• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.77-84
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• 2006

Objectives : To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of modified Bo-Yang-Hwan-O-Tang (BHT), we investigated the neuronal death protection effects to oxidative damages in N2a neuroblastoma cells. Methods : To study the cytotoxic effect of BHT on N2a neuronal cells, the cell viability was determined by MTT assay. To investigate the neuronal death protection of BHT, N2a neuronal cells were induced oxidative damages by H2O2, and assayed the cell viability and DNA fragmentation. We also investigated DPPH free radical scavenging effects of BHT by tube test. Results : In MTT assay, $500{\mu}g/ml$ of BHT was not showed cytotoxic effect on N2a neuronal cells. BHT protected N2a neuronal cells from H2O2-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. BHT also protected N2a neuronal cells from H2O2-induced DNA fragmentation. BHT scavenged DPPH free radicals in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : These data suggest that BHT may have strong anti-oxidant effects through the free radical scavenging and neuroprotective effects in neuronal cells.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2020

Objectives: Oxidative stress-mediated neuroinflammation has been supposed as a crucial factor that contributes to the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective activity against oxidative stress and neuroinflammation of protocatechuic acid (PA), active phenolic compound from Momordica Charantia. Methods: Protective activity of PA from oxidative stress was performed under in vitro conditions. Our study investigated the protective mechanism of PA from neuroinflammation in cellular system using C6 glial cell. To investigate the improvement the effects on oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, we induced oxidative stress by H₂O₂ (100 μM) stimulation and induced neuroinflammation by treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 ㎍/mL) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) (10 ng/mL) in C6 glial cells. Results: PA showed strong radical scavenging effect against 1,1-dipenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxy radical (·OH) and nitric oxide (NO). Under oxidative stress treated by H₂O₂, the result showed the increased mRNA expressions of oxidative stress markers such as nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS). However, the treatment of PA led to reduced mRNA expressions of NF-κB, COX-2 and iNOS. Moreover, PA attenuated the production of interleukin-6 and scavenged NO generated by both endotoxin LPS and IFN-γ together. Furthermore, it also reduced LPS and IFN-γ-induced mRNA expressions of iNOS and COX-2. Conclusions: In conclusion, our results collectively suggest that PA, phenolic compound of Momordica Charantia, could be a safe anti-oxidant and a promising anti-neuroinflammatory molecule for neurodegenerative diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.335-344
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• 2019

Obesity causes inflammation and impairs thermogenic functions in brown adipose tissue (BAT). The adipokine lipocalin 2 (LCN2) has been implicated in inflammation and obesity. Herein, we investigated the protective effects of caloric restriction (CR) on LCN2-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress in the BAT of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Mice were fed a HFD for 20 weeks and then either continued on the HFD or subjected to CR for the next 12 weeks. CR led to the browning of the white fat-like phenotype in HFD-fed mice. Increased expressions of LCN2 and its receptor in the BAT of HFD-fed mice were significantly attenuated by CR. Additionally, HFD+CR-fed mice had fewer neutrophils and macrophages expressing LCN2 and iron-positive cells than HFD-fed mice. Further, oxidative stress and mitochondrial fission induced by a HFD were also significantly attenuated by CR. Our findings indicate that the protective effects of CR on inflammation and oxidative stress in the BAT of obese mice may be associated with regulation of LCN2.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.290-298
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• 2013

This study examined the effects of calcium (Ca) gluconate on collagen-induced DBA mouse rheumatoid arthritis (CIA). A single daily dose of 200, 100 or 50 mg/kg Ca gluconate was administered orally to male DBA/1J mice for 40 days after initial collagen immunization. To ascertain the effects administering the collagen booster, CIA-related features (including body weight, poly-arthritis, knee and paw thickness, and paw weight increase) were measured from histopathological changes in the spleen, left popliteal lymph node, third digit and the knee joint regions. CIA-related bone and cartilage damage improved significantly in the Ca gluconate-administered CIA mice. Additionally, myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in the paw were reduced in Ca gluconate-treated CIA mice compared to CIA control groups. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of oxidative stress, decreased in a dose-dependent manner in the Ca gluconate group. Finally, the production of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$, involved in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis, were suppressed by treatment with Ca gluconate. Taken together, these results suggest that Ca gluconate is a promising candidate anti-rheumatoid arthritis agent, exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and immunomodulatory effects in CIA mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.647-655
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• 2005

