• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.161-168
• /
• 2017

In this study, we examined the effect of Perilla frutescens extract (PFE) on oxidative stress-induced cell death in RGC-5 cell lines. Staurosporine-differentiated RGC-5 (ssdRGC-5) cells obtained by treating RGC-5 cells with $1{\mu}M$ staurosporine were incubated with PFE for 30 min and then exposed to buthionine sulfoximine plus glutamate (B/G) for 20 h. Cell death was detected using lactate dehydrogenase release assay and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction assay. To investigate the mechanism underlying cell death, we determined caspase-3 activity, level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and expression levels of cytoplasmic cytochrome c and mitochondrial Bax. Treatment of ssdRGC-5 cells with B/G increased intracellular ROS and induced apoptosis with increasing caspase-3 activity. PFE rescued ssdRGC-5 cells from oxidative stress-induced cell death by inhibiting intracellular ROS production and caspase-3 activation and regulating apoptosis-related proteins such as cytochrome c and Bax. These findings suggest that PFE may have a beneficial neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress-induced apoptotic death in ssdRGC-5 cells.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.105-119
• /
• 2006

Objectives & Methods : This present study was performed to investigate the effect of Hwadamtongrak-Tang extract (HTT) on the regulation of cerebral hemodynamics in terms of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP)] in normal and cerebral ischemic rats. Also the effects of HTT on changes in local blood flow, inhibition of LD H activity in neuronal cells, and levels of cytokine production in the serum were determined in the ischemic rat model. The major findings are summarized below. Results : 1. HTT significantly increased rCBF in a dose-dependent manner, but MABP was not changed by HTT treatment. These results suggest that HTT may increase rCBF by dilating cerebral arterial diameter. 2. HTT-induced increase in rCBF was blocked by pretreatment with cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (IDN, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) and MABP was significantly increased by ID N. 3. Pretreatment of methylene blue $(MTB,\;10\;{\mu}g/kg,\;i.p.)$, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, significantly decreased both rCBP and MABP in HTT-treated rats. 4. HTT treatment significantly increased rCBP to a stable level during the period of cerebral reperfusion. 5. HTT significantly inhibited LD H activity in neuronal cells, suggesting a neuroprotection by HTT. 6. Serum interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ levels were significantly decreased in the femoral artery 1 hr after middle cerebral arterial occlusion in HTT-treated rats. IL-10 levels in the serum were significantly increased by HTT treatment whereas transforming growth factor $(TGF)-{\beta}$ levels were similar between HTT-treated and control groups. 7. Serum interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ levels were significantly decreased in the femoral artery 1 hr after reperfusion in HTT-treated rats. Serum IL-10 levels were significantly decreased in HTT-treated rats compared with the control group, and no significant changes in $(TGF)-{\beta}$ in the serum were observed by HTT treatment. Conclusions: The present data suggest that HTT may have an anti-ischemic effect via the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics and thus protect the brain from ischemic damage.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.211-220
• /
• 2002

Objective : This study was undertaken to determine whether Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract (SbG) exerts the protective effect against oxidant-induced alterations in organic cation transport in the renal proximal tubule. Methods : Organic cation transport was estimated by examining alterations in tetraethylammonium (TEA) uptake in rabbit renal cortical slices. The slices were treated with 0.2 mM tBHP for 60 min at $37^{\circ}C$. tBl-IP caused an inhibition in TEA uptake by renal cortical slices. Such an effect was accompanied by depressed Na+-K+-ATPase activity and ATP depletion. Result : SbG prevented tBHP-induced inhibition of TEA uptake in a dose-dependent manner at the concentration ranges of 0.05-0.1%. SbG also prevented H2O2-induced reduction in TEA uptake. tBHP-induced inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase activity and ATP depletion were significantly prevented by 0.05% SbG. Oxidants increased LDH release, which was blocked by SbG. Oxidants caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and its effect was prevented by SbG. Conclusion : These results suggest that SbG prevents oxidant-induced alterations in organic cation transport in rabbit renal cortical slices. Such protective effects of SbG may be attributed to inhibition of peroxidation of membrane lipid.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.10
• /
• pp.1223-1229
• /
• 2013

