• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.499-505
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• 2012

Chemoprevention represents a strategy designed to protect cells or tissues against various carcinogens and carcinogenic metabolites derived from exogenous or endogenous sources. Recent studies indicate that plant-derived triterpenoids, like oleanolic acid, may exert cytoprotective functions via regulation of the activity of different transcription factors. The chemopreventive effects may be mediated through induction of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) transcription factor. Activation of Nrf2 by triterpenoids induces the expression of phase 2 detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes such as NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) - proteins which can protect cells or tissues against various toxic metabolites. On the other hand, inhibition of other transcription factors, like NF-${\kappa}B$ leads to the decrease in the pro-inflammatory gene expression. Moreover, the modulation of microRNAs activity may constitute a new mechanism responsible for valuable effects of triterpenoids. Recently, based on the structure of naturally occurring triterpenoids and with involvement of bioinformatics and computational chemistry, many synthetic analogs with improved biological properties have been obtained. Data from in vitro and in vivo experiments strongly suggest synthetic derivatives as promising candidates in the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic strategies.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.303-309
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• 2014

The fruit of Gleditsia sinensis has been extensively used as a key ingredient of an herbal remedy for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases in traditional Korean Medicine. However, the reason of using the fruit of G. sinensis for the remedy is unclear. Since Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is a key anti-inflammatory transcription factor, which is activated by the fruit of G. sinesis, we examined whether other plant parts of G. sinensis are also capable of suppressing inflammatory responses by activating Nrf2. Water extracts of various parts of G. sinensis were prepared and tested for Nrf2 activation by reporter assay and western blot analysis. Our results show that the hull of G. sinensis is the most potent in activating Nrf2. Sequential organic solvent extraction of the hull show that all the fractions had a higher potency in activating Nrf2 than the water extract, albeit differential degrees. The hull originated from Korea in general activated Nrf2 strongly compared to that of China. Chloroform fraction of the hull was further examined, showing that the fraction induced nuclear localization of Nrf2, indicative of activated Nrf2, and Nrf2-dependent gene expression including NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and heme oxygenase - 1 (HO-1). Therefore, our results show that, among other plant parts examined in this study, the hull of G. sinensis is the most potent, providing the experimental basis for the use of the hull of G. sinensis as an active ingredient for an anti-inflammatory remedy.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.10-21
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was to investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect of Psoralea corylifolia water extract (PE) on ulcerative colitis which was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice. Methods: Ulcerative colitis was induced by DSS in male BALB/c mice. The mice were divided into 3 groups. The control group (Ctrl) was not induced ulcerative colitis. The pathological group (CE) was induced the colitis. The experimental group (PT) was administered PE after inducing the colitis. The effects of the PE on ulcerative colitis were evaluated by morphological change in the colon tissue and cells, substance P production, activity of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 production, and anti-oxidative activity. Results: In the PT group, PE alleviated hemorrhagic erosion in colon mucosa and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lamina propria mucosae. In the colon of the PT group, COX-2 production was inhibited via regulating the activity of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65. PE also had an anti-oxidative effect via activating nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). Conclusions: In this study, we found the utility of treatment with PE and the potential of developing a medicine for ulcerative colitis by applying our results. Further investigations for the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PE may be needed.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권12호
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• pp.1329-1336
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• 2019

뇌에서 뇌실하 영역은 자가 복제 및 신경세포와 교세포로 분화하는 신경줄기세포가 위치한 곳이다. 이러한 신경줄기세포는 태어난 직후 뿐만 아니라, 성인기까지 존재한다. 세포 증식과 분화에 대한 결정은 세포 안과 밖의 상황에 따라 조절될 필요가 있기에, 많은 세포 내부 또는 세포 외부의 인자들이 이러한 결정에 관여한다. 이러한 인자들 중에서 미토콘드리아는 신경줄기세포의 운명 결정에 관여함이 보고된 바 있다. 본 저자들의 이전 논문에서, 미토콘드리아 저해제인 rotenone을 장시간 처리했을 때, 신경세포로의 분화가 거의 일어나지 않았음을 보여주었다. 이번 연구에서, rotenone을 뇌실하 영역 신경줄기세포에 단기간 처리했을 때의 영향에 대해 조사하였다. 이를 통해 다음과 같은 결과를 관찰하였다. (1) 하루 동안 rotenone을 처리하자 신경세포로의 분화가 크게 감소하였고, 특히 분화 초기 단계가 더 민감하게 억제되었다. (2) 일시적 증식세포인 Mash1+ 세포의 수가 rotenone을 하루 처리한 후 감소하였다. (3) 분화가 된 Tuj1+ 신경세포와 Olig2+ 희소 돌기 아교 세포 (oligodendrocytes) 모두 rotenone을 단기간 처리하자 감소하였다. 반면, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)+성상 세포 (astrocytes)의 수는 변화하지 않았다. (4) sulfiredoxin 1 (Srxn1) 유전자 발현이 rotenone을 하루 처리한 후 증가하였는데, 이는 nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) 신호전달 경로가 활성화 되었음을 말해준다. 이러한 실험 결과는 기능을 갖춘 미토콘드리아가 신경세포 또는 희소 돌기 아교 세포로의 분화 뿐 아니라, 이미 분화가 끝난 신경세포의 유지에도 필요함을 확인해 주었다. 또한, 이러한 결과는 rotenone과 같은 미토콘드리아의 저해제에 짧은 시간 노출 되더라도 신경줄기세포의 신경세포로의 분화 가능성에 장기적인 영향을 미칠 수 있음을 시사한다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.299-304
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• 2014

