• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.334-339
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• 2007

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generate during electrical activation of oocytes which has detrimental effects on embryo survival when overwhelmed. The present study was designed to investigate the ability of L-ascorbic acid, a novel water soluble antioxidant, to reduce the ROS level in developing embryos and their subsequent effects on embryo development in vitro. The compact cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in tissue culture medium (TCM)-199 supplemented with 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor, 4 IU/ml pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid (pFF) for 44 h. After maturation culture, the denuded oocytes were activated with a single DC pulse of 2.0 kV/cm in 0.3 M mannitol solution containing 0.5 mM of HEPES, 0.1 mM of $CaCl_2$ and 0.1 mM of $MgCl_2$ for $30{\mu}s$ using a BTX Electro-cell Manipulator. The activated oocytes were cultured in modified North Carolina State University-23 (mNSCU-23) medium for 168 h. The level of $H_2O_2$ in each embryo was measured by the dichlorohydrofluorescein diacetate (DCHFDA) method at 48 h after activation. The blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher when culture medium was supplemented with 50 and $100{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid (31.2 and 38.7%, respectively) compared to non-supplemented (16.1%) group. Accordingly, significantly more cells in blastocyst were found for 50 and $100{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid (50.0 and 56.4, respectively) compared to 0 and $200{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid (36.5 and 39.8, respectively). L-ascorbic acid reduces the $H_2O_2$ level in developing embryos in a dose-dependant manner. The $H_2O_2$ level (pixels/ embryos) was 191.5, 141.0, 124.0 and 163.3 for 0, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid, respectively. So, we recommend to supplement 50 or $100{\mu}M$ L-ascorbic acid in porcine in vitro culture medium.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.31-31
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• 2022

Plant-derived antioxidants are used as a healthy diet and are known to inhibit various human diseases. In this study, we investigated free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity of extracts from three plants (Ammannia multiflora, Ammannia coccinea and Salix gracilistyla) with the most DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity from 196 plant extracts inhabiting along Nakdong River in Republic of Korea. The three extracts also have strong total antioxidant activity. Moreover, the extracts inhibited hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced reactive oxygen species production and depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential in RAW264.7 macrophages. In zebrafish larvae, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescent intensity, induced by H₂O₂, was markedly reduced by the extracts of A. multiflora, A. coccinea and S. gracilistyla. Meanwhile, the extracts were upregulated Nrf2 and HO-1 expression, and an HO-1 inhibitor reversed the extract-induced oxidative responses both in vivo and in vitro. The data suggest that the extracts of A. multiflora, A. coccinea, and S. gracilistyla exert potential free radical scavenging and antioxidant capacities both in vivo and in vitro by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4555-4559
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• 2012

Breast cancer causes death due to distant metastases in which tumor cells produce matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes which facilitate invasion. Oleuropein, the main olive oil polyphenol, has anti-proliferative effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of oleuropein on the metastatic and anti-metastatic gene expression in the MDA human breast cancer cell line. We evaluated the MMPs and TIMPs gene expression by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in treated and untreated cells. This study demonstrated that OL may induce anti-metastatic effects on human breast cancer cells. We found that TIMP1,-3, and -4 were over-expressed after all periods of incubation in treated cancer cells compared to untreated cells, while MMP2 and MMP9 genes were down-regulated, at least initially. Treatment of breast cancer cells with oleuropein could help in prevention of cancer metastasis by increasing the TIMPs and suppressing the MMPs gene expressions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1177-1182
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• 2012

Protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in carcinogenesis and displays variable expression profiles during cancer progression. Studies of dietary phytochemicals on cancer signalling pathway regulation have been conducted to search for potent signalling regulatory agents. The present study was designed to evaluate any suppressive effect of maslinic acid on PKC expression in human B-lymphoblastoid cells (Raji cells), and to identify the PKC isoforms expressed. Effects of maslinic acid on PKC activity were determined using a PepTag$^{(R)}$ assay for non-radioactive detection of PKC. The highest expression in Raji cells was obtained at 20 nM PMA induced for 6 hours. Suppressive effects of maslinic acid were compared with those of four PKC inhibitors (H-7, rottlerin, sphingosine, staurosporine) and two triterpenes (oleanolic acid and ursolic acid). The $IC_{50}$ values achieved for maslinic acid, staurosporine, H-7, sphingosine, rottlerin, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid were 11.52, 0.011, 0.767, 2.45, 5.46, 27.93 and $39.29\;{\mu}M$, respectively. Four PKC isoforms, PKC ${\beta}I$, ${\beta}II$, ${\delta}$, and ${\zeta}$, were identified in Raji cells via western blotting. Maslinic acid suppressed the expression of PKC ${\beta}I$, ${\delta}$, and ${\zeta}$ in a concentration-dependent manner. These preliminary results suggest promising suppressive effects of maslinic acid on PKC activity in Raji cells. Maslinic acid could be a potent cancer chemopreventive agent that may be involved in regulating many downstream signalling pathways that are activated through PKC receptors.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 2006

We investigated the effects of Ginsenoside $R_e$ on human sperm motility in fertile and asthenozoospermic infertile individuals in vitro and the mechanism by which the Ginsenosides play their roles. The semen samples were obtained from 10 fertile volunteers and 10 asthenozoospermic infertile patients. Spermatozoa were separated by Percoll and incubated with 0, 1, 10 or $100\;{\mu}M$ of Ginsenoside $R_e$. Total sperm motility and progressive motility were measured by computer-aided sperm analyzer (CASA). Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was determined by the $^{3}H$-arginine to $^{3}H$-citrulline conversion assay, and the NOS protein was examined by the Western blot analysis. The production of sperm nitric oxide (NO) was detected using the Griess reaction. The results showed that Ginsenoside $R_e$ significantly enhanced both fertile and infertile sperm motility, NOS activity and NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 100 nM), a NO donor, mimicked the effects of Ginsenoside $R_e$. And pretreatment with a NOS inhibitor $N^{w}$-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, $100\;{\mu}M$) or a NO scavenger N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (LNAC, 1 mM) completely blocked the effects of Ginsenoside $R_e$. Data suggested that Ginsenoside $R_e$ is beneficial to sperm motility, and that induction of NOS to increase NO production may be involved in this benefit.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.213-219
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• 2017

Objectives: Based on data from Chinese and Indian traditional herbal medicines, gum resin of Ferula assa-foetida (sometimes referred to asafetida or asafoetida) has several therapeutic applications. The authors of various studies have claimed that asafetida has cytotoxic, antiulcer, anti-neoplasm, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidative effects. In present study, the anti-aging effect of asafetida on senescent human dermal fibroblasts was evaluated. Methods: Senescence was induced in in vitro cultured human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) through exposure to $H_2O_2$, and the incidence of senescence was recognized by using cytochemical staining for the activity of ${\beta}$-galactosidase. Then, treatment with oleo gum resin of asafetida was started to evaluate its rejuvenating effect. The survival rate of fibroblasts was evaluated by using methyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot assays were performed to evaluate the expressions of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers. Results: Our experiments show that asafetida in concentrations ranging from $5{\times}10^{-8}$ to $10^{-7}g/mL$ has revitalizing effects on senescent fibroblasts and significantly reduces the ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity in these cells (P < 0.05). Likewise, treatment at these concentrations increases the proliferation rate of normal fibroblasts (P < 0.05). However, at concentrations higher than $5{\times}10^{-7}g/mL$, asafetida is toxic for cells and induces cell death. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that asafetida at low concentrations has a rejuvenating effect on senescent fibroblasts whereas at higher concentrations, it has the opposite effect of facilitating cellular apoptosis and death.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.244-250
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• 2006

