• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

Objective : Citri Unshius Pericarpium (Citrus unshiu peel) has been used in Korean medicine to treat indigestion, vomiting, coughing and phlegm. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extract of Citrus unshiu peel (CEE) in cadmium (CdCl2)-treated mouse model. Methods : CEE was dissolved in water and administered orally to mice once a day for 7 consecutive days. The mice were then exposed to a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cadmium (4 mg/kg body weight) to induce acute hepatotoxicity. At the end of the experiment, blood and liver tissue samples were collected, analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and histopathological evaluation. Liver damage was assessed as the percentage of degenerative areas of the hepatic parenchyma, the number of degenerative hepatocytes, and the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells. Results : In cadmium-treated rats, pretreatment with CEE significantly reduced the serum ALT and AST levels associated with liver damage. Histopathologically, CEE prevented degenerative changes on the hepatic tissues including confluent necrosis, congestions and infiltration of inflammatory cells. CEE also reduced the elevation of oxidative stress markers (nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynonenal) and apoptosis markers (cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP) positive cells. PARP protein expression in liver tissue was also restored by CEE. Conclusion : This study showed that CEE exerted antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects against cadmium-induced liver injury. Thus, it can be concluded that CEE can be used to prevent liver damage caused by cadmium.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2021

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of ethanol extract of Lonicera japonica flower buds (EELJ) on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampus-derived neuronal HT22 cells. Methods : After analyzing the cytoprotective effect of EELJ on glutamate in HT22 cells, the inhibitory effect of apoptosis was studied using flow cytometry. In order to analyze the antioxidant efficacy of EELJ, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) were investigated, and the effects on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also analyzed. Furthermore, the effect of EELJ on the expression of apoptosis regulators such as Bax and Bcl-2 in glutamate-treated HT22 cells was investigated. Results : According the current results, pretreatment with EELJ significantly reduced glutamate-induced loss of cell viability and release of lactate dehydrogenase. EELJ also markedly attenuated glutamate-induced generation of intracellular ROS, which was associated with increased levels of GSH, and activity of SOD and CAT in glutamate-stimulated HT22 cells. In addition, EELJ was strikingly inhibited glutamate-induced apoptosis in HT22 cells. Furthermore, the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax was increased and the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was decreased in glutamate-treated HT22 cells, while in the presence of EELJ, their expressions were maintained at the control levels. Conclusions : These findings indicate that EELJ protects glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 hippocampal neurons through antioxidant activity. Therefore, although identification of biologically active substances of EELJ and re-evaluation through animal experiments is necessary, this natural substance is a promising candidate for further research in preventing and treating oxidative stress-mediated neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.266-274
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• 2022

Colon cancer, the third most frequent occurred cancer, has high mortality and extremely poor prognosis. Ginsenoside, the active components of traditional Chinese herbal medicine Panax ginseng, exerts antitumor effect in various cancers, including colon cancer. However, the detailed molecular mechanism of Ginsenoside in the tumor suppression have not been fully elucidated. Here, we chose the representative ginsenoside Rg3 and reported for the first time that Rg3 induces mitophagy in human colon cancer cells, which is responsible for its anticancer effect. Rg3 treatment leads to mitochondria damage and the formation of mitophagosome; when autophagy is inhibited, the clearance of damaged mitochondria can be reversed. Next, our results showed that Rg3 treatment activates the PINK1-Parkin signaling pathway and recruits Parkin and ubiquitin proteins to mitochondria to induce mitophagy. GO analysis of Parkin targets showed that Parkin interacts with a large number of mitochondrial proteins and regulates the molecular function of mitochondria. The cellular energy metabolism enzyme GAPDH is validated as a novel substrate of Parkin, which is ubiquitinated by Parkin. Moreover, GAPDH participates in the Rg3-induced mitophagy and regulates the translocation of Parkin to mitochondria. Functionally, Rg3 exerts the inhibitory effect through regulating the nonglycolytic activity of GAPDH, which could be associated with the cellular oxidative stress. Thus, our results revealed GAPDH ubiquitination by Parkin as a crucial mechanism for mitophagy induction that contributes to the tumor-suppressive function of ginsenoside, which could be a novel treatment strategy for colon cancer.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of baicalein (BA) on the production of hydrogen peroxide in peptidoglycan-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Methods : Peptidoglycan-stimulated RAW 264.7 were incubated with baicalein at concentrations of 50 and 100 µM. Incubation time is 30 min, 2 h, 12 h, and 18 h. After incubation, The production of hydrogen peroxide in RAW 264.7 was measured with dihydrorhodamine 123 assay. Berberine and gallic acid were used as the comparative materials. Results : BA at the concentration of 50 and 100 µM did not show cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 for 24 h incubation. For 30 min, 2 h, 12 h, and 18 h incubation, BA at the concentration of 50 and 100 µM significantly inhibited the production of hydrogen peroxide in RAW 264.7 stimulated by peptidoglycan (p<0.05). In details, production of hydrogen peroxide in peptidoglycan-stimulated RAW 264.7 treated for 30 min with BA at concentrations of 50 and 100 µM was 93.91% and 93.52% of the control group treated with peptidoglycan only, respectively; the production of hydrogen peroxide for 2 h was 93.8% and 92.71%, respectively; production of hydrogen peroxide for 12 h was 94.86% and 95.93%, respectively; production of hydrogen peroxide for 18 h was 95.37% and 96.48%, respectively. Conclusions : BA might have anti-oxidative activity related to its inhibition of hydrogen peroxide production in peptidoglycan-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.33-38
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• 2013

