• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.93-97
• /
• 2003

Alternative or complementary medicine plays an important role in health care system. Ginseng, being one of the most popular oriental herbs, is believed to contain various steroid hormone activity. Ginseng has been demonstrated pharmacological effect in the cardiovascular, endocrine, central nervous, and immune system. Our objective was to study that total saponin might mediate some of their actions by binding to the steroid hormone receptor, as they share many of the actions of steroid hormone in various physiological system. Using total saponin from Panax Ginseng, we have studied the possibility of total saponin being a potential estrogen receptor, androgen receptor, and retinoic acid receptor ligand. Total saponin activated the transcription of both the estrogen and androgen responsive luciferase reporter plasmids at a concentration of 100$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in COS cells transiently transfected with the corresponding receptor and hormone responsive receptor plasmids. And total saponin caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of estrogen receptor. Total saponin increased the expression of estrogen responsive c-fos proto-oncogene at the protein level in MCF7 cells at 24 h treatment as examined by Western analysis. The c-fos induction was used as a specific marker of estrogen responsiveness. This activation was inhibited by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182,780. However, total saponin failed to activate the retinoic acid receptor in COS cells transiently transfected with the corresponding receptor and retinoic acid responsive reporter plasmids. These results show that total saponin is capable of activating estrogen and androgen receptors.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.51-65
• /
• 2012

Objectives : In this study the antidepressant effects of mixture of Lycii Radicis Cortex and Gardeniae Fructus on the change of HPA-Axis and Catecholamine system was investigated Methods : The forced swimming test was performed. The expression of CRF, c-Fos in the PVN, and TH in the VTA and LC were measured with immunohistochemical method. And the experimental groups were divided into the Extraction after Mix group(A) and Mix after Extraction group(B). The effects of both group were compared. Results : The duration of immobility in the FST was decreased significantly in three groups except B100(P<0.01). B100 was shown the significant increase(P<0.05). The expression of CRF in PVN was decreased significantly in all group(P<0.05~P<0.01). The expression of c-Fos in PVN was decreased in A100, A400 and was increased significantly in B100, B400(P<0.05). The expression of TH in VTA and LC were decreased significantly in all group(P<0.001). Conclusions : Effects of Extraction after Mix group(A) and Mix after Extraction group(B) on the HPA-Axis system and Catecholamine system were validated.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.16-26
• /
• 2012

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate effects of Cordyceps militaris(CM) on osteoclast differentiation and its related gene expression. Methods: We used mouse myeloid cells RAW 264.7 stimulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand(RANKL) to induce osteoclast differentiation. There are four groups of which RAW 264.7 cells are not stimulated by RANKL (Normal), stimulated by RANKL without CM(Control), stimulated by RANKL with 0.1 ${\mu}g/ml$ of CM(CM 0.1), stimulated by RANKL with 1 ${\mu}g/ml$ of CM(CM 1). Osteoclastogenesis was measured by counting Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells [TRAP(+) MNC]. RT-PCR was performed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of CM on gene expression(TRAP, AKT1, JNK1, NFATc1, c-Fos, MITF). Results: 1. CM decreased the number of TRAP(+) osteoclast in RANKL-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell at the concentration of 0.1 ${\mu}g/ml$ and 1 ${\mu}g/ml$. 2. CM decreased the expression of TRAP in osteoclast at the concentration of 1 ${\mu}g/ml$. 3. CM decreased the expression of AKT1, JNK1 in osteoclast at the concentration of 1 ${\mu}g/ml$. 4. CM didn't affect the expression of NFATc1, c-Fos, MITF in osteoclast. Conclusions: Cordyceps militaris has inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation and its related gene expression. These results suggest that Cordyceps militaris has a potential as a treatment of osteoporosis.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.171-176
• /
• 2012

Receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL) triggers the differentiation of bone marrow-derived monocyte/macrophage precursor cells (BMMs) of hematopoietic origin into osteoclasts through the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and transcription factors. Recently, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzymes were shown to be closely associated with RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation. Although glutaredoxin2 (Glrx2) plays a role in cellular redox homeostasis, its role in RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis is unclear. We found that Glrx2 isoform b (Glrx2b) expression is induced during RANKLmediated osteoclastogenesis. Over-expression of Glrx2b strongly enhanced RANKL- mediated osteoclastogenesis. In addition, Glrx2b-transduced BMMs enhanced the expression of key transcription factors c-Fos and NFATc1, but pre-treatment with SB203580, a p38-specific inhibitor, completely blocked this enhancement. Conversely, down-regulation of Glrx2b decreased RANKL- mediated osteoclastogenesis and the expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 proteins. Also, Glrx2b down-regulation attenuated the RANKL-induced activation of p38. Taken together, these results suggest that Glrx2b enhances RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis via p38 activation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.1 no.6
• /
• pp.691-697
• /
• 1997

The mechanisms underlying opiate tolerance and dependence are not fully understood. We used human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells as a model system for studying effects of morphine tolerance and withdrawal on c-myc induction and cAMP levels. It has been reported that regulation of c-fos by acute and chronic morphine withdrawal is mediated through alterations in CREB transcription factor. In this study, we examined the effects of morphine tolerance on c-myc expression and cAMP concentrations. The activation of opiate receptors by an acute morphine administration resulted in an increase in c-myc mRNA and a decrease in cAMP concentrations in a dose-dependent manner $(5,\;10,\;15,\;and\;20\;{\mu}M)$. On the other hand, the chronic treatment of morphine $(10\;{\mu}M\;for\;six\;days)$ did not induce the elevated expression of c-myc mRNA. The c-myc expression was slightly inhibited in comparison with that of the acute morphine response. However, cAMP concentrations were increased with regard to morphine withdrawal response. These results suggest that the alterations in c-myc expression might imply a significant opiate regulation relating to morphine tolerance. This observation differs from increased expression of c-fos via regulation of cAMP pathway.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
• /
• v.8 no.12
• /
• pp.1949-1958
• /
• 2013