This study demonstrated anti-oxidative and neuroprotective effects of Rhei Rhizoma. Anti-oxidative effects were studied on BV-2 microglia cells damaged by $H_2O_2$ and nitric oxide. Neuroprotective effects were studied by using oxygen/glucose deprivation of the organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. The results obtained are as follows; The groups treated with 0.5 and 5 mg/ml of Puerariae Radix revealed significant decreases of neuronal cell death area and cell death area percentages in CA1 region of ischemic damaged hippocampus cultures during whole 48 hours of the experiment. The group treated with 50 mg/ml of Puerariae Radix demonstrated decreases of neuronal cell death area and cell death area percentages in CA1 region, but these were not significant statistically. The groups treated with 0.5 and 5 mg/ml of Puerariae Radix revealed significant decreases of neuronal cell death area and cell death area percentages in dentate gyrus of ischemic damaged hippocampus cultures during whole 48 hours of the experiment. The group treated with 50 mg/ml of Puerariae Radix demonstrated decreases of neuronal cell death area and cell death area percentages in dentate gyrus, but these were not significant statistically. The groups treated with 0.5 and 5 mg/ml of Puerariae Radix revealed significant decreases of TUNEL-positive cells in both CA1 region and dentate gyrus of ischemic damaged hippocampus cultures. The group treated with 50 mg/ml of Puerariae Radix demonstrated significant decrease of TUNEL-positive cells in CA1 region, but not in dentate gyrus of ischemic damaged hippocampus. The groups treated with 0.5 and 5 mg/ml of Puerariae Radix revealed significant decreases of LDH concentrations in culture media of ischemic damaged hippocampus cultures. The group treated with 50 mg/ml of Puerariae Radix demonstrated decrease of LDH concentrations in culture media, but it was not significant statistically. The groups treated with 0.5 and 5 mg/ml of Puerariae Radix revealed significant increases of cell viabilities of BV-2 microglia cells damaged by $H_2O_2$. The group treated with 50 mg/ml of Puerariae Radix demonstrated increase of cell viability of BV-2 microglia cells, but it was not significant statistically. The group treated with 0.5 mg/ml of Puerariae Radix revealed significant increase of cell viability of BV-2 microglia cells damaged by nitric oxide. The groups treated with 5 and 50 mg/ml of Puerariae Radix demonstrated increases of cell viabilities of BV-2 microglia cells, but these were not significant statistically. These results suggested that Puerariae Radix revealed neuroprotective effects through the control effect of apoptosis and oxidative damages.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.117-126
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was an analysis of the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and skin whitening properties of Gamioncheong-decoctione(GMOCD) extract. Methods : GMOCD(96 g) and 2 L of distilled water were heated at $100^{\circ}C$ for four hours and then concentrated, frozen, freeze-dried, dissolved in distilled water and filtered. The following analysis was completed: cell cytotoxic effect using MTT assay, oxidative products of NO by griess assay, concentration of prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ by commercially competitive enzyme immunoassay, and cytokines($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$) by Bio-Plex$^{(R)}$ Suspension Array System's Bio-Plex Pro$^{TM}$ mouse cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor assay. Anti-oxidative effect was measured using the DPPH method and skin whitening effect using tyrosinase inhibition assay. Results : GMOCD water-extract did not show any toxicity at all doses and cell viability was more than 90 % at all doses. GMOCD water-extract significantly inhibited NO production at doses of 100, 200, $400{\mu}g/ml$, significantly inhibited $PGE_2$ production at doses of 200 and $400{\mu}g/ml$ and reduced the LPS-induced IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production in a dose-dependent manner. $IL-1{\beta}$ production was significantly reduced at a dose of $400{\mu}g/ml$ and IL-6 production was significantly reduced at doses of 200 and $400{\mu}g/ml$. DPPH free radical scavenging capability had a skin whitening effect rate of more than 50%. Tyrosinase inhibition activity was apparent in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : This study suggests that GMOCD water-extract suppressed NO and $PGE_2$ production and inhibited cytokines($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$). GMOCD also improved DPPH free radical scavenging capability. GMOCD water-extract increased tyrosinase inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent manner but this was not a statistically significant result.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.135-143
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• 2009

