• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2015

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a major component of the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. Its effects on living organisms are different from those of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) found in Gram-negative bacteria. LTA contributes to immune regulatory effects including anti-aging. In this study, we showed that LTA isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum (pLTA) inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. pLTA reduced the cellular activity of tyrosinase and the expression of tyrosinase family members in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of microphthalmia- associated transcription factor (MITF), a key factor in the synthesis of melanin, was also decreased by pLTA. Further, we showed that pLTA activated melanogenesis signaling, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinse (PI3K)/AKT. In addition, the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) and HuR, which are important RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), was reduced. pLTA likely degrades MITF via regulation of melanogenic signaling and RNA stability of melanogenic proteins, resulting in the reduction of melanin. Thus, our data suggest that pLTA has therapeutic potential for treating hyperpigmentation disorders and can also be used as a cosmetic whitening agent.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1174-1178
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• 2011

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are microbial polysaccharides that are released outside of the bacterial cell wall. There have been few studies on EPS-producing lactic acid bacteria that can enhance macrophage activity and the underlying signaling mechanism for cytokine expression. In the current study, EPS-overproducing Lactobacillus (L.) paracasei KB28 was isolated from kimchi and cultivated in conditioned media containing glucose, sucrose, and lactose. The whole bacterial cells were obtained with their EPS being attached, and the cytokine-inducing activities of these cells were investigated. Gas chromatography analysis showed the presence of glucose, galactose, mannose, xylose, arabinose, and rhamnose in EPS composition. EPS-producing L. paracasei KB28 induced the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12 in mouse macrophages. This strain also caused the degradation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and phosphorylation of the major MAPKs: Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. The use of pharmacological inhibitors showed that different signaling pathways were involved in the induction of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-12 by L. paracasei KB28. Our results provide information for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the immunomodulatory effect of food-derived EPS-producing lactic acid bacteria.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2002

This study were constructed to investigate effects of duck's egg oil on antitumor agent or a new natural immunomodulator. To obtained the aboved objectives, Duck's egg oil was purified the large scale from Duck. Duck's egg oil was accelerated the increasing reaction of mouse spleen cells, while inhibited to increase the YAC-cells. However, there is no significance the rate of CD4'/CD8'cell. The normal rate of CD4'-T and CD8'-T cells were accelerated the higher rate than that normal mouse group, and Duck's egg oil feeding mice showed a significant enhancement of expression of IL-2 receptors, an increase of numbers of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells. Otherwise, Duck's egg oil stimulated the production of NO from peritoneal macrophages and the production of TNF-a and also significantly accelerated in the spleen mice. On the other hands, lung localization of B16F10 melanoma cells inhibited by Duck's egg oil. These results found that Duck's egg oil is useful new functional materials as antitumor agent or immunomodulator.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.54.1-54.13
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• 2021

Background: Hypoxia causes oxidative stress and affects cardiovascular function and the programming of cardiovascular disease. Melatonin promotes antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the correlation between melatonin and hypoxia induction in cardiomyocytes differentiation. Methods: Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) were induced to myocardial differentiation. To demonstrate the influence of melatonin under hypoxia, mESC was pretreated with melatonin and then cultured in hypoxic condition. The cardiac beating ratio of the mESC-derived cardiomyocytes, mRNA and protein expression levels were investigated. Results: Under hypoxic condition, the mRNA expression of cardiac-lineage markers (Brachyury, Tbx20, and cTn1) and melatonin receptor (Mtnr1a) was reduced. The mRNA expression of cTn1 and the beating ratio of mESCs increased when melatonin was treated simultaneously with hypoxia, compared to when only exposed to hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α protein decreased with melatonin treatment under hypoxia, and Mtnr1a mRNA expression increased. When the cells were exposed to hypoxia with melatonin treatment, the protein expressions of phospho-extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK) and Bcl-2-associated X proteins (Bax) decreased, however, the levels of phospho-protein kinase B (p-Akt), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) proteins, and antioxidant enzymes including Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and catalase were increased. Competitive melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole blocked the melatonin-induced effects. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that hypoxia inhibits cardiomyocytes differentiation and melatonin partially mitigates the adverse effect of hypoxia in myocardial differentiation by regulating apoptosis and oxidative stress through the p-AKT and PI3K pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.508-513
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• 2019

