• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.467-472
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• 2015

Heat shock increases skin temperature during sun exposure and some evidence indicates that it may be involved in skin aging. The antioxidant response mediated by the transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a critically important cellular defense mechanism that serves to limit skin aging. We investigated the effects of heat shock on collagenase expression when the antioxidant defense system was downregulated by knockdown of Nrf2. GSH and collagenases were analyzed, and the expression of inducible Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 was measured. HS68 cells were transfected with small interfering RNA against Nrf2. Heat shock induced the downregulation of Nrf2 in both the cytosol and nucleus and reduced the expression of HO-1, GSH, and NQO1. In addition, heat-exposed Nrf2-knockdown cells showed significantly increased levels of collagenase protein and decreased levels of procollagen. Our data suggest that Nrf2 plays an important role in protection against heat shock-induced collagen breakdown in skin. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(8): 467-472]

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.254-263
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• 2014

This study was carried out to analyze the effects of water and 70% ethanol extract on the antioxidative and antidiabetic activities of Smilax china L., a vine shrub belonging to the lily family. The activities of the extracts were measured based on the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and through on the results of the antioxidant tests, such as the electron-donating ability, ABTs radical scavenging activities, SOD-like activity, xanthine oxidase inhibition effect, antioxidant protection factor (PF), TBARs content and ACE inhibition activity, and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, and ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibition activity. The resulting total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the 70% ethanol extract from S. china L. were greater than those of the water extract from S. china L. With regard to the results of the antioxidant tests, such as the electron-donating ability, ABTs radical scavenging activity, SOD-like activity, xanthine oxidase inhibition effect, antioxidant protection factor (PF), and TBARs content, those from the 70% ethanol extract from S. china L. were greater than those from the water extract from S. china L. Also, with regard to the ACE inhibition effect and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibition, those from the 70% ethanol extract from S. china L. were greater than those from the water extract from S. china L. All these findings show that the 70% ethanol extract from S. china L. has greater antioxidative and antidiabetic effects and can be used as a preventive agent for oxidation and diabetes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.299-304
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• 2001

Xenobiotics and their reactive intermediates bind to cellular macromolecules and/or generate oxidative stress. which provoke deleterious effects on the cell function. Induction of xenobiotic-biotrans-forming enzymes and antioxidant molecules is an important defense mechanism against such insults. A group of genes involved in the defense mechanism. e.g. genes encoding glutathione S-transferases. NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDP-GT) and ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GGCS). have a common regulatory sequence, Antioxidant or Electrophile Responsive Element (ARE/EpRE). Recently. Nrf2. discovered as a homologue of erythroid transcription factor p45 NF-E2, was shown to bind ARE/EpRE and induce the expression of these defense genes. Mice that lack Nrf2 show low basal levels of expression and/or impaired induction of these genes. which makes the animals highly sensitive to xenobiotic toxicity. Indeed. we show here that nrf2-deficient mice had a higher mortality than did the wild-type mice when exposed to acetaminophen (APAP). Detailed analyses of APAP hepatotoxicity in the nrf2 knockout mice indicate that a large amount of reactive APAP metabolites was generated in the livers due to the impaired basal expression of two detoxifying enzyme genes, UDP-GT (Ugt1a6) and GGCS. while the cytochrome P450 content was unchanged. Thus. the studies using the nrf2 knockout mice clearly demonstrate significance of the expression of Nrf2-regulated enzymes in protection against xenobiotic toxicity.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.173-177
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• 2005

Physiological functionalities of water and ethanol extracts from Basil were determined. The concentration of total phenolic compounds of the water and ethanol extracts were $286.0\;{\mu}g/ml$, $250.0\;{\mu}g/ml$. Antioxidant activities of Basil extracts were determined using 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cations (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radicals (DPPH), antioxidant protection factor and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. The total antioxidant activities of Basil extracts using ABTS were 96.8% in the water extracts and 94.7% in the ethanol extract, DPPH were 87.0%, 93.9%, PF were 0.69, 1.16 and TBARS were $0.2{\times}10^{-3}\;{\mu}M,\;0.6{\times}10^{-3}\;{\mu}M$. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of Basil were higher in ethanol extracts (99.7%, 100.0%) than those of water extracts (39.9%, 54.7%). Phenolic profiles in Basil extracts were analyzed using HPLC. The result was that among the 6 phenolics, rosemarinic acid was the highest in ethanol extracts.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2008

