Seock-Yeon Hwang

Effect of fermented Panax ginseng extract (GINST) on oxidative stress and antioxidant activities in major organs of aged rats.

The intracellular levels of oxidant and antioxidant balances are gradually distorted during the aging process. An age associated elevation of oxidative stress occurring throughout the lifetime is hypothesized to be the major cause of aging. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the putative antioxidant activity of the fermented Panax ginseng extract (GINST) on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status of major organs of aged rats compared to young rats. Increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea and creatinine were observed in the serum of aged rats. Increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and significantly lowered activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were observed in the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs of aged rats, when compared with those in young rats. Quantitative analysis of the non-enzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol levels showed significantly lower values in the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs of aged rats. On the other hand, administration of the fermented Panax ginseng extract (GINST) to aged rats resulted in increased activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and GST as well as elevation in GSH, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol levels. Besides, the level of MDA, AST, ALT, urea and creatinine were reduced on administration of GINST to aged rats. These results suggested that treatment of GINST can improve the antioxidant status during aging, thereby minimizing the oxidative stress and occurrence of age-related disorders associated with free radicals.

Panax ginseng reduces oxidative stress and restores antioxidant capacity in aged rats

Nutritional antioxidants interact with cells in an active mode, including retrieving and sparing one another, to diminish oxidative stress. However, the intracellular balance of prooxidants and antioxidants becomes unbalanced, favoring prooxidants during the aging process. One hypothesis is that an aging-associated increase in oxidative stress is the primary cause of aging. Hence, the research hypothesis for this study is that Korean red ginseng reduces oxidative stress in vivo. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of Korean red ginseng water extract (GWE) in reducing aging-associated oxidative stress by measuring lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels in older rats compared with young rats. We observed a significant increase in the markers for oxidative damage (eg, lipid peroxidation) and markers for vital organ damage (eg, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, and creatinine levels) in aged rats. The oxidative damage was accompanied by a significant decrease in enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase, and nonenzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Aged rats fed a diet supplemented with Korean red ginseng water extract had significantly less oxidative damage, possibly by enhancing the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants status. Our data suggest that consumption of Korean red ginseng reduces lipid peroxidation and restores antioxidant capacity by suppressing oxidative stress in rats.

Panax ginseng improves survival and sperm quality in guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin

To further assess the effect of Panax ginseng on survival and sperm quality of guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD).

Antifibrotic effects of Artemisia capillaris and Artemisia iwayomogi in a carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic hepatic fibrosis animal model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Artemisia capillaris and Artemisia iwayomogi, both members of the Compositae family, have been indiscriminately used for various liver disorders as traditional hepatotherapeutic medicines in Korea for many years. AIM OF THE STUDY In this study, the anti-hepatofibrotic effects of Artemisia capillaris and Artemisia iwayomogi were comparatively analyzed using a carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver fibrosis rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Hepatic fibrosis was induced via a 10-week course of intraperitoneal CCl(4) injections (50% dissolved in olive oil, 2mL/kg, twice per week). Water extract of Artemisia capillaris (AC) or Artemisia iwayomogi (AI) was orally administered six times per week from the 5th to the 10th week. RESULTS AI (50mg/kg) significantly attenuated the CCl(4)-induced excessive release of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum (p<0.05), and hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in liver tissue (p<0.05). Further, AI markedly ameliorated the depletion of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue (p<0.01). Unexpectedly, AC did not exert any effects on the above parameters. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that AI drastically reduced inflammation, necrosis, fatty infiltration, collagen accumulation, and activation of hepatic satellite cells in liver tissue. These changes were not observed with AC treatment. Several critical genes of fibrosis-related cytokines including transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), platelet-derived growth factor beta (PDGF-β), and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were more prominently downregulated by AI compared to AC treatment. CONCLUSION Our results show that AI exerts greater hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic effects as compared with AC via enhancing antioxidant capacity and downregulating fibrogentic cytokines.

Korean red ginseng attenuates hypercholesterolemia‐enhanced platelet aggregation through suppression of diacylglycerol liberation in high‐cholesterol‐diet‐fed rabbits

Intake of Korean red ginseng (KRG, ginseng Radix rubra), rich in glycosylated saponins (ginsenosides), has been known to inhibit platelet aggregation in the normocholesterolemic condition. However, it is unclear whether KRG can attenuate hypercholesterolemia‐enhanced platelet aggregation. This study examined whether the daily consumption of a KRG‐water extract (WE) could prevent the hypercholesterolemia‐enhanced platelet aggregation and progression of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. KRG‐WE administration (200 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks potently inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by low doses of agonists (0.5 µg/mL collagen and 0.025 unit/mL thrombin), whereas it weakly reduced the blood‐cholesterol levels and formation of atheromatous lesions. In further investigation, KRG‐WE significantly suppressed collagen‐induced 1,2‐diacylglycerol liberation, but had no significant effect on arachidonic acid liberation. Taken together, it can be suggested that the antiplatelet effect of KRG‐WE may, at least partly, be due to the inhibition of 1,2‐diacylglycerol generation rather than regulation of blood lipid levels. In conclusion, daily consumption of KRG‐WE could be a useful alternative measure for the prevention of thrombus and atheroma formation in hypercholesterolemia. Copyright

