Modulation of NMDA Receptor Subunits Expression by Concanavalin A.

The processes of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits expression were examined in cortical neurons and rat brain in order to investigate how the concanavalin A (Con A) modulates neuronal cells. Con A modulated the expression of NMDA receptor subunits in cultured cortical cells. Con A augmented the level of intracellular Ca(2+) by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA).

Anti-Inflammatory activities of licorice extract and its active compounds, glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin and liquiritigenin, in BV2 cells and mice liver.

This study provides the scientific basis for the anti-inflammatory effects of licorice extract in a t-BHP (tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide)-induced liver damage model and the effects of its ingredients, glycyrrhizic acid (GA), liquiritin (LQ) and liquiritigenin (LG), in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglial cell model. The GA, LQ and LG inhibited the LPS-stimulated elevation of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and interleukin (IL)-6 in BV2 (mouse brain microglia) cells. Furthermore, licorice extract inhibited the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) in the livers of t-BHP-treated mice models.

Sulforaphane attenuates obesity by inhibiting adipogenesis and activating the AMPK pathway in obese mice.

Obesity is associated with metabolic disorders. Sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate, inhibits adipogenesis and the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we investigated whether sulforaphane could prevent high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in C57BL/6N mice.

Cellular mechanisms of the cytotoxic effects of the zearalenone metabolites α-zearalenol and β-zearalenol on RAW264.7 macrophages.

Zearalenone (ZEN) and its metabolites are commonly found in many food commodities and are known to cause reproductive disorders and genotoxic effects. The major ZEN metabolites are α-zearalenol (α-ZOL) and β-zearalenol (β-ZOL). Although many studies have demonstrated the cytotoxic effects of these metabolites, the mechanisms by which α-ZOL or β-ZOL mediates their cytotoxic effects appear to differ according to cell type and the exposed toxins.

Anti-platelet activity of diacetylated obovatol through regulating cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase activities.

Obovatol has been reported biological activities such as muscle relaxative, anti-gastric ulcer, anti-allergic and anti-bacterial activities. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of diacetylated obovatol, an obovatol derivative, on rabbit platelet aggregation, and their possible molecular mechanisms. Effects of diacetylated obovatol on platelet activation including aggregation and serotonin secretion were examined.

JJK694, a synthesized obovatol derivative, inhibits platelet activation by suppressing cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase activities.

Obovatol has various biological activities, including anti-proliferative, neurotrophic, anti-fibrillogenic, anti-platelet, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of JJK694, a synthesized obovatol derivative, on rabbit platelet activation and its molecular mechanisms. JJK694 significantly inhibited washed rabbit platelet aggregation and serotonin secretion induced by collagen and arachidonic acid, but had little effect on thrombin- or U46619-induced aggregation.

Histologic effects of intentional-socket-assisted orthodontic movement in rabbits.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an intentionally created socket on bone remodeling with orthodontic tooth movement in rabbits.

Methods: Eighteen male rabbits weighing 3.8 - 4.

Rhamnetin-induced suppression of clonal expansion during early stage of adipogenesis.

Adipocyte differentiation plays a pivotal role in the progression of obesity which is a major risk factor for several diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease. In this study, the inhibitory effect of rhamnetin, a flavonoid compound, on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells was investigated. Rhamnetin decreased the accumulation of lipid droplets, and inhibited the elevation of triglyceride content in the adipocytes (IC(50) = 17.

Continuous presence of H₂O₂ induces mitochondrial-mediated, MAPK- and caspase-independent growth inhibition and cytotoxicity in human gingival fibroblasts.

The continuous generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the most important events that occur during periodontal inflammation. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is widely used in dental clinics. Many investigators have tried to elucidate the exact effect of H(2)O(2) on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).

Continuously generated H2O2 stimulates the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

Numerous studies have shown that hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) inhibits proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation in bone-like cells. Human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLF) are capable of differentiating into osteoblasts and are exposed to oxidative stress during periodontal inflammation. However, the cellular responses of PLF to H(2)O(2) have not been identified.

Mycotoxin zearalenone induces AIF- and ROS-mediated cell death through p53- and MAPK-dependent signaling pathways in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is commonly found in many food commodities and is known to cause reproductive disorders and genotoxic effects. However, the mode of ZEN-induced cell death of macrophages and the mechanisms by which ZEN causes cytotoxicity remain unclear. The present study shows that ZEN treatment reduces viability of RAW264.

Inhibitory effect of fenofibrate on neointima hyperplasia via G(0)/G(1) arrest of cell proliferation.

We have previously reported that fenofibrate displayed a potent antithrombotic effect by the inhibition of platelet aggregation. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of fenofibrate on the neointimal hyperplasia and its possible molecular mechanism. Neointimal hyperplasia was measured in balloon-inflated-induced vascular injury model of male Sprague-Dawley rats and cell proliferation was measured in primary cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

(E)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)-3-styrylurea inhibits proliferation of MCF-7 cells through G1 cell cycle arrest and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.

Growing interest in the beneficial effects of antioxidants has inspired the synthesis of new phenolic acid phenethyl ureas (PAPUs) with enhanced antioxidant potential. We have previously shown the capacity of one PAPU compound, (E)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)-3-styrylurea (PAPU1), to induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in melanoma cells. In the present study, we examined the anti-proliferative effects of PAPU compounds on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and determined the molecular mechanisms involved.

Chemoprevention of a flavonoid fraction from Rhus verniciflua Stokes on aflatoxin B1-induced hepatic damage in mice.

