• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.317-331
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• 2014

Objectives: The root of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has been known to possess a range of pharmacological activities including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects. The present study was designed to investigate whether or not PG-induced cell death was connected with autophagy and apoptosis in NCI-H460 human lung cancer cells. Methods: Effects on the cell viability and apoptotic activity were quantified using MTT assays and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Protein activation was measured by immunoblotting. Autophagy was measured by LC3 immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. ROS production and loss of mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) were checked with flow cytometry analysis. Results: Following exposure to PG, NCI-H460 cell proliferation decreased simultaneously inducing autophagic vacuoles and up-regulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 and beclin-1 protein expressions. Interestingly, pre-treated with autophagy inhibitors, 3-methyladenin or bafilomycin A1 further triggered reduction of cell viability. PG treatment also induced apoptosis that was related modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins, death receptors and activation of caspases. In addition, PG stimulation clearly enhanced loss of MMP and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PG elicited both autophagy and apoptosis by increasing loss of MMP and ROS production. PG induced-autophagy may play a cell protective role.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.16.1-16.7
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• 2018

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are linked with several complications such as metastasis of cancer progression, oxidative stress, and hepatic fibrosis. Brown seaweeds are being extensively studied for their bioactive molecule content against cancer progression. In this context, Sargassum horneri was reported to possess various bioactivities including antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory partly due to its phenolic compound content. Methods: In this study, potential of S. horneri was evaluated through anti-MMP effect in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells. S. horneri crude extract was fractionated with organic solvents, namely, water ($H_2O$), n-buthanol (n-BuOH), 85% aqueous methanol (85% aq. MeOH), and n-hexane. The non-toxicity of fraction samples (Sargassum horneri solvent-partitioned extracts (SHEs)) was confirmed by cell-viability assay. SHEs were tested for their ability to inhibit MMP enzymatic activity through gelatin digestion evaluation and cell migration assay. Expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMPs) were evaluated by reverse transcription and Western blotting. Results: All fractions inhibited the enzymatic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 according to gelatin zymography. Except $H_2O$ fraction, fractions hindered the cell migration significantly. All tested fractions suppressed both mRNA and protein levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. Conclusion: Overall, current results suggested that S. horneri has potential to be a good source for anti-MMP agents, and further investigations are underway for better understanding of the action mechanism and isolation and elucidation of the bioactive molecules.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.277-287
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• 2022

Background: Inflammatory dental diseases that occur during pregnancy can cause preterm labor and/or intrauterine growth restriction. Therefore, proactive treatment of dental diseases is necessary during pregnancy. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a widely used sedative in the dental field, but research on the effect of DEX on pregnancy is currently insufficient. In this study, we investigated the effects of co-treatment with DEX and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on inflammatory responses in human amnion-derived WISH cells. Methods: Human amnion-derived WISH cells were treated with 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 ㎍/mL DEX with 1 ㎍/mL LPS for 24 h. Cytotoxicity of WISH cells was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), p38, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-𝜅B) was examined by western blot analysis. The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1𝛽 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-𝛼 was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Co-treatment with DEX and LPS showed no cytotoxicity in the WISH cells. The mRNA expression of IL-1𝛽 and TNF-𝛼 decreased after co-treatment with DEX and LPS. DEX and LPS co-treatment decreased the protein expression of COX-2, PGE₂, phospho-p38, and phospho-NF-𝛋B in WISH cells. Conclusion: Co-treatment with DEX and LPS suppressed the expression of COX-2 and PGE₂, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1𝛽 and TNF-𝛼 in WISH cells. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effect of DEX and LPS co-treatment was mediated by the inhibition of p38/NF-𝜅B activation.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.243-259
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• 1993

