• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.637-642
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• 2010

Bone is continuously remodeled by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. We investigated the effects of medicinal herbs, which act on bone metabolism. Fifteen kinds of medicinal herb extracts were screened for bone formation activity with osteoblastic cells, and MC3T3-E1 and bone resorption were screened with osteoclasts derived from mouse bone marrow macrophages. Among these samples, Actinidia polygama, Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Sorbus commixta, and Zingiber officinale Rosc. extracts showed strong bone-forming activity accompanied with osteoblast proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity. In addition, these extracts decreased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity against osteoclast differentiation. The results indicate that these medicinal herb extracts can potentially prevent bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis by increasing osteoblast differentiation and reducing osteoclast activity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.598-604
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• 2014

Fatty acids, important components of a normal diet, have been reported to play a role in bone metabolism. Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing cells that are responsible for many bone-destructive diseases such as osteoporosis. In this study, we investigated the impact of a medium-chain fatty acid, capric acid, on the osteoclast differentiation, function, and survival induced by receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Capric acid inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow-derived macrophages and suppressed RANKL-induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation, p65 nuclear translocation, and NF-${\kappa}B$ transcriptional activity. Capric acid further blocked the RANKL-stimulated activation of ERK without affecting JNK or p38. The induction of NFATc1 in response to RANKL was also attenuated by capric acid. In addition, capric acid abrogated M-CSF and RANKL-mediated cytoskeleton reorganization, which is crucial for the efficient bone resorption of osteoclasts. Capric acid also increased apoptosis in mature osteoclasts through the induction of Bim expression and the suppression of ERK activation by M-CSF. Together, our results reveal that capric acid has inhibitory effects on osteoclast development. We therefore suggest that capric acid may have potential therapeutic implications for the treatment of bone resorption-associated disorders.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2015

Bone destruction is a pathological symptom of some chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. Inflammation-induced bone loss of these diseases results from increased number and activity of osteoclasts. Paeoniae Radix Alba has been used in korean traditional medicine to treat disease including inflammation, gynecopathy and various pain. However, these effects have not been tested on osteoclasts, the bone resorbing cells that regulate bone metabolism. Here, we investigated the effects of Paeoniae Radix Alba ethanol extract (PRAE) on receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)-mediated osteoclast differentiation and formation. Osteoclast differentiation and formation were measured by tartrate resistant acidic phosphatase (TRAP) staining and TRAP solution assay. The treatment of PRAE on bone marrow derived macrophages (BMMs), which is known as osteoclast precursor cells, inhibited osteoclast differentiation and formation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the expression of osteoclast differentiation marker genes was suppressed by PRAE treatment. This inhibitory effect of PRAE resulted from significant repression of c-Fos expression, and subsequent reduction of NFATc1 expression which was previously reported as a master transcription factor for osteoclastogenesis in vitro and in vivo. These results demonstrate that PRAE negatively regulates osteoclast differentiation and formation and suggest that PRAE can be used as a potent preventive or therapeutic candidate for various bone diseases, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis, periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• The Korean Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.159-165
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• 2018

The Hippo pathway was originally discovered in Drosophila by genetic screening and it has been shown to be conserved in various organisms including human. Until now, the essential roles of Hippo pathway in regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, tumorigenesis, and organ size control is extensively studied. Currently, Mats1/2 (Mob1a/1b), one of the important components in Hippo pathway, mutant mice were generated which has abnormal phenotype such as resistance to apoptosis and spontaneous tumorigenesis. Of note, Mats1/2 mutant mice also showed dental malocclusion. Therefore, in this study, we have evaluated the bone phenotype of Mats1/2 mutant mice. Although the mRNA expressions of Mats1 or Mats2 were observed in both osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis, the increase of Mats1 level was most prominent during osteoblastogenesis. The RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation from bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) was unaltered upon Mats1/2 mutation; however, the osteoblast differentiation using calvarial pre-osteoblasts was significantly reduced in Mats1/2 mutant mice compare to that of wild type mice. In accordance with in vitro results, Mats1/2 mutant mice showed decreased bone volume as well as increased trabecular separation in ${\mu}CT$ analyses. These results may provide novel prospect of the probable linkage between Hippo pathway and bone homeostasis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1395-1403
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• 2020

There is an increasing interest in using inactivated probiotics to modulate the host immune system and protect against pathogens. As the immunomodulatory function of heat-killed Lactobacillus brevis KCTC 12777BP (LBB) and its mechanism is unclear, we investigated the effect of LBB on immune response based on the hypothesis that LBB might exert stimulatory effects on immunity. In the current study, we demonstrate that administration of LBB can exert immune-stimulatory effects and promote clearance of foreign matters through enhancing phagocytosis. Treatment with LBB induced the production of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide in macrophages. Importantly, LBB directly increased the phagocytic activity of macrophages against bacterial particles. LBB was able to promote the production of TNF-α in bone marrow-derived macrophages and splenocytes and also increase the proliferation rate of splenocytes, suggesting that the immune-stimulating activity of LBB can be observed in primary immune cells. Investigation into the molecular mechanism responsible revealed that LBB upregulates TAK1 activity and its downstream ERK, p38, and JNK signaling pathways. To further confirm the immunomodulatory capability of LBB in vivo, we orally administered LBB to mice and assessed the effect on primary splenocytes. Splenocytes isolated from LBB-treated mice exhibited higher TNF-α expression and proliferative capacity. These results show that heat-killed L. brevis, a wildly consumed probiotic, may provide protection against pathogens through enhancing host immunity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.291-299
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenosides of Korean Red Ginseng extracts (RGE) and its saponin components suppress secretion of inflammasome-mediating cytokines, whereas the nonsaponin fraction (NS) of RGE oppositely stimulates cytokine secretion. Although direct exposure of NS to macrophages in mice induces cytokine production, oral administration of NS has not been studied in inflammasome-related disease in animal models. Methods: Mice were fed RGE or NS for 7 days and then developed peritonitis. Peritoneal cytokines were measured, and peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) were collected to assay expression levels of a set of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines in response to NS ingestion. In addition, the role of intestinal bacteria in NS-fed mice was assessed. The effect of preexposure to NS in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) on cytokine production was further confirmed. Results: NS ingestion attenuated secretion of peritoneal cytokines resulting from peritonitis. In addition, the isolated PECs from NS-fed mice presented lower TLR transcription levels than PECs from control diet-fed mice. BMDMs treated with NS showed downregulation of TLR4 mRNA and protein expression, which was mediated by the $TLR4-MyD88-NF{\kappa}B$ signal pathway. BMDMs pretreated with NS produced less cytokines in response to TLR4 ligands. Conclusion: NS administration directly inhibits TLR4 expression in inflammatory cells such as macrophages, thereby reducing secretion of cytokines during peritonitis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 2021

