• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.277-283
• /
• 2021

Objectives : We investigated the effects of Bojungikgi-tang (BJIGT) on P450 cytochrome enzyme and oxidative stress in the cells. Methods : We enrolled the HepG2 hepatocyte cell line to assess MTT assay, flow cytometer, and immunoblotting analysis. Expression of CYP450 was confirmed by immunoblotting analysis in the Huh7 cell line. Results : We determined that BJIKT markdely changed the expression of the CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1. Moreover, BJIKT inhibited the cell toxicity induced by arachidonic acid + iron treatment, as assessed by FACS analysis. BJIKT induced AMPK activation, which increased the phophorylation of ACC. Conclusions : This study verified the effects of BJIKT, on P450, ROS production, mitochondrial damage and AMPK signaling pathway, which might give us the scientific information about the traditional herbal prescription.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.411-417
• /
• 2019

Humanin (HN) is a mitochondrial peptide that exhibits cytoprotective actions against various stresses and diseases. HN has been shown to induce the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is a negative regulator of receptor activator of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL). However, the role of HN in osteoclastogenesis or other skeletal disorders remains unknown. Here, we examined whether HN regulates osteoclastogenesis via AMPK activation using bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMM) cultures. Our results show that HN inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and reduced the expression of genes involved in osteoclastogenesis, including nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1, osteoclastassociated receptor, cathepsin K, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. Moreover, HN increased the levels of phosphorylated AMPK protein; compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, recovered HN-induced osteoclast differentiation. In addition, we found that HN significantly decreased the levels of RANKL-induced reactive oxygen species in BMMs. Therefore, these results indicate that HN plays an important role in osteoclastogenesis and may function as an inhibitor of bone disorders via AMPK activation.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.247-255
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The goal of this study was to see how different aerobic exercise intensities affected AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), reactive oxygen, and antioxidant enzymes in young mice during an 8-week period. Methods: Forty male C57BL/6 mice, aged seven weeks, were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control (n=10), low-intensity exercise (n=10), moderate-intensity exercise (n=10), and high-intensity exercise (n=10). For eight weeks, aerobic activity was performed once a day for 35-40 minutes, five days a week. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-squared tests, and the Tukey test in the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program. Results: Weight (p=.001) was substantially different between the moderate-intensity exercise group and the control group in AMPK (p<.001). In addition, there were no significant differences between the moderate-intensity exercise group and the control group in reactive oxygen malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p=.136) and antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels (p=.521). Conclusion: These findings suggest that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise increased AMPK activation and helped young mice shed weight.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.84-89
• /
• 2023

The implications of nutrient starvation due to aging on the degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is yet to be fully explored. We examined the involvement of AMPK activation in mitochondrial homeostasis and its relationship with the maintenance of a healthy mitochondrial population and epithelial characteristics of RPE cells under nutrient starvation. Nutrient starvation induced mitochondrial senescence, which led to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RPE cells. As nutrient starvation persisted, RPE cells underwent pathological epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the upregulation of TWIST1, a transcription regulator which is activated by ROS-induced NF-κB signaling. Enhanced activation of AMPK with metformin decelerated mitochondrial senescence and EMT progression through mitochondrial biogenesis, primed by activation of PGC1-α. Thus, by facilitating mitochondrial biogenesis, AMPK protects RPE cells from the loss of epithelial integrity due to the accumulation of ROS in senescent mitochondria under nutrient starvation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.279-286
• /
• 2017

The root bark extract of Aralia taibaiensis is used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in China. The total saponin extracted from Aralia Taibaiensis (sAT) has effective combined antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities in experimental type 2 diabetic rats. However, the active compounds have not yet been fully investigated. In the present study, we examined effects of twelve triterpenoid saponins on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, and found that compound 28-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranosyl ester (AT12) significantly increased phosphorylation of AMPK and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). AT12 effectively decreased blood glucose, triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in the rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The mechanism by which AT12 activated AMPK was subsequently investigated. Intracellular ATP level and oxygen consumption were significantly reduced by AT12 treatment. The findings suggested AT12 was a novel AMPK activator, and could be useful for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.677-682
• /
• 2014

Resveratrol has been examined in several model systems for potential effects against cancer. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is reported to suppress proliferation in most eukaryocyte cells. Whether resveratrol via AMPK inhibits proliferation of oesophageal adenocarcinoma cells (OAC) is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the roles of AMPK in the protective effects of resveratrol in OAC proliferation and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Treatment of cultured OAC derived from human subjects or cell lines with resveratrol resulted in decreased cell proliferation. Further, inhibition of AMPK by pharmacological reagent or genetical approach abolished resveratrol-suppressed OAC proliferation, reduced the level of $p27^{Kip1}$, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, and increased the levels of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2) of $p27^{Kip1}$-E3 ubiquitin ligase and 26S proteasome activity reduced by resveratrol. Furthermore, gene silencing of $p27^{Kip1}$ reversed resveratrol-suppressed OAC proliferation. In conclusion, these findings indicate that resveratrol inhibits Skp2-mediated ubiquitylation and 26S proteasome-dependent degradation of $p27^{Kip1}$ via AMPK activation to suppress OAC proliferation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.444-453
• /
• 2022

