• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.259-264
• /
• 2010

The essential oil fraction was obtained from the underground parts o of Ligusticum chuanxiong (Umbelliferae) by steam distillation, and its main components, Z-ligustilide and butylidene phthalide, were isolated by column chromatography. Its essential oil fraction and the isolated main components were examined for effects on their anti-inflammatory properties in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells to develop a new natural anti-inflammatory drug. The results showed that the L. chuanxiong essential oil fraction and its main components, Z-ligustilide and butylidene phthalide, inhibited the production of nitric oxide significantly in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. LPS-induced interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$) production was also decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, western blot analysis revealed that the L. chuanxiong essential oil fraction and also its main components, Z-ligustilide, and butylidene phthalide reduced the expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.155-166
• /
• 2010

Objetives : The purpose of this study was to examine the pathway of anti-allergic effects of Aconiti Ciliare Tuber (ACT). Methods : We examined cell viability, ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release, pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion and mRNA expressions, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) (p65) activation, inhibitor kappa B-alpha ($I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$) degradation, and MAPKs activation from RBL-2H3 cells pre-treatment by ACT of 1.0 mg/ml, 2.0 mg/ml separately. Results : We observed that ACT reduced the secretion of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-4 and the expression of COX-2 mRNA in RBL-2H3 cells. Futhermore, ACT 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 ACT has an anti-histamine effect and inhibitory effect of NF-${\kappa}B$ (p65) through regulation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation. This improves that ACT could be used as an anti-allergic medicine.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.8 no.5
• /
• pp.516-520
• /
• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Carnosic acid (CA), found in rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) leaves, is known to exhibit anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory activities. However, whether its anti-inflammatory potency can contribute to the amelioration of obesity has not been elucidated. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of CA on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathways in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. MATERIALS/METHODS: 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with CA ($0-20{\mu}M$) for 1 h, followed by treatment with LPS for 30 min; mRNA expression of adipokines and protein expression of TLR4-related molecules were then measured. RESULTS: LPS-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes showed elevated mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and CA significantly inhibited the expression of these adipokine genes. LPS-induced up regulation of TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88, TNF receptor-associated factor 6, and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$, as well as phosphorylated extracellular receptor-activated kinase were also suppressed by pre-treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with CA. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study suggest that CA directly inhibits TLR4-MyD88-dependent signaling pathways and decreases the inflammatory response in adipocytes.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.121-132
• /
• 2010

Inflammatory reaction is characterized by over-production of inflammatory mediators due to an up-regulation of inflammatory pathways, which produce pro-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-$\alpha$), prostaglantin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and nitric oxide (NO) in U937 cells. We investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of water extracts from Lonicerae Flos and Scutellariae Radix in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated U937 cells. Each extract suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-$\alpha$, and $PGE_2$) and the expression of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS- stimulated U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These suppressive effects were synergistically increased by their combination. Their combination extract also inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$-DNA complex of NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity and translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ from cytosol to nucleus. These results suggest that the combination of water-extractable components of Lonicerae Flos and Scutellariae Radix may be useful for therapeutic drugs against inflammatory immune diseases, probably by suppressing the production of inflammatory mediators.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.97-107
• /
• 2007

Objectives This experiment is about Jojoongikgi-tang(JIT) exerts anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 microglial cells, and the effect of JIT on Nitric oxide(NO) production in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells were also demonstrated. Methods To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of JIT, NO production, expression level of iNOS mRNA, PGE2 synthesis, expression COX-2 mRNA, cell viability, $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA expression were examined. Results The expression level of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) was decreased by JIT, and the production of Prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and the expression of Cox-2 mRNA also were inhibited by JIT. Proinflammatory mediators, such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-12, were inhibited by JIT in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions JIT have anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 microglial cells and could be used in inflammatory disease.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.109-119
• /
• 2007