In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of ${\alpha}-lipoic$ acid (LA) and decursinol (Dec) hybrid compound LA-Dec were evaluated and compared with its prodrugs, LA and Dec. LA-Dec dose-dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation in BV2 mouse microglial cells. On the other hand, no or mild inhibitory effect was shown by the Dec and LA, respectively. LA-Dec demonstrated dose-dependent protection from activation-induced cell death in BV2 cells. LA-Dec, but not LA or Dec individually, inhibited LPS-induced increased expressions of induced NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins in a dose-dependent manner in both BV2 and mouse macrophage, RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, LA-Dec inhibited LPS-induced expressions of iNOS, COX-2, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and $interleukin-1{\beta}$ mRNA in BV2 cells, whereas the same concentration of LA or Dec was ineffective. Signaling studies demonstrated that LA-Dec inhibited LPS-activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and protein kinase B activation, but not nuclear factor-kappa B or mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. The data implicate LA-Dec hybrid compound as a potential therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.323-332
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• 2024

Background: Studies have reported that the combination of two or more therapeutic compounds at certain ratios has more noticeable pharmaceutical properties than single compounds and requires reduced dosage of each agent. Red ginseng and velvet antler have been extensively used in boosting immunity and physical strength and preventing diseases. Thus, this study was conducted to elucidate the skin-protective potentials of red ginseng extract (RGE) and velvet antler extract (VAE) alone or in combination on ultraviolet (UVB)-irradiated human keratinocytes and SKH-1 hairless mice. Methods: HaCaT cells were preincubated with RGE/VAE alone or in combination for 2 h before UVB (30 mJ/cm²) irradiation. SKH-1 mice were orally given RGE/VAE alone or in combination for 15 days before exposure to single dose of UVB (600 mJ/cm²). Treated cells and treated skin tissues were collected and subjected to subsequent experiments. Results: RGE/VAE pretreatment alone or in combination significantly prevented UVB-induced cell death, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species production, and DNA damage in keratinocytes and SKH-1 mouse skins by downregulating mitogen-activated protein kinases/activator protein 1/nuclear factor kappa B and caspase signaling pathways. These extracts also strengthened the antioxidant defense systems and skin barriers in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells and SKH-1 mouse skins. Furthermore, RGE/VAE co-administration appeared to be more effective in preventing UVB-caused skin injury than these extracts used alone. Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that the consumption of RGE/VAE, especially in combination, offers a protective ability against UVB-caused skin injury by preventing inflammation and apoptosis and enhancing antioxidant capacity.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.611-616
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• 2003

Korean ginseng(Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer) known as a oriental miracle drug is an important medicinal plant. Ginseng has been used for geriatric, tonic, stomachic, and aphrodisiac treatments for thousands years. Also, it is an antibiotic and has therapeutic properties against stress and cancer. Ginseng is widely distributed all over the world. Among them, Korean mountain ginseng has the most valuable effect on pharmaceuticals. The roots of mountain ginseng contained several kinds of ginsenosides that have many active functions for the human body. However, the study of mountain ginseng has a limit because the mountain ginseng is very expensive and rare. So, we artificially cultured mountain ginseng adventitious roots using the bioreactor culture system. We induced callus from original mountain ginseng, directly dug up in mountain and aged about one hundred ten years. Separated adventitious roots were precultured in 500ml conical flasks and then, transferred in 20L bioreactors. The adventitious roots of mountain ginseng were harvested after culturing for 40days, dried and then, extracted with several solvents. In this study, we investigated the whitening effect, anti-wrinkle effect and the safety of tissue cultured adventitious roots extract of mountain ginseng in order to identify the merit as a cosmetic ingredient. Particularly, extract of mountain ginseng adventitious roots showed whitening and anti-wrinkle effects. The inhibitory effect of this extract on the melanogenesis was examined using B-16 melanoma cell. When B-16 melanoma cells were cultured with adventitious root extract, there was a dramatically decrease in melanin contents of 8-16 melanoma cell. And we identified this extract inhibited Dopa auto-oxidation significantly. Also, when transformed mouse fibroblast L929 cells were treated with this extract, there was a significant increase in collagen synthesis. The results show significant inhibited melanization and wrinkle without inhibiting cell viability.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.75-82
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• 2012

