• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.129-142
• /
• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidative effects of the extract of Scolopendra subspinipes which has been used mainly for detoxication in the oriental medicine and reported to have sedative action, antiinflammatory effect, antihypertensive property and immunity enhancing activity. Method: Inhibitory activities on oxygen radical generating enzymes (aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase) and increasing activities on oxygen radical scavenging enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase) were investigated. Furthermore, the content of glutathione in the mouse brain, DPPH radical scavenging activity and also anti-lipid peroxidative effects in vivo and in vitro were estimated. Results: The extract showed weak inhibitory effects on the activities of aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase which are oxygen radical generating enzymes. The extract inhibited lipid peroxidation with 26.1% against control group at 500 mg/kg in vivo and with 11.2% against control group at 10 mg/kg in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, which means this drug may protect radical-induced cell damages. The extract showed dose-dependently the scavenging effect on DPPH radical with 24.8% activity at 10 mg/ml in vitro. The extract enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase, which are oxygen radical scavenging enzymes, with 28.9%, 22.3% and 23.1%, respectively at 500mg/kg in vivo. Finally, this extract strongly increased the glutathione content in the mouse barin. Conclusion: Above results indicated that Scolopendra subspinipes can be useful for the protection or treatment of some diseases caused by reactive oxygen species.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.121-130
• /
• 2019

Glutamate toxicity-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal cell death are involved in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases as well as acute brain ischemia/stroke. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective mechanism of dieckol (DEK), one of the phlorotannins isolated from the marine brown alga Ecklonia cava, against glutamate toxicity. Primary cortical neurons ($100{\mu}M$, 24 h) and HT22 neurons (5 mM, 12 h) were stimulated with glutamate to induce glutamate toxic condition. The results demonstrated that DEK treatment significantly increased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner ($1-50{\mu}M$) and recovered morphological deterioration in glutamate-stimulated neurons. In addition, DEK strongly attenuated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial overload of $Ca^{2+}$ and ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$) disruption, adenine triphosphate depletion. DEK showed free radical scavenging activity in the cell-free system. Furthermore, DEK enhanced protein expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an important anti-oxidant enzyme, via the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-like 2 (Nrf2). Taken together, we conclude that DEK exerts neuroprotective activities against glutamate toxicity through its direct free radical scavenging property and the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway activation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.350-356
• /
• 2008

Etiological studies of diabetes and its complications showed that oxidative stress might play a major role. Therefore, many efforts have been tried to regulate free oxygen radicals for treating diabetes and its complications. Cheonghyul-san has been known to be effective for the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antiobesitic prescription, and composed of four crude herbs. In male ob/ob mouse with severe obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hypergiycemia, hyperlipidemia, the acting mechanisms of Cheonghyul-san were examined. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and diabetic (ob/ob mice) control groups received standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 7.5, 15 and 30 mg Cheonghyul-san per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. The effects of Cheonghyul-san extract on the ob/ob mice were observed by measuring the serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipid components, and the kidney levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), MDA+HAE, GSH and also the enzyme activities involved in polyol pathway. Cheonghyul-san lowered the levels of serum glucose and insulin in a dose dependent manner. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels were decreased, while the HDL-cholesterol level was increased, in Cheonghyul-san treated groups. Renal aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were increased in the ob/ob mice, whereas those were inhibited in the Cheonghyul-san-administered groups. Cheonghyul-san inhibited the generation of ROS in the kidney. Finally, MDA+HAE level was increased and the GSH level was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas those were improved in the Cheonghyul-san-administered groups. The results suggested that Cheonghyul-san exerted the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities by regulating the activities of polyol pathway enzymes, scavenging ROS, regulating the MDA+HAE and GSH levels in the ob/ob mice.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2012

Recently, we reported that Jeju ground water contains vanadium components and exerts antioxidant effects in vitro and in vivo via the scavenging of reactive oxygen species and enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities. In the present study, the antioxidant actions of Jeju ground water were compared with those of tap water against gamma-ray radiation in mice. C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with gamma-ray at a dose rate of 2 Gy. The mice were then given tap water or Jeju ground water for 90 days. Jeju ground water compared with tap water enhanced the activities and levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in irradiated liver tissues. Jeju ground water also enhanced the levels of intracellular reduced glutathione, which is vital for normal liver function and repair. These results suggest that vanadium-containing Jeju ground water can safeguard against the harmful actions of gamma-ray radiation through the support of hepatic antioxidant processes.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.235-240
• /
• 2003

Tectorigenin has an apoptosis-inducing ability and immunosuppressive activity. We investigated the effect of tectorigenin on Phase I and II enzyme activities to elucidate the pharmacological action of the immunosuppressive tectorigenin in the diabetic rat. This compound was obtained from the hydrolysis of tetoridin isolated from the flower of Pueraria thumbergiana (Leguminosae). This crude drug (Puerariae Flos) has been used as a therapeutic for diabetes mellitus in traditional Korean medicine. Tecotrigenin inhibited the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxy radicals in serum and liver but promoted superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Low MDA contents and low xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase activities were observed in the tectorigenin-treated rats, suggesting that such Phase I enzyme activities are the major source of lipid peroxidation. However, tectorigenin increased Phase II enzyme activities such as SOD, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, suggesting the activation of free radical-scavenging enzymes. The activities of tectorigenin were comparable to those of glibenclamide, which was employed as a positive control. These results suggest that tectorigenin may share some biological properties with glibenclamide in insulin-dependent-diabetes mellitus (IDDM).

