• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2000

In the previous paper (Kim et al., Glycoconjugate Journal 16, 247-252, 1999), heteropolysaccharides from Korean medicinal plant, Phellodendri cortex (Hwangbek) showed a poten B-Iymphocyte-stimulating activity in a system using polyclonal antibody forming cells in C57BL/6XC3H mice at dosages of 2-10 mg. In a series of biolgical active polysaccharides from natural medicinal plants, the polysaccharide fractions were isolated and purified from Phellodendron chinese SCHNEID, and antitumor activities were examined at dosages of 2, 5 and 10 mg/100 g. F-7 and F-8 showed the highest tumor inhibitory activities (inhibition ratio 96.4 and 98.2% in 2 mg/100 g), and in dose of 5 mg/100 g, the inhibitory ratios were 95.3 and 97.5%, respectively. Furthermore, 10 mg/100 g of intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection gave 97.3 and 98.7% of inhibition. In oral administration, the inhibitory activities were not markedly observed, indicating that the polysaccharides are directly acting to immune system. When the effects on TS and TK activities were determined, TS activities in the F-2 and F-7-treated mice were markedly suppressed to 73.7% and 79.5% of that in the control (p<0.01), while there was little difference in TK activity with a slight decrease in F-2 only. However, in i.p. injection, TS activities in the F-2, F-5, F-7 and F-8-treated mice were markedly suppressed to 83% to 85% of that in the control (p<0.01). Furthermore, there was also significant differences in TK activities in F-2, F-5, F-7 and F-8-treated mice (p<0.05). Therefore, polysaccharide fraction F-8 was further purified to active fractions of F-9 and F-11 by gel permeation chromatography using TSK Gel HW50S. The purified polysaccharides of F-9 and F-11 were composed of GlcNAc (47.3%), Gal (24.7%) and Man (28.0%). These results clearly indicated that the i.p. injection is much effective to suppress tumor growth than oral administration.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.420-427
• /
• 2006

Immunological activities of the combined-administration of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus were examined in C57BL/6 mice. Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus were extracted with distilled water or 40% ethyl alcohol. Ginseng Radix Rubra water extracts (GW), the mixture (1:1) of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus water extracts [GVW(1:1)], the mixture (1:3) of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus water extracts [GVW(1:3)], 40% ethyl alcohol extracts of Ginseng Radix Rubra (GE), the mixture (1:1) of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus 40% ethyl alcohol extracts [GVE(1:1)] and the mixture (1:3) of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus 40% ethyl alcohol extracts [GVE(1:3)] were administered p.o. once a day for 7 days, respectively. GVW(1:1) and GVW(1:3) decreased the viability of thymocytes increased by GW, but GVE(1:1) and GVE(1:3) increased the viability of thymocytes decreased by GE. GVW(1:1) and GVW(1:3) increased the viability of splenocytes decreased by GW or GE. Also, GVW(1:1) and GVE(1:1) enhanced the population of helper T cell in thymocytes, and GVE(1:1) and GVE(1:3) decreased the population of cytotoxic T cells increased by GE. Furthermore, GVW(1:1), GVW(1:3), GVE(1:1) and GVE(1:3) enhanced the population of $B220^+$ cells decreased by GW or GE, and decreased the population of $Thyl^+$ cells increased by GW or GE, and decreased the population of splenic $CD4^+$ cells increased by GW or GE. In addition, GVW(1:1) and GVW(1:3) decreased the phagocytic activity and the production of nitric oxide in peritoneal macrophages increased by GW, but GVE(1:1) and GVE(1:3) enhanced the phagocytic activity and the production of nitric oxide in peritoneal macrophages decreased by GE. These results suggest that Vitis Fructus has an regulative action on immune response of Ginseng Radix Rubra.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.9
• /
• pp.1137-1142
• /
• 2017

This study examined the effects of apios (Apios americana Medikus) supplementation on visceral obesity in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. C57BL/6N mice were fed a high-fat diet (40% calories from fat) with or without apios powder (10%, w/w) for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, apios supplementation reduced visceral fat mass significantly by 14.3% compared to the control group. Apios decreased significantly the atherogenic index, serum leptin level, hepatic lipid (free fatty acid and triglyceride) content, and lipid droplets, whereas it increased the serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio. Hepatic lipogenic gene expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma, fatty acid synthase, and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 was down-regulated by apios supplementation. These results suggest that apios is a healthy food for preventing high-fat diet-induced visceral obesity and fatty liver.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.67-78
• /
• 2007