Objective : In the present study, we investigated the pharmacological profile of the aqueous extract of $Patrinia$ $scabiosaefolia$ Fischer ex Link (EPS) and $Patrinia$ $villosa$ Jussieu (EPV) for its anti-asthmatic activities. The purpose of this study is to ascertain if EPS result in better anti-asthmatic activities and functional outcome as compared with EPV. Methods : In this study, BALB/c mice were systemically sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) followed intratracheally, intraperitoneally, and by aerosol allergen challenges. We investigated the effect of EPS, EPV on the recruitment of pulmonary inflammatory cells, various immune cell phenotypes, Th1/Th2 cytokine gene expression and production and histamine production in serum. Results : In BALB/c mice, we found that EPV-treated groups had more effectively suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration of lung and BALF, B220+IgE+, CD11b+Gr-1+ cell population in lung and these occurred by suppressing the gene expression of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-4 cytokine production in BALF and serum. Conclusions : These results suggest that EPV may play an important role in the control of anti-asthmatic activities by down-regulation of Th2 cytokine (especially IL-4, IL-5). In general, EPV has shown a better anti-asthmatic activities compared to EPS.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.92-105
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• 2018

Objectives: This aim of this study is to compare the reflux esophagitis improvement effects of Sepiae Os, Arcae Concha, Ostreae Concha, and Proton Pump Inhibitor(esomeprazole) through rat experiments. Methods: NO production inhibitory effect was measured by NO production amount and iNOS mRNA expression level in cell lines. iNOS, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $p-I{\kappa}B$, and serotonin were compared using immunohistochemistry at the rat reflux esophagitis. Reflux esophagitis connection external form, lower esophageal sphincter, and gap were observed and an esophageal inflammatory indicator, IL-6 activity was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: NO production and iNOS mRNA expression was showed concentration dependent decrease in cell lines treated with Sepiae OS, Arcae Concha, and Ostreae Concha at the experiments of cell lines. In the suppression of iNOS and $p-I{\kappa}B$ at the rat reflux esophagitis, Sepiae Os treat group(SOT) and Ostreae Concha treat group(OCT) were more effective. In the increase of serotonin at the rat reflux esophagitis, ACT, MT and OCT were more effective. Damage of lower esophageal sphincter, and gap between esophageal keratin and mucosa were observed less at the SOT, ACT, OCT. In the suppression of IL-6 at the rat reflux esophagitis, SOT and OCT were more effective than GE and, SOT was more effective than MT significantly. Conclusions: The anti-inflammatory effect was the best in the SOT and lower esophageal sphincter muscle contraction was the best in the ACT at the rat reflux esophagitis. Sepiae OS was more effective than esomeprazole in the suppression of iNOS, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-6.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 1998

The apoptosis-inducing activity of ursolic acid (UA) was examined in mouse F9 teratocarcinoma cells on the bases of biochemical and morphological characteeristics. UA, pentacyclic trierpene acid, exhibits antitumor activities including inhibition of skin tumorigenesis, induction of tumor cell differentiation and antitumor promotion. Treatment with UA showed that the decrease of cell viability was dose-dependent. UA also induced genomic DNA fragmetation, a hallmark of apoptosis, indicating that the mechanism of UA-induced F9 cell death was through apoptosis. When the morphology of the F9 cells was examined by electron microscopy, the cells treated with UA showed the charcteristic morphological features of apoptosis such as chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. DNA fragmentations by UA were inhibired by cycloheximide, which suggest that de novo protein synthesis was required for DNA fragmentation by UA. Inaddition, the expression of c-jun was increased, but those of c-myc and laminin B1 were decreased during apoptosis induced by UA in F9 cells. These results suggest that UA causes an apoptosis in F9 cells. Further, the increased expression of c-jun may be involved in the UA-induced apoptosis of f9 cells.