• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.26-36
• /
• 2012

Objectives: To establish scientific and objective evidence for the use of a Korean medicine, articles regarding Hwangryeonhaedok-tang (HRHDT), a herbal medicine frequently used in Korean medical clinics and hospitals, were gathered and analyzed. Methods: The articles were classified as being from domestic or international journals, and by their year of publication. The mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of HRHDT were investigated. Results: Of the 25 articles analyzed, 7 were published from Korea, 7 were from China, and 11 were from Japan. HRHDT showed anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects through the regulation of the expression of Th1 cytokines including interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-8, interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$), and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$); and Th2 cytokines including IL-4, IL-6, and IL-12, which inhibit leukotriene B4 (LTB4), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and inflammatory cells. It also lowered preprodynorphin (PPD), and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the peripheral nerve system and hypothalamus. Conclusions: We speculate that the anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects could be related to the therapeutic efficacy of HRHDT in removing pathogenic fire and heat.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.641-649
• /
• 2012

To investigate scientific evidence for the use of a Korean Medicine (KM), the papers regarding Sipjeondabo-tang (Shiquandabu-tang) frequently used in Korean medical clinics and hospitals were collected and analyzed. The papers were classified as being from domestic or international journals and by the year of publication. The mechanisms of immuno-activity Sipjeondabo-tang (Shiquandabu-tang) were researched. Among 41 papers, 4 were published as Korean papers whereas 7 were as Chinese papers and 40 were as Japanese papers. Sipjeondabo-tang (Shiquandabu-tang) regulated the productions of Th1 cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$), and Th2 cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-12 improving the function of immune organ including bone marrow, spleen, liver, thymus and peyer's patch. It also modulated the releases of immunoglobulin-G (IgG) and IgM. Thus, Sipjeondabo-tang (Shiquandabu-tang) balanced the Th1/Th2 immune responses as well as T/B cell. The regulation of immunoactivity could be speculated as an objective and scientific evidence of Sipjeondabo-tang (Shiquandabu-tang).

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.307-314
• /
• 2024

Broussonetia kazinoki twig extract (BKT) is recognized for its antioxidant and anti-cancer effects and natural whitening properties. So, it is used as a raw material for cosmetics. B. kazinoki twig is also an edible raw material. B. kazinoki has been used in Asia for paper production and oriental medicine, has anti-diabetic effects, and contains various flavonoids and alkaloids. In this study, to evaluate the efficacy of BKT on allergic skin inflammatory responses, we investigated its effects on factors related to skin inflammation in HaCaT keratinocytes and allergic responses in RBL-2H3 cells. There was no cytotoxicity of the 70% ethanol extract against HaCaT and RBL-2H3 cells. In HaCaT cells, stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-𝛼) and interferon-gamma (IFN-𝛾) increased the production of several chemokines, including thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). However, it was observed that this elevation was notably mitigated in a concentration-dependent manner upon treatment with BKT. Furthermore, BKT treatment demonstrated a significant reduction of 𝛽-hexosaminidase and inflammatory cytokines TNF-𝛼 and IL-4 in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. Thus, it is expected that BKT can be used as a natural cosmetic and food ingredient that effectively suppresses allergic inflammatory reactions.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.670-675
• /
• 2004

We have examined the effects of S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), prostaglandin $E_2$ (PG $E_2$) and dibutric cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) on the methylation of interferon- ${\gamma}$ (IFN- ${\gamma}$ ) gene in human Jurkat T cells. The CpG dinucleotide which is critical for promoter function of IFN- ${\gamma}$ gene was methylated by treatment with SNAP, PG $E_2$ and dbcAMP, respectively. The DNA methylation induced by PG $E_2$ was suppressed by the addition of 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (DDA), an inhibitor of adenylyl cyclase, but the suppression was not observed in SNAP treated cells. The NO production was not enhanced in PG $E_2$ or dbcAMP treated cells. The methylation induced by PG $E_2$ and dbcAMP was not suppressed by the addition of $N^{G}$-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), NO synthase inhibitor. In conclusion, the inhibition of INF- ${\gamma}$ gene expression by PG $E_2$ was associated with the methylation of INF- ${\gamma}$ gene by elevation of intracellular cAMP in human Jurkat T cells. However, the methylation induced by PG $E_2$ might not be mediated through the NO production.rough the NO production.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.10
• /
• pp.4329-4333
• /
• 2015

