• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.248-254
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• 2021

Ulcerative colitis (UC), chronic inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by severe inflammation in the colon. Tea is one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide. Pu-erh tea, a unique Chinese tea produced by microbial activities, possesses a broad range of health-promoting effects, including anti-aging, anti-Alzheimer's disease, antioxidation and anti-obesity. However, the inhibitory effect of Pu-erh tea on intestinal inflammation and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. The present study was designed to evaluate the regulatory effect of Pu-erh tea extract (PTE) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis clinical signs by analyzing the weight loss and colon length in mice. The inhibitory effects of PTE on inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were also determined in DSS-treated colitis tissue. We observed that PTE treatment significantly inhibited the DSS-induced clinical symptoms of weight loss, decrease,in colon length, and colon tissue damage in mice. Moreover, PTE attenuated the DSS-induced levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in colon tissue. We also demonstrated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PTE by suppressing the activation of NF-κB in DSS-treated colon tissues. Collectively, the findings provide experimental evidence that PTE may be effective in preventing and treatment of intestinal inflammatory disorders, including UC.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.165-170
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• 2017

Cordyceps bassiana is one of Cordyceps species with anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-angiogenic, and anti-nociceptive activities. This mushroom has recently demonstrated to have an ability to reduce 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis symptoms in NC/Nga mice. In this study, we further examined phytochemical properties of this mushroom by column chromatography and HPLC analysis. By chromatographic separation and spectroscopic analysis, 8 compounds, such as 1,9-dimethylguanine (1), adenosine (2), uridine (3), nicotinamide (4), 3-methyluracil (5), 1,7-dimethylxanthine (6), nudifloric acid (7), and mannitol (8) were identified from 6 different fractions and 4 more subfractions. Through evaluation of their anti-inflammatory activities using reporter gene assay and mRNA analysis, compound 1 was found to block luciferase activity induced by $NF-{\kappa}B$ and AP-1, suppress the mRNA levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$. Therefore, our data strongly suggests that compound 1 acts as one of major principles in Cordyceps bassiana with anti-inflammatory and anti-atopic dermatitis activities.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.50
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• pp.27-33
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• 2023

Zizyphus jujube is a plant in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) that has been the subject of research into antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties of its fruit and seed. However, few studies have investigated its leaves. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of ZJL (an extract of Z. jujube leaf) was evaluated to verify its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent and SARS-CoV-2 medicine, using nitric oxide (NO) assay, RT-PCR, SDSPAGE, Western blotting, and UHPLC/TOFHRMS analysis. We found that ZJL suppresed pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. ZJL acted by inhibiting NF-KB and MAPK signaling pathway activity. We also confirmed that ZJL contains a phenol compound and flavonoids with anti-inflammatory activity such as trehalose, maleate, epigallocatechin, hyperoside, catechin, 3-O-coumaroylquinic acid, rhoifolin, gossypin, kaempferol 3-neohesperidoside, rutin, myricitrin, guaiaverin, quercitrin, quercetin, ursolic acid, and pheophorbide a. These findings suggest that ZJL may have great potential for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs and vaccines via inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2024

Phlorocyclin (PC) and isophorocyclin (IPC) are rare benzofuran derivaitves obtained from the representive dihydrochalcone glucoside, phloridzin (PZ) and are a type of neolignan backbone with a potential anti-glycative agents. However, research related to the enhancement of biological functionallites to inflammation of the newly converted products is very limited. This research was directed with the purpose of discovery more effective anti-inflammatory agents in macrophages of newly radiolysis products PC and IPC. The anti-inflammatory capacities of the characterized products in RAW 264.7 and DH82 macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to stimulate an inflammation response were examined. The pro-inflammatory factors such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-10, without cytotoxicity in LPS-stimulated macrophages, were significantly inhibited after treatment with PC and IPC, when compared to PZ. Moreover, PC and IPC decreased the appearance of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) proteins in macrophages. The cyclization products modified by radiolysis showed the greatest anti-inflammatory effects in macrophage cells, indicating PC and IPC are a potential candidate for use in anti-inflammatory agents.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.202-210
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• 2018

