• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.710-713
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• 2017

This study evaluates the ability of corn silk (Zea mays L.) extract to function as a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-atopic therapeutic agent. The anti-inflammatory effects of corn silk were evaluated by measuring the inhibitory activities of nitric oxide (NO) and production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$. Anti-atopic effects were assessed by measuring the repression of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC). These results indicated that NICS-1 (corn silk ethanol extract) and NICS-3 (high maysin corn silk ethanol extract) functioned as anti-inflammatory agents by down-regulating LPS-induced NO and TNF-${\alpha}$. Additionally, two extracts showed weak repression of TARC expression levels in tumor necrosis factor TNF-${\alpha}$ plus IFN-${\gamma}$ induced HaCaT cells, respectively. These results suggest that corn silk extracts have anti-inflammatory and anti-atopic activities, and thus have the potential to reduce and alleviate the symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.313-320
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• 2014

The study was conducted to investigate the role of vitamin E in the high altitude hypoxia-induced damage to the intestinal barrier in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (Control), high altitude hypoxia (HH), and high altitude hypoxia + vitamin E (250 mg/kg $BW^*d$) (HV) groups. After the third day, the HH and HV groups were placed in a hypobaric chamber at a stimulated elevation of 7000 m for 5 days. The rats in the HV group were given vitamin E by gavage daily for 8 days. The other rats were given equal volume saline. The results showed that high altitude hypoxia caused the enlargement of heart, liver, lung and kidney, and intestinal villi damage. Supplementation with vitamin E significantly alleviated hypoxia-caused damage to the main organs including intestine, increased the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p< 0.05), diamino oxidase (DAO) (p< 0.01) levels, and decreased the serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) (p< 0.01), interleukin-4 (IL-4) (p<0.001), interferon-gamma ($IFN-{\gamma}$) (p<0.01) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.001), and decreased the serum erythropoietin (EPO) activity (p<0.05). Administration of vitamin E significantly increased the S-IgA (p<0.001) in ileum and significantly improved the expression levels of occludin and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, and decreased the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha and 2 alpha ($HIF-1{\alpha}$ and $HIF-2{\alpha}$), Toll-like receptors (TLR4), P-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ p65(NF-${\kappa}B$ P65) in ileum compared to the HH group. This study suggested that vitamin E protectis from intestinal injury caused by high altitude hypoxia environment. These effects may be related to the HIF and TLR4/NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2015

The roots of Achyranthes japonica Nakai were extracted with 100% aqueous and concentrated subfraction was separated with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-based activity profiling. Three compounds were isolated from the subfraction 5 through the repeated prep- high performance liquid chromatography column chromatography. According to the results of physico-chemical and spectroscopic data including NMR and MS, the chemical structures of the compounds were determined as ecdysterone (1), 25S-inokosterone (2), and 25R-inokosterone (3). Three phytoecdysones were showed weak inhibitory activity for thymus and activation-regulated chemokine expression levels in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ plus IFN-${\gamma}$ induced HaCaT cells, respectively. However, those compounds 1-3 were exhibited the most potent inhibition (80-95% at $200{\mu}g/mL$) against TNF-${\alpha}$ expression levels in A23187 plus phorbol-myrisrate acetate-induced RBL-2H3 cells. As result, 100% aqueous extract of A. japonica has an excellent anti-atopy activity. It could be used to a large range of functional anti-atopy cosmetics.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.31-41
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was to evaluate inhibitory effects of Naegwan-acupuncture($PC_6$) on acute RE(reflux esophigitis) rat induced by pylorus and forestomach ligation operation. Methods : Twenty seven SD rats were divided three groups (intact normal rat; RE control rat; RE control rat respectively stimulated by Naegwan point($PC_6$)). All rats was fasted for 18 h but free water, we induced RE by pylorus and forestomach ligation operation. Six hour after the operation, rats were sacrified, collected bloods in the abdominal vein, dissected a esophagus and stomach. The stomach was washed a 1 ml PBS to research gastric volume, pH, acidity and mucin release of gastric juice, esophagus was cut longitudinally and pictured a innter mucosa area to research damages in esophagus. The proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine including IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 were analyzed by ELISA kit. Results : 1. Significantly, death rate of $PC_6$ acupuncture rat group was decreased compared to that of RE control group. 2. Gastric Volume, gastric injury and esophageal mucosa demage were decreased significantly, too. 3. Compared with RE, all of the proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine analyzed in serum of $PC_6$ were decreased remarkably. Especially, there were significant meanings TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 in serum of $PC_6$ were decreased. Conclusion : The results suggest that antiinflammatory and protecting effects of PC6 could attenuate the severity of reflux esophagitis and prevent the esophageal mucosal damage, and validate its therapeutic use in esophageal reflux disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2485-2490
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• 2016

The liver is one of the most common sites of cancer in the world, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) predominating. HCC is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer related death overall. Hepatitis C is a major risk factor and HCV is a rapid spreading virus which has become a problem globally, including in Pakistan. Interferon alpha therapy is used against HCV disease to regulate cell reproduction and to boost the immune system. In minute amounts interferon alpha is produced naturally by the immune system in HCV patients in response to hepatitis C virus and binds to receptors in the target cells and starts transcription of 20-30 genes due to which it develops an antiviral influence. Interferon is also administered artificially to overcome HCV disease and remove the biological effect of the virus from the infected site. The use of interferon or Peg-IFN plus Ribavirin treatment is also associated with adverse effects on body. For the current study, a convenient sample of 156 HCV positive patients of both males and females were taken. To collect blood CP and ALT, a reduction of level data and other important information were collected from the patients at regular intervals. Findings were 11.4 % in the red blood cells (RBC), 9.64 % in the total leukocyte count (WBC), 8.4 % in the hemoglobin levels (HB), 30.3 % in the platelet (Plt) count in both sexes. There was significant reduction in ALT levels due to Pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy. Hence strict haemotological monitoring of blood CP and ALT levels is necessary at regular intervals to reduce severe side effects which may lead to morbidity and mortality.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