The bone resorbing activity of $PGE_2$ and elevated level of prostaglandins(PGs) and thromboxanes (TXs) in inflamed gingiva which are cyclooxygenase(C) metabolites have been well documented. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) have been known to suppress gingival inflammation and bone resorption through the specific inhibitory action on the C pathway thereby decrease of various C metabolites. Recent studies provide unequivocal results that gingival tissue metabolizes arachidonic acid(AA) mainly through lipoxygenase(L) pathway. And the results of our previous experiments suggest that indomethacin may have inhibitory action on L as well as C. Thus we started this study to show the influences of several C inhibitors on the L activity at therapeutic and toxic dosage. Periodontal tissue samples were obtained from patients with advanced periodontitis and incubated with $^{14}C-AA(0.2{\mu}Ci)$ and various enzyme inhibitors. The tissue lipid extracts were separated by means of thin layer chromatography(TLC) and analyzed by means of autoradiography and TLC analyzer. Our results showed that aspirin inhibited C more selectively than L, however at higher concentration it also decreased HETEs production significantly. Indomethacin showed dose-dependent inhibition of L as well as C and all of the L metabolites were decreased to the same degree by high concentration of indomethacin. AA-861, which is an experimental tool of selective L inhibitor, showed inhibition of HETEs production but no effect on the production of $TXB_2$, PGs and $LTB_4$. Various propionic acid derivatives NSAIDs(ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, naproxen) showed the same patterns of effect on AA metabolism each other that was profound inhibition of PGs production, to the less degree HETEs and $TXB_2$ production, and of no effect on the $LTB_4$ production.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1212-1219
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• 2018

The critical role of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) in tumorigenesis led to the development of several first- and second-generation Hsp90 inhibitors, which have demonstrated promising responses in cancers. In this study, we found second-generation Hsp90 inhibitor BIIB021-resistant multidrug-resistant (MDR) human cancer cells, although BIIB021 was shown to be active in first-generation Hsp90 inhibitor 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG)-resistant MDR cells. MCF7-MDR and HeyA8- MDR cells were more resistant to BIIB021 than their parental counterparts, indicating that BIIB021 cannot be applicable to all cancer cells expressing MDR proteins. We revealed that dimethyl-celecoxib (DMC), one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), potentiated cytotoxicity of BIIB021 against both BIIB021-resistant and BIIB021-sensitive MDR cells. The effectiveness of NSAIDs involving celecoxib and DMC in combination with BIIB021 led to the autophagic degradation/down-regulation of mutant p53 (mutp53) that overexpressed MDR cells and the suppression of Hsp70 induction. This resulted in sensitization of MDR cells to BIIB021. Moreover, autophagy induction by sulindac sulfide, another type of NSAID, and niclosamide, an FDA-approved anthelmintic drug, potentiated 17-AAG-mediated autophagic degradation/down-regulation of mutp53 and c-Myc, client proteins of Hsp90. Therefore, our results suggest that NSAIDs and niclosamide positively enhance the anticancer activity of Hsp90 inhibitors through an autophagic pathway. They may also be new candidates for sensitizing MDR cells to Hsp90 inhibitors.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.736-742
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• 2013

Achyranthoside E dimethyl ester (AEDE) is an oleanolic acid glycoside from Achyranthes japonica. In this study, we investigated the effects of AEDE on nitric oxide (NO) production and underlying molecular mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. AEDE inhibited LPS-induced NO secretion as well as inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression, without affecting cell viability. Further study demonstrated that AEDE induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression. In addition, the inhibitory effects of AEDE on iNOS expression were abrogated by small interfering RNA-mediated knock-down of HO-1. Moreover, AEDE induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that regulates HO-1 expression. AEDE-induced expression of HO-1 was inhibited by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2). AEDE phosphorylated Akt and ERK1/2 as well. Therefore, these results suggest that AEDE suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory mediator such as NO by inducing HO-1 expression via PI-3K/Akt/ERK-Nrf2 signaling. These findings provide the scientific rationale for anti-inflammatory therapeutic use of AEDE.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.976-983
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• 2015

