• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.269-279
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• 2013

Low efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is attributed to incomplete reprogramming of transfered nuclei into oocytes. Trichostatin A (TSA), histone deacetylase inhibitor and 5-aza-2'deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC), DNA methylation inhibitor has been used to enhance nuclear reprogramming following SCNT. However, it was not known molecular mechanism by which TSA and 5-aza-dC improve preimplantation embryo and fetal development following SCNT. The present study investigates embryo viability and gene expression of cloned porcine preimplantation embryos in the presence and absence of TSA and 5-aza-dC as compared to embryos produced by parthenogenetic activation. Our results indicated that TSA treatment significantly improved development. However 5-aza-dC did not improve development. Presence of TSA and 5-aza-dC significantly improved total cell number, and also decreased the apoptotic and autophagic index. Three apoptotic-related genes, Bak, Bcl-xL, and Caspase 3 (Casp3), and three autophagic-related genes, ATG6, ATG8, and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2), were measured by real time RT-PCR. TSA and 5-aza-dC treatment resulted in high expression of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-xL and low pro-apoptotic gene Bak expression compared to untreated NT embryos or parthenotes. Furthermore, LC3 protein expression was lower in NT-TSA and NT-5-aza-dC embryos than those of NT and parthenotes. In addition, TSA and 5-aza-dC treated embryos displayed a global acetylated histone H3 at lysine 9 and methylated DNA H3 at lysine 9 profile similar to the parthenogenetic blastocysts. Finally, we determined that several DNA methyltransferase genes Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b. NT blastocysts showed higher levels Dnmt1 than those of the TSA and 5-aza-dC blastocysts. Dnmt3a is lower in 5-aza-dC than NT, NTTSA and parthenotes. However, Dnmt3b is higher in 5-aza-dC than NT and NTTSA. These results suggest that TSA and 5-aza-dC positively regulates nuclear reprogramming which result in modulation of apoptosis and autophagy related gene expression and then reduce apoptosis and autophagy. In addition, TSA and 5-aza-dC affects the acetylated and methylated status of the H3K9.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2015

The aim of the study is to investigate the anti-cancer effects of Scutellaria barbata in AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and caspase 3 or 9 activity assay were carried out to examine cell death with Scutellaria barbata. To elucidate the inhibitory effects of Scutellaria barbata, cell cycle (sub-G1) analysis and mitochondrial membrane potential were performed in AGS cells after 24 h incubation with Scutellaria barbata. Scutellaria barbata induced apoptosis in AGS cells by using the MTT assay, the sub-G1 analysis and mitochondrial membrane potential assay. The stronger inhibition effects of AGS cell growth was observed by application of Scutellaria barbata combined with several anti-cancer drugs (paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, ectoposide, doxorubicin and docetaxel) in comparison to the application of Scutellaria barbata or anti-cancer drugs. Our findings provide insight into unraveling the effects of Scutellaria barbata in human gastric cancer cells and developing therapeutic agents against gastric cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.400-405
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• 2020

Evodiae Fructus is the dried unripe fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa, and has traditionally been used for treating stomachache and diarrhea. Evodiamine and rutaecarpine, the major biologically active compounds of Evodiae Fructus, are reported to have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as inhibit proliferation and metastasis of various cancer cells. The current study investigates the anti-oxidative and anti-cancer effects of the Evodiae Fructus extract, considering varying concentrations of methanol extraction (40, 80, and 95%). High contents of total phenolic compounds were determined in the order of extracts 80, 95, and 40%. Evaluating contents of the 95, 80, and 40% extracts revealed 36.77, 7.29, and 1.86 ㎍/mg evodiamine, respectively, and 53.02, 17.16, and 3.79 ㎍/mg rutaecarpine, respectively, with the highest content of both compounds obtained in the 95% extract. DPPH radical scavenging activity was observed to be inversely proportional to the contents of total phenolic compounds, with decreasing SC₅₀ values obtained in the order 80, 95, and 40% extract. The 95 and 80% extracts exerted toxicity to AGS gastric cancer cells, but the 40% extract was non-toxic. Evodiamine is a known anti-cancer agent, and could be responsible for the observed toxicity. Cleavage of PARP, and Caspase-3, -7, -8 and -9 was observed in the 95% extract-treated AGS cells, indicating that cell toxicity exerted by the 95% extract could be attributed to apoptosis.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.148-154
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• 2018

