Black soybeans protect human keratinocytes from oxidative stress-induced cell death

Neuroprotective effects of a novel peptide from Lignosus rhinocerotis against 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced apoptosis in PC12 cells by inhibiting NF‐κB activation

According to previous studies, oxidative stress is a leading cause of dopaminergic neuron death and may contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). In the current study, we used chromatography of gel filtration to identify a novel peptide (Lignosus rhinocerotis peptide [LRP]) from the sclerotium of Lignosus rhinocerotis (Cooke) Ryvarden. Its neuroprotective effect was evaluated using an in vitro PD model constructed by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-stimulated to apoptosis in PC12 cells. The molecular weight of LRP is determined as 1532 Da and the secondary structure is irregular. The simple amino acid sequence of LRP is Thr-Leu-Ala-Pro-Thr-Phe-Leu-Ser-Ser-Leu-Gly-Pro-Cys-Leu-Leu. Notably, LRP has the ability to significantly boost the viability of PC12 cells after exposure to 6-OHDA, as well as enhance the cellular activity of antioxidative enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). LRP also lowers the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), decreases the activation performance of Caspase-3, and reduces 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis via inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation. These data indicate that LRP may have the potential to act as a neuroprotective agent.

Suppressive Effects of Siegesbeckia orientalis Ethanolic Extract on Proliferation and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through Promoting Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis and Inflammatory Responses

Previous studies have demonstrated that Siegesbeckia orientalis (SO) has a suppressive effect on the growth and migration of endometrial and cervical cancer cells. The present study examined the effect of SO ethanolic extract (SOE) on the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and examined the effects of SOE on non-cancerous cells using HaCaT keratinocytes as a model. The SOE effectively inhibited the proliferation of Hepa1-6 (IC₅₀ = 282.4 μg/mL) and HepG2 (IC₅₀ = 344.3 μg/mL) hepatoma cells, whereas it has less cytotoxic effect on HaCaT cells (IC₅₀ = 892.4 μg/mL). The SOE treatment increased the generation of ROS in HCC, but decreased the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase. In contrast, it reduced intracellular ROS formation and upregulated the expression of the related antioxidant enzymes in the H₂O₂-stimulated HaCaT cells. The SOE intervention also down-regulated the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and the migration-related proteins including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and β-catenin in the HCC, suggesting that SOE could promote HCC apoptosis and inhibit HCC migration. On the contrary, it reduced apoptosis and promoted the migration of the keratinocytes. Additionally, the SOE treatment significantly up-regulated the pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, in Hepa1-6 and HepG2 cells. Conversely, it significantly decreased the expression of these cytokines in the H₂O₂-induced HaCaT cells. These findings indicated that SOE treatment can delay the progression of HCC by increasing oxidative stress, promoting inflammatory response, inducing cancer cell apoptosis and inhibiting their migration. It also has protective effects from pro-oxidant H₂O₂ in non-cancerous cells. Therefore, SOE may provide a potential treatment for liver cancer.

Extract from Black Soybean Cultivar A63 Extract Ameliorates Atopic Dermatitis-like Skin Inflammation in an Oxazolone-Induced Murine Model

Black soybean has been used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory diseases, cancer, and diabetes and as a nutritional source since ancient times. We found that Korean black soybean cultivar A63 has more cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, (C3G), procyanidin B2 (PB2), and epicatechin (EPC) contents than other cultivars and has beneficial effects on cell viability and anti-oxidation. Given the higher concentration of anthocyanidins and their strong anti-oxidant activity, we predicted that A63 extract could relieve inflammatory disease symptoms, including those of atopic dermatitis (AD). Here, we evaluated the anti-AD activity of A63 extract in an oxazolone (OXA)-induced mouse model. A63 extract treatment significantly reduced epidermal thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration, downregulated the expression of AD gene markers, including Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5, and restored damaged skin barrier tissues. Furthermore, A63 extract influenced the activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 and STAT6, extracellular regulatory kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways, which play a crucial role in the development of AD. Altogether, our results suggest that A63 can ameliorate AD-like skin inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory cytokine production and STAT3/6 and Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and restoring skin barrier function.

Ginsenosides Conversion and Anti-Oxidant Activities in Puffed Cultured Roots of Mountain Ginseng

CRMG (Cultured Roots of Mountain Ginseng) have the advantages in scale-up production, safety, and pharmacological efficacies. Though several methods are available for the conversion of major to minor ginsenosides, which has more pharmacological activities, a single step process with high temperature and pressure as a puffing method took place in this study to gain and produce more pharmacologically active compounds. Puffed CRMG exhibited an acceleration of major ginsenosides to minor ginsenosides conversions, and released more phenolic and flavonoid compounds. HPLC analysis was used to detect a steep decrease in the contents of major ginsenosides (Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc and Rd) with increasing pressure; on the contrary, the minor ginsenosides (20 (S, R)-Rg3, Rg5, Rk1, Rh1, Rh2, Rg6, F4 and Rk3) contents increased. Minor ginsenosides, such as Rg6, F4 and Rk3, were firstly reported to be produced from puffed CRMG. After the puffing process, phenolics, flavonoids, and minor ginsenoside contents were increased, and also, the antioxidant properties, such as DPPH inhibition and reducing the power of puffed CRMG, were significantly enhanced. Puffed CRMG at 490.3 kPa and 588.4 kPa had a low toxicity on HaCaT (immortalized human epidermal keratinocyte) cells at 200 μg/mL, and could significantly reduce ROS by an average of 60%, compared to the group treated with H2O2. Therefore, single step puffing of CRMG has the potential to be utilized for functional food and cosmeceuticals.

Oat (Avena sativa) Extract against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Human Keratinocytes

Oat (Avena sativa) is well known for its various health benefits. The protective effect of oat extract against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in human keratinocytes HaCaT was determined. First, extracts of two varieties of oat, Daeyang and Choyang, were analyzed for fat-soluble antioxidants such as α-tocotrienol, γ-oryzanols, lutein and zeaxanthin using an UPLC system and for antioxidant activity using a DPPH assay. Specifically, an 80% ethanol extract of Daeyang oat (Avena sativa cv. Daeyang), which had high amounts of antioxidants and potent radical scavenging activity, was further evaluated for protective effect against oxidative stress-induced cell death, intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, the phosphorylation of DNA damage mediating genes such as H2AX, checkpoint kinase 1 and 2, and p53 and the activation of apoptotic genes such as cleaved caspase-3 and 7 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in HaCaT cells. The Daeyang and Choyang oat 80% ethanol extracts had 26.9 and 24.1 mg/100 g γ-oryzanols, 7.69 and 8.38 mg/100 g α-tocotrienol, 1.25 and 0.34 mg/100 g of lutein and 1.20 and 0.17 mg/100 g of zeaxanthin, respectively. The oat 80% ethanol extract treatment (Avena sativa cv. Daeyang) had a protective effect on oxidative stress-induced cell death in HaCaT cells. In addition, the oat 80% ethanol extracts led to a significant decrease in the intracellular ROS level at a concentration of 50-200 μg/mL, the attenuation of DNA damage mediating genes and the inhibition of apoptotic caspase activities in a dose dependent manner (50-200 μg/mL). Thus, the current study indicates that an oat (Avena sativa cv. Daeyang) extract rich in antioxidants, such as polyphenols, avenanthramides, γ-oryzanols, tocotrienols and carotenoids, has a protective role against oxidative stress-induced keratinocyte injuries and that oat may a useful source for oxidative stress-associated skin damage.

Antioxidant Activities and Protective Effects of Dendropachol, a New Bisbibenzyl Compound from Dendrobium pachyglossum, on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in HaCaT Keratinocytes

Five compounds including a new bisbibenzyl named dendropachol (1) and four known compounds (2–5) comprising 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (2), gigantol (3), moscatilin (4) and 4,5,4′-trihydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxybibenzyl (5) were isolated from a methanolic extract of Dendrobium pachyglossum (Orchidaceae). The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods. Dendropachol (1) was investigated for its protective effects on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT keratinocytes. Compound 1 showed strong free radical scavenging compared to the positive control. For the cytoprotective effect, compound 1 increased the activities of GPx and CAT and the level of GSH but reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and accumulation. In addition, compound 1 significantly diminished the expression of p53, Bax, and cytochrome C proteins, decreased the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and increased Bcl-2 protein. The results suggested that compound 1 exhibited antioxidant activities and protective effects in keratinocytes against oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂.

Cytotoxicity of Ficus Crocata Extract on Cervical Cancer Cells and Protective Effect against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in HaCaT Non-Tumor Cells

Oxidative stress causes several chronic diseases including cancer. Some chemotherapeutic agents are not selective against tumor cells, causing oxidative stress in non-tumor cells. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of acetone extract of Ficus crocata (Miq.) Mart. ex Miq. (F. crocata) leaves (Ace-EFc) on cervical cancer cells, as well as its protective effect on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced lipoperoxidation and cytotoxicity in non-tumor HaCaT cells. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH and ABTS radicals. Cell viability and lipoperoxidation were determined with MTT and 1-methyl-2-phenylindole assays, respectively. A model of H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in HaCaT cells was established. HaCaT cells were exposed to the extract before or after exposure to H₂O₂, and oxidative damage and cell viability were evaluated. Ace-EFc inhibited the DPPH and ABTS radicals and showed a cytotoxic effect on SiHa and HeLa cells. Furthermore, the extract treatment had a protective effect on hydrogen peroxide-induced lipoperoxidation and cytotoxicity, avoiding the increase in MalonDiAldehyde (MDA) levels and the decrease in cell viability (p < 0.001). These results suggest that the metabolites of F. crocata leaves possess antioxidant and cytoprotective activity against oxidative damage. Thus, they could be useful for protecting cells from conditions that cause oxidative stress.

PE-1, Encoding Heme Oxygenase 1, Impacts Heading Date and Chloroplast Development in Rice ( Oryza sativa L.)

The duration of the rice growth phase has always been an important target trait. The identification of mutations in rice that alter these processes and result in a shorter growth phase could have potential benefits for crop production. In this study, we isolated an early aging rice mutant, pe-1, with light green leaves, using γ-mutated indica rice cultivar and subsequent screening methods, which is known as the phytochrome synthesis factor Se5 that controls rice flowering. The pe-1 plant is accompanied by a decreased chlorophyll content, an enhanced photosynthesis, and a decreased pollen fertility. PE-1, a close homologue of HY1, is localized in the chloroplast. Expression pattern analysis indicated that PE-1 was mainly expressed in roots, stems, leaves, leaf sheaths, and young panicles. The knockout of PE-1 using the CRISPR/Cas9 system decreased the chlorophyll content and downregulated the expression of PE-1-related genes. Furthermore, the chloroplasts of pe-1 were filled with many large-sized starch grains, and the number of osmiophilic granules (a chloroplast lipid reservoir) was significantly decreased. Altogether, our findings suggest that PE-1 functions as a master regulator to mediate in chlorophyll biosynthesis and photosynthetic pathways.