• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.36-50
• /
• 2009

Objectives : This study was aimed to verify the cytoprotective function, antioxidative effect and inflammation genes inhibitory effects of Lycium chinense Milie. Therefore the generation of superoxide anion radical ( $O_2\;^-$), peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ $(PGE_2)$ was investigated in the renal epithelial cells of mouse. Effects of Lycium chinense Milie on the expression of inflammation-related proteins, $IKK-{\alpha}$. $p-IKK-\alpha\beta$, $p-I{\kappa}B-\alpha$, $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), COX-2 and iNOS, were examined by western blotting. Methods : For this study, the fluorescent probes were used, namely dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123), 4.5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA). Western blotting was performed using anti-$IKK-\alpha$, anti-phospho $IKK-\alpha\beta$, anti-phospho $I{\kappa}B-\alpha$, anti-$NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2 and anti-iNOS, respectively. Results : Lyciutn chinense Milie reduced $H_{2}O_{2}$-induced cell death dose-dependently. It inhibited the generation of $O_2\;^-$, $ONOO^-$, NO and $PGE_2$ in the $H_{2}O_{2}$-treated renal epithelial cells of mouse in vitro. Lycium chinense Milie inhibited the expression of $IKK-\alpha$, $p-IKK-\alpha\beta,\;p-I{\kappa}B-\alpha$, COX-2 and iNOS genes by means of decreasing activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$. Conclusions : According to above results. Lycium chinense Milie recommended to be applied in treatment for the inflammatory process and inflammation-related diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.117-124
• /
• 2019

Objective : Broccoli is edible green plant that has a wide variety of health benefits including cancer prevention and cholesterol reduction. However, leaves of broccoli are not eaten and are mostly left as waste. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the broccoli leaf extract (BLE) on prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production related to nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Methods : BLE was prepared by extracting dried leaf with ethanol. Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. PGE₂ and inflammatory cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression level of each protein was monitored by Western blot analysis. Results : In LPS-activated Raw264.7 cells, PGE₂ release into culture medium was dramatically enhanced compared to control cells. However, increased PGE₂ was attenuated dose-dependently by treatment with BLE. Inhibition of PGE₂ production by BLE was due to the suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression determined by Western blot analysis. BLE also inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Inhibition at PGE₂ and cytokine was mediated from inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-κB due to the repression of inhibitory kappa B alpha (IκBα) phosphorylation and degradation. Conclusion : This study showed that BLE exerted inhibitory activities against PGE₂, which is critical for the initiation and resolution of inflammatory responses, and that inhibition of PGE₂ was mediated by suppression of NF-κB signaling. These results suggest that the waste broccoli leaves could be used for controlling inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.7
• /
• pp.810-818
• /
• 2015

We analyzed whether lactic acid bacteria could control the expression of IL-4 and IL-13 in activated mast cells and whether these bacteria could inhibit the activity of transcription factors such as GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT1, NF-AT2, and NF-κB p65. We previously described a technique for identification of lactic acid bacteria with anti-atopy functionality by confirming increased expression of CD4+/CD25+/foxp3+ in T cells. We also confirmed that a double-culture method increased the antibacterial activity of these lactic acid bacteria against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In the present study, we characterized the effect of lactic acid bacteria cultured by this double-culture method on inhibition of allergic inflammatory reactions of RBL-2H3 mast cells, a cellular model of atopic dermatitis. The strongest anti-allergic effects of the lactic acid bacteria were seen in the following order: Lactococcus lactis broth cultured with medium containing Lactobacillus plantarum culture supernatant > Lc. lactis > Lc. lactis broth cultured with medium containing Lb. plantarum culture supernatant > Lb. plantarum. Thus, Lc. lactis cultured in medium containing Lb. plantarum culture supernatant had the strongest inhibitory effect on the differentiation of mast cells during allergic reactions, which may be mediated through the selective regulation of expression of relevant genes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 2003.07a
• /
• pp.58-62
• /
• 2003

Silicon carbide (SiC) was etched in a $NF_3/CH_4$ inductively coupled plasma. The etch process was modeled by using a neural network called generalized regression neural network (GRNN). For modeling, the process was characterized by a $2^4$ full factorial experiment with one center point. To test model appropriateness, additional test data of 16 experiments were conducted. Particularly, the GRNN predictive capability was drastically improved by a genetic algorithm (GA). This was demonstrated by an improvement of more than 80% compared to a conventionally obtained model. Predicted model behaviors were highly consistent with actual measurements. From the optimized model, several plots were generated to examine etch rate variation under various plasma conditions. Unlike the typical behavior, the etch rate variation was quite different depending on the bias power Under lower bias powers, the source power effect was strongly dependent on induced dc bias. The etch rate was strongly correated to the do bias induced by the gas ratio. Particularly, the etch rate variation with the bias power at different gas ratio seemed to be limited by the etchant supply.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 2022

Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae family) is widely used in the European countries and the United States due to its proven immune enhancement and anti-inflammatory effects. Echinacea purpurea has been reported prevent and treat upper respiratory tract infections and common cold, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms of Echinacea purpurea (EP) extract using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated signal pathways in RAW264.7 cells. Our results suggest that EP extract exerts anti-inflammatory effects by down-regulating the expression of LPS-induced toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), subsequently inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways and suppression of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that EP extract is a potential therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.106-112
• /
• 2009

The bio-complex "reaction pattern in vertebrate cells"(RiV) is mainly represented by characteristic exosome-like particles - probably as reaction products of cells to specific stress. The transcription factor NF-kappaB plays a central role in inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that RiV particle preparations (RiV-PP) reduce cellular adhesion molecule (CAM) expression (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin) by the attenuation of NF-kappaB translocation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). After 4 hours, pre-incubation of HUVEC with RiV-PP before stimulation with TNF-alpha significantly reduced ICAM-1 (65.5${\pm}$10.3%) and VCAM-1 (71.1${\pm}$12.3%) mRNA expression compared to TNF-alpha-treated cells (100%, n=7). ICAM-1 surface expression was significantly albeit marginally reduced in RiV/TNF-alpha- treated cells (92.0${\pm}$5.6%, n=4). No significant effect was observed on VCAM-1 surface expression. In RiV/TNF-alpha-treated cells (n=4), NF-kappaB subunits p50 (85.7${\pm}$4.1%) and p65 (85.0${\pm}$1.8%) nuclear translocation was significantly reduced. RiV-PP may exert an anti-inflammatory effect in HUVEC by reducing CAM mRNA expression via attenuation of p50 and p65 translocation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.560-567
• /
• 2018

In the present study, we tried to examine whether resveratrol regulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) through affecting nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) in articular chondrocytes. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured in a monolayer, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure interleukin-${\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$)-induced gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), ADAMTS-5 and type II collagen. Effect of resveratrol on $IL-1{\beta}$-induced secretion of MMP-3 was investigated in rabbit articular chondrocytes using western blot analysis. To elucidate the action mechanism of resveratrol, effect of resveratrol on $IL-1{\beta}$-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathway was investigated in SW1353, a human chondrosarcoma cell line, by western blot analysis. The results were as follows: (1) resveratrol inhibited the gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5, but increased the gene expression of type II collagen; (2) resveratrol reduced the secretion of MMP-3; (3) resveratrol inhibited $IL-1{\beta}$induced activation (phosphorylation) of inhibitory kappa B kinase (IKK), and thus phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitory kappa $B{\alpha}$ ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$); (4) resveratrol inhibited $IL-1{\beta}$-induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65. This, in turn, led to the down-regulation of gene expression of MMPs in SW1353 cells. These results suggest that resveratrol can regulate the expression of MMPs through affecting $NF-{\kappa}B$ by directly acting on articular chondrocytes.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.303-312
• /
• 2020

This study aims to investigate at a laboratory scale fluorides removal from an industrial wastewater having excessive F^- concentration through a hybrid process combining neutralization and membrane separation. For the membrane separation operation, both Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Nanofiltration (NF) were investigated and confronted. The optimized neutralization step with hydrated lime allowed reaching fluoride removal rates of 99.1± 0.4 %. To simulate continuous process, consecutive batch treatments with full recirculation of membrane process brines were conducted. Despite the relatively high super saturations with respect to CaF₂, no membrane cloaking was observed. The RO polishing treatment allowed decreasing the permeate fluoride concentration to 0.9± 0.3 mg/L with a fluoride rejection rate of 93± 2% at the optimal transmembrane pressure of around 100 psi. When NF membrane was used to treat neutralization filtrate, the permeate fluoride concentration dropped to 1.1± 0.4 mg/L with a fluoride rejection rate of 88± 5% at the optimal pressure of around 80 psi. Thus, with respect to RO, NF allowed roughly 20% decrease of the driving pressure at the expense of only 5% drop of rejection rate. Both NF and RO permeates at optimal operating transmembrane pressures respect environmental regulations for reject streams discharge into the environment.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.41-51
• /
• 2016

Adult hippocampal dentate granule neurons are generated from neural stem cells (NSCs) in the mammalian brain, and the fate specification of adult NSCs is precisely controlled by the local niches and environment, such as the subventricular zone (SVZ), dentate gyrus (DG), and Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the main polyphenolic flavonoid in green tea that has neuroprotective activities, but there is no clear understanding of the role of EGCG in adult neurogenesis in the DG after neuroinflammation. Here, we investigate the effect and the mechanism of EGCG on adult neurogenesis impaired by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). LPS-induced neuroinflammation inhibited adult neurogenesis by suppressing the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in the DG, which was indicated by the decreased number of Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-, Doublecortin (DCX)- and Neuronal Nuclei (NeuN)-positive cells. In addition, microglia were recruited with activating TLR4-NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling in the adult hippocampus by LPS injection. Treating LPS-injured mice with EGCG restored the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs in the DG, which were decreased by LPS, and EGCG treatment also ameliorated the apoptosis of NSCs. Moreover, pro-inflammatory cytokine production induced by LPS was attenuated by EGCG treatment through modulating the TLR4-NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway. These results illustrate that EGCG has a beneficial effect on impaired adult neurogenesis caused by LPS-induced neuroinflammation, and it may be applicable as a therapeutic agent against neurodegenerative disorders caused by inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.12
• /
• pp.1355-1359
• /
• 2016

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs) can differentiate into various cell types including osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, and myocytes. Previous studies, including our own, have shown that MSCs can also differentiate into neuron-like cells. However, their rate of neuronal differentiation is not sufficient for application to stem cell therapy, which requires well-defined cell types. For this purpose, we first examined the expression of neuronal lineage markers (GFAP, MAP-2, KCNH1, Nestin, NF-M, and Tuj-1) by real-time PCR, western blot, and immunocytochemical staining. The expressions of the astrocyte marker GFAP and neuronal markers NF-M and Tuj-1 increased in neuronal differentiated MSCs (dMSCs). To improve the neuronal differentiation efficiency, PDE4, an important signaling intermediator in the progression of neuronal differentiation, was modulated using well-known inhibitors such as rolipram or resveratrol and then differentiated into neuronal cells (Roli- or RSV-dMSCs). The expressions of NF-M, Tuj-1 were increased while that of GFAP decreased in Roli- and RSV-dMSCs, which were examined by real-time PCR, western blot, and immunocytochemical staining. From these experiments, we have found that the neuronal differentiation efficiency can be ameliorated by the modulation of PDE4 activity.