Abeliophyllum distichum is a medicinal plant used in regional traditional medicine to relieve pain in inflammatory processes. In this study, anti-inflammatory effects of Abeliophyllum distichum flower (ADF) extract were examined. Furthermore, possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects were dissected. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated by inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in murine macrophage-like cell line Raw264.7 cells. The measurement of the induced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were carried out by ELISA. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and MAPK, and the nuclear expression of nuclear factor NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 were investigated by Western blot analysis. The extract of ADF significantly decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, the extract suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and the nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 in activated cells. Our findings provide evidence for the popular use of Abeliophylli distichum in inflammation around Goesan region and also suggest that the flower extract has potential therapeutic benefits against various inflammatory diseases.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.462-473
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• 2024

The anti-inflammatory effect of beluga lentil extract (BLE) and its underlying mechanisms were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with BLE significantly decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and protein and mRNA expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Down-regulation of this inflammatory gene expression was not associated with NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways, and further mechanistic studies demonstrated that BLE decreased LPS-induced iNOS expression through upregulation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. These results suggest that beluga lentil represent a potential source of natural anti-inflammatory agents, and further studies will be necessary to determine its anti-inflammatory effects in vivo.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2012

The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases is not very well understood; it is currently thought to be caused by the interaction between genetic factors, environmental factors, intestinal microbes, and immune factors. Biological agents such as anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) are widely being used as therapeutic agents. Infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal IgG1 antibody against tumor necrosis factor, has been demonstrated to have an effect in the induction and maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease in children. The effects of biological agents, typified by anti-TNFs, in inflammatory bowel disease in children; the recent concern on the administration of biological agents in combination with immunomodulators; and 'Top-down' therapy are some of the topics covered in this review.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.223-226
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• 2011

Although exercise-induced growth factors such as Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are known to affect various aspects of physiology in skeletal muscle cells, the molecular mechanism by which IGF-I modulates anti-inflammatory effects in these cells is presently unknown. Here, we showed that IGF-I stimulation suppresses the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a key innate immune receptor. A pharmacological inhibitor study further showed that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is required for IGF-I-mediated negative regulation of TLR4 expression. Furthermore, IGF-I treatment reduced the expression of various NF-${\kappa}B$-target genes such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6. Taken together, these findings indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of exercise may be due, at least in part, to IGF-I-induced suppression of TLR4 and subsequent downregulation of the TLR4-dependent inflammatory signaling pathway.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.280-285
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• 2015

Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of Cotoneaster horizontalis Decne ethanol extract (CHEE) were evaluated. CHEE possessed a potent scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl, which was similar to the activity of ascorbic acid which was used as a positive control. CHEE also effectively suppressed hydrogen peroxide-induced reactive oxygen species on RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, CHEE induced the expression of the anti-oxidative enzyme heme oxygenase 1, and its upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2. CHEE inhibited LPS induced nitric oxide (NO) formation as a consequence of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) down regulation. Taken together, these results provide us with an important new insight; that C. horizontalis possesses anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, C. horizontalis may be utilized as a promising material in the field of nutraceuticals.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2018

Estragole is a naturally occurring phenylpropanoid obtained from essential oils found in a broad diversity of plants. Although the phenylpropanoids show many biological activities, clear regulation of the inflammatory signaling pathways has not yet been determined. Here, we scrutinized the anti-inflammatory effect of estragole. The anti-inflammatory effect of estragole was determined through the inhibitory mechanisms of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways and the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2)/heme oxygenase (HO)-1 pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Estragole significantly inhibited NO production, iNOS and COX-2 expression as well as LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK activation. Furthermore, estragole suppressed LPS-induced intracellular ROS production but up-regulated the stress response gene HO-1 via the activation of transcription factor Nrf-2. These findings demonstrate that estragole inhibits the LPS-induced expression of inflammatory mediators via the down-regulation of iNOS, COX-2, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and MAPK pathways, as well as the up-regulation of the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway, indicating that this phenylpropanoid has potential therapeutic and preventive applications in various inflammatory diseases.