• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.23-30
• /
• 2004

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has been used as a raw material in many traditional preparations since the ancient time. As a component of traditional health products, Ginger is known to be effective as appetite enhancer, anticold and anti-inflammation. This study was performed to investigate the immunomodulative effects of Ginger in mouse, using in vitro and ex vivo experiments. In vitro experiment, the mice splenocytes proliferation and three kinds of cytokines (IL-1 $\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$) prodution by peritoneal macrophages cultured with ethanol and water extracts of Ginger were used to indicate the immunomodulative effect. In order to elucidate the immunomodulative effects of Ginger ex vivo, water extract of Ginger was orally administrated into mice, and isolated splencytes and macrophages were used as experimental model. Ex vivo experiment, six to seven week old mice were fed ad libitum on a chow diet, and water extract of finger was orally administrated every other day for four weeks at two different concentractions (50 and 500 mg/kg B.W./day). In vitro study, the splenocytes proliferation was increased when water extract was supplemented in the range of 50-500 $\mu$l/ml concentration. In case of cytokines production, IL-1 $\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ released by activated peritoneal macrophages were augmented by the supplementation of water extract of the Ginger. Ex vivo experiment, the highest proliferation of splenocytes and production of cytokines by activated peritoneal macrophages were seen in the mice orally administrated at the concentration of 500 mg/kg B.W./day. In conclusion, this study suggests that Ginger extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocytes proliferation and enhancing the cytokine prodution capacity by activated macrophages in mice.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.43-53
• /
• 2020

Objective : Reflux esophagitis is a disease caused by reflux of stomach contents, stomach acid, and pepsin into the esophagus, and is currently increasing worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a mixture of Rhei Rhizoma and Scutellariae Radix (RS) extract on acute reflux esophagitis in rats. Methods : Rats were divided into five groups for examination: Normal group (Nor, n=8), water-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (Con, n=8), tocopherol 30 mg/kg body weight/day-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (Toco, n=8), RS 100 mg/kg body weight/day-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (RS100, n=8), RS 200 mg/kg body weight/day-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (RS200, n=8). All rats fasted for 18 h and then were derived by linking the metastatic junction between pylorus and forestomach and corpus. And rats were sacrificed 5 h after surgery. We analyzed the expression of NADPH, MAPK, inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and tight junction related proteins by western blot in esophageal tissue and observed the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alanine aminotransferanse (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum. Results : RS administration significantly protected the esophageal mucosal damage of reflux esophagitis, and ROS, AST, and ALT levels were significantly reduced in RS administration compared to Con group. In addition, RS administration effectively suppressed MAPK and NF-κB pathways and upregulated protein expressions of tight junction protein. Conclusions : These results suggest that RS protected the esophageal mucosa by inhibiting the MAPK and NF-κB pathways and upregulating tight junctions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.385-389
• /
• 2008

Nitric oxide (NO) has been suggested to play an important role in endotoxin-mediated shock and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effect of Rosa laevigata Michx. (Rosaceae) on the production of NO and the molecular mechanism of its action. Rosa laevigata inhibited NO generation and iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages. Activity of nuclear $factor{-\kappa}B\;(NF{-\kappa}B)$ and the degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ were suppressed by Rosa laevigata. Furthermore, extracellular signal-stimulated kinase (ERK), which is known to be involved in $NF{-\kappa}B$ activation, is inhibited by Rosa laevigata. These results suggest that Rosa laevigata could exert its anti-inflammatory actions by suppressing the synthesis of NO through inhibition of $NF{-\kappa}B$ activity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.7 no.6
• /
• pp.460-465
• /
• 2013