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a malignancy of biliary duct with a very poor prognosis, is the leading cause of cancer death in countries of the Mekong subregion. Liver fluke infection is the main etiological factor, but genetic variation has been recognized as also important in conferring susceptibility to CCA risk. Nuclear factor (erythroid derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) is a key transcription factor in detoxification and antioxidant defense. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that genetic polymorphisms in the NRF2 gene may be associated with cancer development. The objectives of this study were to investigate the association of NRF2 genetic polymorphism with CCA risk and to evaluate the influence of the NRF2 genotype on survival time of affected patients. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NRF2 gene, including rs6726395: A/G, rs2886161: C/T, rs1806649: C/T, and rs10183914: C/T, were analyzed using TaqMan$^{(R)}$ SNP genotyping assays. Among 158 healthy northeastern Thai subjects, the allele frequencies were 41, 62, 94, and 92%, respectively. The correlation of NRF2 SNPs and CCA risk was analyzed in the 158 healthy subjects and 198 CCA patients, using unconditional logistic regression. The results showed that whereas the NRF2 SNPs were not associated with CCA risk (p>0.05), Kaplan-Meier analysis of 88 intrahepatic CCA patients showed median survival time with rs6726395 genotypes of GG and AA/AG to be $344{\pm}138$ (95%CI: 73-615) days and $172{\pm}37$ (95%CI: 100-244) days, respectively, (p<0.006). On multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, the GG genotype of rs6726395 was found to be associated with longer survival with a hazard ratio of 0.54 (95%CI: 0.31-0.94). In addition, non-papillary adenocarcinoma was associated with poor survival with a hazard ratio of 2.09 (95%CI: 1.16-3.75). The results suggest that the NRF2 rs6726395 polymorphism can be a potential prognostic biomarker for CCA patients.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.106-116
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• 2023

Background: Pirarubicin (THP) is an anthracycline antibiotic used to treat various malignancies in humans. The clinical usefulness of THP is unfortunately limited by its dose-related cardiotoxicity. Ginsenoside F1 (GF1) is a metabolite formed when the ginsenosides Re and Rg1 are hydrolyzed. However, the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of GF1 on THP-induced cardiotoxicity remain unclear. Methods: We investigated the anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative stress effects of GF1 on an in vitro model, using H9c2 cells stimulated by THP, plus trigonelline or AKT inhibitor imidazoquinoxaline (IMQ), as well as an in vivo model using THP-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent test, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), creatine kinase (CK-MB), cardiac troponin (c-TnT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) were determined. Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and the expression of Nrf2 target genes, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione-S-transferase (Gst), glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM), and expression levels of AKT/Bcl-2 signaling pathway proteins were detected using Western blot analysis. Results: THP-induced myocardial histopathological damage, electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, and cardiac dysfunction were reduced in vivo by GF1. GF1 also decreased MDA, BNP, CK-MB, c-TnT, and LDH levels in the serum, while raising SOD and GSH levels. GF1 boosted Nrf2 nuclear translocation and Nrf2 target gene expression, including HO-1, Gst, and GCLM. Furthermore, GF1 regulated apoptosis by activating AKT/Bcl-2 signaling pathways. Employing Nrf2 inhibitor trigonelline and AKT inhibitor IMQ revealed that GF1 lacked antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. Conclusion: In conclusion, GF1 was found to alleviate THP-induced cardiotoxicity via modulating Nrf2 and AKT/Bcl-2 signaling pathways, ultimately alleviating myocardial oxidative stress and apoptosis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.227-233
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• 2021

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and ubiquitous environmental toxin with known harmful effects to human health. Abnormal phenotypes of keratinocytes are closely associated with their exposure to B[a]P. Resorcinol is a component of argan oil with reported anticancer activities, but its mechanism of action and potential effect on B[a]P damage to the skin is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of resorcinol on B[a]P-induced abnormal keratinocyte biology and its mechanisms of action in human epidermal keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Resorcinol suppressed aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity as evidenced by the inhibition of B[a]P-induced xenobiotic response element (XRE)-reporter activation and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) expression. In addition, resorcinol attenuated B[a]P-induced nuclear translocation of AhR, and production of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines. We also found that resorcinol increased nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) activity. Antioxidant response element (ARE)-reporter activity and expression of ARE-dependent genes NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were increased by resorcinol. Consistently, resorcinol treatment induced nuclear localization of Nrf2 as seen by Western analysis. Knockdown of Nrf2 attenuated the resorcinol effects on ARE signaling, but knockdown of AhR did not affect resorcinol activation of Nrf2. This suggests that activation of antioxidant activity by resorcinol is not mediated by AhR. These results indicate that resorcinol is protective against effects of B[a]P exposure. The mechanism of action of resorcinol is inhibition of AhR and activation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling. Our findings suggest that resorcinol may have potential as a protective agent against B[a]P-containing pollutants.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권8호
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• pp.1163-1174
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• 2021

