• BMB Reports
• /
• 제53권4호
• /
• pp.218-222
• /
• 2020

Excessive and hyperactive osteoclast activity causes bone diseases such as osteoporosis and periodontitis. Thus, the regulation of osteoclast differentiation has clinical implications. We recently reported that dehydrocostus lactone (DL) inhibits osteoclast differentiation by regulating a nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), but the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here we demonstrated that DL inhibits NFATc1 by regulating nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), activator protein-1 (AP-1), and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). DL attenuated IκBα phosphorylation and p65 nuclear translocation as well as decreased the expression of NF-κB target genes and c-Fos. It also inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but not p38 or extracellular signal-regulated kinase. The reporter assay revealed that DL inhibits NF-κB and AP-1 activation. In addition, DL reduced reactive oxygen species either by scavenging them or by activating Nrf2. The DL inhibition of NFATc1 expression and osteoclast differentiation was less effective in Nrf2-deficient cells. Collectively, these results suggest that DL regulates NFATc1 by inhibiting NF-κB and AP-1 via down-regulation of IκB kinase and JNK as well as by activating Nrf2, and thereby attenuates osteoclast differentiation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제22권4호
• /
• pp.494-500
• /
• 2012

Silk fibroin (SF) peptide has been traditionally used as a treatment for flatulence, spasms, and phlegm. In this study, we examined whether SF peptide enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of PEP-1-FK506 binding protein (PEP-1-FK506BP) through comparing the anti-inflammatory activities of SF peptide and/or PEP-1-FK506BP. In the presence or absence of SF peptide, transduction levels of PEP-1-FK506BP into HaCaT cells and mice skin and anti-inflammatory activities of PEP-1-FK506BP were identified by Western blot and histological analyses. SF peptide alone effectively reduced both mice ear edema and the elevated levels of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6 and $-1{\beta}$, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, showing similar anti-inflammatory effect to that of PEP-1-FK506BP. Furthermore, co-treatment with SF peptide and PEP-1-FK506BP exhibited more enhanced anti-inflammatory effects than the samples treated with SF peptides or PEP-1-FK506BP alone, suggesting the possibility that SF peptide and PEP-1-FK506BP might interact with each other. Moreover, the transduction data demonstrated that SF peptide did not affect the transduction of PEP-1-FK506BP into HaCaT cells and mice skin, indicating that the improvement of anti-inflammatory effect of PEP-1-FK506BP was not caused by enhanced transduction of PEP-1-FK506BP. Thus, these results suggest the possibility that co-treatment with SF peptide and PEP-1-FK506BP may be exploited as a useful therapy for various inflammation-related diseases.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• 제35권4호
• /
• pp.441-447
• /
• 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.

• 동의생리병리학회지
• /
• 제22권5호
• /
• pp.1202-1209
• /
• 2008

Peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$) and nitric oxide (NO) are cytotoxic because they can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. They have been implicated in the aging processes, and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ojunghwan on the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$), and on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory proteins in ob/ob mice. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups have received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 30 and 90 mg Ojung-hwan per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blot was performed using anti-phospho $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, $anti-IKK-{\alpha}$, $anti-NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS, anti-VCAM-1 and anti-MMP-9 antibodies, respectively. Ojunghwan inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse kidney postmitochondrial fraction in vitro. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO, ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$ and $PGE_2$ were inhibited in the Ojunghwan-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas that were improved in the Ojunghwan-administered groups. Ojunghwan inhibited the expression of $phospho-I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, $IKK-{\alpha}$, $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), COX-2, iNOS, VCAM-1 and MMP-9 genes. These results suggest that Ojunghwan is an effective scavenger of $ONOO^-$, ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$, NO and $PGE_2$, and has an inhibitory effect on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory genes in ob/ob mice. Therefore, Ojunghwan might be used as a potential therapeutic drug against the inflammation process and inflammation- related diseases.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• 제27권2호
• /
• pp.61-70
• /
• 2011

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are present in many consumer products ranging from fabrics to plastics and electronics. Wide use of flame retardants can pose an environmental hazard, which makes it important to determine the mechanism of their toxicity. In the present study, dose-dependent toxicity of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a flame retardant, was examined in male prepubertal rats (postnatal day 18) treated orally with TBBPA at 0, 125, 250 or 500 mg/kg for 30 days. There were no differences in body weight gain between the control and TBBPA-treated groups. However, absolute and relative liver weights were significantly increased in high dose of TBBPA-treated groups. TBBPA treatment led to significant induction of CYP2B1 and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) expression in the liver. In addition, serum thyroxin (T4) concentration was significantly reduced in the TBBPA treated group. These results indicate that repeated exposure to TBBPA induces drug-metabolising enzymes in rats through the CAR signaling pathway. In particular, TBBPA efficiently produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) through CYP2B1 induction in rats. We measured 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a biomarker of DNA oxidative damage, in the kidney, liver and testes of rats following TBBPA treatment. As expected, TBBPA strongly induced the production of 8-OHdG in the testis and kidney. These observations suggest that TBBPA-induced target organ toxicity may be due to ROS produced by metabolism of TBBPA in Sprague-Dawley rats.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제17권1호
• /
• pp.70-78
• /
• 2009

