• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.625-633
• /
• 2016

Allium hookeri is known as a healthy food since it contains larger amounts of sulfur compounds than commonly known alliaceous plants. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of A. hookeri were compared between two types of extracts, $80^{\circ}C$ water and 95% ethanol extracts of A. hookeri roots. A. hookeri root 95% ethanol extracts displayed superior total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) radical scavenging activity], and anti-inflammation activity than those of water extracts (P<0.05). We studied the effects of A. hookeri root 95% ethanol extracts (95% ethanol extracts group: AHE) on acute alcohol-induced intoxication in mice. AHE [250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg body weight (BW)/d] was orally administered to the study group once a day for 1 week. On the last day of AHE treatment, 40% ethanol (10 mL/kg BW) was orally administered to induce acute liver injury. The blood alcohol concentration of mice treated with AHE was significantly lower compared to the control group (P<0.05). The levels of hepatic aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were lower in the AHE-treated group than the control group (P<0.05). The RT-PCR results for alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase measured based on mRNA in liver tissues showed that enzyme activities were higher in the AHE-treated group than in the control group at a low blood alcohol concentration.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.65-71
• /
• 2011

Eupatorium japonicum belongs to a family of Asteraceae plants and flowers of E. japonicum have been consumed as a tea. In this study, we investigated whether E. japonicum extract inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in Raw264.7 macrophages. The cells were treated with various concentrations (0, 1, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/L) of 70% ethanol extract from E. japonicum flowers (EJE) in Raw264.7 cells. LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production were inhibited by EJE up to 67% and 49% of these productions, respectively without any reduction of viable cell numbers. EJE reduced LPS-induced expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 proteins and their corresponding mRNA levels. Additionally, EJE decreased the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1${\beta}$, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ mRNA. EJE was further fractionated with water, butanol, ethylacetate (EA), hexane, or methylene chloride (MC). Among the resulting five fractions, EA and MC, respectively from EJE significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO production (each inhibition rate was 85.3% of 10 mg/L EA fraction and 97.2% of 10 mg/L MC fraction) without significant cytotoxicity in Raw264.7 cells. These results indicate that EJE exhibits powerful effects of anti-inflammation and can be developed as a potential anti-inflammatory agent.

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

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.22-29
• /
• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recently, anthocyanins have been reported to have various biological activities. Furthermore, anthocyanin-rich purple corn extract (PCE) ameliorated insulin resistance and reduced diabetes-associated mesanginal fibrosis and inflammation, suggesting that it may have benefits for the prevention of diabetes and diabetes complications. In this study, we determined the anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin component of PCE by HPLC-ESI-MS and investigated its anti-diabetic activity and mechanisms using C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: The db/db mice were divided into four groups: diabetic control group (DC), 10 or 50 mg/kg PCE (PCE 10 or PCE 50), or 10 mg/kg pinitol (pinitol 10) and treated with drugs once per day for 8 weeks. During the experiment, body weight and blood glucose levels were measured every week. At the end of treatment, we measured several diabetic parameters. RESULTS: Compared to the DC group, Fasting blood glucose levels were 68% lower in PCE 50 group and 51% lower in the pinitol 10 group. Furthermore, the PCE 50 group showed 2-fold increased C-peptide and adiponectin levels and 20% decreased HbA1c levels, than in the DC group. In pancreatic islets morphology, the PCE- or pinitol-treated mice showed significant prevention of pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell damage and higher insulin content. Microarray analyses results indicating that gene and protein expressions associated with glycolysis and fatty acid metabolism in liver and fat tissues. In addition, purple corn extract increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and decreased phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose 6-phosphatase (G6pase) genes in liver, and also increased glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expressions in skeletal muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that PCE exerted anti-diabetic effects through protection of pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells, increase of insulin secretion and AMPK activation in the liver of C57BL/KsJ db/db mice.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.21-33
• /
• 2016

This study aimed to investigate the stability and biological activities of BHSST decoction depending on the preservation temperature and periods. Methods: BHSST decoction was preserved at room temperatures (R/T, $23{\pm}1^{\circ}C$) or refrigeration ($4^{\circ}C$) for 0, 30, 60 and 90 days. To evaluate the stability of BHSST decoction, pH and sugar content were estimated. In addition, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was performed to determine marker compounds of BHSST decoction. To evaluate anti-inflammatory effect, nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) productions were measured in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Antioxidant activity was examined using the assays for 3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 1-1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities. Results: There was no change in pH and sugar content depending on the preservation temperature and periods of BHSST decoction. Among the major components of BHSST, contents of liquiritin, baicalein and wogonin was reduced time-dependently both at R/T and $4^{\circ}C$. Inhibitory effects of BHSST decoction on NO and PGE2 productions were slightly decreased in a time-dependent manner by 90 days of preservation. In addition, BHSST decoction maintained ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities by 60 days while significantly reducing the activities in 90 days of preservation at R/T. By contrast, BHSST decoction had no significant change of ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities by 90 days at $4^{\circ}C$. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the stability and efficacy of BHSST decoction are maintained for 60 days at $4^{\circ}C$ rather than R/T.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.41 no.11
• /
• pp.1645-1648
• /
• 2012

