In recent times, probiotics have been emerging as one of valuable cosmetic resources. This work was undertaken to evaluate and compare the skin beneficial properties of three Lactobacillus strains, namely, L. plantarum SB202, L. fermentum SB101, and L. paraplantarum SB401, originally isolated from the healthy skins of Koreans. The Lactobacillus isolates were individually grown in MRS broth, and the corresponding cell-free conditioned mediums (CMs), LP202, LF101 and LPP401, were prepared for analyzing diverse cosmetic potentials at a comparative perspective. The superoxide radical and nitrite ion scavenging activities of the CMs were in the orders of LPP401 ≥ LF101 > LP202 and LPP401 > LF101≒LPP202, respectively. They attenuated the lipopolysaccharide-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrite ion levels in RAW264.7 murine macrophages both in the order of LPP401 ≥ LF101 > LP202, implying their anti-inflammatory properties. They exhibited antityrosinase activities in the order of LPP401 > LF101 ≥ LP202 and diminished α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced melanin levels in B16F10 melanoma cells in the order of LPP401≒LF101 > LP202, suggesting their skin whitening activities. They enhanced cornfield envelope formation in HaCaT keratinocytes in the order of LPP401 > LF101 > LP202. They inhibited the in vitro hyaluronidase and elastase activities in the orders of LPP401 > LP202 ≥ LF101 and LPP401 ≥ LP202 > LF101, respectively. Their enhancing properties on the synthesis of procollagen type I in normal human dermal fibroblasts were in the order of LF101≒LPP401 > >LP202. The CMs possess various cosmetic characteristics, such as antioxidant, skin whitening, antiaging, barrier improving, and anti-inflammatory activities. LPP401, the CM prepared from L. paraplantarum SB401, has been evaluated to be more desirable cosmetic resource than LP202 and LF101.

Background: Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a traditional herbal medicine used worldwide today. Ginsenoside Rd (Rd), one of its main ginsenosides, has been ascertained to have various pharmacological efficacies including neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. Objectives: This work assesses the antioxidant and protective potentials of Rd against ultraviolet (UV)-B-induced skin photooxidative stress in HaCaT keratinocytes. Materials and Methods: Cell viability was detected using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. Promatrix metalloproteinase-2 (proMMP-2) activity and protein were detected using gelatin zymography and western analysis. Total glutathione (GSH) content and total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were spectrophotometrically determined. Results: Rd, at varying concentrations non-toxic to HaCaT keratinocytes, attenuated the UV-B-induced ROS generation. Rd at 5, 12, and 30 μM attenuated the UV-B-induced proMMP-2 gelatinolytic activities to 59.3% ± 9.5%, 41.3% ± 9.5%, and 13.1% ± 8.9%, respectively, of those of the non-treated control cells. It could also diminish the UV-B-induced proMMP-2 protein levels. Rd at 5, 12, and 30 μM augmented the UV-B-reduced total SOD activities to 1.6 ± 0.2-, 2.4 ± 0.3-, and 3.2 ± 0.2-fold of those of the non-treated control cells, respectively. Rd could up-regulate the UV-B-reduced total GSH. Conclusion: Rd has counteracting properties against elevated ROS and proMMP-2 and attenuated GSH and SOD under UV-B irradiation, implying that it possesses a protective activity against photoaging possibly through up-regulating antioxidant components. These findings suggest that Rd can be considered as a novel natural resource for anti-photoaging functional cosmetics.

