• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the effects of MOK pharmacopuncture at high-doses which are increased 10 to 100-fold in clinics, on propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroidism in rats and the safety. We measured the changes of body weight, food and water intake, body temperature, the serum levels of thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, and T4), AST and ALT, glucose, lipid metabolites (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride) and observed histopathological changes of thyroid tissues by H&E staining. We also analyzed the peaks of constituents of MOK using HPLC. In the results, the treatment of MOK pharmacopuncture at high-dose (30 mg/kg) in hypothyroidism-induced rats for 2 weeks was shown the improvement effects on the decrease of body weight, food intake, and body temperature, The MOK pharmacopunture at high dose regulated the imbalance of thyroid hormones, glucose, and lipid metabolites and also inhibited the structural damages of thyroid tissues. In liver damage, the MOK pharmacopuncture at high dose reduced the increase of AST and ALT levels in hypothyroid rats. We identified the MOK constituents in HPLC analysis. In conclusion, the treatment of MOK pharmacopuncture at high dose has a therapeutic effect on hypothyroidism without liver toxicity, suggesting that the MOK pharmacopuncture be usefully applicable to treat with hypothyroidism in clinics.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.382-395
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• 2007

The herb, Cajanus indicus L, is well known for its hepatoprotective action. A 43 kD protein has been isolated, purified and partially sequenced from the leaves of this herb. A number of in vivo and in vitro studies carried out in our laboratory suggest that this protein might be a major component responsible for the hepatoprotective action of the herb. Our successive studies have been designed to evaluate the potential efficacy of this protein in protecting the hepatic as well as renal tissues from the sodium fluoride (NaF) induced oxidative stress. The experimental groups of mice were exposed to NaF at a dose of 600 ppm through drinking water for one week. This exposure significantly altered the activities of the antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and the cellular metabolites such as reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), total thiols, lipid peroxidation end products in liver and kidney compared to the normal mice. Intraperitoneal administration of the protein at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight for seven days followed by NaF treatment (600 ppm for next seven days) normalized the activities of the hepato-renal antioxidant enzymes, the level of cellular metabolites and lipid peroxidation end products. Post treatment with the protein for four days showed that it could help recovering the damages after NaF administration. Time-course study suggests that the protein could stimulate the recovery of both the organs faster than natural process. Effects of a known antioxidant, vitamin E, and a non-relevant protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) have been included in the study to validate the experimental data. Combining all, result suggests that NaF could induce severe oxidative stress both in the liver and kidney tissues in mice and the protein possessed the ability to attenuate that hepato-renal toxic effect of NaF probably via its antioxidant activity.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.166-176
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• 2022

Objective: Sperm is particularly susceptible to reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress. Glutathione (GSH) is an endogenous antioxidant that regulates sperm redox homeostasis. However, it is not clear whether boar sperm could utilize cysteine for synthesis GSH to protect sperm quality from ROS damage. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanism of how cysteine is involved in protecting boar sperm quality during liquid storage. Methods: Sperm motility, membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxyIlonenal (4-HNE) modifications, mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as the levels of ROS, GSH, and, ATP were evaluated. Moreover, the enzymes (GCLC: glutamate cysteine ligase; GSS: glutathione synthetase) that are involved in glutathione synthesis from cysteine precursor were detected by western blotting. Results: Compared to the control, addition of 1.25 mM cysteine to the liquid storage significantly increased boar sperm progressive motility, straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity, beat-cross frequency, membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP level, acrosome integrity, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and GSH level, while reducing the ROS level, lipid peroxidation and 4-HNE modifications. It was also observed that the GCLC and GSS were expressed in boar sperm. Interestingly, when we used menadione to induce sperm with ROS stress, the menadione associated damages were observed to be reduced by the cysteine supplementation. Moreover, compared to the cysteine treatment, the γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) activity, GSH level, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP level, membrane integrity and progressive motility in boar sperm were decreased by supplementing with an inhibitor of GSH synthesis, buthionine sulfoximine. Conclusion: These data suggest that boar sperm could biosynthesize the GSH from cysteine in vitro. Therefore, during storage, addition of cysteine improves boar sperm quality via enhancing the GSH synthesis to resist ROS stress.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.167-178
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• 2000

