• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.113-123
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• 2006

Objectives : Deer antler Herbal-Acupuncture (DHA) solution represents one of the most commonly used medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis. But, mechanisms of its antiarthritic activities are still poorly understood. Identification of common DHA aqua-acupuncture capable of affording protection or modulating the onset and severity of arthritis may have important human health implications. Results : We determined if DHA could prevent the binding of $IL-1{\beta}$ to its cellular receptors. DHA addition to rat chondrocytes treated with $IL-1{\beta}$ or with reactive oxygen species(ROS) prevents the activation of proteoglycan synthesis. After treatment with $IL-1{\beta}$, DHA increased the expression of mRNA encoding the type II $IL-1{\beta}$ receptor. These results emphasize the potential role of two regulating proteins of the $IL-1{\beta}$ signaling pathway that could account for the beneficial effect of DHA in osteRArthritis. The present study also identifies a novel mechanism of DHA-mediated anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion : It is shown that DHA inhibits both $IL-1{\beta}-$ and $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ NO production in normal human articular chondrocytes. The observed suppression of IL-1-induced NO production is associated with inhibition of inducible NO synthase(iNOS) mRNA and protein expression. In addition, DHA also suppresses the production of IL-1-induced cyclooxygenase-2 and IL-6. The constitutively expressed cyclooxygenase-1, however, was not affected by the sugar. These results demonstrate that DHA expresses a unique range of activities and identifies a novel mechanism for the inhibition of inflammatory processes.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.125-137
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• 2006

Objectives : The effect of water extract of the pilose antler of Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe (Nokyong), a traditional immuno-suppressive and immuno-activating Korean oriental medicine, on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice model was studied. Identification of common Nokyong capable of affording protection or modulating the onset and severity of arthritis may have important human health implications. Methods : Nokyong has shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties in experimental animals. In this study we determined the effect of DAE on collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Results : In three independent experiments mice given DAE in water exhibited significantly reduced incidence of arthritis (33% to 50%) as compared with mice given no DAE in water (84% to 100%). The arthritis index also was significantly lower in DAE-fed animals. Western blot analysis showed a marked reduction in the expression of inflammatory mediators such as cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2), $Interferon-{\gamma}\;(INF-{\gamma})$, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$ in arthritic joints of DAE-fed mice. The neutral endopeptidase (NEP) activity was approximately 6-fold higher in arthritic joints of non-DAE-fed mice in comparison to nonarthritic joints of nonimmunized mice whereas it was only 2-fold higher in the arthritic joints of DAE-fed mice. Additionally, total IgG and type II collagen-specific IgG levels were lower in the arthritic joints of DAE-fed mice. Conclusion : Taken together our studies suggest that DAE may be useful in the prevention of onset and severity of arthritis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2010

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammation. It has been reported that berberine inhibits experimental colitis through inhibition of IL-8, and that inhibitory effect of berberine on inflammatory cytokine expression is mediated through peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-$\gamma$. In this study, we examined the effects and action mechanism of berberine on the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$-induced monocyte adhesion to HT29 human colonic epithelial cells, which is commonly used as an in vitro model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Berberine significantly inhibited the TNF-$\alpha$-induced monocyte adhesion to HT29, which is similar to the effect of PDTC, a nuclear factor (NF)-$\kappa$B inhibitor. However, ciglitazone and GW, the ligands of PPAR-$\gamma$, did not suppress the TNF-$\alpha$-induced monocyte adhesion to HT29 cells. In addition, TNF-$\alpha$-induced chemokine expression and NF-$\kappa$B transcriptional activity were significantly inhibited by berberine in a concentration-dependent manner. The results suggest that inhibitory effect of berberine on colitis is mediated through suppression of NF-$\kappa$B and NF-$\kappa$B-dependent chemokine expression.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2019

