• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.219-225
• /
• 2011

Korean red ginseng (KRG) is a valuable and important traditional medicine in East Asian countries and is currently used extensively for botanical products in the world. KRG has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the central nervous system (CNS) suggesting its complicated action mechanisms. The substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) are involved in orofacial nociceptive processing. Some studies reported that KRG has antinociceptive effects, but there are few reports of the functional studies of KRG on the SG neurons of the Vc. In this study, a whole cell patch clamp study was performed to examine the action mechanism of a KRG extract on the SG neurons of the Vc from juvenile mice. KRG induced short-lived and repeatable inward currents on all the SG neurons tested in the high chloride pipette solution. The KRG-induced inward currents were concentration dependent and were maintained in the presence of tetrodotoxin, a voltage gated $Na^+$ channel blocker. The KRG-induced inward currents were suppressed by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, a non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist and/or picrotoxin, a gamma-aminobutyric acid $(GABA)_A$ receptor antagonist. However, the inward currents were not suppressed by d,l-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, an NMDA receptor antagonist. These results show that KRG has excitatory effects on the SG neurons of the Vc via the activation of non-NMDA glutamate receptor as well as an inhibitory effect by activation of the $GABA_A$ receptor, indicating the KRG has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the CNS. In addition, KRG may be a potential target for modulating orofacial pain processing.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.549-560
• /
• 2020

Although DNA damage responses (DDRs) are reported to be involved in nitric oxide (NO) production in response to genotoxic stresses, the precise mechanism of DDR-mediated NO production has not been fully understood. Using a genotoxic agent aphidicolin, we investigated how DDRs regulate NO production in bovine aortic endothelial cells. Prolonged (over 24 h) treatment with aphidicolin increased NO production and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein expression, which was accompanied by increased eNOS dimer/monomer ratio, tetrahydrobiopterin levels, and eNOS mRNA expression. A promoter assay using 5'-serially deleted eNOS promoters revealed that Tax-responsive element site, located at -962 to -873 of the eNOS promoter, was responsible for aphidicolin-stimulated eNOS gene expression. Aphidicolin increased CREB activity and ectopic expression of dominant-negative inhibitor of CREB, A-CREB, repressed the stimulatory effects of aphidicolin on eNOS gene expression and its promoter activity. Co-treatment with LY294002 decreased the aphidicolin-stimulated increase in p-CREB-Ser¹³³ level, eNOS expression, and NO production. Furthermore, ectopic expression of dominant-negative Akt construct attenuated aphidicolin-stimulated NO production. Aphidicolin increased p-ATM-Ser¹⁹⁸¹ and the knockdown of ATM using siRNA attenuated all stimulatory effects of aphidicolin on p-Akt-Ser⁴⁷³, p-CREB-Ser¹³³, eNOS expression, and NO production. Additionally, these stimulatory effects of aphidicolin were similarly observed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Lastly, aphidicolin increased acetylcholine-induced vessel relaxation in rat aortas, which was accompanied by increased p-ATM-Ser¹⁹⁸¹, p-Akt-Ser⁴⁷³, p-CREB-Ser¹³³, and eNOS expression. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that in response to aphidicolin, activation of ATM/Akt/CREB/eNOS signaling cascade mediates increase of NO production and vessel relaxation in endothelial cells and rat aortas.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.274-278
• /
• 2008

Ethanol extracts from the edible mushroom hinmogi (Tremella fuciformis, TF) were used in the investigation of effects on $\alpha$-glucosidase in vitro and on glucose-uptake in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes. Addition of the extract significantly inhibited $\alpha$-glucosidase from small intestine of porcine and of rat (about 42 and 35% of control, respectively), and stimulated glucose uptake (about 100% of control), of which activity was higher than that of maitake (Grifola frondosa) X-fraction, a well known anti-diabetic substance. When the ethanol extracts were further partitioned successively by organic solvents and purified by silica gel chromatography, the non-polar layer (F-7) from hexane layer showed highest stimulatory activity of glucose-uptake among layers tested. The major components of the F-7 were 1-monooleoylglycerol and 1-monopalmitoylglycerol. Our report is the first description of TF with stimulatory activity of glucose-uptake. These results suggest that TF extracts may constitute a new source of glucose transport activator and could be employed as a potential anti-diabetic material for treatment and preventing diabetes.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.61-65
• /
• 2001