Ursolic acid (UA) a bio-active ingredient found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, and it has potent antioxidant activity. However, the role of UA in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells is poorly understood. This study investigated the functional role of UA in regulating the development of mouse ES cells under hypoxia. Hypoxia did not exert a significant effect on the undifferentiated state of mouse ES cells. However, it induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and increased the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production at 48 h of hypoxic exposure. Conversely, oxidative stress induced by hypoxia was significantly inhibited by UA ($30{\mu}M$) pretreatment. Hypoxia significantly decreased cell survival and the level of [$^3H$] thymidine incorporation, both of which recovered following pretreatment of UA. In addition, UA decreased the apoptotic effect of hypoxia by attenuating caspase-3 cleavage or by recovering cellular inhibition of the apoptotic protein (cIAP)-2 and Bcl-2 expression. We further found that UA decreased senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity. We suggest that UA is a natural antioxidant and one of the functional modulators of hypoxia-induced survival, apoptosis, proliferation, and aging in mouse ES cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.28 no.7
• /
• pp.791-798
• /
• 2005

The hepatoprotective activity of flavonol glycosides rich fraction (F-2), prepared from 70% alcohol extract of the aerial parts of V calcarata Desf., was evaluated in a rat model with a liver injury induced by daily oral administration of $CCl_4$ (100 mg/kg, b.w) for four weeks. Treatment of the animals with F-2 using a dose of (25 mg/kg, b.w) during the induction of hepatic damage by $CCl_4$ significantly reduced the indices of liver injuries. The hepatoprotective effects of F-2 significantly reduced the elevated levels of the following serum enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The antioxidant activity of F-2 markedly ameliorated the antioxidant parameters including glutathione (GSH) content, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), plasma catalase (CAT) and packed erythrocytes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) to be comparable with normal control levels. In addition, it normalized liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and creatinine concentration. Chromatographic purification of F-2 resulted in the isolation of two flavonol glycosides that rarely occur in the plant kingdom, identified as quercetin-3,5-di-O-$\beta$-D-diglucoside (5) and kaempferol-3,5-di-O-$\beta$-D-diglucoside (4) in addition to the three known compounds identified as quercetin-3-O-$\alpha$-L-rhamnosyl- (${\rightarrow}6$)-$\beta$-D-glucoside [rutin, 3], quercetin-3-O-$\beta$-D-glucoside [isoquercitrin, 2] and kaempferol-3-O-$\beta$-D-glucoside [astragalin, 1]. These compounds were identified based on interpretation of their physical, chemical, and spectral data. Moreover, the spectrophotometric estimation of the flavonoids content revealed that the aerial parts of the plant contain an appreciable amount of flavonoids (0.89%) calculated as rutin. The data obtained from this study revealed that the flavonol glycosides of F-2 protect the rat liver from hepatic damage induced by $CCl_4$ through inhibition of lipid peroxidation caused by $CCl_4$ reactive free radicals.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.12
• /
• pp.1002-1014
• /
• 2023

The root of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) has long been used in traditional medicine to prevent the onset and progression of various diseases and has been reported to exert a wide range of physiological effects, including antioxidant activity. However, research on its effects on hepatocytes remains scarce. This study used the human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line to investigate the antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of C. japonicum root (EECJ) on hepatocytes. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was used to mimic oxidative stress. The results showed that EECJ significantly reverted the decrease in cell viability and suppressed the release of lactate dehydrogenase in HepG2 cells treated with H₂O₂. Moreover, an analysis of changes in cell morphology, flow cytometry, and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) expression showed that EECJ significantly inhibited HepG2 cell autophagy induced by H₂O₂. Furthermore, it attenuated H₂O₂-induced apoptosis and cell cycle disruption by blocking intracellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide production, indicating strong antioxidant activity. EECJ also restored the decreased levels of intracellular glutathione (GSH) and enhanced the expression and activity of superoxide dismutase and GSH peroxidase in H₂O₂-treated HepG2 cells. Although an analysis of the components contained in EECJ and in vivo validation using animal models are needed, these findings indicate that EECJ is a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-induced liver cell damage.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.11
• /
• pp.1116-1124
• /
• 2007

Purpose : Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is the most common of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies in children. The purpose of this study is to observe demographic, initial presentations, duration of time between disease onset and diagnosis, clinical manifestations and laboratory findings at diagnosis of patients with JDM. Methods : Forty seven patients identified at Seoul National University Children's Hospital from January 1986 to May 2007. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively focusing on initial presentations, clinical manifestations and laboratory findings at the time of diagnosis of patients with JDM. Results : Male and female patients were 25 and 22, respectively and sex ratio was 1.14:1. The average age at the time of diagnosis was 6.51 years. Skin rash (94%) was the most common symptom, followed by the proximal muscle weakness (89%). The disease activity score was 10.8. The duration between the onset of the skin rash and the muscle weakness and diagnosis was 7.18 and 4.70 months, respectively. The serum muscle enzymes, LDH, AST, CK and aldolase, were elevated in the patient with JDM. Autoimmune antibodies, antinuclear antibody, anti SSA antibody and anti SSB antibody, were negative findings. Electromyography findings were consistent with JDM in 88% of the patients, the muscle biopsy was in 91% and all MRI findings were compatible with those of patients with JDM. The most common symptom besides musculocutaneous lesions was the calcinosis (62.5%). The most common site of calcinosis was the pelvic area and buttocks. Conclusion : This study shows that the major symptoms are proximal muscle weakness and cutaneous lesion, and they are important to diagnose JDM.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.456-464
• /
• 2002

