• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.73-87
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to observe the anti-oxidative effects of electroacupuncture at Pungyung($ST_{40}$) in rats. Methods : The author performed several experiments, including measurements of body weightrelative liver weightslevels of albumin, total bilirubin, LDL-cholesterol, LDH, GOT and GPT in serum levels of SOD, glutathione, catalase, NO and MDA in the liver and histological analysis of the liver. Results : 1. Liver index was decreased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group compared with the holder group and the control group. 2. LDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group compared with the group. 3. SOD activity was significantly increased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group and $ST_{40}-NR$ group compared with the control group. Glutathione activity was significantly increased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group compared with the control group, the holder group, and the Sham-EA group. Catalase activity was significantly increased in the $ST_{40}-EA$ group compared with the control group and the holder group. Conclusions : These results suggest that electroacupuncture at $ST_{40}$ has an antioxidant effect in rats.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2010

Taurine, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is an abundant free amino acid present in brain cells and exerts many important biological functions such as anti-convulsant, modulation of neuronal excitability, regulation of learning and memory, anti-aggressiveness and anti-alcoholic effects. In the present study, we investigated to explore whether taurine has any protective actions against oxidative stress-induced damages in neuronal cells. ERK I/II regulates signaling pathways involved in nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and plays a role in the regulation of cell growth, and apoptosis. We have found that taurine significantly inhibited AMPA induced cortical depolarization in the Grease Gap assays using rat cortical slices. Taurine also inhibited AMPA-induced neuronal cell damage in MTT assays in the differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. When the neuronal cells were treated with $H_2O_2$, levels of NO were increased; however, taurine pretreatment decreased the NO production induced by $H_2O_2$ to approximately normal levels. Interestingly, taurine treatment stimulated ERK I/II activity in the presence of AMPA or $H_2O_2$, suggesting the potential role of ERK I/II in the neuroprotection of taurine. Taken together, taurine has significant neuroprotective actions against AMPA or $H_2O_2$ induced damages in neuronal cells, possibly via activation of ERK I/II.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.1306-1313
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• 2020

The aims of this study were to determine the effects of Sapindus mukorossi fruit extracts (SME) on the anti-oxidant activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The results showed that SME significantly reduced the production of ROS in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The expression of pro-inflammatory proteins including COX-2 and iNOS were also obviously inhibited by SME in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Further studies revealed that SME up-regulated HO-1 and Nrf2 expression. Additionally, SME increased phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β. These results suggest that SME could attenuate oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.348-353
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• 2012

L-2-Oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (OTC) is a cysteine prodrug that maintains glutathione in tissues. The present study was designed to investigate anti-fibrotic and anti-oxidative effects of OTC via modulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in an in vivo thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis model. Treatment with OTC (80 or 160 mg/kg) improved serum liver function parameters and significantly ameliorated liver fibrosis. The OTC treatment groups exhibited significantly lower expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$, and collagen ${\alpha}1$ mRNA than that in the TAA model group. Furthermore, the OTC treatment groups showed a significant decrease in hepatic malondialdehyde level compared to that in the TAA model group. Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 expression increased significantly in the OTC treatment groups compared with that in the TAA model group. Taken together, these results suggest that OTC restores the anti-oxidative system by upregulating Nrf2; thus, ameliorating liver injury and a fibrotic reaction.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.221-230
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• 2022

We investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of silymarin. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals scavenging assays. Silymarin scavenged 71% of DPPH radicals and 78% of ABTS radicals at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, respectively. Silymarin effectively inhibited the oxidative damage of DNA, and the oxidative modifications of human serum proteins and Cu,Zn-SOD. Also silymarin effectively inhibited H₂O₂- and LPS-induced cell death as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species and DNA fragmentation by H₂O₂ and LPS. The results suggested that silymarin might be an effective natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory material.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.219-224
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• 2011

In this study, we evaluated the anti-oxidative, whitening and anti-wrinkle effect of Tetrapanax papyriferum extract. Tetrapanax papyriferum was extracted by two different solvents which were n-Hexane, ethyl acetate. The anti-oxidant activity was measured by free radical scavenging activity using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical). And the inhibitory activities of tyrosinase for whitening effect and collagenase, elastase for anti-wrinkle were investigated. For anti-oxidant activity, ethyl acetate fraction of Tetrapanax papyriferum extract showed more significant activity than n-Hexane fraction of Tetrapanax papyriferum extract. For whitening activity, n-Hexane fraction of Tetrapanax papyriferum extract exhibited strong inhibition effects compared with reference. Therefore, Tetrapanax papyriferum extract may be useful as a new antioxidant and whitening agent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.250-255
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• 2003

