• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.371-376
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• 2008

In this study, we have investigated the hypo-pigmentary mechanism of methanol extract of Forsythiae Fructus in human melanocyte cell line, HM3KO. Treatment of HM3KO cells with Forsythiae Fructus extract markedly inhibited melanin biosynthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Decreased melanin contents occurred through the decrease of tyrosinase protein and activity. The mRNA levels of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) were also reduced by Forsythiae Fructus extract. Moreover, the level of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) was significantly decreased by treatment of Forsythiae Fructus extract. These results suggest that Forsythiae Fructus reduces melanin synthesis by down regulation of tyrosinase mRNA transcription, and this is closely related to the cAMP-dependent pathway.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.262-269
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• 1988

The Forsythiae fructus is described to be used as an antiinflammatory drug, diuretics, antidotes and antibacterials in oriental literatures. In order to investigate the efficacy of Forsythiae viridissima (Oleaceae), the methanol extract and its fraction have been evaluated for the acute toxicity, antiinflammatory, analgesic and spasmolytic action in animals. The methanol extract of Forsythiae fructus was found to have significant antiinflammatory activity in the acute and subacute antiinflammatory model in rats, but have no analgesic action. Furthermore, through fractionation procedure, it was found that the active compounds were easily soluble in chloroform and butanol. It is also noted that the extracts had spasmolytic activities in the rat fundus and uterus and had low acute toxicity in mice.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.105-121
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• 2004

This report describes the studies as follows through the research into the data of Fructus Forsythiae main blended prescriptions from Dongeuybogam. Through investigation on prescriptions from Dongeuybogam with Fructus Forsythiae as an ingredient, the following conclusions were reached. 1. All kinds of infection in a boil and the malignant tumor recorded the largest number of clinical frequency of the prescriptions in therapeutic use when Fructus Forsythiae was taken as a principle medicine. 2. The prescriptions are compounded with Fructus Forsythiae as a principle medicine can apply to eye disease, nose and ear disease, throat disease, trauma, the malignant tumor, skin disease, dental disease and heat pathogenic disease. 3. Various pathogenic factors such as wind-heat, heat, fire, wind, qi, poison, cold are put to practical use. 4. The dosage of Fructus Forsythiae is 2bun(about 0.75 gram) to 3jeon(about 11.25 gram), however 1joen(about 3.75 gram) has been taken the most for clinical application. 5. With examination the formulae of presciptions containing Fructus Forsythiae, I found the basic prescriptions as well as the medicines are in conjunction with Fructus Forsythiae and the theoretic grounds of formula in combining Fructus Forsythiae as a group of medicine for prescription through this research.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.155-167
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• 2010

Objectives : In order to investigate the antidepressant effects of Forsythiae Fructus(FF), we performed the Forced Swimming Test(FST). Also the expressions of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), c-Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) were measured by immunohistochemical method at paraventricular nucleus(PVN), ventral tegmental area(VTA) and locus coeruleus(LC). Methods : Spraque-Dawley rats were administered FF extract(100 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg) intragastrically three times prior to the FST. Results : The duration of immobility in the FST was significantly decreased in the FF 100 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg groups(p<0.05). The expression of CRF was significantly reduced in the FF 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg groups(p<0.001). c-Fos expression was significantly decreased at PVN in the FF 100 mg/kg group(p=0.069). TH expression at VTA was significantly increased in the FF 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg groups(p<0.05). TH expression at LC was not significantly changed(p=0.346). Conclusion : According to the results, it can be suggested that Forsythiae Fructus has antidepressant effect via the decreased immobility through the reduction of CRF and c-Fos expression at PVN.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2012