This work aimed to assess the skin-beneficial properties of Agastache rugosa Kuntze, an herbal medication used to treat different types of disorders in traditional folk medicine. The total phenolic compounds and total antiradical, nitrite scavenging, superoxide scavenging, antielastase, and antihyaluronidase activities of a hot water extract of A. rugosa Kuntze leaves (ARE) were spectrophotometrically determined. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was fluorometrically quantitated using 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and filaggrin were evaluated using Western analysis. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure filaggrin mRNA. Caspase-14 activity was determined using a fluorogenic substrate. ARE contained the total phenolic content of 38.9 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract and exhibited 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, superoxide radical, and nitrite scavenging activities with the SC50 values of 2.9, 1.4, and 1.7 mg/mL, respectively. ARE exerted suppressive activities on nitric oxide (NO) and ROS levels elevated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in HaCaT keratinocytes. It attenuated the LPS-stimulated expression of iNOS. ARE augmented the UV-B-reduced filaggrin expression on both protein and mRNA levels and was capable of upregulating the UV-B-reduced caspase-14 activity. ARE inhibited in vitro elastase and hyaluronidase activities associated with the wrinkling process. ARE, at the concentrations used, did not interfere with the viability of HaCaT keratinocytes. These findings preliminarily imply that the leaves of A. rugosa possess desirable cosmetic potentials, such as anti-inflammatory, barrier protective, and antiwrinkle activities, which infers their skin healing potentials.

Background: Agastache rugosa (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Kuntze (Korean mint) is used to treat diverse types of human disorders in traditional medicine. In recent years, its non-fermented leaf extract (ARE) has been shown to possess protective properties against ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation-induced photooxidative stress. The present work aimed to examine whether probiotic bacterial fermentation would potentiate the skin anti-photoaging activity of ARE or not, by comparing the protective properties of ARE and corresponding fermented extract (ARE-F) against UV-B radiation-induced photooxidative stress in HaCaT keratinocytes. Methods: ARE-F was produced from ARE by the fermentation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus HK-9, a type of Gram-positive probiotic bacterial strain. Anti-photoaging activities were evaluated by analyzing reactive oxygen species (ROS), promatrix metalloproteinases (proMMPs), total glutathione (GSH) and total superoxide dismutase (SOD) in UV-B-irradiated HaCaT keratinocytes. Antiradical activity was determined using 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay. Results: ARE-F contained higher attenuating activity on the UV-B-induced ROS generation than ARE. Similarly, ARE-F was able to diminish the UV-B-induced proMMP-9 and -2 more effectively than ARE. ARE-F displayed higher tendencies to augment the UV-B-reduced total GSH content and SOD activity than ARE. However, there were no significant difference between ARE and ARE-F in ABTS radical scavenging activities. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the UV-B radiation-protective activity of ARE is enhanced by probiotic bacterial fermentation, which might improve the therapeutic and cosmetic values of A. rugosa leaves.

Abstract Context: Geniposide (genipin-1-O-β-d-glucoside) is a major bioactive ingredient in the fruits of gardenia [Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis (Rubiaceae)], a traditional herbal medicine in Asian countries. Objective: This work assesses the skin anti-photoaging potential of geniposide in human dermal fibroblasts under UV-B irradiation. Materials and methods: The anti-photoaging property of geniposide, at varying concentrations (5, 12 and 30 μM) treated for 30 min prior to UV-B irradiation, was evaluated by analysing reactive oxygen species (ROS), promatrix metalloproteinase-2 (proMMP-2), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and cellular viability. Results: Geniposide suppressed the ROS elevation under UV-B irradiation, which was revealed using three ROS-sensitive fluorescent dyes. The use of 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), dihydroethidium (DHE) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR-123) elicited the IC50 values of 10.5, 9.8 and 21.0 μM, respectively. Geniposide attenuated proMMP-2 at activity and protein levels that were elevated under UV-B-irradiation. Geniposide at 5, 12 and 30 μM augmented the UV-B-reduced total GSH content to 1.9 ± 0.1-, 2.2 ± 0.2- and 4.1 ± 0.2-fold, respectively. Geniposide at 5, 12 and 30 μM upregulated total SOD activity to 2.3 ± 0.1-, 2.5 ± 0.3- and 3.3 ± 0.3-fold, respectively, under UV-B irradiation. The UV-B-reduced Nrf2 levels were also upregulated by geniposide treatment. Geniposide, at the concentrations used, was unable to interfere with cellular viabilities under UV-B irradiation. Discussion and conclusions: After the skin anti-photoaging potential of geniposide may be further verified, it can be utilized as a safer resource in the manufacture of effective anti-aging cosmetics.

