• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.436-441
• /
• 2019

Nelumbo nucifera, also known as sacred lotus, has mainly been used as a food throughout the Asian countries. In the present study, we prepared ethanol extracts from leaf (NL), seed (NS), and seedpod (NSP) of Nelumbo nucifera and investigated their anti-inflammatory activities in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of NL, NS, and NSP, nitric oxide (NO) production was measured in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. NL, NS, and NSP significantly reduced NO production in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cell viabilities. NL, NS, and NSP dramatically decreased the protein expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as iNOS and COX-2. NL, NS, and NSP also suppressed phosphorylation of MAPKs and the nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 indicating they have their anti-inflammatory activities via regulating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) pathways. In addition, we analyzed the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the treatment of NL, NS, and NSP. All extracts reduced ROS production in a dose-dependent manner. And also, they increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression and the nuclear translocation of nuclear respiratory factor 2 (Nrf2). In conclusion, our results suggest that Nelumbo nucifera has its anti-inflammatory activity via regulating MAPKs, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.405-410
• /
• 2011

High-performance of an electric double layer capacitance (EDLC) electrode was prepared by the amino-fluorination of activated carbon by using $NF_3$ gas. The pore structure and surface chemistry were investigated based on the specific capacitance of EDLC. The amino-fluorination of activated carbon introduced functional groups of nitrogen and fluorine which are beneficial for the specific capacitance of EDLC without the change of pore structures. The E-NF100AC electrode, which has nitrogen and fluorine functional groups less than 1 at%, showed the highly improved specific capacitance of 528 (${\pm}9$) F/g at 2 mV/s showing 122% improved value when comparing with that of non-functionalized E-RAC electrodes. Whereas, the E-NF200AC electrode, which has nitrogen and fluorine functional groups over 1 at%, showed the decreased specific capacitance because of perfluorinated introduction. So, it is concluded that the proper contents of nitrogen and fluorine groups improved the specific capacitance of EDLC.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.155-167
• /
• 2005

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Cobrotoxin on binding affinity of cobrotoxin with P50, $IKK{\alpa}$ and $IKK{\beta}$, activities of NF-${\kappa}B$, Cell viability of astrocyte, expressions of protein molecules of NF-${\kappa}B$ such as P50, P-$1{kappa}B$, $1{\kappa}B$ and iflammation related genes such as Cox-2, iNOS, cPLA2 in the SNP or LPS induced Inflammatory pathway of Rats' astrocytes. Methods : In this study, The expression of cytosolic phospholipase A2, Nitric oxcide, Cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitrogen oxide synthase was determined by western blotting with corresponding antibodies, and the generation of NF-${\kappa}B$ was assayed by EMSA method in astrocytes of rats. The Cell viability of astrocytes was determined by MTT assay, and Binding affinity of Cobrotoxin with P50, $IKK{\alpha}$ and $IKK{\beta}$ was assayed by Surface plasmon resonance analysis, and NF-${\kappa}B$ dependent luciferase activity was determined by luciferase analysis, and Uptake of cobrotoxin in astrocytes was identified by Confocal laser scanning microscope Results : 1. Compared with control, LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA binding activity was decreased significantly by 0.1, $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Cobrotoxin in Astrocyte. 2. Compared with control, LPS-induced NF-kB dependent luciferase expression was decreased significantly by 0.1, 0.5 and $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Cobrotoxin in Astrocyte. 3. Compared with control, SNP induced P50, $I{\kappa}B$ expressions in astrocyte were decreased significantly by 0.1, 0.5 and $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Cobrotoxin and P-$1{\kappa}B$ expression was decreased significantly by 0.5 and $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Cobrotoxin. 4. Compared with control, LPS induced P50, $1{\kappa}B$ expressions in astrocyte were decreased significantly by 0.5 and $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Cobrotoxin. 5. Compared with control, SNP induced Cox-2, iNOS, CPLA2 expressions in astrocyte were decreased significantly by $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Cobrotoxin. 6. Compared with control, LPS induced Cox-2, cPLA2 expressions in astrocyte were decreased significantly by 0.1, 0.5, $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Cobrotoxin and iNOS expression was decreased significantly by 0.5, $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Cobrotoxin. 7. Compared with $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Cobrotoxin, SNP-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA bindins activity in astrocyte was increased significantly by Cobrotoxin $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ with DTT 1mM and Cobrotoxin $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ with DTT 5mM. 8. Compared with $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of Cobrotoxin, LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA binding activity in astrocyte was increased significantly by Cobrotoxin $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ with DTT 1mM, Cobrotoxin $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ with DTT 5mM, Cobrotoxin $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$with GSH 1mM and Cobrotoxin $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ with GSH 5mM 9. Compared with $0.1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of cobrotoxin, SNP induced P50 expressions in astrocyte were increased significantly by Cobrotoxin $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ with DTT 1mM, Cobrotoxin $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ with DTT 5mM Cobrotoxin $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ with GSH 1mM and Cobrotoxin $0.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ with GSH 5mM. 10. The uptake of the labeled cobrotoxin into the cells was shown under a confocal laser scanning microscope. cobrotoxin was uptaken into the membrane and nucleus of astrocytes. Conclusions : In summary, the present results demonstrate that cobrotoxin directly binds to sulfhydryl group of p50 and IKKS resulting In the reduction of translocation of p50 and IkB release, thereby inhibits activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, and suggest that pico to nanomolar range of cobrotoxin could inhibit the expression of genes in the NF-${\kappa}B$ signal pathway.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.359-364
• /
• 2023