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Forsythiae Fructus (FF) ethanol extract on inflammatory cytokine production and its underlying mechanisms in mouse macrophages. Methods : Peritoneal macrophages from thioglycollate medium-injected mice were cultured and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS) or LPS/interferon(IFN)-${\gamma}$ for cytokine measurement and cellular signaling molecule analysis. Results : FF ethanol extract decreased the levels of secreted tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin(IL)-6 in IFN-${\gamma}$/LPS-stimulated cells in a concentration-dependent manner. FF extract reduced IFN-${\gamma}$/LPS-induced STAT1 phosphorylation and LPS-induced p38 and JNK activation, but not ERK1/2 activity. The extract also inhibited LPS-induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation through suppression of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ kinase. Conclusions : These results suggest that FF ethanol extract affects the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 through inhibition of activation of STAT-1, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, p38, and JNK.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.242-253
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-inflammatory effects Forsythiae Fructus on LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Methods : Statistical significance was examined through measuring MTT, nitric oxide (NO), TNF $\alpha$, IL 6, NOS2 and COX2 of LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Results : In the toxicity experiment of FFE, NO significant toxicity was shown on cells in the concentration ranges of 100, 200 and 300 ${\mu}g/ml$. FFE dose dependently decreases 5.49, 25.41, 33.64 % in LPS induced NO production (p<0.05, p<0.001 and p<0.001), however, FFE don't show significant difference in LPS-induced TNF $\alpha$ and IL 6. Furthermore, FFE showed inhibiting tendency against the revelation of NOS2 and COX2 in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells, dose-dependently according to concentration. Conclusions : These results mean that FFE is effective for anti-inflammation via inhibition of NOS2 and COX2 expression.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.1-30
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• 2016

Objectives Previous studies have found out that Forsythiae Fructus (FF) extracts have anti-atopic activities by in vitro experiment. In order to understand more about FF extracts' benefit, we subdivided FF extracts depending on systematic fractionation method by using Methylene chloride (MC), Ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-BuOH and n-hexane (n-Hx). This study is designed to examine the effect of FF fractions on the PMA- ionomycin-induced activation of RBL-2H3 mast cell lines in vitro and on the DNCB-induced activation of NC/Nga mice in vivo. Methods For this study, we examined IL-4, IL-13 production by ELISA analysis, IL-4, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31RA and TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression by real-time PCR and manifestations of AP-1 and MAPKs transcription factors by western blotting in vitro. Through in vitro experiment, we selected FF n-BuOH fraction that seems the best effective in atopic dermatitis then induced it on NC/Nga mice by DNCB. We measured mice's WBC, eosinophil and neutrophil in heart blood, IL-4, IL-5, IFN-${\gamma}$ in the spleenocyte culture supernatant, the absolute cell numbers of CD4+, CD8+, B220+CD23+, CD3+CD69+ and Gr-1+CD11b+ in the PBMCs, ALN and dorsal skin, IL-5, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31RA in the dorsal skin by real-time PCR and the distribution of immune cells by H&E on dorsal skin and ANL and toluidine blue staining on dorsal skin. Results FF n-BuOH fraction suppressed IL-4, IL-13 production and mRNA expression of IL-4, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31RA and TNF-${\alpha}$. Results from the western blot analysis