Chronic oxidative stress due to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neuronal cells ultimately leads to neurodegenerative diseases. The use of natural therapies for the prevention of ROS-induced cell damage and for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders has shown promising results. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of A. okamotoanum against the hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced oxidative stress in C6 glial cells. Results show that cell viability was decreased in cells incubated with $H_2O_2$, whereas the addition of EtOAc fraction treatments in such cells significantly increased viability. The EtOAc fraction showed the highest inhibitory activity against ROS production and it also decreased the expressions of inflammatory proteins including cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin-$1{\beta}$. Furthermore, the EtOAc fraction inhibited apoptosis by regulating the protein expressions cleaved caspase -9, -3, poly ADP ribose polymerase, Bax and Bcl-2. Therefore, these results show that the EtOAc fraction of A. Okamotoanum exhibits neuroprotective effects against $H_2O_2$ induced oxidative damage by regulating the inflammatory reaction and apoptotic pathway.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.296-302
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• 2002

Bohyulmyunyuk-dan is an Oriental herbal formulation to enhance the general body conditions as well as immune response against both endogenous and exogenous harmful challenges. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Bohyulmyunyuk-dan on the cisplatin-induced toxicity of primary rat astrocytes and C6 glioma cells. After trestment of astrocytes and C6 glioma cells with cisplatin, MTT assay was carried out to measure cytotoxicity of brain cells. To explore the mechanism of cytotoxicity, astrocytes were treated with Bohyulmyunyuk-dan and followed by the addition of cisplatin. Then, the protective effects of Bohyulmyunyuk-dan were investigated in apoptosis signaling pathway. The results were obtained as follows ; Bohyulmyunyuk-dan protected the death of astrocytes by cisplatin, which decreased the viability of astrocytes and C6 glioma cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Bohyulmyunyuk-dan protected the apoptotic death of astrocytes from cisplatin induced cell apoptosis. Bohyulmyunyuk-dan inhitited the activation of caspase-3 and -9 protease in astrocytes by cisplatin. Bohyulmyunyuk-dan inhibited the deavage of PARP in astrocytes by cisplatin. According to above results, Bohyulmyunyuk-dan may prevent brain cells from cytotoxicity induced cell apoptosis induced by chemotherapeatic agents induding displatin.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1418-1425
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• 2004

The water extract of Chongmyung-tang has been traditionally used for treatment of memory-disorder in oriental medicine. This study was designed to investigate the protective mechanisms of Chongmyung-tang on β-amyloid or H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in Neuro 2A cells. The water extract of Chongmyung-tang significantly reduced both β-amyloid or H₂O₂-induced cell death and apoptotic characteristics through reduction of intracellular peroxide generation. Also, it inhibited the mitochondrial dysfunction including the disruption of mitochondria membrane permeability transition(MPT) and the modulation in expression of Bcl-2 family proteins in H₂O₂-treated H9c2 cells. Furthermore, pretreatment of quercetin inhibited the activation of caspase-3, in turn, degradation of ICAD/DFF45 were completely abolished in H₂O₂-treated cells. Taken together, that data suggest that the protective effects of the water extract of Chongmyung-tang against β-amyloid induced oxidative injuries may be achieved through modulation of mitochondrial dysfunction.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.857-862
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-proliferative mechanism by Trichosanthes kirilowii (TCK) in MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell. In this study, we used human breast cancer cell line, Michigan cancer foundation-7 cells (MCF-7 cells). They were co-incubated with 30~200 ${\mu}g$/ml TCK for 48 hours, and cell viability was measured by Water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 (WST-1) assay. After MCF-7 cells were exposed to 60 ${\mu}g$/ml of TCK for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours, We performed flow analysis cytometry sorting(FACS) and western blot analysis. We investigated the effect of dose-dependent cell growth inhibition by TCK, which could be proved by WST-1 assay. Also, flow cytometry analysis showed that TCK increased percentage of subG1 phase and G2/M phase cell cycle. In addition, TCK induced apoptosis through the expression of caspase-9, -3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase(PARP) activation. Moreover, we showed that ATM-dependent G2/M phase arrest by DNA damage and phosphorylation of chk2, cdc25C, cdc2(Tyr15). Taken together, these results suggest that by G2/M phase arrest through DNA damage and inducing of apoptosis through intrinsic pathway, TCK may have potential tumor suppressor in breast cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.282-287
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• 2009

