• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.151-162
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• 2009

Herba Artemisiae Capillaris is the dried bud of Artemisia capillaris Thunb, which has been used for expelling heat to loosen the bowels and normalizing gallbladder function to cure jaundice in traditional oriental medicines. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extracts of Herba Artemisiae Capillaris (HAC) in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells. Cells were treated with $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ of LPS 1 h before adding HAC extract. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay, and the relative level of NO was measured with Griess reagent. TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 cytokines were detected by ELISA. During the entire experimental period, all three doses of HAC extract (0.03, 0.10 and 0.30 mg/ml) had no significant cytotoxicity. LPS-activated cells showed increased NO levels and iNOS expressions compared to control. However, these increases were dramatically attenuated by treatment with HAC extract. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of HAC extract occurred in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, HAC extract reduced the translocation of $NF{\kappa}B$ into nuclear. HAC reduced production of IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 by LPS, although it had no effects on TNF-$\alpha$. These results demonstrate that liquiritigenin exerts anti-inflammatory effects, which results from the inhibition of $NF{\kappa}B$ activation in macrophages, thereby decreasing production of iNOS and proinflammatory cytokines. Taken together, these results indicate that the aqueous extracts of Herba Artemisiae Capillaris warrant further development as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.756-760
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• 2021

Frankincense has been used as a traditional medicine for treating rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, and muscle pain. In this study, the anti-tuberculosis effects of Frankincense were evaluated in immune responses of macrophages. Frankincense methanol extract was not cytotoxic to the host. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction assay using human macrophage (THP-1) cells did not show cytotoxic effects or morphological changes with treatments of 31.3, 62.5, and 125 ㎍/mL Frankincense methanol extract (FRM). Inhibitory effects of Frankincense methanol extract on the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in human macrophages were investigated. The immune response was measured by monitoring the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in THP-1 cells with or without M. tuberculosis infection under Frankincense methanol extract treatment. Inflammatory cytokine levels and M. tuberculosis numbers were reduced in THP-1 cells treated with Frankincense methanol extract. Therefore, Frankincense methanol extract could be used as a potential anti-tuberculosis agent.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.502-513
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• 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-adipogenic and anti-inflammation effects of extract from Maclura tricuspidata twig fermented with Ganoderma lucidum mycelium (EMFG) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with 100, 200, 300 ㎍/mL of EMFG. The result showed that EMFG dose-dependently inhibited the accumulation of intracellular lipid content in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and enhanced increase of adiponectin release and inhibition of leptin release. EMFG treatment reduced expression of adipogenic transcriptional factor such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα). EMFG also decreased production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory cytokine [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)] and the protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible NOS (iNOS) in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The study demonstrated that EMFG inhibited adipogenesis and inflammation in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that EMFG may have potential as an anti-obesity and anti-metabolic disease agent that works by inhibiting adipogenesis and inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1397-1403
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• 2013

Fructus Sophorae, the dried ripe fruit of Styphnolobium japonicum (L.), is an herbal ingredient used in traditional Oriental medicine. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Fructus Sophorae extracts (FSE) on immune modulation in a murine RAW 264.7 macrophage model. As immune response parameters, the production of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and tumor necrotic $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) were evaluated. Our data revealed that FSE increased the macrophage activation and the production of $PGE_2$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$, which was consistently correlated with upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and $TNF-{\alpha}$ expression at both transcriptional and translational levels. On comparative cytokine protein array, FSE significantly increased several cytokines, which was associated with phosphorylation of mitogen- activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and Akt in RAW 264.7 cells. However, each inhibitor of these molecules attenuated the FSE-induced $PGE_2$ production. These results indicate that FSE activated macrophages through the activation of MAPKs and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages. These findings suggest that FSE may provide a promising source of an immunoenhancing agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.923-935
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• 2023

Rubus crataegifolius (RC), Ulmus macrocarpa (UM), and Gardenia jasminoides (GJ) are well-known folk medicines in Asia used to treat various gastrointestinal disturbances. The present study evaluated the gastroprotective effect of LS-RUG-com, a mixture of commercially prepared powders of RC, UM, and GJ with a ratio of 3:1:2(w/w/w) against HCl/ethanol-induced gastritis, indomethacin-induced ulcers, and esophageal reflux-induced esophageal mucosal damage and Helicobacter pylori infections. In addition, TNF-α and IL-1β expressions were also determined and measured in esophageal tissue. As to HCl/ethanol-induced gastritis, the LS-RUG-com treatment at a dose of 150 mg/kg showed a remarkable anti-gastritis effect. Regarding indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers, the LS-RUG-com treatment had a significant anti-gastric ulcer effect. Furthermore, in the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) model experiment, the LS-RUG-com treatment resulted in the histological recovery of stomach damage and mucosal injuries. Furthermore, the LS-RUG-com treatment led to an increase in gastric content pH, an increase in mucus protection, and a decrease in gastric pepsin output with a significant decrease in TNF-α and IL-1β. As to the Helicobacter pylori infected animal model, LS-RUG-com had a notable inhibitory effect on Helicobacter growth. The use of RC, UM, or GJ in isolation or the LS-RUG-com treatment as whole had good effects in terms of anti-oxidation, anti-neutralization, gastric acid secretion inhibition, and anti-lipid peroxidation, which supported the use of natural products as systemic gastric protective agents. Our results suggest that the LS-RUG-com might be a significant systemic gastroprotective agent that could be utilized for the treatment and/or protection from gastric disturbances and related damage.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.166-178
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• 2003