Background: To investigate the change of frequency and immuno-inhibitory function of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) after treatment of cisplatin (DDP) in A375 human melanoma model. Materials and Methods: BALB/c nude mice were inoculated with A375 cells to establish the human melanoma model and randomly divided into control group given normal saline (NS) and experimental group treated with DDP (5 mg/kg). The percentages of MDSCs in the tumor tissue and peripheral blood after DDP treatment were detected by flow cytometry. The proliferation and interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$) secretion of T cells co-cultured with MDSCs were analyzed through carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) labeling assay and enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay, respectively. Results: In A375 human melanoma model, DDP treatment could significantly decrease the percentage of MDSCs in the tumor tissue, but exerted no effect on the level of MDSCs in peripheral blood. Moreover, DDP treatment could attenuate the immuno-inhibitory function of MDSCs. T cells co-cultured with DDP-treated MDSCs could dramatically elevate the proliferation and production of INF-${\gamma}$. Conclusions: DDP can decrease the frequency and attenuate immuno-inhibitory function of MDSCs in A375 melanoma model, suggesting a potential strategy to augment the efficacy of combined immunotherapy.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.218-221
• /
• 2013

CD1d expressing dendritic cells (DCs) are good glyco-lipid antigen presenting cells for NKT cells. However, resting B cells are very weak stimulators for NKT cells. Although ${\alpha}$-galactosylceramide (${\alpha}$-GalCer) loaded B cells can activate NKT cells, it is not well defined whether B cells interfere NKT cell stimulating activity of DCs. Unexpectedly, we found in this study that B cells can promote Th1-skewed NKT cell response, which means a increased level of IFN-${\gamma}$ by NKT cells, concomitant with a decreased level of IL-4, in the circumstance of co-culture of DCs and B Cells. Remarkably, the response promoted by B cells was dependent on CD1d expression of B cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.168-176
• /
• 2013

In the last few years major progress has been made in better understanding the role of natural killer (NK) cells in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This includes multiple pathways by which HCV impairs or limits NK cells activation. Based on current genetic and functional data, a picture is emerging where only a rapid and strong NK cell response early on during infection which results in strong T cell responses and possible subsequent clearance, whereas chronic HCV infection is associated with dysfunctional or biased NK cells phenotypes. The hallmark of this NK cell dysfunction is persistent activation promoting ongoing hepatitis and hepatocyte damage, while being unable to clear HCV due to impaired IFN-${\gamma}$ responses. Furthermore, some data suggests certain chronically activated subsets that are $NKp46^{high}$ may be particularly active against hepatic stellate cells, a key player in hepatic fibrogenesis. Finally, the role of NK cells during HCV therapy, HCV recurrence after liver transplant and hepatocellular carcinoma are discussed.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.245-250
• /
• 2010

Pulmonary pathogenesis in lupus is characterized by interstitial inflammation and vasculitis in lungs. We investigated whether bamboo culm extract (BC) attenuates pulmonary inflammation and lung injury in pristane-induced lupus mice. The pristane-induced lupus mice and healthy mice were administrated with BC 0.5 ml/kg or PBS orally once a day for 14 days. Our results demonstrated that BC significantly attenuated levels of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) IL-6, IL-10, IFN-$\gamma$, $PGE_2$ and VEGF, and pulmonary vascular permeability in pristane-induced lupus mice. Therefore, these findings suggest that BC may inhibit development of pulmonary inflammation and lung injury in lupus.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.121-128
• /
• 2010

Objectives : This study purposed to research the inhibitory effect of Berberidis Ramulus on the liver cancer. Methods : A total extract of Berberidis Ramulus decoction were prepared. Through the measurement of the cell proliferation, apoptosis, morphology and cytokine level from the extracts, the influence on HepG2 cell were compared. Results : Berberidis Ramulus extract significantly inhibited the proliferation, increased the apoptosis, decreased the TGF-${\beta}$ gene expression and the K-RAS gene expression, significantly increased the level of TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion and increased the rates of IFN-${\gamma}$ secretory cells. Conclusion : It is suggested that Berberidis Ramulus extract turned out to have anti-cancer effects on HepG2 cell.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.411-419
• /
• 2010

Korean mistletoe has a variety of biological effects, such as immunoadjuvant activities. This study investigates the effects of Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album L. var. coloratum agglutinin, VCA) on human T lymphocytes to determine whether VCA acts as an immunomodulator. Purified human T-lymphocytes were cultured with VCA and RNA from each point was analyzed using Affymetrix human genome chips containing 22,500 probe sets which represents more than 18,000 transcripts derived from 14,500 human genes. As a result, there was a striking upregulation of genes coding for chemokines. Seventeen genes out of 50 coding for proteins with chemokine activity were upregulated including CXCL9 and IL-8 which are related to the treatment of cancer. In addition, 28 cytokine genes were upregulated including IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-$\gamma$, and TNF-$\alpha$. Taken together, the data suggest that Korean mistletoe lectin, in parallel with European mistletoe, has an ability to modulate human T cell function.