• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.1014-1019
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• 2011

Curcumin is a natural phytochemical present in turmeric, the ground powder of the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. Curcumin has been described as having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties. However, it is still largely unknown whether curcumin inhibits the UVB-induced inflammatory reaction in HaCaT keratinocyte cell lines. In this study, to confirm the photoprotection properties of curcumin, HaCaT keratinocyte cells were irradiated by UVB, and then treated with curcumin. UVB irradiation induced the increased expressions of IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8, and COX-2 in HaCaT cells. These increased expressions of cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8, and COX-2) were down-regulated by curcumin treatment in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. In addition skin of hairless mice were damaged by UVB irradiation, which were evidenced by atrophy of epidermis and decrease of collagen in dermis. However, these damages were protected partially by co-treatment of curcumin. Taken together, this data indicate that curcumin may be a promising photoprotection agent, when used in massage pack or sunscreen product, to reduce cell death in UV-damaged skin.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.806-812
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• 2015

Prostatic inflammation plays a crucial role on benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) pathogenesis and progression. In this study, BPH was induced by testosterone propinate in castrated rats for 8 weeks. Hot water extract from Curcuma longa L. (CL) was administered orally for 4 weeks along with positive controls, saw Palmetto and finasteride. CL supplementation induced histological changes, reduced expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, COX-2, and phospo-p65 in prostate tissue compared with the BPH group. These findings suggest that suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines could be attributed, at least partly, to the anti-inflammatory action of C. longa, and this action may be helpful to understand the inhibitory effect of Curcuma longa L. in BPH.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.16-25
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Lonicera Japonica-Glycyrrhiza Uralensis decoction extracts (LGE) on ulcerative colitis in children and adolescents. Methods Colitis was induced by DSS (Dextran Sulfate Sodium) in C57BL/6 mice. The sample mice were divided into group of four. The mice in the control group were not inflammation-induced. The control group was composed of untreated ulcerative colitis elicited mice. The mice in the experimental group were administered with Pentasa and another experimental group mice were treated with LGE after colitis elicitation. The effects on ulcerative colitis were evaluated by the morphological changes of colonic mucosa, decrease in the effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$ and $NF-{\kappa}B$) and inflammatory cytokines (iNOS and COX-2) in the mucosa. Results LGE showed protective effects in DSS induced ulcerative colitis. LGE inhibited shortening of colon length and relieved the hemorrhagic erosion in colonic mucosa. LGE decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$ and $NF-{\kappa}B$) and inflammatory cytokines (iNOS and COX-2). According to the GC/MS analysis, N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) was identified. Conclusions The result shows the clinical efficacy of LGE and demonstrates possible treatment options for ulcerative colitis. Further investigations for biological activity and chemical analysis of LGE will be needed.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.101-120
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• 2019

PURPOSE : Euonymi Lignum Suberalatum (EL) is the stem fin of Euonymi alatus. In traditional Korean medicine, EL is used for treatment of uterine bleeding, metritis and static blood. Recently, many studies have reported several pharmacological effects of EL including anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic activity, and anti-oxidative stress. However, the mechanisms underlying anti-inflammatory effects by the EL is not established. METHODS : To investigate anti-inflammatory effects of Euonymi Lignum Suberalatum Water (ELWE), Raw 264.7 cells were pre-treated with $10-300{\mu}g/mL$ of ELWE, and then exposed to $1{\mu}g/mL$ of LPS. Levels of NO, IL-6, $IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ were detected by ELISA kit. Expression of pro-inflammatory proteins were determined by immunoblot analysis. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect in vivo, rat paw edema volume, and expressions of COX-2 and iNOS proteins in carrageenan (CA)-induced rat paw edema model. RESULTS : NO production activated by LPS, was decreased by $30-300{\mu}g/mL$ of ELWE. Production of inflammatory mediators such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, ILs, $PGE_2$ were decreased by ELWE 100 and $300{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, ELWE reduced LPS-mediated iNOS and COX-2 expression. Moreover, ELWE increased $I-{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ expression in cytoplasm and decreased $NF-{\kappa}B$ expression in nucleus. In vivo study, ELWE reduced the increases of paw swelling, and expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins in paw edema induced by CA injection. CONCLUSION : The results indicate that ELWE could inhibit the acute inflammatory response, via modulation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation. Furthermore, inhibition of rat paw edema induced by CA is considered as clear evidence that ELWE may be a useful source to treat acute inflammation.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.157-163
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• 2013