The hepatoprotective activity of Acanthopanax koreanum Nakai extract (AE) was investigated against D-Galactosamine/Lipopolysaccharide (D-GalN/LPS)-induced liver failure rats compared with that of acanthoic acid (AA) isolated from AE. Although D-GalN/LPS (250 mg/kg body weight/$10{\mu}g/kg$ body weight, i.p.) induced hepatic damage, pretreatments with AE (1 and 3% AE/g day) and AA (0.037% AA, equivalent to 3% AE/g day) alleviated the hepatic damage. This effect was the result of a significant decrease in the activity of alanine transaminase. Concomitantly, both the nitric oxide and IL-6 levels in the plasma were significantly decreased by high-dose AE (AE3) treatment compared to the GalN/LPS control (AE0). This response resulted from the regulation of pro-inflammatory signaling via a decrease in TLR4 and CD14 mRNA levels in the liver. While a high degree of necrosis and hemorrhage were observed in the AE0, pretreatment with AE3 and AA reduced the extent of hepatocyte degeneration, necrosis, hemorrhage and inflammatory cell infiltrates compared to the AE0. In conclusion, these results suggest that especially high-dose AE are capable of alleviating D-GalN/LPS-induced hepatic injury by decreasing hepatic toxicity, thereby mitigating the TLR 4-dependent cytokine release. The anti-inflammatory effect of AE could be contributing to that of AA and AE is better than AA.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.1063-1070
• /
• 2009

Dangyuja (Citrus grandis Osbeck) is a native plant growing only on Jeju Island in Korea. In this study, antiinflammatory effect of dangyuja leaves on a murine macrophage cell line was investigated. RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, $1{\mu}g/mL$) to induce expression of pro-inflammatory markers [interleukin (IL)-6 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)]. The crude extract (80% MeOH Ex.) and solvent fractions (hexane, $CHCl_3$, EtOAc, BuOH, and $H_2O$ Ex.) were obtained from dangyuja leaves. The $CHCl_3$ fraction inhibited the nitric oxide (NO) and IL-6 production in a dose-dependent manner. Also, the $CHCl_3$ fraction inhibited mRNA expression and protein levels of iNOS in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the $CHCl_3$ fraction inhibited LPS-induced nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ activation and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs: ERK, JNK, and p38). These results suggest that dangyuja leaves may inhibit LPS-induced production of inflammatory markers by blocking NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs signaling in RAW 264.7 cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.26 no.11
• /
• pp.2012-2018
• /
• 2016

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is the main cause of acute myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. Plant extracts are considered as useful materials to develop new antiviral drugs. We had previously selected candidate plant extracts, which showed anti-inflammatory effects. We examined the antiviral effects by using a HeLa cell survival assay. Among these extracts, we chose the Amomi Cardamomi (Amomi) extract, which showed strong antiviral effect and preserved cell survival in CVB3 infection. We investigated the mechanisms underlying the ability of Amomi extract to inhibit CVB3 infection and replication. HeLa cells were infected by CVB3 with or without Amomi extract. Erk and Akt activities, and their correlation with virus replication were observed. Live virus titers in cell supernatants and viral positive- and negative-strand RNA amplification were measured. Amomi extract significantly increased HeLa cell survival in different concentrations ($100-10{\mu}g/ml$). CVB3 capsid protein VP1 expression (76%) and viral protease 2A-induced eIF4G1 cleavage (70%) were significantly decreased in Amomi extract ($100{\mu}g/ml$) treated cells. The levels of positive- (20%) and negative-strand (80%) RNA were dramatically decreased compared with the control, as revealed by reverse transcription-PCR. In addition, Amomi extract improved mice survival (51% vs 26%) and dramatically reduced heart inflammation in a CVB3-induced myocarditis mouse model. These results suggested that Amomi extract significantly inhibited Enterovirus replication and myocarditis damage. Amomi may be developed as a therapeutic drug for Enterovirus.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.30 no.11
• /
• pp.1640-1650
• /
• 2020