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of Seunggal-tang gamibang (SGT) on the PMA plus A23187-induced RBL-2H3 cells. Methods The effect of SGT on ${\beta}$ -hexosamonidase release, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, $TNF-{\alpha}$ production and IL-4 secretion was studied. Results SGT inhibited the release of ${\beta}$ -hexosamonidase in RBL-2H3, without affecting cell viability. The passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) was inhibited by the SGT. Moreover SGT also reduced production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and secretion of IL-4 in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions SGT has anti-allergy effects on the RBL-2H3 cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba ethanol (ARA-E) extract, which is the pericarp of $Atractylodes$ $japonica$ Koidz. has an effect on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. Methods : Male DBA/1J mice were induced by intradermal injection of bovine collagen-II in Freund's incomplete adjuvant (IFA). The CIA mice in the onset of arthritis were treated daily with oral administration of ARA-E extract at dose of 50 mg/kg/bw for 28 days. Arthritis index, histopathological changes and the levels of anti-type II collagen (CII) IgG and inflammatory cytokine, TNF-${\alpha}$ in sera of mice were measured to evaluate the antiarthritic effect of ARA-E. Results : ARA-E extract significantly decreased the arthritic scores and inhibited pathological changes of knee joint tissues in CIA mice. ARA-E extract also significantly decreased the serum levels of anti-CII IgG and TNF-${\alpha}$ in CIA mice. These results indicate that ARA-E extract may effectively prevent arthritic damages in CIA mice, at least partially, by inhibiting the production of autoantibodies and inflammatory cytokine. Conclusions : This studies suggest that ARA-E has a therapeutic potential in inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.124-129
• /
• 2005

Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin $(IL-1)-{\beta}$, play a key role in causing inflammatory diseases, which are rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and sepsis. Accumulating evidences suggest that low level laser irradiation (LLLI) may have an anti-inflammatory action. However, there are few data regarding down regulation of Th1 immune response by using the diod typed laser emitting device for human patients. As a fundamental step in order to address this issue, we investigated immunological impact of the low level laser irradiation (10 mw laser diode with a wavelength of 630 nm) on expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in murine immunocytes (splenocytes and peritoneal macrophages) in vitro. The LLLI on lipopolysaccharide (LPS 100 ng/ml)-stimulated murine splenocytes and macrophages, clearly down regulated mRNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-12 in dose-dependent manner. In addition, LLLI significantly inhibits the NO production in the LPS-stimulated murine macrophages. This data suggests that LLLI (wavelength of 630 nm) may exert an anti-inflammatory action via modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine and NO production pathway.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.11-14
• /
• 2011

The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of dichloromethane extract of Auricularia auricula-judae. Dichloromethane extract of Auricularia auricula-judae inhibited Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production significantly in a dose-dependent manner in the concentration ${\geq}\;10\;{\mu}g/ml$ (p < 0.05). Furthermore, RT-PCR results of this study indicated that the extract markedly reduced the expressions of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-$1{\beta}$) mRNA in LPS-treated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages, which could possibly ameliorate the inflammation. Nevertheless, dichloromethane extract of Auricularia auricula-judae did not show complete inhibition of IL-6 mRNA expression. The inhibition of IL-$1{\beta}$ cytokine at protein level was also observed in a dose dependent manner. In conclusion, the current study revealed the previously unknown effect of dichloromethane ethyl extract of Auricularia auricula-judae inhibitions of the production of NO, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in LPS-stimulated macrophages.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.11-21
• /
• 2017

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of MOK, a pharmacopuncture medicine, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Methods : Peritoneal macrophages were isolated from ICR mice. Primary macrophages were treated with MOK extract (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/ml) for 30 min and then stimulated with LPS ($1{\mu}g/ml$) for the indicated times. Cytotoxicity was measured using MTT and LDH assays. Nitric oxide (NO) production in culture supernatants was measured using the Griess assay. The mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6) and antioxidant enzymes (HO-1 and MnSOD) was measured by RT-PCR. Results : Treatment with MOK extract (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/ml) significantly decreased LPS-induced NO production in peritoneal macrophages through inhibition of iNOS expression. The expression of COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 mRNA was also decreased in LPS-stimulated macrophages upon treatment with MOK extract. MOK treatment also increased the expression of HO-1 and MnSOD mRNA in macrophages. Conclusion : These results indicate that MOK exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by regulating the transcription levels of inflammatory mediators and antioxidant proteins in activated macrophages.