• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1985

The effects of feeding indole, indole-3-carbinol and benzofuran (all at 5 mmole/kg body wt./day) on various hepatic microsomal and cytosolic enzyme activities involved in xenobiotic metabolism have been compared. Benzofuran was found to elevate the activities of many enzymes both in microsomes (e.g., aniline hydroxylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, p-nitrophenol UDPGA-transferase and epoxide hydrolase) and in cytosol (e.g., glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, NADH:quinone reductase and UDP-glucose dehydrogenase). The structures of indole and indole-3-carbinol are similar to benzofuran except for the substitution of nitrogen with oxygen atom within the furan ring. Results showed that the activities of UDPGA-transferase and NADH:quinone reductase were not elevated by these indole compounds. While the chemical structure of these two indole compounds are identical except for the presence of the carbinol (methanol) group in indole-3-carbinol, there were marked differences in the types and activities of microsomal enzymes that were enhanced. Among the microsomal enzyme activities determined, indole elevated only the NADPH:cytochrome c reductase, while indole-3-carbinol increased several mixed function oxidase and particularly the epoxide hydrolase activities. Based on the chemical structures of tested compounds and the observed results, possible explanations for the mechanisms involved in elevating epoxide hydrolase activity by benzofuran and indole-3-carbinol are discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 1990

In both resting and opsonized zymosan activated neutrophils, ATP stimulated superoxide generation, whereas adenosine inhibited it slightly. The superoxide generation in activated neutrophils to ATP was greater than that of resting neutrophils. In $Ca^{++}$ free medium, inhibitory effect of adenosine on superoxide generation was detectable, whereas ATP did not have any effect. The stimulatory effect of ATP on superoxide generation was inhibited by adenosine in a dose dependent manner. Neither ATP nor adenosine had any effect on NADPH oxidase acitivity. Effects of ATP or adenosine on superoxide generation were more prominent than that by other triphosphate nucleotides or nucleosides. ATP and ADP further stimulated $Ca^{++}$ uptake and increased cytosolic free $Ca^{++}$ level in neutrophils activated by opsonized zymosan, but adenosine inhibited a $Ca^{++}$ mobilization. Verapamil effectively and tetrodotoxin slightly inhibited an increase of cytosolic free $Ca^{++}$ level induced by ATP. Inhibitory effect of either verapamil or tetrodotoxin on superoxide generation in the ATP plus opsonized zymosan-activated neutrophils was greater than in the cells activated by opsonized zymosan alone. Tetraethylammonium chloride had no apparent effect on superoxide generation. CCCP, 2,4-dinitrophenol, diphenylhydantoin and procaine all inhibited superoxide generation in neutrophils activated by opsonized zymosan. Among these, CCCP only inhibited a stimulatory effect of ATP. ATP further stimulated a loss of sulfhydryl groups in activated neutrophils, whereas adenosine had no effect on it. These results suggest that functional responses of neutrophils may be regulated at least partly by purines. ATP and adenosine may further after functional responses of activated neutrophils through their effect on $Ca^{++}$ uptake, membrane phosphorylation and oxidation of soluble sulfhydryl groups.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.417-426
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• 2017

4-O-methylhonokiol, a neolignan compound from Magnolia Officinalis, has been reported to have various biological activities including hair growth promoting effect. However, although transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) signal pathway has an essential role in the regression induction of hair growth, the effect of 4-O-methylhonokiol on the TGF-${\beta}$ signal pathway has not yet been elucidated. We thus examined the effect of 4-O-methylhonokiol on TGF-${\beta}$-induced canonical and noncanonical pathways in HaCaT human keratinocytes. When HaCaT cells were pretreated with 4-O-methylhonokiol, TGF-${\beta}1$-induced G1/G0 phase arrest and TGF-${\beta}1$-induced p21 expression were decreased. Moreover, 4-O-methylhonokiol inhibited nuclear translocation of Smad2/3, Smad4 and Sp1 in TGF-${\beta}1$-induced canonical pathway. We observed that ERK phosphorylation by TGF-${\beta}1$ was significantly attenuated by treatment with 4-O-methylhonokiol. 4-O-methylhonokiol inhibited TGF-${\beta}1$-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and reduced the increase of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) mRNA level in TGF-${\beta}1$-induced noncanonical pathway. These results indicate that 4-O-methylhonokiol could inhibit TGF-${\beta}1$-induced cell cycle arrest through inhibition of canonical and noncanonical pathways in human keratinocyte HaCaT cell and that 4-O-methylhonokiol might have protective action on TGF-${\beta}1$-induced cell cycle arrest.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.818-824
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• 2009

