• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.56-61
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• 2014

This study attempted to confirm the antioxidative potential of luteolin against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced oxidative damage and to investigate its molecular mechanism related to glutathione (GSH)-dependent enzymes in HepG2 cells. Treatment with luteolin resulted in attenuation of t-BHP induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress-mediated cell death. In addition, accelerated expression of GSH-dependent antioxidative enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR), and heme oxygenase (HO)-1, as well as strengthened GSH content was induced by treatment with luteolin, which was in accordance with increased nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor for phase 2 enzymes, in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the cytoprotective potential of luteolin against oxidative damage can be attributed to fortified GSH-mediated antioxidative pathway and HO-1 expression through regulation of Nrf2 in HepG2 cells.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.135-143
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• 2016

Background: Fraxetin (7,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy coumarin), a coumarin derivative, has been reported to possess antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. A number of recent observations suggest that the induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibits inflammation and tumorigenesis. In the present study, we determined the effect of fraxetin on HO-1 expression in HaCaT human keratinocytes and investigated its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Reverse transcriptase-PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to detect HO-1 mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Cell viability was measured by the MTS test. The induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by fraxetin was evaluated by 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate staining. Results: Fraxetin upregulated mRNA and protein expression of HO-1. Incubation with fraxetin induced the localization of nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) in the nucleus and increased the antioxidant response element-reporter gene activity. Fraxetin also induced the phosphorylation of Akt and AMP-activated protein kinase $(AMPK){\alpha}$ and diminished the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog, a negative regulator of Akt. Pharmacological inhibition of Akt and $AMPK{\alpha}$ abrogated fraxetin-induced expression of HO-1 and nuclear localization of Nrf2. Furthermore, fraxetin generated ROS in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions: Fraxetin induces HO-1 expression through activation of Akt/Nrf2 or $AMPK{\alpha}/Nrf2$ pathway in HaCaT cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.268-282
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• 2016

In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Bark. (EUE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglial BV-2 cells and found that EUE inhibited LPS-mediated up-regulation of pro-inflammatory response factors. In addition, EUE inhibited the elevated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, mediators, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that EUE suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, glycogen synthase $kinase-3{\beta}$ ($GSK-3{\beta}$), and their downstream transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$). EUE also blocked the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and inhibited its binding to DNA. We next demonstrated that EUE induced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and upregulated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. We determined that the significant up-regulation of HO-1 expression by EUE was a consequence of Nrf2 nuclear translocation; furthermore, EUE increased the DNA binding of Nrf2. In contrast, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), a specific HO-1 inhibitor, blocked the ability of EUE to inhibit NO and $PGE_2$ production, indicating the vital role of HO-1. Overall, our results indicate that EUE inhibits pro-inflammatory responses by modulating MAPKs, PI3K/Akt, and $GSK-3{\beta}$, consequently suppressing $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and inducing Nrf2-dependent HO-1 activation.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권10호
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• pp.776-782
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• 2023

Silymarin은 간 보호, 항산화, 항염, 항암 등 다양한 생리 활성을 나타내는 것으로 보고되었고, 본 연구에서는 산화 스트레스에 대한 항산화 잠재력과 그 기전을 세포 생존력 및 활성산소종 생성 분석과 Western blot 분석을 통해 RAW 264.7 세포에서 알아보고자 하였다. Silymarin은 세포 독성 없이 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)에 의해 자극된 세포 내 활성산소종을 농도 의존적으로 소거하였다. 그리고 항산화 효과를 보여주는 것으로 알려진 제2상 효소 중 하나인 heme oxygenase (HO)-1의 발현은 silymarin 처리에 의해 강하게 유도되었다. 또한 silymarin 처리는 항산화 효소의 전사인자인 nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor (Nrf)-2의 발현을 유의미하게 유도하였고, 이는 HO-1 발현증가와 일치하였다. 세포내 산화와 환원 항상성 조절과 관련된 신호 전달물질인 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)와 phosphoinositde 3-kinase (PI3K)의 인산화 정도 또한 Western blot으로 분석하였고, 그 결과 silymarin 은 p38 MAPK 인산화에 의해 HO-1 발현을 유도하는 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)를 이용하여 세포내 지질 과산화를 유도함으로써 silymarin에 의해 유도된 HO-1의 항산화 효과를 확인하였다. 그 결과 silymarin 처리에 의해 세포사멸이 유의적으로 억제되었고, p38의 선택적 저해제를 처리한 세포군에서는 t-BHP에 의해 유의적인 세포사멸이 발생하였다. 이 결과를 통해 silymarin은 Nrf-2/p38 MAPK 신호 전달 경로를 통해 HO-1의 발현을 유도하고, 이를 통해 항산화 효과를 높이는 것을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.35-47
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• 2023

