• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2022

Kidney disease is becoming a global public health issue. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have serious adverse health outcomes. However, there is no effective therapy to treat these diseases. Lactoferrin (LF), a multi-functional glycoprotein, is protective against various pathophysiological conditions in various disease models. LF shows protective effects against AKI and CKD. LF reduces markers related to inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and kidney fibrosis, and induces autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis in the kidney. Although there are no clinical trials of LF to treat kidney disease, several clinical trials and studies on LF-based drug development are ongoing. In this review, we discussed the possible kidney protective mechanisms of LF, as well as the pharmacological and therapeutic advances. The evidence suggests that LF may become a potent pharmacological agent to treat kidney diseases.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.641-659
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The skin is the outermost organ of the human body and plays a protective role against external environmental damages, such as sunlight and pollution, which affect anti-oxidant defenses and skin inflammation, resulting in erythema or skin reddening, immunosuppression, and epidermal DNA damage. MATERIALS/METHODS: The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of red orange complex H extract (ROC) against ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin photoaging in Skh:HR-2 mice. ROC was orally administered at doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks, along with UV irradiation of the mice for 10 weeks. RESULTS: ROC improved UV-induced skin barrier parameters, including erythema, melanin production, transepidermal water loss, elasticity, and wrinkle formation. Notably, ROC inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α) and melanogenesis. In addition, ROC recovered the UV-induced decrease in the hyaluronic acid and collagen levels by enhancing genes expression. Furthermore, ROC significantly downregulated the protein and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases responsible for collagen degradation. These protective effects of ROC against photoaging are associated with the suppression of UV-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and activator protein 1 activation. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our findings suggest that the oral administration of ROC exerts potential protective activities against photoaging in UV-irradiated hairless mice.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.940-948
• /
• 2024

Codium fragile has been traditionally used in oriental medicine to treat enterobiasis, dropsy, and dysuria, and it has been shown to possess many biological properties. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the types of skin inflammation and barrier disruption, which leads to chronic inflammatory skin diseases. In the current investigation, the protective effects of C. fragile extract (CFE) on anti-inflammation and skin barrier improvement were investigated. In LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, nitric oxide generation and the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, iNOS, COX-2, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α were reduced by CFE. CFE also inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB-p65, ERK, p-38, and JNK. Additionally, CFE showed inhibitory activity on TSLP and IL-4 expression in HaCaT cells stimulated with TNF-α/interferon- gamma (IFN-γ). Enhanced expression of factors related to skin barrier function, FLG, IVL, and LOR, was confirmed. These findings implied that CFE may be used as a therapeutic agent against AD due to its skin barrier-strengthening and anti-inflammatory activities, which are derived from natural marine products.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.25 no.12
• /
• pp.2072-2081
• /
• 2015

Aloe vera has been used in traditional medicine for the therapy of a variety of disorders, such as wounds and burns. However, few studies have examined the antioxidant capacities of A. vera plants during different growth periods. In order to investigate the effects of growth on antioxidant activity, A. vera was prepared from 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-month-old aloe. The extracts from 6-month-old A. vera showed the highest contents of flavonoids (9.750 mg catechin equivalent/g extract) and polyphenols (23.375 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract) and the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power (0.047 mM ferrous sulfate equivalent/mg extract). The extract from 6-month-old A. vera exhibited the highest free radical scavenging potential, and the lowest IC₅₀ values were found for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (0.26 mg/ml) and alkyl radicals (0.50 mg/ml). In addition, the extract from 6-month-old A. vera showed the greatest effects on cell viability in normal liver cells. Based on these findings, the extract from 6-month-old A. vera was examined further in order to determine its protective potential against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative stress. The extract from 6-month-old A. vera at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml showed the highest protective activity against t-BHP-induced reactive oxygen species production. These findings suggested that harvesting regimens were critical in the regulation of effects of the bioactive potential of A. vera on antioxidant activity.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.196-206
• /
• 2012

Besides their role as building blocks of protein, there are growing evidences that some amino acids have roles in regulating key metabolic pathways that are necessary for maintenance, growth, reproduction, and immunity. Here, we evaluated the modulatory functions of several amino acids in protective immunity against mucosal infection of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). We found that glutamine (Gln) and leucine (Leu) showed enhanced protective immunity to HSV-1 mucosal infection when two administration of Gln and single administration of Leu per day, but not when administered in combinations. Ameliorated clinical signs of HSV-1 challenged mice by the intraperitoneal administration of Gln and Leu were closely associated with viral burden and IFN-${\gamma}$ production in the vaginal tract at 2 and 4 days post-infection. In addition, the enhanced production of vaginal IFN-${\gamma}$ appeared to be caused by NK and HSV-1 antigen-specific Th1-type CD4+ T cells recruited into vaginal tract of mice treated with Gln and Leu, which indicates that IFN-${\gamma}$, produced by NK and Th1-type CD4+ T cells, may be critical to control the outcome of diseases caused by HSV-1 mucosal infection. Collectively, our results indicate that intraperitoneal administration of Gln and Leu following HSV-1 mucosal infection could provide beneficial effects for the modulation of protective immunity, but dosage and frequency of administration should be carefully considered, because higher frequency and overdose of Gln and Leu, or their combined treatment, showed detrimental effects to protective immunity.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.141-154
• /
• 2015