The detection of many synthetic chemicals used in industry that may pose a genetic hazard in our environment is of great concern at present. Since these substances are not limited to the original products, and enter the environment, they have become widespread environmental pollutants, thus leading to a variety of chemicals that possibly threaten the public health. In this respect, to regulate and to evaluate the chemical hazard will be important to environment and human health. The genotoxicity of 3 synthetic chemicals was evaluated in L5178Y $tk^{+/-}$ mouse lymphoma cells in vitro. 9H-carbazole (CAS No. 86-74-8) did not induce significant mutation frequencies both in the presence and absence of metabolic activation system. 1, 3-Dichloro-2-propanol (CAS No. 96-23-1) revealed a significant increase of mutation frequencies in the range of $625-373\;{\mu}g/mL$ in the absence of metabolic activation system and $157-79\;{\mu}g/mL$ in the presence of metabolic activation system. And also, fenpropathrin (CAS No. 64257-84-7) appeared the positive results only in the absence of metabolic activation system. Through the results of MLA tk assay with 3 synthetic chemicals in L5178Y cells in vitro, we may provide the important clues on the genotoxic potentials of these 3 chemicals.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.31-37
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• 2001

Deicers have used for melting snow on the road during winter season, but they have largely influenced on environment and public assets and human health. The pollution level of snow and soil contained deicer was analyzed and evaluated the characteristics of deicers. The results were as follows 1. In the result of measurement of pollutants in snow contained deicer, the pH was a little higher than a comparative group and the concentration of $Cl^{-}$ ranged from 0.5% to 0.87%, and the electric conductivity ranged 12.4 to 24.6 mmho/cm. The concentration of Cd, As, and Hg was not detected, but those of Cu, Pb, Cr was higher than a comparative group. 2. In soil of the road spreaded with deicer, the pH is getting alkalized and the concentration of $Cl^{-}$ was high in January and returned the level of a comparative grout) in November by physical and chemical reaction with deicer, but the concentration of heavy metals were not connected with deicers. 3. In comparison of deicing efficiency, the concentration of $Cl^{-}$ was 3.3~5times high in spreading with deicer before snowing than after snowing. The concentration of $Cl^{-}$ in NaCl was higher than $CaCl_2$, but the deicing efficiency of Nacl was better than that of $CaCl_2$. Moreover, the new deicer have no salt, but deicing efficiency of new deicer was less than that of NaCl and $CaCl_2$.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 1994

An antioxidative compound was isolated from pine needles. This compound was identified as 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3[2H]-furanone on the basis of spectroscopic evidences. It scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals more efficiently than maltol and tocopherol did. It exhibited an inhibitory effect on the lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsome induced by Fe(ll)/ascorbate, and the protective effect against UV cytotoxicity in cultured human fibroblasts. In addition, HMF appeared to prevent the cellular melanogenesis in the cultured murine melanoma cells, more effectively than kojic acid, a well known inhibitor of melanogenesis, while the former was not so effective as the latter for the inhibilion of the tyrosinase. Considering that cellular melanogenesis is a metabolic process triggered by oxidative stress, it was tentatively deduced that the antioxidative property of HMF may afford the effect against cellular pigmentation by alleviating the causative stress. This study provided a novel inhibitor of melanogenesis, that might be useful for the cosmetic applications.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.170-176
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• 2009

Lectin was finally isolated on Sephadex G-100 from Korean soybean cultivars developed for soy source and investigated its some biochemical properties. Native PAGE pattern of this lectin revealed a molecular weight of 108 kDa as tetramer. The molecular weight of this lectin isolated as double protein band by SDS-PAGE was calculated to be 32 and 22 kDa from the relative mobilities compared with those of the standard proteins. Among the tested red blood cell, the isolated lectin agglutinated rabbit red blood cell treated with trypsin, but did not agglutinated human red blood cells (A, B, AB, O), rat, and untreated rabbit red blood cell. The optimal temperature and thermal stability of isolated lectin was at 20-$50^{\circ}C$ and 10-$60^{\circ}C$, respectively. This lectin was stable at 7.2, and showed complete loss in its activity below pH 6.2 and above pH 8.0.