Since aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1))-mediated hepatic damage is related to the production of AFB(1)-8,9-epoxide and reactive oxygen species, bioactive compounds having antioxidant potentials are suggested to be capable of reducing AFB(1)-induced toxicity. We previously purified a mixture of flavonoids that we named RCMF (Rhus verniciflua Stokes chloroform-methanol fraction), from a traditional Korean food additive and herbal medicine. RCMF exhibited various biological effects, including antioxidant and antitumor activities.

Inhibitory effects of BST406, a newly synthesized benzylideneacetophenone derivative, on abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Benzylideneacetophenone analogues are known to have several significant biological activities, including antiinflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral, and gastric-protective activities. However, the antiproliferative effects of benzylideneacetophenone analogues on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate the antiproliferative effects and molecular mechanism of BST406, a newly synthesized benzylideneacetophenone derivative, on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-stimulated rat aortic VSMCs.

The protective effects of paclitaxel on platelet aggregation through the inhibition of thromboxane A2 synthase.

Paclitaxel is an anticancer drug used in the treatment of ovarian, breast, head and neck, lung, and prostate cancer. We investigated the antiplatelet activity of paclitaxel in vitro as well as a possible antiplatelet mechanism. Paclitaxel inhibited washed rabbit platelet aggregation induced by collagen in a concentration dependent manner, with an IC(50) of 59.

A phenolic acid phenethyl urea compound inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines in cell culture.

We previously used the Curtius rearrangement to synthesize various phenolic acid phenethyl urea compounds from phenolic acids and demonstrated their beneficial anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effects. Here, we investigated the effects of one of these synthetic compounds, (E)-1-(3,4-dihydroxystyryl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)urea (DSHP-U), on nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and cytokine secretion in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

JY0691, a newly synthesized obovatol derivative, inhibits cell cycle progression of rat aortic smooth muscle cells through up-regulation of p21(cip1).

Obovatol is known to have various biological activities such as muscle relaxation, anti-gastric ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-bacterial activities. We examined the effects of JY0691, a newly synthesized obovatol derivative, on the viability and proliferation in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. We also determined the mechanism by which the compound induces cell cycle arrest of the cells.

Antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities of fenofibrate, a lipid-lowering drug.

Fenofibrate, a lipid-lowering drug, inhibits hydroxyl-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA)-reductase activity, thus reducing cholesterol synthesis and increasing the clearance of circulating LDL-cholesterol via the high affinity receptor system. In addition, fenofibrate has beneficial effects such as the inhibition of tissue factor expression, antithrombotic effect and anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fenofibrate on thrombus formation in vivo and platelet activation in vitro and ex vivo.

Antiplatelet activity of beta-carboline alkaloids from Perganum harmala: a possible mechanism through inhibiting PLCgamma2 phosphorylation.

Beta-carboline alkaloids including harmalol, harmaline, norharmane, harmol, harmine and harmane are important constituents of the medicinal plant, Perganum harmala L. (Zygophylaceae), which has been used in traditional medicine. In the present study, the antiplatelet activities of six beta-carboline alkaloid compounds were investigated in vitro.

Corynoxeine isolated from the hook of Uncaria rhynchophylla inhibits rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through the blocking of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation.

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by injury to the intima of arteries is an important etiologic factor in vascular proliferative disorders such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. Uncaria rhynchophylla is traditional Chinese herb that has been applied to the treatment of convulsive disorders, such as epilepsy, in China. In the present study, we examined whether corynoxeine exerts inhibitory effects on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced rat aortic VSMC proliferation and the possible mechanism of such effects.

Genistein inhibits rat aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation through the induction of p27kip1.

Diet is one of the most important factors that influence the risks for cardiovascular diseases. Genistein, an isoflavone found in soy, may benefit the cardiovascular system. Here, we investigated the effect of genistein on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation of primary cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs).

Antiplatelet activity of carnosic acid, a phenolic diterpene from Rosmarinus officinalis.

Carnosic acid is a major phenolic diterpene derived from Rosmarinus officinalis and has been reported to have antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, antiobese and photoprotective activities. This study investigated the antiplatelet activity of carnosic acid. carnosic acid significantly inhibited collagen-, arachidonic acid-, U46619- and thrombin-induced washed rabbit platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 39+/-0.

Cudratricusxanthone A isolated from the root bark of Cudrania tricuspidata inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells through the suppression of PDGF-receptor beta tyrosine kinase.

Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB is one of the most potent vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferative factors, and abnormal VSMC proliferation by PDGF-BB plays an important role in the development and progression of cardiovascular problems, including restenosis after coronary angioplasty and atherosclerosis. Previous phytochemical studies on the stems or root barks of Cudrania tricuspidata (Moraceae) resulted in the isolation of various isoprenylated xanthones and flavonoids, some of which have anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. In the present study, we investigated the antiproliferative effect of cudratricusxanthone A isolated from the root bark of C.

Oleanolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpenoid, induces rabbit platelet aggregation through a phospholipase C-calcium dependent signaling pathway.

Oleanolic acid (3beta-hydroxy-olea-12-en-28-oic), a pentacyclic triterpenoid, exists widely in the plant kingdom and has a wide variety of pharmacological effects such as antitumor, antifungal, insecticidal, hepatoprotective and anti-HIV activities. This paper reports that oleanolic acid induces the aggregation of rabbit platelets, a mechanism was also investigated. Oleanolic acid at concentrations of 25, 50, 100 and 200 microM induced the aggregation of washed rabbit platelets in a concentration-dependent manner.