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.77-84
• /
• 2005

EGCG[(-)-epigallocatechin gallate], is a major component of green tea has been considered as a major antioxidant constituent. It has been considered as potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents. However, very little is known about the cellular actions by which EGCG mediates its therapeutic effects. Various aspects of antioxidant activity of EGCG were evaluated in this study. EGCG itself did not show significant cytotoxicity. Significant 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was observed in all ranges of concentration ($0.8-100{\mu}g/ml$) used in this study. Protective effect of EGCG against hydrogen peroxide induced cell death was observed. Relatively high lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity were detected ($IC_{50}$ was about $20{\mu}g/ml$). EGCG also dose-dependently enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in V79-4 cells. In concentrations of $100{\mu}g/ml$ of EGCG, activities of SOD, CAT and GPX were measured as 36.9 U/mg of protein, 22.9 U/mg of protein and 17.8 U/mg of protein, respectively. When these values were compared with those of the control groups (24.9 U/mg of protein, 14.9 U/mg of protein and 11.7 U/mg of protein), the relative increases were calculated as 48, 54 and 52%, respectively. Taken together, our findings suggest that EGCG can act as an antioxidant by scavenging radicals and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.19 no.11
• /
• pp.1319-1327
• /
• 2009

Marine red algae of genus Laurencia are becoming the most important resources to produce unique natural metabolites with wide bioactivities. However, reports related to Laurencia undulata, an edible species used as folk herb, are rarely found to date. In this research, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5-HMF) was isolated and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) from Laurencia undulata as well as other marine algae. The following characteristics of 5-HMF were systematically evaluated: its antioxidant activities, such as typical free-radicals scavenging in vitro by electron spin resonance spectrometry (ESR) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging; membrane protein oxidation; oxidative enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibition; as well as expressions of antioxidative enzymes glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) on the gene level using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The results demonstrated that 5-HMF could be developed as a novel marine natural antioxidant or potential precursor for practical applications in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical fields.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.251-257
• /
• 2016

In this study, the radical scavenging activity and protective effect of ethanol extract from leaf of Engelhardtia chrysolepis HANCE (ECE) against oxidative stress were investigated under in vitro and cellular system. ECE showed strong radical scavenging activities in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl(${\cdot}OH$) and nitric oxide(NO) radical as a concentration-dependent manner. Particularly, strong scavenging activity against the ${\cdot}OH$ and NO radical were observed with the $IC_{50}$ value of $1.30{\mu}g/ml$ and $12.61{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Furthermore, the cellular oxidative stress was induced by amyloid beta($A{\beta}_{25-35}$) in C6 glial cells. The treatment of $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ to C6 glial cells generated high levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS) and declined cell viability. However, production of ROS was decreased by the treatment of ECE. In addition, the cell viability was significantly increased at each concentration(10, 25, $50{\mu}g/ml$) as dose-dependent manner. The Alzheimer's disease-related protein expressions in $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-treated C6 glial cells were analyzed. The ECE treatment inhibited expression of amyloid precursor protein(APP), C-terminal fragment-${\beta}(CTF-{\beta})$, ${\beta}$-site APP cleaving enzyme(BACE), phosphorylated tau(p-tau) proteins in C6 glial cells induced by $A{\beta}_{25-35}$. The present study indicated that ECE has strong radical scavenging activity and neuroprotective effect through attenuating oxidative stress.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.244-254
• /
• 2009

The hypersensitive reaction (HR) is the most common plant defense reaction against pathogens. HR is produced during both host- and nonhost-incompatible interactions. Several reports suggest that similarities exist between host and nonhost resistances. We assayed the pattern of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and scavenging enzyme activities during nonhost pathogen-plant interactions (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris/Capsicum annuum L.) and incompatible host pathogen-plant interactions (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria race1/Capsicum annuum L.). Both ${O_2}^-\;and\;H_2O_2 $ accumulated much faster during nonhost resistance when compared to the host resistance. The scavenging enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) were also different during the host- and nonhost-incompatible interactions. CAT activity was much higher during nonhost resistance, and several new isozymes of SOD and POX were detected during nonhost resistance when compared to the host resistance. Lipoxygenase (LOX) activity was higher in host resistance than nonhost resistance during the early stages of infection. Interestingly, the nitric oxide (NO) radical accumulated equal amounts during both host and nonhost resistance at early stages of infection. Further studies are needed to determine the specific pathways underlying these differences between host and nonhost resistance responses.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.47-54
• /
• 2014

The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant defense system of cinnamaldehyde in normal, diabetic rats and its possible protection of pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells against its gradual loss under diabetic conditions. In vitro free radical scavenging effect of cinnamaldehyde was determined using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-dipicrylhydrazyl), superoxide radical, and nitric oxide radical. Streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats were orally administered with cinnamaldehyde at concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight for 45 days. At the end of the experiment, the levels of plasma lipid peroxides and antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, ceruloplasmin, catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase were determined. A significant increase in the levels of plasma glucose, vitamin E, ceruloplasmin, and lipid peroxides and significant decrease in the levels of plasma insulin and reduced glutathione were observed in the diabetic rats. Also the activities of pancreatic antioxidant enzymes were altered in the STZ-induced diabetic rats. The altered enzyme activities were reverted to near-normal levels after treatment with cinnamaldehyde and glibenclamide. Histopathological studies also revealed a protective effect of cinnamaldehyde on pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells. Cinnamaldehyde enhances the antioxidant defense against reactive oxygen species produced under hyperglycemic conditions and thus protects pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells against their loss and exhibits antidiabetic properties.