• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.13-20
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• 2018

Estragole is a naturally occurring phenylpropanoid obtained from essential oils found in a broad diversity of plants. Although the phenylpropanoids show many biological activities, clear regulation of the inflammatory signaling pathways has not yet been determined. Here, we scrutinized the anti-inflammatory effect of estragole. The anti-inflammatory effect of estragole was determined through the inhibitory mechanisms of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways and the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2)/heme oxygenase (HO)-1 pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Estragole significantly inhibited NO production, iNOS and COX-2 expression as well as LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK activation. Furthermore, estragole suppressed LPS-induced intracellular ROS production but up-regulated the stress response gene HO-1 via the activation of transcription factor Nrf-2. These findings demonstrate that estragole inhibits the LPS-induced expression of inflammatory mediators via the down-regulation of iNOS, COX-2, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and MAPK pathways, as well as the up-regulation of the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway, indicating that this phenylpropanoid has potential therapeutic and preventive applications in various inflammatory diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.479-486
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• 2008

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play an indispensable role in activation of the myogenic program, which is responsive to mechanical stimulation. Although there is accumulating evidence of mechanical force-mediated cellular responses, the role of MAPK in regulating the myogenic process in myoblasts exposed to cyclic stretch is unclear. Cyclic stretch induced the proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts and inhibited their differentiation into myotubes. In particular, it induced persistent phosphorylation of p38 kinase, and decreased the level of phosphorylation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK). Partial inhibition of p38 phosphorylation increased cellular levels of MyoD and p-ERK in stretched C2C12 cells, along with increased myotube formation. Treatment with $10{\mu}M$ PD98059 prevented myogenin expression in response to a low dose of SB203580 ($3{\mu}M$) in the stretched cells, suggesting that adequate ERK activation is also needed to allow the cells to differentiate into myotubes. These results suggest that cyclic stretch inhibits the myogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells by activating p38-mediated signaling and inhibiting ERK phosphorylation. We conclude that p38 kinase, not ERK, is the upstream signal transducer regulating cellular responses to mechanical stretch in skeletal muscle cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권10호
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• pp.761-772
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• 2017

Glioblastoma is the most frequent and most aggressive brain tumor in adults. Solute carrier family 8 member 2 (SLC8A2) is only expressed in normal brain, but not present in other human normal tissues or in gliomas. Therefore, we hypothesized that SLC8A2 might be a glioma tumor suppressor gene and detected the role of SLC8A2 in glioblastoma and explored the underlying molecular mechanism. The glioblastoma U87MG cells stably transfected with the lentivirus plasmid containg SLC8A2 (U87MG-SLC8A2) and negative control (U87MG-NC) were constructed. In the present study, we found that the tumorigenicity of U87MG in nude mice was totally inhibited by SLC8A2. Overexpression of SLC8A2 had no effect on cell proliferation or cell cycle, but impaired the invasion and migration of U87MG cells, most likely through inactivating the extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK)1/2 signaling pathway, inhibiting the nuclear translocation and DNA binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), reducing the level of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)-its receptor (uPAR) system (ERK1/2-$NF-{\kappa}B$-MMPs/uPA-uPAR), and altering the protein levels of epithelial to mesenchymal transitions (EMT)-associated proteins E-cardherin, vimentin and Snail. In addition, SLC8A2 inhibited the angiogenesis of U87MG cells, probably through combined inhibition of endothelium-dependent and endothelium-nondependent angiogenesis (vascular mimicry pattern). Totally, SLC8A2 serves as a tumor suppressor gene and inhibits invasion, angiogenesis and growth of glioblastoma.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.21-26
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• 2008

The leaves of Acanthopanax species have traditionally been used as a tonic and a sedative as well as in the treatment of rheumatism and diabetes. Chiisanoside is the major active lupane triterpenoid of Acanthopanax leaves. To investigate the bioactivities of chiisanoside, which act on bone metabolism, the effects of chiisanoside on the function of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were studied. Chiisanoside $(0.02{\sim}20\;{\mu}M)$ significantly increased the growth of MC3T3-E1 cells and caused a significant elevation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen content, and nodules mineralization in the cells (P < 0.05). The effect of chiisanoside (2 ${\mu}M$) in increasing ALP activity was completely prevented by the presence of tamoxifen, suggesting that the effect of chiisanoside might be partly estrogen receptor mediated. Moreover, cotreatment of p38 inhibitor SB203580 or JNK inhibitor SP600125 inhibited chiisanoside-mediated ALP upregulation, suggesting that the induction of differentiation by chiisanoside is associated with increased activation of p38 and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases. Our data indicate that the enhancement of osteoblast function by chiisanoside may result in the prevention for osteoporosis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.532-537
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• 2012

Avicularin, quercetin-3-${\alpha}$-L-arabinofuranoside, has been reported to possess diverse pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious effects. However, the underlying mechanism by which avicularin exerts its anti-inflammatory activity has not been clearly demonstrated. This study aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of avicularin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Avicularin significantly inhibited LPS-induced excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and $PGE_2$ and the protein levels of iNOS and COX-2, which are responsible for the production of NO and $PGE_2$, respectively. Avicularin also suppressed LPS-induced overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-$1{\beta}$. Furthermore, avicularin significantly suppressed LPS-induced degradation of $I{\kappa}B$, which retains NF-${\kappa}B$ in the cytoplasm, consequently inhibiting the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes by NF-${\kappa}B$ in the nucleus. To understand the underlying signaling mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of avicularin, involvement of multiple kinases was examined. Avicularin significantly attenuated LPS-induced activation of ERK signaling pathway in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, the present study clearly demonstrates that avicularin exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression of ERK signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2016

