• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제21권7호
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• pp.720-726
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• 2000

The analytic gradient method for the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster singles and doubles (EOM-CCSD) energy has been extended to employ a reduced molecular orbital (MO) space. Not only the innermost core MOs but also some of the outermost virtua l MOs can be dropped in the reduced MO space, and a substantial amount of computation time can be reduced without deteriorating the results. In order to study the magnitudes and trends of the effects of the dropped MOs, the geometries and vibrational properties of the ground and excited states of BF, CO, CN, N2, AlCl, SiS, P2, BCl, AIF, CS, SiO, PN and GeSe are calculated with different sizes of molecular orbital space. The 6-31 G* and the aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets are employed for all molecules except GeSc for which the 6-311 G* and the TZV+f basis sets are used. It is shown that the magnitudes of the drop-MO effects are about $0.005\AA$ in bond lengths and about 1% on harmonic frequencies and IR intensities provided that the dropped MOs correspond to (1s), (1s,2s,2p), an (1s,2s,2p,3s,3p) atomic orbitals of the first, the second, and the third row atoms, respectively. The geometries and vibrational properties of the first and the second excited states of HCN and HNC are calculated by using a drastically reduced virtual MO space as well as with the well defined frozen core MO space. The results suggest the possibility of using a very smalI MO space for qualitative study of valence excited states.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.289-296
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• 2020

Spermatogonial stem cells are self-renewal and differentiate into sperm in post-pubertal mammals. There exists a balance between the self-renewal and differentiation in the testes. Spermatogonial stem cells make up only 0.03% of testicular cells in adult mice. These cells maintain sperm production by differentiating after puberty. Therefore, analyzing the expression of genes associated with spermatogenesis is critical for understanding differentiation. The present study aimed to establish the postnatal period of cells in relation to spermatogenesis. To study the expression of differentiated and undifferentiated marker genes in enriched spermatogonial stem cells, in vitro culture was performed and cells from pup (6-8-day-old) and adult (4-months-old) testicular tissues were isolated. As a result, undifferentiated genes, Pax7, Plzf, GFRa1, Etv5 and Bcl6b, were highly increased in cultured spermaotogonial stem cells compared with pup and adult testicular cells. On the other hands, differentiated gene, c-kit was highly increased in adult testicular cells, Also Stra8 gene was highly increased in pup and adult testicular cells. This study provides a better understanding of spermatogenesis-associated gene expression during postnatal periods.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.1269-1284
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• 2021

Objectives: Phragmitis Rhizoma is the fresh or dried rhizome of Phragmites communis Trin., which has been prescribed in traditional Korean medicine to relieve fever and vomiting and to nourish the body fluids. Recently, the protective effect of Phragmitis Rhizoma extract or its components on myelotoxicity and inflammatory responses have been reported, but no study has yet been conducted on oxidative stress. Methods: The present study investigated whether an ethanol extract of Phragmitis Rhizoma (PR) could protect against cellular damage induced by oxidative stress in Chang liver cells. Results: Pretreatment with PR significantly suppressed the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced reduction of Chang cell viability and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby deferring apoptosis. PR also markedly inhibited H₂O₂-induced comet tail formation and phospho-γH2AX expression, suggesting that PR protected against oxidative stress-mediated DNA damage. PR also effectively prevented the inhibition of ATP synthesis in H₂O₂-treated Chang cells by inhibiting the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating that PR maintains energy metabolism through preservation of mitochondrial function while eliminating ROS generated by H₂O₂. Immunoblotting results indicated that PR attenuated the H₂O₂-induced downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax expression. Conclusions: PR protects against oxidative injury in Chang liver cells by regulating energy homeostasis via ROS generation blockade, which is at least partly mediated through inactivation of the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.79-86
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate neuroprotective effects and molecular mechanisms of luteolin against ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}_{25-35}$)-induced oxidative cell death in BV-2 cells. Methods : The protective effects of luteolin against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity and apoptotic cell death were determined by MTT dye reduction assay and TUNEL staining, respectively. The apoptotic cell death was further analyzed by measuring mitochondrial transmembrane potential and expression of pro- and/or anti-apoptotic proteins. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of luteolin, intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species, oxidative damages, and expression of antioxidant enzymes were examined. Results : Luteolin pretreatment effectively attenuated $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced apoptotic cell death indices such as DNA fragmentation, dissipation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and caspase-3 in BV-2 cells. Furthermore, $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent oxidative damages such as lipid peroxidation and depletion of endogenous antioxidant glutathione were suppressed by luteolin treatment. The neuroprotective effects of luteolin might be mediated by up-regulation of cellular antioxidant defense system via up-regulation of ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine ligase, a rate-limiting enzyme in the glutathione biosynthesis and superoxide dismutase, an enzyme involved in dismutation of superoxide anion into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Conclusions : These findings suggest that luteolin has a potential to protect against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced neuronal cell death and damages thereby exhibiting therapeutic utilization for the prevention and/or treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.155-160
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• 2013

