• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.239-247
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• 2018

In recent years, several therapeutic drugs have been rationally designed and synthesized based on the novel knowledge gained from investigating the actions of biologically active chemicals derived from foods, plants, and medicinal herbs. One of the major advantages of these naturalistic chemicals is their ability to interact with multiple targets in the body resulting in a combined beneficial effect. Ginseng is a perennial herb (Araliaceae family), a species within the genus Panax, and a highly valued and popular medicinal plant. Evidence for the medicinal and health benefits of Panax ginseng and its components in preventing neurodegeneration has increased significantly in the past decade. The beneficial effects of P. ginseng on neurodegenerative diseases have been attributed primarily to the antioxidative and immunomodulatory activities of its ginsenoside components. Mechanistic studies on the neuroprotective effects of ginsenosides revealed that they act not only as antioxidants but also as modulators of intracellular neuronal signaling and metabolism, cell survival/death genes, and mitochondrial function. The goal of the present paper is to provide a brief review of recent knowledge and developments concerning the beneficial effects as well as the mechanism of action of P. ginseng and its components in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.612-616
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• 2006

The protective effect of water extract of ash tree leaves (ALE) against oxidative damages was investigated in paracetamol-induced BALB/c mice. Biochemical analysis of anti-oxidative enzymes, immunoblot analyses of hepatic cytochrome P450 2El (CYP2E1), and the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-${\alpha}$) were examined to determine the extract's protective effect and its possible mechanisms. BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: normal, paracetamol-administered, and ALE-pretreated groups. A single dose of paracetamol led to a marked increase in lipid peroxidation as measured by malondialdehyde (MDA). This was associated with a significant reduction in the hepatic antioxidant system, e.g., glutathione (GSH). Paracetamol administration also significantly elevated the expression of CYP2E1, according to immunoblot analysis, and of TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA in liver. However, ALE pretreatment prior to the administration of paracetamol significantly decreased hepatic MDA levels. ALE restored hepatic glutathione and catalase levels and suppressed the expression of CYP2E1 and TNF-${\alpha}$ observed in inflammatory tissues. Moreover, ALE restored mitochondrial ATP content depleted by the drug administration. These results show that the extract of ash tree leaves protects against paracetamol-induced oxidative damages by blocking oxidative stress and CYP2E1-mediated paracetamol bioactivation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.110-116
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• 2022

Objective: Sperm vitrification leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage the functional parameters of sperm. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant effect of Nigella sativa extract on motility, plasma membrane function, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA damage, and intracellular ROS production. Methods: A total of 20 sperm samples were used. Samples were divided into six experimental groups, including groups with aqueous extract from N. sativa seeds at concentrations of 1% to 6%, a cryopreserved control group, and a fresh control group. Results: Statistical analysis showed significantly higher total sperm motility at concentrations of 3% to 6% than in the vitrified semen control group. Additionally, progressive motility and all motion characteristics at all concentrations were significantly higher than in the vitrified semen control group. The presence of N. sativa seed extract also improved the quality of the sperm parameters assayed in all experimental groups (1%-6%; intracellular ROS production, DNA damage, MMP, and sperm membrane function) compared to the control group. Conclusion: Higher concentrations of N. sativa led to improvements in all sperm parameters and sperm quality. These findings indicate that N. sativa seed extract is effective for improving the quality of sperm after vitrification.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.157-164
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• 2022

Disulfiram (DSF) is an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor. DSF has potent anti-cancer activity for solid and hematological malignancies. Although the effects on cancer cells have been proven, there have been few studies on DSF toxicity in bone marrow cells (BMs). DSF reduces the metabolic activity and the mitochondrial membrane potential of BMs. In subset analyses, we confirmed that DSF does not affect the proportion of BMs. In addition, DSF significantly impaired the metabolic activity and differentiation of BMs treated with granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, an essential growth and differentiation factor for BMs. To measure DSF toxicity in BMs in vivo, mice were injected with 50 mg/kg, a dose used for anti-cancer effects. DSF did not significantly induce BM toxicity in mice and may be tolerated by antioxidant defense mechanisms. This is the first study on the effects of DSF on BMs in vitro and in vivo. DSF has been widely studied as an anti-cancer drug candidate, and many anti-cancer drugs lead to myelosuppression. In this regard, this study can provide useful information to basic science and clinical researchers.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.356-362
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• 2023

