• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.24 no.8
• /
• pp.1122-1128
• /
• 2017

Pumpkin has long been used as traditional health materials in oriental medicine, pharmacy, medicine, and food industries in many countries. In this study, the water extract and two active components from tendril of young C. moschata Duch. were investigated on inflammation inhibitory activity. The water extract of young C. moschata Duch. showed high cell viability over 95% and it decreased the production of interlukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-${\alpha}$) in the capacity of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Also, isolated fraction (B4) suppressed the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$. Among the domestically cultivated pumpkins, B4 fraction contained in the tendril part of them and it comprised of the order of tendril from Cucurbita pepo var. cylindrica, old of C. moschata Duch., and young of C. moschata Duch. These results suggest that water extracts of C. moschata Duch. and purified active compound, rutin, show anti-inflammation activity by suppression of the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$. It can be applicable as pharmaceutical materials.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.217-228
• /
• 2019

There have been no published studies concerning the anti-inflammatory effects of corn silk on colon cancer cells. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of corn silk extract containing high levels of maysin on inflammation and its mechanism of action in colon cancer cells. SW 480 human colon cancer cells were treated with $1{\mu}g/mL$ of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation, and next they were treated with different concentrations of corn silk extract (0, 5, 10 and $15{\mu}g/mL$). The concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) were determined. The mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-1beta ($IL-1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were determined. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expressions of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and mitogen-activated protein kinases, and the latter consists of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase (p38). The concentration of NO and the mRNA expression of iNOS were significantly and dose-dependently decreased in the corn silk-treated groups (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were significantly increased in the LPS-treated group (P<0.05), but these expressions were significantly and dose-dependently decreased in the corn silk treated groups (P<0.05). The protein expressions of $NF-{\kappa}B$ (in a dose-dependent fashion), ERK (at 10 and $15{\mu}g/mL$), JNK (at $15{\mu}g/mL$) and p38 (at 10 and $15{\mu}g/mL$) were significantly decreased with corn silk treatments (P<0.05). In conclusion, corn silk extract containing high levels of maysin seems to inhibit the LPS-induced inflammatory responses in SW480 colon cancer cells via the $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.119-127
• /
• 2013

Objectives : ${\beta}$-Asarone (BAS) is an active ingredient in Acori Rhizoma. This study investigated anti-neuroinflammatory and memory ameliorating effects of BAS in systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated C57BL/6 mice. Methods : BAS was administered orally at doses of 7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg for 3 days prior to LPS (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) injection. Pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA, including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-ㅍ), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6, was measured in hippocampus tissue using real-time polymerase chain reaction at 4 h after the LPS injection. An ameliorating effect of 30 mg/kg BAS on learning and memory impairment in the LPS-treated mice was verified using the Morris water maze test. Results : BAS significantly attenuated up-regulation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 mRNA in hippocampus tissue of the LPS-treated mice. In acquisition training test, BAS improved learning performance of the LPS-treated mice with a significant decrease of escape latency to the platform. In memory retention test, BAS also ameliorated memory impairment of the LPS-treated mice with a significant increase of swimming time in zones neighboring to the platform, number of target heading, and memory score. Conclusion : The results suggest that inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus by BAS could be one of the mechanisms for BAS-mediated ameliorating effect on learning and memory impairment in LPS-treated mice.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.35-44
• /
• 2020

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of Corni Fructus 30% ethanol extract (CFE) on the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rats. Methods : The subjects were divided into 4 groups ; Normal group (N, n=10), MIA-induced osteoarthritis control group (Con, n=10), indomethacin 5 mg/kg treated group (INDO, n=10), CFE 200 mg/kg treated group (CFE, n=10). Blood and articulation tissues were collected after two weeks of drug administration. Oxidative stress was analyzed with reactive oxygen species (ROS), peroxynitrite (ONOO-). And the Nuclear factor erythroid-2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase-1/2 (GPx-1/2), Nuclear Factor Kappa B p65 (NF-κBp65), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin 1β (IL-1β), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) were investigated by western blot. Results : The administration of CFE showed a significant reduction of changes in relative hind paw weight distribution. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxy nitrite (ONOO-) levels of articulation tissues were significantly decreased in CFE compared to the control group. Western blot measurements of Nrf2, HO-1, SOD, catalase, GPx-1/2 showed that the CFE group was increased compared to the Con group. And western blot measurements of NF-κBp65, COX-2, iNOS, TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β showed that the CFE group was reduced compared to the Con group. Also CFE group decreased MMP-1 and increased TIMP-1. Conclusion : Based on the above results, it can be seen that osteoarthritis is improved when Corni Fructus 30% ethanol extract treated.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.152-171
• /
• 2022