This study was designed to investigates the effects of Korean pueraris radix water extract in Cd(cadmium) administered rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $100{\pm}10g$ were used for this experiment and divided into following 4 groups; control group, 3% pueraria radix in water extract group, 50 ppm Cd group, 50ppm Cd group with 3% pueraria radix in water extract group. The Cd administered rats were given 50 ppm of $CdCl_2\;{\cdot}\;2H_2O$ disolved in the distilled water. The Cd content in the rats tissue of Cd administered group was lower than in the rats tissue of Cd group with 3% pueraria radix in water extract group. Plasma levels of renin activity was increased by Cd administration group, compared with 3% pueraria radix in water extract group and Cd administred group. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase(GOT) and Glutamate pyruvate transaminase(GPT) were increased in Cd-administered group and lower in the 3% extracts of pueraria radix in water extract group. Lactate dehydrogenase(LDHase) was lower in the 3% extracts of pueraria radix-Cd group than in the Cd group. This results suggested that pueraria radix in water extract group, has a lowering effects on the accumulation of Cd and it is belived that the pueraria radix in water extract group has some protective effects to Cd administered in rats, but the mechanism of these effects was obscure.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.124-129
• /
• 2011

PC12 neuronal cell-protective effects of hot water extracts of guava fruit and leaf were evaluated. Total phenolic levels in fruit and leaf were 11.75 and 293.25 mg/g, respectively. Gallic acid, the predominant phenoic, was detected in both extracts. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation after $H_2O_2$ treatment was significantly reduced when the hot water extract of guava leaf was added to cell medium, compared to PC12 cells treated with $H_2O_2$ only. In a cell viability assay using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl- tetrazoliumbromide (MTT), the hot water extracts of fruit and leaf protected against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity. The leaf extract was more effective in terms of inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into medium, compared to the fruit extract. These in vitro data suggest that hot water extracts of guava fruit and leaf may be useful in treatment of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.18 no.11
• /
• pp.1521-1531
• /
• 2008

After pigs was fed by commercial diets supplemented with various concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5%) of the fermented mushroom by-product of Pleurotus eryngii, the meat qualities and the serum lipid compositions of the individual pig groups were investigated. The levels of total lipid, total cholesterol, and triglyceride in the serum were significantly lower when the pigs were fed with the diet supplemented with 1.5% fermented mushroom by-product than those of the control pigs. HDL-, LDL-, and VLDL-cholesterol contents in the serum exhibited no significant difference between the pig group fed by the diet containing the fermented mushroom by-product and the control group. In comparison to the control group, the pig group fed by the diet supplemented with 1.5% fermented mushroom by-product showed significantly lower level of AI, CRF, GOT, and LDH values in the serum, whereas the difference in the level of antioxidant activity of the serum was not significant. Sensory evaluation regarding color, off-flavor, tenderness, juiciness, and overall acceptability also showed that the pork from the pig group fed by the diet supplemented with the fermented mushroom by-product ($0.5{\sim}1.5%$) was better than that from the control group. Although enhancement in the lghtness ($a^*$) value of the pork was significant in 20 days of storage at $4^{\circ}C$, the redness ($L^*$) value was not significantly differential during the storage periods regardless of the supplementation of the fermented mushroom by-product into the diet. The cooking loss of the pork from the pig group fed by the diet supplemented with the fermented mushroom by-product (1% and 1.5%) decreased in the storage 10 days, but it increased in the storage 20 days. After storage for 20 days at $4^{\circ}C$, shear force of the pork obtained from the pigs fed by the diet supplemented with $1%{\sim}1.5%$ fermented mushroom by-product appeared to become significantly lower than that of the control. There were, however, no significant changes between two groups in the level of moisture content, crude lipid, and pH during the storage period. Although the TBARS content was enhanced in all groups during the storage period, the enhancement appeared to be more significant in the pork from the pig group fed by the diet containing the fermented mushroom by-product in comparison to the control. On the other hand, the ratio of UFA/SFA for the pork obtained from the individual pig groups showed no considerable diet-associated alterations during the storage period.