Ginsenoside Rc (Rc) is a major ginsenoside isolated from Panax ginseng, and has exhibited pharmacological effects on skin cells. The present study aimed to investigate the putative skin‑protective properties of Rc, including its anti‑photoaging and barrier function‑protective effects, in human HaCaT keratinocytes exposed to UVB radiation. The protective properties of Rc were evaluated through the assessment of keratinocyte viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, total glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, caspase‑14, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‑2 and ‑9 activity, and MMP‑2, MMP‑9 and filament aggregating protein (filaggrin) expression following UVB irradiation. Treatment with Rc was revealed to prevent the UVB‑induced increase in ROS production and pro‑MMP‑2 and ‑9 levels in HaCaT keratinocytes. In addition, treatment with Rc resulted in enriched GSH contents and enhanced SOD activity following exposure to UVB radiation. Furthermore, Rc treatment enhanced caspase‑14 activity and counteracted the UVB‑induced downregulation in filaggrin expression. However, no significant difference was identified between Rc‑treated and normal groups in terms of keratinocyte viability, regardless of exposure to radiation. The present findings suggested that Rc may exert anti‑photoaging and barrier function‑protective effects in keratinocytes, and thus protect the skin against photooxidative stress induced by exposure to UV radiation.

본 연구에서, 비발효(ARE) 및 발효(ARE-F) 배초향 잎 열수 추출물의 피부 항산화 및 항염증 효능을 비교함으로써 프로바이오틱 발효의 효과를 검토하였다. ARE-F는 Lactobacillus rhamnosus HK-9 발효에 의하여 ARE로부터 제조되었다. In vitro 항염증 효능은 지질다당류(LPS)에 의하여 자극된 HaCaT 각질세포에서 일산화질소(NO), 활성산소종(ROS) 및 유도형 일산화질소 합성효소(iNOS) 분석에 의하여 평가되었다. In vitro antiradical 활성은 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) 소거 측정법에 의하여 평가되었다. LPS 자극에 의하여 증가된 NO, ROS 및 iNOS 수준에 미치는 ARE-F의 감소효과가 ARE에 의한 효과보다 현저히 강하였다. 그러나, ARE와 ARE-F의 DPPH 소거 효능에는 차이가 발견되지 않았다. ARE-F가 증강된 피부 항산화 및 항염증 효능을 갖고 있는데, 이 결과는 프로바이틱 세균 발효가 배초향 잎의 일부 약리학적 효능을 증가시키는 효과적인 방법일 수 있음을 암시해 주고 있다. 요약하면, 배초향 잎 추출물의 피부 항산화 및 항염증 활성이 프로바이오틱 세균인 L. rhamnosus HK-9에 의한 발효에 의하여 증강한다.

Agastache rugosa Kuntze, known as a Korean mint, is an herbal medicine that has been used for the treatment of diverse kinds of symptoms in traditional medicine. This work was undertaken to assess the protective properties of A. rugosa leaves against UV-B-induced photoaging in HaCaT keratinocytes. They were evaluated via analyzing reactive oxygen species (ROS), promatrix metalloproteinase-2 (proMMP-2) and -9 (proMMP-9), total glutathione (GSH), total superoxide dismutase (SOD), cellular viability, flavonoid content and in vitro radical scavenging activity. Total flavonoid content of ARE, a hot water extract of A. rugosa leaves, was 22.8±7.6mg of naringin equivalent/g ARE. ARE exhibited ABTS(+) radical scavenging activity with an SC50 of 836.9μg/mL. ARE attenuated the UV-B-induced ROS generation. It diminished the UV-B-induced elevation of proMMP-2 and -9 at both activity and protein levels. On the contrary, ARE was able to enhance the UV-B-reduced total GSH and total SOD activity levels. ARE, at the used concentrations, was unable to interfere with the cellular viabilities of HaCaT keratinocytes under UV-B irradiation. Taken together, ARE possesses a protective potential against UV-B-induced photoaging in HaCaT keratinocytes, possibly based upon up-regulating antioxidant components, including total GSH and SOD. These findings reasonably suggest the use of A. rugosa leaves as a photoprotective resource in manufacturing functional cosmetics.