The effect of oral vitamin e (800IU/day) and C (500mg/day) supplementation for 10 days and/or smoking cessation for 5 days on oxidative damage to the red blood cells (RBC) of male smokers (22.2$\pm$0.2 years old) was studied. RBC were tested for their ability to protect against smoking-induced oxidative damage by measuring heme proteins (carboxyhemoglobin, hemoglobin, methemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin), hemolysis and thiobarbiturinc acid reactive substances (TBARS). Plasma levels of vitamin c, A, E, $\beta$-catotene, total cholesterol, glutamic pyruvic transaminase(GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT) were also analyzed. In experiment one, a comparison was made of heme proteins and lipid damage to RBC, plasma antioxidant status (indexed by plasma levels of vitamin C, E, A and $\beta$-carotene) between smokers(n=56) and non-smokers (n=16). No differences were found in plasma antioxidant status, heme protein damage and TBARS concentration of RBC. In experiment two, 46 fasting male smokers from experiment one were divided into 4 groups. The groups were smoking with placebo group(SP, n=14), smoking cessation with vitamins supplementatin group (SV, n=13), smoking cessation with placebo group (NSP, n=9) and smoking cessation with vitamins supplementation group (NSV, n=10). After supplementing antioxidant vitamins, significant increases were seen in plasma vitamins supplementation group (NSV, n=10). After supplementing antioxidant vitamins, significant increases were seen plasma vitamin C (p<0.05) and vitamin E levels (p<0.05). The plasma vitamin E level was highest in the NSV group. Vitmain E and C supplementation provided some protection against heme proteins and lipid damage by lowering methemoglobin, hemolysis and TBARS concentration of RBC. Smoking cessation significantly decreased TBARS of RBC and plasma total cholesterol concentration. Supplementing vitamin E and C with smoking cessation considerably lowered plasma total cholesterol. These results point to a special association among smoking, oxidative damage and plasma antioxidant vitamin status. They indicate that increases in plasma antioxidant status can be detected after the supplementation of vitamin C and E and that smoking cessation had an additional effect on plasma vitamin E level. The present data suggest that improved antioxidant status induced by antioxidant supplementation or smoking cessation may help prevent oxidative damage in smokers.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.13-18
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate anti-inflammation of Leonurus sibiricus methanol extract against UVB-damage in fibroblast. The skin is continuously exposed to damage from environmental stresses. UV radiation causes a variety of biological effects especially on the skin, including inflammation and photoaging. Methods : In this study, we tried to search for Leonurus sibiricus which exhibit protective activities against UVB-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative cell death, NO and $PGE_2$ production. HS68 cells were exposed to UVB ($120mJ/cm^2$) and treated with various concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, $8mg/m{\ell}$) of Leonurus sibiricus methanol extract for additional 24 h. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels generated by UV radiation were detected using a spectrofluorometer after DCF-DA staining. Also, HS68 cells were irradiated with UVB and then treated with Leonurus sibiricus methanol extract for 12 h. The lipid peroxidation was assayed by measuring the levels of 8-isoprostane secreted into the culture medium. Results : UVB-induced cytotoxicity and cell death were effectively suppressed by treatment of Leonurus sibiricus aqueous methanol extracts. Oxidative cell damage was mediated $PGE_2$ in UVB-induced HS68 fibroblast cell, which was significantly inhibited by treatment with Leonurus sibiricus extracts. Also, the protective effect of these extract seemed to be mediated by inhibited intracellular ROS generation and lipid peroxidation in dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : These results suggest that Leonurus sibiricus aqueous methanol extracts may have anti-aging effects new functional materials against oxidative UVB stress-mediated skin damages.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2012

The exposure of gastric mucosa to ethanol produces acute ulcers mediated by inflammatory processes, hemorrhagic erosions and increase of reactive oxygen species. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Coptidis Rhizoma(CR) aqueous extracts on hydrochloride (HCl)/ethanol induced gastric ulcer in mice as compared with rebamipide (30 mg/kg) and ranitidine (100 mg/kg). Stomach ulcers were induced by oral ingestion of HCl/ethanol. CR extracts (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) were orally administered, once a day for 7 continuous days, and 1 hr after last 7th treatment of CR extracts stomach ulcers were induced. Effects of CR extracts on HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcer were evaluated based on gross and microscopic observations with anti-oxidant activities. All three different dosages of CR extract significantly decreased HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcer compared with the HCl/ethanol control mice. CR extracts also strengthened the antioxidative defense systems - decreased the level of lipid peroxidation but increased the level of catalase, superoxide dismutase and nitrate/nitrite compared with the HCl/ethanol control. The effects of CR extract 500 mg/kg were similar to that of 30 mg/kg rebamipide, and CR extract 250 mg/kg showed similar anti-ulcer effects as compared with ranitidine 100 mg/kg. These results suggest that the gastroprotective effects of CR extracts on mice ulcer models can be attributed to its ameliorating effect on oxidative damages.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.372-375
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• 2007

