• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.25-32
• /
• 2016

Lichens have been known to possess multiple biological activities, including anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. Hence, VCAM-1 is a possible therapeutic target in the treatment of the inflammatory disease. However, the effect of lobaric acid on VCAM-1 has not yet been investigated and characterized. For this study, we examined the effect of lobaric acid on the inhibition of VCAM-1 in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$)-stimulated mouse vascular smooth muscle cells. Western blot and ELISA showed that the increased expression of VCAM-1 by TNF-${\alpha}$ was significantly suppressed by the pre-treatment of lobaric acid ($0.1-10{\mu}g/ml$) for 2 h. Lobaric acid abrogated TNF-${\alpha}$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity through preventing the degradation of $I{\kappa}B$ and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), and p38 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase. Lobaric acid also inhibited the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ receptor 1 (TNF-R1). Overall, our results suggest that lobaric acid inhibited VCAM-1 expression through the inhibition of p38, ERK, JNK and NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathways, and downregulation of TNF-R1 expression. Therefore, it is implicated that lobaric acid may suppress inflammation by altering the physiology of the atherosclerotic lesion.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2003.10b
• /
• pp.173.1-173.1
• /
• 2003

One of attractive target for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) therapy is the cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$), which has been shown to be overproduced in the joint of RA patients. The clinical success of anti- TNFR biologics has validated TNF-$\alpha$ as a drug discovery target. Thus, inhibiting of formation of TNF-$\alpha$ has been emerged to an intriguing approach for RA therapy. TNF-$\alpha$ is processed from its membrane bound precursor by the metalloprotease TNF-$\alpha$ converting enzyme (TACE), Here, biological evaluation, mode of action of natural TACE inhibitor, Gelastatin hydroxamate, are addressed. (omitted)

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.288-297
• /
• 2009

Objective : Inflammatory cytokines have a close relationship to insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The inhibitory effect of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma (SGR) were examined on production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ $(PGE_2)$, synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and NF-${\kappa}$B activation in Raw 264.7 cells. Methods: Raw 264.7 cells were pretreated with SGR(20, 50, 100 ${\mu}g$/ml), and then cultured with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Cell viability was measured by MTT assay; inhibition of NO, $PGE_2$, and TNF-${\alpha}$ production were measured by Griess reagent and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Induction of COX-2 and iNOS were determined by western blotting analysis. Inhibition of NF-${\kappa}$B was measured by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Results: SGR inactivated NF-${\kappa}$B, and inhibited the production of NO, iNOS, and $PGE_2$. Inhibition of COX-2 and TNF-${\alpha}$ could not be confirmed. Conclusions: From the above result. SGR was found to have an anti-inflammatory effect of inhibition of NO, iNOS, and $PGE_2$ production via inhibition of NF-${\kappa}$B.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.51-57
• /
• 2014

In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of Rumex crispus L. and its fractions were investigated in RAW 264.7 macrophages. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of extract, we studied nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) levels in RAW 264.7 cells. The ethanol extract of R. crispus L. significantly decreased NO production and the levels of other inflammatory factors, such as PGE2 and $TNF-{\alpha}$, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. We also assessed the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) protein expression by western blot. Ethyl acetate fraction of R. crispus L. had the strongest anti-inflammatory effect. These results suggest that ethyl acetate extract of R. crispus L. might be beneficial in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.57-68
• /
• 2010

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts on the inflammatory cytokines gene expression by the bacteria of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) which elicits acne in human monocytes, THP-1 cell line. Experiment : Cytotoxicity of Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts was analyzed by XTT assay. Real time RT-PCR was applied to analyze the cytokines gene expressions of IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-$\alpha$. Translocation of transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$ from cytoplasm into nucleus was observed using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. Results : Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts did not show cytotoxicity as high as in $1,000\;{\mu}g/ml$ of concentration. Transcription levels of inflammatory cytokines, IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-$\alpha$ were increased by P. acnes in THP-1 and Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts decreased the upregulated transcription levels. Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts significantly inhibited the translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ into nucleus by P. acnes. Conclusion : This study suggests that Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts have anti-inflammatory effects on P. acnes treated THP-1 as decreasing the mRNA expressions of IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-$\alpha$. This anti-inflammatory effect of Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts may be useful in therapeutic treatments for acne vulgaris.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.324-328
• /
• 2007