Ochnaflavone is a natural biflavonoid and mainly found in the caulis of Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae). Biological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic effects have been previously reported. The anticancer activity of ochnaflavone, however, has been poorly elucidated yet. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ochnaflavone on the growth inhibitory activity in cultured human colon cancer cell line HCT-15. Ochnaflavone inhibited the proliferation of the cancer cells with an $IC_{50}$ value of $4.1{\mu}M$. Flow cytometric analysis showed that ochnaflavone arrested cell cycle progression in the G2/M phase, and induced the increase of sub-G1 peak in a concentration-dependent manner. Induction of cell cycle arrest was correlated with the modulation of the expression of cell cycle regulating proteins including cdc2 (Tyr15), cyclin A, cyclin B1 and cyclin E. The increase of sub-G1 peak by the higher concentrations of ochnaflavone (over $20{\mu}M$) was closely related to the induction of apoptosis, which was evidenced by the induction of DNA fragmentation, activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9, and cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase. These findings suggest that the cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis might be one possible mechanism of actions for the anti-proliferative activity of ochnaflavone in human colon cancer cells.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2010

목적 : 이 연구는 봉약침의 봉독과 그 주요성분인 멜리틴이 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성억제와 세포자멸사 관련 단백질의 발현 조절을 통하여 세포자멸사를 유도함으로써 전립선 암세포주인 PC-3 세포의 성장을 억제하는지를 확인하고 해당 기전을 살펴보고자 하였다. 방법 : 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리한 후 PC-3의 성장억제를 관찰하기 위해 WST-1 assay, CCK-8 assay를 시행하였고, 세포자멸사 조절단백질의 변동 관찰에는 western blot analysis를 시행하였고, 세포자멸사와 연관된 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성 변화를 관찰하기 위해 EMSA를 시행하였으며, PC-3에서 봉독이나 멜리틴과 NF-${\kappa}B$의 상호작용을 관찰하기 위해 transient transfection assay를 시행하여 세포생존율과 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성 변동을 측정하였다. 결과 : PC-3 세포에 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리한 후, 전립선암세포의 성장, 세포자멸사의 유발, 세포자멸사 관련 단백질의 발현, NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성, NF-${\kappa}B$의 p50, $IKK{\alpha}$, $IKK{\beta}$ 치환 후 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성과 PC-3 세포 증식에 미치는 영향을 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. PC-3 세포에서 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리한 후 세포자멸사가 유도되어 세포성장이 억제되었고, 세포자멸사 관련 단백질 중 분리된 PARP, caspase-3, -9는 유의한 증가를, Bcl-2, XIAP, cXIAP2는 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 2. PC-3 세포에서 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리한 후 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성은 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 3. PC-3 세포에서 NF-${\kappa}B$의 p50, $IKK{\alpha}$, $IKK{\beta}$를 치환하여 작용기를 없애고 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리하였을 경우에도 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성이 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 결론 : 이상의 결과는 봉독이나 멜리틴이 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성 억제를 통하여 인간 전립선암세포주인 PC-3의 세포자멸사를 유발함으로써 증식억제 효과가 있음을 입증한 것으로, 전립선암의 예방과 치료에 대한 효과적인 치료제 개발에 도움이 될 것으로 기대된다.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.20 no.4 s.51
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• pp.287-296
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• 2005

아연은 다양한 독성 물질로부터 유도된 아폼토시스를 저해하는 것으로 알려져 있으나 이 기전에 대해서는 명확히 밝혀지지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 인간 유방암 세포 MCF-7에 카드뮴을 처리하였을 때 유도되는 아폼토시스에 대한 아연의 저해효과를 살펴보았다. 아연의 아폼토시스 저해 효과는 DNA분절현상, 핵의 쪼개짐 그리고 caspase-9의 발현을 통하여 확인하였다. 또한 아연의 아폼토시스 저해효과가 카드뮴에 의한 산화적 스트레스와 관련이 있는지 확인하기 위하여 활성산소인 peroxide의 농도를 세포내에서 측정하였다. 나아가 superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) 그리고 glutahion redurtase (CR)같은 활성산소에 대한 인체내 방어기작으로 작용하는 항산화 효소의 활성을 측정하였다. 본 연구를 통해 아연이 카드뮴에 의해 생성된 세포내의 활성산소의 양을 감소시키고 항산화 효소를 회복시키는 기전이 카드뮴에 의한 아폼토시스를 저해하는 한 요인으로 사료되어진다.