The mechanisms responsible for ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury have direct or indirect relevance to clinical lung injury after severe shock, cardiopulmonary bypass, and transplantation. This study investigated the effects of aspirin on intestinal I/R-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in rats. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in A549 and RAW264.7 cells. RAW264.7 macrophages had shown greater expression of COX-2 than A549 cells. In addition, the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin and p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 attenuated LPS-stimulated COX-2 expression. To induce ALI, intestinal ischemia was performed for 60 min prior to the 4 hr reperfusion by clamping the superior mesenteric artery in Sprague-Dawley rats. In order to test and compare the effect of non-specific COX inhibitor aspirin with the effect of mepacrine, a well known phospholipase$A_{2}$ inhibitor, rats were divided into 4 groups: Sham, I/R, Mepa+I/R (mepacrine, 60 mg/kg, i.p.), ASA+I/R (aspirin, 10 mg/kg, i.p.). In the present investigation, myeloperoxidase activities in the lung and intestinal tissues were increased by I/R. These changes were reduced by single pretreatment of mepacrine (60 mg/kg, i.p.) or aspirin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min before I/R. Structural studies demonstrated that the tissue injuries in the lung and intestine after I/R were also attenuated by the pretreatment of mepacrine or aspirin. These results suggest that I/R-induced ALI is mediated, in part, by the activation of COX. In addition, pretreatment of aspirin might be helpful for the prevention of ALI in ARDS-prone patients. In addition, the p38 MAPK inhibitor and apocynin also might be helpful to ALI through the inhibition of COX-2 expression.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 1988

The possible effeets of some oriental herbs, whleh have been used to treat eaneerllke dllleue In Korea, on growth and afIatonn production by Aspergillus parasiticus R-716 were investigated. Zedoaria rhizoma, Curcuma longa, Cyperus rotundus, Angelica gigas, Paeonia albiflora, Paeonia mountan, Atractylis ovata, and Pulsatilla koreana were extracted with chloroform. Among them the extract of paeonia mountan was remarkably effective on the growth inhibition, and Curcuma longa, Zedoaria rhizoma, Cyperus rotundus, Paeonia albiflora, Atractylis ovata also inhibited the growth. The ertraet of Atractylis ovata and Curcuma longa, also Inhibited the afIatoxin production but the others showed no effect at all or sometimes stimulated effect. With the addition of O.2ml extract of Atractylis ovata in 30ml SLS medium, the growth was delayed for about 2 days, and after 9 days, mycellum weight was 0.953g, and total afatoxin was reduced 5O%($792\mu\textrm{g}$)of that produced in the control($1547\mu\textrm{g}$). Aflatoxin per mycelium weight was decreased 32%($992\mu\textrm{g}$) of that produced in the control($1467\mu\textrm{g}$), but NADPH oxidase was higher as compared to the control. The extract of Atractylis ovata appeared to have a inhibitory effect on the growth and the aflatoxin production of Aspergillus parasiticus R-716.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.622-629
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• 2014