Coptis japonica (C. japonica) is a perennial medicinal plant that has anti-inflammatory activity. C. japonica contains numerous biologically active alkaloids including berberine, palmatine, epi-berberine, and coptisine. The most well-known anti-inflammatory principal in C. japonica is berberine. For example, berberine has been implicated in the inhibition of iNOS induction by cytokines in microglial cells. However, the efficacies of other alkaloids components on microglial activation were not investigated yet. In this study, we investigated the effects of three alkaloids (palmatine, epi-berberine and coptisine) from C. japonica on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation. BV2 microglial cells were immunostimulated with LPS and then the production of several inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were examined as well as the phosphorylation status of Erk1/2 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). Palmatine and to a lesser extent epi-berberine and coptisine, significantly reduced the release of NO, which was mediated by the inhibition of LPS-stimulated mRNA and protein induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) from BV2 microglia. In addition to NO, palmatine inhibited MMP-9 enzymatic activity and mRNA induction by LPS. Palmatine also inhibited the increase in the LPS-induced MMP-9 promoter activity determined by MMP-9 promoter luciferase reporter assay. LPS stimulation increased Erk1/2 phosphorylation in BV2 cells and these alkaloids inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of Erk1/2. The anti-inflammatory effect of palmatine in LPS-stimulated microglia may suggest the potential use of the alkaloids in the modulation of neuroinflammatory responses, which might be important in the pathophysiological events of several neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD) and stroke.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
• /
• 제5권3호
• /
• pp.225-234
• /
• 2011

Arabidopsis mutants with T-DNA insertion in seven calmodulin genes (CAM) were used to determine the specific role of CAM in the tolerance of plants to oxidative stress induced by paraquat and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) treatments. Arabidopsis calmodulin mutants (cam) were screened for seedling growth, seed germination, induced oxidative damage, and levels of ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt metabolites. Only the cam5-4 and cam6-1 mutants exhibited an increased sensitivity to paraquat and $H_2O_2$ during seed germination and seedling growth. In response to treatments with $3{\mu}M$ paraquat and 1 mM $H_2O_2$, only the cam5-4, cam6-1 mutants showed significant changes in malonaldehyde (MDA) levels in root and shoot tissues, with highly increased levels of MDA. In terms of the GABA shunt metabolites, GABA was significantly elevated in root and shoot tissues in response to the paraquat treatments in comparison to alanine and glutamate, while the levels of all shunt metabolites increased in root tissue but not in the shoot tissue following the $H_2O_2$ treatments. GABA, alanine and glutamate levels were significantly increased in root and shoot of the cam1, cam4, cam5-4, and cam6-1 mutants in response to paraquat (0.5, 1 and $3{\mu}M$), while they were increased only in the root tissue of the cam1, cam4, cam5-4, and cam6-1 mutants in response to $H_2O_2$ (200 and $500{\mu}M$, 1 mM). These data show that the cam5-4 and cam6-1 mutants were sensitive to the induced oxidative stress treatments in terms of seed germination, seedling growth, and oxidative damage. The accumulation of GABA shunt metabolites as a consequence of the induced oxidative stress treatments (paraquat and $H_2O_2$ treatments) suggests that the GABA shunt pathway and the accumulation of GABA metabolites may contribute in antioxidant machinery associated with reactive oxygen species and in the acquisition of tolerance in response to induced oxidative stress in Arabidopsis seedlings.