Cultured products (callus and exopolysaccharide) were obtained from suspension culture of Aloe vera callus, and the extracts of callus were further prepared with cold water or 60% ethanol solution. The ethanol extract of callus (AC) and exopolysaccharide (ACP) of 10 mg/mL exhibited the relatively higher suppression activity of 43.2-52.1% against hyaluronidase activity. Thus, their anti-inflammatory effects were further investigated using animal cell (Raw 264.7) in vitro. Though AC shows a slight suppression effect of cell survival rate (97%) using MTT assay in the presence of $400{\mu}g/mL$ AC- dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), cell growth promotion was observed in the other samples of lower levels. It indicates that the ethanol extract of Aloe callus rarely affect cell survival rate in the ranges ($200-400{\mu}g/mL$) used in the study. Using Griess reagent, the suppression of NO production by the aloe callus extract was analyzed by measuring the amount of the nitrite produced in Raw 264.7 culture activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). As a result, supplementation of AC-distilled water (DW) and AC-DMSO produced higher levels of NO than the positive control LPS. However, the NO suppression effect by ACP-DW was so intense that lower amount ($80-100{\mu}g/mL$) suppressed NO production to the level of the control. The effect was attributed to the expression of the iNOS. Then, Raw 264.7 cells were stimulated with the LPS and expression of COX-2 protein level was analyzed depending on the Aloe suspension culture product treatment. The results showed that the ACP-DW supplemented medium did not express COX-2 by itself, and LPS stimulated COX-2 expression was slightly decreased. On the other hand, realtime-PCR analysis of the expression of inflammatory cytokine showed that IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ expression was highly suppressed in the ACP- distilled water supplemented medium.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to examine the immune-enhancing effects of polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus linteus mycelium on Mori ramulus. Crude polysaccharides were isolated by pressurized extraction ($121^{\circ}C$, $1.2kgf/cm^2$, 3 h), ethanol precipitation, and lyophilization. In addition, crude polysaccharides were further fractionated into unabsorbed fractions (PF-1, fraction No. 3~15) and absorbed fractions (PF-2, fraction No. 24~33) by DEAE-sepharose CL-6B column chromatography in order to isolate immune-regulating polysaccharides. The major constituents in PF-1 and PF-2 were total sugar (75.51% and 52.38%), total protein (1.63% and 8.41%), uronic acid (17.53% and 15.04%), and ${\beta}-glucan$ (28.33% and 25.04%), respectively. PF-1 increased production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA expression levels of inducible NO synthetase, cyclooxygenase-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-6 markedly increased as determined by polymerase chain reaction analysis. The above data led us to conclude that macrophage activation of purified polysaccharides was higher than that of crude polysaccharides. The polysaccharides isolated from P. linteus mycelium on M. ramulus investigated herein are useful as natural immune-enhancing agents.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.15-32
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effects of Gamisoyeoum-tang(Jiaweixiaoyan-tang) on the monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats. Methods : Monosodium iodoacetate induced arthritic rats were divided into control and treated group. Control group was taken distilled water for 20 days. Treated group was taken extracts of Gamisoyeoum-tang(Jiaweixiaoyan-tang) by orally for same duration. Normal group was injected with normal saline and was taken distilled water. Body weights were measured at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 days after injection. At the end of experiment, gross and histopathological examination on the articular cartilages of the knee joints were performed. Contents of $TNF-\alpha$, $IL-1\beta$, IL-6 in synovial fluids and proteoglycan contents of articular cartilages were analysed. COX-2 and iNOS immunohistochemical examination on the knee joints were performed. Results : 1. Body weights of the treated group were significantly increased compared with control group at 20 days after injection. 2. Grossly, the severity of osteoarthritis in the treated group were alleviated compared with control group. 3. PG contents in articular cartilages of the treated group were significantly increased compared with control group. 4. Histopathologically, degenerative and necrotic lesion of articular cartilages in the treated group were alleviated compared with those of the control group. 5. $IL-1\beta$ contents in synovial fluids of the treated group were significantly decreased compared with control group. 6. Positive reactions of COX-2 in chondrocytes and synovial membranes of the treated group were decreased compared with the control group. Conclusions : On the basis of these results, we concluded that Gamisoyeoum-tang(Jiaweixiaoyan-tang) has anti-arthritic effects on the monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats. And it's effects were related with reduced secretion of $IL-1\beta$ and COX-2 from osteoarthritic chondrocytes and synovial membranes.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.29-43
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of LR3 and SP6 acupuncture on liver damage of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods : Male ICR mice were divided into four groups, consisting of the normal mice group(N), acupuncture-free diabetic mice group(Con), LR3-acupuncture diabetic mice group(LR3) and SP6-acupuncture diabetic mice group(SP6). The following measurements were taken: Body weight, food intake and water intake for 2 weeks; liver weight, and glucose levels in the serum and liver; ALT and AST in the serum; reactive oxygen species(ROS), reduced glutathione(GSH) and oxidized glutathione(GSSG) in the liver; and lastly, receptor for advanced glycation endproducts( RAGE), $N{\varepsilon}-carboxymethyl$ lysine(CML), $N{\varepsilon}-carboxyethyl$ lysine(CEL), phosphorylation of inhibitory kappa B alpha($p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$), nuclear factor-kappa B($NF-{\kappa}B$), activator protein-1(AP-1), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha($TNF-{\alpha}$), ${\beta}-actin$, cytochrome c and caspase in the liver. Results : The liver weight and GSH/GSSG ratio were significantly increased in SP6 compared to Con. The glucose levels in the liver were significantly decreased in LR3 compared to Con. The generation of ROS and GSSG were significantly decreased in SP6 compared to Con. The expressions of RAGE, CML, AP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, cytochrome c and caspase 3 were significantly decreased in LR3 compared to Con. The expressions of $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, $NF-{\kappa}B$, AP-1, COX-2, iNOS and caspase 3 were significantly decreased in SP6 compared to Con. Conclusion : It is predicted that LR3 acupuncture is related to reduced glucose levels in the liver and expressions of AGE, and that, SP6 acupuncture is related to reduced oxidative stress-related transcription factors and inflammation-related proteins. Therefore, we suggest that LR3 and SP6 acupuncture have protective effects on the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by preventing apoptosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2010

