• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.42-47
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• 2024

Ophiopogonin D (OPD) is a steroidal glycoside derived from Ophiopogon japonicus, a traditional Chinese medicine with diverse biological activities, including antithrombosis, anti-inflammation, and antitussive effects. To investigate the cellular effects and mechanisms of OPD on oral squamous cell carcinoma, cell viability was explored, and the effects of OPD on cell cycle regulators, apoptotic marker proteins, and key proteins involved in metastasis and signaling pathways were examined by MTT assay and Western blotting in YD38 cells. OPD strongly inhibited cell proliferation and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis of YD38 cells by suppressing the cell cycle and activating caspase-3 and poly ADP ribose polymerase. Additionally, OPD suppressed the expression of vital proteins regulating metastasis and proliferation within the integrin/matrix metalloproteinases/FAK and AKT/PI3K/mTor pathways. Thus, OPD can be a potential treatment candidate for gingival cancer.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.696-704
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• 2017

In this study, we investigated antioxidative and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) inhibitory effects of Sorbus commixta twig extracts and fermented extracts with Lactobacillus pentosus and analyzed active ingredients. The free radical scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) of non-fermented and fermented extracts of S. commixta twig' were 41.04 and $58.2{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. In the $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system, the active oxygen scavenging activity ($OSC_{50}$) was 2.6 and $3.0{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. In the dermal fibroblasts, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity was 35.3% for non-fermented extract and 40.2% for fermented extracts at the concentration of $10{\mu}g/mL$. Also at the same concentration, the expression of MMPs (MMP-1, -2, -3) by western blot was 68.3, 35.0 and 24.2%, respectively for non-fermented extracts and 84.3, 70.5 and 69.2% for fermented extracts. TLC, HPLC, and LC/ESI-MS/MS were used for measuring the changes in the components of the extract before and after fermentation. As a result, caffeic acid, (-)-epicatechin, isoquercitrin, and quercetin were identified. From the results, S. commixta twig fermented extracts by L. pentosus showed greater ROS scavenging activity and inhibitory effects on MMPs expression than those of using non-fermented extracts. Therefore, it is suggested that S. commixta twig fermented extracts can be used as an anti-aging cosmetic material.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.408-419
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• 2021

Background: The decreased renal function is known to be associated with biological aging, of which the main pathological features are chronic inflammation and renal interstitial fibrosis. In previous studies, we reported that total saponins from Panax japonicus (SPJs) can availably protect acute myocardial ischemia. We proposed that SPJs might have similar protective effects for aging-associated renal interstitial fibrosis. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the overall effect of SPJs on renal fibrosis. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) aging rats were given SPJs by gavage beginning from 18 months old, at 10 mg/kg/d and 60 mg/kg/d, up to 24 months old. After the experiment, changes in morphology, function and fibrosis of their kidneys were detected. The levels of serum uric acid (UA), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and cystatin C (Cys C) were assayed with ELISA kits. The levels of extracellular matrix (ECM), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), inflammatory factors and changes of oxidative stress parameters were examined. Results: After SPJs treatment, SD rats showed significantly histopathological changes in kidneys accompanied by decreased renal fibrosis and increased renal function; As compared with those in 3-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in 24-month group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the 24-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in the SPJ-H group were significantly decreased. While ECM was reduced and the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased, the levels of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling were decreased; the expression level of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was down-regulated with reduced inflammatory factors; meanwhile, the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) signaling was aggrandized. Conclusion: These results suggest that SPJs treatment can improve age-associated renal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad, NFκB signaling pathways and activating Nrf2-ARE signaling pathways and that SPJs can be a potentially valuable anti-renal fibrosis drug.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.85-88
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• 2007

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can degrade a wide range of extracellular matrix components. It has been reported that MMP-9 are activated after focal ischemia in experimental animals. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major constituent of green tea polyphenols, is a potent free radical scavenger and reduces the neuronal damage caused by oxygen free radicals. And it has been known that EGCG could reduce the infarction volume in focal brain ischemia and inhibit MMP-9 activity. To delineate the relationship between the anti-ischemic action and the MMP-9-inhibiting action of EGCG, we investigated the effect of EGCG on brain infarction and the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) in ICR mice. EGCG (40 mg/kg, i.p. $15{\sim}30min$ prior to MCAO) significantly decreased infarction volume at 24 hr after MCAO. GM 6001 (50 mg/kg, i.p. $15{\sim}30min$ prior to MCAO), a MMP inhibitor, also significantly reduced infarction volume. In zymogram, MMP-9 activities began to increase at ipsilateral cortex at 2 hr after MCAO, and the increments of MMP-9 activities were attenuated by EGCG treatment. Western blot for MMP-9 also showed patterns similar to that of zymogram. These findings demonstrate that the anti-ischemic action of EGCG ire mouse focal cerebral ischemia involves its inhibitory effect on MMP-9.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.240-245
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• 2002

