Gut Microbiome Prolongs an Inhibitory Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on High-Fat-Diet-Induced Mouse Obesity

Although the anti-obesity effect of Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) has been revealed, its underlying mechanisms are not clearly understood. Here, we demonstrate an involvement of gut microbiome in the inhibitory effect of Korean red ginseng on high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced mouse obesity, and further provides information on the effects of saponin-containing red ginseng extract (SGE) and saponin-depleted red ginseng extract (GE). Mice were fed with either SGE or GE every third day for one month, and their food intakes, fat weights, plasma glucose, and insulin and leptin levels were measured. Immunofluorescence assays were conducted to measure pancreatic islet size. Stools from the mice were subjected to metagenomic analysis. Both SGE and GE attenuated HFD-induced gain of body weight, reducing HFD-induced increase of food intakes and fat weights. They also reduced HFD-increased plasma glucose, insulin, and leptin levels, decreased both fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations, and improved both insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Immunofluorescence assays revealed that they blocked HFD-induced increase of pancreatic islet size. Our pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V3 region from stools revealed that both SGE and GE modulated HFD-altered composition of gut microbiota. Therefore, we conclude that Korean red ginseng inhibits HFD-induced obesity and diabetes by altering gut microbiome.

Barley grass extract causes apoptosis of cancer cells by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species production

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, therefore food products are being investigated for potential prevention or treatment strategies. The ingredient, barley grass extract (Hordeum vulgare L.; Bex) is used to prevent or ameliorate various types of disease. In cancer, Bex has been revealed to inhibit tumor growth. However, its effect on cancer cells is yet to be clearly defined. In the present study, the effect of Bex on cancer cell growth was investigated. Bex inhibited the viabilities of breast and prostate cancer cells according to the results of MTT assays. Accordingly, Bex caused apoptosis, which was confirmed by Annexin V staining and western blot analysis for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and caspases. Furthermore, Bex increased the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and N-acetyl-L-cystein blocked Bex-induced apoptosis. Therefore, the study demonstrated that Bex causes apoptosis of breast and prostate cancer cells by increasing intracellular ROS levels.

Inhibitory effect of Angelica gigas on cold‑induced RhoA activation in vascular cells

The herbal extract Angelica gigas (AG) has been applied as a vasodilating agent for patients suffering from vascular diseases for many years; however, the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The present study hypothesized that the anti‑vasoconstrictive effect of AG may be effective in the treatment of abnormal cold‑mediated vasospasms that occur in Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). The effect of AG on the activity of ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) was investigated in cold‑exposed vascular cells. Vascular cells were pretreated to AG, followed by a warm (37˚C) or cold (25˚C) incubation for 30 min and investigated with western blotting, ELISA and confocal microscopy. Cold treatment induced the activation of RhoA in pericytes and vascular endothelial cells, however this was reduced by treatment with AG. Furthermore, AG treatment reduced the endothelin‑1 (ET‑1)‑mediated RhoA activation in pericytes; however, cold‑induced ET‑1 production by vascular endothelial cells was not affected by treatment with AG. In addition, AG treatment suppressed the formation of stress fibers and focal adhesion complexes, and the cold‑induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, proto‑oncogene tyrosine‑protein kinase Src and extracellular signal‑related kinase. Therefore, AG treatment demonstrated an ability to reduce cold‑induced RhoA activation in pericytes and vascular endothelial cells, and attenuated ET‑1‑mediated RhoA activation in pericytes. In conclusion, the present study indicated that AG may be useful for the treatment of RP.