showed that FF n-BuOH fraction reduced the activation of the mast cell specific transduction factors involved in AP-1 by suppressing JNK and ERK phosphorylation. In the gross, atopic dermatitis induced by DNCB in NC/Nga mice were improved by oral administration of FF n-BuOH fraction. Oral FF n-BuOH fraction also decreased the level of IgE in mice's serum and the level of IL-4 and IL-5 in the spleenocyte culture supernatant, cell numbers of CD8+, B220+CD23+ in the PBMCs, CD4+ in the ALN and CD4+, Gr-1+CD11b+ in the dorsal skin and suppressed mRNA expression of IL-5, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31RA in the dorsal skin. Histological examination showed that infiltration levels of immune cells in atopic dermatitis induced NC/Nga mice were improved by FF n-BuOH fraction. Conclusions FF n-BuOH fraction can reduce pruritus by suppressing IL-31, IL-31RA secretion and modulate molecular mediators and immune cells associated with atopic dermatitis induced in NC/Nga mice which may have played a significant role in recovering atopic dermatitis symptoms.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.31-46
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• 2014

Objectives Forsythiae Fructus treatment has been used for inflammatory and allergic diseases in Korean Medicine. Nevertheless, the mechanism of action and the cellular targets are not understood well. The pathogenesis of allergic diseases are associated with Th2 cytokines such as IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$, IL-13, IL-5, GM-CSF, IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, which are secreted by the mast cells. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Forsythiae Fructus extracts (FF) on Th2 cytokines expression and signal transduction in MC/9 mast cells. Methods In the study, MC/9 mast cells were stimulated with DNP-IgE for 24 hours and then treated separately with CsA $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and varying doses of FF for one hour. MC/9 mast cells stimulated with DNP-IgE was the control group, a treatment with CsA was the positive control group and a treatment with varying doses FF was the experimental groups. The mRNA levels of IL-13, IL-5, GM-CSF, IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 were analyzed with Real-time PCR. The levels of IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA). NFAT, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 were examined by Western blot analysis. Results 1. FF were observed to suppress the mRNA expression of IL-13, IL-5, GM-CSF, IL-4, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 in comparison to DNP-IgE control group. 2. FF also has inhibited the IL-13, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ production significantly in comparison to DNP-IgE control group. 3. Western blot analysis of transduction factors involving Th2 cytokines expression has revealed a prominent decrease of the mast cell specific transduction factors including NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Jun, and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 but c-Fos. Conclusions In conclusion, the anti-allergenic activities of FF may be strongly related to the regulation of transcription factors NFAT-1, NFAT-2, c-Jun, and NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 causing inhibition of Th2 cytokines in mast cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.271-288
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• 2002

Authors investigated the pathogenesis and treatment of dennatosurgical diseases in the ImJeungJiNamUiAn(臨證指南醫案). 1. The symptoms and diseases of dermatosurgery were as follows; 1) BanSaJinRa(반사진라) : eczema, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen planus, pityriasis rosea, hives, dermographism, angioedema, cholinergic urticaria, urticaria pigmentosa, acne, milium, syringoma, keratosis pilaris, discoid lupus erythematosus, hypersensitivity vasculitis, drug eruption, polymorphic light eruption, rheumatic fever, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis(Still's disease), acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis(Sweet's syndrome), Paget's disease, folliculitis, viral exanthems, molluscum contagiosum, tinea, tinea versicolor, lymphoma, lymphadenitis, lymphangitis, granuloma annulare, cherry angioma 2) ChangYang(瘡瘍) : acute stage eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, stasis