Acylated saponins and flavonoid glycosides from the fruits of Stewartia koreana.

Three acylated saponins and three flavonoid glycosides, along with nine known flavonoids, were isolated from the fruits of Stewartia koreana Nakai ex Rehder (Theaceae) using relative mass defect filtering analysis. The structures of these compounds were determined by performing spectroscopic analyses and using chemical methods. Furthermore, all the isolates were evaluated for their effects on the mRNA expression of the genes for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) as well as their inhibitory activities on PCSK9 and LDLR binding.

Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles Doped Liquid Crystal System for Superior Electro-Optical Properties.

We examined the properties of nematic liquid crystal (N-LC) systems with dispersed nickel oxide nanoparticles (NPs). Uniform LC alignments with regular pretilt angles were achieved on rubbed polymer surface regardless of NiO nanoparticles concentration. We confirmed the electro-optical characteristics of twisted nematic (TN) cells containing NiO nanoparticles on rubbed polymer surface, which exhibited lower threshold voltages and faster response times with less capacitance hysteresis than pure LC cells.

High performance twisted nematic liquid crystal display with solution-derived YZO surface modification via ion-beam irradiation.

Solution-derived YZO films were investigated as liquid crystal (LC) alignment layers modified by ion beam (IB) irradiation. Solution processing was adopted in place of the sputtering method for the deposition of YZO films as LC alignment layers. Uniform and homogeneous LC alignment was achieved to produce a high performance LC system.

Protective immunity of Pichia pastoris-expressed recombinant envelope protein of Japanese encephalitis virus.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) envelope (E) protein holds great promise for use in the development of a recombinant vaccine. Purified recombinant E (rE) protein may be useful for numerous clinical applications; however, there are limitations in using the Escherichia coli expression system for producing high-quality rE protein. Therefore, in this study, the yeast expression system was used to generate the rE protein.

Purification and characterization of a novel angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptide derived from an enzymatic hydrolysate of duck skin byproducts.

An angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide was isolated and identified from hydrolysates of duck skin byproducts. Duck skin byproducts were hydrolyzed using nine proteases (Alcalase, Collagenase, Flavourzyme, Neutrase, papain, pepsin, Protamex, trypsin, and α-chymotrypsin) to produce an antihypertensive peptide. Of the various hydrolysates produced, the α-chymotrypsin hydrolysate exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory activity.

Immunogenicity of Japanese encephalitis virus envelope protein by Hyphantria cunea nuclear polyhedrosis virus vector in guinea pig.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is an important pathogen causing febrile syndrome, encephalitis, and death. Envelop (E) glycoprotein is the major target of inducing neutralizing antibodies and protective immunity in host. In this study, E glycoprotein of JEV was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperd 9 cells as a fusion protein containing a gX signal sequence of pseudorabies virus.

Mechanism of activation of human c-KIT kinase by internal tandem duplications of the juxtamembrane domain and point mutations at aspartic acid 816.

The proto-oncogene c-KIT receptor has been implicated as an essential component in the activation of leukemic cells. The internal tandem duplication (ITD) of c-KIT has also been identified as a predominant cause of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), although its role in the activation process is still unclear. To investigate the biological mechanisms of c-KIT activation, we generated a c-KIT receptor bearing two different immunological tags, HA and Flag tags.

A comparison of the immunostimulatory effects of the medicinal herbs Echinacea, Ashwagandha and Brahmi.

Aim Of The Study: Herbs, as food or medicine, can strengthen the body and increase its resistance to illnesses by acting on various components of the immune system. For example, Echinacea is noted for its ability to enhance immune function, primarily through activation of the innate immune responses. Here, we investigated the potential for two herbs commonly found in India, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), to enhance immune function and compared their effects to that of Echinacea.

Neuroprotective effects of a novel peptide purified from venison protein.

A novel antioxidative peptide (APVPH I, antioxidative peptides from venison protein hydrolysates I) was purified from venison by enzymatic hydrolysis, column chromatography of DEAE-Sephacel and high performance liquid chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified peptide was found to be 9,853 Da and the amino acid sequences of the purified peptide was Met-Gln-Ile-Phe-Val-Lys-Thr-Leu-Thr-Gly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of APVPH I against H2O2-induced neuronal cells damage in PC-12 cells.

Diminished expression of dihydropteridine reductase is a potent biomarker for hypertensive vessels.

To identify the new targets for hypertension, we analyzed the protein expression profiles of aortic smooth muscle in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) of various ages during the development of hypertension, as well as in age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, using a proteomic analysis. The expressions of seven proteins were altered in SHR compared with WKY rats. Of these proteins, NADH dehydrogenase 1alpha, GSTomega1, peroxi-redoxin I and transgelin were upregulated in SHR compared with WKY rats.

Antioxidant activity of enzymatic extracts from Stellaria dichotoma.

The antioxidant properties of enzymatic extracts from Stellaria dichotoma were evaluated using seven carbohydrases (Promozyme, Celluclast, Maltogenase, Viscozyme, Termamyl, Dextrozyme, and AMG 300L) and five proteases (Protamex, Flavourzyme, Neutrase, pancreatic trypsin, and Alcalase) (all from Novo Co., Novozyme Nordisk, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydroxyl radical, and alkyl radical scavenging activity using an electron spin resonance spectrometer. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of pancreatic trypsin and Celluclast extracts from S.

Gene transfer of redox factor-1 inhibits neointimal formation: involvement of platelet-derived growth factor-beta receptor signaling via the inhibition of the reactive oxygen species-mediated Syk pathway.