Background: Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects about 350 million people worldwide, which have a high risk of development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment of chronic HBV infection relies on IFN-${\alpha}$ or lamivudine. However, interferon-${\alpha}$ is effective in only about 30% of patients. Also, the occurrence of escape mutations limits the usage of lamivudine. Therefore, the development and evaluation of new compounds or approaches are urgent. Methods: We comparatively evaluated DNA and adenoviral vaccines expressing HBV antigens, either alone or in combined regimens, for their ability to elicit Th1-type immune responses in Balb / c mice which are believed to be suited to resolve HBV infection. The vaccines were tested with or without a genetically engineered IL-12 (mIL-12 N220L) which was shown to enhance sustained Th1-type immune responses in HCV E2 DNA vaccine. Results: Considering the Th1-type cytokine secretion and the IgG2a titers, the strongest Th1-type immune response was elicited by the DNA prime-adenovirus boost regimen in the presence of mIL-12 N220L. In addition, the codelivery of mIL-12 N220L modulated differentially the immune responses by different vaccination regimens. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the DNA prime-adenovirus boost regimen in the presence of mIL-12 N220L may be the best candidate for HBV vaccine therapy of the regimens tested in this study and will be worthwhile being evaluated in chronic HBV patients.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-allergy activities of persimmon leaf extract (PLE) on a phthalic anhydride (PA)-induced allergic mouse model. A human leukemic mast cell line (HMC-1) was used to examine the inhibitory activity of PLE on the histamine release by human leukemic mast cells. PLE inhibited histamine release from HMC-1 cells in response to cross-linkage of high-affinity IgE receptor-${\alpha}$ ($Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\alpha}$). Additionally, a PA-induced allergic mouse model was used to investigate the effects of PLE in vivo. Mice were orally administrated with or without PLE of single dose (250 mg/kg/day) for 31 days. Oral intake of PLE significantly inhibited passive cutaneous reactions. Oral administration of PLE to PA-induced allergic mice also led to a striking suppression of the development of contact dermatitis, ear swelling and lymph node weight. In addition, PA-specific IL-4 production of draining lymph node cells was markedly diminished by PLE oral administration, but not IFN-${\gamma}$. Furthermore, PLE treatment suppressed PA-induced thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (CCL17) and cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CCL27) expressions in ear tissues. Based on these results, we suggest that PLE may have therapeutic potential as an effective material for management of irritant contact dermatitis or related inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.63-77
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• 2013

The object of this study was to observe anticancer and related immunomodulatory and anticachexic effects of Insamyangyoung-tang aqueous extracts (ISYYTe) on non-small cell lung carcinoma (squamous epithelial carcinoma), NCI-H520, xenograft Balb/c nu-nu nude mice. Changes on the tumor volume and weights, lymphatic organ(spleen and popliteal lymph node), serum interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ levels, splenocytes and peritoneal macrophage activities (NK cell activity), splenic tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-10 contents, splenic T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+) and TNF-${\alpha}+$ cells were observed with tumor mass and lymphatic organ histopathology to detect anticancer and immunomodulatory effects. In addition, changes on the body weights, epididymal fat weights and serum IL-6 levels were also detected with the thicknesses of deposited cervical brown adipose tissue and their mean diameters to monitor the tumor-related anticachexic effects. The results obtained in this study suggest that over 50 mg/kg of ISYYTe showed favorable anticancer effects on the NCI-H520 cell xenograft with immunomodulatory and anticachexic effects. However, detail mechanism studies should be conducted in future with the screening of the biological active compounds in this herb.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2010

Mistletoe (Viscum album) is a common name for many species of semi-parasitic plants which grow on deciduous trees all over the world. In this study, the immunomodulatory activity of the water-extract of Korean mistletoe fruits (KMFWE), was investigated on murine peritoneal macrophages. The culture supernatants of KMF-WE-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages showed the increased production of IFN-$\gamma$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-$\alpha$, in a dose-dependent manner. KMF-WE also induced chemokine production from murine peritoneal macrophages such as RANTES, MCP-1, MIP-$1{\alpha}$ and MIP-$1{\beta}$, as well as nitric oxide (NO) production, in a dose-dependent manner. The gel filtration fraction revealed F-1, which is the early-eluted and high molecular weight product, is the major fraction of KMF-WE to activate the murine peritoneal macrophage to induce cytokines, chemokines and NO. The nature of F-1 fraction needs to be examined in detail in further studies to define the regulatory mechanisms of cytokine or chemokine induction by KMF-WE on macrophages. These results suggest that KMF-WE possess a potent immunostimulant activity and can be a promising candidate available for development of immunomodulators.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.237-244
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• 2008

The object of this trial was to investigate the effect of dietary ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation on the performance and immunological response of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty 1-day old male broilers ($39{\pm}1g$) were separated into six treatments which were given six different feeds containing 0 (control), 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mg/kg dietary ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation. On days 21 and 42, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversation rate were recorded as measures of growth performance. The levels of key cytokines in the immuno-regulating pathway: interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon $\gamma$(IFN-$\gamma$, tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$(TNF-$\alpha$, and the concentrations of signal molecules: peripheral blood plasma globulin, serum Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and intestinal secretary Immunoglobulin A (sIgA), were measured as indices of the immune response to determine suitable levels of dietary ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation. The results indicated that performance was elevated quadratically with dietary ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan supplementation. Maximal growth performance and an enhanced immunological response were obtained at a supplemented level of 50 mg/kg.