• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.174-179
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• 2015

Transcription factor, Nrf2 was well known to protect cell from oxidative stress by up-regulating it's dependent anti-oxidative genes such as HO-1 and NQO1. Cheongjogupye-tang (CJGPT), a traditional herbal formula was originally recorded in 『EuiMunBeopRyul』, still having been used to treat pulmonary disease such as asthma and pulmonary inflammation, in Eastern Asian countries. However, the underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain elusive. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidative effects of CJGPT on the RAW 264.7 cells. To examine the anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidative effects of CJGPT, MTT assay, immunoblotting, RT-PCR and reporter gene assays were performed. Although CJGPT slightly suppressed the nuclear NF-κB expression, it did not decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, it did not increased the transcriptional activity of NF-κB in reporter gene assay. However, CJGPT upregulated the nuclear expression of Nrf2, as well as increased the expression of Nrf2-dependent genes such as HO-1 and NQO1. In addition, CJGPT incresed the transcriptional activity of Nrf2. Taken together, our results showed that CJGPT exerts functions as an anti-oxidant mainly by activating Nrf2.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.13.1-13.7
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• 2020

Arusa (Adhatoda vasica) is an important medicinal plant widely used in Unani system of medicine of (Family-Acanthaceae). The leaves of Adhatoda vasica contain several biologically active phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolics and flavonoids. It mainly consists of pyrroquinazoline, alkaloids, viz. vasicine, vasicol, vasicinone, peganine along with other minor constituents. The plant possesses diverse pharmacological activities, In Unani system of medicine, the drug is described as having dafa-e-tashannuj (anti-spasmodic), qatil-e-jarasim (antibiotic), mukhrij-e-balgham (expectorant), dafa-e-humma (antipyretic) properties due to which it is prescribed in a wide range of ailments like influenza, tuberculosis, bronchitis, gastric ulcers etc. Leaf juice is beneficial in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea. Various other activities like radio modulation, hypoglycaemic effect, cardiovascular protection, antitubercular, antiviral, hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity have also been reported.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.451-464
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• 2009

Background and Objective : Cyperus rotundus L. (CR) is a commonly used herbal medicine in Asian countries such as Korea, China and Japan. The present study was designated to evaluate the direct effects of CR on helper T cell activities and on Th1/Th2 lineage development in vitro. Materials and Methods : Spleen cells from 8 week BALB/c mice were cultured in CR extracts containing medium without activation for 24 hours and with activation for 48 hours. CD4+ T cells were isolated and analyzed for mRNA expression levels of INF-$\gamma$, IL-4, T-bet and GATA-3 by RT-PCR and secretion cytokines levels of INF-$\gamma$, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 by ELISA. Results : The results demonstrated that CR had no mitogenic effects on unstimulated CD4+ T cells, but augmented CD4+ T-cell proliferation upon activation with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies in a dose-dependent manner. CR treatment significantly increased CD4+ T cell population and the IFN-$\gamma$ expression was significantly enhanced, while IL-4 expression was significantly decreased. In addition, in vitro Th1/Th2 polarization experiments revealed that CR enhanced IFN-$\gamma$ secretion in Th1 cells, but reduced the IL-4 in Th2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : These results suggest that CR treatment could be a desirable alternative therapy for the prevention or correction of Th2 dominant pathological disorders, such as allergy and asthma.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1397-1403
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• 2004

By recently study, GM (Gamipaemo-tang) treatment have worked well on the allergic asthma. The purpose of this study was effect of GM extract on helper T cell, major regulator of immune system. Splenic cells from 8-week BALB/c mice were cultured in GM containing media without activation for 48 hours. The MTS assay and flow cytometry study revealed that lymphocyte treated with GM were not effective on CD4+ T cells. Subsequently CD4+ T cells were isolated and cultured in GM containing media. Either GM were not effective on CD4+ T cell without APCs. By FACS scan analysis, the expression of INF-γ, IL-4 were down-regulated in the condition skewed Th1 and Th2 cells respectively, Using ELISA analysis, the expression of INF-γ is up-regulated and IL-4 is down-regulated in the condition skewed Th1, Th2 cells respectively. With RT-PCR analysis, the expression of mRNA for INF-γ is down-regulated and IL-4 is down-regulated in the condition skewed Th1 and Th2 cells respectively. The result suggests that GM inhibited the differetiation of Th2 cells significantly and indicates GM could enhance anti-allergic immune system.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.681-693
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• 2007

Background and Objective : Atractylodes japonica (AJ) is a commonly-used herbal medicine in Asian countries such as Korea, China and Japan. The present study was designated to evaluate the direct effects of AJ on helper T cell activities and on Th1/Th2 lineage development in vitro. Materials and Methods : Spleen cells from 8-week BALB/c mice were cultured in CR extracts containing medium without activation for 24 hours and with activation for 48 hours. CD4+ T cells were isolated and analyzed for mRNA expression levels of INF-$\gamma$, IL-4, T-bet and GATA-3 by RT-PCR and secretion cytokines levels of INF-$\gamma$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 by ELISA. Results : The results demonstrated that AJ had no mitogenic effects on unstimulated CD4+ T cells, but augmented CD4+T-cell proliferation upon activation with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies in a dose-dependent manner. AJ treatment significantly increased CD4+ T cell population and IFN-$\gamma$ expression was significantly enhanced, while IL-4 expression significantly decreased. In addition, in vitro Th1/Th2 polarization experiments revealed that AJ enhanced IFN-$\gamma$ secretion in Th1 cells, but reduced the IL-4 in Th2 cells in dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : These results suggest that AJ treatment could be a desirable alternative therapy for the prevention or correction of Th2 dominant pathological disorders, such as allergy and asthma.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1399-1404
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• 2005

