• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2010

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophic factor involved in neuronal differentiation, plasticity, survival and regeneration. BDNF draws massive attention mainly due to the potential as a therapeutic target in neurological diseases such as depression and Alzheimer's disease. In a primary screening for the natural compounds enhancing BDNF release from cultured rat primary cortical neuron, we found that compounds such as baicalein, tanshinone IIa, cinnamic acid, epiberberine, genistein and wogonin among many others increased BDNF release. All the compounds at $0.1{\mu}M$ of concentration barely showed stimulatory effect on BDNF induction, however, their combination (mixture 1; baicalein, tanshinone IIa and cinnamic acid, mixture 2; epiberberine, genistein and wogonin) showed synergistic increase in BDNF release as well as mRNA and protein expression. The level of BDNF expression was comparable to the maximum BDNF stimulation attainable by a positive control oroxylin A ($20{\mu}M$) without cell toxicity as determined by MTT analysis. Both mixtures synergistically increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) as well as cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), an immediate and essential regulator of BDNF expression. Similar to these results, mixture of these compounds synergistically inhibited the up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induced by lipopolysaccharide treatments in rat primary astrocytes. These results suggest that the combinatorial treatment of natural compounds in lower concentration might be a useful strategy to obtain sufficient BDNF stimulation in neurological disease condition such as depression, while minimizing potential side effects and toxicity of higher concentration of a single compound.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.1119-1125
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• 2010

To evaluate resveratrol as a prostate cancer preventive material, we investigated its anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in RC-58T/h/SA#4 primary human prostate cancer cells. Resveratrol significantly decreased the number of viable RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Resveratrol showed cytotoxicity against RC-58T/h/SA#4, LNCaP, PC-3 human prostate cancer cells with $IC_{50}$ values of 245, 320 and $340\;{\mu}M$, respectively. However the cytotoxic potential of resveratrol against normal RWPE-1 cells was lower ($IC_{50}=982\;{\mu}M$). Resveratrol induced cell death as evidenced by the increased formation of apoptotic bodies, nuclear condensation, sub-G1 phase, and DNA fragmentation. Resveratrol activated initiator caspases 8, and 9 as well as effector caspase 3 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the general caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk significantly inhibited resveratrol-induced apoptosis compared to cells without treatment. These results clearly indicate that resveratrol-induced apoptosis was dependent on caspase activation. Further, resveratrol modulated the down regulation of Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic), and Bid. However, the level of Bax (pro-apoptotic) remained unchanged. These results suggest that resveratrol induced apoptosis in RC-58T/h/SA#4 cells via a mitochondrial-mediated caspase-dependent pathway, suggesting therapeutic potential against prostate cancer.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2008

Liposomes as one of the efficient drug carriers have some shortcomings such as their short circulation time, fast clearance from human body by reticuloendothelial system (RES) and limited intracellular uptake to target cell. In this study, polyethylenglycol (PEG)-incorporated cationic liposomes were prepared by ionic complexation of positively charged liposomes with carboxylated polyethyleneglycol (mPEG-COOH). The cationic liposomes had approximately $98.6{\pm}1.0nm$ of mean particle diameter and $42.8{\pm}0.8mV$ of zeta potential value. The PEG-incorporated cationic liposomes had $110.1{\pm}1.2nm$ of mean particle diameter with an increase of about 10 nm compared to the cationic liposomes. Zeta potential value of them was $12.9{\pm}0.6mV$ indicating 30mV decrease of cationic charge compared to the cationic liposomes. The amount of PEG which was incorporated onto the cationic liposomes was assayed by using picrate assay method and the incorporation efficiency was $58.4{\pm}1.1%$. Loading efficiency of model drug, doxorubicin, into cationic liposomes or PEG-incorporated cationic liposomes was about $96.0{\pm}0.7%$. Results of intracellular uptake which were evaluated by flow cytometry analysis of doxorubicin loaded liposomes showed that intracellular uptake of PEG-incorporated cationic liposomes was higher than the cationic liposomes or DSPE-mPEG liposomes. In addition, cytotoxicity of PEG-incorporated cationic liposomes was comparable to cationic liposomes. Consequently, the PEG-incorporated cationic liposomes of which surface was incorporated with PEG by ionic complex may be applicable as anticancer drug carriers that can increase therapeutic efficacy.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2010

