• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.130-134
• /
• 2003

Proinflammatory effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) have been assessed by analysing the induction of two inflammatory genes, $interleukin-1\beta$ $(IL-1\beta)$ and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) macrophage cells. Production of a metabolite of arachidonic acid by COX-2, prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$, was also analysed in macrophage cells after LPS stimulation. Northern blot analysis revealed that LPS $(5{\mu}g/mL)$ significantly upregulated $IL-1\beta$ (54 times) and COX-2 (40.7 times) gene expression in macrophage cells after 4 h stimulation. According to RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) analysis, $IL-1\beta$ gene induction in LPS stimulated macrophage cells was started within 1h and significantly increased thereafter until 4h. Meanwhile, COX-2 gene induction by LPS was delayed in comparison with $IL-1\beta$ gene induction as a faint band was observed after 4h stimulation in head kidney macrophage cells. LPS also significantly increased $PGE_2$ production in head kidney leucocytes, presumably via activating COX-2 expression that metabolites arachidonic acid to $PGE_2$. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that LPS could induce two main inflammatory and immune related genes, $IL-1\beta$ and COX-2, and increase $PGE_2$ production in trout head kidney macrophage cells, representing a strong inflammatory activity.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.383-388
• /
• 2003

Bee venom is used as a traditional medicine for treatment of arthritis. The anti-inflammatory activity of the n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and aqueous partitions from bee venom (Apis mellifera) was studied using cyclooxygenase (COX) activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-$\alpha and IL-1\beta$) production, in vitro. COX-2 is involved in the production of prostaglandins that mediate pain and support the inflammatory process. The aqueous partition of bee venom showed strong dose-dependent inhibitory effects on COX-2 activity ($IC_{50} = 13.1 \mu$ g/mL), but did not inhibit COX-1 activity. The aqueous partition was subfractionated into three parts by molecular weight differences, namely, B-F1 (above 20 KDa), B-F2 (between 10 KDa and 20 KDa) and BF-3 (below 10 KDa). B-F2 and B-F3 strongly inhibited COX-2 activity and COX-2 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner, without revealing cytotoxic effects. TNF-$\alpha and IL-1\beta$ are potent pro-inflammatory cytokines and are early indicators of the inflammatory process. We also investigated the effects of three subfractions on TNF-$\alpha and IL-1\beta$ production using ELISA method. All three subfractions, B-F1, B-F2 and B-F3, inhibited TNF-$\alpha and IL-1\beta$production. These results suggest the pharmacological activities of bee venom on anti-inflammatory process include the inhibition of COX-2 expression and the blocking of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-$\alpha and IL-1\beta$) production.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.55-63
• /
• 2005

