• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.5 no.1 s.8
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• pp.91-103
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• 2002

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. characterized by leukocyte infiltration, a chronic inflammation of the joint, a pannus formation and the extensive destruction of the 3Iticular caJ1ilage and bone. Several proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpa}$(TNF-${\alpa}$), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) have been implicated in the pathological mechanisms of synovial tissue proliferation, joint destruction and programmed cell death in rheumatoid joint. In the Korean traditional medicine, Hominis placenta (HP) as an herbal solution of herb-acupuncture has been widely used to treat the inflammatory diseases including RA. In order to study the medicinal effect of HP herb-acupuncture on rheumatoid joint, an adjuvant-induced arthritis (AlA) was generated by the injection of 1.5 mg uf Mycobactelium tuberculusis. emulsified in squalene, 10 the base of the tail of Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. After onset stage of polyarthritis, HP was daily injected to the Zusanti (ST36) acupuncture points in both of rat lags and the expression pattems of cytokines such as TNF-{\alpa}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and 1L-6 at the knee joint were analyzed using immunostaining and RT-PCR. The HP herb-acupuncture was found to be effective to alleviate the arthritic symptums in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats as regards the joint appearance and the expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, therapeutic effects of HP herb-acupuncture on the rat with AlA might be related to anti inflammatory activities of the hurb-acupuncture.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2007

Single and repeated-dose toxicity of anti-diabetic herb extract microcapsule (ADHEM) were evaluated according to Toxicity Test Guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration using Sprague-Dawley rats. For single-dose toxicity test, kneading ADHEM with sterilized water were administered orally once at dose levels of 0 and 2,000 mg/kg and examined for 14 days. No dead animals, clinical signs and abnormal necropsy findings were observed and also no significant difference in body weights was found. Therefore, the $LD_{50}$ of ADHEM was considered to be higher than 2,000 mg/kg in both male and female rats. For repeated-dose toxicity test, ADHEM were mixed with powder fodder and administerd orally for 28 days at dose levels of 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg/day. No dead animals, clinical signs and significant difference in body weights were found. In hematology and serum biochemistry, all values were included within the normal ranges. In relative organ weights, kidney or liver were significantly increased in the 500, 1000 or 2000 mg/kg/day male groups, uterus was significantly increased in the 500 mg/kg/day female group and left adrenal glands were significantly decreased in the 2000 mg/kg/day female group. In histopathological examinations, vacuolation and microgranuloma in the liver, chronic progressive nephropathy and inflammation in the kidney were observed in the 500, 1000 or 2000 mg/kg/day both male and female groups. Therefore, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of ADHEM was considered to be lower than 500 mg/kg/day in both male and female rats.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2017

Pyrrosia lingua which belongs to Polypodiaceae has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of urinary system inflammation, urination disorder, and bronchitis. However, there are not enough phytochemical and pharmacological studies of P. lingua up to now. Here in this study, the protective effect of MeOH extract of whole plant of Pyrrosia lingua (MPL) against 2% glucose-induced toxicity was investigated using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model system. We found that MPL significantly extended the lifespan of wild-type nematode under normal culture condition. MPL also effectively recovered the decreased lifespan caused by 2% glucose-toxicity. In addition, MPL efficiently attenuated the increased glucose concentration inside of nematode. Further studies evaluating diabetes-related factors revealed that MPL reduced both intracellular ROS and lipid accumulation which were up-regulated under 2% glucose supplement condition. Our data also showed that MPL improved the 2% glucose-induced shortened body movement of nematode. Lastly, we carried out genetic studies using several single gene knockout mutants to establish the possible target of MPL. Our results demonstrated that genes such as daf-2 and daf-16 were responsible for the protective activity of MPL against 2% glucose-induced toxicity. These results indicate that MPL exerts protective action against 2% glucose via regulation of insulin/IGF-1 sinaling pathway and FOXO activation.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.830-838
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• 2020