Myelophycus caespitosus, a brown alga belonging to genus Myelophycus, has been traditionally used as a food and medicinal resource in Northeastern Asia. However, few studies have been conducted on its pharmacological activity. In this study, we evaluated whether methanol extract of M. caespitosus (MEMC) could protect against oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in C2C12 murine myoblasts. Our results revealed that MEMC could suppress H₂O₂-induced growth inhibition and DNA damage while blocking the production of reactive oxygen species. In H₂O₂-treated cells, cell cycle progression was halted at the G2/M phase, accompanied by changes in expression of key cell cycle regulators. However, these effects were attenuated by MEMC. In addition, we found that MEMC protected cells from induction of apoptosis associated with mitochondrial impairment caused by H₂O₂ treatment. Furthermore, MEMC enhanced the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and expression and activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in H₂O₂-treaetd C2C12 myoblasts. However, such anti-apoptotic and cytoprotective effects of MEMC were greatly abolished by HO-1 inhibitor, suggesting that MEMC could increase Nrf2-mediated activity of HO-1 to protect C2C12 myoblasts from oxidative stress.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.207-213
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• 2017

Glycogen synthase kinase $(GSK)-3{\beta}$ and related enzymes are associated with various forms of neuroinflammation, including spinal cord injury (SCI). Our aim was to evaluate whether lithium, a non-selective inhibitor of $GSK-3{\beta}$, ameliorated SCI progression, and also to analyze whether lithium affected the expression levels of two representative $GSK-3{\beta}$-associated molecules, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (a target gene of Nrf-2). Intraperitoneal lithium chloride (80 mg/kg/day for 3 days) significantly improved locomotor function at 8 days post-injury (DPI); this was maintained until 14 DPI (P<0.05). Western blotting showed significantly increased phosphorylation of $GSK-3{\beta}$ (Ser9), Nrf-2, and the Nrf-2 target HO-1 in the spinal cords of lithium-treated animals. Fewer neuropathological changes (e.g., hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and tissue loss) were observed in the spinal cords of the lithium-treated group compared with the vehicle-treated group. Microglial activation (evaluated by measuring the immunoreactivity of ionized calcium-binding protein-1) was also significantly reduced in the lithium-treated group. These findings suggest that $GSK-3{\beta}$ becomes activated after SCI, and that a non-specific enzyme inhibitor, lithium, ameliorates rat SCI by increasing phosphorylation of $GSK-3{\beta}$ and the associated molecules Nrf-2 and HO-1.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.43-49
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• 2018

Chrysoeriol은 alfalfa에서 주로 발견되는, 식물계에 많이 분포하고 있는 flavone으로 전통의학에서 소화불량, 천식, 비뇨기계 이상의 치료에 사용되어 왔다. 최근의 연구에서는 항염증 효과가 있는 것으로 밝혀졌으나 항산화 효과에 대한 분석은 없었다. 본 연구에서는 chrysoeriol의 항산화 효과와 그 분자적 기전을 RAW 264.7 cell에서 세포생존율, reactive oxygen species (ROS)와 Western blot분석을 통해 알아보고자 하였다. Chrysoeriol은 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)에 의해 발생한 ROS를 세포독성없이 농도의존적으로 제거하였다. 그리고 항산화효과를 보이는 2상 효소 중 하나인 heme oxygenase (HO)-1의 발현을 강하게 유도하였고, 그와 동시에 전사인자인 Nrf2의 핵내 이동도 촉진하는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 특히, 산화스트레스에 대한 세포내 산화환원항상성 유지에 중요한 역할을 하고 있는 것으로 알려진 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)와 phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)의 분석결과, chrysoeriol은 extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK)와 p38의 인산화를 통해 HO-1의 발현을 유도하는 것으로 나타났다. HO-1에 의한 항산화 효과를 확인하기 위하여 chrysoeriol을 전처리한 후 t-BHP에 의한 산화 스트레스에 세포를 노출시킨 결과, chrysoeriol 처리에 의해 세포사멸이 줄어드는 것을 확인하였고, HO-1의 유도제와 억제제의 처리에 따라 세포생존율 또한 조절되는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 따라서, chrysoeriol은 HO-1의 발현을 유도하여 항산화 효과를 높이고 이것은 Nrf2/MAPK 신호전달 체계에 의한다는 것을 알 수 있었다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.419-424
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• 2011