• 한국식품과학회지
• /
• 제48권6호
• /
• pp.597-603
• /
• 2016

본 연구는 증숙 횟수에 따른 천마 추출물의 경구 투여가 산화방지 효과를 통한 위 점막 손상 억제에 미치는 효과를 평가하는 실험이다. 증숙 횟수를 달리한 천마 추출물을 준비하여 DPPH, ABTS 라디칼 소거능, total phenol, flavonoid, gastrodin, gastrodigenin 성분 분석 결과, 1회 증숙 천마와 9회 증숙 천마 추출물간의 급성 위염 개선 효능 평가가 가능할 것으로 판단되었다. HCl/ethanol로 유발된 급성 위염 동물 모델에 GE1과 GE9 (100 mg/kg body weight)과 sucralfate (10 mg/kg body weight)를 HCl/ethanol 처리 전 경구 투여하였다. 그리고 이를 정상군과 대조군과 비교 분석하였다. 급성 위염 개선 효능 실험에서 증숙 천마 추출물의 섭취는 HCl/ethanol로 유발된 위 점막 손상 마우스에서 위 조직의 육안적 손상을 감소시켰다. 9회 증숙 천마 추출물의 섭취는 위 점막 손상마우스에서 혈청의 ROS와 조직의 $ONOO^-$를 감소시켰고, 위 조직에서 염증성 매개인자인 $TNF-{\alpha}$ 또한 감소시켰다. 결론적으로 9회 증숙한 천마의 경구투여는 1회 증숙한 천마에 비하여 효과적으로 위 점막 손상을 억제하였다. 따라서 9회 증숙 천마 추출물의 투여가 급성 위염 유발 마우스 모델에서 위점막 손상 억제에 효과가 있다고 사료된다.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제18권12호
• /
• pp.1631-1636
• /
• 2008

대황(Rhei Rhizoma; RR, 대황(大黃))은 Rheum officinale Baill.와 Rheum palmatum L. (Polygonaceae)의 땅속부분 (rhizome 및 root)으로 남아시아의 민속의학에서 간 및 신장의 손상을 치료하는데 널리 이용되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 배양한 흰쥐 해마신경세포의 저산소증모델을 이용하여 대황의 물추출물이 신경세포사를 억제하는 효능에 대하여 조사하였다. 배양 10일(DIV10)에 RR을 배양액에 첨가하고 DIV13일에 생존율을 조사한 결과 10 ${\mu}g$/ml 농도까지는 세포독성이 없었으며, 정상산소 환경에서 2.5 ${\mu}g$/ml의 농도에서 세포생존율을 높이는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 배지에 대황을 첨가한 경우 DIV13일에 저산소증을 유도한 후 5일째에 세포생존율을 조사한 결과 대조군에 비하여 매우 유의하게 생존율을 증가시켰다. $H_2DCF$ 염색 결과 대황은 활성산소(ROS)의 생성을 유의하게 감소시킴과, JC-1 염색 결과 사립체 막전위의 소실을 유의하게 억제함을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 결과들은 대황 물추출물이 활성산소를 효과적으로 제거하고, 세포의 에너지 생성을 보전함으로서 세포사를 억제할 수 있음을 보여주며, 향후 뇌신경세포의 건강에 유용하게 이용될 수 있음을 시사한다.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제29권12호
• /
• pp.1321-1328
• /
• 2019

자외선B(UVB: 290-320 nm) 방사선으로도 알려진 중간 파장 태양광선은 인간에게 조기 노화 및 산화손상에 의존하는 피부암을 유발할 수 있다. UVB가 유발하는 반응성 산소종(ROS)의 형성은 종종 이러한 광선에 과도하게 노출되는 결과로 MMP-1과 MMP-3와 같은 매트릭스 금속단백질(MMP)을 활성화할 수 있다. 이 효소들은 인간의 섬유질에서 type 1형 콜라겐을 분해한다. 본 연구에서는 블루베리(EEB)의 에틸 아세테이트 추출물의 항산화 및 항노화 효과를 평가했다. 블루베리의 항산화 실험은 DPPH 분석과 CCD-986sk 세포를 사용하여 ROS 생성을 평가했다. 블루베리의 주름방지 효능을 평가하기 위해 MMP-1 생성과 type 1형 procollagen 합성을 평가하고 Western Blot과 RT- PCR을 통해 MMP 1, 3의 발현량을 평가하였다. EEB는 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) 라디칼의 소거능을 보이며 UVB에 유도된 ROS의 생성을 저해하였다. 또한 EEB는 procollagen 생성감소 및 MMP-1 생성량의 증가 등 광노화 및 피부암과 관련된 UVB로 야기되는 과정을 억제하였다. 더 정확히 말하면, EEB (50㎍/ml)는 MMP-1과 -3의 mRNA와 단백질 발현을 현저히 억제하였다. EEB의 항노화 효과는 항산화 작용에 기인한다. 이러한 연구 결과는 EEB가 type 1형 procollagen, MMP-1, MMP-3의 수준을 조절함으로써 인간 섬유아세포에서 UVB가 유발하는 노화로부터 보호 효과를 가지고 있음을 나타낸다.