There is currently increased interest in the identification of antioxidant compounds that are pharmacologically potent and have low or no side effects. Plants produce significant amounts of antioxidants to prevent the oxidative stress caused by photons and oxygen, therefore they represent a potential source of new compounds with antioxidant activity. Moutan Root Sark (MRS) has been frequently used as analgesic. antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and remedies for female diseases. In this study. the antioxidant activity of extract from MRS was studied in vitro methods by measuring the antioxidant activity by TEAC, measuring the scavenging effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) [superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical] and on reactive nitrogen species (RNS) [nitric oxide and peroxynitrite] as well as measuring the inhibitory effect on $Cu^{2+}$ induced human LDL oxidation and the inhibitory effect on collagen induced platelet aggregation. The MRS extracts were found to have a potent scavenging activity, as well as an inhibitory effect on LDL oxidation and on platelet aggregation. In conclusion, the MRS extracts have anti-oxidative and anti-atherosclerotic effects in vitro system, which can be used for developing pharmaceutical drug against oxidative stress and atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2008

Stress activates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and subsequently increases the systemic levels of glucocorticoids. It also inhibits the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from hypothalamus. Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng CA Meyer) has been proven as an anti-stress agent. However, most of the anti-stress effects of ginseng on stresses such as immobilization, electronic foot shock, and cold swim, which subsequently cause oxidative damage in brain, were obtained by using ginseng extract or ginseng total saponin. Moreover, anti-stress and anti-oxidative effects of ginseng were demonstrated by determination of enzyme or hormone levels but not mRNA as well as transcriptome. Further studies on transcriptome, proteomics, and systems biology as well as signal transduction would be required to elucidate molecular action mechanisms of ginseng on stresses.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2015

Most of the wheat germ in cereal grains is removed during the milling process. Various physiological effects have been reported for bioactive substances in wheat germ such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. In this study, the antioxidant and anti-adipogenic effects of ethanol extracts from wheat germ (WGE) and wheat germ fermented with Aspergillus oryzae (F-WGE) were investigated in HepG2 and 3T3-L1 cells. The anti-oxidant activity of F-WGE was demonstrated by a dose-dependent increase in the enhanced scavenging capacity of hydroxyl radicals and $Cu^{2+}$-chelating activity compared to WGE. WGE and F-WGE treatment at doses between 10 and $400{\mu}g/mL$ did not affect the viability of HepG2 and 3T3-L1 cells. Intracellular ROS levels from $Cu^{2+}$-induced oxidative stress were significantly decreased by F-WGE treatment in HepG2 cells compared to WGE. Lipid accumulation was increased in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by $100{\mu}M$ $Fe^{2+}$ treatment, but the accumulation was strongly inhibited by $100{\mu}g/mL$ of WGE and F-WGE treatment. These results suggest that changes in bioactive substances during the fermentation of wheat germ can potentiate scavenging activities against transition metal-induced oxidative stress and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, we propose that F-WGE is a novel food materials and provided scientific evidences for its efficacy in the development of functional foods.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.147-155
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• 2000

In order to evaluate anti -oxidant activities and protective effect against oxidatve damage, DPPH radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity were measured among methanol extracts prepared from natural medicinal plants. Fourteen natural medicinal plants which were reported to have anti -oxidative or anti-inflammatory effects were selected based on our previous report. In addition to the total methanol extracts, n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, n-butanol and water fractions were prepared from each total extract. DPPH radical scavenging assay was performed against 14 total extracts and all samples showed dose-dependent activities in various extent. Among those, 6 samples, methanol extracts of Euryale ferox, paeonia suffruticosa, Areca catechu var. dulcissima, Cinnamomun cassia, Alpinia katsumadai and Betula platyphlla var. japonica showed IC$\sub$50/ value lower than 6.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml. The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity was found in ethylacetate fraction of paeonia suffruticosa with IC$\sub$50/ value of 1.1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml. Analysis of lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells revealed that the highest inhibitory effect was observed in methanol extract of Betula platyhpylla var. japonica. Lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity was observed as a dose-dependent manner in all samples used in this study. Among fraction samples, ethylacetate fraction of Alpinia katsumadai had the strongest inhibitory activity with IC$\sub$50/ value of 0.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml.