• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.121-132
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• 2010

Inflammatory reaction is characterized by over-production of inflammatory mediators due to an up-regulation of inflammatory pathways, which produce pro-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-$\alpha$), prostaglantin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and nitric oxide (NO) in U937 cells. We investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of water extracts from Lonicerae Flos and Scutellariae Radix in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated U937 cells. Each extract suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-$\alpha$, and $PGE_2$) and the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS- stimulated U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These suppressive effects were synergistically increased by their combination. Their combination extract also inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$-DNA complex of NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity and translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ from cytosol to nucleus. These results suggest that the combination of water-extractable components of Lonicerae Flos and Scutellariae Radix may be useful for therapeutic drugs against inflammatory immune diseases, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2006

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid that have been used to reduce the incidence, growth and metastasis of breast, colon, prostate and gastric cancer in animals. CLA could reduce tumor growth by altering angiogenesis; a process requiring associated angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In this study, we determined whether CLA could modulate the expression of VEGF in murine mammary tumor cells and adipocytes. The c9, t11-CLA isomer reduced VEGF transcripts and protein when mammary tumor cells were stimulated with PMA. That isomer also reduced VEGF expression in un stimulated mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Since VEGF can be regulated by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), we determined whether CLA could alter COX-2 enzyme expression and $PGE_2$ production. The c9, t11-CLA isomer reduced not only COX-2 enzyme expression but also $PGE_2$ production. Thus, c9, t11-CLA could modulate neovascularization by alteration of VEGF expression from mammary tumor cells and adipocytes by reducing COX-2 metabolites.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.96-96
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• 2003

Previously, wogonin (5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone) was found to suppress proinflammatory enzyme expression including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), contributing to in vivo anti-inflammatory activity against skin inflammation. However, the detailed effect on each skin cell type has not been understood. Therefore, present investigation was carried out to find the effect of wogonin on inflammation-associated gene expression from skin fibroblasts in culture using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. As a result, it was found that wogonin (10 - 100 ${\mu}$M) clearly down-regulated COX -2 expression from NIH/3T3 cells treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, interleukin-1${\beta}$ or tumor necrosis factor-a. But, the expression levels of COX-1, interleukin-1${\beta}$ and fibronectin were not significantly affected. This finding was well correlated with significant reduction of prostaglandin E$_2$(PGE$_2$) production by wogonin. As a comparison, NS-398 (selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor) did not suppress COX -2 expression and other gene levels, while PGE$_2$production was potently reduced at 0.1 - 10 ${\mu}$M. All these results suggest that COX -2 down-regulation of skin fibroblasts may be, at least in part, one of anti-inflammatory mechanisms of wogonin against skin inflammation.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.254-260
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• 2012

Adipose inflammation is linked to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Hesperidin (HES) is a flavonoid with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties. However, whether HES improves inflammation-mediated insulin resistance in adipose tissues remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether HES attenuates inflammation-mediated insulin resistance in adipose tissue. Herein, RAW 264.7 cells and differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were pretreated with various concentrations of HES in complete media for 1 h and then cultured in the presence or absence of LPS or TNF-${\alpha}$. Our results demonstrated that HES remarkably inhibited LPS-induced production of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and NO by RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Also, HES inhibited TNF-${\alpha}$-induced production of IL-6 and $PGE_2$ in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, while upregulated TNF-${\alpha}$-suppressed expression of adiponectin and PPAR-${\gamma}$ mRNA. These findings suggest that HES may ameliorate inflammation-mediated insulin resistance in adipose tissue.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.267-274
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• 2020

The larva of Protaetia brevitarsis Lewis (P. brevitarsis), edible insect, is traditionally consumed as alternative source of nutrients and has various health benefits. However, the exact pharmaceutical effects of P. brevitarsis on inflammatory response are still not well understood. Thus, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of P. brevitarsis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. We investigated the effects of P. brevitarsis on the expression levels of inflammatory-related genes, including inflammatory cytokines, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. To understand the anti-inflammatory mechanism of P. brevitarsis, we explored the regulatory effect of P. brevitarsis on nuclear factor (NF)-κB and caspase-1 activation. The findings of this study demonstrated that P. brevitarsis inhibits the LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine and PGE2 levels, as well as COX-2 and iNOS expression. Moreover, we confirmed that the anti-inflammatory effect of P. brevitarsis occurs via suppression of the activation of NF-κB and caspase-1. Conclusively, these findings provide experimental evidence that P. brevitarsis may be useful candidate for the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.58-65
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• 2023