Ginsenoside Re (Re) is one of the main ginsenosides which are known to be responsible for diverse pharmacological properties of ginseng, widely used as a dietary supplement and a general tonic. The present work was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidative property of Re by analyzing reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), pro-matrix metalloproteinase-2 (proMMP-2) and -9 (proMMP-9), total glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in normal, unstressed HaCaT keratinocytes. When HaCaT cells were subjected to Re, Re suppressed the ROS and NO levels in a concentration-dependent manner. Re at concentrations used exhibited no cytotoxicity on the cellular viabilities of HaCaT cells. It was also able to attenuate proMMP-2 and -9 at both activity and protein levels. On the contrary, Re was capable of enhancing the total GSH and SOD activity levels. The findings suggest that Re has an antioxidative property through the upregulation of some antioxidant components, including total GSH and SOD, in HaCaT keratinocytes, which then can play its underlying role in maintaining the cellular redox homeostasis.

탈유비퀴틴 효소 중 PPPDE 상과에 속하는 Schizosaccharomyces pombe의 $sdu1^+$ 유전자가 유비퀴틴 C-말단 가수분해 효소 활성을 갖는 단백질을 인코딩하고, 산화적 및 일산화질소 스트레스 방어에 관여함이 이전에 밝혀진 바 있다. 예비적인 본 연구는 정상적인 및 과잉발현의 조건에서 S. pombe 유비퀴틴 C-말단 가수분해 효소 활성의 활성산소종 의존성 조절에 초점을 맞추었다. 과산화수소, 수퍼옥사이드 라디칼 생성하는 메나디온 및 일산화질소 생성하는 sodium nitroprusside (SNP)에 노출시킨 S. pombe 세포에서 유비퀴틴 C-말단 가수분해 효소 활성이 감소되었다. 환원형 글루타치온과 그 전구체인 N-acetylcysteine은 과산화수소의 존재 유무에 상관없이 유비퀴틴 C-말단 가수분해 효소 활성을 현저하게 증강시켰다. 그러나, 과산화수소의 부재 시 혹은 존재 시 활성산소종에 미치는 글루타치온과 N-acetylcysteine의 영향은 같은 조건 하에서의 유비퀴틴 C-말단 가수분해 효소 활성 패턴과 상반되었다. 과잉발현의 유비퀴틴 C-말단 가수분해 효소 활성을 보이는 재조합 플라즈미드 pYSTP를 보유하는 S. pombe 세포에서 유비퀴틴 C-말단 가수분해 효소 활성도 과산화수소, 메나디온 및 SNP에의 노출되는 조건에서 감소되었지만, 벡터 대조 세포에서 보다는 높게 유지되었다. 요약하면, S. pombe 유비퀴틴 C-말단 가수분해 효소 활성은 활성산소종에 의하여 하향조절 되지만, 그 의의는 현재로썬 알려지고 있지 않은 상태이다. The Schizosaccharomyces pombe $sdu1^+$ gene, belonging to the PPPDE superfamily of deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) genes, was previously shown to encode a protein with ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH) activity and to participate in the response against oxidative and nitrosative stresses. This work focused on the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent regulation of the S. pombe $sdu1^+$ gene. UCH activities, encoded by the $sdu1^+$ gene, were attenuated in the S. pombe cells exposed to $H_2O_2$, superoxide radical-generating menadione (MD), and nitric oxide (NO)-generating sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Reduced glutathione (GSH) and its precursor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) were able to significantly enhance the UCH activities in the absence or presence of $H_2O_2$. However, the influences of both GSH and NAC on the ROS levels in the absence or presence of $H_2O_2$ were opposite to their effects on the UCH activities under the same conditions. The UCH activities in the Sdu1-overexpressing S. pombe cells were also diminished under exposure to $H_2O_2$, MD and SNP, but still remained to be higher than those in the vector control cells. In brief, it is proposed that the S. pombe $sdu1^+$ gene is regulated by ROS in a negative manner, the meaning of which largely remains elusive.