KAI1/CD82, a membrane tetraspanin protein, can prevent various cancers and retinal disorders through its anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic capacity. However, little is known about its anti-inflammatory effect and molecular mechanism. Therefore, the present study aimed to inLPSvestigate effect of a recombinant protein of the large extracellular domain of human KAI1 (Gly 111-Leu 228, rhKAI1) on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage-like cells and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) and to identify its underlying mechanism. Our data showed that rhKAI1 suppressed expression levels of classically macrophages (M1) phenotype-related surface markers F4/80+CD86+ in LPS-stimulated BMDM and RAW264.7 cells. In addition, LPS markedly increased mRNA expression and release levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, cyclooxygenase-2, nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2, whereas these increases were substantially down-regulated by rhKAI1. Furthermore, LPS strongly increased expression of NF-κB p65 in the nuclei and phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK. However, nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and phosphorylation of JNK were greatly reversed in the presence of rhKAI1. Especially, rhKAI1 markedly suppressed expression of toll-like receptor (TLR4) and prevented binding of LPS with TLR4 through molecular docking predict analysis. Importantly, Glu 214 of rhKAI1 residue strongly interacted with Lys 360 of TLR4 residue, with a binding distance of 2.9 Å. Taken together, these findings suggest that rhKAI1 has an anti-inflammatory effect on LPS-polarized macrophages by interacting with TLR4 and down-regulating the JNK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.112-117
• /
• 2013

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and regulate the activation of innate immunity. All TLR signaling pathways culminate in the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, leading to the induction of inflammatory gene products such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Triptolide (TP), a natural component of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F, has been used as folk remedies to treat many chronic diseases for many years. In the present report, we present biochemical evidence that TP inhibits the NF-${\kappa}B$ activation induced by polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (Poly[I:C], TLR3 agonist) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, TLR4 agonist). TP also inhibits COX-2 expression induced by Poly[I:C] and LPS. These results suggest that TP can modulate the immune responses regulated by TLR3 and TLR4 signaling pathways.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.93-103
• /
• 2010

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the pathway of anti-allergic effects of Cheonmaec-tang (CMT). Methods We examined the cell viability, $\beta$-hexosaminidase release, pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion and mRNA expressions, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) (p65) activation, inbibitor kappa B-alpha ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) degradation, and MAPKs activation in RBL-2H3 cells pre-treated by CMT of 2.0 mg/ml, 4.0 mg/ml separately. Results We observed that CMT reduced the secretion of $\beta$-hexosaminidase, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-4 and the expression of COX-2 mRNA in RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, CMT inhibited the levels of activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ (p65) protein, ERK MAPK, and degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ in RBL-2H3 cells. Conclusions These results show that CMT has an anti-histamine effect and inhibitory effect of NF-${\kappa}B$ (p65) through regulation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation. These suggest that CMT could be used as an anti-allergic medicine.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.307-313
• /
• 2014

