OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the cytoprotective effects of a Pogonatherum paniceum extract prepared with 80% ethanol (PPE) using synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) microspectroscopy and determined its phytochemical profile. METHODS: The volatile and polyphenolic compounds in PPE were characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. The antioxidant capacity of PPE was evaluated using chemical and cell-based assays. The SR-FTIR microspectroscopy was performed to evaluate the cytoprotective effect of PPE by identifying changes in macromolecule composition in tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH)-induced oxidative damage in RAW264.7 cells. RESULTS: A total of 48 volatile compounds and 28 polyphenol components were found in PPE. PPE exhibited a high potential for antioxidant activity by scavenging the intracellular reactive oxygen species in tBuOOH-induced oxidative damage in RAW264.7 cells. PPE treatment also significantly protected RAW264.7 cells against tBuOOH-induced toxicity and restored cell viability. The SR-FTIR analysis revealed that tBuOOH increased the lipid and ester lipid content in RAW264.7 cells. The PPE exerted a cytoprotective effect by decreasing the levels of lipid and ester lipid compounds that had been elevated by tBuOOH in RAW264.7 cells. These findings indicate that PPE has cytoprotective potential due to its ability to inhibit endogenous reactive oxygen species. CONCLUSION This study extends the current knowledge on the phytochemistry of PPE and its antioxidant and cytoprotective effects. These findings support the use of SR-FTIR microspectroscopy to determine the cytoprotective effects of natural products. PPE extract may be a candidate compound for new therapeutics and nutraceuticals that target the prevention of oxidative stress-associated diseases. Please cite this article as: Dunkhunthod B, Thumanu K, Teethaisong Y, Sittisart P, Sittisart P. Cytoprotective activity of Pogonatherum paniceum (Lam.) Hack. ethanolic extract evaluated by synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(2): 182-194.
Animals ; Mice ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared/methods* ; Plant Extracts/chemistry* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Synchrotrons ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Ethanol/chemistry* ; Poaceae/chemistry* ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Cytoprotection/drug effects* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; tert-Butylhydroperoxide

The organosulfur compound sulforaphane (SFN; C₆H₁₁NOS₂) is a potent cytoprotective agent promoting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiglycative, and antimicrobial effects in in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Mitochondria are the major site of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production due to the work of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system. They are also the main site of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in nucleated human cells. Mitochondrial impairment is central in several human diseases, including neurodegeneration and metabolic disorders. In this paper, we describe and discuss the effects and mechanisms of action by which SFN modulates mitochondrial function and dynamics in mammalian cells. Mitochondria-related pro-apoptotic effects promoted by SFN in tumor cells are also discussed. SFN may be considered a cytoprotective agent, at least in part, because of the effects this organosulfur agent induces in mitochondria. Nonetheless, there are certain points that should be addressed in further experiments, indicated here as future directions, which may help researchers in this field of research.
Animals ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Brain/ultrastructure* ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/metabolism* ; Cytoprotection ; Humans ; Isothiocyanates/pharmacology* ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Sulfoxides

