Korean Red Ginseng water extract inhibits COX-2 expression by suppressing p38 in acrolein-treated human endothelial cells

The protective effects of medicinal plants against cigarette smoking: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUNDS

Cigarette smoking remains a pervasive and harmful habit, and it poses a significant public health concern globally. Tobacco smoke contains numerous toxicants and carcinogens that contribute to the incidence of various diseases, including respiratory ailments, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders. Over the past decade, there has been a growing interest in exploring natural remedies to mitigate the harmful effects of cigarette smoke (CS). Medicinal plants, with their rich phytochemical compositions, have emerged as potential sources of protective agents against CS-induced damage.

OBJECTIVES

The current review attempts to comprehensively review and provide a thorough analysis of the protective effects of medicinal plants, including ginseng, Aloe vera, Olea europaea, Zea mays, green tea, etc. against CS-related toxicities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive research and compilation of existing literature were conducted. We conducted a literature search using the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. We selected articles published in English between 1987 and 2025. The search was performed using keywords including cigarette smoking, cigarette smokers, second-hand smokers, natural compounds, plant extracts, naturally derived products, natural resources, phytochemicals, and medicinal plants.

RESULTS

This review critically investigated recent literature focusing on the effects of medicinal plant extracts, essential oils, and isolated compounds on reducing the adverse consequences of CS exposure. These investigations encompassed several in vivo, in vitro, and clinical trials, clarifying the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of these plants. The notable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties of these botanical interventions were also highlighted.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, this review emphasizes the potential of medicinal plants in alleviating the harmful effects of CS. The rich active constituents present in these plants offer various mechanisms that counteract oxidative stress, inflammation, and carcinogenesis induced by CS exposure. Further research is warranted to reveal the precise molecular mechanisms, derive dosing recommendations, and explore the efficacy of botanical interventions in large-scale clinical trials, ultimately improving public health outcomes and providing valuable insights for the smoking population worldwide.

The relationship of skin disorders, COVID-19, and the therapeutic potential of ginseng: a review

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has made significant impacts on global public health, including the development of several skin diseases that have arisen primarily as a result of the pandemic. Owing to the widespread expansion of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), the development of effective treatments for these skin diseases is drawing attention as an important social issue. For many centuries, ginseng and its major active ingredients, ginsenosides and saponins, have been widely regarded as herbal medicines. Further, the anti-viral action of ginseng suggests its potential effectiveness as a therapeutic agent against COVID-19. Thus, the aim of this review was to examine the association of skin lesions with COVID-19 and the effect of ginseng as a therapeutic agent to treat skin diseases induced by COVID-19 infection. We classified COVID-19-related skin disorders into three categories: caused by inflammatory, immune, and complex (both inflammatory and immune) responses and evaluated the evidence for ginseng as a treatment for each category. This review offers comprehensive evidence on the improvement of skin disorders induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection using ginseng and its active constituents.

Synthesis of Ginsenoside Rb1-imprinted magnetic polymer nanoparticles for the extraction and cellular delivery of therapeutic ginsenosides

Background

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Results

Conclusion

Curcumin Attenuates Acrolein-induced COX-2 Expression and Prostaglandin Production in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Objective

Inflammation is crucial to limiting vascular disease. Previously we reported that acrolein, a known toxin in tobacco smoke, might play an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis via an inflammatory response involving cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Curcumin has been known to improve vascular function and have anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated whether curcumin prevents the induction of inflammatory response caused by acrolein.

Methods

Anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin were examined in acrolein-stimulated HUVECs. Induction of proteins, mRNA, prostaglandin and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using immunoblot analysis, real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry, respectively.

Results

Curcumin attenuates inflammatory response via inhibition of COX-2 expression and prostaglandin production in acrolein-induced human endothelial cells. This inhibition by curcumin results in the abolition of phosphorylation of protein kinase C, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and cAMP response element-binding protein. Furthermore, curcumin suppresses the production of ROS and endoplasmic reticulum stress via phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor-2α caused by acrolein.

Conclusion

These results suggest that curcumin might be a useful agent against endothelial dysfunction caused by acrolein-induced inflammatory response.