Achyranthoside C dimethyl ester (ACDE) is an oleanolic acid glycoside from Achyranthes japonica which has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of edema and arthritis. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of ACDE in RAW264.7 macrophages. ACDE significantly induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression in RAW264.7 cells, while ACDE improved LPS-induced toxicity of cells. And ACDE induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that regulates HO-1 expression. Further study demonstrated that ACDE-induced expression of HO-1 was inhibited by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) (LY294002), c-Jun kinase (JNK) (SP600125), extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) (PD98059) and p38 kinase (SB203580). Moreover, ACDE phosphorylated Akt, JNK, ERK, and p38 MAPK. In addition, ACDE inhibited LPS-induced NO secretion as well as inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of ACDE on iNOS expression were abrogated by small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knock-down of HO-1. Therefore, these results suggest that ACDE suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory mediator such as NO by inducing HO-1 expression via PI-3K/Akt/MAPK-Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings could help us to understand the active principle included in the roots of A. japonica and the molecular mechanisms underlying anti-inflammatory action of ACDE.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.430-440
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• 2023

The type three secretion system (T3SS) is a major virulence system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The effector protein Exotoxin S (ExoS) produced by P. aeruginosa is secreted into the host cells via the T3SS. For the purpose of an experiment on inhibitors with regard to ExoS secretion, we developed a sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system. Quercetin was selected because it has a prominent ExoS inhibition effect and also is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on mammalian cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of quercetin on the expression and secretion of ExoS using ELISA and Western blot analysis methods. The results showed that the secretion of ExoS was significantly decreased by 10 and 20 µM of quercetin. Also, popB, popD, pscF, and pcrV which are composed of the T3SS needle, are reduced by quercetin at the mRNA level. We also confirmed the inhibitory effect of quercetin on cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18) in P. aeruginosa-infected H292 cells by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ELISA. Collectively, quercetin inhibits the secretion of ExoS by reducing both ExoS production and the expression of the needle protein of T3SS. Furthermore, these results suggest that quercetin has the potential to be used as an anti-toxic treatment for the inflammatory disease caused by P. aeruginosa infection.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.9
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• pp.524-529
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• 2014

Oxidative stress and inflammation are common to many pathological conditions. Defense mechanisms protect cells from oxidative stress, but can become over-activated following injury and inflammation. NF-${\kappa}B$ and Nrf2 transcription factors regulate proinflammatory and antioxidant gene expression, respectively. Studies have shown that many natural dietary compounds regulate NF-${\kappa}B$ and Nrf2, preventing inflammation and oxidative stress. Here, we report major compounds of Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina such as rosmarinic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and caffeic acid as a potential therapeutic for oxidative stress and inflammation. The major compounds exhibited high anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting NO, PGE2 production, NF-${\kappa}B$ expression and activating Nrf2 expression. In addition, we examined the effect of major compounds on MafK expression. Among the compounds, oleanolic acid significantly decreased MafK expression and MafK-mediated p65 acetylation. These findings suggest that oleanolic acid as NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitors can potentially be used in therapeutic applications for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2613-2617
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• 2015

Radiation induced lung injury has long been considered a treatment limiting factor for patients requiring thoracic radiation. This radiation induced lung injury happens early as well as late. Radiation induced lung injury can occur in two phases viz. early (< 6 months) when it is called radiation pneumonitis and late (>6 months) when it is called radiation induced lung fibrosis. There are multiple factors that can be patient, disease or treatment related that predict the incidence and severity of radiation pneumonitis. Radiation induced damage to the type I pneumocytes is the triggering factor to initiate such reactions. Over the years, radiation therapy has witnessed a paradigm shift in radiation planning and delivery and successfully reduced the incidence of lung injury. Radiation pneumonitis is usually a diagnosis of exclusion. Steroids, ACE inhibitors and pentoxyphylline constitute the cornerstone of therapy. Radiation induced lung fibrosis is another challenging aspect. The pathophysiology of radiation fibrosis includes continuing inflammation and microvascular changes due to pro-angiogenic and profibrogenic stimuli resembling those in adult bronchiectasis. General supportive management, mobilization of airway secretions, anti-inflammatory therapy and management of acute exacerbations remains the treatment option. Radiation induced lung injury is an inevitable accompaniment of thoracic radiation.