• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.119-130
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• 2013

Objectives : Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause for vascular complications such as atherosclerosis. The present study is to investigate whether Doinseunggi-tang (DST) improves diabetic vascular dysfunction in type II diabetes. Methods : The db/db mice were treated with high fat/high cholesterol diet and DST (200 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Results : DST significantly lowered blood glucose and systolic blood pressure. In addition, DST also markedly decreased total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol, whereas increased the HDL-cholesterol. Vascular relaxation of aortic rings by acetylcholine or SNP was ameliorated by DST in a dose-dependent manner. Damage of vascular intima and hypertrophic of media was improved by DST. Immunohistological study revealed that DST attenuated the increase of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and ET-1 expression in thoracic aorta. Conclusions : Taken together, DST suppressed hyperglycemia and diabetic vascular dysfunction in type II db/db mice. The present data suggests that Doinseunggi-tang may be prevent a development of diabetic atherosclerosis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3 s.67
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• pp.88-106
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• 2006

Objectives: This study was carried out to find the immune responses of the Gami-sopunghwalhyeol-tang $(Ji{\={a}}w{\`{e}}i-sh{\={u}}f{\={e}}nghu{\'{o}}xu{\`{e}}-tang)$ (hereinafter referred to GSHT) to the human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (hFLSs) isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Experiments were performed to measure the cytotoxity against hFCs and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in hFLSs and the production of NO, ROS. Results: 1. The gene expression of TNF-a, IL-6, IL-8 in hFLSs was effectively reduced at $100{\mu}g/ml$, whereas IL-1 $\beta$ was effectively reduced at 100 and $10{\mu}g/ml$ of GSHT. 2. The gene expression of ICAM-1, MMP-3 in hFLSs was effectively inhibited at 100 and $10{\mu}g/ml$ of GSHT, whereas TIMP-1 was effectively increased at 100 and $10{\mu}g/ml$ of GSHT. 3. The gene expression of NOS-II in hFLSs was effectively inhibited at $100{\mu}g/ml$ of GSHT. 4. The production of NO and ROS in hFLSs was inhibited at 100 and $10{\mu}g/ml$ of GSHT. 5. The proliferation of hFLSs was significantly inhibited at $100{\mu}g/ml$ of GSHT. Conclusions: Comparison of the results for this study showed that Gami-sopunghwalhyeol-tang ($Ji{\={a}}w{\`{e}}i-sh{\={u}}f{\={e}}nghu{\'{o}}xu{\`{e}}-tang$: GSHT) had immunomodulatory effects of suppressing or enhancing.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.341-348
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• 2007

Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), a member of the $\delta$-herpesvirus family, encodes an oncoprotein called Saimiri Transforming Protein (STP) which is required for lymphoma induction in non-human primates. Previous study has shown that STP-C, an oncoprotein of HVS, activates NF-$\kappa$B signaling pathway. However, the detailed mechanism of STP-Cmediated NF-$\kappa$B activation has not been reported yet. We first report that STP-C interacts with TRAF6 protein in vivo and in vitro and further investigation shows that $Glu_{12}$ residue of STP-C is critical for binding to TRAF6. Introduction of ubiquitin together with STP-C augments NF-$\kappa$B activity compared to that of STP-C expression alone. STP-C expression further induces ubiquitination of endogenous TRAF6. In addition, either a deubiquitination enzyme, CYLD or a dominant negative E2-conjugation enzyme reduced NF-$\kappa$B activity in spite of the presence of STP-C, supporting that the interaction between STP-C and TRAF6 induces ubiquitination of TRAF6. NF-$\kappa$B activation by STP-C through the ubiquitinated TRAF6 causes the increased production of IL-8, an inflammatory chemokine and the enhanced expression of costimulatory molecule ICAM, which might ultimately contribute cellular transformation by the exposure of HVS-infected cells with inflammatory microenvironment and chronic activation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.1132-1138
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• 2009

Vascular inflammation is an important event in the development of vascular diseases such as tumor progression and atherosclerosis. This study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of WK-38, a new herbal prescription for the treatment of atherosclerosis, on vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). WK-38 is composed of Rhei Rhizoma, Magonoliae Cortex, Moutan Cortez Radicis. Pretreatment with WK-38 was significantly blocked TNF-$\alpha$-induced expression level of cell adhesion molecules such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and endothelial cell selectin (E-selectin) in a dose-dependent manner. TNF-$\alpha$-induced cell adhesion in co-cultured U937 and HUVEC was also blocked by pretreatment with WK-38. Moreover, WK-38 significantly suppressed p65 NF-${\kappa}B$ translocation into the nucleus by TNF-$\alpha$ as well as the phosphorylation and degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$. In conclusion, the present data suggested that WK-38 could suppress TNF-$\alpha$-induced vascular inflammatory process, though inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in HUVEC.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 2009

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is a persistent environmental contaminant and is present in tobacco smoke. BaP is considered a major contributor of cardiovascular disease. While the activation of endothelial cells by stimuli including tobacco smoke and air pollution contributes importantly to cardiovascular disease, the nature of BaP's mechanism is unclear. In this study, gene expression profiles were investigated in BaPtreated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Various atherosclerosis related genes could be up- and down-regulated more than 2-fold by BaP, and mRNA levels of atherosclerosis related genes encoding apolipoproteinC III, TLR 2, ICAM 1 and exportin 4 were significantly increased by BaP. Our data suggest that BaP-mediated changes in gene expression contribute to the progression of cardiovascular disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4441-4446
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• 2013

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a tumor of biliary ducts, which has a high mortality rate and dismal prognosis. Constitutively activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-${\kappa}B$) has been previously demonstrated in CCA. It is therefore a potential target for CCA treatment. Effects of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) on NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent apoptosis induction in cancer have been reported; however, anti-metastasis has never been addressed. Therefore, here the focus was on DDTC effects on CCA migration and adhesiond. Anti-proliferation, anti-migration and anti-adhesion activities were determined in CCA cell lines, along with p65 protein levels and function. NF-${\kappa}B$ target gene expression was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. DDTC inhibited CCA cell proliferation. Suppression of migration and adhesion were observed prior to anti-CCA proliferation. These effects were related to decreased p65, reduction in NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA binding, and impaired activity. Moreover, suppression of ICAM-1 expression supported NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent anti-metastatic effects of DDTC. Taken together, DDTC suppression of CCA migration and adhesion through inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway is suggested from the current study. This might be a promising treatment choice against CCA metastasis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2007

Background: Cordyceps militaris have been reported to modify the immune and inflammatory responses both in vivo and in vitro. Macrophages play important roles in the innate immunity through the phagocytosis of antigens. This study examined the effects of Cordyceps militaris on the activation of murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and primary macrophages. Methods: The components contained in culture broth of Cordyceps militaris were purified by propyl alcohol extraction and HP 20 column chromatography to CMDB, CMDBW, CMDB5P, and CMDB25P. The amounts of nitric oxide (NO) were determined by using ELISA, Griess reagent respectively. The amounts of some cytokines were determined by using ELISA, western blot, and RT-PCR The expression levels of cell surface molecules (ICAM-1, B7-1 and B7-2) were measured by flow cytometric analysis. Results: All the components of Cordyceps militaris produced significant amounts of NO. In particular, CMDB produced much more NO in RAW 264.7 cells and primary macrophages than other fractions of Cordyceps militaris. CMDB increased significantly the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-1${\beta}$, and IL-6 dose-dependently in RAW 264.7 cells. Examination of the gene expression level also showed that the enhanced production of cytokines was correlated with the up-regulation of i-NOS expression, cycloxygenase (COX)-2 expression, IL-1${\beta}$ and IL-6 expression, and TNF-${\alpha}$ expression on the expression of mRNAs by semi-quantitative RT-PCR Western blot analysis also confirmed that CMDB enhances the expression level of these cytokines. Conclusion: These results show that CMDB stimulates the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines and can also up-regulate the gene expression levels in macrophages.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2017

In the central nervous system, viral infection can induce inflammation by up-regulating pro-inflammatory mediators that contribute to enhanced infiltration of immune cells into the central nervous areas. Celastrol is known to exert various regulatory functions, including anti-microbial activities. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects and the mechanisms of action of celastrol against astrocytes activated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), a synthetic dsRNA, as a model of pro-inflammatory mediated responses. Celastrol significantly inhibited poly(I:C)-induced expression of adhesion molecules, such as ICAM-1/VCAM-1, and chemokines, such as CCL2, CXCL8, and CXCL10, in CRT-MG human astroglioma cells. In addition, celastrol significantly suppressed poly(I:C)-induced activation of JNK MAPK and STAT1 signaling pathways. Furthermore, celastrol significantly suppressed poly(I:C)-induced activation of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathway. These results suggest that celastrol may exert its regulatory activity by inhibiting poly(I:C)-induced expression of pro-inflammatory mediators by suppressing activation of JNK MAPK-STAT1/$NF-{\kappa}B$ in astrocytes.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.129-142
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• 2005

Objective : Asthma is known as chronic airway inflammatory disease. This inflammation is conducted by various inflammatory cells including eosihophil. Chemotaxis is one way that circulating inflammatory cells invade a specific lesion. This study examines the degree to which Lonicerae Flos inhibits eosinophil chemotaxis at pulmonary epithelium after allergic stimulation. Material and Methods : Water extracts of Lonicerae Flos and pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549(human type II-like epithelial cells) and human eosinophils were used. Cytotoxic effects of Lonicerae Flos via MTS assay were estimated, as well as the effects of Lonicerae Flos on chemokines from prestimulated A549 cells by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. Chemotaxis assay was conducted on prestimulated eosinophils treated with Lonicerae Flos. Result : In this study $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4, $IL-l{\beta}$ were seen to induced the accumulation of chemokines mRNA in the pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549 in a dose-dependent manner. Chemokines were inhibited by Liripois Tuber in a dose-dependent manner and especially, IL-8 and ICAM-l were inhibited considerably at $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ concentration of Lonicerae Flos. The eosinophil migration is inhibited in high concentration of Lonicerae Flos in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : These findings indicate that the supression of the expression of chemokines can be accomplished by Lonicerae Flos treatment, raising the possibility that Lonicerae Flos might be of therapeutic value in diseases such as asthma.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.199-212
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• 2005

Objective : Airway inflammation is now regarded as a defining feature of asthma. The importance of eosinophits in the airway inflammation of asthma patients is widely recognized, and eosinophils mobilization in the respiratory epithelium is activated by chemoattractants and cytokines. This study was designed to examine the extent of the ability of Moutan Cortex Radicis to inhibit eosinophil chemotaxis of pulmonary epithelium after allergic stimulation. Material and Methods : Water extracts of Moutan Cortex Radicis and pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549(human type II-like epithelial cells) and human eosinophils were used. Cytotoxic effects of Moutan Cortex Radicis were estimated via MTS assay, and the effects of Moutan Cortex Radicis on chemokines from prestimulated A549 cells were estimated by sandwich ELISA and RT-PCR. Chemotaxis assay on prestimulated eosinophils treated with Moutan Cortex Radicis. was conducted Result : In this study we demonstrated that $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4, $IL-1{\beta}$ induced the accumulation of chemokines' mRNA in the pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549 in a dose-dependent manner. Chemokines of eotaxin, ICAM-1, YCAM-1, IL-8, IL-16 were inhibited by Moutan Cortex Radicis in a dose dependent manner, but RANTES showed no inhibition due to Moutan Cortex Radicis. Eosinophil migration was inhibited at high concentrations of Moutan Cortex Radicis. Conculusion : These findings are indicative of supression of chemokines accomplished by Moutan Cortex Radicis treatment, demonstrating the potential therapeutic value of Moutan Cortex Radicis for treating diseases such as asthma.