• Journal of Chitin and Chitosan
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.277-284
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the anti-allergic effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of Ecklonia cava (EC-EtoAc) on the immunoglobulin E (IgE)/bovine serum albumin (BSA)-mediated activation of bone marrow-derived cultured mast cells (BMCMCs). We revealed that the $62.5{\mu}g/ml$ of EC-fractions ($EC-CHCl_3$, EC-Hexane and EC-EtoAc) inhibited IgE/BSA-activated ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release from BMCMCs without cytotoxicity. Especially, EC-EtoAc showed the higher ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release than the others. Also, EC-EtoAc reduced the expression levels of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and a chemokine, thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), compared to the only IgE/BSA-treated BMCMCs. Furthermore, EC-EtoAc significantly prevented the binding of IgE to Fc epsilon receptor $(Fc{\varepsilon}R)I$ and reduced the $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ expression on the sensitized BMCMCs. Taken together, these results suggest that E. cava may be the natural agent with beneficial potentials for the treatment of type I allergic diseases induced by mast cell activation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.141-157
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of DOGO phreatic water containing germanium on Atopic Dermatitis in NC/Nga mouse. Methods : We made DOGO phreatic water added germanium. After making atopic dermatitis caused by sensitizing NC/Nga mouse to DNCB(dinitrochlorobenzene), we made mouse swim in tanks each filled with distilled water, tap water, DOGO phreatic water, DOGO phreatic water(added germanium) for 30minutes everyday. 3weeks later, we analyzed skin clinical score, total IgE levels(by ELISA), WBC differential counting(Neutrophils, Monocytes), absolute cell number of $Neutrophil^+Gr-1^+$, CCR3 mRNA expressions(by Real-time PCR), IL-4, IFN-${\gamma}$ production levels(by ELISA), histologic test(by H&E staining, toluidine blue staining). Results : The results of making NC/Nga mouse induced atopic dermatitis swim in tanks filled with DOGO phreatic water(contain germanium) are as follows. 1. Skin clinical scores were decreased significantly in comparison to control group. 2. Total IgG levels were decreased significantly in comparison to control group. 3. WBC differential counting(Neutrophils, Monocytes) were decreased significantly in comparison to control group. 4. Absolute cell number of $Neutrophil^+Gr-1^+$ were decreased significantly in comparison to control group. 5. CCR3 mRNA expressions were decreased significantly in comparison to control group. 6. IL-4, IFN-${\gamma}$ production levels were decreased significantly in comparison to control group. 7. The epithelial tissue thickness, leucocytes infiltration, erythema, edema, excoriation, scaling, mast cells infiltrations in dorsal skin were decreased in comparison to control group. Conclusions : These results indicate that DOGO phreatic water(contain germanium) can be used for helping treat atopic dermatitis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 2023

Objective: The DNA integrity of spermatozoa that attach to fallopian tube (FT) cells is higher than spermatozoa that do not attach. FT epithelial cells can distinguish normal and abnormal sperm chromatin. This study investigated the effects of sperm with a high-DNA fragmentation index (DFI) from men with unexplained repeated implantation failure (RIF) on the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway in human FT cells in vitro. Methods: Ten men with a RIF history and high-DFI and 10 healthy donors with low-DFI comprised the high-DFI (>30%) and control (<30%) groups, respectively. After fresh semen preparation, sperm were co-cultured with a human FT epithelial cell line (OE-E6/E7) for 24 hours. RNA was extracted from the cell line and the human innate and adaptive immune responses were tested using an RT2 profiler polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array. Results: The PCR array data showed significantly higher TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-6, interleukin 1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, interferon α (IFN-α), IFN-β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), CXCL8, GM-CSF, G-CSF, CD14, ELK1, IRAK1, IRAK2, IRAK4, IRF1, IRF3, LY96, MAP2K3, MAP2K4, MAP3K7, MAP4K4, MAPK8, MAPK8IP3, MYD88, NFKB1, NFKB2, REL, TIRAP, and TRAF6 expression in the high-DFI group than in the control group. These factors are all involved in the TLR-MyD88 signaling pathway. Conclusion: The MyD88-dependent pathway through TLR-1, TLR-2, and TLR-6 activation may be one of the main inflammatory pathways activated by high-DFI sperm from men with RIF. Following activation of this pathway, epithelial cells produce inflammatory cytokines, resulting in neutrophil infiltration, activation, phagocytosis, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and apoptosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.19-36
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Bee Venom and Melittin Solution on the lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and sodium nitroprusside(SNP)-induced expression of prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$, cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B($NF-{\kappa}B$) and nuclear factor kappa B($NF-{\kappa}B$) dependent luciferase activity in RAW 264.7 cells, a murine macrophage cell line. Methods : The expression of PGE2 was determined by determination of $PEG_2$, COX-2 was by western blotting with corresponding antibodies, $NF-{\kappa}B$ was by gel mobility shift assay method and $NF-{\kappa}B$ dependent luciferase activity was investigated by luciferase assay in RAW 264.7 cells. Results : 1. LPS and SNP-induced expression of $PEG_2$ was significant after 24hour. 2. The 0.5, 1 and $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and the 5 and $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin solution inhibited significantly LPS-induced expression of $PEG_2$ and, the $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and the 5 and $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin solution inhibited significantly SNP-induced expression of $PEG_2$ compared with control, respectively. The 0.5 and $1{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom could not significantly inhibit SNP-induced expression of $PEG_2$ compared with control. 3. The $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and the 5 and $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin solution inhibited significantly LPS and SNP-induced expression of COX-2 compared with control, respectively. The 0.5 and $1{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom inclined to decrease LPS and SNP-induced expression of COX-2 compared with control. 4. The 0.5, 1 and $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and the 5 and $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin solution inhibited significantly LPS and SNP-induced expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ compared with control, respectively. 5. The 0.5, 1 and $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and the 5 and $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin solution inhibited significantly LPS-induced expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ dependent luciferase activity and the 1 and $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and the 5 and $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin solution inhibited significantly SNP-induced expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ dependent luciferase activity compared with control, respectively. The $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor also inhibited significantly LPS and SNP-induced expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ dependent luciferase activity compared with control. 6. The 0.5, 1 and $5{\mu}g/mL$ of bee venom and the 5 and $10{\mu}g/mL$ of melittin solution inhibited significantly LPS + IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$ and LPS + TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ dependent luciferase activity compared with control, respectively. The $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor also inhibited significantly LPS and SNP-induced expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ dependent luciferase activity compared with control. Conclusions : These results suggest the inhibitory action of bee venom and melittin solution on the inflammatory mediators such as $PEG_2$, COX-2 and $NF-{\kappa}B$.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1762-1768
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• 2004