To search for immunoactive natural products exerting anti-inflammatory activity, we have evaluated the effects of the ethanol extracts of Rubus coreanus Miq. (ERC) on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$, and $Interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ production by RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Our data indicate that this extract is a potent inhibitor of NO production and it also significantly decreased $IFN-{\gamma}\;and\;TNF-{\alpha}$ production. Consistent with these results, the protein level of inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was inhibited by ethanol extracts of ERC in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that ERC may exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects possibly by suppressing the inducible NO synthase and COX-2 expressions.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.334-340
• /
• 2014

In this study, 23 oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins were isolated from a methanol extract of the roots of Pulsatilla koreana. The NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds was measured in $TNF{\alpha}$-treated HepG2 cells using a luciferase reporter system. Compounds 19-23 inhibited $TNF{\alpha}$-stimulated NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in a dose-dependent manner, with $IC_{50}$ values ranging from $0.75-8.30{\mu}M$. Compounds 19 and 20 also inhibited the $TNF{\alpha}$-induced expression of iNOS and ICAM-1 mRNA. Moreover, effect of the isolated compounds on PPARs transcriptional activity was assessed. Compounds 7-11 and 19-23 activated PPARs the transcriptional activity significantly in a dose-dependent manner, with $EC_{50}$ values ranging from $0.9-10.8{\mu}M$. These results suggest the presence of potent anti-inflammatory components in P. koreana, and will facilitate the development of novel anti-inflammatory agents.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.205-209
• /
• 2015

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide is found in several types of edible brown algae. It has shown numerous biological activities; however, the molecular mechanisms on the activity against atopic dermatitis have not been reported yet. We now examined the effects of fucoidan on chemokine production co-induced by TNF-α/IFN-γ, and the possible mechanisms underlying these biological effects. Our data showed that fucoidan inhibited the TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced production of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and macrophagederived chemokine (MDC) mRNA in human keratinocytes HaCaT cells. Also, fucoidan suppressed phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, fucoidan significantly inhibited activation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK) phosphorylation. These data indicate that fucoidan shows anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the expression of TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced chemokines by blocking NF-κB, STAT1, and ERK1/2 activation, suggestive of as used as a therapeutic application in inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.410-415
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract from Belamcanda chinensis (BC) on the RAW 264.7 cells. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of BC, we examined the cytokine productions including nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells and also inhibitory mechanisms such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) using Western blot. BC inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, IL-6 and TNF-a but not of IL-1b in RAW 264.7 cells. BC respectively inhibited the activation of MAPKs such as c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 but not of extracelluar signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) and NF-kB in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, Our results showed that BC down-regulated LPS-induced NO, IL-6 and TNF-a productions mainly through JNK and p38 MAPK pathway.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.183-199
• /
• 2010

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by the focal loss of cartilage due to an up-regulation of inflammatory pathways, which produce inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1beta(IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha(TNF-$\alpha$), prostaglandin, and nitric oxide(NO). We investigated the anti-arthritic effects of water extract from FLOS LONICERAE(FLWE) in vitro and in vivo. Extract inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators(NO, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-$\alpha$, and prostaglandin $E_2$) and the expression of inducible NO synthase(iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. FLWE also inhibited TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $PGE_2$ production as well as COX activity in collagen-induced mouse arthritis. Moreover, FLWE significantly suppressed collagen-induced mouse arthritis. These results suggest that FLOS LONICERAE may be useful for therapy against inflammatory immune diseases and rheumatoid arthritis, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.