Objective : In this paper, we investigated the anti-oxidative capacities and protective effects of water extract of palmul-tang (PMT) against Ultraviolet B(UVB)-induced oxidative damage in human keratinocytes(HaCaT). Method : To evaluate the anti-oxidative activities of PMT, we measured scavenging activities on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, lipid peroxidation and reducing power of PMT. To give an oxidative stress to HaCaT cells, UVB was irradiated with $40mJ/cm^2$ to HaCaT cells. To detect the protective effects of PMT against UVB, we measured cell viability, apoptotic bodies and reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation. Results : PMT showed the anti-oxidative activities by scavenging DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, lipid peroxidation. Also PMT showed high reducing values. The UVB-induced oxidative conditions led to the cell apoptosis. However, treatment with PMT reduced oxidative stress conditions, including inhibition of cell apoptosis and expression of ROS. Conclusion : PMT had anti-oxidative activities and exhibited protective effects against UVB on HaCaT cells. PMT would be useful for the development of cosmetics treating UVB-induced skin aging.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.475-484
• /
• 2015

In this paper, we studied the anti-oxidative capacities and protective effects of water extract of Gagam-Danguieumja(GDE) against Ultraviolet B(UVB)-induced oxidative damage in human keratinocytes(HaCaT). To evaluate the anti-oxidative activities of GDE, we measured scavenging activities on DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, lipid peroxidation and reducing power of GDE. To detect the protective effects of GDE against UVB, we irradiated with 40 mJ/㎠`s UVB to HaCaT cells then we measured reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation, apoptotic bodies and cell viability using DCFH-DA assay, Hoechst 33342 staining and MTT assay. GDE showed the anti-oxidative activities by scavenging DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, lipid peroxidation. Also GDE showed high reducing values. GDE reduced oxidative stress conditions by inhibition of ROS expression. Also the cell apoptosis by UVB-induced oxidative conditions was decreased by GDE treatment. These results could suggest that GDE had anti-oxidative activities and exhibited protective effects against UVB on HaCaT cells. GDE would be useful for the development of cosmetics treating UVB-induced skin aging.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.131-138
• /
• 2020

Ultraviolet (UV)-induced damage plays a major role in ocular diseases, such as cataracts and retinal degeneration. UV irradiation can generate free radicals including reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to cause lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes. It has also been shown that UV can damage DNA directly and induce apoptosis. Rhynchosia volubilis Loureiro (the small black bean or yak-kong, RV) and Beta bulgaris (beet, BB) are used as health supplements. In this study, we explored the protective effects of RV and BB against UVA-induced damage in human pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells and in mice. RV and BB mixture and their effective constituents (cyanidin, delphidin, petunidin glycosides) improved cell viability and suppressed intracelluar ROS generation. Phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), Erk1/2 was analyzed by immunoblotting. RV and BB mixture inhibited UVA-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, JNK, Erk1/2 in APRE-19 cells. RV and BB treatment also showed protective effects on ocular damage in UVA-irradiated mice by increasing the levels of endogenous antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione. RV and BB have the potential to be used in a range of ocular diseases and conditions, based on in vitro and in vivo study.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.2.1-2.9
• /
• 2019

In the present study, the protective effects of Hizikia fusiforme and Chlorella sp. extracts on lead acetate-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated. Hepatic damage was induced in rats by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of lead acetate and the protective effects of H. fusiforme (HZK) and Chlorella sp. (CHL) extracts on lead acetate-induced hepatic damage in rat liver were examined. The results revealed significantly increased glutamic oxaloacetate and glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels in the group treated with lead acetate only (Pb group); oral administration of HZK and CHL extracts tended to decrease the enzyme levels similar to those observed in the control group. Regarding antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase activity was increased in the Pb group and decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the HZK- and CHL-treated groups. Glutathione levels were increased in a concentration-dependent manner in the HZK- and CHL-treated groups. There was no significant difference in catalase activity. Western blot analysis showed inflammation-related protein expression in mitogen-activated protein kinase and Nrf2 pathways was affected in the HZK- and CHL-treated groups. Therefore, HZK and CHL extracts exerted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against lead acetate-induced hepatotoxicity. Development of functional health foods containing HZK and CHL extracts, which have hepatoprotective effects against inhaled lead acetate, should be considered.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.111-121
• /
• 2024

Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of microscopic solid inhalable particles including airborne liquid droplets, and it is implicated with several diseases. The eye does not have a protective barrier among the human organs, consequently it get directly exposed to environmental substances such as PM. The scarcity of treatments for damage to the eyesight and the vision and eye structure being closely related to the structure and function of the central nervous system highlights the cruciality of novel therapeutics. In this study was conducted using in vivo zebrafish vertebrate model which is a useful model due to the conserved genes between human. We found that protective effect of Octopus minor extract against particulate matter-induced adverse effects on eye development in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos by regulating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mRNA expression.