The concentration of total phenolic compounds of the water extracts and 80% ethanol extracts form Portulaca oleracea were 3.05 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 6.33 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The total antioxidant activities of water extracts and 80% ethanol extracts of Portulaca oleracea were 89.2% and 72.9% in DPPH assay, 69.0% and 96.5% in ABTS assay, antioxidant protection factor of the water and 80% ethanol extracts were each 2.73 PF and 3.63 PF. Tyrosinase inhibitory activities were water extracts and 80% ethanol extracts of Portulaca oleracea were 20.2% and 38.7%. Portulaca oleracea showed high antimicrobial activites against Helicobater pylori, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Eschericia coli and Streptococcus mutans. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) on Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escheichia coli and Streptococcus mutans were 200, 50, 100, 100 and 150 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The result suggest that Portulaca oleracea extracts may be useful as potential source as antioxidant and antimicrobials.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.279-282
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• 2009

"Two-cysteine" peroxiredoxins are antioxidant enzymes that exert a cytoprotective effect in many models of oxidative stress. However, under highly oxidizing conditions they can be inactivated through hyperoxidation of their peroxidatic active site cysteine residue. Sulfiredoxin can reverse this hyperoxidation, thus reactivating peroxiredoxins. Here we review recent investigations that have shed further light on sulfiredoxin's role and regulation. Studies have revealed sulfiredoxin to be a dynamically regulated gene whose transcription is induced by a variety of signals and stimuli. Sulfiredoxin expression is regulated by the transcription factor AP-1, which mediates its up-regulation by synaptic activity in neurons, resulting in protection against oxidative stress. Furthermore, sulfiredoxin has been identified as a new member of the family of genes regulated by Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) via a conserved cis-acting antioxidant response element (ARE). As such, sulfiredoxin is likely to contribute to the net antioxidative effect of small molecule activators of Nrf2. As discussed here, the proximal AP-1 site of the sulfiredoxin promoter is embedded within the ARE, as is common with Nrf2 target genes. Other recent studies have shown that sulfiredoxin induction via Nrf2 may form an important part of the protective response to oxidative stress in the lung, preventing peroxiredoxin hyperoxidation and, in certain cases, subsequent degradation. We illustrate here that sulfiredoxin can be rapidly induced in vivo by administration of CDDO-TFEA, a synthetic triterpenoid inducer of endogenous Nrf2, which may offer a way of reversing peroxiredoxin hyperoxidation in vivo following chronic or acute oxidative stress.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.1024-1050
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• 2001

Avian spermatozoa are characterised by high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), in particular docosatetraenoic (DTA, 22:4n-6) and arachidonic (AA, 20:4n-6) acids. As a result they are vulnerable to lipid peroxidation, which is considered to be an important factor of male infertility. Antioxidant systems are expressed in spermatozoa and seminal plasma and build three major levels of antioxidant defense. The first level is based on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) which is, in conjunction with glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase and metal-binding proteins, responsible for prevention of free radical formation. The second level of defence is responsible for prevention and restriction of chain reaction propagation and includes chain-breaking antioxidants such as vitamin E, ascorbic acid, glutathione and some others. The third level of antioxidant defence deals with damaged molecules, repairing or removing them from the cell and includes specific enzymes such as lipases, proteases, DNA repair enzymes etc. In the review, profiles of PUFAs and the two first lines of antioxidant defence in avian spermatozoa are characterised. Dietary manipulation of the breeder's diet (PUFA, vitamin E and selenium) as an effective means of modulating fatty acid composition and antioxidant system is also considered. Antioxidant properties of seminal plasma and efficiencies of inclusion of antioxidants into semen diluents are also characterised.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.396-403
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• 2014