Objects : Apoptosis leads to the death of a cell. The mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, a process regulated by the Bcl-2 family of proteins, plays a key role in various biological processes. The tuber of Liriope platyphylla Wang et TANG (Liliaceae), also known as Liriopis tuber, is famous in Oriental medicine owing to its tonic, antitussive, expectorant and anti-asthmatic properties. The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of the Liriopis tuber on mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in PC-12 cells. Method : A cytotoxic test on Liriopis Tuber water extract was conducted and another MTT assay was conducted to observe the cytoprotective effect against 4-HNE 25 ${\mu}M$ that causes oxidative stress in PC-12 cells for 24 hours. In addition, in order to observe the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein involved with apoptosis, western blot was conducted. Results : The LT water extract had no toxicity for PC-12 cell. In the cytoprotective effect against 4-HNE, both of the group treated with 50 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of LT water extract showed a significant increase in comparison with the control group. In Bax protein expression, all the experimental groups treated with LT water extract showed a decrease in comparison with the control group but had no significance. In Bcl-2 protein expression, all the experimental groups treated with LT water extract showed a significant increase in comparison with the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that LT is effective in reducing apoptosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2019

Objectives : Cudrania tricuspidata (C. tricuspidata) is well-known traditional herbal remedy and its root, leaf and fruit were used for treatment of inflammation, tumor and painkilling. However, effect of C. tricuspidata fruit on tight junction is still unknown. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of C. tricuspidata fruit extract on human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Methods : The antioxidant effects of water extract of C. tricuspidata (WECT) and ethanol extract of C. tricuspidata (EECT) were analyzed by using an ABTS assay. To confirm the cytotoxicity of WECT and EECT, MTS assay was performed. The mRNA expression levels of tight junction related genes were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Furthermore, dispase assay was used to investigate the alteration of cell-cell adhesion strength of EECT treated HaCaT cells. Results : WECT and EECT showed strong antioxidant activity. No obvious cytotoxicity was observed in both WECT and EECT until $2.0mg/m{\ell}$ concentration. The mRNA expression level of Claudin 6 were significantly increased by EECT treatment, whereas the WECT did not affect the expression of Claudin 6. Furthermore, EECT treatment enhances cell-cell adhesion strength. Conclusions : In this study, we investigated the physiological activities of the extracts of Cudrania tricuspidata fruit extracts on human keratinocytes by two different extraction methods. EECT might have an anti-aging activity on the skin by reducing oxidative stress. Moreover, it may be a useful ingredient in atopic dermatitis and skin-moisturizing, given its effects of altering Claudin 6 gene expression and enhancing cell-cell adhesion strength.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.683-689
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• 2022

