• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.93-102
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• 2008

Objectives : Forsythiae Fructus (Forsythia koreana Nakai) has been used anti-inflammatory, diuretics, antidote, and antibacterials in traditional herbal medicine. The present study is focused on the inhibitory effect of Forsythiae Fructus ethanol extract (FF-E) on the production of inflammatory mediators such as NO, iNOS and proinflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6) in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells, a mouse microglial cell line, and investigated the scavenging activity of FF-E. Methods : BV-2 cells were pre-incubated with FF-E for 30 min and then stimulated with LPS (1 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$) at indicated times. Cell toxicity of GCF was determined by MTT assay. The levels of NO, PGE2 and cytokines were measured by Griess assay and ELISA. The mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS and cytokines were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Free radical scavenging activity of GCF was determined by DPPH assay in tube test. Results : FF-E significantly inhibited the excessive production of NO, $PGE_2$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$ in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells. In addition, FF-E attenuated the mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS, and proinflammatory cytokines. FF-E also significantly scavenged the DPPH free radicals in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : These results indicate that FF-E exhibits anti-inflammatory property by suppressing the transcription of inflammatory mediator genes, suggesting the anti-inflammatory property of FF-E may make it useful as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of human neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.132-137
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• 2011

Bee venom acupuncture (BVA), as a kind of herbal acupuncture, involved injecting diluted bee venom into acupoints and is used for pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients. BVA is growing in popularity, especially in Korea, and is used primarily for pain relief in many kinds of diseases. However, the effect of bee venom anti-inflammatory related action in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced chondrocyte stress have not been reported yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bee venom of cell viability and inflammatory cytokine in rat articular chondrocyte cultures stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Inflammation was induced in rat chondrocytes by treatment with $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ LPS. The change of cell viability were decreased in chondrocytes after treatment with lipopolysaccharide. The cell viability revealed that BV exerted no significant cytotoxicity in the rat chondrocyte. Bee venom inhibited decreased cell viability in the presence of lipopolysaccharide ($10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) in a dose dependent manner(0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and $5.0{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) at bee venom(p<0.05). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ production in the presence of lipopolysaccharide($1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) was also inhibited in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05 from bee venom $0.1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$). Interleukin (IL)-6 production in the presence of lipopolysaccharide ($10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) was inhibited as well (p<0.05 at bee venom 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and $5.0{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, respectively). Our results demonstrate that bee venom was a anti-inflammatory agent of chondrocytes. Bee venom may exert its anti inflammatory effects through inhibition of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 synthesis, and may then pain relief and reduce the articular destruction.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.617-625
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• 2007

Samul-Tang (SMT) has been used for nourishing of the blood, hematopoiesis as a herbal medicine history. The purpose of this study is to find out anti-allergic inflammatory reaction of SMT. To clarify the mechanism, the effect of SMT on vascular permeability of rat cutaneous tissue and histamine and cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-${\alpha}$) release from mast cells were observed. The results are the pretreatment with SMT significantly decreased the compound 48/80-induced degranulation and histamine release from RPMC, SMT also inhibited the anti-DNP lgE-induced increment of vascular permeability of rat cutaneous tissue. SMT significantly reduced the PMA plus A23187-induced increment of expression of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in HMC-1 Cell. The Present study provide evidence that SMT inhibits mast cell-derived inflammatory allergic reactions by blocking histamine release and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, and suggest the mechanisms of action. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro anti-allergic effect of SMT suggests a possible therapeutic application of this agent in inflammatory allergic diseases.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.191-203
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• 2021

Objectives : In this study, we investigate the anti-allergic effects of Ullmus macrocarpa Hance (Ulmus) on RBL-2H3 mast cell (basophilic leukemia cell line), which are mediated by FcεRIs. Methods : We evaluated the effect of the ethanol extract of Ulmus on the allergic inflammatory response in IgE-antigen-mediated RBL-2H3 cells. Cell toxicity was determined by MTT assay and the markers of degranulation such as beta-hexosaminidase, histamine, PGD2, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6 production of inflammatory mediators and FcεRI-mediated protein expression by western blot. Results : Ulmus inhibited degranulation and production of allergic mediators (e.g., TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-6) in them. Ulmus reduced histamine levels, expression of FcεRI signaling-related genes such as Lyn, Syk, and Fyn, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation in mast cells. Also, Ulmus reduced PGD2 release and cyclooxygenase-2 expression, and cytosolic phospholipase A2 phosphorylation in FcεRI-mediated RBL-2H3 mast cells. Conclusions : These results indicate that Ulmus exhibits anti-allergic activity through inhibition of degranulation and inflammatory mediators and cytokine release. These findings suggest that Ulmus may have potential as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent for the treatment of various allergic diseases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2019

