• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.235-245
• /
• 2016

In this study, we examined the effects of various molecular weights (1, 10, 50, 100, 660, and 1500 kDa) of sodium hyaluronate (HA), which were prepared by enzyme hydrolysis, on the collagen synthesis, anti-inflammation and skin absorption. These HA did not significantly affect the viability of human dermal fibroblast Hs68 cells. Among them, 1500 kDa, 50 kDa HA most significantly increased collagen production by 59%, and 50% in the Hs 68 cells, respectively. Whereas 1500 and 660 kDa HA hardly pass through mouse transdermis membrane, lower molecular weights (1, 10, or 50 kDa) of HA showed time-dependent increase in skin permeation. HA of 50 kDa showed highest anti-inflammatory effects by reducing nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-${alpha}$ production in the RAW 264.7 cells, comparing to other HA (1, 10, and 100 kDa HA). Recently, there is no report about anti-wrinkle and anti-inflammatory effects and skin permeation of different molecular weights HA (1, 10, 50, 100, 660 and 1500 kDa), which were produced by enzyme hydrolysis. These results suggested that 50 kDa HA can be potent candidates for the development of effective anti-aging and anti-wrinkle cosmetic agents. The results of this study demonstrated that among those HA with different molecular weights, 50 kDa HA showed highest anti-inflammatory activity, significant capability to induce collagen synthesis and high level of skin permeation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.29-48
• /
• 2021

Objectives: Banchong-san (BCS) is a herbal formula composed of 13 korean medicinal herbs and is traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases and pain. The object of this study was to research the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and antimicrobial effects of the BCS in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods: In this experiment, effects of BCS on the following four were measured as follows: (1) Anti-oxidative effects were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) Radical scavenging activity, 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) Radical scavenging activity. (2) Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by the production amount of Reactive oxygen species (ROS), Nitric oxide (NO), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)(the previous two are "mRNA"), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38), inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκBα), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) (the previous five are "Protein") in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. (3)Antipruritic effects were evaluated by the production amount of histamine, Leukotriene B4 (LTB4), LeukotrieneC4 (LTC4) Levels in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA)/ionomycin-stimulated MC/9 mast cell. (4) Anti-microbial effects were evaluated by the growth suppression of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus niger. Results: The following results were obtained through each measurement: (1) DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity, ABTS Radical Scavenging Activity evoked a significant concentration-dependent increase. (2) ROS, NO, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, PGE₂ production amount, iNOS, COX-2 mRNA expression were significantly reduced in the BCS extraction group compared with the control group and significantly decreased the amount of ERK, JNK, p38, NF-κB Protein expression. The amount of IκB-α Protein Expression have increased significantly. (3) The amounts of histamine, LTB4, LTC4 were significantly decreased. (4) The antibacterial efficacy, BCS inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa at concentrations of 5 ㎍/ml, but did not suppress the growth of staphylococcus aureus and aspergillus niger. Conclusions: The experimental results show that BCS has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and antimicrobial properties.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.175-187
• /
• 2017

Laetiporus sulphrueus var. miniatus is widely distributed worldwide, and has commonly been used as a medicinal mushroom. In the present study, we investigated the effects of water extract and solvent fractions from the Laetiporus miniatus as possible antioxidant, anti-thrombin and anti-invasive agents against phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)- or thrombin-induced matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 activities. Samples were fractionated into n-hexane, $CHCl_3$, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water fractions, and individually analysed. The water fraction had the highest extraction yield at 34.90% (w/w), while the n-butanol fraction demonstrated the highest anti-oxidative activity at 81.44%. In the thrombin inhibitory activity test, the water fraction exhibited the highest activity at 94.64%. Even at the concentration of $40{\mu}g/mL$, evaluation of anti-proliferating activity in YD-10B cells did not reveal any cytotoxic effects. Although MMP-9 expression in YD-10B cells increased after the addition of PMA and thrombin, MMP-2 did not. Additionally, MMP-2/-9 levels in PMA-treated YD-10B cells (i.e., both mRNA expression and protein activation) were highly inhibited in the hexane and chloroform fractions. Compared with MMP-2 levels, MMP-9 mRNA expression and proteolytic activity were inhibited to a greater extent by the hexane and chloroform fractions in thrombin-treated YD-10B cells. Taken together, these results support that thrombin induces tumor invasion through MMP-2/9 and suggest that the L. miniatus may act as an effective functional food, conferring anti-oxidative, anti-thrombotic and anti-cancer activities.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.11
• /
• pp.5605-5611
• /
• 2012