We studied the effects of Akebia quinata fruit extract (AQ) on acute alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. AQ (30-1,000 mg/kg body weight (BW) per day) was orally administered to the study group, once daily for 1 week. On the last day of AQ treatment, ethanol (6 mg/kg BW) was orally administered to induce acute liver injury. The AQ-treated group showed significantly lower levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, compared to the only ethanol-treated group (ETG). The glutathione level in the AQ-treated group elevated up to 20.6%, compared to that observed in the ETG. The mRNA expression of glutathione synthetic enzymes was also higher in the AQ-treated group, compared to the ETG. The AQ-treated group also exhibited lower levels of expression of NADPH oxidase 4 and tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA. Thus, these results show that AQ treatment can be a potential method to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in ethanol-treated mouse liver and also that AQ can be a useful therapeutic agent for acute alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.224-237
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• 2021

Purpose: Paeonia Radix Alba is a traditional herbal medicine used to treat the liver and the spleen. Many studies have reported that Paeonia Radix Alba extract (PR) affects liver injury, but there has been no study on liver injuries induced by thioacetamide (TAA). Therefore, we aimed at evaluating the effect of PR on a TAA-induced acute liver injury (ALI) model. Methods: The antioxidant activity of PR was assayed by the content of total polyphenol, total flavonoid, 1,1-diphenyl-2'-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonicacid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities in vitro test. ALI was induced via-intraperitoneal injection of TAA (200 mg/kg body weight) for three consecutive days. Also, silymarin (100 mg/kg body weight) and PR (100 or 200 mg/kg body weight) were administered at 1 hours 30 minutes prior to TAA treatment. The levels of ammonia, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were analyzed using an assay kit. The expressions of antioxidant proteins including Nrf2, Keap1, HO-1, SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2 and oxidative stress-related proteins including NOX2, p47^phox, and p22^phox were evaluated by the western blot analysis. Results: PR showed excellent antioxidant activity in vitro. TAA administration increased the levels of ammonia, GOT, and GPT in the ALI control group compared to the normal group, whereas it was significantly reduced by PR pretreatment. Moreover, NADPH oxidase protein expressions were upregulated after TAA treatment, while the elevated expressions were inhibited by PR pretreatment. The expressions of antioxidant protein were downregulated in the ALI control group, whereas Nrf2 activation in the PR group was accompanied by increased levels of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: PR administration increased the antioxidant enzymes via activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and inhibited the protein levels of NADPH oxidase factors. Taken together, these results showed that PR treatment may be considered to ameliorate acute liver injury induced by TAA.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.412-421
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• 2021

Purpose: Thioacetamide (TAA) produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the liver, and the generated ROS induces liver injury through inflammatory reactions. The current study was undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba water extract (AC), imparted via its antioxidant activity, in an animal model of TAA-induced liver injury. Methods: Animal experiments were conducted in 5 groups: normal, control (TAA 200 mg/kg), SM (TAA 200 mg/kg + silymarin 100 mg/kg), ACL (TAA 200 mg/kg + AC 100 mg/kg), ACH (TAA 200 mg/kg + AC 200mg/kg). TAA (intraperitoneal) and treatment compounds (per oral) were administered for 3 days. Serum levels of ammonia concentration and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were subsequently measured. Liver tissues were subjected to western blot analysis for measuring the oxidative stress (NADPH oxidase), anti-oxidative activity (Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 [HO-1], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, and GPx-1/2), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) protein expressions. Results: Serum ammonia levels and MPO activity were significantly increased in the TAA-induced control group, whereas groups administered AC treatment showed markedly reduced levels. Western blot analysis revealed significantly increased NOX2 and p22^phox expressions, (oxidative stress-related factors) in the TAA-induced control group. These levels were determined to be significantly decreased after AC exposure. Moreover, antioxidant-related factors including Nrf2, HO-1, SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2 were significantly decreased in the control group and increased in the AC treated groups. In addition, MMP expressions were significantly suppressed in the AC treatment group due to increased levels of TIMP-1. Conclusion: Taken together, these data indicate that exposure to AC reduces the oxidative stress by inhibiting the expression of NADPH oxidase (NOX2 and p22^phox) through the Nrf2 signaling pathway. We therefore propose the potential of AC for the prevention and treatment of TAA-induced liver injury.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.402-417
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• 2023

Objective: Liver fibrosis is a highly conserved wound-healing response and the final common pathway of chronic inflammatory injury. This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-fibrotic effect of the combination of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma water extract (RW) and silymarin in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis model. Methods: The liver fibrosis mouse model was established through the intraperitoneal injection of TAA (1 week 100 mg/kg, 2-3 weeks 200 mg/kg, 4-8 weeks 400 mg/kg) three times per week for eight weeks. Animal experiments were conducted in five groups; Normal, Control (TAA-induced liver fibrosis mice), Sily (silymarin 50 mg/kg), RSL (RW 50 mg/kg+silymarin 50 mg/kg), and RSH (RW 100 mg/kg+silymarin 50 mg/kg). Biochemical analyses were measured in serum, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and ammonia levels. Liver inflammatory cytokines and fibrous biomarkers were measured by Western blot analysis, and liver histopathology was evaluated through tissue staining. Results: A significant decrease in the liver function markers AST and ALT and a reduction in ammonia and total bilirubin were observed in the group treated with RSL and RSH. Measurement of reactive oxygen species and MDA revealed a significant decrease in the RSL and RSH administration group compared to the TAA induction group. The expression of extracellular matrix-related proteins, such as transforming growth factor β1, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen type I alpha 1, was likewise significantly decreased. All drug-administered groups had increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 but a decreasing tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1. RSL and RSH exerted a significant upregulation of NADPH oxidase 2, p22^phox, and p47^phox, which are oxidative stress-related factors. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory proteins such as cyclooxygenase 2 and interleukin-1β were markedly suppressed through the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation. Conclusions: The administration of RW and silymarin suppressed the NADPH oxidase factor protein level and showed a tendency to reduce inflammation-related enzymes. These results suggest that the combined administration of RW and silymarin improves acute liver injury induced by TAA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.319-325
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of green tea catechin on microsomal mixed function oxidase(MFO) system of kidney and brain in streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 140$\pm$10g were randomly assigned to one control and three STZ-diabetic groups. Diabetic groups wer classified to DM-0C(catechin 0%/kg diet), DM-0.5C (catechin 0.5%/kg diet), and DM-1.0C(catechin 1%/kg diet) according to the level of catechin supplementation. Diabetes were experimentally induced by intravenous administration of 55mg/kg body weight of STZ in citrate buffer(pH 4.3) after 4 weeks feeding of three experimental diets. Animals were sacrificed at the sixth day of diabetic state. The contents of cytochrome P450 in kidney were increased by 77, 42, 49% in DM-0C, DM-0.5C and DM-1.0C groups, respectively, than normal group. The contents of cytochrome P450 in brain were increased by 43% in DM-0C group than normal group, but those of DM-0.5C and DM-1.0C groups were similar to that of normal group. The contents of cytochrome b5 in kidney were increased by 78, 38, 49% in DM-0C, DM-0.5C and DM-1.0C groups, respectively, than normal group. Meanwhile, the contents of cytochrome b5 in brain were not significantly different among all groups. The activities of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase in kidney of DM-group were increased by 27% than normal group, but those of DM-0.5C and DM-1.0C groups were 13 and 15% lower than that of DM-0C group. The activities in brain were also increased by 31% in DM-0C group, but those of DM-0.5C and DM-1.0C groups were similar to than of normal group. Levels of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) in kidney were increased by 147, 60 and 59% in DM-0C, DM-0.5C, and DM-1.0C groups, respectively, compared with normal group, but those of DM-0.5C and DM-1.0C groups were 36, 35% lower than that of DM-0C group. Meanwhile, the levels of TBARS in brain were not significantly different among four groups. These results indicate that dietary catechins in green tea play a powerful antioxidant role in reducing the lipid peroxidation enhanced by activation of MFO system in STZ-induced diabetes.