC method. The percentages of rhEGF degraded, at the skin/PBS ratio of 0.25, in the mouse, rat, and human skin homogenate were 85%, 70%, and 46%, respectively. The degree of degradation of rhEGF in the cytosolic fraction was higher than that in the membrane fraction and these enzyme reactions were completed in 30 minutes. Bestatin, EGTA, and TPCK showed significant inhibitory effects on the degradation of rhEGF in the two fractions (p<0.05), while the other protease inhibitors had no significant inhibitory effects or, even resulted in deleterious effects. Therefore, the formulation containing one or several inhibitors among these effective inhibitors would be a promising topical preparation of rhEGF for the treatment of open wound.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.255-258
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• 2013

Spillage of cyst contents during surgical operation is the major cause of recurrence after hydatid cyst surgery. Instillation of a scolicidal agent into a hepatic hydatid cyst is the most commonly employed measure to prevent this complication. SB202190 is a pyridinyl imidazole derivative and is known to be a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK. In the present study, the scolicidal effect of SB202190 was investigated. Freshly isolated Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices were subjected to SB202190 treatment (10, 20, 40, and $80{\mu}M$), and the effects on parasite viability were monitored by trypan blue staining. Corresponding effects were visualized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Dose-dependent protoscolex death within a few days of SB202190 treatment was observed. Although the in vitro scolicidal effect of SB202190 was satisfactory, the in vivo efficacy of this drug and also possible side effects remain to be further investigated.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.265-265
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• 2002

Iron increased the susceptibilities of clinical isolates Pseudomonas aeruginosa to quinolones. In the presence of iron, increased susceptibilities to ofloxacin were observed in twenty-six out of thirty isolates and with no change in four isolates. In the case of norfloxacin, iran increased susceptibilities of twelve isolates but did not render any change in eighteen isolates. In the case of ciprofloxacin, iron decreased the MICs (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration) of twenty isolates, increased the MIC of one isolate, and did net change the MICs of nine isolates. To find out how iron increased susceptibility to ofloxacin, bacterial cells were grown in Muller Hinton (MH) media and succinate minimal media (SMM) to induce iran acquisition systems and the intracellular ofloxacin concentrations were assayed in the presence of iron. The addition of iron to the media decreased the MICs of cells whether they were grown in MH or SMM. Siderophores, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (an inhibiter of proton motive force), and ouabain (an inhibitor of ATPase) did not decrease the effect of iron. Results suggested that the increase in the intracellular ofloxacin concentration by iron is accomplished not by decreasing the efflux but by increasing the of ofloxacin permeability.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.305-311
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• 2014

Dieckol is a polyphenol compound isolated from brown algae that has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor activity. We examined the anti-angiogenic effects of dieckol in endothelial cells under hypoxic conditions. Treatment with $CoCl_2$, a hypoxic mimetic agent, increased proliferation, adhesion, migration, and tube formation in HUVECs, as well as vessel sprouting in rat aortic rings, which correlated well with increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha ($HIF1{\alpha}$) and ${\beta}1$-integrin. Dieckol suppressed $CoCl_2$-induced adhesion, migration, and tube formation in HUVECs and vessel sprouting in rat aortic rings. Dieckol treatment decreased $CoCl_2$-induced overexpression of $HIF1{\alpha}$ and its downstream signaling molecules, including ${\beta}1$-integrin/Fak, Akt/eNOS, and p38 MAPK. These results suggest that dieckol is a novel angiogenesis inhibitor and a potential treatment for angiogenesis-dependent diseases in humans, such as malignant tumors.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2009

Aprotinin is used clinically in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery to reduce transfusion requirements and the inflammatory response. The mechanism of action for the anti-inflammatory effects of aprotinin is still unclear. We examined our hypothesis whether inhibitory effects of aprotinin on cytokine-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression (IL-$l\beta$ plus TNF-$\alpha$), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation were due to HO-l induction in rat VSMCs. Aprotinin induced HO-l protein expression in a dose-dependent manner, which was potentiated during inflammatory condition. Aprotinin reduced cytokine mixture (CM)-induced iNOS expression in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, aprotinin reduced CM-induced ROS generation, cell proliferation, and phosphorylation of JNK but not of P38 and ERK1/2 kinases. Aprotinin effects were reversed by pre-treatment with the HO-l inhibitor, tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPPIX). HO-l is therefore closely involved in inflammatory-stimulated VSMC proliferation through the regulation of ROS generation and JNK phosphorylation. Our results suggest a new molecular basis for aprotinin anti-inflammatory properties.