Tumor antigen PRAME is up-regulated by MZF1 in cooperation with DNA hypomethylation in melanoma cells.

Elevated expression of preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) has been implicated in disease progression in a variety of cancers. However, the mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of PRAME remain largely unexplored. Initially, we observed that PRAME was elevated in proportion to the malignant potential of melanoma cells.

Deoxypodophyllotoxin induces cytoprotective autophagy against apoptosis via inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in osteosarcoma U2OS cells.

Background: A natural compound deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) possesses potent anti-proliferative and anti-tumor properties on several cancer types. It triggers cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis through various cellular processes. However, it is limited to the action mechanism of DPT-mediated cell death modes via apoptosis and autophagy.

Mantidis ootheca induces vascular relaxation through PI3K/AKT-mediated nitric oxide-cyclic GMP-protein kinase G signaling in endothelial cells.

Mantidis ootheca (Sang Piao Xiao) is well known mantis eggs in a foamy pouch. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms of the nitric oxide (NO)-releasing property of the aqueous extract of Mantidis ootheca (AMO) in rat aorta and vascular endothelial cells. AMO was examined for its vascular relaxant effect in isolated phenylephrine-precontracted rat thoracic aortic rings.

Moutan Cortex Protects Hepatocytes against Oxidative Injury through AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway.

Moutan Cortex, the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa ANDREWS in Ranunculaceae, has widely demonstrated analgesic, anti-spasmodic, and anti-inflammatory effects in various cancer and immune cell lines. Oxidative stress is associated with development of several diseases, including liver disease. We prepared the water extract of Moutan Cortex (MCE) to investigate the cytoprotective activities and its mechanism.

Anti-inflammatory 12,20-Epoxypregnane and 11,12-seco-Pregnane Glycosides from the Stems of Hoya kerrii.

Five 12,20-epoxypregnane glycosides (1-3, 5, and 6) and two 11,12-seco-pregnane glycosides (4 and 7) with spirodilactone motifs, as well as spirodilactone cleavage products 8 and 9, were isolated from the stems of Hoya kerrii. The relative configurations of the three related skeletons were supported by ROESY experiments and X-ray crystallographic analyses. The isolates were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity based on the inhibition of NO production in RAW264.

Inhibition of Autophagy Promotes Salinomycin-Induced Apoptosis via Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK/p38 MAPK-Dependent Signaling in Human Prostate Cancer Cells.

Recently, the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis has become an important factor in chemotherapy for cancer treatment. Inhibition of autophagy may be an effective strategy to improve the treatment of chemo-resistant cancer by consistent exposure to chemotherapeutic drugs. However, no reports have clearly elucidated the underlying mechanisms.

Salinomycin induces endoplasmic reticulum stress‑mediated autophagy and apoptosis through generation of reactive oxygen species in human glioma U87MG cells.

Salinomycin is a polyether ionophore antibiotic that has recently been shown to induce cell apoptosis in human cancer cells displaying multiple mechanisms of drug resistance. In the present study, we explored the impact of salinomycin on the apoptosis and autophagy as well as the correlation between those effects and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress molecular mechanisms in human glioma U87MG cells. Apoptosis, autophagy and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were analyzed using flow cytometry.

Garlic extract in bladder cancer prevention: Evidence from T24 bladder cancer cell xenograft model, tissue microarray, and gene network analysis.

There is a growing interest in the use of naturally occurring agents in cancer prevention. This study investigated the garlic extract affects in bladder cancer (BC) prevention. The effect of garlic extract in cancer prevention was evaluated using the T24 BC BALB/C-nude mouse xenograft model.

PER2 is downregulated by the LPS-induced inflammatory response in synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis and is implicated in disease susceptibility.

The clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) present with circadian variation, with joint stiffness and pain more prominent in the early morning. The mammalian clock genes, which include circadian locomotor output cycles kaput, brain and muscle Arnt-like protein 1, period and cryptochrome, regulate circadian rhythms. In order to identify the association between genetic polymorphisms in the circadian clock gene period 2 (PER2) and RA, the present study genotyped three PER2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs934945, rs6754875, and rs2304674, using genetic information from 256 RA patients and 499 control subjects.

The physico-chemical alteration of lovastatin and enhanced antioxidant effect of Bacillus subtilis fermented-red yeast rice product.

Red yeast rice product (RYP) has been used as a food supplement because of its lipid lowering, and in food additives as a natural colorant. Lovastatin of RYP is a hypolipidemic commercial drug. To enhance the beneficial effects of RYP, we performed a bioconversion with Bacillus subtilis.

Blood glycemia-modulating effects of melanian snail protein hydrolysates in mice with type II diabetes.

Freshwater animal proteins have long been used as nutrient supplements. In this study, melanian snail (Semisulcospira libertina) protein hydrolysates (MPh) were found to exert anti-diabetic and protective effects against liver and kidney damage in mice with type II diabetes adapted to a 45% kcal high-fat diet (HFD). The hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of MPh were analyzed after 12 weeks of the continuous oral administration of MPh at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg.

Managing Chronic Kidney Disease and Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine: A Case Study.