Objective : The aim of this study was to determine whether methanol extract of Keum-Ryung-Ja-San (KRJS) inhibit production of NO, $PGE_2$, iNOS, COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of extracts on RAW 264.7 cells was measured using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. And proinflammatory cytokines and PGE2 were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), $I{\kappa}-B-\alpha$ and nuclear NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 expression were detected by western blot. Results : Our results indicated that methanol extract of KRJS significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$ production and iNOS, COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, methanol extract of KRJS treatment also blocked LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Conclusion : These findings indicate that methanol extract of KRJS inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines via suppression of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Take together, these results indicate that methanol extract of KRJS has the potential for use as an agent of anti-chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.206-213
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• 2009

Sophora flavescens, as a traditional herbal medicine, has been used to treat with a variety of disesases, In previous reports, S. flavescens and sophoraflavanone G (a prenylated flavonoid from S. flavescens) inhibited cytokines productions in LPS-induced Raw 264.7 macrophages cells and BV2 microglial cells. We examined on the anti-allergic effect of S. flavescens on the PMA plus A23187-induced rat leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. S. flavescens inhibited the release of $\beta$-hexosaminidase and productions and expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-4 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in a dose-dependent manner on stimulated RBL-2H3 cells, however, S. flavescens not affect cell viability. The protein expression level of nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ (p65) was decreased in the nucleus and suppressed the degradation of inhibitory protein $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ protein, the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by S. flavescens. These results suggest that S. flavescens could be involved anti-allergic effect by control of $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p65) translocation into the nucleus through inhibition of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation and suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines expression.