• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2011

Macrophages play a vital role in the innate immune system involving defensive cytokines such as TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-${\alpha}$ and nitric oxide (NO). Therefore, we try to elucidate the anti-inflammatory activity of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus Obliquus, IO) in murine macrophages. Raw 264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages of mice were cultured with or without LPS/LPS + IFN-${\gamma}$ in the presence of IO aqueous extracts (IOE 0.2, 2, 20, 100 ${\mu}g$/mL) for 24 hr and 48 hr, respectively. Exposure of IOE caused the decrease of NO production and increase of TNF-${\alpha}$ production in dose-dependent manner in activated peritoneal macrophage in vitro. To further investigate anti-inflammatory effects of IO ex vivo, we orally administrated capsaicin (PC, 3 mg/kg/day) and IOE (100, 200, 400 mg/kg/day) for 4 consecutive days to C57BL/6 mice (7~9 weeks old, female), then observed the NO secretion and cytokine (TNF-${\alpha}$) production of LPS/LPS + INF-${\gamma}$-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. IOE inhibits NO secretion in dose-dependent manner both ex vivo and in vitro and increases the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ in vitro. In addition, we found that IOE possessed suppressive effects of LPS-stimulated TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, COX-2, as well as iNOS expressions in Raw 264.7 cells. These findings indicate that IOE suppress not only the LPS-induced NO overproduction of murine peritoneal macrophages, but also iNOS, COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ overexpression of LPS-induced Raw 264.7 cells. Consequently, our results suggest that IO may have the anti-inflammatory effects via suppression of the inflammatory cytokines and mediators, and be useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 2004

Primary pro-inflammatory cytokines are a trio: tumor necrosis- $\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukine-$\beta$ (IL-$\beta$), and interleukine-6 (IL-6). These cytokines initiate and regulate the acute-phase inflammatory response during infection, trauma, or stress and appear to play an important role in the immune process. Nitric oxide (NO) is a multi-functional mediator, which plays an important role in regulating various biological functions in vivo. NO production by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in macrophages is essential for the defense mechanisms against microorganisms and tumor cells. However, over-expression of iNOS by various stimuli, resulting in over-production of NO, contributes to the pathogenesis of septic shock and some inflammatory and auto-immune disease. Solvent fractions of sage ( Salvia officinalis L.), which is cultivated in Jeju-Do, was assayed for their effects on TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Hexane and ethylacetate (EtOAc) fraction of sage inhibited the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells at the concentration of 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$. Also, incubation of RAW 264.7 cells with the fraction of hexane or EtOAc (50 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) inhibited the LPS induced nitrite accumulation and the LPS/IFN-${\gamma}$ induced iNOS protein. And this inhibition of iNOS protein is concordant with the inhibition of iNOS mRNA expression. Above results suggest that extract of sage may have anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, IL-6), iNOS and NO.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2005

Objective: With the onset of stroke, white blood cells release several proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$. It has been proven in previous studies that the release of these cytokines is related to the extent of damage to the brain and to overall prognosis. However, no studies have yet been performed to determine the connection with IL-6 and IL-10. Thus, this study is performed to see whether polymorphisms of IL-6, IL-10, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ genes that show increased serum concentration with the onset of stroke are related to stroke attack in Koreans. Methods : Peripheral blood samples derived from patients with stroke (n=100) and healthy controls (n=100) were taken under informed consent. In subjects with stroke, blood samples were obtained within 24 hours of stroke onset. Genomic DNA was isolated using the Wizard DNA Purification Kit (Promega, Madison, WI). Results : 1. Subjects with Heterozygote (GA) and Homozygote (AA) $TNF-{\alpha}$ gene types showed 2.433 and 20.457 times higher risks of being attacked by stroke, respectively, compared to subjects with wild type (GG) $TNF-{\alpha}$ gene type. The data was still statistically significant after adjusting for age, sex, history of smoking, and history of alcohol drinking. 2. Subjects with Homozygote (CC) IL-6 gene type showed 182.033 times higher risk of being attacked by stroke, compared to subjects with wild type (GG) IL-6 genes. This data was statistically insignificant (p=0.700). The data was still statistically insignificant after adjusting for age, sex, history of smoking, and history of alcohol drinking. 3. Subjects with Heterozygote (GA) and Homozygote (GG) IL-10 gene types showed 8.785 and 3.303 times higher risks of being attacked by stroke, respectively, compared to subjects with wild type (AA) IL-10 genes. The data was still statistically insignificant after adjusting for age, sex, history of smoking, and history of alcohol drinking. Conclusion : Our results suggest that the investigated $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-10 gene polymorphisms play an important role in stroke attack, but IL-6 gene polymorphism has not been found to associated with stroke.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 2003

