Hyeong-Seon Lee

Anti-inflammatory effects of dichloromethane fraction from Orostachys japonicus in RAW 264.7 cells: Suppression of NF-κB activation and MAPK signaling

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (O. japonicus) is known to reduce the risk of many diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of the dichloromethane (DCM) fraction from O. japonicus (OJD) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS NO was measured using the Griess method. Key pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators including IL-1β, TLR4, iNOS, and COX-2; 2 important pro-inflammatory transcription factors, NF-κB p65 and IκBα; and MAPKs such as ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS OJD significantly inhibited NO production, IL-1β, TLR4, iNOS, and COX-2 expression in LPS-stimulated cells. Additionally, it inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB p65 activation via inhibition of IκBα phosphorylation. Furthermore, phosphorylation of p38 and JNK was suppressed by OJD in a dose-dependent manner in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that OJD inhibits the inflammatory response via suppression of NF-κB activation and MAPK signaling.

Anti-oxidizing effect of the dichloromethane and hexane fractions from Orostachys japonicus in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells via upregulation of Nrf2 expression and activation of MAPK signaling pathway

Orostachys japonicus shows various biological activities. However, the molecular mechanisms remain unknown in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Here, we investigated the anti-oxidizing effect of the dichloromethane (DCM) and hexane fractions from O. japonicus (OJD and OJH) against oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. OJD and OJH significantly increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, it was found that the expression of HO-1 was stimulated by Nrf2 activated via degradation of Keap1. ERK and p38 inhibitors repressed HO-1 induced by OJD and OJH in LPS-stimulated cells, respectively. In conclusion, these results suggest that OJD and OJH may block oxidative damage stimulated by LPS, via increasing the expression of HO-1 and Nrf2, and MAPK signaling pathway. [BMB Reports 2014; 47(2): 98-103]

Anti-cancer activity of the ethylacetate fraction from Orostachys japonicus for modulation of the signaling pathway in HepG2 human hepatoma cells

The molecular mechanisms of the ethylacetate (EtOAc) fraction from Orostachys japonicus (OJE) (including gallic acid, kaempferol, and quercetin) for anti-cancer activities in HepG2 cells were investigated. Apoptosis was detected using morphological observation of nuclear changes and investigation of phosphatidylserine exposure at the cytoplasmic membrane using FITC-Annexin V/PI staining. Activities of the apoptotic factors bcl-2, bax, cytochrome c, pro-caspase-3, 8, and 9, as well as MAPKs levels, were measured using western blotting. Some morphologic features of apoptosis were identified using confocal microscopy. OJE caused the expression of apoptotic proteins to change, as evidenced by an increased bax/bcl-2 ratio and increased expression of cytochrome c, and decreased expressions of pro-caspase-3, 8, and 9. After HepG2 cells were exposed to OJE, expressions of p-JNK and p-ERK1/2 increased in a dose dependent manner. OJE exhibits anti-cancer activity via apoptosis induction through a mitochondria dependent signaling pathway in HepG2 cells.

Effect of Insoluble Dietary Fiber Extracted from Salicornia herbacea L. on Large Intestinal Function in Rats

Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Inje UniversityAbstract This study investigated the effect of insoluble dietary fibers extracted from Salicornia herbacea L. (S.herbacea) on the improvement of intestinal function in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on diet containing 5% and 10%S. herbacea dietary fiber (SHDF) for four weeks. Rats receiving the SHDF diet showed a significant decrease in theirtriglyceride levels and an increase in HDL-cholesterol levels. In addition, compared with the control group, the SHDFgroup showed a significant increase in the total quantity of the feces and its moisture content. The intestinal transit timeof the feces was also shorter in this group. The pH of the feces decreased in all the other experimental groups. Particularly,the bile acid content of the feces and the thicknesses of the mucus layers showed significant recovery on SHDF intake.These results suggest that dietary fiber isolated from S. herbacea has a marked effect on the improvement of bowelfunction in rats with loperamide (2 mg/kg)-induced constipation.Keywords: insoluble dietary fiber, Salicornia herbacea L., constipation, bowel function

Acute oral toxicity of the ethyl acetate fraction of Orostachys japonicus in mice

Abstract Context: Orostachys japonicus (Crassulaceae) is referred to as Wa-song in Korea. It is used as an anti-inflammatory, antifebrile, hemostatic, and anti cancer agent, and as an antidote. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of the ethyl acetate fraction of O. japonicus (OJE) after the oral administration in Balb/c mice of both sexes. Materials and methods: Mice were oral administered a single doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg of body weight and were monitored for 14 d. Biochemical parameters [aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), globulin (GB), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (CR)] and histopathological examination of liver were performed. Results and conclusion: No animals died and no toxic changes were observed in clinical signs, body weight, and organ weight. The LD50 of orally administered OJE was higher than 2000 mg/kg/d in both sexes. No toxicological findings were found in biochemical parameters. In histophathological examination, neutrophilic infiltration was observed at a dose of 2000 mg/kg group in both sexes. These finding suggest that oral administration of OJE does not produce acute toxicity. Therefore, these results could provide satisfactory preclinical evidence of safety to launch clinical trials on standardized formulation of OJE to be a biohealth product.

Acute Oral Toxicity Study of Ethanol Extract of Curcuma longa L. in Mice

Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Jungwon University , Goesan, Chungbuk 367-700, KoreaReceived August 18, 2014/Revised September 12, 2014/Accepted October 14, 2014A yellow-colored pigment is found in turmeric, or Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae), a perennial herb distributed mainly throughout tropical and subtropical regions. C. longa has potent antiviral, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. However, pharmacological mechanisms of ethanol extract derived from C. longa remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential acute toxicity of C. longa (Curcuma longa L.) extract in BALB/c mice administered a single oral dose of 0, 20, 200, and 2,000 mg/kg by gavage. After the administration of the agent, signs of toxicity were observed every hour for the first 6 hr and every day for 14 days. No mortality, abnormal clinical signs, or pathological changes were observed compared to a control group, and there were no differences in the body weights of the control and treatment groups. Biological serum activities were not significantly changed in the treatment group compared to the con-trol group. These results indicate that a single oral administration of C. longa extract does not exert any toxic effects at a dose of 2,000 mg/kg body weight and that the LD