Pu-erh tea, a popular and traditional Chinese tea, possesses various health-promoting effects, including inhibiting tumor cell progression and preventing type II diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the precise anti-inflammatory mechanisms are not well understood. In present study, we elucidated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Pu-erh tea in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. We explored the effects of Pu-erh tea on the levels of inflammatory-related genes, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, we investigated its regulatory effects on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF)-κB and hypoxia-inducible-factor (HIF)-1α activation. The findings of this study demonstrated that Pu-erh tea inhibited the LPS-increased inflammatory cytokines and PGE₂ release, as well as COX-2 and iNOS expression. Moreover, we confirmed that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Pu-erh tea occurs via the inhibition of NF-κB and HIF-1α activation. Conclusively, these findings provide experimental evidence that Pu-erh tea may be useful candidate in the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.256-262
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• 2024

Blueberry (BB), fruit of Vacciniumi, has been hailed as an antioxidant superfood. BB is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, phenolic acids and known to have a variety of pharmacological actions. The purpose of this work is to clarify the anti-inflammatory mechanism of BB in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 macrophage. We explored the effects of BB on the production of inflammatory cytokines, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophage. Moreover, to investigate the molecular mechanisms by BB, we evaluated whether BB modulate nuclear factor-kappa B (NF)-kB pathway and caspase- 1 activation. The findings of this work demonstrated that BB alleviated the LPS-enhanced inflammatory cytokines and PGE₂, as well as COX-2 levels. Additionally, we demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of BB occurs due to the attenuation of IκB-α degradation, NF-kB translocation and caspase-1 activation. Conclusively, these findings provide evidence that BB may be useful agents in the treatment of inflammation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.10
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• pp.1371-1377
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• 2012

Biological activities of Korean Panax ginseng 55% ethanol extract (KPGE) were investigated. The measured total polyphenol content of KPGE was 357.45 mg/100 g. KPGE showed the highest ${\alpha},{\alpha}$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activities of 80% and 86% at 1,000 ${\mu}g/mL$, respectively. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities significantly increased in a KPGE concentration-dependent manner. SOD-like activity of KPGE (1, 10, and 100 ${\mu}g/mL$) increased from 22% up to 33% at KPGE concentrations of 500 and 1,000 ${\mu}g/mL$. KPGE treatment significantly suppressed the generation of pro-inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha: TNF-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6: IL-6, interleukin-$1{\beta}$: IL-$1{\beta}$), in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. KPGE demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory activity that reduced NO and $PGE_2$ production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Even low concentrations of KPGE (1 and 10 ${\mu}g/mL$) reduced $PGE_2$ and NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages without LPS-stimulation, respectively. At concentrations of 100, 500, and 1,000 ${\mu}g/mL$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production were significantly suppressed. The results of our study suggest the potential of Korean Panax ginseng as an excellent antioxidant substance for inhibiting inflammatory mediators. Therefore, Korean Panax ginseng (KPGE) may be used as a therapeutic approach to various inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1221-1229
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• 2010

Nerium indicum, an India-Pakistan-originated shrub belonging to the oleander family, is reported to possess many pharmacological activities including cardiac muscle stimulation, and anti-diabetes, anti-angiogenesis, anti-cancer and neuro-protective activities. However, the anti-inflammatory properties of N. indicum were unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of the N. indicum leaf and stem (ENIL and ENIS) on the expression of anti-inflammatory mediators in U937 human pre-monocytic cell models. In U937 cells stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), pre-treatment with ENIS significantly inhibited the expression of both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein, which are associated with inhibition of the release of prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$, whereas the inhibitory effects appeared weakly in ENIL. Moreover, ENIS significantly attenuated PMA-induced IkappaB ($I{\kappa}B$) degradation and suppressed elevated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) nuclear translocation. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights that N. indicum exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes through the NF-kB signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.6
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• pp.779-786
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• 1998

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatogrphy (RP-HPLC) has been developed to analyze the metabolites of arachidonic acid based on the specificities of ultraviolet absorption of these various metabolites and is sensitive to the nanogram level. This procedure makes it possible to extract complex mixtures of eicosanoids efficiently with a single step and to analyze them simultaneously by RP-HPLC from biological samples using octadesylsilyl silica extraction column and $PGB_2$ as an internal standard. The cyclooxygenase products {prostaglandin $(PG)D_2,\;PGE_1,\;PGE_2,\;PGF_{1{\alpha}},\;PGF{2{\alpha}},\;6-keto-PGF_{1{\alpha}},$ and thromboxane $B_2(TXB_2)}$ and lipid peroxidation product, isoprostanes, of arachidonic acid were monitored by one isocratic HPLC system at 195 nm wavelength. The lipoxygenase products ${leukotriene(LT)B_4,\;LTC_4,\;LTD_4,$ and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), 12-HETE, 15-HETE} were measured by another isocratic HPLC system at 280 nm for LTs and 235 nm for HETEs. This method provides a simple and reliable way to extract and assess quantitatively the final arachidonic acid metabolites.