The role of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease-1/redox factor-1 (Ref-1) in vascular smooth muscle cells has yet to be clearly elucidated. Therefore, we attempted to determine the roles of Ref-1 in the migration induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and in its signaling in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). Cellular migration, superoxide (O(2)(-*)) production, Rac-1 activity, and neointima formation were determined in cells transfected with adenoviruses encoding for Ref-1 (AdRef-1) and small interference RNA of Ref-1.

Soluble form of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 induces migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Background: Serum levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) shed from its membrane-bound form are elevated in hypertension. This study clarified the effects of sVCAM-1 on vascular responses in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs).

Methods: Boyden chamber, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation and ex vivo aortic ring assays for migration and proliferation, and Western blot for the kinase activity were used.

Contribution of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 to the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), a circulating form of ICAM-1, has been known to be involved in the development of vascular diseases that are associated with vascular smooth muscle cell migration, such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. Here we investigated the contributions of sICAM-1 in promoting vascular migration in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). sICAM-1 increased RASMC migration, and this response was stronger in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) than in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase contributes to angiotensin II-stimulated migration of rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

In this study, we clarified the intracellular mechanism of angiotensin II (Ang II) in promoting migration in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). RASMC migration was measured with the Boyden chamber assay, and the result was confirmed with an aortic sprout assay. The activities of kinases were investigated by western blot analysis.

Genome-wide examination of chromosomal aberrations in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells by array-based comparative genomic hybridization.

Most neuroblastoma cells have chromosomal aberrations such as gains, losses, amplifications and deletions of DNA. Conventional approaches like fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or metaphase comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) can detect chromosomal aberrations, but their resolution is low. In this study we used array-based comparative genomic hybridization to identify the chromosomal aberrations in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

Sulfated chitooligosaccharides as prolyl endopeptidase inhibitor.

Prolyl endopeptidase (PEP, EC 3.4.21.

Cudraflavanone A, a flavonoid isolated from the root bark of Cudrania tricuspidata, inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell growth via an Akt-dependent pathway.

In previous studies of the root bark of Cudrania tricuspidata, various isoprenylated xanthones and flavonoids were isolated, some of which have anticancer, hepatoprotective, and antiperoxidative activities. Cytokines and growth factors are involved in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in atherosclerotic plaques. To assess whether cudraflavanone A isolated from the root bark of C.

Syk contributes to PDGF-BB-mediated migration of rat aortic smooth muscle cells via MAPK pathways.

Objective: Here we investigated the role of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) in the migration induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC).

Methods: Cell migration was determined using a Boyden chamber, by wound-healing, and by aortic ring assays. Activity of Syk, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) were tested using immunoblotting with kinase inhibitors and small interference RNAs.

Phorbol ester-induced contraction through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is diminished in aortas from DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.

The role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the decreased contractile response to phorbol ester in aortic smooth muscle strips from deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats was examined. Norepinephrine (NE) evoked greater contractility in aortic strips from DOCA rats than in those of sham-operated rats. 12-Deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate (DPB) induced contraction in Ca2+-free medium, which was diminished in strips from DOCA rats compared to sham-operated rats.

Structural determinants for the membrane interaction of novel bioactive undecapeptides derived from gaegurin 5.

Gaegurin 5 is a 24-residue, membrane-active antimicrobial peptide isolated from the skin of an Asian frog, Rana rugosa. We recently reported the antimicrobial activities of two novel undecapeptides derived from an inactive N-terminal fragment (residues 1-11) of gaegurin 5 (Won, et al. J.

Epidermal growth factor induces vasoconstriction through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in hypertensive rats.

We investigated whether increased contractile responsiveness to epidermal growth factor (EGF) is associated with altered activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the aortic smooth muscle of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. EGF induced contraction and MAPK activity in aortic smooth muscle strips, which were significantly increased in tissues from the DOCA-salt hypertensive rats compared with those from sham-operated rats. AG1478, PD98059, and LY294002, inhibitors of EGF receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase, MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), respectively, inhibited the contraction and the activity of ERK1/2 that were elevated by EGF.

Antiplatelet activity of [5-(2-methoxy-5-chlorophenyl)furan-2-ylcarbonyl]guanidine (KR-32570), a novel sodium/hydrogen exchanger-1 and its mechanism of action.

The antiplatelet effects of a novel guanidine derivative, KR-32570 ([5-(2-methoxy-5-chlorophenyl) furan-2-ylcarbonyl]guanidine), were investigated with an emphasis on the mechanisms underlying its inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation. KR-32570 significantly inhibited the aggregation of washed rabbit platelets induced by collagen (10 microg/mL), thrombin (0.05 U/mL), arachidonic acid (100 microM), a thromboxane (TX) A2 mimetic agent U46619 (9,11-dideoxy-9,11-methanoepoxy-prostaglandin F2, 1 microM) and a Ca2+ ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (0.

Stereospecific effects of ginsenoside Rg3 epimers on swine coronary artery contractions.

Previous reports have shown that ginseng saponins, the active ingredients of Panax ginseng, induce relaxation of hormone- or high K(+)-induced blood vessel contraction. We recently demonstrated that 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg(3) epimers regulate ion channel activities in a stereospecific manner. Here, we examined whether ginsenoside Rg(3) epimers also exhibit differential effects on swine coronary artery contractions induced by high K(+) or 5-HT.