Estrogen withdrawal in post-menopausal women leads to overactivation of osteoclasts, which contributes to the development of osteoporosis. Inflammatory cytokines are known as one of mechanisms of osteoclast activation after estrogen deficiency. SPA0355 is a thiourea derivative that has been investigated for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its efficacy in bone resorption has not been previously investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of SPA0355 on the development of osteoporosis and to explore its mode of action. In vitro experiments showed that SPA0355 inhibited receptor activator of $NF-{\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis in primary bone marrow-derived macrophages. This effect appears to be independent of estrogen receptor activation as ICI 180,782 failed to abrogate its effects on osteoclasts. Further signaling studies revealed that SPA0355 suppressed activation of the MAPKs, Akt, and $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathways. SPA0355 also increased osteoblastic differentiation, as evidenced by its effects on alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization nodule formation. Intraperitoneal administration of SPA0355 to ovariectomized mice prevented bone loss, as verified by three-dimensional images and bone morphometric parameters derived from ${\mu}CT$ analysis. Noticeably, SPA0355 did not show hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity and also had little effect on hematological parameters. Taken together, the results indicate that SPA0355 may protect against bone loss in ovariectomized mice by stimulation of osteoblast differentiation and by inhibition of osteoclast resorption. Therefore, SPA0355 is a safe and potential candidate for management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.72-80
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• 2022

In this study, the survival capacity (acid and bile salt tolerance, and adhesion to gut epithelial cells) and probiotic properties (enzyme activity-inhibition and anti-inflammatory activities, inhibition of adipogenesis, and stress hormone level reduction) of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5314, isolated from kimchi (Korean traditional fermented cabbage), were investigated. LRCC5314 exhibited very stable survival at ph 2.0 and in 0.2% bile acid with 89.9% adhesion to Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells after treatment for 2 h. LRCC5314 also inhibited the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which are involved in elevating postprandial blood glucose levels, by approximately 72.9% and 51.2%, respectively. Treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with the LRCC5314 lysate decreased the levels of the inflammatory factors nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and interferon-γ by 88.5%, 49.3%, 97.2%, and 99.8%, respectively, relative to those of the cells treated with LPS alone. LRCC5314 also inhibited adipogenesis in differentiating preadipocytes (3T3-L1 cells), showing a 14.7% decrease in lipid droplet levels and a 74.0% decrease in triglyceride levels, as well as distinct reductions in the mRNA expression levels of adiponectin, FAS, PPAR/γ, C/EBPα, TNF-α, and IL-6. Moreover, LRCC5314 reduced the level of cortisol, a hormone with important effect on stress, by approximately 35.6% in H295R cells. L. plantarum LRCC5314 is identified as a new probiotic with excellent in vitro multifunctional properties. Subsequent in vivo studies may further demonstrate its potential as a functional food or pharmabiotic.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.41-47
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• 2022

Objectives : Terminalia chebula (TC) has been used as a traditional remedy to treat gastrointestinal infectious and inflammatory diseases. However, its protective effects and mechanisms against skin inflammation have not been well-elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of the TC water extract and also to suggest a putative mechanism of TC against skin injury on human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. Methods : HaCaT cells were pre-treated with TC for 1 h and then stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) (10 ng/mL each) to induce skin inflammation and injury. After 24 h, the cells were harvested to evaluate the expression of Th2 chemokines, such as C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5, also known as RANTES), C-C chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17, also known as TARC) and C-C chemokine ligand 22 (CCL22, also known as MDC). To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of TC, we also assessed the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathways in HaCaT cells. Results : Treatment of TC decreased the mRNA levels of RANTES, TARC and MDC with a concentration dependent manner against co-stimulation of TNF-α and IFN-γ. In addition, TC significantly reduced TNF-α and IFN-γ induced phosphorylation of STAT1. Conclusions : In summary, we propose that TC may be a promising candidate for anti-inflammatory skin protector through the inhibition of chemokines via STAT1 deactivation.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.513-520
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Cheonggukjang pills with aronia and blueberries on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. There have been several reports that Cheonggukjang is effective for intestinal health, but the efficacy of Cheonggukjang containing fruits has not yet been reported. In this study, we showed the effect of cheonggukjang pills with blueberries and aronia (CPBA) on DSS-induced colitis in BALB/c mice. CPBA was obtained from Soonchang Moonokae foods and orally administered once a day for 2 weeks before DSS treatment. Colitis was induced in mice by feeding 5% (w/v) DSS drinking water for 7 days. The results showed that CPBA treatment significantly alleviated DSS-induced disease activity index associated with a decrease in colon length. CPBA improved DSS-induced histological changes and intestinal epithelial barrier integrity in mice colon. In addition, CPBA administration significantly reduced the levels of DSS-mediated interferon-γ and interleukin-6 in serum and tumor necrosis factor-α in colon tissue. Moreover, the gene expression of COX-2 and iNOS, which are factors involved in inflammatory signaling, was significantly reduced by CPBA treatment. These results suggest that CPBA have a protective effect against DSS-induced mice colitis and may be a candidate for colitis treatment.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2022