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effects of Sunbanghwalmyung-eum gamibang on Monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis rats. Methods : Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 5 groups of 8 rats each. Osteoarthritis (OA) was induced by injecting MIA (2 mg/50 µl) into the joint cavity of the left knee of SD rats belonging to the experimental group, and normal saline was injected into the joint cavity of the left knee instead of MIA in the normal group. To the normal group and the controlled group (OA group), 2 ml of distilled water was orally administered. To the positive control group (Indomethacin group), indomethacin 2 ml at a concentration of 2 mg/kg, to the low concentration group of SHG (Low group), 2 ml of SHG at a concentration of 2 mg/kg, and to the high concentration group of SHG (High group), 2 ml of SHG at a concentration of 4 mg/kg ml was orally administered. The drug was administered for a total of 4 weeks, and histological changes were analyzed by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining and Safranin-O staining. In addition, inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and MMP-13, TIMP-1, and GAGs were immunohistochemically analyzed. Finally, hematological examination, blood biochemical examination, and liver and kidney biopsy were performed. Results : SHG groups (Low and High) inhibited the matrix destruction and damage of the knee joint cartilage in SD rat model, and significantly prevented the reduction in cartilage thickness. In SHG groups, the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MMP-13 were significantly decreased, and the expressions of TIMP-1, GAGs were significantly increased compared with OA group. The safety indicators had no significant differences among five groups. Conclusions : These results show that SHG has cartilage protection capacity, anti-inflammatory effect.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.10
• /
• pp.1969-1980
• /
• 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory disease, severely interferes with patient life. Human placenta extract (HPH; also known as human placenta hydrolysate) is a rich source of various bioactive substances and has widely been used to dampen inflammation, improve fatigue, exert anti-aging effects, and promote wound healing. However, information regarding HPH's incorporation in AD therapies is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate HPH's effective potential in treating AD using tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/interferon (IFN)-γ-stimulated human keratinocytes (HaCaT), immunized splenocytes, and a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mouse model. In TNF-α /IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells, HPH markedly reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and restored the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1), catalase, and filaggrin (FLG). HPH reduced interleukin (IL)-6; thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC); thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP); and regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES) levels and inhibited nuclear factor kappa B phosphorylation. Additionally, HPH suppressed the T helper 2 (Th2) immune response in immunized splenocytes. In the AD-like mouse model, it significantly mitigated the DNCB-induced elevation in infiltrating mast cells and macrophages, epidermal thickness, and AD symptoms. HPH also reduced TSLP levels and prevented FLG downregulation. Furthermore, it decreased the expression levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, TARC, RANTES, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum and AD-like skin lesion. Overall, our findings demonstrate that HPH effectively inhibits AD development and is a potentially useful therapeutic agent for AD-like skin disease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.48-56
• /
• 2008

Chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure is the major cause of photoaging that causes skin wrinkling, roughness, dryness, laxity, and pigmentation. Recently, increasing efforts are being made to understand the relationship between foods and skin health. Ginsenosides are present in ginseng (Ginseng Radix Rubra) extract, and are known to have biomedical properties, such as, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated whether KTNG0345 prepared from red ginseng extracts delivered orally reduces skin wrinkling and ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced wrinkle formation in hairless mouse skin. KTNG0345 was administrated orally to the mice (5 times a week) during the period of UVB-irradiation (3 times a week) for 8 weeks at three different doses of 300 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg (w/v). UV doses were increased weekly by 1 MED (1MED = 75 $mJ/cm^2)$ up to 4 MED and then maintained at this level. After the 8-week administration period, it was found that orally administered KTNG0345 significantly inhibited UVB-induced wrinkle formation in a dose-dependent manner. Increases in skin thickness caused by UVB were prevented by KTNG0345. Moreover, it also significantly inhibited matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -13 and MMP-9 expressional inductions by UVB. In addition, KTNG0345 was observed to prevent UVB-induced water loss of epidermis in hairless mouse skin. Our results demonstrate that orally administered KTNG0345 has anti-wrinkling effects in hairless mouse skin, and suggest that dietary red ginseng and herbal mixture may be considered a functional beauty food for preventing UVB-induced skin wrinkles.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.1309-1316
• /
• 2004

