Effect of 3-caffeoyl, 4-dihydrocaffeoylquinic acid from on endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation via calcium signaling pathway.

3-Caffeoyl-4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (CDCQ) is a natural chlorogenic acid isolated from that protects against oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a physiologically beneficial role in the cardiovascular system, including vasodilation, protection of endothelial cell function, and anti-inflammation. However, the effect of CDCQ on NO production and eNOS phosphorylation in endothelial cells is unclear.

Effect of Porcine Whole Blood Protein Hydrolysate on Slow-Twitch Muscle Fiber Expression and Mitochondrial Biogenesis via the AMPK/SIRT1 Pathway.

Skeletal muscle is a heterogeneous tissue composed of a variety of functionally different fiber types. Slow-twitch type I muscle fibers are rich with mitochondria, and mitochondrial biogenesis promotes a shift towards more slow fibers. Leucine, a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), regulates slow-twitch muscle fiber expression and mitochondrial function.

Immune-Enhancing Effect of Submerged Culture of Mycelia on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Mice and the Underlying Mechanisms in Macrophages.

The white-rot fungi is used in bioremediation, such as lignocellulose degradation, in nature. Submerged cultures and extracts of mycelia (CLM) have been reported to contain various active ingredients, including β-glucan and extracellular polysaccharides, and to exert anti-diabetogenic properties in mice and cell lines. However, the immunostimulatory effects have not yet been reported.

Rutaecarpine Increases Nitric Oxide Synthesis via eNOS Phosphorylation by TRPV1-Dependent CaMKII and CaMKKβ/AMPK Signaling Pathway in Human Endothelial Cells.

Rutaecarpine (RUT) is a bioactive alkaloid isolated from the fruit of that exerts a cellular protective effect. However, its protective effects on endothelial cells and its mechanism of action are still unclear. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of RUT on nitric oxide (NO) synthesis via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation in endothelial cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor regulates the KLF2-dependent eNOS expression by activating of Ca and EGFR signaling pathway in human endothelial cells.

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is important for maintaining normal blood vessel function by preventing endothelial cell dysfunction. It has been reported that G-1, an agonist of GPER, increases nitric oxide (NO) production through the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). However, the effect of GPER activation on eNOS expression has not been studied.

Impressic Acid Ameliorates Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions by Inhibiting ERK1/2-Mediated Phosphorylation of NF-κB and STAT1.

Impressic acid (IPA), a lupane-type triterpenoid from , has many pharmacological activities, including the attenuation of vascular endothelium dysfunction, cartilage destruction, and inflammatory diseases, but its influence on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the suppressive effect of IPA on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin symptoms in mice and the underlying mechanisms in cells. IPA attenuated the DNCB-induced increase in the serum concentrations of IgE and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and in the mRNA levels of thymus and activation regulated chemokine(TARC), macrophage derived chemokine (MDC), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), interleukin-13 (IL-13), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in mice.

Rutaecarpine Protects against Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice by Activating Antioxidant Enzymes.

Rutaecarpine, an indolopyridoquinazolinone alkaloid isolated from the unripe fruit of , is used to treat hypertension, postpartum hemorrhage, dysentery, and amenorrhea as a traditional medicine in Asia. We investigated the effect of rutaecarpine on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Rutaecarpine was administered orally daily for seven consecutive days, followed by intraperitoneal injection of acetaminophen in mice on day seven to induce hepatotoxicity.

Lactic Acid Bacteria Ameliorate Diesel Exhaust Particulate Matter-Exacerbated Allergic Inflammation in a Murine Model of Asthma.

Several air pollution components such as sulfur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and diesel exhaust particulate matter (DEPM) have been linked to the development of asthma. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of three lactic acid bacteria species, GREEN CROSS Wellbeing (GCWB)1001, GCWB1085, and GCWB1156, in preventing DEPM-exacerbated asthma in mice. BALB/c mice were first sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and were either challenged with OVA or DEPM (DEPM-exacerbated asthma model) by intranasal instillation.

Immunomodulatory Activity of GCWB1176 in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression Model.

Recently, subsp. has been reported to have immunostimulating properties in an immunosuppressed-animal model. However, the immunological activities of and the molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

Hepatoprotective Effects of LM1012 in Mice Exposed to Air Pollutants.

In this study, we explored whether the use of LM1012 (TL-LM1012) as a safe probiotic exerts hepatoprotective effects by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation and alleviating aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production . In a series of safety tests, TL-LM1012 was found to have a negative response to hemolysis and biogenic amines, as well as susceptibility to antibiotics. TL-LM1012 protected cell viability and suppressed cytotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress and induced heme oxygenase-1 and superoxide dismutase activity in a dose-dependent manner in diesel exhaust particulate matter (DEPM)-treated HepG2 cells.

Development and Application of InDel Markers for Authentication of the Korean Herbs and .

and are the sources of the well-known traditional Korean herbal medicines "sancho" (prickly ash) and "chopi" (Korean pepper), respectively. Sancho and chopi are often indiscriminately mixed due to the similar appearance of the herbal materials when used as spices and herbal medicines. Moreover, commercial sancho and chopi products often contain adulterants, which is insufficient to ensure food efficacy and safety.

WY-14643 Regulates CYP1B1 Expression through Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α-Mediated Signaling in Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Human cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1)-mediated biotransformation of endobiotics and xenobiotics plays an important role in the progression of human breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the effects of WY-14643, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist, on CYP1B1 expression and the related mechanism in MCF7 breast cancer cells. We performed quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, transient transfection, and chromatin immunoprecipitation to evaluate the effects of PPARα on peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE)-mediated transcription.

Micronized, Heat-Treated LM1004 Alleviates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immune Suppression.