Ginseng, referring to the dried roots of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, has been known as a famous traditional folkloric medicine in East Asian countries for a long time. In recent years, it has been gaining a worldwide popularity as a dietary herbal supplement. Ginsenosides are bioactive ingredients that are responsible for most pharmacological efficacies of ginseng. Ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2), one of minor protopanaxatriol (PPT)-type ginsenosides, exists in two epimeric forms, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg2 [20(S)-Rg2] and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg2 [20(R)-Rg2]. This work was undertaken to assess and compare their skin anti-photoaging properties. When they were applied to HaCaT keratinocytes prior to the irradiation, 20(S)-Rg2 only could attenuate the UV-B-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation, which were detected using three fluorescent ROS dyes, such as 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, dihydroethidium and dihydrorhodamine 123. 20(S)-Rg2 but not 20(R)-Rg2 significantly attenuated the UV-B-induced promatrix metalloproteinase-2 (proMMP-2) gelatinolytic activity and protein levels. Likewise, 20(S)-Rg2 only augmented the UV-B-reduced total glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity levels in a concentration-dependent manner. Neither of the two Rg2 epimers was cytotoxic to HaCaT keratinocytes, regardless of UV-B irradiation. Taken together, of the two Rg2 epimers, 20(S)-Rg2 only possesses the stereospecific protective properties against the UV-B-induced skin photoaging in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Ellagic acid (EA), an antioxidant polyphenolic constituent of plant origin, has been reported to possess diverse pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities. This work aimed to clarify the skin anti-photoaging properties of EA in human dermal fibroblasts. The skin anti-photoaging activity was evaluated by analyzing the reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), total glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity levels as well as cell viability in dermal fibroblasts under UV-B irradiation. When fibroblasts were exposed to EA prior to UV-B irradiation, EA suppressed UV-B-induced ROS and proMMP-2 elevation. However, EA restored total GSH and SOD activity levels diminished in fibroblasts under UV-B irradiation. EA had an up-regulating activity on the UV-B-reduced Nrf2 levels in fibroblasts. EA, at the concentrations used, was unable to interfere with cell viabilities in both non-irradiated and irradiated fibroblasts. In human dermal fibroblasts, EA plays a defensive role against UV-B-induced oxidative stress possibly through an Nrf2-dependent pathway, indicating that this compound has potential skin antiphotoaging properties.

Ginsenoside Re (Re), a major ginsenoside of ginseng, enhanced the cornified cell envelope (CE) formation in HaCaT keratinocytes under normal conditions. In HaCaT keratinocytes, Re was also able to upregulate filaggrin protein and caspase-14 activity in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings reasonably imply that Re possesses a desirable property of improving skin barrier function.

Objectives This work aimed to determine some pharmacological properties of non-fermented (WG) and fermented (FWG) extracts of cultured wild ginseng root. Methods WG was treated with Bifidobacterium longum to generate FWG. Ginsenoside patterns were analysed using thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The effect of WG and FWG on reactive oxygen species (ROS) was examined in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Intracellular ROS were detected by flow cytometry. Nitrite in culture supernatant fractions was determined using the Griess reaction. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl was used to determine anti-radical activity. Cell viability was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Key findings FWG was rich in ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2, compared with WG. FWG diminished the enhanced ROS level more strongly than WG in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Both WG and FWG decreased the nitrite levels in stimulated macrophage cells with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2.7 and 1.5?mg/ml, respectively, implying that FWG had an enhanced anti-inflammatory activity. Neither WG nor FWG exhibited cytotoxicity on the macrophage cells. In the radical scavenging assay, the IC50 values of WG and FWG were 32.6 and 0.78?mg/ml, respectively, suggesting that FWG had an increased scavenging activity. Conclusions FWG possesses enhanced antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity, indicating that fermentation of cultured wild ginseng root extract with a probiotic bacterium can strengthen some of its desirable effects.