Purpose : 자하거(Hominis Placenta; HP)는 건강한 사람의 태반을 홍제(烘製)하여 건조한 것으로 한의학에서는 기혈(氣血)을 대보(大補)하고 신정(腎精)을 보익(補益)시켜 구병(久病)으로 인한 신체허약(身體虛弱)이나 혹은 체질허약(體質虛弱)과 혈기부족(氣血不足) 및 신허정휴(腎虛精虧) 등 등(證)을 치료(治療)하는데 단미(單味) 또는 복방(複方)에 배오(配伍)하여 쓰여왔다. 또한 자하거는 면역학적으로 골대사 활성이 있는 것으로 알려져 있어 본 연구에서는 자하거의 항골다공증 활성을 분자세포생물학적으로 검정하고자 하였다. Methods : Osteoblast cells에서 자하거가 COX-2 mRNA의 발현과 $PGE_2$ 생합성을 억제시키는지를 관찰하기 위해 먼저 TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-${\beta}$ 와 IL-6를 처리한 후 $PGE_2$의 생합성과 더불어 COX-2 mRNA의 발현을 확인하였다. 그 후 TGF-${\beta}$, 자하거(紫河車)와 이 둘의 조합인 자하거+TGF-${\beta}$가 COX-2 mRNA 발현과 $PGE_2$ 생합성을 저해시키는지 관찰하였다. 또한 자하거가 IL-1${\beta}$로 유발된 흰쥐의 과칼슘혈증을 감소시키는지를 확인하였다. Results : IL-6, IL-1${\beta}$와 TNF-${\alpha}$를 동시에 처리하면 이것을 단독으로 처리한 것과 비교해 볼 때 $PGE_2$의 생합성과 더불어 COX-2 mRNA의 수치가 상승작용을 일으키며 증가하였다. TGF-${\beta}$, 자하거와 이 둘의 조합인 자하거+TGF-${\beta}$은 COX-2 mRNA 발현, $PGE_2$ 생합성 및 골재흡수를 감소시켰다. 자하거(紫河車)는 IL-1${\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$와 IL-6 각각 또는 이들의 조합으로 인해 증가하는 COX-2 mRNA 발현과 $PGE_2$ 생성을 감소시키는 반면 COX-1 mRNA 발현에는 유의성 있는 영향을 미치지 않았다. 한편 자하거는 농도의존적으로 IL-1${\beta}$로 유발된 흰쥐의 과칼슘혈증을 감소시켰다. 이러한 결과는 흰쥐의 두개골 골아세포에서 $PGE_2$ 생산에 대한 IL-${\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6의 상승작용이 COX-2의 유전자 발현 증가에 기인함을 보여주었다. Conclusions : 이러한 결과들로부터 자하거가 골대사과정중 골재흡수를 억제하는데 효과적임을 밝히게 되었으며, 자하거의 골다공증의 억제기전이 골재흡수관련 단백질들의 전사조절에 있음을 최초로 해명하게 되었다.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.111-128
• /
• 2007

목적 : 이 연구는 천식, 기관지염, 폐렴, 결핵, 산후감모 등의 호흡기 질환에 사용되는 가미지황탕(加味地黃場)의 항염작용(抗炎作用)의 효과에 대해 알아보기 위해 시행되었다. 방법 : 가미지황탕(加味地黃場)의 항염작용(抗炎作用)의 효과를 평가하기 위해 세포독성에 미치는 영향, NO, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 생성량에 미치는 영향, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 유전자 발현에 미치는 영향, iNOS, COX-2 유전자 및 단백질 발현에 미치는 영향, $PGE_2$ 합성에 미치는 영향 및 COX-2, $NF-{\kappa}B$ 활성에 미치는 영향에 대한 실험평가를 하였다. 결과 : 가미지황탕(加味地黃場)은 MTT 분석을 통한 RAW 264.7 세포주의 생존력 평가에서 세포독성이 없었고, LPS로 유도된 RAW 264.7 세포주에서 NO, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ 및 IL-6 생성량을 농도 의존적으로 억제하였다. 가미지황탕(加味地黃場)은 400 g/ml 농도에서 LPS로 유도된 RAW 264.7 세포주에 대해 $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ 및 IL-6 유전자 발현을 농도 의존적으로 억제하였고, LPS로 유도된 RAW 264.7 세포주에서 iNOS와 COX-2 유전자 및 단백질 발현은 농도 의존적으로 억제하였다. 또한 그 농도에 따라 $PGE_2$ 생성량이 현저하게 억제하였고, LPS로 유도된 COX-2 및 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 전사활성을 농도 의존적으로 억제함으로써 iNOS와 COX-2 유전자 발현을 억제하였다. 결론 : 이상의 실험을 통해 가미지황탕(加味地黃場)은 iNOS나 COX-2와 같은 Cytokine이 있는 효소에 의해 합성되고 천식에서 증가하는, 혈관과 기관지 긴장도와 관련 있는 NO와 $PGE_2$ 생성량을 억제하고, 염증과 관련된 $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6의 생성량을 억제하였다. 또한 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 활성을 억제함으로써 iNOS 및 COx-2 유전자 발현을 억제하였으므로 부인과 영역에 있어서도 산후감모, 만성해수 및 천식 등의 기관지의 염증질환에 응용할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.5-21
• /
• 2001