The Korean formula medicine, Gami-Yukmi-Jihwang-Tang (GYJT) has been used for growing slowly, short of stature, incomplete development, fatigue, weak child, growing pain of child. However, it is still unclear how GYJT has an effect on experimental models. In the present study, the author investigated the immune-enhancing effect of GYJT. Forced swimming test (FST) was performed as a model of activity test in mice and measured blood urea nitrogen (BUN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose (Glc) and total protein (TP) in the serum. GYJT (1, 0.1 and 0.01 g/㎏) were orally administered to mice, once per day for 7 days using a feeding atraumatic needle. After 3 days, on FST, the immobility time was significantly decreased in the GYJT (0.01g/㎏/day)-fed group (120.75±5.71s) in comparison with the saline-fed group (153.80±10.74s). After 7 days, the immobility time was significantly decreased in the GYJT (0.1 and 0.01g/㎏/day)-fed group (125.67±5.36s and 107.67±3.71s) in comparison with the saline-fed group (167.67±12.99s). In addition, the contents of BUN and Glc in the blood serum were significantly decreased and the contents of AST, ALT and LDH were also decreased in the GYJT (1g/㎏/day)-fed group. However, the content of TP was not changed. The present results suggest that GYJT may be useful for the anti-fatigue and immune-enhancing agent. Also, the author investigated the effect of GYJT on the production of cytokines in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells. However, GYJT has not affected the production of IFN­γ, IL-2, IL-4. These results suggest that GYJT has immune-enhancing effect but does not affect T cell-mediated production of cytokines in the immune function improvement.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1156-1163
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• 2015

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory properties of four different medicinal plants in a cyclophosphamide-treated Balb/c mouse model. One of the four plants, Ulmus macrocarpa, showed partial resistance against immune suppression induced by cyclophosphamide. The bark of U. macrocarpa, commonly known as the Chinese elm, has been used as a pharmaceutical material in Korean traditional medicine to treat bacterial inflammation and induce wound healing. In this study, water extract of U. macrocarpa, named DEU-7, was used for its immunomodulating functional activity. DEU-7 increased the weight of the spleen and the number of splenocytes but did not significantly affect the liver, kidney, and thymus in vivo. A splenocyte viability assay confirmed that DEU-7 influenced ex vivo splenocyte survival. DEU-7 also increased the levels of cytokines, such as IL-2 and IL-4, and immunoglobulins, such as IgM, IgG, and IgA. These results indicated that DEU-7 is involved in the activation of T and B lymphocytes. In addition, DEU-7 was able to maintain the production of cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-12, and IFN-γ, in the condition of cyclophosphamide-induced immune suppression, suggesting that DEU-7 activated innate immune cells, even under immune suppression. We concluded that DEU-7 aids immunological homeostasis, thereby preventing immune suppression, and aids both innate and adaptive immune response by maintaining the levels of various cytokines and immunoglobulins. Consequently, it is worth investigating the potential of DEU-7 as a supplemental source for immune-enhancing agents.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the immunomodulatory activities of proteoglycan extracted from cultured mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum IY009. The proteoglycan contained two polymer peaks, one was the higher MW peak of 2,000 kD and the other was low peaks of 12kD. To understand the part of strong pharmaceutical activity between two peak, the proteoglycan was separated by ultrafiltration and column chromatography and then examined the various pharmaceutical effects. High molecular weight fraction possesing high content of ${\beta}-linked$ glucan was exhibited high antitumor activity, against sarcoma 180 bearing ICR mouse. And also, anticomplementary activity was highly observed in high molecule fraction than low it fraction. When the raw 264.7 and murine peritoneal macrophage treated with low fraction, high fraction and other stimuli. The activities inducing tumor necrosis factor of the high factions were $2.2{\sim}2.5$ times stronger than that of low fraction.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.352-360
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• 2014