Cervical cancer is associated with low antioxidant status. It has a high prevalence especially amongst woman in Asia and is a leading cause of cancer death. Cancer chemotherapy in vivo improved in cases with high p53 expression in the tumor tissue. The restoration of p53 levels could be a potential strategy to increase chemoresponsiveness. Under circumstances where damage is extensive, p53 plays a direct role in trigering apoptosis. To investigate the effect of curcumin (CMN) as an antioxidant agent on anticancer agent 5-fluorouracil (5FU) induced apoptosis and p53 expression, HPV-18 positive HeLa cells were treated with noncytotoxic amounts of antioxidant. Curcumin induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. Morphological hallmarks of apoptosis such as nuclear fragmentation and internucleosomal fragmentation of DNA were observed. CMN caused upregulation of p53 expression, evident from Western blotting data and also increased the susceptibility/apoptosis induced by 5FU. These results show that increasing drug sensitivity of cervical cancer cells by upregulation of p53 using CMN is novel approach and could have a possible therapeutic potential in cervical cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.146-156
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• 2018

Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine compound that has recently emerged with anti-aging properties and suppresses inflammation and oxidation. However, its mechanisms of action on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects have not been fully elucidated. In this study, the potential of spermidine for reducing pro-inflammatory and oxidative effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages and zebrafish was explored. Our data indicate that spermidine significantly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and cytokines including tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and $interleukin-1{\beta}$ in RAW 264.7 macrophages without any significant cytotoxicity. The protective effects of spermidine accompanied by a marked suppression in their regulatory gene expression at the transcription levels. Spermidine also attenuated the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 subunit and reduced LPS-induced intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Moreover, spermidine prevented the LPS-induced NO production and ROS accumulation in zebrafish larvae and was found to be associated with a diminished recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages. Although more work is needed to fully understand the critical role of spermidine on the inhibition of inflammation-associated migration of immune cells, our findings clearly demonstrate that spermidine may be a potential therapeutic intervention for the treatment of inflammatory and oxidative disorders.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.580-592
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• 2020

Background: Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng (thereafter called ginseng) has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years to maintain people's physical vitality and is also a non-organ-specific cancer preventive and therapeutic traditional medicine in several epidemiologic and preclinical studies. Owing to few toxic side effects and strong enhancement on body immunity, ginseng has admirable application potential and value in cancer chemoprevention. The study aims at investigating the chemopreventive effects of ginseng on cutaneous carcinoma and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The mouse skin cancer model was induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was used for identifying various ginsenosides, the main active ingredients of ginseng. Comprehensive approaches (including network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and experimental verification) were used to explore the potential targets of ginseng. Results: Ginseng treatment inhibited cutaneous carcinoma in terms of initiation and promotion. The content of Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd ginsenosides was the highest in both mouse blood and skin tissues. Ginseng and its active components well maintained the redox homeostasis and modulated the immune response in the model. Specifically, ginseng treatment inhibited the initiation of skin cancer by enhancing T-cell-mediated immune response through upregulating HSP27 expression and inhibited the promotion of skin cancer by maintaining cellular redox homeostasis through promoting nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Conclusion: According to the study results, ginseng can be potentially used for cutaneous carcinoma as a chemopreventive agent by enhancing cell-mediated immunity and maintaining redox homeostasis with multiple components, targets, and links.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.638-645
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• 2015