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Among irritants causing gastric ulcer, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) might be pivotal, after which eradication became essential way in either inhibiting ulcerogenesis or preventing ulcer recurrence. Since threonine is essential in either mucus synthesis or cytoprotection, we hypothesized that the dietary threonine from Corynebacterium glutamicum (C. glutamicum) can mitigate the cytotoxicity of H. pylori infection.MATERIALS AND METHODS: RGM-1 cells were challenged with 100 multiplicity of infection H. pylori for 6 hours, during which threonine alone or combination with Corynebacterium sp. was administered and compared for anti-Helicobacter, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative, and cytoprotective actions.RESULTS: Threonine alone or combination of threonine and C. glutamicum yielded significant bacteriostatic outcomes. The increased expressions of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, Cox-2, and iNOS mRNA after H. pylori infection were significantly decreased with either threonine alone or the combination of threonine and C. glutamicum. The elevated expressions of NF-kB, HIF-1a, and c-jun after H. pylori infection were all significantly decreased with the combination of threonine and broth from C. glutamicum (P < 0.05), leading to significant decreases in 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (P < 0.01). Tracing further host antioxidative response, the attenuated expression of heme oxygenase-1, Nrf2, and dehydrogenase quinone-1 after H. pylori infection was significantly preserved with combination of threonine and C. glutamicum. H. pylori infection led to significant increases in apoptosis accompanied with Bcl-2 decreases and Bax increases, while the combination of threonine and C. glutamicum significantly attenuated apoptosis, in which attenuated EGF, TGF-β, and VEGF were significantly regulated, while β-catenin did not change.CONCLUSIONS: Threonine synthesized from C. glutamicum significantly alleviated the cytotoxicity of H. pylori in gastric epithelial cells.
Apoptosis ; Corynebacterium glutamicum ; Corynebacterium ; Cytoprotection ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Epithelial Cells ; Helicobacter pylori ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukins ; Irritants ; Mucus ; NF-kappa B ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxidoreductases ; Recurrence ; RNA, Messenger ; Stomach Ulcer ; Thiram ; Threonine ; Ulcer ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Taurine is an abundant, β-amino acid with diverse cytoprotective activity. In some species, taurine is an essential nutrient but in man it is considered a semi-essential nutrient, although cells lacking taurine show major pathology. These findings have spurred interest in the potential use of taurine as a therapeutic agent. The discovery that taurine is an effective therapy against congestive heart failure led to the study of taurine as a therapeutic agent against other disease conditions. Today, taurine has been approved for the treatment of congestive heart failure in Japan and shows promise in the treatment of several other diseases. The present review summarizes studies supporting a role of taurine in the treatment of diseases of muscle, the central nervous system, and the cardiovascular system. In addition, taurine is extremely effective in the treatment of the mitochondrial disease, mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), and offers a new approach for the treatment of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, and inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. The review also addresses the functions of taurine (regulation of antioxidation, energy metabolism, gene expression, ER stress, neuromodulation, quality control and calcium homeostasis) underlying these therapeutic actions.
Acidosis, Lactic ; Arthritis ; Brain Diseases ; Calcium ; Cardiovascular System ; Central Nervous System ; Cytoprotection ; Energy Metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Heart Failure ; Japan ; MELAS Syndrome ; Metabolic Diseases ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Pathology ; Quality Control ; Taurine*

PURPOSE: Mercaptopurine (MP) is one of the main chemotherapeutics for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). To improve treatment outcomes, constant MP dose titration is essential to maintain steady drug exposure, while minimizing myelosuppression. We performed two-stage analyses to identify genetic determinants of MP-related neutropenia in Korean pediatric ALL patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Targeted sequencing of 40 patients who exhibited definite MP intolerance was conducted using a novel panel of 211 pharmacogenetic-related genes, and subsequent analysis was performed with 185 patients. RESULTS: Using bioinformatics tools and genetic data, four functionally interesting variants were selected (ABCC4, APEX1, CYP1A1, and CYP4F2). Including four variants, 23 variants in 12 genes potentially linked to MP adverse reactions were selected as final candidates for subsequent analysis in 185 patients. Ultimately, a variant allele in APEX1 rs2307486was found to be strongly associated with MP-induced neutropenia that occurred within 28 days of initiating MP (odds ratio, 3.44; p=0.02). Moreover, the cumulative incidence of MP-related neutropenia was significantly higher in patients with APEX1 rs2307486 variants, as GG genotypes were associated with the highest cumulative incidence (p < 0.01). NUDT15 rs116855232 variants were strongly associated with a higher cumulative incidence of neutropenia (p < 0.01), and a lower median dose of tolerated MP throughout maintenance treatment (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: We have identified that APEX1 rs2307486 variants conferred an increased risk of MP-related early onset neutropenia. APEX1 and NUDT15 both contribute to cell protection from DNA damage or misincorporation, so alleles that impair the function of either gene may affect MP sensitivities, thereby inducing MP-related neutropenia.
6-Mercaptopurine ; Alleles ; Computational Biology ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Cytoprotection ; DNA Damage ; Genotype ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neutropenia* ; Pediatrics ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma*

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a vitamin A derivative and plays an important role in the regulation of cell aggregation, differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation, and inflammatory response. In recent years, some progress has been made in the role of ATRA in renal diseases, especially its protective effect on podocytes. This article reviews the research advances in podocyte injury, characteristics of ATRA, podocyte differentiation and regeneration induced by ATRA, and the protective effect of ATRA against proliferation, deposition of fibers, and apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cytoprotection ; Humans ; Podocytes ; drug effects ; physiology ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study whether the ethanol extract of Phellinus merrillii (EPM) has chemopreventive potential against liver carcinogenesis.

METHODSThirty male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, EPM control group, hepatocarcinoma control group, low-dose EPM group and high-dose EPM group, 6 in each group. Using the Solt and Farber protocol in a rat model of hepatocarcinogenesis, the chemopreventive effect of EPM on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiated, 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) and partial hepatectomy (PH)-promoted liver carcinogenesis in rats was evaluated. Basic pathophysiological and histological examinations, together with the serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (sGOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (sGPT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) were measured.