Cancer metastasis represents the most important cause of cancer death and antitumor agents that may inhibit this process have been extensively pursued. Invasion and metastasis of malignantly transformed cells involve degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), especially MMP-2 and -9. We previously showed that H-ras-induced invasive phenotype may involve MMP-2, rather than MMP-9, in MCF10A cells. In the present study, we investigated the chemopreventive effect of Aster, a widely used culinary vegetable in Korea. We screened twelve extracts from three Aster species (Aster scaber, Aster oharai and Aster glehni) for the inhibitory effect on MMP activities of H-ras MCF10A human breast epithelial cells. All of the extracts tested in this study efficiently inhibited the gelatinolytic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9. A more prominent inhibition was observed in MMP-2 activity compared to MMP-9. Out of twelve extracts, eight extracts showed>90％ inhibition of MMP-2 activity in H-ras MCF10A cells while only one extract showed>90％ inhibition of MMP-9 activity. We selected three extracts (AO-3, AG-3 and AS-EA) for further studies since they exerted a marked inhibition in the ratio of MMP-2 to MMP-9. Treatment with AO-3, AG-3 and AS-EA in H-ras MCF10A cells caused a significant inhibition of invasive phenotype and migration, proving a chemopreventive potential of these extracts. Taken together, our results demonstrate that extracts of Aster effectively inhibit invasion and migration of highly malignant human breast cells, possibly via downregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.191-201
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• 2005

Background & Objective: Articular cartilage is a potential target for drugs designed to inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to stop or slow the destruction of the proteoglycan and collagen in the cartilage extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Aralia cordata Thunb. in inhibiting the release of glycosaminoglycan (GAG), the degradation of collagen, and MMP activity in rabbit articular cartilage explants. Methods : The cartilage-protective effects of Aralia cordata Thunb. were evaluated by using glycosaminoglycan degradation assay, collagen degradation assay, colorimetric analysis of MMP activity, measurement of lactate dehydrogenase activity and histological analysis in rabbit cartilage explants culture. Results : Interleukin-la (IL-1a) rapidly induced GAG, but collagen was much less readily released from cartilage explants. Aralia cordata Thunb. significantly inhibited GAG and collagen release in a concentration-dependent manner. Aralia cordata Thunb. dose-dependently inhibited MMP-3 and MMP-13 expression and activities from IL-1a-treated cartilage explants cultures when tested at concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.2 mg/ml. Aralia cordata Thunb. had no harmful effect on chondrocytes viability or cartilage morphology in cartilage explants. Histological analysis indicated that Aralia cordata Thunb. reduced the degradation of the cartilage matrix compared with that of IL -1a-treated cartilage explants.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.483-491
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• 2021

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that involves the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Matrix metalloproteinases-8 (MMP-8), neutrophil collagenase, is a functional player in the progressive pathology of various inflammatory disorders. In this study, we administered an MMP-8 inhibitor (MMP-8i) in Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2019S transgenic mice, to determine the effects of MMP-8i on PD pathology. We observed a significant increase of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1)-positive activated microglia in the striatum of LRRK2 G2019S mice compared to normal control mice, indicating enhanced neuro-inflammatory responses. The increased number of Iba1-positive activated microglia in LRRK2 G2019S PD mice was down-regulated by systemic administration of MMP-8i. Interestingly, this LRRK2 G2019S PD mice showed significantly reduced size of cell body area of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive neurons in SN region and MMP-8i significantly recovered cellular atrophy shown in PD model indicating distinct neuro-protective effects of MMP-8i. Furthermore, MMP-8i administration markedly improved behavioral abnormalities of motor balancing coordination in rota-rod test in LRRK2 G2019S mice. These data suggest that MMP-8i attenuates the pathological symptoms of PD through anti-inflammatory processes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 2002