Objectives : Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, worldwide. Houttuynia cordata Thunberg (H. cordata) has been used as a medicinal plants and it has an anti-cancer activity in human colorectal cancer and leukemic cancer. However, the potential anti-cancer activity and mechanisms of H. cordata for human gastric cancer cells have not been tested so far. Thus, this study examined the biological effects of H. cordata on the human gastric cancer cell line SNU-1 and AGS. Methods : Inhibition of cell proliferation and cell cycle by H. cordata was carried out by MTT assay and Muse cell cycle analysis and the expressions of protein associated with apoptosis and cell cycle regulation were investigated with Western blot analysis. Results : In MTT assay, the proliferation of SNU-1 and AGS cells was significantly inhibited by H. cordata in a time and dose dependent manner, Inhibition of cell proliferation by H. cordata was in part associated with apoptotic cell death, as shown by changes in the expression ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 by H. cordata. Also, H. cordata regulated the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins such as pRb, cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK4, CDK2, p21 and p15. Conclusion : The antiproliferative effect of H. cordata on SNU-1 and AGS gastric cancer cells revealed in this study suggests that H. cordata has intriguing potential as a chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제36권6호
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• pp.229-234
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• 2022

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Indigo Naturalis (IN) is a dark blue powder obtained by processing leaves or stems of indigo plants, its anticancer effects have been reported in several studies. However, the pharmacological mechanism of IN in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is not elucidated. In this study, to investigate the anticancer efficacy of IN for SCLC, we presented potential active ingredients, SCLC-related targets, and pharmacological mechanisms of IN that are expected to have anticancer activity for SCLC using a network pharmacological analysis. The phytochemical compounds of IN have been collected through TCMSP, SymMap, or HPLC documents. The active ingredients of IN such as indirubin, indican, isatin, and tryptanthrin were selected through ADME parameters or literature investigations for each compound. Using the Compounds, Disease-Target associations Databases, 124 common targets of IN and SCLC were obtained. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Pathway enrichment analysis was carried out. GO biological processes are associated with response to xenobiotic stimulus, positive regulation of protein phosphorylation, regulation of mitotic cell cycle, and regulation of apoptotic signaling pathway. KEGG disease pathways included Gastric cancer, Bladder cancer, SCLC, and Melanoma. The main anticancer targets of the IN for SCLC were analyzed in 14 targets, including BCL2, MYC, and TP53. In conclusion, the results of this study based on the network pharmacology of IN can provide important data for the effective prevention and treatment of SCLC.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.411-416
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• 2023

Methamphetamine (METH) is a powerful neurotoxic psychostimulant affecting dopamine transporter (DAT) activity and leading to continuous excess extracellular dopamine levels. Despite recent advances in the knowledge on neurobiological mechanisms underlying METH abuse, there are few effective pharmacotherapies to prevent METH abuse leading to brain damage and neuropsychiatric deficits. α-Pinene (APN) is one of the major monoterpenes derived from pine essential oils and has diverse biological properties including anti-nociceptive, anti-anxiolytic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of APN in a METH abuse mice model. METH (1 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was injected into C57BL/6 mice for four alternative days, and a conditioned place preference (CPP) test was performed. The METH-administered group exhibited increased sensitivity to place preference and significantly decreased levels of dopamine-related markers such as dopamine 2 receptor (D2R) and tyrosine hydroxylase in the striatum of the mice. Moreover, METH caused apoptotic cell death by induction of inflammation and oxidative stress. Conversely, APN treatment (3 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced METH-mediated place preference and restored the levels of D2R and tyrosine hydroxylase in the striatum. APN increased the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 to pro-apoptotic Bax ratio and decreased the expression of inflammatory protein Iba-1. METH-induced lipid peroxidation was effectively mitigated by APN by up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes such as manganese-superoxide dismutase and glutamylcysteine synthase via activation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2. These results suggest that APN may have protective potential and be considered as a promising therapeutic agent for METH-induced drug addiction and neuronal damage.