ulcer, intertrigo, xerosis, psoriasis, lichen planus, ichthyosis, pityriasis rosea, rosacea, acne, keratosis pilaris, dyshidrosis, dermatitis herpetiformis, herpes gestationis, bullae in diabetics, pemphigus, lupus erythematosus, fixed drug eruption, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, toxic shock syndrome, staphylococcal scaled skin syndrome, scarlet fever, folliculitis, impetigo, pyoderma gangrenosum, tinea, candidiasis, scabies, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, chicken pox, Kawasaki syndrome, lipoma, goiter, thyroid nodule, thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, benign breast disorder, breast carcinoma, hepatic abscess, appendicitis, hemorrhoid 3) Yeok(疫) : scarlet fever, chicken pox, measles, rubella, exanthem subitum, erythema infectiosum, Epstein-Barr virus infection, cytomegalovirus infection, hand-foot-mouth disease, Kawasaki disease 4) Han(汗) : hyperhidrosis 2. The pathogenesis and treatment of dermatosurgery were as follows; 1) When the pathogenesis of BalSa(발사), BalJin(發疹), BalLa(발라) and HangJong(項腫) are wind-warm(風溫), exogenous cold with endogenous heat(外寒內熱), wind-damp(風濕), the treatment of evaporation(解表) with Menthae Herba(薄荷), Arctii Fructus(牛蒡子), Forsythiae Fructus(連翹) Mori Cortex(桑白皮), Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus(貝母), Armeniaoae Amarum Semen(杏仁), Ephedrae Herba(麻黃), Cinnamomi Ramulus(桂枝), Curcumae Longae Rhizoma(薑黃), etc can be applied. 2) When the pathogenesis of BuYang(부양), ChangI(瘡痍) and ChangJilGaeSeon(瘡疾疥癬) are wind-heat(風熱), blood fever with wind transformation(血熱風動), wind-damp(風濕), the treatment of wind-dispelling(疏風) with Arctii Fructus(牛蒡子), Schizonepetae Herba(荊芥), Ledebouriellae Radix(防風), Dictamni Radicis Cortex(白鮮皮), Bombyx Batrytioatus(白？?), etc can be applied. 3) When the pathogenesis of SaHuHaeSu(사후해수), SaJin(사진), BalJin(發疹), EunJin(은진) and BuYang(부양) are wind-heat(風熱), exogenous cold with endogenous heat(外寒內熱), exogenous warm pathogen with endogenous damp-heat(溫邪外感 濕熱內蘊), warm pathogen's penetration(溫邪內陷), insidious heat's penetration of pericardium(伏熱入包絡), the treatment of Ki-cooling(淸氣) with TongSeongHwan(通聖丸), Praeparatum(豆？), Phyllostachys Folium(竹葉), Mori Cortex(桑白皮), Tetrapanacis Medulla(通草), etc can be applied. 4) When the pathogenesis of JeokBan(적반), BalLa(발라), GuChang(久瘡), GyeolHaek(結核), DamHaek(痰核), Yeong(？), YuJu(流注), Breast Diseases(乳房疾患) and DoHan(盜汗) are stagnancy's injury of Ki and blood(鬱傷氣血), gallbladder fire with stomach damp(膽火胃濕), deficiency of Yin in stomach with Kwolum's check (胃陰虛 厥陰乘), heat's penetration of blood collaterals with disharmony of liver and stomach(熱入血絡 肝胃不和), insidious pathogen in Kwolum(邪伏厥陰), the treatment of mediation(和解) with Prunellae Spica(夏枯草), Chrysanthemi Flos(菊花), Mori Folium (桑葉), Bupleuri Radix(柴胡), Coptidis Rhizoma(黃連), Scutellariae Radix(黃芩), Gardeniae Fructus(梔子), Cyperi Rhizoma(香附子), Toosendan Fructus(川？子), Curcumae Radix(鬱金), Moutan Cortex(牧丹皮), Paeoniae Radix Rubra(赤芍藥), Unoariae Ramulus Et Uncus(釣鉤藤), Cinnamorni Ramulus(桂枝), Paeoniae Radix Alba(白芍藥), Polygoni Multiflori Radix (何首烏), Cannabis Fructus (胡麻子), Ostreae Concha(牡蠣), Zizyphi Spinosae Semen(酸棗仁), Pinelliae Rhizoma(半夏), Poria(백복령). etc can be applied. 5) When the pathogenesis of BanJin(반진), BalLa(발라), ChangI(瘡痍), NamgChang(膿瘡). ChangJilGaeSeon(瘡疾疥癬), ChangYang(瘡瘍), SeoYang(署瘍), NongYang(膿瘍) and GweYang(潰瘍) are wind-damp(風濕), summer heat-damp(暑濕), damp-warm(濕溫), downward flow of damp-heat(濕熱下垂), damp-heat with phlegm transformation(濕熱化痰), gallbladder fire with stomach damp(膽火胃濕), overdose of cold herbs(寒凉之樂 過服), the treatment of damp-resolving(化濕) with Pinelliae Rhizoma(半夏), armeniacae Amarum Semen(杏仁), Arecae Pericarpium(大腹皮), Poria(백복령), Coicis Semen(薏苡仁), Talcum(滑石), Glauberitum(寒水石), Dioscoreae Tokoro Rhizoma(？？), Alismatis Rhizoma(澤瀉), Phellodendri Cortex(黃柏), Phaseoli Radiati Semen(？豆皮), Bombycis Excrementum(?沙), Bombyx Batryticatus(白？?), Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix(防己), etc can be applied. 6) When the pathogenesis of ChangPo(瘡泡), hepatic abscess(肝癰) and appendicitis(腸癰) are food poisoning(食物中毒), Ki obstruction & blood stasis in the interior(기비혈어재과), damp-heat stagnation with six Bu organs suspension(濕熱結聚 六腑不通), the treatment of purgation(通下) with DaeHwangMokDanPiTang(大黃牧丹皮湯), Manitis Squama(穿山甲), Curcumae Radix(鬱金), Curcumae Longae Rhizoma(薑黃), Tetrapanacis Medulla(通草), etc can be applied. 