This study conducted observation of tissues using the immunohistochemistry methods in order to see the effect of Needle Electrode Electrical Stimulation(: NEES) on apoptosis in the SD rat cerebellum caused by global ischemia which came from common carotid artery occlusion. The comparison and analysis results of expression of factors related to apoptosis among the control group, the global ischemia group and the NEES group showed that NEES following global ischemia had a significant effect on the reduction of c-fos expression in the SD rat cerebellum, and didn't have a significant effect on the reduction of bax and caspase-3 expression. In conclusion, it is considered that NEES following global ischemia is partially effective in suppressing the expression of factors related to apoptosis.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.475-485
• /
• 2007

Methamphetamine is an illicit drug that is often abused and can cause neuropsychiatric and neurotoxic damage. Repeated administration of psychostimulants such as methamphetamine induces a behavioral sensitization. According to a previous study, Bax was involved in neurotoxicity by methamphetamine, but the function of Bax in rewarding effect has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we have studied the function of Bax in a rewarding effect model. In the present study, we treated chronic methamphetamine exposure in a Bax-deficient mouse model and examined behavioral change using a conditioned place preference (CPP) test. The CPP score in Bax knockout mice was decreased compared to that of wild-type mice. Therefore, we screened for Bax-related genes that are involved in rewarding effect using microarray technology. In order to confirm microarray data, we applied the RT-PCR method to observe relative changes of Bcl2, a pro-apoptotic family gene. As a result, using our experiment microarray, we selected genes that were associated with Bax in microarray data, and eventually selected the Tgfbr2 gene. Expression of the Tgfbr2 gene was decreased by methamphetamine in Bax knockout mice, and the gene was overexpressed in Bax wild-type mice. Additionally, we confirmed that Creb, FosB, and c-Fos were related to rewarding effect and Bax using immunohistochemistry.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.807-813
• /
• 2010

Impairment of balance between bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts result in bone disease. Especially, increased osteoclast formation and activity are responsible for bone diseases such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, periodontal disease. Natural metabolites of plants have recently received much attention as an alternative tools for the development of novel therapeutic strategy. The aim of this study was to search the natural products to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and was to evaluate of its mechanism. Water extract of Gastrodia elata Blune significantly inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) in a dose dependent manner. However, water extract of Gastrodia elata Blune did not affect cytotoxicity when compared with control. The mRNA expression of c-Fos, NFATc1, and TRAP induced by RANKL was inhibited by water extract of Gastrodia elata Blune treatment. Also, water extract of Gastrodia elata Blune inhibited the protein expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 expression in BMMs treated with RANKL. Water extract of Gastrodia elata Blune suppressed the phosphorylation of p38 induced by RANKL. In general, RANKL considerably inhibited the expression level of Id2 and MafB known as negative regulators of osteoclastogenesis, but RANKL did not inhibit Id2 and MafB expression in BMMs when it was co-treated with Gastrodia elata Blune. Taken together, these results suggest that Gastrodia elata Blune may be a useful drug in the treatment of bone-related disease.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.557-563
• /
• 2015

Skin aging is the most readily observable process involved in human aging. Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation causes photo-oxidation via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby damaging the nucleus and cytoplasm of skin cells and ultimately leading to cell death. Recent studies have shown that high levels of solar UVB irradiation induce the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in skin fibroblasts, causing photo-aging and tumor progression. The MMP family is involved in the breakdown of extracellular matrix in normal physiological processes such as embryonic development, reproduction, and tissue remodeling, as well as in disease processes such as arthritis and metastasis. We investigated the effect of diphlorethohydroxycarmalol (DPHC) against damage induced by UVB radiation in human skin keratinocytes. In UVB-irradiated cells, DPHC significantly reduced expression of MMP mRNA and protein, as well as activation of MMPs. Furthermore, DPHC reduced phosphorylation of ERK and JNK, which act upstream of c-Fos and c-Jun, respectively; consequently, DPHC inhibited the expression of c-Fos and c-Jun, which are key components of activator protein-1 (AP-1, up-regulator of MMPs). Additionally, DPHC abolished the DNA-binding activity of AP-1, and thereby prevented AP-1-mediated transcriptional activation. These data demonstrate that by inactivating ERK and JNK, DPHC inhibits induction of MMPs triggered by UVB radiation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.310-315
• /
• 2020

Orostachys japonicus (O. japonicus) is known as a medicinal plant for the treatment of various symptoms. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of the hexane fraction from O. japonicus (OJH) on the LPS-stimulated response in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. This study was conducted to confirm the effect of cell cytotoxicity and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in OJH-treated macrophage cells. Additionally, pro-inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors were determined using RT-PCR and western blotting assay. OJH showed no change in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and exhibited reduced ROS levels in LPS-induced inflammatory cells. Moreover, OJH significantly suppressed the mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and IP-10. Furthermore, OJH effectively inhibited the protein levels of AP-1 (p-c-Jun and p-c-Fos) and p-IRF3 in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that OJH exhibits strong anti-inflammatory activities via regulation of inflammatory factors.