Reactive oxygen species(ROS) or free radicals are produced in the pathogenesis of human diseases including atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, and aging. Antioxidants are associated with the prevention of ROS-induced tissue and cellular damage in the various diseases. This study investigated the antioxidative activities of the methanol extract of Alisma plantagoaquatica var. orientale and its main component under conditions of radical generation using allophycocyanin and ferric-thiocyanate assay. Alisol B 23-acetate as a main component was isolated from the methanol extract of Alisma plantago-aquatica var. orientale. In results, the extract of Alisma plantago-aquatica var. orientale showed inhibitory activity on AAPH [2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride]-induced protein oxidation. Also, the extract of Alisma plantago-aquatica var. orientale and alisol B 23-acetate inhibited lipid peroxidation. These results indicate that Alisma plantago-aquatica var. orientale and alisol B 23-acetate show promise as therapeutic agents for various damages involving free radical reactions.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.404-409
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• 2017

This study was to determine whether blue honeysuckle lyophilized concentrated powder (BH) has positive effects on hypothyroidism and related liver damage in propylthiouracil-induced Hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine (LT4)-treated group was administrated by intraperitoneal injection with LT4, while BH or Flos Lonicerae lyophilized aqueous extract (LF)-treated groups were orally administrated for 42 days which two weeks pri or to PTU injection. The changes in organ weight, serum AST & ALT, serum lipid level, liver defense system were measured and the histopathology of the liver was observed. The oral administrations of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of BH showed favorable effects compared to LF on hypothyroidism-related liver damages through the enhance antioxidant defense system.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 1998

An acute ethanol load(50mmol/kg , i.p) resulted in an increase in peroxidation and a decrease in the levels of $\alpha$-tocopherol and ascorbate in rat cerebellum. Pretreatement with allopurinol(146$\mu$mol/kg, i.p) prevented the ethnol-induced increment in lipid peroxidation and decrease in $\alpha$-tocopherol content. However, the decrease of ascorbate was of greater magnitude when allopurinol was associated with ethanol. These results suggested that allopurinol. besides its action as a radical scavenger and xanthine oxidase inhibitor, might favor the regeneration of $\alpha$-tocopherol antioxidant acitviity was studied using ${\gamma}$-radiolysis in aerated ethanolic solutions. Even though allopurinol did not react by itself with $\alpha$-hydroxyethyl-peroxyl radicals [H3C-CH(OH)OO] , it enhance the $\alpha$-hydroxyethyl-peroxyl radical scavenging properties of $\alpha$tocopherol. The regeneration of $\alpha$-tocopherol from the $\alpha$-hydroxyethyl-peroxyl radical scavenging properties of $\alpha$-tocophero. The regeneration of $\alpha$-tocopherol from the $\alpha$-tocopherol radical by ascorbate remained as efficient in the presence of allopurinol as in its absence. The effects of allopurinol on the Vitamin E oxidation-reduction mechanism could be involoved in the beneficial effectof allopurinol on the biological cellular damages linked to free radical reactions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.295-302
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• 2007

This study was designed to examine the effects of fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) on hepatic antioxidative status in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced diabetes mellitus by STZ injection (45 mg/kg) into the tail vein and were divided into 5 groups: normal, STZ-control, three experimental diabetic groups. Fractions of ethanol extract of Benincasa hispida were administered orally into the diabetic rats for 14 days. Hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activity (determined with H$_2$O$_2$ as substrate) was increased in the groups supplemented with chloroform (CHCl$_3$) and butanol (BuOH) fractions. Glutathione peroxidase (GR) activity in the liver cytosol of H$_2$O fraction groups was significantly lower than that of STZ-control group. The H$_{2}$O fraction supplemented group has been shown the notably decrease in the hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The hepatic cytosol catalase (CAT) activity was significant decreased by the supplementation with BuOH fraction. It was found from the results that the supplementation of BuOH and H$_2$O fractions of Benincasa hispida extract could be beneficial for the diabetic complications and damages from the lipid peroxidation.