The influence of electroacupuncture (EA), a traditional Chinese medical treatment, on type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was examined in DBA/1J mice in vivo. Mice were immunized intradermally twice at the 3-week interval with bovine type Ⅱ collagen(C Ⅱ). EA stimulation, begun on the 21 simultaneously with the second immunization, was applied at the acupoint equivalent to GV4 three times a week for 3 weeks. The results showed that EA delayed the onset, attenuated the severity of arthritis, and reduced the anti-collagen antibody level. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of EA on the productions of endogenous $interleukin-1{\Beta}$ (IL-1 beta) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and the levels of IL-1 beta mRNA in splenocytes and synovial tissues from C Ⅱ immunized mice on the 45 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages of normal mice by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). EA stimulation significant inhibited the concentrations of splenic endogenous IL-1 beta and serum PGE2. The expression of IL-1 beta mRNA in spleen cells was obviously down-regulated and that in synovial tissues was modestly affected by EA. COX-2 mRNA was highly expressed in cultured peritoneal macrophages when stimulated with LPS. Previous treatment with EA also reduced LPS-stimulated induction of COX-2 mRNA. These data suggest that EA has an inhibitory effect on murine CIA, and the partial mechanism of its therapeutic result may be attributed to inhibiting the productions of IL-1 beta and PGE2 by suppression the IL-1 beta and COX-2 gene activations.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2013

Objects : Baicalein is a major bioactive flavonoid component of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi that shows a wide range of biological activities, including neuroprotections and anti-inflammatory actions. Hence it is a potential therapeutic material for the treatment of neuroinflammation. In this study, we investigated the modulatory effect of baicalein on neuroinflammation. Method : Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 mRNA), COX-2 mRNA expression and microglial activation in the brain tissue is induced by systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in C57BL/6 mice. Baicalein was treated orally with 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg 1 hour prior to the LPS (3 mg/kg, i.p.) injection. TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and COX-2 mRNA expression in the brain tissue was measured by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR) method. Iba1 expression in the brain was measured by western blotting method. Microglia was observed with immunohistochemistry. Results : Baicalein 30 mg/kg significantly attenuated the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and COX-2 mRNA in the brain tissue. Baicalein 20 mg/kg significantly attenuated the expression of IL-6 mRNA in the brain tissue. Baicalein 30 mg/kg significantly attenuated the expression of Iba1 protein expression in the brain tissue. Baicalein 30 mg/kg significantly decreased the number and cell size of microglia in the cerebral cortex and hypothalamic region and the area percentage of Iba1-expressed microglia in the hippocampus. Conclusion : These results demonstrated that baicalein attenuates LPS induced neuroinflammation in the mice via reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6), COX-2 mRNA expression and microglial activation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.56-73
• /
• 2007

Purpose: 이 실험은 골다공증의 치료약물로 자하거의 골질재흡수 억제효과를 검토하기 위하여 설계되었다. Methods: 자하거의 골질재흡수 효과를 확인하기 위하여 생쥐의 두개골 골모세포를 이용하여 Cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1), COX-2, $TGF-{\beta}$, $L-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, prostaglandin E2등의 활성화 정도를 측정하였으며, 골조직의 미세구조적 변화를 확인하였다. Results: 자하거는 $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 또는 그 세가지의 조합에 의하여 유발된 PGE2의 생성 뿐만 아니라 COX-2 mRNA 수치도 감소시켰으나 COX-1 mRNA 수치에는 영향을 주지 않았다. 이로써 자하거는 시험관내에서 그리고 생체내에서 펩티드의 인산화를 억제함으로써 골의 재흡수를 저해하였다. 그리고 자하거는 생쥐에서 $IL-1{\beta}$에 의해 유발된 고칼슘혈증을 감소시켰고, 골의 재흡수를 저해하는 경로를 통하여 골에 대한 보호효과를 보여줌으로써 조기에 난소 절제한 쥐에서 골질감소와 미세구조적 변화를 부분적으로 방지하였다. 이러한 결과는 PGE2 생성에 대한 $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6사이의 상승효과는 COX-2의 유전자 발현이 증가한 결과이며 이러한 tyrosine kinase가 생쥐의 두개골 골모세포에서 COX-2의 신호전달에 관계한다는 것을 보여준다. Conclusion: 자하거가 생쥐의 두개골 골모세포에서 여러 신호전달물질의 활성화를 통하여 골질재흡수를 저해하는 특성을 확인함으로써 앞으로 골다공증의 예방과 치료에 대한 추가적인 임상연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.26 no.7
• /
• pp.545-553
• /
• 2003