This work aimed to assess some pharmacological activities of P. leptostachya var. asiatica Hara. The dried roots of P. leptostachya var. asiatica Hara were extracted with 70% ethanol to generate the powdered extract, named PLE. Anti-angiogenic activity was detected using chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated via analyzing nitric oxide (NO) content, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Antioxidant activity was determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the stimulated macrophage cells. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and -2 (MMP-2) activities in the culture media were detected using zymography. PLE exhibits an anti-angiogenic activity in the CAM assay, and displays an inhibitory action on the generation of NO in the LPS-stimulated macrophage cells. In the stimulated macrophage cells, it is able to diminish the enhanced ROS level. It can potently scavenge the stable DPPH free radical. It suppresses the induction of iNOS and COX-2 and the enhanced MMP-9 activity in the stimulated macrophage cells. Both monooxygenase and oxidase activities of tyrosinase were strongly inhibited by PLE. Taken together, the dried roots of P. leptostachya var. asiatica Hara possess anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and skin whitening activities, which might partly provide its therapeutic efficacy in traditional medicine.

OBJECTIVES:This work aimed to assess the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory and related pharmacological actions of 20(R)-ginsenoside Rh2 (20(R)-Rh2) in cultured macrophages and keratinocytes.METHODS:In-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of 20(R)-Rh2 was evaluated by analysing nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) contents in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Its antioxidant activity was determined by measuring the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the macrophage and keratinocyte cells. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and -2 (MMP-2) activity in the culture medium was detected using zymography.KEY FINDINGS:20(R)-Rh2 was able to suppress NO, PGE2, ROS and pro-matrix metalloproteinase-9 (pro-MMP-9) levels that were enhanced in the LPS-stimulated murine RAW264.7 macrophage cells. 20(R)-Rh2 also exhibited inhibitory effects on the level of ROS and the activity of MMP-9 and -2 in human HaCat keratinocyte cells without stimulant exposure. 20(R)-Rh2 could suppress the gelatinolytic activity of MMP-9 enhanced by tumour necrosis factor-α in the keratinocytes.CONCLUSIONS:20(R)-Rh2, a minor stereoisomer of ginsenoside Rh2, possesses matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activity.

OBJECTIVES:This work aimed to compare some pharmacological properties of red ginseng extract (RG) and fermented red ginseng extract (FRG).METHODS:Antinociceptive activity was analysed using the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction response. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using acetic acid-induced vascular permeability and carrageenan-induced inflammation in the air pouch, and analysed through the measurement of nitrite content in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cells. Anti-angiogenic activity was determined using the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay.KEY FINDINGS:In-vivo anti-inflammatory activity of FRG was stronger than that of RG in two animal models, vascular permeability and air-pouch models. In the vascular permeability model, the doses of RG and FRG required for half-maximal inhibition (IC50) were 181 and 59mg/kg, respectively. FRG exhibited significantly stronger antinociceptive activity than RG. In the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction response, the IC50 values of RG and FRG were 153 and 27mg/kg, respectively. Although both RG and FRG were able to suppress production of nitric oxide in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells, the suppressive activity of FRG appeared to be stronger than that of RG. However, RG and FRG showed similar anti-angiogenic activity.CONCLUSIONS:FRG possesses enhanced anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity but similar anti-angiogenic activity than RG.

The thioredoxin system, consisting of thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, and NADPH, is involved in the response against a variety of stresses. The TRX3(+) and TrxR(+) genes encode thioredoxin 3 and thioredoxin reductase, respectively, in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe . Their transcriptional regulations were studied using the lacZ fusion genes. Synthesis of β-galactosidase from the TRX3(+)-lacZ fusion gene was markedly enhanced by nitric-oxide-generating sodium nitroprusside in the Pap1p-positive cells but not in the Pap1p-negative cells. Similarly, synthesis of β-galactosidase from the TrxR(+)-lacZ fusion gene was upregulated by sodium nitroprusside in a Pap1p-dependent manner. Synthesis of β-galactosidase from the TRX3(+)-lacZ and TrxR(+)-lacZ fusion genes was also enhanced by S-nitrosoglutathione in the Pap1p-positive cells but not in the Pap1p-negative cells. In brief, the S. pombe genes encoding thioredoxin 3 and thioredoxin reductase are upregulated under nitrosative stress in a Pap1p-dependent manner.