Backgrounds: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) increased prevalence and economic burden. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate drug use pattern in IBD patients in a real world. Methods: National Health Insurance claim data from 2010 to 2014 were used in this population-based study. All IBD patients diagnosed during study period were enrolled. IBD medications included 5-aminosalicylic acid (ASA), glucocorticoid, immunomodulator and anti-tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ agent(anti TNF-${\alpha}$). Growth rate of IBD prevalence, prescribed drug classes, duration of drug therapy and medication cost were analyzed. Number and percentage of patients for categorical variables, and mean and median for continuous variables were presented. Results: Total numbers of patients were 131,158 and 57,286 during 5 years, and their annual growth rate were 3.2 and 5.7% for UC and CD. UC and CD were prevalent in the 40-50 (41.2%) and 20-30 age groups (36.0%). About 60% of IBD patients was prescribed any of medications. 5-ASA was the most frequently prescribed, followed by corticosteroid and immunomodulator. Anti TNF-${\alpha}$ use was the lowest, but 5 times higher than UC in CD. Combination therapies with different class of drugs were in 29% for UC and 62% for CD. Mean prescription days per patient per year were 306 and 378, and the median medication cost per patient per year was KRW 420,000 (USD 383) and KRW 830,000 (USD755), for UC and CD, respectively. Conclusions: Increasing prevalence of IBD requires further studies to contribute to achieve better clinical outcomes of drug therapy.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.64-70
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• 2021

This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of herbal complex HPL-01 on dextran sodium sulfate(DSS) induced ulcerative colitis in rat. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized and divided into six groups. Five groups, excluding the normal group, were orally administered orally HPL-01(50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) for 21 days, and acute colitis was induced during the last 7 days by 4% DSS in the drinking water. The HPL-01 administered DSS-treated rats exhibited significantly reduced colon macroscopic damage index and increased body weight and colonic length 7 days after DSS treatment. Additionally, these rats showed lower serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 than those treated only with DSS. HPL-01(100 or 200 mg/kg) also attenuated the DSS-induced increase in the number of white blood cells, granulocytes, and mid cells and improved intestinal damage. Taken together, these results suggest that HPL-01 is a promising anti-inflammatory agent that may be in the treatment of colitis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.19-27
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine effect of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation activity of the Kyeongok-go with various processing methods that was manufactured by heating mantle. Methods : Commercial Kyeongok-go (K0) was purchased and Kyeongok-go with ginseng (K1), Kyeongok-go with black ginseng (BK), ginseng fermentation Kyeongok-go (KF), black ginseng fermentation Kyeongok-go (BKF) were manufactured by heating mantle. To examine anti-oxidant effect, DPPH radical and production of NO and ROS in RAW 264.74 cell were used. Furthermore, to determined anti-inflammation effect, measured pro-inflammatory mRNA such as NOS-II, COX-2, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ in RAW 264.74 cell treated with K0, K1, KF, BK, and BKF. Result : K1 scavenged DPPH radical effectively than K0. The most DPPH radical scavenging activity was BKF. In the RAW 264.74 cells stimulated with LPS, NO and ROS production were measured. As a results, K1 was decreased NO, ROS production compared with K0, and BKF was reduced similarly to cyclosporine A (positive control). Expression of pro-inflammatory mRNA such as NOS-II, COX-2, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 showed a significant decrease in BK or BKF. But, there was no significant in expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in all extract treatmetn groups. Conclusions : According to the above results, it is considered that Kyeongok-go with fermented black ginseng (BKF) manufactured by heating mantle is effective material that have anti-inflammation and anti-oxidant activities. Our finding indicate that BKF may be an effective agent for anti-inflammation through anti-oxidant effect.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.678-683
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to evaluate the skin inflammation effects of three herb mixture extracts, Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus, which are from Ullung island in Korea. Regulatory mechanisms of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) are involved in the immunological activity of Raw 264.7 cells. Tested cells were pretreated with 70% acetone extracts of Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus (LSA-A) and further cultured for an appropriated time after lipopolyssacharide (LPS) addition. During the entire experimental period, 1, 10, and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ of LSA-A had no cytotoxicity. In these concentrations, LSA-A inhibited the production of NO and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necorsis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). LSA-A showed a 60% $PGE_2$ inhibition rate at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. iNOS and COX-2 inhibition activities were 54%, and 65% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, LSA-A extract reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-a, IL-1${\beta}$ and IL-6. These results suggest that LSA-A may have significant effects on inflammatory factors, and may be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the synthetic CopA3 peptide of Copris tripartitus on skin inflammation. Regulatory mechanisms of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) are involved in the immunological activity of RAW 264.7 cells. Tested cells were treated with different concentrations of CopA3 and further cultured for an appropriate time after lipopolyssacharide (LPS) addition. During the entire experimental period, 5, 25, 50, and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ of CopA3 had no cytotoxicity. At these concentrations, CopA3 inhibited tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). CopA3 also inhibited the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). CopA3 inhibited the activity of iNOS and COX-2 by 41% and 59%, respectively, at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. In addition, CopA3 reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6. These results suggest that CopA3 may have significant effects on inflammatory factors and that it may be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.650-656
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• 2013

Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) plays a pivotal role in augmenting Protein C activation through the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex. EPCR activity is markedly changed by ectodomain cleavage and released as the soluble protein (sEPCR). EPCR shedding is mediated by tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ converting enzyme (TACE). Lycopene found in tomatoes and tomato products has anti-oxidant, anti- cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. However, little is known about the effects of lycopene on EPCR shedding. We investigated this issue by monitoring the effects of lycopene on the phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and on the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-mediated EPCR shedding. Data showed that lycopene potently inhibited the PMA, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and CLP-induced EPCR shedding by suppressing TACE expression. Furthermore, lycopene reduced PMA-stimulated phosphorylation of p38, extracellular regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Given these results, lycopene should be viewed as a candidate therapeutic agent for the treatment of various severe vascular inflammatory diseases via inhibition of the EPCR shedding.