Sip-jeon-dea-bo-tang, a traditional herbal medicine, ameliorates cisplatin-induced anorexia via the activation of JAK1/STAT3-mediated leptin and IL-6 production in the fat tissue of mice

Despite its therapeutic advantages, chemotherapy can also cause adverse effects, including anorexia and loss of appetite. Although numerous patients with cancer have been reported to suffer from anorexia during or following chemotherapy, treatment options for anorexia remain to be determined. In Asian countries, traditional medicines are widely used to treat problems with appetite; sip-jeon-dea-bo-tang (SJDBT) is one of those medicines used for the treatment of anorexia. The present study demonstrated that SJDBT ameliorated cisplatin-induced anorexia. In a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced anorexia, oral administration of SJDBT prevented the cisplatin-induced reduction of food intake, inhibiting weight loss. The results of multiplex assays showed that SJDBT only altered the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and leptin in the serum and fat tissue. In addition, SJDBT maintained the serum leptin level and increased the serum IL-6 level, whereas cisplatin reduced the levels of both serum leptin and IL-6. Furthermore, SJDBT was revealed to increase the levels of leptin and IL-6 in the fat tissue by activating the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, the present results revealed that SJDBT ameliorated cisplatin-induced anorexia, suggesting its usefulness in the prevention of anorexia during chemotherapy.

Cryptotanshinone enhances TNF-α-induced apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia KBM-5 cells

Cryptotanshinone is a biologically active compound from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which cryptotanshinone is in synergy with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) for the induction of apoptosis in human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) KBM-5 cells. The co-treatment of cryptotanshinone with TNF-α reduced the viability of the cells [combination index (CI) < 1]. Concomitantly, the co-treatment of cryptotanshinone and TNF-α elicited apoptosis, manifested by enhanced the number of terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP-nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells, the sub-G1 cell populations, and the activation of caspase-8 and -3, in comparison with the treatment with either drug alone. The treatment with cryptotanshinone further suppressed TNF-α-mediated expression of c-FLIP(L), Bcl-x(L), but the increased level of tBid (a caspase-8 substrate). Furthermore, cryptotanshinone activated p38 but not NF-κB in TNF-α-treated KBM-5 cells. The addition of a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 significantly attenuated cryptotanshinone/TNF-α-induced apoptosis. The combination treatment of cryptotanshinone and TNF-α also stimulated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, a ROS scavenger) was not only able to block cryptotanshinone/TNF-α-induced ROS production but also the activation of caspase-8 and p38 MAPK. Overall, our findings suggest that cryptotanshinone can sensitize TNF-α-induced apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia KBM-5 cells, which appears through ROS-dependent activation of caspase-8 and p38.

Suppression of STAT3 and HIF-1 alpha mediates anti-angiogenic activity of betulinic acid in hypoxic PC-3 prostate cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor that regulates various cellular processes such as cell survival, angiogenesis and proliferation. In the present study, we examined that betulinic acid (BA), a triterpene from the bark of white birch, had the inhibitory effects on hypoxia-mediated activation of STAT3 in androgen independent human prostate cancer PC-3 cells.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

BA inhibited the protein expression and the transcriptional activities of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) under hypoxic condition. Consistently, BA blocked hypoxia-induced phosphorylation, DNA binding activity and nuclear accumulation of STAT3. In addition, BA significantly reduced cellular and secreted levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a critical angiogenic factor and a target gene of STAT3 induced under hypoxia. Furthermore, BA prevented in vitro capillary tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) maintained in conditioned medium of hypoxic PC-3 cells, implying anti-angiogenic activity of BA under hypoxic condition. Of note, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChiP) assay revealed that BA inhibited binding of HIF-1α and STAT3 to VEGF promoter. Furthermore, silencing STAT3 using siRNA transfection effectively enhanced the reduced VEGF production induced by BA treatment under hypoxia.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Taken together, our results suggest that BA has anti-angiogenic activity by disturbing the binding of HIF-1α and STAT3 to the VEGF promoter in hypoxic PC-3 cells.

Preparation of biopolymer-coated magnetite nanoparticles for magnetic resonance image contrast agent

The magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized using the sonochemical method with oleic acid as surfactant. The average size of the magnetite particles can be controlled by the ratio R = [H2O]/[surfactant] in the range of 2 to 9 nm. The size of the magnetite nanoparticles prepared by this method shows the narrow distribution. To prepare biopolymer(beta-glucan)-coated magnetite nanoparticles, beta-glucan solution was added to the magnetic colloid suspensions under the ultrasonication at room temperature. The beta-glucan coated magnetite colloidal suspensions of various concentrations did not agglomerate for 15 days, indicating their good stability. The beta-glucan-coated magnetite colloidal suspensions exhibited the enhancement of MRI contrasts in vitro.