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases(MMP) are essential enzymes for tumor invasion and metastasis. Among the MMP family, elevated MMP-9 and stromelysin-3(STR-3) expression have been reported to be poor prognostic factors in lung cancer patients. To evaluate the possibility of a molecular diagnosis of lung cancer using peripheral blood, the mRNA expression level of MMP-9 and STR-3 was measured using a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in patients with lung cancer. Methods : Ninety six patients(44 patients with lung cancer, 19 pulmonary infection, and 33 control) were included. To detect MMP-9 and STR-3 mRNA expression, RT-PCR was performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. ELISA was also used to measure the serum level of MMP-9. Results : MMP-9 was expressed more frequently in patients with a pulmonary infection(18/19, 94.7%) compared to lung cancer patients(26/44, 59.1%) or the controls (23/33, 69.7%) (p=0.018). On the other hand, STR-3 expression was observed more frequently in patients with lung cancer(37/44, 84.1%) compared to the lung infection patients(8/19, 42.1%) or control(20/33, 60.6%) (p=0.003). Among the lung cancer patients, MMP-9 was expressed more frequently when a tumor invaded the lymph nodes(17/24, 70.8%) compared to when a tumor did not(3/13, 23.1%) (p=0.005). The MMP-9 and STR-3 expression levels had no relationship with age, sex, tumor size, distant metastasis, or tumor histology. The serum MMP-9 concentration was not higher in lung cancer patients compared to patients with a pulmonary infection or the control subjects. Conclusion : STR-3 may be used as a diagnostic marker in the peripheral blood of lung cancer patients using RT-PCR. Further studies to evaluate the clinical significance of elevated STR-3 expression in lung cancer patients is recommended.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.231-246
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-osteoarthritic effect of the ethanol extract of Boswellia serrata gum resin (FJH-UBS) enriched with keto-β-boswellic acid and 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid compared to the conventional Boswellia serrata extract by adding the process of removing oil with hexane, in the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally administered 0, 40, or 80 mg of FJH-UBS/kg body weight (BW)/day for 5 weeks and injected with MIA intra-articularly into right knee joints on day 15 to induce osteoarthritis. Changes in the knee joint microarchitecture, cartilage degradation, the expression of inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in serum and synovia were observed. Results: Oral administration of FJH-UBS (80 mg/kg BW/day) reduced MIA-induced knee swelling and cartilage degradation and increased the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan in articular cartilage. Furthermore, FJH-UBS administration reduced MIA-induced increases in the serum levels of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and MMP-13, and MIA-induced increases in the mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, 5-lipoxygenase, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in the synovia of knee joints. Conclusion: These results indicate that FJH-UBS exerts its anti-osteoarthritic effects by suppressing the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs and, thus, cartilage degradation. Furthermore, they suggest that FJH-UBS has potential use as a functional food that improves joint and cartilage health.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2006

Purpose: Renal irradiation can lead to the development of radiation nephropathy, and this is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix and final fibrosis. To determine the possible role of the glomerular epithelial cell, the radiation-induced changes in the expression of its genes associated with the extracellular matrix were analyzed. Materials and Methods: Rat glomerular epithelial cells (GEpC) were irradiated with a single dose of 0, 2, 5, 10 and 20 Gy with using 6 MV LINAC (Siemens, USA), and the samples were collected 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours post-irradiation, respectively. Northern blotting, western blotting and zymography were used to measure the expression level of fibronectin (Fn), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (Pai-1), matrix metalloproteinases-2, 9 (MMP-2, 9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA). Results: Irradiation with a single dose of 10 Gy resulted in a significant increase in Fn mRNA since 24 hours post-irradiation, and a single dose of 5 and 10 Gy significantly increased the Fn immunoreactive protein measured 48 hours post-irradiation. An increase in Pai-1 mRNA and protein was also observed and especially, a single dose of 10 Gy significantly increased the mRNA measured 24 and 48 hours post-irradiation. The active MMP-2 measured 24 hours post-irradiation slightly increased in a dose dependent manner, but this increase did not reach statistical significance. The levels of MMP-9, TIMP-2, t-PA and u-PA appeared unaltered after irradiation. Conclusion: Irradiation of the glomerular epithelial cells altered the expression of genes associated with the extracellular matrix, implying that the glomerular epithelial cell may be involved in the development of radiation nephropathy.