Panaxadiol saponins treatment caused the subtle variations in the global transcriptional state of Asiatic corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis

Background

Methods

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Conclusion

Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors as a Therapeutic Target in Inflammatory Diseases

Inflammation plays a crucial role in the development of many complex diseases and disorders including autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular pathologies. Prostaglandins play a regulatory role in inflammation. Cyclooxygenases are the main mediators of inflammation by catalyzing the initial step of arachidonic acid metabolism and prostaglandin synthesis. The differential expression of the constitutive isoform COX-1 and the inducible isoform COX-2, and the finding that COX-1 is the major form expressed in the gastrointestinal tract, lead to the search for COX-2-selective inhibitors as anti-inflammatory agents that might diminish the gastrointestinal side effects of traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). COX-2 isoform is expressed predominantly in inflammatory cells and decidedly upregulated in chronic and acute inflammations, becoming a critical target for many pharmacological inhibitors. COX-2 selective inhibitors happen to show equivalent efficacy with that of conventional NSAIDs, but they have reduced gastrointestinal side effects. This review would elucidate the most recent findings on selective COX-2 inhibition and their relevance to human pathology, concretely in inflammatory pathologies characterized by a prolonged pro-inflammatory status, including autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndrome, obesity, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, chronic inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular pathologies.

Sulforaphane protects against acrolein-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses: modulation of Nrf-2 and COX-2 expression

INTRODUCTION

Acrolein (2-propenal) is a reactive α, β-unsaturated aldehyde which causes a health hazard to humans. The present study focused on determining the protection offered by sulforaphane against acrolein-induced damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Acrolein-induced oxidative stress was determined through evaluating the levels of reactive oxygen species, protein carbonyl and sulfhydryl content, thiobarbituric acid reactive species, total oxidant status and antioxidant status (total antioxidant capacity, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase activity). Also, Nrf-2 expression levels were determined using western blot analysis. Acrolein-induced inflammation was determined through analyzing expression of cyclooxygenase-2 by western blot and PGE2 levels by ELISA. The protection offered by sulforaphane against acrolein-induced oxidative stress and inflammation was studied.

RESULTS

Acrolein showed a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the levels of oxidative stress parameters and down-regulated Nrf-2 expression. Acrolein-induced inflammation was observed through upregulation (p < 0.001) of COX-2 and PGE2 levels. Pretreatment with sulforaphane enhanced the antioxidant status through upregulating Nrf-2 expression (p < 0.001) in PBMC. Acrolein-induced inflammation was significantly inhibited through suppression of COX-2 (p < 0.001) and PGE2 levels (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides clear evidence that pre-treatment with sulforaphane completely restored the antioxidant status and prevented inflammatory responses mediated by acrolein. Thus the protection offered by sulforaphane against acrolein-induced damage in PBMC is attributed to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.

Syk and IRAK1 Contribute to Immunopharmacological Activities of Anthraquinone-2-carboxlic Acid

Anthraquinone-2-carboxlic acid (9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxo-2-anthracenecarboxylic acid, AQCA) was identified as one of the major anthraquinones in Brazilian taheebo. Since there was no report explaining its immunopharmacological actions, in this study, we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of AQCA-mediated anti-inflammatory activity using reporter gene assays, kinase assays, immunoblot analyses, and overexpression strategies with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages. AQCA was found to suppress the release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PG) E₂ from LPS-treated peritoneal macrophages without displaying any toxic side effects. Molecular analysis revealed that AQCA was able to inhibit the activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)-1 pathways by direct suppression of upstream signaling enzymes including interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). Therefore, our data strongly suggest that AQCA-mediated suppression of inflammatory responses could be managed by a direct interference of signaling cascades including IRAK and Syk, linked to the activation of NF-κB and AP-1.

Methyl syringate, a TRPA1 agonist represses hypoxia-induced cyclooxygenase-2 in lung cancer cells

BACKGROUND

We have previously found that methyl syringate is a specific and selective agonist of the human transient receptor potential channel ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and suppresses food intake and gastric emptying in imprinting control region mice. Because TRPA1 has been implicated in inflammatory responses, and inflammation and tumorigenesis are stimulated by the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E2 pathway in hypoxic cancer cells.

PURPOSE

This study examined the effects of methyl syringate on hypoxia-induced COX-2 in human distal lung epithelial A549 cells.

STUDY DESIGN

The effect of the methyl syringate on suppression of hypoxia-induced COX-2 in A549 cells were determined by Western blot and/or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The anti-invasive effect of methyl syringate was evaluated on A549 cells using matrigel invasion assay.

RESULTS

Methyl syringate suppressed hypoxia-induced COX-2 protein and mRNA expression and promoter activity and reduced hypoxia-induced cell migration and invasion and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor. These effects were antagonized by a TRPA1 antagonist, implying their mediation by the TRPA1 pathway.