We previously reported that the ethtyl acetate(EA) soluble fraction of Sophorae Radix(SR) water extract had the preventive effects against cardiovascular anaphylaxis elicited in experimental animals. In this study, we tested the anti-anaphylatic effects of the nine kinds of EA soluble subfractions in animal models such as Langendorff heart and anesthetized rats. These results were obtained as followed ; Among nine kinds of SR EA soluble subfractions, N10-16-2 and N10-16-9 fractions have an effects improving cardiovascular anaphylaxis in guinea pig Langendorff hearts. In passively anesthetized rats, N10-16-2 and N1 0-16-9 fractions of SR EA soluble subfractions have an effects improving cardiovascular anaphylaxis. N10-16-2 and N1 0-16-9 fractions of SR EA soluble subfractions inhibited the decrease of histamine release induced by compound 48180 and A-23187 in rat peritoneal mast cells. These results suggest that N10-16-2 and N10-16-9 fractions of SR EA soluble subfractions involve anti-anaphylactic molecules in cardiovascular system.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.1041-1054
• /
• 2004

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to increase pain threshold, and to enhance the NK cell activity by up-regulation of IFN-γ and endogenous β-endolphin. For the purpose of understanding the molecular mechanism of EA stimulation, we analyzed the gene expression profile of rat hypothalamus, treated on Zusanli (ST36) with EA, in comparison with control group by oligonucleotide chip microarray (Affymetrix GeneChip Rat Neurobiology U34 Array) and real-time RT-PCR. Sprague-Dawley (S-D) male rats were stimulated at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint in restriction holder. Simultaneously the control group was given only holder stress without EA stimulation. In order to prove the appropriateness of EA treatment, we measured spleen NK cell activity with standard 51Cr release assay. NK cell activity of EA group was significantly increased comparing to control group. The microarray and PCR results show that EA treatment up-regulates expression of genes associated with 1) nerve growth such as NGF induced factor A and VGF, 2) signal transduction such as 5HT3 receptor subunit, AMPA receptor binding protein and Na-dependent neurotransmitter transporter, and 3) anti-oxidation such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase. In addition, the activity of the anti-oxidative enzyme, SOD of hypothalamus, liver and RBC was enhanced compared to that of control. The list of differentially expressed genes may implicate further insight on the mechanism of acupuncture effects.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.122-129
• /
• 2005

Objectives: Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, and its pathogenesis includes thyroid specific autoimmunity. Anti-thyroid drugs are widely used for regulating the thyroid function. However, in spite of long-term therapy with anti-thyroid drugs, about 40$\sim$$70\%$ of the treated patients have a relapse, and some suffer adverse effects. In this study, to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ahnjeonbaekho-tang(AJBHT) on Graves' disease patients, we performed the clinical study prospectively. Methods: Through the thyroid function test(TFT) of 54 patients diagnosed as Graves' disease in other hospitals, 21 patients were assigned into the study. After the withdrawal of anti-thyroid drugs, AJBHT was administerd to patients for 2 months. At the same time, TFT, TSH binding inhibiting immunoglobulin(TEII) level and visual analogue scales (VAS) about fatigue and palpitation were measured before and after administration. Thirteen patients have completed the entire follow-up of this study over two months. Results: Serum levels of T3 and FT4 were significantly improved by AJBHT(T3: 298.85$\pm$79.60 ng/dl 181.15$\pm$33.92 ng/dl p<0.0001, FT4: 2.78$\pm$1.06 ng/dl$\rightarrow$1.78$\pm$0.83 ng/dl p<0.05). However, there were no significant changes in TSH and TBII values. And the VAS scores of fatigue and palpitation also were significantly improved(5.80$\pm$3.01$\rightarrow$3.60$\pm$2.63, p<0.05; 6.19$\pm$2.09$\rightarrow$3.60$\pm$2.46, p<0.01). Patients' age was related to the post-treatment FT4 values(p<0.05). Conclusions: From these results, we suggest that AJBHT is effective on the TFT and the symptoms of Graves' disease, and is a safe alternative drug for Graves' disease patients.