Background: In the last two decades, pioneering research on anti-tumour activity of saffron has shed light on the role of crocetin, picrocrocin and safranal, as broad spectrum anti-neoplastic agents. However, the exact mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Identification and characterization of the targets of bioactive constituents will play an imperative role in demystifying the complex anti-neoplastic machinery. Methods: In the quest of potential target identification, a dual virtual screening approach utilizing two inverse screening systems, one predicated on idTarget and the other on PharmMapper was here employed. A set of target proteins associated with multiple forms of cancer and ranked by Fit Score and Binding energy were obtained from the two independent inverse screening platforms. The validity of the results was checked by meticulously analyzing the post-docking binding pose of the picrocrocin with Hsp90 alpha in AutoDock. Results: The docking pose reveals that electrostatic and hydrogen bonds play the key role in inter-molecular interactions in ligand binding. Picrocrocin binds to the Hsp90 alpha with a definite orientation appropriate for nucleophilic attacks by several electrical residues inside the Hsp90-alpha ATPase catalytic site. Conclusion: This study reveals functional information about the anti-tumor mechanism of saffron bioactive constituents. Also, a tractable set of anti-neoplastic targets for saffron has been generated in this study which can be further authenticated by in vivo and in vitro experiments.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.188-202
• /
• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Brain aging is a major risk factor for severe neurodegenerative diseases. Conversely, L-histidine and L-carnosine are known to exhibit neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to examine the potential for L-histidine, L-carnosine, and their combination to mediate anti-brain aging effects in neuronal cells subjected to D-galactose-induced aging. MATERIALS/METHODS: The neuroprotective potential of L-histidine, L-carnosine, and their combination was examined in a retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiated SH-SY5Y cell line exposed to D-galactose (200 mM) for 48 h. Neuronal cell proliferation, differentiation, and expression of anti-oxidant enzymes and apoptosis markers were subsequently evaluated. RESULTS: Treatment with L-histidine (1 mM), L-carnosine (10 mM), or both for 48 h efficiently improved the proliferation, neurogenesis, and senescence of D-galactose-treated SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, protein expression levels of both neuronal markers (β tubulin-III and neurofilament heavy protein) and anti-oxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase-1 and superoxide dismutase-1 were up-regulated. Conversely, protein expression levels of amyloid β (1-42) and cleaved caspase-3 were down-regulated. Levels of mRNA for the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α were also down-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, we provide the first evidence that L-histidine, L-carnosine, and their combination mediate anti-aging effects in a neuronal cell line subjected to D-galactose-induced aging. These results suggest the potential benefits of L-histidine and L-carnosine as anti-brain aging agents and they support further research of these amino acid molecules.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.71-87
• /
• 2020

Objectives Even though the various alternative herbal medicine has applied for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment, its scientific proof remains uncertain. The aim of the present study evaluates the effects of Chulbu-tang on inflammatory responses in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. Methods OA rat model was established by MIA injection in intra-joint of rats. 7 days after, OA rats except OA control rats were administrated Chulbu-tang (100 or 200 mg/kg) or Indomathacin (5 mg/kg) once a day for 14 days. The weight-bearing ability of hind paws were measured when group isolation 0, 7, and 14 days. Western blotting was performed to examine the knockdown/overexpressing efficiency of Chulbu-tang. In addition, cartilage destruction was measured histologically. Results Chulbu-tang treatment significantly reduced the protein expressions of inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2, and inhibited inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 through nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inactivation. Moreover, anti-oxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase-1/2 through nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway significantly increased. Our findings indicate that Chulbu-tang has the potential therapeutic effect on OA through inhibiting the inflammatory responses via inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, upregulation of Nrf2 led to anti-oxidant effects. Conclusions Taken together, Chulbu-tang is believed to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, and cartilage protection for arthritis-causing rats.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.231-238
• /
• 2012

Menthae herba (MH) extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the anti-inflammatory effects of MH extracts vary according to the cultivation regions. We performed a comparative analysis of MH extracts by evaluating the production of inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells and HaCaT human keratinocyte cells. MH extracts obtained from different cultivation regions in Korea and China significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). No differences in these inhibitory activities were observed between MH extracts. In HaCaT cells stimulated with TNF-${\alpha}$ and interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$), MH extracts did not inhibit the production of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22), but most extracts reduced the production of the regulated on activation normal T-cell expression and secreted (RANTES/CCL5). We used clustering tree analysis of the MH extracts according to the chromatographic pattern and anti-inflammatory potency of MH extracts. We observed differences in the chromatographic pattern of MH extracts but no difference in anti-inflammatory potency. Our findings suggest that MH extracts from different regions do not show any differences in their pharmacological potency in that MH extracts are used as therapeutic agents to treat inflammatory disorders.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.305-309
• /
• 2007