Glutathione (GSH) is a chief cellular antioxidant, affecting stem cell functions. The cellular GSH level is dynamically altered by the redox buffering system and transcription factors, including NRF2. Additionally, GSH is differentially regulated in each organelle. We previously reported a protocol for monitoring the real-time GSH levels in live stem cells using the reversible GSH sensor FreSHtracer. However, GSH-based stem cell analysis needs be comprehensive and organelle-specific. Hence, in this study, we demonstrate a detailed protocol to measure the GSH regeneration capacity (GRC) in living stem cells by measuring the intensities of the FreSHtracer and the mitochondrial GSH sensor MitoFreSHtracer using a high-content screening confocal microscope. This protocol typically analyses the GRC in approximately 4 h following the seeding of the cells onto plates. This protocol is simple and quantitative. With some minor modifications, it can be employed flexibly to measure the GRC for the whole-cell area or just the mitochondria in all adherent mammalian stem cells.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.482-490
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• 2022

근육 양과 근력의 감소에 의한 근감소증은 다양한 병적 상태의 악화, 삶의 질 저하, 사망률의 증가를 동반하며, 기대수명이 증가함에 따라 앞으로도 유병률은 계속 증가할 것이다. 노화 과정에서 만성 산화 스트레스와 염증 반응의 증가는 골격근 소실의 주요 원인으로 작용하며, 에너지 대사에 필수적인 미토콘드리아의 기능 장애와 관련된 자가포식 및 세포사멸 신호의 교란은 근육 단백질의 손실을 가속화한다. 오래전부터 각종 질병의 예방 및 치료에 널리 사용되어온 동충하초의 주요 생리활성물질인 cordycepin의 약리학적 효과는 항산화 및 항염증 작용과 직접적인 관련이 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 총설에서는 근감소증의 예방과 치료에의 적용을 위한 cordycepin의 세포사멸, 자가포식, 단백질의 이화작용 및 근육 재생에 중요한 위성세포의 활성에 대한 연관성을 제시하였다. 비록 현재까지 근감소증에 대한 cordycepin의 연구는 미진한 수준이지만, 그동안의 연구 결과에서 cordycepin은 노화로 인한 미토콘드리아 기능 약화를 억제하고 근육 단백질의 분해를 차단하는 데 기여할 수 있음을 알 수 있다. 또한 근세포 손상에 대한 cordycepin의 보호 효과는 항산화 및 항염증 활성과 밀접한 관련이 있음을 제안한다. 따라서 근세포의 노화방지에 관여하는 cordycepin의 분자생물학적 기전을 중심으로 보다 지속적인 기초 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.87-94
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• 2016

피부 손상은 주로 자외선, 열, 담배 등과 같은 환경적 요인으로부터 초래되는데, 이는 활성산소종의 과생성으로 인한 피부노화와 연관이 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 돌배(Pyrus pyrifolia NAKAI)는 전 세계적으로 많이 소비되는 과일로써 항암, 항산화, 항염증효과가 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 돌배나무잎 추출물(Pyrus pyrifolia leaf extract, PPE)의 ultraviolet B (UVB)스트레스에 대한 피부 섬유아세포 보호효과를 검증하였다. Lactate dehydrogenase assay와 DCF-DA를 이용한 정성분석 실험은 PPE가 인간의 섬유아세포에서 UVB 스트레스에 의해 유발된 세포독성 및 과생성된 활성산소종을 농도 의존적으로 억제할 뿐만 아니라, 미토콘드리아 기능저하, 막전위 저하, 그리고 세포사멸과정의 핵심 인자인 caspase-3 활성도 유의하게 억제함을 보여주었다. 결론적으로, PPE는 UVB스트레스에 의해 과생성된 활성산소종을 억제시켰으며, 이로 인해 생기는 피부세포 사멸을 효과적으로 저해함을 확인하였다.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.7-15
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• 2015