CONCLUSION

Together, these results indicate that methyl syringate inhibits the hypoxic induction of COX-2 expression and cell invasion through TRPA1 activation. These findings suggest that methyl syringate could be effective to suppress hypoxia-induced inflammation and indicate an additional functional effect of methyl syringate.

Implications of red Panax ginseng in oxidative stress associated chronic diseases

The steaming process of Panax ginseng has been reported to increase its major known bioactive components, ginsenosides, and, therefore, its biological properties as compared to regular Panax ginseng. Biological functions of red Panax ginseng attenuating pro-oxidant environments associated with chronic diseases are of particular interest, since oxidative stress can be a key contributor to the pathogenesis of chronic diseases. Additionally, proper utilization of various biomarkers for evaluating antioxidant activities in natural products, such as ginseng, can also be important to providing validity to their activities. Thus, studies on the effects of red ginseng against various diseases as determined in cell lines, animal models, and humans were reviewed, along with applied biomarkers for verifying such effects. Limitations and future considerations of studying red ginseng were been discussed. Although further clinical studies are warranted, red ginseng appears to be beneficial for attenuating disease-associated symptoms via its antioxidant activities, as well as for preventing oxidative stress-associated chronic diseases.

Role of the Red Ginseng in Defense against the Environmental Heat Stress in Sprague Dawley Rats

Global temperature change causes heat stress related disorders in humans. A constituent of red ginseng has been known the beneficial effect on the resistance to many diseases. However, the mechanism of red ginseng (RG) against heat stress still remains unclear. To determine the effect of RG on heat stress, we examined the effect of the RG on the gene expression profiles in rats subjected to environmental heat stress. We evaluated the transcripts associated with hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in rats subjected to heat stress. We also analyzed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents. Our results suggested RG inhibited heat stress mediated altering mRNA expressions include HSPA1, DEAF1, HMGCR, and FMO1. We also determined RG attenuated fat accumulation in the liver by altering C/EBPβ expression. RG promoted to repress the heat stress mediated hepatic cell death by inhibiting of Bcl-2 expression in rats subjected to heat stress. Moreover, RG administered group during heat stress dramatically decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and ROS associated genes compared with the control group. Thus, we suggest that RG might influence inhibitory effect on environmental heat stress induced abnormal conditions in humans.

Induction of Thioredoxin Reductase 1 by Korean Red Ginseng Water Extract Regulates Cytoprotective Effects on Human Endothelial Cells

Korean Red Ginseng is a popular herbal medicine and is widely used in many food products. KRG has biological benefits related to vascular diseases including diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and other cardiac diseases and KRG has antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic actions. KRG decreases the level of oxidative stress and suppresses proinflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules, thus protecting endothelial dysfunction. Mammalian Thioredoxin reductase 1 is an NADPH-dependent selenoprotein, essential for antioxidant defense and DNA synthesis and repair, that regulates the redox system by modulating redox-sensitive transcription factors and thiol-containing proteins. Here, we show that KRG water extract increases the expression of TrxR1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells via the p38 and PKC-δ signaling pathways. The induction of TrxR1 expression by KRG was confirmed by Western blot analysis and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. However, the increase in TrxR1 expression was abolished by specific silencing of the p38 and PKC-δ genes. In addition, we demonstrated that auranofin, a TrxR1 inhibitor, weakens the protective effect of KRG against H₂O₂-induced cell death as measured by the terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. These results suggest that KRG may have protective effects in vascular diseases by upregulating TrxR1 in endothelial cells, thereby inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species and cell death.

Chemoprevention of chemical-induced skin cancer by Panax ginseng root extract

BACKGROUND

Cancer has emerged as a major health problem globally as a consequence to the increased longevity of the population, changing the environment and life style. Chemoprevention is a new and promising strategy for reducing cancer burden. Recently, some natural products have been identified for their chemopreventive activity to reduce the cancer incidence. Ginseng is known for its potential to treat various ailments in human beings. The present study was designed to explore the anticancer and antioxidative potential of Panax ginseng against chemical-induced skin carcinogenesis in mammals.

METHODS

Skin tumors were induced in Swiss albino mice by a single topical application of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (100 μg/100 μL acetone) and, 2 wks later, promoted by repeated applications of croton oil (thrice in a wk in 1% acetone) till the end of the experiment (i.e., 16 wk). Hydroalcoholic ginseng root extract at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight/d was orally administered at the peri-initiation, postinitiation, and peri-post-initiation stages.