Background: Since ginsenosides exert an anti-thrombotic activity, blood flow-improving effects of DK-MGAR101, an extract of mountain ginseng adventitious roots (MGAR) containing various ginsenosides, were investigated in comparison with an extract of Korean Red Ginseng (ERG). Methods: In Sprague-Dawley rats orally administered with DK-MGAR101 or ERG, oxidative carotid arterial thrombosis was induced with FeCl₃ (35%), and their blood flow and occlusion time were measured. To elucidate underlying mechanisms, the cytoprotective activities on rat aortic endothelial cells (RAOECs) exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were confirmed. In addition, the inhibitory activities of DK-MGAR101 and ERG on agonist-induced platelet aggregation, thromboxane B₂ production, and ATP granule release from stimulated platelets as well as blood coagulation were analyzed. Results: DK-MGAR101 containing high concentrations of Rb1, Rg1, Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1 ginsenosides (55.07 mg/g) was more effective than ERG (ginsenosides 8.45 mg/g) in protecting RAOECs against H₂O₂ cytotoxicity. DK-MGAR101 was superior to ERG not only in suppressing platelet aggregation, thromboxane B₂ production, and granule release, but also in delaying blood coagulation, FeCl₃-induced arterial occlusion, and thrombus formation. Conclusions: The results indicate that DK-MGAR101 prevents blood vessel occlusion by suppressing platelet aggregation, thrombosis, and blood coagulation, in addition to endothelial cell injury.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.95-111
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• 2022

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important healthcare problem worldwide. Often, glucocorticoid (GC) resistance develops during COPD treatment. As a classic hypoglycemic drug, metformin (MET) can be used as a treatment strategy for COPD due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, but its specific mechanism of action is not known. We aimed to clarify the role of MET on COPD and cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced GC resistance. Through establishment of a COPD model in rats, we found that MET could improve lung function, reduce pathological injury, as well as reduce the level of inflammation and oxidative stress in COPD, and upregulate expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2). By establishing a model of GC resistance in human bronchial epithelial cells stimulated by CSE, we found that MET reduced secretion of interleukin-8, and could upregulate expression of Nrf2, HO-1, MRP1, and HDAC2. MET could also increase the inhibition of MRP1 efflux by MK571 significantly, and increase expression of HDAC2 mRNA and protein. In conclusion, MET may upregulate MRP1 expression by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, and then regulate expression of HDAC2 protein to reduce GC resistance.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1957-1966
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the difference in the thigh meat quality of Ross 308 broiler from conventional and welfare farms. Methods: Thigh meat samples of Ross 308 broilers (age, 35 d; carcass weight, 1.1 kg) from conventional farm (RCF, n = 60) and animal welfare farms (RAWF, n = 60) were analyzed. Proximate composition, pH, color (lightness, redness, and yellowness), water-holding capacity (WHC), shear force, total aerobic bacteria (TAB), and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) were measured and the levels of bioactive compounds such as dipeptides (anserine and carnosine), creatine, creatinine, and their anti-oxidation activity were determined. Results: The RCF and RAWF did not differ significantly in their proximate composition, WHC, color, and creatine and carnosine levels. The pH value was significantly lower in RAWF than in RCF on day 7. The shear force value was significantly higher in RAWF than in RCF throughout the storage duration. TAB in RCF on day 9 were significantly higher than those in RAWF. The VBN content of RAWF was significantly lower than that of RCF after 5 days of storage. Creatinine content was significantly higher in RAWF (3.50 mg/100 g) than in RCF (3.08 mg/100 g) on day 1. Along with higher carnosine and anserine contents of RAWF, it had significantly higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activities than those of RCF. Conclusion: These results imply that the animal welfare farming system beneficially affects the overall oxidative stability of Ross 308 thigh meat.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2023

We previously reported that dried Lysimachia christinae whole plant extract exerted significant neuroprotective activity. In this study, we tried to isolate neuroprotective compounds of L. christinae. We evaluated the neuroprotective activity of the four fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions) of methanol extract. Among them, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions showed most potent neuroprotective activity against glutamate excitotoxicity. Nine compounds were isolated from ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of L. christinae extract and identified as cynaroside (1), (3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)methyl-3-hydroxy-2-octyldopentaconta-23,33-dienoate (2), androst-16-ene-3,6-diol (3), 2-hydroxy-24-propoxytetracos-4-enoic acid (4), 2-hydroxy-24-methoxytetracos-4-enoic acid (5), 12-(stearoyloxy)octadec-9-enoic acid (6), β-sitosterol (7), (E)-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-yl palmitate (8) and (1S,2S,3R,4R)-4-(((2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-2-(((2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethoxy)-3,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl) tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)oxy)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl)oxy)cyclohexane-1,2,3-triol (9) by spectroscopic data such as UV, IR, NMR, Mass spectroscopy. Their neuroprotective activity was evaluated by MTT assay. Cynaroside (1) and androst-16-ene-3,6-diol (3) had significant neuroprotective activity against glutamate-injured HT22 cells. The neuroprotective efficacy of cynaroside (1) and androst-16-ene-3,6-diol (3) was related to their anti-oxidative activity.