Cotoneaster mongolicus Pojark. (CM), in the family Rosaceae is an endemic plant to the Mongolian region (its name: Moнroл чapraй). In Mongolia, Cotoneaster species as a crude drug is mainly used for inflammatory diseases, diarrhea, and stomach indigestion. In this study, we evaluated the gastro-protective activity underlying mechanism of CM. For in vivo experiments, mice were divided into 5 groups; normal mice (Normal), gastritis mice (Control), gastritis mice treated with sucralfate 10 mg/kg (SC), gastritis mice treated with CM 100 mg/kg (CML), gastritis mice treated with CM 200 mg/kg (CMH). Gastritis was provoked by HCl/ethanol (60% ethanol in 150 mM HCl). After oral administration of each drug, HCl/ethanol was orally administered 90 mins later to induce gastritis. CM alleviated the damage to the gastric mucosa caused. As a result of confirming the expression of protein in gastric tissue through western blot, CM significantly reduced the expression of NF-κB activated due to gastritis. Also, it significantly modulated the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. These results indicate that CM not only inhibits the nuclear metastasis of NF-𝛋B but also modulates the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway to relieve inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1208-1217
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• 2019

Saposhnikovia has been used as a traditional medicinal herb in Asia because of the reported anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic rhinitis, pro-whitening, anti-atopy, anti-allergy, and anti-dermatopathy effects of the phytochemical compounds it contains. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant effects of a Saposhnikovia extract after fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum BHN-LAB 33. Saposhnikovia powder was inoculated with L. plantarum BHN-LAB 33 and fermented at $37^{\circ}C$ for 72 hr. After fermentation, the total polyphenol content of the Saposhnikovia extract increased by about 14%, and the total flavonoid content increased by about 9%. The superoxide dismutase-like activities, DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, reducing power activity, and tyrosinase inhibition activity also increased after fermentation by approximately 70%, 80%, 45%, 39%, and 44%, respectively. The results confirmed that fermentation of a Saposhnikovia extract by L. plantarum BHN-LAB 33 is an effective way to increase the antioxidant effects of the extract. The bioconversion process investigated in this study may have the potential to produce phytochemical-enriched natural antioxidant agents with high added value from Saposhnikovia matrices. These results can also be applied to the development of improved foods and cosmetic materials.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.5-13
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• 2024

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of salinity stress on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Crepidiastrum sonchifolium. The plant was treated with NaCl at concentrations of 0, 50, 100, and 200mM for 6 weeks. After treatment, the whole plant was collected, and 70% ethanol extracts were prepared. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was highest in the order of NaCl treatment concentrations of 0, 100, and 50mM, while the 200mM treatment group showed the lowest radical scavenging. The total phenol and total flavonoid contents showed very similar results to the antioxidant activity depending on the NaCl concentration, confirming that the phenolic compounds of the plant can contribute to the antioxidant capacity against salinity stress. In addition, the investigation of the effect of NaCl-treated C. sonchifolium extract on the inhibition of NO production in the LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line (Raw 264.7) revealed that NO production significantly decreased in the 1,000㎍/mL treatment group across all NaCl concentration groups. But, the high concentration (1,000㎍/mL) treatment of the 100mM and 200mM NaCl treatment groups was found to have a negative effect on cell survival. These results suggest that radical scavenging activity is highest in healthy plants and that they produce antioxidants to respond to NaCl salinity stress up to 100mM. However, a high NaCl concentration of 200mM has a negative effect on the physiological activity of the plants. Compared with the results of the previously reported growth index, it is thought that the growth and physiological activity of plants can be positively affected in an NaCl treatment environment of 50mM or less.