This study analyzed the physiological quality of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (ice plant) extract. M. crystallinum is a succulent plant found in Africa, southern Europe, North America, South America, and Australia. It has known antidiabetic, antioxidant, and activation of lipid metabolism effects. Extracts from M. crystallinum were prepared with methanol (MCM), ethanol (MCE), hot water (MCHW), and methanol after hot water (MCHM) extractions. The yields of MCM, MCE, MCHW, and MCHM were 0.37, 0.33, 0.50, and 0.07%, respectively. To determine the biological activities of the extracts, mushroom tyrosinase, pancreatic lipase, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, nitric oxide (NO) production, and α-glucosidase assays were conducted. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of the MCHW extract was 62.9% at a concentration of 400 μg/ml, which was the highest of all the extracts. The MCM extract showed the highest inhibition activity of α-glucosidase and NO production (56.6 and 57.2%, respectively). The pancreatic lipase inhibition of the MCE extract was similar to that of the MCM extract, with significant inhibition of 90%. The mushroom tyrosinase inhibition of all the extracts was very low (approximately 30%). These results suggest that extracts from M. crystallinum have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, and antidiabetic activities. Thus, it may have potential as a functional food product and therapeutic potential as an antidiabetic or antiobesity agent.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.551-557
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• 2015

The genus Rosa (Rosaceae) is an abundant source of phenolics and is traditionally used as a food supplement and as herbal medicine. Various plant phenolics are known to have anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of rose methanolic extracts (RMEs) from four different rose cultivars (Macarena, Onnuri, Oklahoma, and Colorado) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Our results demonstrated that pretreatment of REMs ($500{\mu}g/mL$) significantly reduced NO production by suppressing iNOS protein expression in LPS-stimulated cells. Anti-inflammatory effects by RMEs were observed in the following order: Oklahoma > Colorado > Onnuri > Macarena. Consistent with this finding, RMEs inhibited the translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ from the cytosol to the nucleus via the suppression of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation and also inhibited LPS-stimulated $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcriptional activity. These findings suggest that RMEs exert anti-inflammatory actions and help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the potential therapeutic values of RMEs. Therefore, RMEs could be regarded as a potential source of natural anti-inflammatory agents.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.543-551
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• 2020

Red rose petals are usually disposed but they are an abundant source of phenolics and traditionally used as food supplement and as herbal medicine. Of the Various phenolics, they are known to have anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of red rose ethanolic extracts(GRP) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. The results demonstrated that pretreatment of GRP(500㎍/mL) significantly reduced NO production by suppressing iNOS protein expression in LPS-stimulated cells. Anti-inflammatory effects byred rose petal were observed in the following. Red rose petal inhibited the translocation of NF-κB from the cytosol to the nucleus via the suppression of IκB-α phosphorylation and also inhibited LPS-stimulated NF-κB transcriptional activity. These findings suggest that red rose petal exert anti-inflammatory actions and help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the potential therapeutic values of red rose petal. Therefore, red rose petal could be regarded as a potential source of natural anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity and protective effect of extracts from the stems and leaves of Chrysanthemum boreale (CBSL) on t-BHP induced oxidative stress in human liver cells (Chang cells). Antioxidant activities in the extracts were determined for various radical scavenging activities including ferric reducing antioxidant power, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). CBSL showed a very good scavenging effect of DPPH radical ($IC_{50}$ $0.009{\pm}0.002$ mg/mL), alkyl radical ($IC_{50}$ $0.004{\pm}0.001$ mg/mL), and hydroxyl radical ($IC_{50}$ $6.742{\pm}0.152$ mg/mL). CBSL also showed a strong antioxidant effect in the ORAC assay. In the MTT assay on human liver cells (Chang cells), the extracts showed protective effects by increasing cell viability, decreasing ROS, and restoring mitochondria membrane potential upon t-BHP induced oxidative stress. Our findings suggest that CBSL extracts are a potential therapeutic with protective antioxidant effects upon oxidative stress.