title: Empetrum nigrum var. japonicum extract suppresses γ-ray radiation-induced cell damage via inhibition of oxidative stress.
abstract: The ethylacetate fraction of Empetrum nigrum var. japonicum (ENE) was shown to reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by γ-radiation and activate antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and gluthathion peroxidase (GPx). ENE protected cells against radiation-induced cellular DNA damage, membrane lipid peroxidation, and protein modification, which are the main points of radiation-induced damage. In addition, ENE recovered cell viability by inhibiting apoptosis after cells were treated with radiation. ENE treatment also reduced γ-radiation induced Bax, and caspase 9 and 3 expression in irradiated cells. However, irradiated cells with ENE recovered Bcl-2 expression, which was reduced by radiation. This anti-apoptotic effect of ENE was due to the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-4 (MKK4/SEK1)-c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) cascades induced by γ-radiation. In summary, these results suggest that ENE protects cells against γ-radiation-induced oxidative stress via the reduction of ROS and attenuation of apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Applied Radiological Science Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Cheon
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: In Kyung
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kyoung Ah
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Bum Joon
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Daeshin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Byoung Sam
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Jin Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hyun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004249:DNA Damage; D029791:Ericaceae; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D005720:Gamma Rays; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000378:metabolism*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011506:Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4; D020169:Caspases