• Toxicological Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.289-294
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• 1995

This study was designed to observe the effect of tohiene pretreatment on leukocyte variation in whole blood and the oxygen free radical generating, scavenging enzyme activities in neutrophil of bacteria infected rats. Toluene was administered 7 times intraperitoneally at levels of 9.45 mM/kg body weight to the rats and then infected with S. aureus $2\times10^7$ cfu/ml. The toluene treated-rats showed the significantly decreased numbers of lymphocyte and monocytes, but the similiar numbers of neutrophils with the control. Furthermore the increased neutrophils in blood of bacteria infected rats were reduced by the toluene pretreatment. Concomitantly the increased activities of xanthine oxidase and superoxide dismutase in neutrophil of bacteria infected rats were also decreased by the toluene pretreatment. On the other hand, injection of benzaldehyde to rats also led to similiar results in the count of leukocytes, xanthine oxidase and superoxide dismutase activities of neutrophil with those of toluene treated rats. These data suggest that toluene and its intermediate metabolite, benzaldehyde influence on the phagocytosis and defence mechanism of neutrophil.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.121-125
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• 1990

The present study examined the alterations in endogenous oxy-radical scaverging system of pancreatic tissue associated with the dose of 45 mg/kg steptozotocin (STZ) alone or with various combinations. The activities of pancreatic Min-superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were no apparent changes in the other groups except for the Cu(II) 4 mg/kg pretreated group. The presence of 4 mg/kg of Cu(II) with or without 125 mg /kg of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) markedly attenuated the fall in activity of Cu, Zn-Sod by STZ stress. In particular, STZ-induced superoxide generation was dramatically abolished by prior administration of Cu(II) 4 mg/kg. Conculsively, We suggested the possible involvement that copper may enhance the defence mechanism of pancreatic oxidative damage by STZ challenge.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.239-243
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• 2008

Equisetum hyemale L. has been prescribed widely as a traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, conjunctivitis, pyelonephritis. In order to identification the mechanism, we examined an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of 85% methanol extract of E. hyemale. In this study E. hyemale exhibited strong scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, superoxide radical, and nitric oxide. To elucidate the anti-inflammatory properties of E. hyemale, we investigated the inhibition effects of nitric oxide and IL-6 by E. hyemale in IFN-gamma and LPS-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. E. hyemale suppressed nitric oxide, IL-6 production and iNOS expression dose-dependently without notable cytotoxic activity. These data suggest that E. hyemale might be useful in inflammatory diseases by inhibiting the free radicals and inflammatory mediators.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.211-217
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• 2002

Hepatoprotective activity of methanol extract of Angelica tenuissima Nakai on the $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity was investigated. To elucidate the hepatoprotective activity and free radical scavenging effect, we examined alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, total protein, cholesterol, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) in hepatic tissue as compared with those of carbon tetrachloride-induced rats. The action mechanism also has been estimated by quantative analysis of cytochrome P450 (CYP), NADPH-CYP reductase for phase I metabolism and glutathion (GSH), glutathion S-transferase (GST) level for phase II metabolsim. Treatment of Angelica tenuissima methanol extract significantly lowered the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. In addition, the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, MDA, CAT were decreased, and SOD was activated. This result indicates that the hepatoprotective effect of Angelica tenuissima methanol extract on the CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity would be originated from reduction of the NADPH-CYP reductase, GSH and the enhancement of the activities of GST, CYP.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 2003

In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of the Lycii Fructus water extracts (LFE) against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and the mechanism underlying these protective effects in the rats. The pretreatment of LFE has shown to possess a significant protective effect by lowering the serum alanine and aspartate aminoteansferase (AST and ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). This hepatoprotective action was confirmed by histological observation, In addition, the pretreatment of LFE prevented the elevation of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and the depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) content and catalase activity in the liver of CC1₄-injected rats. The LFE also displayed hydroxide radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 83.6 μg/ml), as assayed by electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping technique. Moreover, the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) mRNA, as measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), was significantly decreased in the liver of LFE-pretreated rats when compared with that in the liver of control group. Based on these results, it was suggested that the hepatoprotective effects of the LFE may be related to antioxidant effects and regulation of CYP2E1 gene expression.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.362-370
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• 1999

Propolis, a natural resinous compound collected from honey bees, contains many biochemical constituents(wax, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, etc.) and has been used in traditional medicines as early as 300 B.C. It was been demonstrated that ethanol, acetylsalicylic acid, ischemia reperfusion, non-steroidal antiin-flammatory drugs and stress induce gastric lesions by promoting the generation of reactive oxygen metabolites. Therefore, some drugs that are capable of scavenging or inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen radicals might be expected to prevent the gastric mucosal injury. The aim of this study was 1) to examine the antiulcer effect of propolis, 2) to investigate the mechanism of action by determining gastric acid secretion, lipid per-oxidation, mucus content and proton pump ($H^+$/$K^+$-ATPase) activity on gastric mucus in varios experimental models, and finally, 3) to isolate and identify the pure compounds that exert antiulcer activity. Step 2-1 and 2-3 sub-sub fraction shoed a significant reduction of severity of gastirc damage at the dose of 25 mg/kg in various experimental models. We isolated 4 sub-sub-sub fractions by flash column chromatography of Step 2-1 sub-sub fraction and one sub-sub-sub fraction by recrystalization of Step 2-3 sub-sub fraction. The protective effects of propolis sub-sub-sub fraction manifested sifnificant effects in HCl-ethanol induced gastric erosion model and aspirin induced gastric ulcer model. These results showed that the gastric mucosal protective effect of propolis might result from the increase of mucus secretion, free radical scavenging effect as well as the reduction of acid secretion in accordance with the reduction of $H^+$/$K^+$-ATPase activitv. Three compounds were isolated and identified from sub-sub fraction of propolis which showed antiulcer effects. Subsequently, these compounds were identified as a flavonoid, namely, 2-acetoxy-5,7,-dihydroxy-flavanone, galangin and chrysin.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.79-100
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• 2010