Objectives : Rosa laevigata Michx. has been used for the treatment of renal disease in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, we investigated cytoprotective effect of R. laevigata water extract (RLE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA) + iron.Methods : To evaluate the protective effects of RLE against AA + iron-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cell, cell viability and changes on apoptosis-related proteins were assessed by MTT and immunoblot analyses. The effects of RLE on reduced glutathione level, production of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential were also monitored. Furthermore, to verify underlying molecular mechanism, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was examined by immunoblot analysis. Additionally, Nrf2 transactivation and its downstream target genes expression were also determined by reporter gene and realtime RT-PCR analyses.Results : RLE pretreatment (30-300 μg/ml) prevented cells from AA + iron-mediated cell death in a concentration dependent manner. In addition, 100 μg/ml RLE inhibited AA + iron-induced glutathione depletion, reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial dysfunction. RLE accumulated nuclear Nrf2 and also transactivated Nrf2, which was evidenced by antioxidant response element- and glutathione S-transferase A2-driven luciferase activities and mRNA level of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 and sestrin 2. Moreover, protective effect of RLE against AA + iron was abolished in Nrf2 knockout cells.Conclusions : These results indicate that RLE has the ability to protect hepatocyte against oxidative stress through Nrf2 activation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.341-349
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• 2020

Background: The replicative senescence of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) is accompanied by growth arrest. In our previous study, the treatment of senescent HDFs with Rg3(S) lowered the intrinsic reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and reversed cellular senescence by inducing peroxiredoxin-3, an antioxidant enzyme. However, the signaling pathways involved in Rg3(S)-induced senescence reversal in HDFs and the relatedness of the stereoisomer Rg3(R) in corresponding signaling pathways are not known yet. Methods: We performed senescence-associated β-galactosidase and cell cycle assays in Rg3(S)-treated senescent HDFs. The levels of ROS, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) as well as the mitochondrial DNA copy number, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)⁺/1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) ratio, and NAD-dependent sirtuins expression were measured and compared among young, old, and Rg3(S)-pretreated old HDFs. Major signaling pathways of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt, 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and sirtuin 1/3, including cell cycle regulatory proteins, were examined by immunoblot analysis. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3(S) reversed the replicative senescence of HDFs by restoring the ATP level and NAD⁺/NADH ratio in downregulated senescent HDFs. Rg3(S) recovered directly the cellular levels of ROS and the NAD⁺/NADH ratio in young HDFs inactivated by rotenone. Rg3(S) mainly downregulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt through the inhibition of mTOR by cell cycle regulators like p53/p21 in senescent HDFs, whereas Rg3(R) did not alter the corresponding signaling pathways. Rg3(S)-activated sirtuin 3/PGC1α to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis. Conclusion: Cellular molecular analysis suggests that Rg3(S) specifically reverses the replicative senescence of HDFs by modulating Akt-mTOR-sirtuin signaling to promote the biogenesis of mitochondria.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.129-134
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although several recent studies have reported the anti-cancer effects of extracts or components of Citrus unshiu peel, which has been used for various purposes in traditional medicine, the molecular mechanisms for their effects remain unclear. In the present study, the anti-cancer activity of a water-soluble extract of C. unshiu peel (WECU) in MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells at the level of apoptosis induction was investigated. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using DAPI staining and flow cytometry analyses. Mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, caspase activity and Western blotting were used to confirm the basis of apoptosis. RESULTS: The results indicated that WECU-induced apoptosis was related to the activation of caspase-8, and -9, representative initiator caspases of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, respectively, and caspase-3 accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and down-regulation of the inhibitors of apoptosis protein family members. WECU also increased the pro-apoptotic BAX to anti-apoptotic BCL-2 ratio, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to cytoplasm. Furthermore, WECU provoked the generation of ROS, but the reduction of cell viability and induction of apoptosis by WECU were prevented when ROS production was blocked by antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that WECU suppressed proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells by activating extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways in a ROS-dependent manner.