Galla Rhois and its components are known to possess anti-infl ammatory properties. In the present study, we prepared equilibrium mixture of ethyl m-digallate and ethyl p-digallate isomers (EDG) from Galla Rhois and examined its effect on nitric oxide (NO) production in murine macrophage cell line. Treatment of RAW264.7 macrophages with EDG signifi cantly inhibited NO production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression stimulated by LPS, as assessed by Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR analyses. We also demonstrated that EDG treatment led to an increase in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA and protein expression. EDG treatment also enhanced expression level of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in nucleus, which is critical for transcriptional induction of HO-1. Treatment with SnPP (tin protoporphyrin IX), a selective HO-1 inhibitor, reversed EDG-mediated inhibition of nitrite production, suggesting that HO-1 plays an important role in the suppression of NO production by EDG. Taken together, these results indicate that EDG isolated from Galla Rhois suppresses LPS-stimulated NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages via HO-1 induction.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.327-334
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• 2015

The cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) influences endothelial cell survival, proliferation, inflammatory response, and angiogenesis in response to various angiogenic stimuli. In this study, we investigate the involvement of HO-1 in the angiogenic activity of orexin-A. We showed that orexin-A stimulates expression and activity of HO-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, we showed that inhibition of HO-1 by tin (Sn) protoporphryin-IX (SnPP) reduced orexin- A-induced angiogenesis in vivo and ex vivo. Orexin-A-stimulated endothelial tube formation and chemotactic activity were also blocked in SnPP-treated vascular endothelial cells. Orexin-A treatment increased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), and antioxidant response element (ARE) luciferase activity, leading to induction of HO-1. Collectively, these findings indicate that HO-1 plays a role as an important mediator of orexin-A-induced angiogenesis, and provide new possibilities for therapeutic approaches in pathophysiological conditions associated with angiogenesis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.206-213
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• 2017

BACKGROUN/OBJECTIVES: Although studies have revealed that black garlic is a potent antioxidant, its antioxidant mechanism remains unclear. The objective of this study was to determine black garlic's antioxidant activities and possible antioxidant mechanisms related to nuclear factor erythroid 2-like factor 2 (Nrf2)-Keap1 complex. METHODS/MATERIALS: After four weeks of feeding rats with a normal fat diet (NF), a high-fat diet (HF), a high-fat diet with 0.5% black garlic extract (HF+BGE 0.5), a high-fat diet with 1.0% black garlic extract (HF+BGE 1.0), or a high-fat diet with 1.5% black garlic extract (HF+BGE 1.5), plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin,homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were determined. As oxidative stress indices, plasma concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and 8-isoprostaglandin $F2{\alpha}$ (8-iso-PGF) were determined. To measure antioxidant capacities, plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and activities of antioxidant enzymes in plasma and liver were determined. The mRNA expression levels of antioxidant related proteins such as Nrf2, NAD(P)H: quinone-oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S-transferase alpha 2 (GSTA2) were examined. RESULTS: Plasma glucose level, plasma insulin level, and HOMA-IR in black garlic supplemented groups were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those in the HF group without dose-dependent effect. Plasma TBARS concentration and TAC in the HF+BGE 1.5 group were significantly decreased compared to those of the HF group. The activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the HF+BGE 1.0 and HF+BGE 1.5 groups compared to those of the HF group. The mRNA expression levels of hepatic Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, and GSTA2 were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the HF with BGE groups compared to those in the HF group. CONCLUSIONS: The improvements of blood glucose homeostasis and antioxidant systems in rats fed with black garlic extract were related to mRNA expression levels of Nrf2 related genes.