In this study, the antioxidant effect of water and ethanol extracts from Juniperus rigida Sieb were investigated. The activities of each of the extracts were measured based on their total phenolic and flavonoid contents and using antioxidant test such as of 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTs) radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition activity, antioxidant protection fator (PF), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) content, and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibition activity assay. The result of the examination to measure the polyphenol content by investigating the antioxidativity of the J. rigida Sieb. extract showed 71.3 mg/g polyphenol content in the water extract, and 116.0 mg/g in the ethanol extract and a 17.7 mg/g flavonoid content in the water extract and in 76.4 mg/g in the ethanol extract. The ABTS radical cation decolorization showed 76.4% and 79.3% scavenging activities of the $500{\mu}g/mL$ water extract and ethanol extract, respectively. The FRAP showed 1.83 mM efficacy in the water extract and a lower 1.77 mM in ethanol extract. Both the water extract and the ethanol extract showed reduced ACE activities of 75.39% and 71.25% at $500{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The antioxidant protection factor of the water and 70% ethanol extracts of J. rigida Sieb were 1.5 PF and 2.1 PF, respectively. In the TBARS inhibitory activity, the extracts showed 55.78% and 71.48% antioxidant activities at the $500{\mu}g/mL$ concentration. The results of the measurrement of the ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibitory activity indicated more than 90% of activity inhibition in the $500{\mu}g/mL$ concentration of the ethanol extract. For the ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity, the ethanol extract showed 70% activity inhibition at the $500{\mu}g/mL$ concentration.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1325-1332
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• 2016

Radioprotective effects of ginger essential oil (GEO) on mortality, body weight alteration, hematological parameters, antioxidant status and chromosomal damage were studied in irradiated mice. Regression analysis of survival data in mice exposed to radiation yielded LD50/30 as 7.12 and 10.14 Gy for control (irradiation alone) and experimental (GEO-treated irradiated) mice, respectively, with a dose reduction factor (DRF) of 1.42. In mice exposed to whole-body gamma-irradiation (6 Gy), GEO pre-treatment at 100 and 500 mg/kg b.wt (orally) significantly ameliorated decreased hematological and immunological parameters. Radiation induced reduction in intestinal tissue antioxidant enzyme levels such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione was also reversed following administration of GEO. Tissue architecture of small intestine which was damaged following irradiation was improved upon administration of GEO. Anticlastogenic effects of GEO were studied by micronuclei assay, chromosomal aberration and alkaline gel electrophoresis assay. GEO significantly decreased the formation of micronuclei, increased the P/N ratio, inhibited the formation of chromosomal aberrations and protected agaisnt cellular DNA damage in bone marrow cells as revealed by comet assay. These results are supportive of use of GEO as a potential radioprotective compound.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.296-301
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• 2008

The extracts from Salvia officinalis were studied for antioxidative activities and inhibitory activities against angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) and xanthine oxidase (XOase). Total phenolic compounds were found as 22.28, 26.3, 24.63, and 28.22 mg/g in the water, 60% ethanol, 60% methanol and 60% acetone extracts, respectively. The antioxidant activities of Salvia officinalis extracts were measured as $64.4{\pm}1.5%$ at $200\;{\mu}g/ml$ on EDA, inhibition rate on ABTS of $96.9{\pm}0.2%$, antioxidant protection factor of $2.30{\pm}0.16$ PF and TBARS was $0.6{\pm}0.05$ (${\times}100\;{\mu}M$) in the control and $0.28{\pm}0.02$ (${\times}100\;{\mu}M$) in 60% ethanol extracts. Inhibitory activities was the ACE of 75.50% and XOase 100% in 60% ethanol extracts. The 60% ethanol extracts from Salvia officinalis exhibited antimicrobial activities against Helicobacter pylori such as 13 mm of clear zone and inhibition rate of 63.4% with $200\;{\mu}g/ml$ of phenolics content. Rosemarinic acid was the most abundant phenolic compounds as analyzed by HPLC. The results suggest that the 60% ethanol extracts from Salvia officinalis L. will be useful as natural antioxidants and functional foods.