• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.326-331
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• 2008

To search for immunoactive natural products exerting anti-inflammatory activity, we have evaluated the effects on the water extracts of Artemisia princeps Pampanini (APP) on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production by RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Our data indicate that this extract is a potent inhibitor of NO production and it also significantly decreased PGE2 and TNF-$\alpha$ production. Consistent with these results, the protein and mRNA expression level of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was inhibited by water extracts of APP in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that APP may exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects possibly by suppressing the inducible NO synthase and COX-2 expressions.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2007

Purpose: Recent studies have shown increased levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in various human malignancies to include various bone and soft tissue tumors. However, little is known with regard to COX-2 expression patterns in chondroid tumors. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry assays were performed for COX-2 in enchondromas (n=10), chondroblastomas (n=11), chondromyxoid fibromas (n=5), conventional chondrosarcomas (n=17), clear cell chondrosarcomas (n=7), and mesenchymal chondrosarcomas (n=6). Results: Among the benign chondroid tumors, chondroblastomas revealed characteristic strong positivity in 6 of 11 cases(54.5%). All enchondromas and chondromyxoid fibromas were negative except in one case. In conventional chondrosarcomas, three cases(17.6%) were strongly reactive with COX-2 and all positive cases represented grade III chondrosarcomas. Clear cell chondrosarcomas were found to be focally positive in two cases(28.5%), while all mesenchymal chondrosarcomas were negative. Conclusions: These findings suggest that COX-2 overexpression in conventional chondrosarcoma may represent an advanced histologic grade. Interestingly, expression of COX-2 in chondroblastomas could be an important factor for inducing peritumoral inflammatory changes in these specific tumors.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2006

Ilekudinol B is one of the flavonoids isolated from Weigela subsessilis (Caprifoliaceae). In the present study, the suppression effect of ilekudinol B on tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}-induced$ cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was investigated in human colon epithelial cell line HT-29. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) production and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ secretion was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). COX-2 and nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ expression were determined by Western blot analysis. Ilekudinol B significantly inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ secretion of IL-8 and prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$ from the human colon epithelial cell line HT-29 in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, ilekudinol B remarkably diminished $TNF-{\alpha}-induced$ COX-2 expression and $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65 subunit translocation to the nucleus. In conclusion, our results indicate that ilekudinol B may have anti-inflammatory activity on $TNF-{\alpha}-dependent$ colonic inflammation.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.315-320
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• 2004

Alpha-viniferin was previously isolated as a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor from Carex humilis (Cyperaceae) and is an oligomeric stilbene compound with benzofuran (BF) moieties in its chemical structure. In the present study, a chemically synthetic BF compound, named as 3,3-dimethyl-2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18-hexadecahydro-1H-benzo[b] cyclopentadeca[d]furan-1-one, was discovered to inhibit bacterial lipo polysaccharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin $E_2$ $(PGE_2)$ production in macrophages RAW 264.7. The BF compound exhibited a selectively preferred inhibitory effect on COX-2 activity over COX-1 activity. Furthermore, BF compound inhibited LPS-induced COX-2 expression at transcription level. As a down-regulatory mechanism of COX-2 expression shown by BF compound, suppression of nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ activation has been demonstrated. BF compound inhibited LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcriptional activity and nuclear translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, in parallel, but did not affect LPS-induced degradation of inhibitory ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$ protein $(I{\kappa}B{\alpha})$. Taken together, anti-inflammatory effect of BF compound on $PGE_2$ production was ascribed by its down-regulatory action on LPS-induced COX-2 synthesis in addition to inhibitory action on enzyme activity of COX-2.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4539-4543
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• 2013

Background: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most predominant type of urinary bladder tumor. As cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is recently introduced as an attractive target molecule in bladder TCC, we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of this marker and its association with several clinicopathological characteristics. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in the Pathology department of Sina Hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2006-2011. Ninety-two paraffin embedded blocks were selected from patients with urinary bladder TCC who underwent cystectomy or transurethral resection (TUR). Then, we assessed COX-2 expression by immunohistochemical staining using antibody against COX-2. Staining in more than 5% of tumor cells was considered as positive expression. Results: COX-2 was expressed in 50 % of our patients. This marker was markedly expressed in high grade bladder TCC (62.1%) versus other grades and there was statistically a significant difference in COX-2 expression between various grades (p=0.008). In addition, patients' age, lymphatic and perineurial invasion were associated with the expression of COX-2 (p=0.001, 0.015 and 0.039, respectively). However, other parameters such as stage, tumor size, venous invasion and lymph node metastasis did not show any significant relationship with this marker (all, p>0.05). Conclusions: COX-2 was expressed in urinary bladder TCC especially in high grade forms, advocating its probable role in the differentiation of this tumor. Accordingly, COX-2 could be a valuable biological target molecule in the evaluation and treatment of patients with bladder TCC.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.240-246
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• 2017