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the leading cause of common malignant neoplasm worldwide. Many studies have analyzed compositions of gut microbiota associated with various diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and colon cancer. One of the most representative bacteria involved in CRC is enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), a species belonging to phylum Bacteroidetes. We used ETBF colonized mice with azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) and zerumbone, a compound with anti-bacterial effect, to determine whether zerumbone could restore intestinal microbiota composition. Four experimental groups of mice were used: sham, ETBF colonized AOM/DSS group, ETBF colonized AOM/DSS group zerumbone 60 mg kg-1 (ETBF/AOM/DSS + Z (60)), and only zerumbone (60 mg kg^-1)-treated group. We performed reversible dye terminators-based analysis of 16S rRNA gene region V3-V4 for group comparison. Microbiota compositions of ETBF/AOM/DSS + Z (60) group and ETBF colonized AOM/DSS group not given zerumbone were significantly different. There were more Bacteroides in ETBF/AOM/DSS + Z (60) group than those in ETBF colonized AOM/DSS group, suggesting that B. fragilis could be a normal flora activated by zerumbone. In addition, based on linear discriminant analysis of effect size (LEfSe) analysis, microbial diversity decreased significantly in the ETBF colonized AOM/DSS group. However, after given zerumbone, the taxonomic relative abundance was increased. These findings suggest that zerumbone not only influenced the microbial diversity and richness, but also could be helpful for enhancing the balance of gut microbial composition. In this work, we demonstrate that zerumbone could restore the composition of intestinal microbiota.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.47 no.5
• /
• pp.311-318
• /
• 2003

Eurya emarginata (Thunb.) Makino (Theaceae) is distributed in coastal areas of island. The leaves of Eurya are used in the traditional medicine of the coastal areas of jeju island with the aim of diuresis or to treat ulcers. Nevertheless, there are few reports on the biological activity and constituents of E. emarginata. In this study, we investigated the pharmacological activity of the solvent extracts of E. emarginata on the several inflammatory markers (TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, NO, iNOS and COX-2). Also we examined the antioxidizing effect of the solvent extracts by determination of DPPH radical-scavenging activity. Among the solvent fractions, EtOAc and BuOH extracts showed potent radical scavenging activity (RC$_{50}$=10.9 and 12.7 respectively). The subtractions of EF 5-4-6-3-2 and BF 1 potentially inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$) at the concentration of 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mι. Also the fractions inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$) and protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 at the concentration of 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mι. And then, the inhibition of iNOS was correlated with the decrease of nitrite level. These results suggest that E. emarginata may have anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, iNOS and COX-2.2.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.160-167
• /
• 2019

Background: Pain is a complex mechanism which involves different systems, including the opioidergic and GABAergic systems. Due to the side effects of chemical analgesic agents, attention toward natural agents have been increased. Artemisinin is an herbal compound with widespread modern and traditional therapeutic indications, which its interaction with the GABAergic system and antinoniceptive effects on neuropathic pain have shown. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of artemisinin during inflammatory pain and interaction with the GABAergic and opioidergic systems by using a writhing response test. Methods: On the whole, 198 adult male albino mice were used in 4 experiments, including 9 groups (n = 6) each with three replicates, by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of artemisinin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg), naloxone (2 mg/kg), bicuculline (2 mg/kg), saclofen (2 mg/kg), indomethacin (5 mg/kg), and ethanol (10 mL/kg). Writhing test responses were induced by i.p. injection of 10 mL/kg of 0.6% acetic acid, and the percentage of writhing inhibition was recorded. Results: Results showed significant dose dependent anti-nociceptive effects from artemisinin which, at a 10 mg/kg dose, was statistically similar to indomethacin. Neither saclofen nor naloxone had antinociceptive effects and did not antagonize antinociceptive effects of artemisinin, whereas bicuculline significantly inhibited the antinocicptive effect of artemisinin. Conclusions: It seems that antinocicptive effects of artemisinin are mediated by $GABA_A$ receptors.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.75-87
• /
• 2022

Reflux esophagitis (RE) is a gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) caused by repeated reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus. The present study investigated the protective effect of natural mineral water on esophageal injury induced by gastric acid reflux. The cytotoxicity of mineral water was confirmed using Cell viability, proliferation and cytotoxicity assay kit. The protective effect of mineral water on esophageal injury was investigated in RE rat model. The results showed that no cytotoxicity of mineral water was observed in RAW264.7 cells. Mineral water decreased the ratio of esophageal damage, inhibited the increase of inflammatory-protein expression levels and increased the mucosa protection and tight junction proteins expression level in RE control rat. The results suggest that mineral water may have the potential to protect esophageal damage caused by gastric acid reflux and the potential to alleviate reflux esophagitis.