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory activity and associated mechanisms of heat-treated LM1004 (HT-LM1004) in a cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced mouse model of immunosuppression. HT-LM1004 induced phagocytic activity and nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages and stimulated the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, interferon (IFN)-, interleukin (IL)-2, and IL-12p70.

Suppression of PMA-induced human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 invasion and metastasis by kahweol via inhibiting Akt/JNK1/2/p38 MAPK signal pathway and NF-κB dependent transcriptional activities.

Coffee is one of the widely sales beverage worldwide and contains numerous phytochemicals that are beneficial to health. Kahweol acetate (KA), a coffee-specific diterpene, exhibits anti-tumoric properties in human tumoric cells. However, the effect of KA on the metastasis and invasion of cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Kahweol inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis by suppressing fatty acid synthase in HER2-overexpressing cancer cells.

Kahweol is a coffee-specific diterpene found in the beans of Coffea arabica and has been reported to demonstrate various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptotic properties. In the present study, we examined the molecular mechanism of kahweol in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Kahweol preferentially inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell death through the induction of a caspase 3-dependent pathway in HER2-overexpression breast cancer cell lines.

Molecular Discrimination of and by InDel Markers of Chloroplast DNA.

The tuber of ( Radix in Korean) is an important medicinal herb in Korea and China; however, it is difficult to differentiate from a related medicinal herb, ( Radix in Chinese) We sought to develop a molecular method that could be used to distinguish between the tubers of and . We aligned the chloroplast genome sequences (available in the NCBI database) of the two species and identified three species-specific insertion and deletion (InDel) sites in the , , and intergenic spacer (IGS) regions. To confirm the presence of these three InDels and validate their use as markers, we designed three primer pairs to amplify the , , and IGS regions.

Protective effect of rutaecarpine against t-BHP-induced hepatotoxicity by upregulating antioxidant enzymes via the CaMKII-Akt and Nrf2/ARE pathways.

Rutaecarpine, an indolopyridoquinazolinone alkaloid isolated from the unripe fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa, has been shown to have cytoprotective potential, but the molecular mechanism underlying this activity remains unclear. Our study was designed to investigate the cytoprotective effect of rutaecarpine against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) and to elucidate its action mechanism of action of rutaecarpine in a cultured HepG2 cell line and in mouse liver. Rutaecarpine decreased t-BHP-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

Inhibitory effects of l-theanine on airway inflammation in ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma.

l-theanine, a water-soluble amino acid isolated from green tea (Camellia sinensis), has anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidative properties, and hepatoprotective effects. However, the anti-allergic effect of l-theanine and its underlying molecular mechanisms have not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of l-theanine on asthmatic responses, particularly airway inflammation and oxidative stress modulation in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine model of asthma.

Betulinic Acid Increases eNOS Phosphorylation and NO Synthesis via the Calcium-Signaling Pathway.

Betulinic acid (BA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene that attenuates vascular diseases and atherosclerosis, but the mechanism by which it stimulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is unclear. eNOS is the key regulatory enzyme in the vascular endothelium. This study examined the intracellular pathways underlying the effects of BA on eNOS activity and endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells.

Effects of isometric exercise using biofeedback on maximum voluntary isometric contraction, pain, and muscle thickness in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

[Purpose] The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of isometric exercises using electromyographic biofeedback (EMGBF) and ultrasound biofeedback (USBF) on maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), pain assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) thickness in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). [Subjects and Methods] Thirty females over 65 years of age who had been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups, each comprising of 10 subjects. The Subjects in the EMGBF training and USBF training groups were trained with the corresponding physical training exercise program targeting the vastus medialis oblique, whereas the subjects in the control group were treated with conventional physical therapies, such as a hot pack, ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Platycodon grandiflorum root-derived saponins attenuate atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions via suppression of NF-κB and STAT1 and activation of Nrf2/ARE-mediated heme oxygenase-1.

Purpose: The consequences of precipitously rising allergic skin inflammation rates worldwide have accelerated the risk of atopic dermatitis (AD). Natural product-based agents with good efficacy and low risk of side effects offer promising prevention and treatment strategies for inflammation-related diseases. We have already reported that Platycodon grandiflorum root-derived saponins (Changkil saponins, CKS) have many pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects, but its influence on AD remains unclear.

Saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum suppresses TGFβ1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition via repression of PI3K/Akt, ERK1/2 and Smad2/3 pathway in human lung carcinoma A549 cells.

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a multifunctional cytokine that induces growth arrest, tissue fibrosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through activation of Smad and non-Smad signaling pathways. EMT is the differentiation switch by which polarized epithelial cells differentiate into contractile and motile mesenchymal cells. Our previous studies have shown that saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (CKS) have antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antimetastatic, and hepatoprotective effects.

Saponins from Platycodon grandiflorum inhibit hepatic lipogenesis through induction of SIRT1 and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in high-glucose-induced HepG2 cells.

Saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (Changkil saponins, CKS) have antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. This study investigated the effects of CKS on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and hepatic lipogenesis in HepG2 cells. CKS suppressed high-glucose-induced lipid accumulation and inhibited high-glucose-induced fatty acid synthase (FAS) and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) expression in HepG2 cells.

Platycodi Radix attenuates dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis in rats by inducing Nrf2-mediated antioxidant enzymes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-fibrotic effects of the aqueous extract of the Platycodi Radix root (Changkil: CK) on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. DMN treatment for 4 weeks led to marked liver fibrosis as assessed by serum biochemistry, histopathological examination, and hepatic lipid peroxidation and collagen content. CK significantly inhibited DMN-induced increases in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, fibrosis score, and hepatic malondialdehyde and collagen content.