Mitochondrial NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) produces NADPH, which is known to inhibit mitochondrial oxidative stress. Ureteral obstruction induces kidney inflammation and fibrosis via oxidative stress. Here, we investigated the role and underlying mechanism of IDH2 in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced kidney inflammation using IDH2 gene deleted mice (IDH2-/-). Eight- to 10-week-old female IDH2-/- mice and wild type (IDH2+/+) littermates were subjected to UUO and kidneys were harvested 5 days after UUO. IDH2 was not detected in the kidneys of IDH2-/- mice, while UUO decreased IDH2 in IDH2+/+ mice. UUO increased the expressions of markers of oxidative stress in both IDH2+/+ and IDH2-/- mice, and these changes were greater in IDH2-/- mice compared to IDH2+/+ mice. Bone marrow-derived macrophages of IDH2-/- mice showed a more migrating phenotype with greater ruffle formation and Rac1 distribution than that of IDH2+/+ mice. Correspondently, UUO-induced infiltration of monocytes/macrophages was greater in IDH2-/- mice compared to IDH2+/+ mice. Taken together, these data demonstrate that IDH2 plays a protective role against UUO-induced inflammation through inhibition of oxidative stress and macrophage infiltration.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.860-865
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• 2009

Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing multinucleated cells derived from the monocyte/macrophage lineage. The differentiation of osteoclasts are regulated by osteoblastic cells expressed RANKL, which is the most critical molecule for osteoclast differentiation. In this study, we found that water extracts of cuscuta inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation by direct action on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) without cytotoxicity. In BMMs, water extracts of cuscuta inhibited the mRNA expression of c-Fos, NFATc1, TRAP, and OSCAR. Also, the protein expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 was inhibited by water extracts of cuscuta treatement. Water extracts of cuscuta inhibited the phosphorylation of p38, ERK, and JNK in BMMs treated with RANKL. However, water extracts of cuscuta did not inhibit RANKL-induced I-${\kappa}B$ activation. Water extract of cuscuta failed to inhibit bone resorption by osteoclasts cultured on hydroxyapatite plates. These results suggest that cuscuta may be a promising drug for use against bone disorders such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.151-165
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Aconiti Lateralis Preparata Radix (AP) and Acanthopanacis Cortex (AT) extracts in bone-derived adipocyte OP9 cell, osteoclast and osteoblast-like MG63 cells. Methods : MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of AP and AT extracts on OP9, osteoclast and MG63 cells. OP9 cells were treated with AP and AT, and the alterations in fat storage in the cells were determined by the Oil red O. To explain effects of RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow macrophages, we performed the TRAP staining. The protein level of CAAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) as a adipocyte differentiation marker, and adiponectin was examined using western blot in differentiated OP9 cells. Effects of related genes were confirmed by luciferase assay using reporter assay. Results : AP and AT was not toxic on OP9 and MG63 cells, but AT was a little cytotoxic to osteoclast at the dose of $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. They could inhibit differentiation of OP9 cells and osteoclast with results of oil red O staining and TRAP staining. By western blot, AP and AT decreased the expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ which is the key transcription factor in adipogenesis and adiponectin secretion. AT also inhibited the BMP-4 activity in luciferase assay. AP also inhibited BMP-4 and Wnt3a activity, stimulated ER-${\beta}$ activity but inhibited androgen receptor activity. Conclusions : These results show AP and AT can be useful in osteoporosis and obesity via inhibition of osteoclast and adipocyte differentiation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.336-341
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• 2015

Sepsis is a life-threatening, infectious, systemic inflammatory disease. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of α-cubebenoate, a novel compound isolated from Schisandra chinensis against polymicrobial sepsis in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) experimental model. Administration of α-cubebenoate strongly enhanced survival in the CLP model. α-cubebenoate administration also markedly blocked CLP-induced lung inflammation and increased bactericidal activity by enhancing phagocytic activity and hydrogen peroxide generation in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and neutrophils. Expression of two important inflammatory cytokines, IL-1 and IL-6, was strongly increased in the CLP model, and this was dramatically blocked by α-cubebenoate. Lymphocyte apoptosis and caspase-3 activation, which are associated with immune paralysis during sepsis, were markedly attenuated by α-cubebenoate. Taken together, our findings indicate that α-cubebenoate, a natural compound isolated from Schisandra chinensis, is a powerful potential anti-septic agent. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(6): 336-341]