This case study details the treatment of a 59-year-old male with Stage 3B chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy of the left limbs using acupuncture and bulk herbs. After 6 weeks of combined acupuncture and herbal treatments, glomerular filtration rate increased significantly from 37 mL/min to 51 mL/min and serum creatinine level decreased from 1.85 mg/dL to 1.

β-Lapachone suppresses the lung metastasis of melanoma via the MAPK signaling pathway.

β-Lapachone is a natural quinone compound from Lapacho trees, which has various pharmacological effects such as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the effect of β-lapachone on metastasis of melanoma cells is unclear. In this study, β-lapachone reduced cell viability of metastatic melanoma cancer cell lines B16F10 and B16BL6 through induction of apoptosis via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.

Dysfunction of Microglial STAT3 Alleviates Depressive Behavior via Neuron-Microglia Interactions.

Neuron-microglia interactions have a crucial role in maintaining the neuroimmune system. The balance of neuroimmune system has emerged as an important process in the pathophysiology of depression. However, how neuron-microglia interactions contribute to major depressive disorders has been poorly understood.

Anti-inflammatory action of 2-carbomethoxy-2,3-epoxy-3-prenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (CMEP-NQ) suppresses both the MyD88-dependent and TRIF-dependent pathways of TLR4 signaling in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The roots of Rubia cordifolia L. have been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine in Northeast Asia for treating inflammatory diseases.

Aim Of The Study: To elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of 2-carbomethoxy-2,3-epoxy-3- prenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (CMEP-NQ), purified from the roots of R.

HVC1 ameliorates hyperlipidemia and inflammation in LDLR mice.

Background: HVC1 consists of Coptidis Rhizoma (dried rhizome of Coptischinensis), Scutellariae Radix (root of Scutellariabaicalensis), Rhei Rhizoma (rhizome of Rheum officinale), and Pruni Cortex (cortex of Prunusyedoensis Matsum). Although the components are known to be effective in various conditions such as inflammation, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia, there are no reports of the molecular mechanism of its hypolipidemic effects.

Methods: We investigated the hypolipidemic effect of HVC1 in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (LDLR) mice fed a high-cholesterol diet for 13 weeks.

Plantago asiatica L. Ameliorates Puromycin Aminonucleoside-Induced Nephrotic Syndrome by Suppressing Inflammation and Apoptosis.

Objective: Nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disease with a variety of causes, is mainly characterized by heavy proteinuria, hypoproteinemia, and ascites. This study was designed to evaluate the underlying mechanism of action of L. (PAL) in treating nephrotic syndrome induced by puromycin aminonucleoside.

Electroacupuncture for insomnia disorder: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects many adults either transiently or chronically. The societal cost of insomnia is on the rise, while long-term use of current drug treatments can involve adverse effects. Recently, electroacupuncture (EA) has been used to treat various conditions including insomnia.

Compliance and persistence with oral bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteoporosis in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Poor adherence with oral bisphosphonates (BPs) can mitigate their therapeutic benefit for osteoporosis and is a significant clinical burden. Most previous studies regarding adherence with oral BPs have focused on postmenopausal osteoporosis, but little attention has been given to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thus, we investigated compliance and persistence with oral BPs in the treatment of osteoporosis and analyzed risk factors for poor adherence in female patients with (RA) in real setting.

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Induces Death Receptor-mediated Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells.

Background: Bile acids have anti-cancer properties in a certain types of cancers. We determined anticancer activity and its underlying molecular mechanism of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in human DU145 prostate cancer cells.

Methods: Cell viability was measured with an MTT assay.

Salinomycin Induces Reactive Oxygen Species and Apoptosis in Aggressive Breast Cancer Cells as Mediated with Regulation of Autophagy.

Background/aim: Chemotherapy is a critical option for cancer treatment. However, consistent exposure to chemotherapeutic drugs promotes chemoresistance in cancer cells through diverse mechanisms. Accordingly, we investigated whether salinomycin, a monocarboxylic ionophore, could induce apoptosis in aggressive breast cancer cells or not, as well as its underlying mechanism.

Tonggyu-tang, a traditional Korean medicine, suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine production through inhibition of MAPK and NF-κB activation in human mast cells and keratinocytes.

Background: Allergic diseases including allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis are increasing worldwide. Common medications used to treat these inflammatory disorders are anti-histamines and corticosteroids, but they have their own limitations such as short duration and severe side effects. Thus, interest in complementary and alternative medicine is continually growing.

Modified SJH alleviates FFAs-induced hepatic steatosis through leptin signaling pathways.

Samjunghwan (SJH) is an herbal formula used in traditional Korean medicine. This prescription has long been used in treatment of aging and lifestyle diseases. The current study showed the effect and mechanisms of anti-hepatic steatosis action of modified SJH (mSJH) in vitro and in vivo.

ROS Production and ERK Activity Are Involved in the Effects of d-β-Hydroxybutyrate and Metformin in a Glucose Deficient Condition.

Hypoglycemia, a complication of insulin or sulfonylurea therapy in diabetic patients, leads to brain damage. Furthermore, glucose replenishment following hypoglycemic coma induces neuronal cell death. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism underlying glucose deficiency-induced cytotoxicity and the protective effect of d-β-hydroxybutyrate (D-BHB) using SH-SY5Y cells.