Protective effect of a phenolic-rich fraction from Schisandra chinensis against H2O2-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells

We have investigated the neuroprotective effects of a phenolic-rich fraction (PRF) on the hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced apoptosis of cultured SH-SY5Y cells. The PRF was obtained from the 80% ethanol extract of the fruits of Schisandra chinensis by Sepabeads SP-850 column chromatography. Cell viability assays revealed that pretreating SH-SY5Y cells with PRF (10-200 mugmL(-1)) resulted in significant dose-dependent protection against H(2)O(2)-induced cell death. The protective effect of PRF against H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometric analysis of DNA contents using propidium iodide (PI) staining. Pre-incubation of cells with PRF at different concentrations for 24 h partially protected apoptosis by H(2)O(2) (150 muM). Moreover, cells treated with PRF reduced H(2)O(2)-induced caspase-3 activation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and exerted an apparent suppressive effect on oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). We concluded that PRF may be useful in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases associated with elevated ROS levels.

Saussurea lappa induces G2-growth arrest and apoptosis in AGS gastric cancer cells

The molecular effects of Saussurea lappa extracts, a traditional medicine in Eastern Asia, on the fate of gastric carcinoma have not been understood. In this study, its cytostatic effects were examined using gastric AGS cancer cells. Its treatment resulted in apoptosis and G2-arrest in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The effects were attributed to the regulation of cyclins and pro-apoptotic molecules and suppression of anti-apoptotic molecules. Therefore, these results suggest that extracts of S. lappa root may be a candidate to deal with gastric cancers either by traditional herbal therapy or by combinational therapy with conventional chemotherapy.

Inhibition of human smooth muscle cell proliferation by gamigeonsim-tang through the transcriptional regulation of cell cycle-controlling genes

The effects of gamigeonsim-tang (GGT) on cellular proliferation and expression of cell cycle-related genes were investigated in human smooth muscle cell HISM. HISM cells were treated with an aqueous extract of GGT. Cellular proliferation was investigated by an immunocytometric analysis of PCNA expression and a flow cytometric analysis of the cell cycle progression. Reduced expression of PCNA and a significant accumulation of G1 phase cells were observed following treatment, indicating that GGT inhibits cellular proliferation of human smooth muscle cells. To explore whether GGT affects the transcription of cell cycle-regulating genes, we evaluated mRNA expression of p53, p21Waf1 PCNA, Cyclin D1, Cdc2, Histone H3, c-Myc, and c-Fos using a quantitative RT-PCR analysis. While increased expressions of two negative cell cycle regulators, p53 and p21Waf1 were found, reduced expressions of cell cycle stimulators, PCNA, c-Fos, and c-Myc, were identified following treatment. Taken together, our study demonstrates that GGT inhibits cellular proliferation of human smooth muscle cell through the up- and down-regulation of growth-inhibiting and growth-promoting genes, respectively.

Interleukin-3 or immunoglobulin E promotes expression of protein kinase C delta gene in murine mast cells

We reported previously that protein kinase C delta (PKCdelta) is the main isoenzyme in various types of murine mast cells. In the present study we investigated the regulation of expression of PKCdelta gene in murine mast cells in vitro and in vivo. The mRNA expressions of PKCdelta were promoted in response to interleukin-3 (IL-3) or immunoglobulin E (IgE) in mouse mastocytoma P-815 cells. In addition we have evaluated the mast cells which express PKCdelta mRNA in IgE-dependent passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction, using in situ hybridization with the antisense riboprobe in skin. These results indicate that mast cell activation can induce a marked promotion in steady state levels of PKCdelta mRNA.