Background : Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is one of the principal inducers of interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$) in lymphocytes. Materials and Methods : The effect of IL-18 on the expression of chemokine IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA in C57BL/6 mouse peritoneal macrophages was studied by using Northern blot analysis, enzyme linked immunosobent assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Results : IL-18 was determined to exert no direct effect on the expression of IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA. However, IL-18 pretreatment was determined to play a cooperative role in the synergistic induction of LPS-induced IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA expression. The effect associated with IL-18 pretreatment with regard to the synergistic induction of LPS-induced IP-10 (CXCL10) mRNA expression was detected after 16 hr of IL-18 pretreatment, administered prior to LPS stimulation. The pattern of NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity during IL-18 pretreatment with LPS stimulation was found to coincide with the expression of IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA. Conclusion : Although IL-18 alone exerts no direct effect on the expression of chemokine IP-10(CXCL10), a definite period of IL-18 pretreatment induces the synergistic expression of LPS-induced IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA. NF-${\kappa}B$ activation is a component of this synergistic effect of IL-18 pretreatment. These results provide useful information, which may facilitate the elucidation of the action mechanisms underlying IL-18 effect on the expression of IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.307-314
• /
• 2013

Resveratrol (RSV) exerts several beneficial effects on metabolism and metaflammation-related diseases, including diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this study is to investigate whether RSV affects pathophysiology of diabetes and NAFLD as well as hepatic autophagy in a rodent model of diet induced obesity (DIO). DIO was induced in a subset of C57BL/6J mice fed a high fat (HF, 45% kcal fat) diet. After six weeks of HF diet treatment, RSV (8 mg/kg/day) was administered via an osmotic pump for a period of four weeks. Therefore, the experimental groups were as follows: 1) lean control (CON), 2) HF diet-induced obese control (HF), and 3) HF_RSV. Body weight and food intake were monitored daily. Fasting glucose, insulin, and adiponectin in serum and lipid profiles in serum and liver were analyzed. In addition, the autophagic process was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Body weight and food intake were not affected by RSV treatment. Impaired glucose control accompanied by DIO was recovered with RSV as shown by lower levels of fasting serum glucose and insulin when compared with HF obese controls. In addition, RSV treatment resulted in increased levels of serum adiponectin, however, indices of lipid profile in serum and livers were reduced. Results of TEM analysis showed that a HF diet induced excessive autophagy with the presence of double-membrane autophagosomes, which was ameliorated by RSV. The regulatory effect of RSV on autophagy was confirmed by the altered LC3-II formation, which increased with a HF diet and was decreased by RSV treatment. These results suggest that RSV treatment improves glucose control and lipid profile and these beneficial effects may be mediated by an altered autophagic process.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.205-217
• /
• 2008

Objectives : We investigated the effects of Herba Ephedrae and Rhizoma Amorphophalli on high fat diet induced obese male mice. Methods : 8 weeks old, high fat diet induced obese male mice were divided into 5 groups: C57BL/6 normal control, obese vehicle control, GGEx55 (Herba Ephedrae), GGEx61 (Rhizoma Amorphophalli), GGEx62 (Herba Ephedrae + Rhizoma Amorphophalli). After mice were treated with GGEx for 8 weeks, we measured body weight gain, food intake, feeding efficiency ratio, rectal temperature, fat weight, plasma leptin and lipid levels. We also took micro-computerized axial tomography (micro-CT) on the mice. Results : 1. GGEx55 and GGEx62 groups significantly decreased body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio compared with vehicle control. But they significantly increased rectal temperature. 2. Plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly increased by GGEx55 groups, whereas were significantly decreased by GGEx62 groups compared with vehicle control. 3. GGEx55 and GGEx62 groups significantly decreased total, subcutaneous and visceral fat as well as fat areas in micro-CT analysis of abdomen compared with vehicle control. 4. Plasma GOT and GPT concentrations were significantly increased by GGEx55 groups compared with vehicle control. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that GGEx55 and GGEx62 effectively reduces body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio in high fat diet induced obese mice, leading to the modulation of obesity. In addition, GGEx55 and GGEx62 decreases visceral adipose tissue mass and improves plasma lipids, suggesting that GGEx55 and GGEx62 may act as a therapeutic agent for obesity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.616-623
• /
• 2010