Objective: Production of ROS from glucose toxicity results in injury of pancreatic $\beta$-cells in diabetes models. This study was undertaken to examine the influence of Lespedeza Cuneata extract (LCE) on cytoprotective effects on glucose toxicity, insulin secretion and gene expression in RIN-m5F cells. Methods: First, we measured LCE's antioxidant activity by DPPH free radical-scavenging activity and SOD activity. After the various concentrations of LCE were added to the RIN-m5F cells, we measured cell viability with glucose stimulation by MTT assay and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. We analyzed gene expression with Agilent whole mouse genome 44K oligo DNA microarray and searched for related pathways in KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes). Lastly we measured INS-1, INS-2, INS-R, IRS-1, IRS-2, IRS-3, GLP-1R, and GLP-2R mRNA expression by real time RT-PCR. Results: Free radical-scavenging activity, SOD activity and insulin secretion increased dependent on LCE concentration, but LCE did not show considerable cytoprotective effect on RIN-m5F cells. More than twice expressed gene was 6362 in Oligo DNA chip. In KEGG, the most related pathway was the metabolic pathway. In the insulin signaling pathway, up expressed genes were Irs1, Mapk8, Akt1, and Lipe and down expressed genes were Rhoq, Fbp2, Prkar2b, Gck, and Prkag1. In real time RT-PCR, IRS-2, and IRS-3 expression increased significantly compared to the control group on LCE $12{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ concentration and GCK expression decreased significantly compared to the control group. Conclusions: These results show that LCE encourages insulin secretion and insulin metabolism by complicated gene mechanisms. Further mechanism study and clinical study seem to be necessary about Lespedeza Cuneata.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.83-87
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• 2007

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge is known to potentially prevent arteriosclerosis and hypertension, but its effects on platelet function are not clear. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro antithrombotic activities of the edible plant extract. Methanol extract of S. miltiorrhiza Bunge exhibited about 70% fibrinolytic activity compared to the plasmin control, and inhibited ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values of 0.42 and 0.07 mg/mL, respectively. S. miltiorrhiza Bunge extract significantly prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) compared with control. Moreover, 0.05 mg/mL S. miltiorrhiza Bunge extract contained 87.3% l,l-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity. In conclusion, S. miltiorrhiza Bunge seemed to enhance antithrombotic activity due to its radical scavenging activity. Based on these data, further examination is required to determine the mechanism of platelet-dependent antithrombosis and the effect of polyphenols on platelet function.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.83-96
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• 2007

Purpose: Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and Ecliptae Herba has long been used for clinical therapy associated especially with menopausal symptoms in Korea. To provide a scientific rationale for such use, we have investigated the antioxidant and vasorelaxant effects of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, Ecliptae Herba and its mixture. Methods: The antioxidant activity of the extracts from Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, Ecliptae Herba and its mixture were evaluated and compared with that of BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), vitamin C and vitamin E, using the ${\alpha}$,${\alpha}-diphenyl-{\beta}-picrylhydrazyl$ (DPPH) radical scavenging method. Results: Antioxidant activity of all extracts using the DPPH radical scavenging method decreased in the order vitamin C>BHA>vitamin E>Ligustri Lucidi Fructus>Ligustri Lucidi Fructus:Ecliptae Herba(1:1)>Ecliptae Herba>BHT. The vasorelaxant effects of extracts were investigated on the vasomotor tone of the rat thoracic aorta in an organ bath. All of the extracts elicited along-term relaxing response in the endothelium-intact as well as endothelium-denuded rat aorta contracted with norepinephrine. This relaxant effect was abolished by Precontraction with 72 mM KCI. Thus, it is suggested that the mechanism of vasorelaxant effect of extracts not involve voltage-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocking but receptor-mediated route. Conclusion: These antioxidant and vasorelaxant effecs of the extracts may contribute to the beneficial effects in postmenopausal women.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.9-33
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• 2005

Acetaminophen, which causes acute liver min in humans and animals, has made useful inducer of hepatoxicity for studying hepatopreventive drugs. Injinhotang is known as one of the hepatopreventive drugs. However, its mechanism of recovery of hepatoxicity treated with acetaminophen is poorly understood. this study was performed to observe the antioxidative effect of injinhotang extract and its several combination groups. The results were obtained as follows:1. In the study on free radical scavenging effect in vitro(the suppressing effect on peroxidation of linoleic acid on concentration, the scavenging effect of DPPH radical, inhibitory effect of superoxide in xanthine-xanthine oxidase system and the inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation reaction by hydroxy radical in H2O2-Fe2+system, injinhotang have more effect than its components groups relatively. 2. In the study on antioxidants system in vivo(the level of serum LPO, the level of hepatic LPO, catalase, GSH, GST), only injnhotang has a significant effect. 3. In the study on hepatotoxicity(GOT, GPT, $\gamma$-GTP, ALP, LDH, b ilirubin), only injinhotang has a significant effect. These results suggest that injinhotang has the protective effect on acetaminophen-induced hepatoxicity. The mechanisms of these are supposed to be involved in antioxidant and three drugs' cooperative synergy effect.