Allium hookeri, a member of the onion family, has long been mainly cultivated for food and medicinal use in Southeast Asia countries owing to its various biological properties. However, no studies of the anti-inflammatory effects of A. hookeri extracts have been conducted to date. Therefore, this study was investigated the potential of the methanol extract of A. hookeri to suppress the inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. This study was performed on macrophage cells that were pretreated with $0{\sim}500{\mu}g/mL$ of methanol extract of A. hookeri root prior to LPS treatment. Treatment with methanol extract of A. hookeri root significantly inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide formation in dose-dependent manner. Treatment of A. hookeri root also significantly decreased LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 production. The results of this study provide new evidence of the anti-inflammatory properties of A. hookeri and indicate that it may have a potential therapeutic use for the prevention and treatment of macrophage derived chronic immune diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.41 no.12
• /
• pp.1701-1707
• /
• 2012

3,3'-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a major in vivo derivative of the putative anticancer agent indole-3-carbinol, which is present in cruciferous vegetables and has been reported to have anti-carcinogenic properties. An abnorrmally elevated level of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of carcinogenesis. To investigate the mechanism by which DIM exhibits anti-carcinogenic effects, we investigated the effects of DIM on COX-2 expression in MCF-10A human mammary epithelial cells treated with the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). DIM inhibited TPA-induced COX-2 expression and suppressed the synthesis of prostaglandin $E_2$, one of the major products of COX-2. Nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) is a transcription factor known to play a role in regulation of COX-2 expression. Treatment of MCF-10A cells with TPA increased nuclear translocation of phospho-p65, with the maximal levels being reached at 1 hour, while DIM inhibited the TPA-induced nuclear translocation of phospho-p65. Overall, we demonstrated that DIM suppresses phorbol ester-induced $PGE_2$ production and COX-2 expression in MCF-10A cells. The reduction in COX-2 levels by DIM maybe mediated through inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.44 no.10
• /
• pp.1450-1457
• /
• 2015

The anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol extracts from Hizikia fusiformis fermented with and without lactic acid bacteria was compared in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. The fermentation was done using Weissella sp. SH-1 and Lactobacillus casei in a mixture of glucose and lactate source at $30^{\circ}C$ for 30 days. As a result, we confirmed that the fermentation of H. fusiformis with lactic acid bacteria inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ as important inflammatory factors. During a comparison analysis, we found that L. casei fermented groups significantly suppressed NO production by regulating iNOS and COX-2 expression. Also, the effective suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine and LPS-induced activation of mitogen- activated protein kinase indicated that the fermentation using Weissella sp. SH-1 and L. casei may provide an increment towards the extraction of active components, which are effective anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.52-56
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Neutrophils represent the front line of human defense against infections. Immediately after stimulation, neutrophilic enzymes are activated and produce toxic mediators such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide (NO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). These mediators can be toxic not only to infectious agents but also to host tissues. Because flavonoids exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, they are subjects of interest for pharmacological modulation of inflammation. In the present study, the effects of rutin on stimulus-induced NO and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ productions and MPO activity in human neutrophils were investigated. Methods: Human peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated using Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation coupled with dextran T500 sedimentation. The cell preparations containing > 98% granulocytes were determined by morphological examination through Giemsa staining. Neutrophils were cultured in complete Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) medium, pre-incubated with or without rutin ($25{\mu}M$) for 45 minutes, and stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Then, the $TNF-{\alpha}$, NO and MPO productions were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Griess Reagent, and MPO assay kits, respectively. Also, the viability of human neutrophils was assessed using tetrazolium salt 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and neutrophils were treated with various concentrations of rutin ($1-100{\mu}M$), after which MTT was appended and incubated at $37^{\circ}C$ for 4 hour. Results: Rutin at concentrations up to $100{\mu}M$ did not affect neutrophil viability during the 4-hour incubation period. Rutin significantly decreased the NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ productions in human peripheral blood neutrophils compared to PMA-control cells (P < 0.001). Also, MPO activity was significantly reduced by rutin (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In this in vitro study, rutin had an anti-inflammatory effect due to its inhibiting NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ productions, as well as MPO activity, in activated human neutrophils. Treatment with rutin may be considered as a therapeutic strategy for neutrophil-mediated inflammatory/autoimmune diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.209-216
• /
• 2013

Soybean polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) is thought to exert anti-inflammatory activities and has potent effects in attenuating acute renal failure and liver dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PC in protecting multiple organ injury (MOI) from lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Six groups of rats (N=8) were used in this study. Three groups acted as controls and received only saline, hydrocortisone (HC, 6 mg/kg, i.v.) or PC (600 mg/kg, i.p.) without LPS (15 mg/kg, i.p.) injections. Other 3 groups, as the test groups, were administered saline, HC or PC in the presence of LPS. Six hours after the LPS injection, blood and organs (lung, liver and kidney) were collected from each group to measure inflammatory cytokines and perform histopathology and myeloperoxidase (MPO) assessment. Serum cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-10) and MPO activities were significantly increased, and significant histopathological changes in the organs were observed by LPS challenge. These findings were significantly attenuated by PC or HC. The treatment with PC or HC resulted in a significant attenuation on the increase in serum levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, pro-inflammatory cytokines, while neither PC nor HC significantly attenuated serum levels of IL-10, anti-inflammatory cytokine. In the organs, the enhanced infiltration of neutrophils and expression of ED2 positive macrophage were attenuated by PC or HC. Inductions of MPO activity were also significantly attenuated by PC or HC. From the findings, we suggest that PC may be a functional material for its use as an anti-inflammatory agent.