7) When the pathogenesis of JeokBan(적반), BanJin(반진), EunJin(은진). BuYang(부양), ChangI(瘡痍), ChangPo(瘡泡), GuChang(久瘡), NongYang(膿瘍), GweYang(潰瘍), Jeong(정), Jeol(癤), YeokRyeo(疫？) and YeokRyeolpDan(疫？入？) are wind-heat stagnation(風熱久未解), blood fever in Yangmyong(陽明血熱), blood fever with transformation(血熱風動), heat's penetration of blood collaterals(熱入血絡). fever in blood(血分有熱), insidious heat in triple energizer(三焦伏熱), pathogen's penetration of pericardium(心包受邪), deficiency of Yong(營虛), epidemic pathogen(感受穢濁), the treatment of Yong & blood-cooling(淸營凉血) with SeoGakJiHwangTang(犀角地黃湯), Scrophulariae Radix(玄參), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix(丹參), Angelicae Gigantis Radix(當歸), Polygoni Multiflori Radix(何首烏), Cannabis Fructus(胡麻子), Biotae Semen(柏子仁), Liriopis Tuber(麥門冬), Phaseoli Semen(赤豆皮), Forsythiae Fructus(連翹), SaJin(사진), YangDok(瘍毒) and YeokRyeoIpDan(역려입단) are insidious heat's penetration of pericardium(伏熱入包絡), damp-warm's penetration of blood collaterals(濕溫入血絡), epidemic pathogen's penetration of pericardium(심포감수역려), the treatment of resuscitation(開竅) with JiBoDan(至寶丹), UHwangHwan(牛黃丸), Forsythiae Fructus(連翹), Curcumae Radix(鬱金), Tetrapanacis Medulla(通草), Acori Graminei Rhizoma(石菖蒲), etc can be applied. 9) When the pathogenesis of SaHuSinTong(사후신통), SaHuYeolBuJi(사후열부지), ChangI(瘡痍), YangSon(瘍損) and DoHan(盜汗) are deficiency of Yin in Yangmyong stomach(陽明胃陰虛), deficiency of Yin(陰虛), the treatment of Yin-replenishing(滋陰) with MaekMunDongTang(麥門冬湯), GyeongOkGo(瓊玉膏), Schizandrae Fructus(五味子), Adenophorae Radix(沙參), Lycii Radicis Cortex (地骨皮), Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma(玉竹), Dindrobii Herba(石斛), Paeoniae Radix Alba(白芍藥), Ligustri Lucidi Fructus (女貞子), etc can be applied. 10) When the pathogenesis of RuYang(漏瘍) is endogenous wind in Yang collaterals(陽絡內風), the treatment of endogenous wind-calming(息風) with Mume Fructus(烏梅), Paeoniae Radix Alba (白芍藥), etc be applied. 11) When the pathogenesis of GuChang(久瘡), GweYang(潰瘍), RuYang(漏瘍), ChiChang(痔瘡), JaHan(自汗) and OSimHan(五心汗) are consumption of stomach(胃損), consumption of Ki & blood(氣血耗盡), overexertion of heart vitality(勞傷心神), deficiency of Yong(營虛), deficiency of Wi(衛虛), deficiency of Yang(陽虛), the treatment of Yang-restoring & exhaustion-arresting(回陽固脫) with RijungTang(理中湯), jinMuTang(眞武湯), SaengMaekSaGunjaTang(生脈四君子湯), Astragali Radix (황기), Ledebouriellae Radix(防風), Cinnamomi Ramulus(桂枝), Angelicae Gigantis Radix(當歸), Ostreae Concha(牡蠣), Zanthoxyli Fructus(川椒), Cuscutae Semen(兎絲子), etc can be applied.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.40-59
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos in vitro, which has been frequently used in inflammatory diseases. Methods: In this experiment, the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos were evaluated by checking the following substances of LPS-activated Raw264.7 cell: Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), Nitric oxide (NO), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible Nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Interlukine-1β (IL-1β), Interlukine-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Inhibitor of kappa B-α (IκBα), Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). And additionally measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals to check the antioxidant effect of ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos which affect inflammatory responses. Results: As a result of measuring anti-inflammatory efficacy, PGE2, NO, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α production amounts were reduced in the ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos groups compared with the control group, and decreased the amount of COX-2 mRNA, iNOS mRNA gene expression. Expression of MAPK (ERK, JNK, p38) pathway was decreased. Expression of IκBα was increased and NF-κB was decreased. It is demonstrated that ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos, by reducing NF-κB, regulate the expression of the inflammatory genes and reduce the inflammatory mediators. Ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos also decreased ROS production and free radicals, which shown to have antioxidant efficacy and influence anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusions: These data suggest that ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos can be used to treat various inflammatory diseases.