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a class of positional, geometric conjugated dienoic isomers of linoleic acid (LA). CLA activates the immune system, protects against tumorigenesis, and reduces the incidence of atherosclerosis. Trans-10, cis-12 CLA has specific effects on lipid metabolism, it has been shown to reduce body fat gain and regulates some adipocyte secreted proteins in vivo and in vitro. Here we report that a CLA mixture affects cytokine secretion from rat primary adipocytes. Rat primary adipocytes were treated with 1 mM, 100 $\mu$M, 1 $\mu$M or 100 nM CLA mixture doses; and leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF a ), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and glycerol levels in the medium were measured. Leptin secretion was lower, TNF $\alpha$ secretion higher and IL-6 secretion did not change in response to the CLA mixture. Leptin and TNF $\alpha$ secretions did not change with CLA mixture treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the CLA mixture did not appear to enhance lipolysis in rat primary adipocytes. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the decrease in leptin and increase in TNF $\alpha$ secretion in adipocytes treated with CLA mixture may be due to the apoptotic effect and to a reduction in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR ${\gamma}$ ) ligands.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2015

Omega-3, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, is an essential fatty acid necessary for human health, and it protects against cardiovascular disease, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In the present study, we investigated the effects of omega-3-rich harp seal oil (HSO) on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin-(IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) in peritoneal macrophages of mice. The culture supernatants of murine macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), HSO, or HSO+LPS were harvested to assay IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) cytokines and NO. TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) levels, except IL-6, were lower in the culture supernatants of mouse peritoneal macrophages exposed to LPS plus HSO than those of the groups exposed to LPS alone. These observations demonstrate that omega-3-rich harp seal oil downregulates the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40). These results suggest that HSO could be potentially used as a preventive agent or as an adjunct in anti-inflammatory therapy, if more research results were accumulated.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.152-165
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• 2008

Purpose: It is the purpose of this study to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of cheukbaekjurpihwan(CBJPH) extract on LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced inflammatory mediators in murine peritoneal macrophages. Methods: To evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of CBJPH extract, the production of cytokines(TNF-${\alpha}$(tumor necrosis factor-alpha), IL(interleukin)-6, IL-12) and NO(nitric oxide) was measured in vitro and in vivo. And western blot analysis has been done to look into the mechanism. Results: CBJPH extract reduced LPS-induced NO, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, IL-12 productions in peritoneal macrophages. CBJPH extract inhibited the activation of JNK(c-Jun N-terminal kinase), but didn't inhibit the activation of MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) such as p38, ERK1/2(extracelluar signal-regulated kinase1/2) and the degradation of $I_{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$(inhibitory kappa B-alpha) in the LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. CBJPH extract suppressed LPS-induced endotoxin shock and the productions of TNF-${\alpha}$, but not of IL-6, after an oral administration of CBJPH extract Conclusion: CBJPH extract suppressed the productions of LPS-induced NO and cytokines by preventing JNK from phosphorylation, which may provide a clinical basis for anti-inflammatory properties of CBJPH.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.431-437
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• 2009

To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Ephedrae Herba in vivo and in vitro acute inflammation was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) shock in rats fed Ephedrae Herba extracts and inflammatory cytokine concentrations were examined. In addition, the effect of Ephedrae Herba extracts on the production of inflammatory cytokines was examined in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. In an in vivo experiment, plasma interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) concentrations were increased at 2 h and reached to maximal levels at 5 h after LPS treatment in all groups. Compared with control group, plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ levels were lowered at 5 h after LPS treatment, but plasma IL-10 level was higher in at 2 and 5 h after LPS treatment in Ephedrae Herba extract group. In an in vitro experiment using Raw 264.7 macrophages, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ concentrations in the Ephedrae Herba extract group were lower than those in control group. Compared with control group, IL-10 concentration appeared to be higher in the Ephedrae Herba extract group, but this trend was not significant. In conclusion, these results suggested that functional compound (s) in Ephedrae Herba extract may play a role in alleviating inflammatory response.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.1924-1929
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• 2013