We evaluated the growth performance, biochemical characteristics, and immune responses in weaning pigs given a diet containing MR-1 (0.2%/feed) or antibiotics (0.1%/feed) for 45 days. In vitro study showed that MR-1 has antibacterial activity against a variety of strains of pathogenic bacteria, especially a strain of cattle-derived Escherichia coli K99 (E. coli K99) by agar diffusion assay. In the in vivo model, 0.2% MR-1-given group clearly ameliorated the weight gain and feed efficiency in the growth performance of weaning pigs compared to the basal diet group (p<0.05). Additionally, 0.2% MR-1 induced an elevation in the levels of mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and showed a similar pattern ($TNF{\alpha}$ and $IFN{\gamma}$ production) to the antibiotic treated pigs. Taken together, we suggest that 0.2% MR-1 makes probiotics an alternative to antibiotics in weaning pigs.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.221-250
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• 2000

In order to investigate experimentally that the effect of aqua-acupuncture solution of Paeonia lactiflora on arthritis of mice induced by collagenII, the author performed several experimental items : that is increase, paw thickness, DTH, weight of spleen, hematological change, expression of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD19^+$, gene expression of IL-1, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF, proliferation of synovial cells and cytotoxicity. The results were obtained as follows; 1. Inhibitory effects of aqua-acupuncture solution of Paeonia lactiflora on arthritis induced by collgenII. 1) In incidence, paw edema, AI and DTH were inhibited as compared with control group. 2) The splenic weight was increased and the number of leukocytes was decreased as compared with control group. 3) The number of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$ activated cells and surface-receptor expression were increased as compared with control group. 4) In hematological change, total protein, creatinine and LDH were decreased significantiy as compared with control group. 2. FACS analysis on normal BABL/c of spenic cells treated with aqua-acupuncture solution of Paeonia lactiflora. 1) Aqua-acupuncture solution of Paeonia lactiflora activated adhesive splenic cells of mice morphologically in vitro. 2) Aqua-acupuncture solution of Paeonia dactiflora enhanced the gene expression of IL-12 and also enhanced that of interferon-${\gamma}$ remarkably. 3) Aqua-acupuncture solution of Paeonia lactiflora reduced the number of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD19^+$ activated cells and their surface-receptor expression as compared with control group. 3. Effects of aqua-acupuncture solution of Paeonia lactiflora on human synovial cells. 1) In cytotoxicity against synovial cells, aqua-acupuncture solution of Paeonia lactiflora didn't show cytotoxicity at concentration of $10-100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ but showed significantly at concentration of $200-400{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ as compared with control group. 2) Aqua-acupuncture solution of Paeonia lactiflora reduced the gene expression of IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$. 3) Aqua-acupuncture solution of Paeonia lactiflora inhibited proliferation of synovial cells at concentration of 100 and $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.287-318
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of Aqua-acupuncture utilizing Lycopi Herba Solution(LH-AS) on arthritis. For that purpose, we formed three experimental group, synovial cells of human body, normal BALB/C mice and DBA/1J mice with collagen II-induced arthritis, and measured the treatment effect of LH-AS on each group. The conclusions are as follows. 1. After the LH-AS treatment on synovial cells, there were no significant change in 1, 10, 50 and $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ whereas there was significant change in 200 and $400{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in cytotoxicity. 2. IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$ gene expression of synovial cells and the secretion amount of IL-6 and IL-$1{\beta}$ are significantly inhibited in treatment group with LH-AS. 3. The proliferation of synovial cells was significantly inhibited in treatment group with rIL-6, LH-AS 200 and rIL-6, $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. 4. After the DBA/1J mice with collagen II-induced arthritis were treated by LH-AS, the incidence of arthritis, hind paw edema, the index of arthritis and DTH were significantly inhibited. 5. After the DBA/1J mice with collagen II-induced arthritis were treated by LH-AS, splenetic weight was significantly increased and the number of leukocyte was significantly decreased. But there was no significant change in the number of platelet. 6. After the DBA/1J mice with collagen II-induced arthritis were treated by LH-AS, the number of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$ activated cells and the surface-receptor expression were significantly increased whereas the number of $CD19^+$ activated cells and the surface-receptor expression were decreased. 7. After the DBA/1J mice with collagen II-induced arthritis were treated by LH-AS, total protein, LDH were significantly decreased, but there was no significant change in creatinine. 8. After the normal splenetic cells of BALB/C mice were treated by LH-AS and cultured, it was observed that the adherent cells were morphologically activated and IL-12 and IFN-${\gamma}$ gene expression were increased. 9. After the normal splenetic cells of BALB/C mice were treated by LH-AS and cultured, the number of $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD19^+$ activated cells and surface-receptor expression were inhibited when being compared with the control group. Taking all these observations into account, LH-AS injection is considered to be effective in treating arthritis and put to practical use in future arthritis clinic.