RESULTS

Ginseng root extract treatment caused a significant reduction in tumor incidence, cumulative number of tumors, tumor yield, and tumor burden, as compared to the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-croton oil-treated control group. Further, biochemical assays revealed a significant enhancement in the levels of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, vitamin C, and total proteins but a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation levels in both the liver and skin with ginseng root extract treatment, as compared to carcinogen-treated control group.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that P. ginseng has the potential to become a pivotal chemopreventive agent that can reduce cancer in mammals.

Eriodictyol Protects Endothelial Cells against Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Death through Modulating ERK/Nrf2/ARE-Dependent Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression

The pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases is complex and may involve oxidative stress-related pathways. Eriodictyol is a flavonoid present in citrus fruits that demonstrates anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neurotrophic, and antioxidant effects in a range of pathophysiological conditions including vascular diseases. Because oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, the present study was designed to verify whether eriodictyol has therapeutic potential. Upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a phase II detoxifying enzyme, in endothelial cells is considered to be helpful in cardiovascular disease. In this study, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with eriodictyol showed the upregulation of HO-1 through extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathways. Further, eriodictyol treatment provided protection against hydrogen peroxide-provoked cell death. This protective effect was eliminated by treatment with a specific inhibitor of HO-1 and RNA interference-mediated knockdown of HO-1 expression. These data demonstrate that eriodictyol induces ERK/Nrf2/ARE-mediated HO-1 upregulation in human endothelial cells, which is directly associated with its vascular protection against oxidative stress-related endothelial injury, and propose that targeting the upregulation of HO-1 is a promising approach for therapeutic intervention in cardiovascular disease.

Antiproliferative and Apoptosis-Inducing Activities of 4-Isopropyl-2,6-bis(1-phenylethyl)phenol Isolated from Butanol Fraction of Cordyceps bassiana

The Cordyceps species have been widely used for treating various cancer diseases. Although the Cordyceps species have been widely known as an alternative anticancer remedy, which compounds are responsible for their anticancer activity is not fully understood. In this study, therefore, we examined the anticancer activity of 5 isolated compounds derived from the butanol fraction (Cb-BF) of Cordyceps bassiana. For this purpose, several cancer cell lines such as C6 glioma, MDA-MB-231, and A549 cells were employed and details of anticancer mechanism were further investigated. Of 5 compounds isolated by activity-guided fractionation from BF of Cb-EE, KTH-13, and 4-isopropyl-2,6-bis(1-phenylethyl)phenol, Cb-BF was found to be the most potent antiproliferative inhibitor of C6 glioma and MDA-MB-231 cell growth. KTH-13 treatment increased DNA laddering, upregulated the level of Annexin V positive cells, and altered morphological changes of C6 glioma and MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, KTH-13 increased the levels of caspase 3, caspase 7, and caspase 9 cleaved forms as well as the protein level of Bax but not Bcl-2. It was also found that the phosphorylation of AKT and p85/PI3K was also clearly reduced by KTH-13 exposure. Therefore, our results suggest KTH-13 can act as a potent antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing component from Cordyceps bassiana, contributing to the anticancer activity of this mushroom.

Short communication: Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of milk supplemented with red ginseng extract

This study investigated the effect of red ginseng extract (RGE) on the physicochemical properties, sensory test, and antioxidant activity of milk. The milk samples with RGE added at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% were analyzed during storage at 4°C. The physicochemical properties included composition of milk, pH, titratable acidity, and color. The antioxidant activity of milk samples was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method, β-carotene bleaching assay, and ferric thiocyanate assay. An increase in the amount of RGE in milk resulted in an increase of lactose and total solids content, titratable acidity, and a* and b* values, whereas fat and protein contents remained unchanged. Also, pH and L* value decreased. The antioxidant activity of milk samples supplemented with RGE was higher than that of the control sample. Sensory evaluation was performed using a quantitative descriptive analysis. Two types of samples were used: (1) sterilized milk fortified with RGE (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2%) and (2) 2% RGE, 2% RGE with oligosaccharide, and 2% RGE with oligosaccharide and cyclodextrin. The addition of oligosaccharide and cyclodextrin could effect an increase of sweetness, a decrease of bitterness and flavor of RGE, and aftertaste. Therefore, milk supplemented with RGE could be useful as a functional food.