Arsenic compounds have been used to treat various diseases including cancer in oriental medicine. Arsenic trioxide ($As_2O_3,\;Trisenox^{(R)}$) has been used for the treatment of leukemia and its anti-solid tumor activity has also been reported recently. Tetra-arsenic oxide ($As_4O_6,\;TetraAs^{(R)}$) is a newly developed arsenic compound which has shown an anticancer activity in some human cancer cell lines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-gastric cancer potential of TetraAs and to search for an agent with synergistic interaction with TetraAs against human gastric cancers. We analysed anti-proliferative effect of TetraAs when given alone and in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents such as 5-FU, paclitaxel, and cisplatin in SNU-216, a human gastric cancer cell line. The $IC_{50}$ of these 4 anti-cancer drugs ranged from 5.8 nM to $7.5\;{\mu}M$ with a potency rank of order paclitaxel>TetraAs>cisplatin>5-FU. TetraAs showed 10-fold greater potency than 5-FU and cisplatin at the same effect level of $IC_{50}$. TetraAs+5-FU and TetraAs+paclitaxel showed synergistic and additive interaction, respectively. On the other hand, TetraAs with cisplatin group appeared to be strongly antagonistic. Apoptotic population was measured and compared between single and combination treatment. The apoptotic cells for the combination of TetraAs+5-FU showed significant increase compared to single TetraAs treatment. On the contrary, TetraAs+cisplatin showed less apoptotic cells compared to TetraAs or cisplatin alone treatment. Overall, our results indicate that TetraAs can be effectively combined with 5-FU or paclitaxel, but not with cisplatin for synergistic anti-cancer effect, which warrants further evaluation using in vivo models.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.34 no.3 s.134
• /
• pp.228-232
• /
• 2003

For effective management of atopic dermatitis, it is important to introduce a therapeutic agent although having the fewest side effects, has the greatest anti- inflammatory effect. In the course of screening anti-inflammatory agents, we obtained BSASM composed of several plant extracts. This study was designed to investigate anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of BSASM. As a first step, $NF-{\kappa}B$ luciferase reporter assay was performed to know the involvement of BSASM in the production of proinflammatory cytokines because $NF-{\kappa}B$ element has been known to play a major role in expression of cytokine genes such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) or tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$. LPS (lipolysaccharide)-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation was inhibited by BSASM. In addition, we found the fact that BSASM inhibits LPS-induced produced production of IL-8 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ proinflammatory cytokines, indicating BSASM has anti-inflammatory effect. In interleukin-2 (IL-2) luciferase reporter assay in Jurkat T cells, BSASM reduced PHA (Phytohemagglutinin)-induced IL-2 luciferase activity, suggesting the possibility that BSASM might also have an immunomodulatory function in T cell-mediated immune response. Based on these results, we suggest the possibility that BSASM can be introduced to improve symptom of immune-related skin diseases, namely, atopic dermatitis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.863-876
• /
• 2017

Objectives: The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the anti-neoplastic and anti-inflammatory effects of single and mixed extracts of Ulmus davidiana (UD) and Oldenlandia diffusa (OD) on azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS)-induced colonic neoplasms in mice. Methods: AOM/DSS induces colitis-associated colonic neoplasms in mice. Mice were divided into seven groups: normal-no inducement and no treatment; control-colonic neoplasms with no treatment; UD-colonic neoplasms and treatment with UD; OD-colonic neoplasms and treatment with OD; UD1+OD1-colonic neoplasms and treatment with UD1 and OD1. UD1+OD2-colonic neoplasms and treatment with UD1 and OD2; UD2+OD1-colonic neoplasms and treatment with UD2 and OD1. Single and mixed preparations of UD and OD were applied to mice for six weeks. The colon length and weight and histopathologic changes of colon tissue were observed. Serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and interferon-gamma ($INF-{\gamma}$) were measured by RT-PCR. Results: The colon length was significantly increased in OD, UD1+OD2, and UD2+OD1 mice, and the colon weight was significantly decreased in OD and UD1+OD2 mice. The morphological change of colon epithelial cells was more suppressed in complex-treatment groups than in single-treatment groups. The inhibitory effect on inflammatory cell invasion was especially shown in UD1+OD2 mice. The serum level of the pro-inflammatory $TNF-{\alpha}$ was decreased in all complex-treatment groups, and the IL-6 level was decreased in UD1+OD1 mice. Single-treatment groups had an increase in the mRNA expression of the pro-apoptosis regulator Bax, and UD2+OD1 decreased the mRNA expression of the anti-apoptosis regulator Bcl-2. The mRNA expression of $INF-{\gamma}$ associated with inflammation was decreased in OD and UD1+OD2 mice. Conclusions: This study suggests that single and mixed extracts of Ulmus davidiana and Oldenlandia diffusa have anti-neoplastic and anti-inflammatory effects on AOM/DSS-induced colonic neoplasms in mice. Therefore, we conclude that UD, OD, and a mixture of UD and OD are potential therapeutic agents for colitis-associated colonic neoplasms.