• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.151-163
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• 2024

Background: Galangin, commonly employed in traditional Chinese medicine for its diverse medicinal properties, exhibits potential in treating inflammatory pain. Nevertheless, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Methods: Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups for 7 days: a normal control group, a galangin-treated (25 and 50 mg/kg), and a positive control celecoxib (20 mg/kg). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated using a hot plate test, acetic acid-induced writhing test, acetic acid-induced vascular permeability test, formalin-induced paw licking test, and carrageenan-induced paw swelling test. The interplay between galangin, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), NF-κB, COX-2, and TNF-α proteins was evaluated via molecular docking. COX-2, PGE2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in serum were measured using ELISA after capsaicin administration (200 nmol/L). TRPV1 expression in the dorsal root ganglion was analyzed by Western blot. The quantities of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were assessed using qPCR. Results: Galangin reduced hot plate-induced licking latency, acetic acid-induced contortions, carrageenan-triggered foot inflammation, and capillary permeability in mice. It exhibited favorable affinity towards TRPV1, NF-κB, COX-2, and TNF-α, resulting in decreased levels of COX-2, PGE2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum following capsaicin stimulation. Galangin effectively suppressed the upregulation of TRPV1 protein and associated receptor neuropeptides CGRP and SP mRNA, while concurrently inhibiting the expression of NF-κB, TNF-α, COX-2, and PGE2 mRNA. Conclusions: Galangin exerts its anti-inflammatory pain effects by inhibiting TRPV1 activation and regulating COX-2, NF-κB/TNF-α expression, providing evidence for the use of galangin in the management of inflammatory pain.

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

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.213.1-213.1
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• 2003

Alpha-viniferin was isolated from Carex humilis (Cyperaceae), and showed anti-inflammatory effects on carrageenin or histamine-induced paw edema in mice. To understand mode of the anti-inflammatory action. effects of alpha-viniferin on cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, iNOS, oxygen radicals and proinflammatory cytokines have been analyzed. Alpha-viniferin showed selective inhibitory effect with an IC50 value of 5 $\mu\textrm{m}$ on COX-2 activity but showed weak inhibitory effect on the synthesis of COX-2 transcript which was identified by RT-PCR. (omitted)

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.545-553
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• 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 Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.239-246
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• 2003

The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a characteristic response to inflammation and can be inhibited with sodium salicylate. $TNF-{\alpha}$ plus $IFN-{\gamma}$ can induce extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), IKK, $I{\kappa}B$ degradation and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. The inhibition of the ERK pathway with selective inhibitor, PD098059, blocked cytokine-induced COX-2 expression and $PGE_2$ release. Salicylate treatment inhibited COX-2 expression induced by $TNF-{\alpha}$/$IFN-{\gamma}$ and regulated the activation of ERK, IKK and $I{\kappa}B$ degradation and subsequent NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in MC3T3E1 osteoblasts. Furthermore, antioxidants such as catalase, N-acetyl-cysteine or reduced glutathione attenuated COX-2 expression in combined cytokines-treated cells, and also inhibited the activation of ERK, IKK and NF-${\kappa}B$ in MC3T3E1 osteoblasts. In addition, $TNF-{\alpha}$/$IFN-{\gamma}$ stimulated ROS release in the osteoblasts. However, salicylate had no obvious effect on ROS release in DCFDA assay. The results showed that salicylate inhibited the activation of ERK and IKK, $I{\kappa}B$ degradation and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation independent of ROS release and suggested that salicylate exerts its anti-inflammatory action in part through inhibition of ERK, IKK, $I{\kappa}B$, $NF-{\kappa}B$ and resultant COX-2 expression pathway.

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

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2010

The methanol extract of Zanthoxylum rhetsa (MZRR) were evaluated for its ability to suppress the formation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. MZRR presented an inhibition of LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Western blotting and RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that MZRR significantly inhibited the protein and mRNA expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-activated macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. LPS-induced COX-2, iNOS, and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity were also decreased in the presence of MZRR. The production of tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), the mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-$1{\beta}$, were reduced after MZRR administration in a dose dependent-manner. These results suggest that the MZRR extract involved in the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 via the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway, revealing a partial molecular basis for anti-inflammatory properties of the MZRR extract.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.174-182
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• 2018

Background: The trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Vc) is a primary central site for trigeminal transmitting. Noxious stimulation of the trigeminal nociceptors alters the central synaptic releases and neural expression of some inflammatory and trophic agents. Orexin-A and the orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) are expressed in pain pathways including trigeminal pain transmission. However, the the mechanism(s) underling orexin-A effects on trigeminal pain modulation have not been fully clarified. Methods: Trigeminal pain was induced by subcutaneous injection of capsaicin in the upper lip in rats. The effect of trigeminal pain on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the Vc of animals was determined by immunofluorescence. Subsequently, OX1R agonist (orexin-A) and antagonist (SB-334867-A) was administrated in the Vc to investigate the possible roles of the Vc OX1R on changes in COX-2 and BDNF levels following pain induction. Results: The data indicated an increase in COX-2 and decrease in BDNF immuno-reactivity in the Vc of capsaicin, and capsaicin- pretreated with SB-334867-A (80 nM), groups of rat. However, the effect of capsaicin on COX-2 and BDNF expressions was reversed by a Vc microinjection of orexin-A (100 pM). Conclusions: Overall, the present data reveals that orexin-A can attenuate capsaicin-induced trigeminal pain through the modulation of pain effects on COX-2 and BDNF expressions in the Vc of rats.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.179-184
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• 2011

Background: The analgesic mechanisms of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors have been explained mainly on the basis of the inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis. However, several lines of evidence suggest that their analgesic effects are mediated through serotonergic or adrenergic transmissions. We investigated the roles of these neurotransmitters in the antinociception of a selective COX-2 inhibitor at the spinal level. Methods: DUP-697, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, was delivered through an intrathecal catheter to male Sprague-Dawley rats to examine its effect on the flinching responses evoked by formalin injection into the hindpaw. Subsequently, the effects of intrathecal pretreatment with dihydroergocristine, prazosin, and yohimbine, which are serotonergic, ${\alpha}1$ adrenergic and ${\alpha}2$ adrenergic receptor antagonists, respectively, on the analgesia induced by DUP-697 were assessed. Results: Intrathecal DUP-697 reduced the flinching response evoked by formalin injection during phase 1 and 2. But, intrathecal dihydroergocristine, prazosin, and yohimbine had little effect on the antinociception of intrathecal DUP-697 during both phases of the formalin test. Conclusions: Intrathecal DUP-697, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, effectively relieved inflammatory pain in rats. Either the serotonergic or adrenergic transmissions might not be involved in the analgesic activity of COX-2 inhibitors at the spinal level.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.216-221
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• 2003

Purpose: To investigate the modulation of radiosensitivity by celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, on cancer cells over- and under-expressing COX-2. Materials and Methods: A clonogenic radiation survival analysis was performed on A549 human lung and MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines incubated in both 1 and $10\%$ fetal bovine serum (FBS) containing media. The apoptosis in both cell lines was measured after treatment with radiation and/or celecoxib. Results: Celecoxib enhanced the radiation sensitivity of the A549 cells in the medium containing the $10\%$ FBS, with radiation enhancement ratios of 1.58 and 1.81 respectively, at surviving fractions of 0.1, with $30\muM\;and\;50\muM$ celecoxib. This enhanced radiosensitivity disappeared in the medium containing the $1\%$ FBS. Celecoxib did not change the radiation sensitivity of the MCF-7 cells in either media. The induction of apoptosis by celecoxib and radiation was not synergistic in either cell line. Conclwsion: Celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, preferentially enhanced the effect of radiation on COX-2 over-expressing cancer cells compared to the cells with a low expression, and this effect disappeared on incubation of the cells during drug treatment in the medium with suboptimal serum concentration. Apoptosis did not appear to be the underlying mechanism of this radiation enhancement effect due to celecoxib on the A549 cells. These findings suggest radiosensitization by a selective COX-2 inhibitor is COX-2 dependent.