Hizikia fusiforme (seaweed fusiforme) has long been used as a food source mainly in Korea and Japan. This study was performed to evaluate the immunomodulative effects of Hizikia fusiforme in mice. Hizikia fusiforme water extracts (0, 50, and 500 mg/kg b.w.) were orally administrated into the mice every other day, for four weeks. The proliferation of splenocytes, as well as the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$) secreted by activated macrophages were measured. Splenocyte proliferation was enhanced in the experimental groups compared to that of the control group. Also, the mice with Hizikia fusiforme water extracts supplementation in both concentrations showed increased levels of cytokine production by activated peritoneal macrophages compared to those in the control group. The highest levels of cytokine (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$) production were observed in the 50 mg/kg b.w. supplementation group stimulated by LPS for all three cytokines. The results of this study showed that the supplementation of Hizikia fusiforme water extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocytes proliferation and the cytokine production by activated macrophages. Further studies are needed to identify the stimulative and immunomodulating components of Hizikia fusiforme.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2017

Objectives : In this study, the roles of Interleukin (IL)-4 and Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), which have been reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammation and cancer, were evaluated in snake venom toxin (SVT)-induced apoptosis. Methods : Inflammation was induced in human HaCaT kerationocytes, by lipopolysaccharide (LPS; $1{\mu}g/mL$) or tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), followed by treatment with SVT (0, 1, or $2{\mu}g/mL$). Cell viability was assessed by MTT assays after 24 h, and the expression of levels of IL-4, STAT6, and the apoptosis-related proteins p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 were evaluated by western blotting. Electro mobility shift assays (EMSAs) were performed to evaluate the DNA binding capacity of STAT6. Results : MTT assays showed that inflammation-induced growth of HaCaT cells following LPS or TNF-${\alpha}$ stimulation was inhibited by SVT. Western blot analysis showed that p53 and Bax, which promote apoptosis, were increased, whereas that of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, was decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in LPS- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced HaCaT cells following treatment with SVT. Moreover, following treatment of HaCaT cells with LPS, IL-4 concentrations were increased, and treatment with SVT further increased IL-4 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Western blotting and EMSAs showed that the phosphorylated form of STAT6 was increased in HaCaT cells in the context of LPS- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced inflammation in a concentration-dependent manner, concomitant with an increase in the DNA binding activity of STAT6. Conclusion : SVT can effectively promote apoptosis in HaCaT cells in the presence of inflammation through a pathway involving IL-4 and STAT6.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.469-476
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• 2014

The aims of this study were to explore the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-naïve and LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and to examine whether these effects affect the regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) production, and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) activation. Trans-10, cis-12(t10c12)-CLA increased the production of ROS, as well as TNF-${\alpha}$ in LPS-naïve RAW 264.7 cells. The CLA-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ production was suppressed by treatment of diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI), a NADPH oxidase inhibitor. In addition, CLA enhanced the activities of NF-${\kappa}B$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ in LPS-naïve RAW 264.7 cells, and this effect was abolished with DPI treatment. LPS treatment increased ROS production, whereas CLA reduced LPS-induced ROS production. LPS increased both TNF-${\alpha}$ production and NF-${\kappa}B$ activity, whereas t10c12-CLA reduced TNF-${\alpha}$ production and NF-${\kappa}B$ activity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. DPI treatment suppressed LPS-induced ROS production and NF-${\kappa}B$ activity. Moreover, DPI enhanced the inhibitory effects of t10c12-CLA on TNF-${\alpha}$ production and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. However, neither t10c12-CLA nor DPI affected $PPAR{\gamma}$ activity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, these data indicate that t10c12-CLA induces TNF-${\alpha}$ production by increasing ROS production in LPS-naïve RAW 264.7 cells, which is mediated by the enhancement of NF-${\kappa}B$ activity via $PPAR{\gamma}$ activation. By contrast, t10c12-CLA suppresses TNF-${\alpha}$ production by inhibiting ROS production and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation via a $PPAR{\gamma}$-independent pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that t10c12-CLA can modulate TNF-${\alpha}$ production and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation through formation of ROS in RAW 264.7 macrophages.