The effects of dichlorornethane (CH$_2$C$_2$), ethylacetate (EtOAc) or water ($H_2O$) fraction of Korean cabbage kimchi on anti-oxidative enzyme activities of the heart, kidney and lung of rabbit fed 1% cholesterol diet for 16 weeks were studied. The amount of kimchi fraction added to the 100 g of diet was 8.3 mg of CH$_2$C1$_2$,5.6mg of EtOAc, and 221.9 mg of $H_2O$, which are equivalent to 5% of freeze-dried kimchi in the diet. Each group had 6 rabbits and rabbit was housed individually. Lipid peroxide values for the heart was the highest followed by lung and kidney. But the activities of catalase and GSH-px were the lowest in the heart and the highest in the kidney. Activities of anti -oxidative enzymes (catalase, GSH-px, Mn-SOD, Cu, Zn-SOD) of rabbits fed kimhi solvent fractions added diets were lower than those of the control which fed 1% cholesterol diet. Among kimchi groups, CH$_2$Cl$_2$ group showed the lowest (p<0.05) enzymes activities. Lipid accumulation in these organs fed diets with kimchi solvent fractions, especially with CH$_2$C1$_2$fraction, were lower than that of the control. Therefore, production of the lipid free radicals might be suppressed and the activities of anti -oxidative enzymes responsible for removing the free radicals seemed to be lowered in kimch frachoin-fed rabbits.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate the various effects of individual or combined extract of GamiSaengmaeksan (GSS) on cell viability, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activityMethods : In order to evaluate cytotoxicity, MTT assay was performed. We investigated the levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 and interleukin (IL)-1β, and nitric oxide(NO) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells to check the effects on anti-inflammatory activity. The level of NO production in RAW 264.7 cells was measured by using Griess reagent. The levels of cytokines and ROS were measured by Luminex and Flow cytometry, respectively.Results : At concentration of 200 ㎍/㎖ GSS, cytotoxicity was observed in RAW 264.7 cells. However, at concentration less than 100 ㎍/㎖ of both combine and individual GSS, cytotoxicity was not observed in Raw 264.7 cells. However, the level of ROS in RAW 264.7 cells were decreased at both extract of 100 ㎍/㎖ GSS. Also, the level of NO in RAW 264.7 cells were decreased from extraction of concentration of 100 ug/ml in GSS and individual-extraction of Liriopis Tuber, White Ginseng and Glycyrrhizae Radix. In addition, productions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells were decreased from extraction of concentration of 10 and 100 (㎍/㎖) in GSS and individual-extraction of Liriopis Tuber.Conclusions : It is concluded that combined extract of GSS appears to be more effective in anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effect than those in individual-extraction of GSS. These results may be developed as a raw material for new therapeutics to ease the symptoms related with inflammatory and oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.27.1-27.9
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• 2023

Lespedeza cuneata (LC) is a perennial plant used in herbal medicine to treat numerous diseases, including prostatic hyperplasia, diabetes, early atherosclerosis, and hematuria. Reference collections of bioactive compounds of LC are crucial for the determination of their pharmacological properties. However, little is known regarding its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in alveolar macrophage (MH-S) cells. This study examined whether LC can inhibit reactive oxygen species and Coal fly ash (CFA) induced inflammation in MH-S cells. The anti-oxidative effects of LC were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays, anti-inflammatory effects were examined using nitric oxide (NO) assay, and cytotoxicity was analyzed using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The expression of inflammatory cytokine genes was assessed through a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Our results revealed that LC exhibited high radical scavenging activity and a dose-dependent (7.8-1,000 ㎍/mL) inhibition of oxidation as compared to ascorbic acid and Trolox. It also inhibited CFA-induced NO production in MH-S cells. Moreover, it suppressed the CFA exposure-mediated expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. These results suggest that LC is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that can be useful as a nutraceutical product.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.596-605
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• 2024

Anthocyanins belong to phenolic pigments and are known to have various pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate whether anthocyanins could inhibit hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative damage in human retinal pigment epithelial ARPE-19 cells. Our results indicated that anthocyanins suppressed H₂O₂-induced genotoxicity, while inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and preserving diminished glutathione. Anthocyanins also suppressed H₂O₂-induced apoptosis by reversing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and inhibiting caspase-3 activation. Additionally, anthocyanins attenuated the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, which was achieved by interfering with mitochondrial membrane disruption. Moreover, anthocyanins increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) as well as its activity, which was correlated with the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). However, the cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of anthocyanins were significantly attenuated by the HO-1 inhibitor, demonstrating that anthocyanins promoted Nrf2-induced HO-1 activity to prevent ARPE-19 cells from oxidative stress. Therefore, our findings suggest that anthocyanins, as Nrf2 activators, have potent ROS scavenging activity and may have the potential to protect ocular injury caused by oxidative stress.