In this study, a BTX degrading microbial consortium was obtained from the activated sludges of a BTX releasing sewage water and city sewage water treatment plant. The MY microbial consortium was developed for benzene and toluene degradation, whereas the MA microbial consortium was developed for xylene isomers. The major microorganism of the MA consortium was identified as Rhodococcus ruber DSM 43338T, whereas that of the MY consortium was Rhodococcus sp. In terms of the degradation of a single component, the removal rate of benzene was fastest and decreased in order; toluene, o-xylene, p-xylene and m-xylene. For degradation of mixed BTX, most BTX were degraded within 108 hours and the degradation rate showed either stimulatory or inhibitory effects depending on the composition. MA and MY microbial consortium obtained in this study may be used effectively to remove BTX biologically.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.341-346
• /
• 2011

The single-stranded DNA binding activity of the Escherichia coli RecA protein is crucial for homologous recombination to occur. This and other biochemical activities of ssDNA binding proteins may be affected by various factors. In this study, we analyzed the effect of $CaCl_2$, NaCl and $NH_4NO_3$ salts in combination with the pH and nucleotide cofactor effect on the ssDNA-binding activity of RecA. The studies revealed that, in addition to the inhibitory effect, these salts exert also a stimulatory effect on RecA. These effects occur only under very strict conditions, and the presence or absence and the type of nucleotide cofactor play here a major role. It was observed that in contrast to ATP, ATP${\gamma}$S prevented the inhibitory effect of NaCl and $NH_4NO_3$, even at very high salt concentration. These results indicate that ATP${\gamma}$S most likely stabilizes the structure of RecA required for DNA binding, making it resistant to high salt concentrations.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.35-41
• /
• 2013

Metformin is widely used for T2D therapy but its cellular mechanism of action is undefined. Recent studies on the mechanism of metformin in T2D have demonstrated involvement of the immune system. Current immunotherapies focus on the potential of immunomodulatory strategies for the treatment of T2D. In this study, we examined the effects of metformin on the antigen-presenting function of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Metformin decreased both MHC class I and class II-restricted presentation of OVA and suppressed the expression of both MHC molecules and co-stimulatory factors such as CD54, CD80, and CD86 in DCs, but did not affect the phagocytic activity toward exogenous OVA. The class II-restricted OVA presentation-regulating activity of metformin was also confirmed using mice that had been injected with metformin followed by soluble OVA. These results provide an understanding of the mechanisms of the T cell response-regulating activity of metformin through the inhibition of MHC-restricted antigen presentation in relation to its actions on APCs.

• Journal of Plant Biology
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.325-330
• /
• 1991

The ability of several auxin analogs to induce ethylene production was tested in the corn coleoptile. The synthetic auxins 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (1-NAA) and 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) had strong stimulatory effects on ethylene induction surpassing that of IAA. Both 2-naphthalaneacetic acid (2-NAA) and 2, 6-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 6-D), structural analogs of these auxins, respectively, were found to be inactive. Treatment with NPA, a strong inhibitor of polar auxin transport, led to drastic increase in IAA-induced ethylene production while it has bo effect on ethylene production induced by 1-NAA. A positive correlative existed between intracellular auxin level and ethylene production.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.31 no.1 s.57
• /
• pp.115-122
• /
• 1995

Effects of staurosporine, genistein and pertussis toxin on superoxide and HOCl production in C5a- or PMA-activated neutrophils were investigated. A C5a-induced superoxide and $H_2O_2$ production was inhibited by staurosporine, genistein and pertussis toxin. The stimulatory effect of PMA was inhibited by staurosporine but was not affected by pertussis toxin, whereas it was further promoted by genistein. Staurosporine and genistein inhibited superoxide production by sodium fluoride, but pertussis toxin did not affect it. PMA-induced $H_2O_2$ production was inhibited by staurosporine but was not affected by pertussis toxin. Genistein did not show a stimulatory effect on PMA-induced $H_2O_2$ production. Staurosporine and pertussis toxin inhibited HOCl production by C5a- or PMA, whereas genistein stimulated it. C5a-or PMA-induced myeloperoxidase release was inhibited by genistein, in this response the effect of pertussis toxin was not detected. Staurosporine did not affect the stimulatory effect of PMA on the release. Myeloperoxidase activity was markedly increased by genistein but was not affected by staurosporine and pertussis toxin. These results indicate that the respiratory burst of neutrophils may be regulated by protein kinase C and protein tyrosine kinase. Superoxide production induced by the direct activation of protein kinase C might be affected by protein tyrosine kinase oppositely. Genistein probably pro-motes HOCl production by activating myeloperoxidase.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.151-155
• /
• 1982

Effects of vitamins, metabolic intermediates and several inorganic mineral salts on the biomass and lipid accumulation of Mucor plumbeus were investigated after 15 days of incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ under static culture condition. The optimum concentrations of various vitamins were ${\gamma}/l$ for biotin, and 0.01 g/l for nicotinic acid, pyridoxine, thiamine and riboflavin. Among them pyridoxine was the most stimulatory. The maximum felt weight and lipid content per 50ml medium were $2.82{\pm}0.14\;g$ and 62.8%. Triglyceride content of neutral lipid produced under this condition was 64.9%. The major fatty acids were oleic acid (50.0%), linoleic (23.8%) and palmitic acid (13.9%). Malonic acid was considered not to be desirable even though it stimulated the biomass and lipid accumulation because triglyceride content was lowered considerably comparing with control. $MgSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O$ was the most stimulatory among the various magnesium salts and its optimum concentration was 5 g/l. Mucor plumbeus did not require $NaH_2PO_4$ for the stimulation of felt and lipid production. However, the addition of $MnCl_2$ at the concentration of 2 g/l was stimulatory to show $2.76{\pm}0.28\;g$ of felt/50 ml and 56.4% lipid content, and 73.9% triglyceride in the neutral lipid.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.47-53
• /
• 2014

In this study, we propose that diprophylline exerts bidirectional modulation (BM) on the isolated rat jejunal segment depending on its contractile state. The results supported the hypothesis. Diprophylline ($20{\mu}M$) exerted stimulatory effects on the contractility of jejunal segment in six low contractile states while inhibitory effects in six high contractile states, showing the characteristics of BM. Diprophylline-induced stimulatory effect was significantly blocked by atropine, indicating the correlation with cholinergic activation. Diprophylline-induced inhibitory effect was partially blocked by phentolamine, propranolol, and L-N-Nitro-Arginine respectively, indicating their correlation with sympathetic activation and nitric oxide-mediated relaxing mechanisms. Diprophylline-induced BM was abolished by tetrodotoxin or in a $Ca^{2+}$ free condition or pretreated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib, suggesting that diprophylline-induced BM is $Ca^{2+}$ dependent, and that it requires the presence of enteric nervous system as well as pacemaker activity of interstitial cells of Cajal. Diprophylline significantly increased the reduced MLCK expression and myosin extent in constipation-prominent rats and significantly decreased the increased MLCK expression and myosin extent in diarrhea-prominent rats, suggesting that the change of MLCK expression may also be involved in diprophylline-induced BM on rat jejunal contractility. In summary, diprophylline-exerted BM depends on the contractile states of the jejunal segments, requires the presence of $Ca^{2+}$, enteric nervous system, pacemaker activity of interstitial cells of Cajal, and MLCK-correlated myosin phosphorylation. The results suggest the potential implication of diprophylline in relieving alternative hypo/hyper intestinal motility.