RESULTSTreatment of EPM at the concentration of 2 g/kg body weight in the diet for 8 weeks clearly prevented the development of carcinogenesis and reduced the levels of sGOT, sGPT, and serum γ-GT of rats as compared with the hepatocarcinoma control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). These phenotypes were accompanied by a significant increase in natural killer cell activity.

CONCLUSIONEPM showed a strong liver preventive effect against DEN+2-AAF+PH-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in a rat model.

2-Acetylaminofluorene ; Animals ; Basidiomycota ; chemistry ; Carcinogenesis ; chemically induced ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Diethylnitrosamine ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the host-defense role of short palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone 1 (SPLUNC1) in Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) infection and the effect of resveratrol (Res) on SPLUNC1 expression, and to provide new thoughts for the treatment of diseases caused by SP infection.

METHODSAccording to the multiplicity of infection (MOI), BEAS-2B cells with SP infection were divided into control group, MOI20 SP group, and MOI50 SP group. According to the different concentrations of Res, the BEAS-2B cells with MOI20 SP infection pretreated by Res were divided into 12.5Res+SP group, 25Res+SP group, and 50Res+SP group (the final concentrations of Res were 12.5, 25, and 50 μmol/L, respectively). Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to measure cell activity and determine the optimal concentration and action time of SP and Res. In the formal experiment, the cells were divided into control group, Res group, SP group, and Res+SP group. Real-time PCR and ELISA were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression of SPLUNC1.

RESULTSOver the time of SP infection, cell activity tended to decrease. Compared with the control group and the MOI20 SP group, the MOI50 SP group had a reduction in cell activity. Compared with the MOI20 SP group, the 25Res+SP group had increased cell activity and the 50Res+SP group had reduced cell activity (P<0.05). MOI20 SP bacterial suspension and 25 μmol/L Res were used for the formal experiment. Over the time of SP infection, the mRNA expression of SPLUNC1 in BEAS-2B cells firstly increased and then decreased in the SP group and the Res+SP group (P<0.05). Compared with the SP group, the Res+SP group had significant increases in the mRNA and protein expression of SPLUNC1 at all time points (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the Res group had no significant changes in the mRNA and protein expression of SPLUNC1 (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSP infection can induce SPLUNC1 expression and the host-defense role of SPLUNC1. Res can upregulate SPLUNC1 expression during the development of infection and enhance cell protection in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.

Bronchi ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoprotection ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Glycoproteins ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Phosphoproteins ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; pathogenicity

This study was designed to investigate the cytoprotective effect of rosmarinic acid (RA) on ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT keratinocytes. RA exerted a significant cytoprotective effect by scavenging intracellular ROS induced by UVB. RA also attenuated UVB-induced oxidative macromolecular damage, including protein carbonyl content, DNA strand breaks, and the level of 8-isoprostane. Furthermore, RA increased the expression and activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, heme oxygenase-1, and their transcription factor Nrf2, which are decreased by UVB radiation. Collectively, these data indicate that RA can provide substantial cytoprotection against the adverse effects of UVB radiation by modulating cellular antioxidant systems, and has potential to be developed as a medical agent for ROS-induced skin diseases.
Antioxidants* ; Catalase ; Cytoprotection ; DNA ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; Humans* ; Keratinocytes ; Oxidative Stress* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Skin Diseases ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Transcription Factors

BACKGROUND: Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have applications in regenerative medicine based on their therapeutic potential to repair and regenerate diseased and damaged tissue. They are commonly subject to oxidative stress during harvest and transplantation, which has detrimental effects on their subsequent viability. By functioning as an antioxidant against free radicals, melatonin may exert cytoprotective effects on ASCs. METHODS: We cultured human ASCs in the presence of varying dosages of hydrogen peroxide and/or melatonin for a period of 3 hours. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined with propidium iodide and Hoechst 33342 staining under fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: Hydrogen peroxide (1-2.5 mM) treatment resulted in an incremental increase in cell death. 2 mM hydrogen peroxide was thereafter selected as the dose for co-treatment with melatonin. Melatonin alone had no adverse effects on ASCs. Co-treatment of ASCs with melatonin in the presence of hydrogen peroxide protected ASCs from cell death in a dose-dependent manner, and afforded maximal protection at 100 µM (n=4, one-way analysis of variance P<0.001). Melatonin co-treated ASCs displayed significantly fewer apoptotic cells, as demonstrated by condensed and fragmented nuclei under fluorescence microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin possesses cytoprotective properties against oxidative stress in human ASCs and might be a useful adjunct in fat grafting and cell-assisted lipotransfer.
Apoptosis ; Cell Death* ; Cell Survival ; Cytoprotection ; Free Radicals ; Humans* ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Melatonin* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Oxidative Stress* ; Propidium ; Regenerative Medicine ; Stem Cells* ; Transplants