Objectives : Nardostachys jatamansi (NJ) is a medicinal herb that has been reported in various traditional systems of medicine for its use in antispasmodic, a digestive stimulant, skin diseases. Previous studies have already reported that NJ effectively protects against inflammation. However, the active compound in NJ is unknown. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed effects of a compound, 8α-hydroxy pinoresinol (HP), isolated from NJ against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells.Methods : To examine the anti-inflammatory effect of HP against LPS, intraperitoneally pre-treat the HP (100, 200, 500 and 1,000 nM) 1 h prior to LPS challenges. LPS was stimulated with 500 ng/ml in RAW 264.7 cells. To identify the anti-inflammatory effect of HP, we measured inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and its derivative nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Also we evaluated molecular mechanisms including mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) activation by western blot.Results : The HP inhibited production of inflammatory mediators, such as iNOS and its derivative NO, COX-2 and PGE2 in LPS- induced inflammationin RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, HP also inhibited activation of p38 pathway signaling but not extracellularsignal-regulatedkinase (ERK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and NF-κB.Conclusion : Our results suggest that HP has anti-inflammatory functions through the dephosphorylation of p38 and HP can provide beneficial strategy for prevention and therapy of inflammation.

• 한국자원식물학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.297-304
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• 2015

The flower buds of Sophora japonica L (SF), as a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal herb, have been used to treat bleeding-related disorders such as hematochezia, hemorrhoidal bleeding, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and diarrhea. However, no specific anti-cancer effect and its molecular mechanism of SF have been described. Thus, we performed in vitro study to investigate if treatment of SF affects activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) expression and ATF3-mediated apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells. The effects of SF on cell viability and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay and Western blot analysis against cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). ATF3 activation induced by SF was evaluated using Western blot analysis, RT-PCR and ATF3 promoter assay. SF treatment caused decrease of cell viability and increase of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in HCT116 and SW480 cells. Exposure of SF activated the levels of ATF3 protein and mRNA via transcriptional regulation in HCT116 and SW480 cells. Inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 by PD98059 and p38 by SB203580 attenuated SF-induced ATF3 expression and transcriptional activation. Ectopic ATF3 overexpression accelerated SF-induced cleavage of PARP. These findings suggest that SF-mediated apoptosis may be the result of ATF3 expression through ERK1/2 and p38-mediated transcriptional activation.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.9-21
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• 2015

Objectives: Realgar has been frequently used for skin disorders in history of herbal medicine. However, the efficacy of realgar has not been examined in atopic dermatitis(AD). In this study, the effects of realgar on AD were investigated, especially on pruritus and inflammation. Methods: AD lesions were induced in the shaved backs of BALB/c mice through repeated application of DNCB. The mice were treated for 11 days with 1% realgar ($100{\mu}L/day$). Histological changes in skin thickness were observed. The anti-pruritic effects of realgar were evaluated by the change in numbers of scratching behavior of mice and expression of substance P. The expressions of cytokines IL-4 and IL-6 were measured. Also, anti-inflammatory effects of realgar were examined on expressions of NF-${\kappa}B$, phospho-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Results: Realgar decreased skin thickness (both dermal and epidermal) 38% and 17% respectively, compared to positive control, DNCB group. The scratching behavior of mice was reduced by 42% and expression of substance P was significantly less. Cytokines IL-4 and IL-6 were significantly reduced by 52.6% and 77.6%, respectively. The expressions of NF-${\kappa}B$, phospho-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and MAPKs (phospho-ERK1/2, -p38 and -JNK) were significantly suppressed with marked effects on phospho-ERK1/2. Conclusions: The collective results suggest that realgar shows anti-pruritic and anti-inflammatory effects on AD. And realgar might be a potential therapeutic candidate for treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.807-814
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• 2016

Fucoidan, one of the dominant sulfated polysaccharides extracted from brown seaweed, possesses a wide range of biological activities. Transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ ($TGF-{\beta}$) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, by stimulating the synthesis of profibrotic factors. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effects of fucoidan on collagen synthesis, ${\alpha}-smooth$ muscle actin (${\alpha}-SMA$) expression, and interleukin (IL)-6 production in $TGF-{\beta}$-stimulated human pulmonary fibroblasts. The expression of type I collagen and ${\alpha}-SMA$ was detected by Western blot, and the production of IL-6 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. $TGF-{\beta}1$ treatment of pulmonary fibroblasts enhanced the expression of ${\alpha}-SMA$, type I collagen, and IL-6 whereas these effects were inhibited in cells pretreated with fucoidan. The activation of Smad2/3, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and Akt was also inhibited in fucoidan-pretreated, $TGF-{\beta}1-stimulated$ human pulmonary fibroblasts. These data demonstrate the anti-fibrotic potential of fucoidan in $TGF-{\beta}-induced$ human pulmonary fibroblasts, via the inhibition of Smad2/3, p38 MAPKs, and Akt phosphorylation. Our results suggest the therapeutic potential of fucoidan in the prevention or treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제44권7호
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• pp.1079-1083
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• 2015

본 연구는 양조과정의 부산물인 주박으로부터 분리한 다당류(JPS)가 초기 면역반응에 중추적인 역할을 수행하는 대식세포에서 활성화를 유도하는지에 관한 여부를 알아보기 위해서 수행되었다. 주박에서 분리한 다당류를 마우스 유래 대식세포인 RAW264.7 cell에 처리하였을 때 대식세포의 활성화의 지표인 NO와 cytokine(IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$)의 분비가 증가되었다. 또한 이러한 NO와 cytokine의 증가의 원인에 관한 면역기전에 관하여 알아본 결과 JPS의 처리는 MAPKs(ERK, JNK, p-38)의 인산화를 촉진시켜 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성을 유도하여 면역세포의 활성인자들의 분비를 촉진시킨 것으로 관찰되었다.