Aqueous extract of Artemisia iwayomogi Kitamura attenuates cholestatic liver fibrosis in a rat model of bile duct ligation

Cholestatic liver fibrosis, characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, is associated with bile acid-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. We evaluated the therapeutic or protective effect of an aqueous extract of Artemisia iwayomogi Kitamura (WAI) in a rat bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced hepatic fibrogenesis model. After BDL, rats were treated once daily with 25 or 50 mg/kg of WAI for 2weeks. The serum bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, malondialdehyde, and liver hydroxyproline levels were drastically increased in the BDL group. WAI administration significantly reduced these markers and restored BDL-induced depletion of glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase activity. Cholestatic liver injury and collagen deposition were markedly attenuated by WAI treatment, and these changes were paralleled by significantly suppressed gene and protein expression of fibrogenic factors, including hepatic alphasmooth muscle actin, platelet-derived growth factor, and transforming growth factor β. Our data suggest that WAI may have antifibrotic properties via both improvement of antioxidant activities and inhibition of ECM protein production in the rat model of BDL.

Effect of 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin on testicular spermatogenesis‐related panels and serum sex hormone levels in rats

To determine the detrimental role of tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) in testicular histology, spermatogenesis‐related panels and proteome, and serum sex hormone levels.

Artemisia capillaris extract protects against bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats

Artemisia capillaris has been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine in the treatment of liver diseases. However, no previous study has investigated whether A. capillaries alone is effective in treating pathological conditions associated with cholestatic liver injury. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-hepatofibrotic effects of A. capillaris (aqueous extract, WAC) in a bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced cholestatic fibrosis model. After BDL, rats were given WAC (25 or 50 mg/kg) or urosodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, 25 mg/kg) orally for 2 weeks (once per day). The serum cholestatic markers, malondialdehyde, and liver hydroxyproline levels were drastically increased in the BDL group, while administering WAC significantly reduced these alterations. Administering WAC also restored the BDL-induced depletion of glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase activity. Cholestatic liver injury and collagen deposition were markedly attenuated by WAC treatment, and these changes were paralleled by the significantly suppressed expression of fibrogenic factors, including hepatic alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). The beneficial effects of WAC administration are associated with antifibrotic properties via both upregulation of antioxidant activities and downregulation of ECM protein production in the rat BDL model.

Korean red ginseng extract rejuvenates testicular ineffectiveness and sperm maturation process in aged rats by regulating redox proteins and oxidative defense mechanisms

Distortion of intracellular oxidant and antioxidant balances appears to be a common feature that underlies in age-related male sexual impairment. Therefore regulating oxidative defense mechanisms might be an ideal approach in improving male sexual dysfunctions. In the present study, the effect of Korean red ginseng aqueous extract (KRG) on age-induced testicular dysfunction in rats was investigated. KRG (200mg/kg) mixed with regular pellet diet was administered orally for six months and the morphological, spermatogenic and antioxidant enzyme status in testis of aged rats (18months) were evaluated. Data indicated a significant change in morphology and decrease in spermatogenesis-related parameters in aged rats (AC) compared with young rats (YC). Sperm number, germ cell count, Sertoli cell count and Sertoli cell index were significantly (p<0.05) restored in KRG-treated aged rat groups (G-AC). Further the increased lipid peroxidation as measured by malondialdehyde (p<0.05), and altered enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase and catalase) and non-enzymatic (reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol) antioxidants (p<0.05) were attenuated by KRG treatment in aged rats to near normal levels as in YC groups. Furthermore, proteomic analysis demonstrated differential expression of selected proteins such as phosphatidylinositol transfer protein, fatty acid binding protein-9, triosephosphate isomerase-1 and aldehyde (aldose) reductase-1in aged rats was significantly (p<0.05) protected by KRG treatment. In conclusion, long-term administration of KRG restored aging-induced testicular ineffectiveness in rats by modulating redox proteins and oxidative defense mechanisms.

Pectinase-treated Panax ginseng extract (GINST) rescues testicular dysfunction in aged rats via redox-modulating proteins.

The root of Panax ginseng improves testicular function both in humans and animals. However, the molecular mechanism by which ginseng exerts this effect has not been elucidated. Changes in protein expression in the rat testis in response to a pectinase-treated P. ginseng extract (GINST) were identified using 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. Number of sperm, Sertoli cells and germ cells, and the Sertoli Cell Index decrease in the testis of aged rats (AR) relative to young control rats (YCR). However, those parameters were completely restored in GINST-treated AR (GINST-AR). A proteomic analysis identified 14 proteins that were differentially expressed between vehicle-treated AR (V-AR) and GINST-AR. Out of these, the expression of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) mu5 and phospholipid hydroperoxide (PH) glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was significantly up-regulated in GINST-AR compared to V-AR. The activity of GPx and GST, as well as the expression of glutathione, in the testis of GINST-AR was higher than that in V-AR. The levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) increased in AR compared with YCR, but this change was reversed by GINST-AR. These results suggest that the administration of GINST enhances testicular function by elevating GPx and GST activity, thus resulting in increased glutathione, which prevents LPO in the testis.