• 운동영양학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.14-22
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• 2019

[Purpose] Here, we aimed to determine the effect of Polygonum cuspidatum stem extract (PSE) on exorbital lacrimal gland-excised rat models and hyperosmotic stress-stimulated human conjunctival cells (HCCs). [Methods] Seven week old male Wistar rats were divided into six groups. Only the rats in the control group (NOR, n=5) did not undergo surgery. Three days after the surgery, the exorbital lacrimal gland-excised rats were randomly allocated to five groups: (1) vehicle-treated dry-eyed rats (DED, n=5); (2) PSE (10 mg/kg) treated DED rats (PSE-10, n=5); (3) PSE (100 mg/kg) treated DED rats (PSE-100, n=5); and (4) PSE (250 mg/kg) treated DED rats (PSE-250, n=5). In addition, the HCC line was co-treated with hyperosmolar media (528 mOsm) and PSE (1-100 μg/ml). [Results] PSE treatment restored the tear volume and goblet cell density by inhibiting severe corneal irregularities and damage. The treatment with PSE significantly attenuated the hyperosmolar stress-induced inflammation and cell death through the suppression of mRNA expression levels of Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and the expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) as well as the activation of caspase-3 in vitro. [Conclusion] The inhibitory effects of PSE treatment on dry eye disease indicate the potential of nutritional intervention by PES against inflammatory diseases without adverse effects.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.22-26
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to identify the applicability, main compounds, and target genes of Cnidii Fructus (CF) in the treatment of gastritis using network pharmacology. The compounds in CF were searched in Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and a database of medicinal materials and chemical compounds in Northeast Asian traditional medicine (TM-MC). The target gene information of the compounds was collected from pubchem and cross-compared with the gastritis-related target gene information collected from Genecard to derive the target genes. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed on the derived target genes. Afterwards, network analysis between compounds and disease target genes was performed using cytoscape. We identified 121 active compounds and 139 target genes associated with gastritis. Pathways derived from the GO biological process and KEGG pathway DB primarily focus on target genes related to inflammation (IL-6, IL-8, TNF production, NF-κB transcription factor activity, and NF-κB signaling pathway) and cell death (PI3K-Akt, FoxO). Major targets for CF treatment of gastritis include TP53, TNF, BCL2, EGFR, NFKB1, ABCB1, PPARG, PTGS2, IL6, IL1B, and SOD1, along with major compounds such as coumarin, osthol, hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and stigmasterol. This study provided CF's applicability for gastritis, related compounds, and target information. Evaluating CF's effectiveness in a preclinical gastritis model suggests its potential use in clinical practice for digestive system diseases.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.647-655
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• 2011

Amyloid ${\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$)의 신경독성은 알츠하이머병의 주된 원인이 되고 이러한 신경독성은 일련의 신경세포 사멸반응에 의해 일어난다고 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 알츠하이머병의 실험모델로 mouse primary neuronal cell에 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$를 처리하여 세포독성을 유도하는 세포실험모델과 C57BL/6J mouse 뇌실에 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$를 주입하여 인지장애를 일으키는 동물실험모델을 이용하여 phosphodiesterase III 억제제인 cilostazol의 신경보호 효과에 대해 조사하였다. $A{\beta}_{25-35}$를 신경세포에 처리하면 세포생존율이 감소되었고, 세포사멸이 일어난 세포의 수도 증가되었다. 이러한 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$에 의한 세포독성이 cilostazol처리에 의해 회복되었으며, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR)-${\gamma}$ 항진제인 rosiglitazone 또한 동일한 회복효과를 나타내었다. Cilostazol과 rosiglitazone에 의한 이러한 회복효과가 PPAR-${\gamma}$ 길항제인 GW9662에 의해 다시 억제되는 결과를 통해 cilostazol의 효과는 PPAR-${\gamma}$가 매개하는 신호전달이 관여함을 알 수 있었다. 직접 PPAR-${\gamma}$ 활성화 정도를 측정한 결과, $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ 처리에 의해 감소된 PPAR-${\gamma}$ 활성화 정도가 cilostazol과 rosiglitazone에 의해 증가함을 관찰할 수 있었고, 이는 GW9662에 의해 다시 억제됨을 확인하였다. 게다가, cilostazol은 세포사멸이 일어난 세포의 수와 세포사멸 조절단백질인 Bax/Bcl-2의 비율도 감소시켰다. Cilostazol (20 mg/kg, 구강투여)을 C57BL/6J mice 뇌실에 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$를 주입하기 2주 동안 전처리하고, $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ 주입 후 4주 동안 처리하면, 기억력과 학습능력을 증진시킨다는 결과를 water maze 실험을 통해 알 수 있었으며, rosiglitazone (10 mg/kg)을 먹인 동물에서도 동일한 결과를 얻을 수 있었다. 본 연구를 통해서 cilostazol이 PPAR-${\gamma}$ 활성화를 통해 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$로 인한 신경세포 손상과 세포사멸을 약화시켜, 신경세포의 생존을 증진시키고, 알츠하이머에서 인지장애를 개선할 것으로 생각된다. 따라서, phosphodiesterase III 억제제인 cilostazol은 알츠하이머 질병 치료에 새로운 전략이 될 수 있을 것이다.