Three herbal formulas (Bangpungtongsung-san, Ohyaksungi-san, and Ojeok-san) for wind-cold and heat pain symptom were applied to investigate the immunological activities on antigen (Ag)-specific or Ag-non-specific immune responses in murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized mice. This study was carried out in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in RAW 264.7 cells and cellular proliferation in mouse splenocytes according to three herbal formulas. C57BL/6 mice were immunized intraperitonially with OVA/aluminium ($100\;{\mu}g/200\;{\mu}g$/mouse) on day 1, 8, and 15. Three herbal formulas were administrated to mice orally for 3 weeks from day 1. On day 22, OVA-, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-, and concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated splenocyte proliferation and antibodies (OVA-specific antibodies of the IgG, lgG1, and total IgM classes) in plasma were measured. Ohyaksungi-san increased NO synthesis in RAW 264.7 cells. Ojeok-san and Ohyaksungi-san significantly enhanced cellular proliferation by LPS and Con A in splenocytes from OVA-immunized mice (p<0.001). Three herbal formulas for wind-cold and heat pain symptom also significantly enhanced plasma OVA-specific IgG, IgG1, and total IgM levels compared with the OVA/Alum group. These results suggested that three herbal formulas for wind-cold and heat pain symptom could be used as stimulator of immune response.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.1202-1209
• /
• 2008

Peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$) and nitric oxide (NO) are cytotoxic because they can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. They have been implicated in the aging processes, and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ojunghwan on the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$), and on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory proteins in ob/ob mice. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups have received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 30 and 90 mg Ojung-hwan per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blot was performed using anti-phospho $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, $anti-IKK-{\alpha}$, $anti-NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS, anti-VCAM-1 and anti-MMP-9 antibodies, respectively. Ojunghwan inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse kidney postmitochondrial fraction in vitro. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO, ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$ and $PGE_2$ were inhibited in the Ojunghwan-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas that were improved in the Ojunghwan-administered groups. Ojunghwan inhibited the expression of $phospho-I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, $IKK-{\alpha}$, $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), COX-2, iNOS, VCAM-1 and MMP-9 genes. These results suggest that Ojunghwan is an effective scavenger of $ONOO^-$, ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$, NO and $PGE_2$, and has an inhibitory effect on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory genes in ob/ob mice. Therefore, Ojunghwan might be used as a potential therapeutic drug against the inflammation process and inflammation- related diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.17-26
• /
• 2014

${\alpha}$-Asarone exhibits a number of pharmacological actions including neuroprotective, anti-oxidative, anticonvulsive, and cognitive enhancing action. The present study investigated the effects of ${\alpha}$-asarone on pro-inflammatory cytokines mRNA, microglial activation, and neuronal damage in the hippocampus and on learning and memory deficits in systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated C57BL/6 mice. Varying doses of ${\alpha}$-asarone was orally administered (7.5, 15, or 30 mg/kg) once a day for 3 days before the LPS (3 mg/kg) injection. ${\alpha}$-Asarone significantly reduced TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA at 4 and 24 hours after the LPS injection at dose of 30 mg/kg. At 24 hours after the LPS injection, the loss of CA1 neurons, the increase of TUNEL-labeled cells, and the up-regulation of BACE1 expression in the hippocampus were attenuated by 30 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-asarone treatment. ${\alpha}$-Asarone significantly reduced Iba1 protein expression in the hippocampal tissue at a dose of 30 mg/kg. ${\alpha}$-Asarone did not reduce the number of Iba1-expressing microglia on immunohistochemistry but the average cell size and percentage areas of Iba1-expressing microglia in the hippocampus were significantly decreased by 30 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-asarone treatment. In the Morris water maze test, ${\alpha}$-asarone significantly prolonged the swimming time spent in the target and peri-target zones. ${\alpha}$-Asarone also significantly increased the number of target heading and memory score in the Morris water maze. The results suggest that inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglial activation in the hippocampus by ${\alpha}$-asarone may be one of the mechanisms for the ${\alpha}$-asarone-mediated ameliorating effect on memory deficits.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.320-327
• /
• 2020

In current study, we aimed to investigate whether the gentiopicroside (GPS) derived from Gentiana manshurica Kitagawa could block the progression of alcoholic hepatic steatosis to fibrosis induced by chronic ethanol intake. C57BL/6 mice were fed an ethanol-containing Lieber-DeCarli diet for 4 weeks. LX-2 human hepatic stellate cells were treated with GPS 1 h prior to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) stimulation, and murine hepatocyte AML12 cells were pretreated by GPS 1 h prior to ethanol treatment. GPS inhibited the expression of type I collagen (collagen I), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and tissue inhibitor of metal protease 1 in ethanol-fed mouse livers with mild fibrosis. In addition, the imbalanced lipid metabolism induced by chronic ethanol-feeding was ameliorated by GPS pretreatment, characterized by the modulation of lipid accumulation. Consistently, GPS inhibited the expression of collagen I and α-SMA in LX-2 cells stimulated by TGF-β. Inhibition of lipid synthesis and promotion of oxidation by GPS were also confirmed in ethanol-treated AML12 cells. GPS could prevent hepatic steatosis advancing to the inception of a mild fibrosis caused by chronic alcohol exposure, suggesting GPS might be a promising therapy for targeting the early stage of alcoholic liver disease.