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of radiation mutant Perilla frutescens var. crispa on bone metabolism and the inflammatory response in a monosodium iodoacetateinduced rat model of osteoarthritis. radiation mutant Perilla frutescens var. crispa was administered orally at doses of 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks before direct injection of monosodium iodoacetate (3 mg/50 μl of 0.9% saline) into the intra-articular space of the rats' right knees. The rats subsequently received the same doses of oral radiation mutant Perilla frutescens var. crispa for another 4 weeks. It was evaluated that the treatment effects based on serum biomarkers, and morphological and histopathological analysis of the knee joints. Compared with those in control rats, the radiation mutant Perilla frutescens var. crispa treatments significantly reduced the serum levels of inflammation, bone metabolism markers (i.e., COX-2, LTB4, MMP-3, and COMP), and the amount of fibrous tissue. Otherwise, it was significantly increased the concentration of TIMP-1 and calcitonin. In addition, the radiation mutant Perilla frutescens var. crispa treatments effectively preserved the knee cartilage and synovial membrane. As a result, it indicates that radiation mutant Perilla frutescens var. crispa prevented and alleviated osteoarthritis symptoms. Thus, radiation mutant Perilla frutescens var. crispa can be used in food and drug material for the management of osteoarthritis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.661-670
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• 2018

Fimasartan, a new angiotensin II receptor antagonist, reduces myocyte damage and stabilizes atherosclerotic plaque through its anti-inflammatory effect in animal studies. We investigated the protective effects of pretreatment with fimasartan on ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in a mouse model of ischemic renal damage. C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with or without 5 (IR-F5) or 10 (IR-F10) mg/kg/day fimasartan for 3 days. Renal ischemia was induced by clamping bilateral renal vascular pedicles for 30 min. Histology, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis assays were evaluated 24 h after IRI. Compared to the untreated group, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels were significantly lower in the IR-F10 group. IR-F10 kidneys showed less tubular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis than untreated kidneys. The expression of F4/80, a macrophage infiltration marker, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, decreased in the IR-F10 group. High-dose fimasartan treatment attenuated the upregulation of $TNF-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in ischemic kidneys. Fewer TUNEL positive cells were observed in IR-F10 compared to control mice. Fimasartan caused a significant decrease in caspase-3 activity and the level of Bax, and increased the Bcl-2 level. Fimasartan preserved renal function and tubular architecture from IRI in a mouse ischemic renal injury model. Fimasartan also attenuated upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and decreased apoptosis of renal tubular cells. Our results suggest that fimasartan inhibited the process of tubular injury by preventing apoptosis induced by the inflammatory pathway.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 2003

For the screening of anti-inflammation and antioxidative activities, ethanolic extract of 40 species of traditional herbal medicines were examined their hyaluronidase inhibitory effect and radical scavenging activity in vitro. From the result of the hyaluronidase inhibitory activity using a Morgan-Elson assay, Astragali Radix, Eucommia Cortex, Schizandrae Fructus, Scutellaria Radix, Acanthopanacis Cortex, Chaenomelis Fructus, Amomum xanthioides Wallich and Moutan Radicis Cortex showed more than 50% hyaluronidase inhibitory effects at the concentration of 10 mg/mL. In the various solvent fractions (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, water) prepared from ethanolic extracts, the ethyl acetate fraction of all extracts tested showed strong activity. Antioxidative activity was evaluated by assaying electron-donating ability to DPPH free radical and scavenging of hydroxyl radical (ㆍOH) generated through Fenton reaction, respectively. Rubus coreanus Miq, Moutan Radicis Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Plantaginis Semen and Sorbus commixta Hedl. showed high activity more than 90%, yet similar activity to $\alpha$-tocopherol and BHA at the concentration of 1 mg/mL in electron donating activity. The scavenging effects of ethanolic extracts on hydroxyl radical were investigated using a 2-deoxyribose oxidation method and tested all extracts showed significant radical scavenging activity. The experiment was also performed to examine whether herbal medicines having significant lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity, Schizandrae-Fructus is the strongest inhibitory activity in both linoleic acid and liposome peroxidation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.682-698
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• 2000

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) functions as a suppressor of inflammation by inhibiting the expression of many cytokine genes activated by NF-${\kappa}B$. The goal of this study is to investigate the mechanism by which GR repress NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in lung epithelial cells. We used A549 and BEAS-2B lung epithelia! cell lines. Using Ig$G{\kappa}$-NF-${\kappa}B$ luciferase reporter gene construct, we found that dexamethasone significantly suppressed TNF-$\alpha$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and the overexpression of GR showed dose-dependent reduction of TNF-$\alpha$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity in both cell lines. However, DNA binding of NF-${\kappa}B$ induced by TNF-$\alpha$ in electromobility shift assay was not inhibited by dexamethasone. Super shift assay with anti-p65 antibody demonstrated the existence of p65 in NF-${\kappa}B$ complex induced by $\alpha$ Western blot showed that $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation induced by TNF-$\alpha$ was not affected by dexamethasone and $I{\kappa}B{\kappa}$ was not induced by dexamethasone, neither. To evaluate p65 specific transactivation, we adopted co-transfection study of Gal4-p65TA1 or TA2 fusion protein expression system together with 5xGal4-luciferase vector. Co-transfection of GR with Gal4-p65TA1 or TA2 repressed luciferase activity profoundly to the level of 10-20% of p65TA1- or TA2-induced transcriptional activity. And this transrepressional effect was abolished by co-transfection of CBP of SRC-1 expression vectors. These results suggest that GR-mediated transrepression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in lung epithelial cells is through competing for binding to limiting amounts of transcriptional coactivators, CBP or SRC-1.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.244-255
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• 2018