Casein-derived antioxidant peptides by using microbial proteases have gained increasing attention. Combination of two microbial proteases, Protin SD-NY10 and Protease A "Amano" 2SD, was employed to hydrolyze casein to obtain potential antioxidant peptides that were identified by LC-MS/MS, chemically synthesized and characterized in a oxidatively damaged HepG2 cell model. Four peptides, YQLD, FSDIPNPIGSEN, FSDIPNPIGSE, YFYP were found to possess high 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability. Evaluation with HepG2 cells showed that the 4 peptides at low concentrations (< 1.0 mg/ml) protected the cells against oxidative damage. The 4 peptides exhibited different levels of antioxidant activity by stimulating mRNA and protein expression of the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), but decreasing the mRNA expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). Furthermore, these peptides decreased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), but increased glutathione (GSH) production in HepG2 cells. Therefore, the 4 casein-derived peptides obtained by using microbial proteases exhibited different antioxidant activity by activating the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway, and they could serve as potential antioxidant agents in functional foods or pharmaceutic preparation.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.265-275
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• 2021

Objective: The study developed mushroom stalk residues as feed additives in the broiler diet for improving the growth performance and immunity of broilers as well as to increase the value of mushroom stalk residues. Methods: In total, 300 ROSS 308 broilers were randomly allocated into fifteen pens with five dietary treatments: i) control, basal diet; ii) CMWM, supplemented with 1% Cordyceps militaris waster medium (CM); iii) CMPE, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Pleurotus eryngii stalk residue (PE); iv) CMPS, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Pleurotus sajorcaju stalk residue (PS); v) CMFV, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Fammulina velutipes stalk residue (FV). Results: The chemical analysis results showed that CM extracts, PE extracts, PS extracts, and FV extracts contain functional components such as polysaccharides and phenols and have both 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate scavenging and Ferrous scavenging capacities. The group CMWM saw increased body weight gain and feed conversion rate and the promotion of jejunum villus growth, but there is no significant difference in the intestinal bacteria phase. Antioxidant genes in the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)- antioxidant responsive element pathway among the groups are significantly higher than that of the control group, especially in group CMWM. Conclusion: The mushroom stalk residues have antioxidant functional components, can improve the intestinal health and body weight gain of chickens, and can activate the antioxidant pathway of Nrf2 to increase the heme oxygenase-1 expression. The treatment with 1% CM was the most promising as a feed additive.

• 한국자원식물학회지
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• 제35권5호
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• pp.565-573
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• 2022

치주조직에 존재하는 주요한 세포의 한 형태인 인체 치은섬유아세포는 다양한 구강유해세균으로부터 염증이 유발되어지며, 그중 대표적으로 치주염 원인균인 P. gingivalis의 내독소인 LPS-PG로부터 염증성 자극에 반응하여 다양한 염증매개 물질을 분비한다. 본 연구에서는 치주염을 일으키는 주요한 원인균 중 하나인 P. gingivalis로 부터 분리한 LPS-PG를 이용하여 인체 치은섬유아세포주인 HGF-1 세포에 염증을 유도한 후 LRE에 대한 항염증 및 항산화 효과를 분석하였다. 실험 결과, LRE는 LPS-PG 유도에 따라 iNOS에 의한 NO 생성과 COX-2에 의한 PGE₂와 같은 염증 매개 인자의 발현 및 생성 억제와 함께 염증성 싸이토카인(TNF-α, IL-1β및 IL-6)의 생성 또한 억제하였다. 신호전달계에서 염증성 전사인자의 발현 경로를 확인하기 위하여 TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB의 활성을 확인한 결과, LRE 처리에 따라 농도 의존적으로 억제되는 것을 확인하였다. 또한 산화 환원 효소로 항염증효과를 나타내는 것으로 알려진2상 효소 중 하나인 NQO-1과 이의 전사인자인 Nrf2를 분석 한 결과 LRE 처리에 의해 효소의 활성이 높아지는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 결론적으로 LRE는 TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB 신호전달 경로를 억제하고 NQO1/Nrf2 활성을 유도함으로써 HGF-1 세포에서 LPS-PG에 의해 유도된 염증을 억제하는 것으로 사료되며, 향후 LRE는 식·의약품 소재 개발에서 치주질환 개선의 가능성이 있는 후보물질이 될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.