The effect of various levels of proteins, sulfates, and molecular weight ($M_w$) of a sulfated-glycoprotein ($NF_3$) from a sea cucumber, Stichopus japonicus, on nitric oxide (NO) releasing capacity from RAW 264.7 cells was investigated. The $NF_3$ derivatives had various amounts of proteins (4.8~11.2%) and sulfates (6.8~25.2%) as well as different $M_w$ ($640.3{\times}10^3{\sim}109.2{\times}10^3g/mol$). $NF_3$ was able to stimulate RAW 264.7 cells to release NO with lower protein contents, indicating that the protein moiety was not an important factor to stimulate macrophages. On the other hand, the NO inducing capacity was significantly reduced with decreased levels of sulfates and $M_w$, implying that sulfates and $M_w$ played a pivotal role in activating RAW 264.7 cells. It was not clear why sulfates and a certain range of $M_w$ were essential for stimulating macrophages. It appeared that certain levels of sulfates and $M_w$ of sulfated-glycoproteins were required to bind to the surface receptors on RAW 264.7 cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.261-272
• /
• 2021

Doxorubicin (Dox) is widely used to the treatment of cancer, however, it could cause damage to gastric mucosa. To investigate the protective effects and related mechanisms of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and vitamin C (VC) on Dox-induced gastric mucosal injury, we presented the survey of the 4 groups of the rats with different conditions. The results showed Dox treatment significantly induced GES-1 apoptosis, but preconditioning in GES-1 cells with VC or CoQ10 significantly inhibited the Dox-induced decrease and other harm effects, including the expression and of IκKβ, IκBα, NF-κB/p65 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in GES-1 cells. Moreover, high-throughput sequencing results showed Dox treatment increased the number of harmful gut microbes, and CoQ10 and VC treatment inhibited this effect. CoQ10 and VC treatment inhibits Dox-induced gastric mucosal injury by inhibiting the activation of the IkKB/IκBα/NF-κB/p65/TNF-α pathway, promoting anti-inflammatory effects of gastric tissue and regulating the composition of the intestinal flora.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 2023

Fungal keratitis is a refractory kind of keratopathy. We attempted to investigate the antiinflammatory role of thymol on Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) keratitis. Wound healing and fluorescein staining of the cornea were applied to verify thymol's safety. Mice models of A. fumigatus keratitis underwent subconjunctival injection of thymol. The anti-inflammatory roles of thymol were verified by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, slit lamp observation, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blotting. In contrast with the DMSO group, more transparent corneas and less inflammatory cells infiltration were detected in mice treated with 50 ㎍/ml thymol. Thymol downregulated the synthesis of TLR4, MyD88, NF-kB, IL-1β, NLRP3, caspase 1, caspase 8, GSDMD, RIPK3 and MLKL. In summary, we proved that thymol played a protective part in A. fumigatus keratitis by cutting down inflammatory cells aggregation, downregulating the TLR4/ MyD88/ NF-kB/ IL-1β signal expression and reducing necroptosis and pyroptosis.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.484-492
• /
• 2014

We quantified the effects of the composition and concentration of fertilizer solutions on the growth and nutrient uptake of 'Maehyang' strawberry at the vegetative growth stage. Acid fertilizer (AF), neutral fertilizer (NF), and basic fertilizer (BF) with concentrations of 100 or $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ based on N, were formulated and applied during the 100 days after transplanting, at which point crop growth and tissue nutrient contents were analyzed. The soil solutions were sampled every two weeks to measure the pH, EC and nutrient concentrations. BF was a more effective fertilizer compared to AF and NF for growth of 'Maehyang' strawberry when fertilizer concentrations were controlled to $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$. By contrast, the fresh and dry weights were greatest in the NF treatment when fertilizer concentrations were controlled to $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$. The tissue contents of N, P, and Na were 2.20, 0.51 and 0.10%, respectively, in the NF 200 treatment, and these were the highest among all treatments tested. The highest contents of K, Ca and Mg were 2.60% in AF 200, 0.95% in BF 200 and 0.45% in BF 100, respectively. During the fertilization period, the highest and lowest pHs were 6.13 in BF 100 and 4.92 in AF 200. The lowest EC was $1.376dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in BF 100 and the highest was $4.936dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in NF 200 treatments. The highest $NH_4{^+}$ concentrations in the soil solution occurred during the AF 200 treatment, followed by those with NF 200 and AF 100. When fertilizer concentrations were equal, AF treatment gave rise to the highest $Ca^{+2}$ and $Mg^{+2}$ concentrations, followed by NF and BF, until day 84 of fertilization. The BF treatments had the highest $NO_3{^-}$ concentrations followed by NF and AF. The trends for $PO_4^{-3}$ concentrations were similar in all fertilizer treatments when the fertilizer concentrations were equal. The above results indicate that neutral and basic fertilizers were most effective to promote 'Maehyang' strawberry growth when fertilizer solutions were controlled to low or high concentrations, respectively. These findings are useful for planning fertilization programs for vegetative propagation of 'Maehyang' strawberry.