Objectives : Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in normal and pathophysiological cells as a messenger molecule, neurotransmitter, microbiological agent, or dilator of blood vessels and arteriosclerosis, respectively. This study was undertaken to understand the mechanism of NO production and effect of Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) on NO production in cultured vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC). Methods and Results : VSMC was isolated from aorta and cultured. Cultured primary cells were identified as VSMC with anti--smooth muscle actin antibody. A large amount of NO was produced in cultured VSMC treated with $IFN-{\gamma}$ plus TNF in a time- and dose-dependent manner. $TNF-{\alpha}$ was a more efficient stimulator than $IFN-{\gamma}$ in NO production of cultured VSMC. iNOS protein wasdetected within 3 hrs and it increased up to 12 hrs in a time-dependent manner. However, accumulated NO in cytokine-treated VSMC was not detected within 3 hrs. NO production in cytokine-treated VSMC showed the dose- and time-dependent manner, and increased up to 48 hrs. The activated VSMC produced a large amount of NO (about 60 uM). Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) alone did not induceNO production, but it potentiated the effect of $TNF-{\alpha}$ on NO production and increased NO production by about 20%. Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) did not affect the transcriptional activity of iNOS gene, but increased the accumulation of iNOS. These results indicate that Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) could modulate the translational level of iNOS. PKC did not modulate NO production, but calcium ionophore A23187 decreased NO production. However, Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) elevated the decreased NO production in A23187-treated VSMC by modulating the stability of iNOS transcripts. Half-life of the synthesized transcripts appeared to have about 6 hrs. PDTC, an $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor, blocked the accumulation of iNOS mRNA, indicating that $NF-{\kappa}B$ served as an important modulator in the transcriptional regulation of iNOS. As Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) potentiated the effect of the $TNF-{\alpha}$ on NO production but had no additional effect on PDTC-modulated NO production, it is suggested that Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) enhances the $TNF-{\alpha}-mediated$ NO production of VSMC by modulating the iNOS activity and the stability of iNOS transcripts in activated VSMC having the elevated intracellular calcium ion. Conclusions : This study suggests that Hyeolbuchukeo-tang (Xiefuzhuyu-tang) has a potential capacity for preventing and treating diseases of the circulation system, including arteriosclerosis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.634-639
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• 2017

We aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of KHG26792, a novel azetidine derivative, in amyloid ${\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$)-treated primary microglial cells. KHG26792 attenuated the $A{\beta}-induced$ production of inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and nitric oxide. The levels of protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, ROS, and NADHP oxidase enhanced by $A{\beta}$ were also downregulated by KHG26792 treatment. The effects of KHG26792 against the $A{\beta}-induced$ increases in inflammatory cytokine levels and oxidative stress were achieved by increasing the phosphorylation of $Akt/GSK-3{\beta}$ signaling and by decreasing the $A{\beta}-induced$ translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$. Our results provide novel insights into the use of KHG26792 as a potential agent against $A{\beta}$ toxicity, including its role in the reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, further investigations of cellular signaling are required to clarify the in vivo effects of KHG26792 against $A{\beta}-induced$ toxicity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1346-1353
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• 2014

In the present study, an anthraquinone derivative, questinol was successfully isolated from the broth extract of the marine-derived fungus Eurotium amstelodami for the first time. The structure of questinol was determined based on the analysis of the MS and NMR spectral data as well as comparison of those data with the published data. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect of questinol in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was investigated. The results showed that questinol did not exhibit cytotoxicity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells up to $200{\mu}M$. Questinol could significantly inhibit NO and $PGE_2$ production at indicated concentrations. Questinol was also found to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and IL-6. Furthermore, the western blot analysis showed that questinol suppressed the expression level of iNOS in a dose-dependent manner. However, questinol could slightly inhibit the expression of COX-2 at the concentration of $200{\mu}M$. Therefore, our study suggests that questinol might be selected as a promising agent for the prevention and therapy of inflammatory disease.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.217-226
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• 2011

The study was conducted to investigate candidate materials as anti-inflammation agent from plant resources. Activities of 33 plant parts extracts with the final concentration of 5${\mu}g/ml$ were evaluated on the several inflammation-related markers such as the release of proinflammatoty cytokine [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) & interleukin-6 (IL-6)], nitric oxide (NO), the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B alpha ($I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. The extracts in the final concentration of 10 ${\mu}g/ml$ were also screened on peroxynitrite (ONOO$^-$) scavenging activity. Eleven extracts selected from the screening assay were verified on the inhibition activity on peroxynitrite and total reactive species oxygen (ROS) in the several concentrations. As results, Alpinia officinarum Hance (rhizome), Inula britannica var. chinensis Regel (flower), Ulmus arvifolia Jacq (trunk peel) and Aster scaber Thunb. (aerial part) showed comparatively potent anti-inflammatory activities in vitro cells or chemical level systems, and then these four plant parts should be studied on the antiinflammatory mechanism by further studies.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.203-215
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• 2021

Bok choy is one of Brassica vegetables widely consumed worldwide. Brassica vegetables have been reported to exert various pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-cancer and cardioprotective activity. However, studies on immunostimulatory activity of bok choy sprout have not been conducted properly. Thus, in this study, we investigated in vitro immunostimulatory activity of bok choy sprout extract (BCS) using mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Our results showed that BCS increased the production of immunomodulators such as NO, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and MCP-1, and phagocytic activity in RAW264.7 cells. BCS activated MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. However, BCS-mediated production of immunomodulators was dependent on JNK, NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. the mRNA expression of TLR2 were significantly increased by BCS, TLR2 inhibition by anti-TLR2 dramatically suppressed the production of immunomodulators by BCS. In addition, TLR2 inhibition by anti-TLR2 significantly reduced BCS-mediated phosphorylation level of AKT, JNK and NF-κB. From these results, BCS may have immunostimulatory activity via TLR2-MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Therefore, BCS expected to be used as a potential immune-enhancing agent.