Background: Compound K (CK) is among the protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenoside group, which produces multiple pharmacological effects. Herein, we examined the effects of CK on muscle atrophy under hyperlipidemic conditions along with its pro-myogenic effects. Further, the molecular pathways underlying the effects of CK on skeletal muscle have been justified. Methods: C2C12 myotubes were treated with palmitate and CK. C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated using CK for 4-5 days. For the in vivo experiments, CK was administered to mice fed on a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. The protein expression levels were analyzed using western blotting analysis. Target protein suppression was performed using small interfering (si) RNA transfection. Histological examination was performed using Jenner-Giemsa and H&E staining techniques. Results: CK treatment attenuated ER stress markers, such as eIF2a phosphorylation and CHOP expression and impaired myotube formation in palmitate-treated C2C12 myotubes and skeletal muscle of mice fed on HFD. CK treatment augmented AMPK along with autophagy markers in skeletal muscle cells in vitro and in vivo experiments. AMPK siRNA or 3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor, abrogated the impacts of CK in C2C12 myotubes. CK treatment augmented p38 and Akt phosphorylation, leading to an enhancement of C2C12 myogenesis. However, AMPK siRNA abolished the effects of CK in C2C12 myoblasts. Conclusion: These findings denote that CK prevents lipid-induced skeletal muscle apoptosis via AMPK/autophagy-mediated attenuation of ER stress and induction of myoblast differentiation. Therefore, we may suggest the use of CK as a potential therapeutic approach for treating muscle-wasting conditions associated with obesity.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.131-140
• /
• 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of PPAR-α, -β/δ, -γ, PGC-1α, GLUT-4 and p-AMPK-α₂ protein in the skeletal muscle of diabetic induced-rats by endurance training combined with rosiglitazone. The expression of PPAR-α, -β/δ, -γ, PGC-1α, GLUT-4 and p-AMPK-α₂ protein in red and white gastrocnemius by western blotting. The body weight was higher in diabetic induced-rats compared to the normal rats and after the treatment of exercise combined with rosiglitazone was significantly reduced in the all group. The levels of blood glucose was higher in diabetic induced-rats compared to the normal rats and after the treatment of exercise combined with rosiglitazone was significantly reduced in the all group. The expression of PPAR-α, -γ, PGC-1α in skeletal muscle of diabetic induced-rats were increased all groups and increased significantly in the group with exercise combined with rosiglitazone. The expression of GLUT-4 and p-AMPK-α₂ protein in the skeletal muscle of diabetic induced-rats were increased all groups and increased significantly in the group with exercise combined with rosiglitazoneI. These results suggest that exercise training and rosiglitazone may act as complementary therapies for the treatment of insulin rasistance.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.410-420
• /
• 2019

Citrus unshiu peel extracts possess a variety of beneficial effects, and studies on their anticancer activity have been reported. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this activity remain unclear. In the current study, the apoptotic effect of ethanol extract of C. unshiu peel (EECU) on human breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells and related mechanisms were investigated. The results showed that the survival rate of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with EECU was significantly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with the induction of apoptosis. EECU-induced apoptosis was associated with the activation of caspase-8 and caspase-9, which initiate extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, respectively, and caspase-3, a representative effect caspase. EECU suppressed the expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis family of proteins, leading to an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. EECU also enhanced the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol, along with truncation of Bid. In addition, EECU activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, significantly weakened EECU-induced apoptosis and cell viability reduction. Furthermore, EECU promoted the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which acted as upstream signals for AMPK activation as pretreatment of cells, with the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine reversing both EECU-induced AMPK activation and apoptosis. Collectively, these findings suggest that EECU inhibits MDA-MB-231 adenocarcinoma cell proliferation by activating intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, which was mediated through ROS/AMPK-dependent pathways.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.40-45
• /
• 2010

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimeric enzyme that plays a central role in cellular metabolic stress. Modulation of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is considered a promising approach for the treatment of inflammation and neuronal diseases. In this study, the AMPK gene was fused in-frame with PEP-1 peptide in a bacterial expression vector to produce a PEP-1-AMPK fusion protein. Expressed and purified PEP-1-AMPK fusion proteins were transduced efficiently into macrophage Raw 264.7 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, transduced PEP-1-AMPK fusion protein markedly inhibited LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression. These results suggest that the PEP-1-AMPK fusion protein can be used for the protein therapy of COX-2 and NO-related disorders such as inflammation and neuronal diseases.