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a traditional herbal medicine made by steaming and drying fresh ginseng. It strengthens the endocrine and immune systems to ameliorate various inflammatory responses. The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E2 pathway has important implications for inflammation responses and tumorigenesis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) is a transcription factor that regulates not only adipogenesis and lipid homeostasis, but also angiogenesis and inflammatory responses. Methods: The effects of the KRG on inhibition of hypoxia-induced COX-2 via $PPAR{\gamma}$ in A549 cells were determined by luciferase assay, Western blot, and/or quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The antimigration and invasive effects of KRG were evaluated on A549 cells using migration and matrigel invasion assays. Results and conclusion: We previously reported that hypoxia-induced COX-2 protein and mRNA levels were suppressed by KRG. This study examines the possibility of $PPAR{\gamma}$ as a cellular target of KRG for the suppression of hypoxia-induced COX-2. $PPAR{\gamma}$ protein levels and $PPAR{\gamma}$-responsive element (PPRE)-driven reporter activities were increased by KRG. Reduction of hypoxia-induced COX-2 by KRG was abolished by the $PPAR{\gamma}$ inhibitor GW9662. In addition, the inhibition of $PPAR{\gamma}$ abolished the effect of KRG on hypoxia-induced cell migration and invasion. Discussion: Our results show that KRG inhibition of hypoxia-induced COX-2 expression and cell invasion is dependent on $PPAR{\gamma}$ activation, supporting the therapeutic potential for suppression of inflammation under hypoxia. Further studies are required to demonstrate whether KRG activates directly $PPAR{\gamma}$ and to identify the constituents responsible for this activity.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.282-286
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• 2006

Ochnaflavone is a medicinal herbal product isolated from Lonicera japonica that inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) dependent phases of prostaglandin $D_2(PGD_2)$ generation in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) in a concentration-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values of $0.6{\mu}M$. Western blotting probed with specific anti-COX-2 antibodies showed that the decrease in quantity of the $PGD_2$ product was accompanied by a decrease in the COX-2 protein level. In addition, this compound consistently inhibited the production of leukotriene $C_4 (LTC_4)$ in a dose dependent manner, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $6.56 {\mu}M$. These results demonstrate that ochnaflavone has a dual cyclooxygenase-2/5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity. Furthermore, this compound strongly inhibited degranulation reaction in a dose dependent manner, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $3.01{\mu}M$. Therefore, this compound might provide a basis for novel anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.322.3-323
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• 2002

Curcumin derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.. Zingiberaceae) has been shown to possess marked chemopreventive activities, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In the present work. curcumin was found to inhibit 12-Ο-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate(TPA)-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in female ICr mouse skin as determined by Western and Northern blot analysis as well as immunohistochemical staining. Curcumin treatment atlenuated TPA-stimulated epidermal NF-${\kappa}$B activation. which was associated with its blockade of degradation and phosphorylation of the inhibitory protein l${\kappa}$ Bu and also of subequent translocation of the p65 subunut to nucleus. (omitted)

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.295-300
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• 2011

We investigated the effects of butanol fraction of Asterias amurensis (BFA) on the anti-allergic activity. BFA inhibited both cyclooxygenase-2 dependent prostaglandin $D_2$ and 5-lipoxygenase dependent leukotriene $C_4$ generation in a concentration-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values of 174.6 and 22.2 ${\mu}g$/ml, respectively. In addition, BFA also inhibited the degranulation in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, oral administration of BFA inhibited IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice. These results suggested that BFA may be useful in regulating mast cell-mediated allergic diseases.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.117-123
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• 1999

Because of the potent effects of lipid mediators such as prostaglandins (PGs), leukotriens (LTs) and platelet activating factor (PAF) on a variety of cells and tissues, they are considered as major contributors to the process leading to inflammation and allergy. To pursue the mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of Lonicera japonica, we tested inhibitory effects of 7 flavonoids from Lonicera japonica on arachidonic acid cascade related enzymes, such as inflammatory phospholipase $A_2$, cyclooxygenase-1 and 2, 5-lipoxygenase, in bone marrow derived mast cell (BMMC), and lyso PAF-acetyltransferase in rat spleen microsomes. Anti-inflammatory activities of lonicera japonica are thought to be attributed at least in part to the inhibition of arachidonic acid cascade releated enzymes by flavonoids such as apigenin, luteolin quercetin.