In oriental medicine, Cheongpyehwadam-tang (CHT) has long been used for the cure of inflammatory diseases in the lung and bronchus such as bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia and tuberculosis. It's use is currently further extended for the treatment of allergic asthma. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of CHT, we investigated the effects of CHT on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and $IL-1{\beta}$) production, and on the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and proinflammatory cytokines expression in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. CHT alone did not affect NO or pro-inflammatory cytokines production. In contrast, CHT inhibited LPS-induced NO and proinflammatory cytokines and the levels of LPS-induced iNOS and proinflarnmatory cytokine mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. CHT also inhibited the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) activation. Taken together, these results suggested that CHT inhibits the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells through blockade of NF-kB activation.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.137-148
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• 2008

In order to investigate the effects of JHG on immune cells in BALF, clinically prescribed JHG was tested using OVA induced asthma animal model. The results are shown below: 1. JHG significantly reduced the total number of cells in BALF compared to that of the control at 400 mg/kg doses. 2. JHG significantly reduced the number of CD3+/CD69+ cells in BALF at 400 and 200 mg/kg doses. 3. JHG significantly reduced the number of CCR3+ cells in BALF at 400 and 200 mg/kg doses. 4. JHG significantly reduced the number of B220+/CD22+ cells in BALF at 400 and 200 mg/kg doses. 5. JHG significantly reduced the number of B220+/IgE+ cells in BALF at 400 and 200 mg/kg doses. 6. JHG significantly reduced the number of B220+/CD45+ cells in BALF at 400 and 200 mg/kg doses. From the results above, anti-asthmatic efficacy of JHG through anti-oxidative activity as well as immune control activity has been experimentally proven. In depth study of JHG on various pathological factors and individual drug contents of JHG should follow.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.15-23
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• 2013

Objectives : To clarify the possible effects of Sinapis Semen and Raphani Semen on the development of pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation in a asthmatic mouse model. Methods : BALBav/c mice were sensitized to OVA followed intratracheally and by aerosol allergene challenges. We investigated the effect of Sinapis Semen and Raphani Semen on airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophiic infitratio, immune cell phenotype, The2 cytokine product, and OVA-spedific IgE production. Results : Total lung cells, eosinophils, and lung leukocytes, OVA specific IgE levels, and Th 2cytokine levels such as IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, TNF-alpha, and eotaxin in BALF were reduced compared with those of OVA sensitized asthma mice (control). The absolute numbers of $CD3^+$, $CD3^+/CD69^+$, $CD3^-/CCR3^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $Gr-1^+/CD11b^+$, $B220^+/CD22^+$, $B220^+/IgE^+$ cells in lung tissiues significantly reduced compared to those of control. Specially total lung cells in BALF and the absolute number of $CD3^+/CD69^+$ and, $B220^+/IgE^+$ cells in lung tissiue effectively reduced in Sinapis Semen plus Raphani Semen compared to those of Sinapis Semen and Raphani Semen. Conclusions : These results indicate that Sinapis Semen plus Raphani Semen has deep inhibitory effects on airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in asmatic mouse model and also has effect of suppression of IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, OVA specific IgE production in BALF. The results verified that Sinapis Semen, Raphani Semen, and Sinapis Semen plus Raphani Semen could act as a immunomodulator which possess anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic property by modulating the relationship of Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.165-175
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• 2016

Ambroxol is used in COPD and asthma to increase mucociliary clearance and regulate surfactant levels, perhaps through anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. To determine the role and effect of ambroxol in an experimental model of asthma, BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) followed by 3 days of challenge. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), lung cell composition and histology, and cytokine and protein carbonyl levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were determined. Ambroxol was administered either before the first OVA challenge or was begun after the last allergen challenge. Cytokine production levels from lung mononuclear cells (Lung MNCs) or alveolar macrophages (AM) were also determined. Administration of ambroxol prior to challenge suppressed AHR, airway eosinophilia, goblet cell metaplasia, and reduced inflammation in subepithelial regions. When given after challenge, AHR was suppressed but without effects on eosinophil numbers. Levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in BAL fluid were decreased when the drug was given prior to challenge; when given after challenge, increased levels of IL-10 and IL-12 were detected. Decreased levels of protein carbonyls were detected in BAL fluid following ambroxol treatment after challenge. In vitro, ambroxol increased levels of IL-10, IFN-γ, and IL-12 from Lung MNCs and AM, whereas IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 production was not altered. Taken together, ambroxol was effective in preventing AHR and airway inflammation through upregulation of Th1 cytokines and protection from oxidative stress in the airways.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.445-449
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• 2010

Aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA) is characterized by severe asthmatic attack after ingestion of aspirin and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In this study, we investigated the relationship between Prostaglandin E2 receptor (PTGER) gene family polymorphisms and AIA in 243 AIA patients and 919 aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) controls of Korean ethnicity in two separate study cohorts. After genotyping 120 SNPs of the PTGER gene family for the $1^{st}$ cohort study, four SNPs in PTGER1, ten in PTGER3, six in PTGER3, and a haplotype of PTGER2 showed association signals with decreased or increased risk of AIA. Among the positively associated SNPs, one in PTGER1 and four in PTGER3 were analyzed in the $2^{nd}$ cohort study. The results show that rs7543182 and rs959 in PTGER3 retained their effect, although no statistical significance was retained in the $2^{nd}$ cohort study. Our findings provide further evidence that polymorphisms in PTGER3 might play a significant role in aspirin hypersensitivity among Korean asthmatics.