The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a characteristic response to inflammation, which can be inhibited with sodium salicylate. IL-1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$ can induce extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), IKK, IkB degradation and NF-$\kappa$B activation. Salicylate inhibited the IL-1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$-induced COX-2 expressions, regulated the activation of ERK, IKK and IkB degradation, and the subsequent activation of NF-$\kappa$B, in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes. The inhibition of the ERK pathway, with a selective inhibitor, PD098059, blocked the expressions of IL-1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$-induced COX-2 and $PGE_2$ release. The antioxidant, N-acetyl-cysteine, also reduced the glutathione or catalase- attenuated COX-2 expressions in IL-1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$-treated cells. This antioxidant also inhibited the activation of ERK and NF-$\kappa$B in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. In addition, IL-1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$-stimulated the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cardiomyocytes. However, salicylate had no inhibitory effect on the release of ROS in the DCFDA assay. The results showed that salicylate inhibited the activation of ERK and IKK, I$\kappa$B degradation and NF-$\kappa$B activation, independently of the release of ROS, which suggested that salicylate exerts its anti-inflammatory action through the inhibition of ERK, IKK, IkB and NF-$\kappa$B, and the resultant COX-2 expression pathway in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.111-117
• /
• 2008

Objectives and methods : Previous mechanistic studies suggest the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors represent the good candidates against tumor progression. MeOH extract of the stem barks of Euonymus alatus induced the strong inhibition of COX-2. A phenolic compound responsible for the anti- COX-2 known to involve in tumor adhesion and invasion has been studied through the methanol extracts. The compound, rosmarinic acid (ROS-A) was an ester of caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid. ROS-A showed a strong inhibitory effect of COX-2 activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Then we have measured the IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production related the immune regulation, induction of inflammatory related genes. Results and Conclusions :Hep3B cells produce proinflammatory cytokines of IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ while ROS A inhibited the cytokines production. Since IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ need the transcription factors such as nuclear factor- ${\kappa}$B (NF-${\kappa}$B) and activated protein-1 (AP-1), we measured the transcription factors. ROS-A inhibited the activation of p65, p50, c-Rel subunits of NF-${\kappa}$B and AP-1 transcription factors. These findings indicate that ROS A from the stem bark of E. alatus inhibits proliferation in metastatic cancer cells. It was suggested that stem barks of E. alatus could be suitable for anti-cancer drugs.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.228-236
• /
• 2006

Objectives : Macrophage has an important innate defense role in the immune system. When we are infected with pathogens, macrophage ingests them through phagocytosis or endocytosis, and then secretes many cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6 and $TGF{\alpha}$, which are regulators of immune responses. The aim of this study is to determine how Samjunghwan effects the expression of cytokine and other immune-related genes in macrophages. Methods : Cells were treated directly with Samjunghwan and/or LPS at regular intervals. Total RNA of cells was isolated using TRIzol reagent, and the changes in cytokine gene expressions were investigated using RT-PCR, western blot and ELISA. Results : $IL-1{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$ and COX-2 genes were inducibly expressed specifically by Samjunghwan in macrophage. Especially, $IL-1{\beta}$ gene was induced most strongly by treatment with Samjunghwan. Over time, treatment with Samjunghwan showed that the expression levels of $IL-1{\alpha}\;and\;$IL-1{\beta}$ genes increased from 1 to 4h, and then decreased from 4 to ISh. However, the expression level of COX-2 gene increased continuously up to 11h. $IL-1{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$ and COX-2 genes were expressed synergistically by a simultaneous treatment of both Samjunghwan and LPS in macrophages. Secretion levels of translated $IL-1{\beta}$ increased continuously up to 11h. Conclusions : Though this study is only a start in the investigation of the efficasy of Samjunghwan, these results suggest that Samjunghwan has positive effects on immune responses.