Low-grade pro-inflammatory state and leptin resistance are important underlying mechanisms that contribute to obesity-associated hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that Astragaloside IV (As IV), known to counteract obesity and hypertension, could prevent obesity-associated hypertension by inhibiting pro-inflammatory reaction and leptin resistance. High-fat diet (HFD) induced obese rats were randomly assigned to three groups: the HFD control group (HF con group), As IV group, and the As IV + ${\alpha}$-bungaratoxin (${\alpha}-BGT$) group (As IV+${\alpha}-BGT$ group). As IV ($20mg{\cdot}Kg^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$) was administrated to rats for 6 weeks via daily oral gavage. Body weight and blood pressure were continuously measured, and NE levels in the plasma and renal cortex was evaluated to reflect the sympathetic activity. The expressions of leptin receptor (LepRb) mRNA, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT3), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) mRNA, and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) mRNA, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA were measured by Western blot or qRT-PCR to evaluate the hypothalamic leptin sensitivity. Additionally, we measured the protein or mRNA levels of ${\alpha}7nAChR$, inhibitor of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ kinase subunit ${\beta}/nuclear$ factor ${\kappa}B$ ($IKK{\beta}/NF-KB$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$) in hypothalamus and adipose tissue to reflect the anti-inflammatory effects of As IV through upregulating expression of ${\alpha}7nAChR$. We found that As IV prevented body weight gain and adipose accumulation, and also improved metabolic disorders in HFD rats. Furthermore, As IV decreased BP and HR, as well as NE levels in blood and renal tissue. In the hypothalamus, As IV alleviated leptin resistance as evidenced by the increased p-STAT3, LepRb mRNA and POMC mRNA, and decreased p-PI3K, SOCS3 mRNA, and PTP1B mRNA. The effects of As IV on leptin sensitivity were related in part to the up-regulated ${\alpha}7nAchR$ and suppressed $IKK{\beta}/NF-KB$ signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hypothalamus and adipose tissue, since co-administration of ${\alpha}7nAChR$ selective antagonist ${\alpha}-BGT$ could weaken the improved effect of As IV on central leptin resistance. Our study suggested that As IV could efficiently prevent obesityassociated hypertension through inhibiting inflammatory reaction and improving leptin resistance; furthermore, these effects of As IV was partly related to the increased ${\alpha}7nAchR$ expression.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.103-109
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the TLR-4 mediated anti-inflammatory effects of extract from Xanthii Fructus(XF) on the peritoneal macrophage. Methods : To evaluate of TLR-4 mediated inflammatory of XF, we examined NO and cytokine production in TRL-4 ligand(LPS-lipopolysacchride) induced macrophages. Furthermore, we checked molecular mechanism using western blot. Results : l.Extract from XF reduced LPS-induced Nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-12 production in peritoneal macrophages 2.Extract from XF itself does not have any cytotoxic effect.XS inhibited degradation of IkBa in the TLR-4 mediated peritoneal macrophages Conclusion : XF down-regulated TLR4 ligand(LPS)-induced NO and cytokine productions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1315-1321
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• 2008

Chan-Su (Venenum bufonis) has long been for a variety of other purposes including treatment of inflammation in the folk medicine recipe. Since nitric oxide (NO) is one of the major inflammatory parameters, we first studied the effects of Chan-Su on NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells, Chan-Su inhibited the secretion of NO in BV2 microglial cells, without affecting cell viability, The protein level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was decreased by Chan-Su, And Chan-Su also inhibited production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ and IL-12, were inhibited by Chan-Su in a dose-dependent manner. And Chan-Su inhibited the degradation of ${IkB-\alpha}$, which was considered to be inhibitor of nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$, one of a potential transcription factor for the expression of iNOS, COX-2 and proinflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that Chan-Su could exert its anti-inflammatory actions by suppressing the synthesis of NO through inhibition of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation.