Effect of 7,8,4′-THIF on DNCB-induced increase in serum IgE level in NC/Nga mice.

<p>Blood was collected on the last day of the experiment (day 21). The level of serum IgE was measured with ELISA. Data are the means ± SEM (n = 6). Means with letters (a–c) within a graph are significantly different from each other at <i>p</i><0.05.</p

Effect of 7,8,4′-THIF on DNCB-induced AD-like symptoms in NC/Nga mice.

<p>(A) Images of skin lesions from the groups of mice were taken on the last day of the experiment (day 21). (B) Dermatitis scores were evaluated weekly from day −5 to 21. (C) Ear thickness was measured from day −5 to 21. (D) H&E-stained ear skin on day 21 (100×). Arrows indicate epidermal hypertrophy. Data represent the mean ± SEM (n = 9). Means with letters (a–d) within a graph are significantly different from each other at <i>p</i><0.05.</p

Effects of 7,8,4′-THIF on DNCB-induced increase in chemokine TARC and Th2 and Th1 cytokines in NC/Nga mice.

<p>The pg/ml levels of Th-derived chemokine TARC and cytokines in NC/Nga mice are shown. Dorsal skins were collected on the last day of the experiment (day 21). The levels of TARC; Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13; and Th1 cytokines IL-12 and IFN-γ in dorsal skin were measured with ELISAs. Data are the means ± SEM (n = 6). Means with letters (a–c) are significantly different from each other at <i>p</i><0.05.</p><p>Effects of 7,8,4′-THIF on DNCB-induced increase in chemokine TARC and Th2 and Th1 cytokines in NC/Nga mice.</p

Effect of 7,8,4′-THIF on DNCB-induced scratching incidence in NC/Nga mice.

<p>Scratching time was evaluated on the last day of the experiment (day 21). Data represent the mean ± SEM (n = 9). Means with letters (a–b) within a graph are significantly different from each other at <i>p</i><0.05.</p

Experimental design.

<p>NC/Nga mice were divided into five groups: (1) naïve control (vehicle), (2) DNCB+vehicle, (3) DNCB+200 nmol 7,8,4′-THIF, (4) DNCB+400 nmol 7,8,4′-THIF, and (5) DNCB+tacrolimus. To induce AD-like symptoms, DNCB was topically applied on NC/Nga mice. A day after complete dorsal hair removal, 1% DNCB was applied (day −4). Five days after dorsal hair removal, 0.2% DNCB was challenged three times a week for three weeks (day 0–20). 7,8,4′-THIF or tacrolimus was topically applied seven times a week for 3 weeks (day 0–20).</p

Effect of 7,8,4′-THIF on DNCB-induced increase in TEWL in NC/Nga mice.

<p>The level of TEWL in mouse dorsal skin was measured using a skin evaporative water recorder on the last day of the experiment (day 21). Data are the means ± SEM (n = 9). Means with letters (a–e) within a graph are significantly different from each other at <i>p</i><0.05.</p

Molecular cloning and anti-invasive activity of cathepsin L propeptide-like protein from <i>Calotropis procera</i> R. Br. against cancer cells

<p>Cathepsin L of cancer cells has been shown to play an important role in degradation of extracellular matrix for metastasis. In order to reduce cell invasion, cathepsin L propeptide-like proteins which are classified as the I29 family in the MEROPS peptidase database were characterized from <i>Calotropis procera</i> R. Br., rich in cysteine protease. Of 19 candidates, the cloned and expressed recombinant SnuCalCp03-propeptide (rSnuCalCp03-propeptide) showed a low nanomolar <i>K</i>_i value of 2.3 ± 0.2 nM against cathepsin L. A significant inhibition of tumor cell invasion was observed with H1975, HT29, MDA-BM-231, PANC1, and PC3 with a 76, 67, 67, 63, and 79% reduction, respectively, in invasion observed in the presence of 400 nM of the rSnuCalCp03-propeptide. In addition, thermal and pH study showed rSnuCalCp03-propeptide consisting of secondary structures was stable at a broad range of temperatures (30–70 °C) and pH (2–10, except for 5 which is close to the isoelectric point of 5.2).</p

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester, a Major Component of Propolis, Suppresses High Fat Diet-Induced Obesity through Inhibiting Adipogenesis at the Mitotic Clonal Expansion Stage

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the antiobesity effect of CAPE in vivo, and the mechanism by which CAPE regulates body weight in vitro. To confirm the antiobesity effect of CAPE in vivo, mice were fed with a high fat diet (HFD) with different concentrations of CAPE for 5 weeks. CAPE significantly reduced body weight gain and epididymal fat mass in obese mice fed a HFD. In accordance with in vivo results, Oil red O staining results showed that CAPE significantly suppressed MDI-induced adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. FACS analysis results showed that CAPE delayed MDI-stimulated cell cycle progression, thereby contributing to inhibit mitotic clonal expansion (MCE), which is a prerequisite step for adipogenesis. Also, CAPE regulated the expression of cyclin D1 and the phosphorylation of ERK and Akt, which are upstream of cyclin D1. These results suggest that CAPE exerts an antiobesity effect in vivo, presumably through inhibiting adipogenesis at an early stage of adipogenesis