• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.165-174
• /
• 2022

As the mechanism underlying glucose metabolism regulation by oxymatrine is unclear, this study investigated the effects of oxymatrine on pyroptosis in INS-1 cells. Flow cytometry was employed to examine cell pyroptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Cell pyroptosis was also investigated via transmission electron microscopy and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Protein levels were detected using western blotting and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The caspase-1 activity and DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 protein (Nrf2) were also assessed. In the high glucose and high fat-treated INS-1 cells (HG + PA), the caspase-1 activity and LDH content, as well as Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, Gsdmd-N, caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels were increased. Moreover, P65 protein levels increased in the nucleus but decreased in the cytoplasm. Oxymatrine attenuated these effects and suppressed high glucose and high fat-induced ROS production. The increased levels of nuclear Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the HG + PA cells were further elevated after oxymatrine treatment, whereas cytoplasmic Nrf2 and Keleh-like ECH-associated protein levels decreased. Additionally, the elevated transcriptional activity of p65 in HG + PA cells was reduced by oxymatrine, whereas that of Nrf2 increased. The results indicate that the inhibition of pyroptosis in INS-1 cells by oxymatrine, a key factor in its glucose metabolism regulation, involves the suppression of the NF-κB pathway and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.175-181
• /
• 2022

In this study, we tested the anti-inflammatory effects of broccoli leaf hexane fraction to confirm the applicability as a functional material in food and cosmetics. This sample was extracted using 70% ethanol from Broccoli leaf and then fractionated with hexane. The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, IL-1β), protein expression of iNOS and COX-2, phosphorylation of MAPKs (ERK, JNK, p38) and NF-κB with broccoli leaf hexane fraction were assayed on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The broccoli leaf hexane fraction inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and protein expression of iNOS and COX-2. Also, the broccoli leaf hexane fraction reduced the phosphorylation of MAPKs and NF-κB. Therefore, it is considered that th broccoli leaf hexane fraction has the potential to be used as a natural anti-inflammatory material in food and cosmetics. In the future, it is considered necessary to study the anti-inflammatory mechanism and identification of major bioactive substances.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.33-46
• /
• 2021

Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of Sogyunghwalhyel-tang-gamibang (SGHHTGB) in cell and animal models and also to suggest one of putative mechanisms underlying its anti-arthritic effects. Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to measure the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in culture medium and blood serum and nitric oxide (NO) was assayed by Griess reagent. The expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were analyzed by Western blot method. Results In a cell model using RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated with the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the drug, at its non-cytotoxic concentrations, inhibited the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. In addition, it suppressed the expression of the inflammatory enzyme iNOS and COX-2, and reduced the synthesis of the enzyme product NO (as stable nitrite) and PGE2 in activated macrophages. Meanwhile, in an animal model using rheumatic arthritis (RA) mice induced with injection of type II collagen antibody (CAb) and LPS, the drug improved clinical symptom of arthritis and reduced paw thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration. In blood of RA mice, the drug reduced serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, nitrite, and PGE2, all inflammatory mediators produced by activated macrophages. Conclusions SGHHTGB may ameliorate CAb and LPS-induced RA in mice, presumably by inactivating macrophages that are capable of initiating joint inflammation by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and expressing inflammatory enzymes.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.1832-1842
• /
• 2004

The present study was performed to examine the possible anti-inflammatory effects of a herbal drug ASCH in RAW264.7 cell line. Inflammation was induced by LPS toxin treatment to RAW264.7 macrophage cell line. Increases in cytokine production such as IL-1β, IL-6. and IL-18, COX-2, NOS-Ⅱ (iNOS), and TNF-alpha were observed at mRNA level in the LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Measurement of IL-6, nitric oxide and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) showed increased production of these inflammation mediators. Treatment of ASCH effectively decreased IL-1β protein in a dose-dependent manner, and IL-6 and IL-18 were reduced at 100㎍/㎖ of ASCH concentration. NO production was also decreased by ASCH treatment. A slight inhibition for TNF-alpha in terms of protein, but not mRNA level was obtained by 100㎍/㎖ of ASCH treatment. ASCH treatment to normal RAW264.7 cells did not produce any cytotoxicity, indicting that the action of ASCH was selective to inflammatory cells. Thus, the present data suggest that ASCH may act as an important regulator to alleviate the inflammatory symptoms.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 2020

Objectives : Pyeongwi-san is widely used in Korean medicine for acute indigestion or gastrodynia. As a therapeutic agent for digestive diseases of modern people, in order to confirm the mechanism of Pyeongwi-san on digestive tract disease and the difference of therapeutic efficacy between its formulation, a comparative efficacy test was conducted on digestive tract disease animal model. Methods : For LPS enteritis animal model, male SD rats were intraorally treated with different formulation types of Pyeongwi-san, and then intraperitoneally administered LPS one hour later to induce enteritis. After 5 hours, blood was collected and TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE2 were confirmed by ELISA. For acute gastritis animal model, male SD rats were intraorally treated with different formulation types of Pyeongwi-san according to the prescribed concentration, and then intraorally administered 60% ethanol and 150 mM HCl one hour later to induce acute gastritis. After 5 hours, blood was collected and TNFα,IL-6 were confirmed by ELISA. Results : In the LPS-administered enteritis animal model, Pyeongwi-san decreased TNFα, IL-1β, PGE2 and especially IL-6. Pyeongwi-san also decreased IL-6 in acute gastritis animal model. In addition, there was no significant difference in efficacy between the two formulations when compared with inflammatory markers. Conclusions : The efficacy of Pyeongwi-san was confirmed in the inflammatory markers related to digestive inflammatory diseases, and the efficay between two formulations of Pyeongwi-san was relatively similar. Further studies are needed to investigate the new applicability of Pyeongwi-san on different inflammatory diseases that have similar inflammation markers identified in this experiment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.114-121
• /
• 2004

We investigated the effects of healthful decoction utilizing Phellinus linteus(HDPL) for suppression in the process of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄4)-induced inflammation(50% CCl₄ : olive oil=1:1, 1 ㎖/KgㆍB.W.) of rat using biochemical, Western, histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Biochemical analysis of serum showed that the level of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate Dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and triglyceride were significantly decreased by pretreatment of HDPL, but albumin and nitric oxide were increased. Immunoblot analysis of the liver showed that CCl₄-induced expression of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) was inhibited by pretreatment of HDPL. More severe histopathological changes of the liver such as Kupffer cell reaction, inflammatory cell infiltration and focal necrosis were demonstrated in the rats challenged with CCl₄ compared with normal. Fewer scores of these changes were observed in the HDPL pretreated rats. Immunohistochemical analysis of the liver showed that while the expression of IL-1β, iNOS, tumor necrosis factor-α, COX(cyclooxygenase)-1 and COX-2 tended to increase, a decline of these immunoreaction of HDPL pre-treated groups were observed in the hepatocytes, especially in the focal necrotic sites. These results suggest that HDPL may act as a therapeutic agent for liver disease through a regulation of inflammation-related proteins.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.26 no.7
• /
• pp.1198-1205
• /
• 2016

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have beneficial effects on intestinal health and skin diseases. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a cell wall component of gram-positive bacteria, is known to induce the production of several cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 and affect the intestinal microflora, anti-aging, sepsis, and cholesterol level. In this study, Weissella cibaria was isolated from Indian dairy products, and we examined its immune-enhancing effects. Live and heat-killed W. cibaria did not induce the secretion of immune-related cytokines, whereas LTA isolated from W. cibaria (cLTA) significantly increased the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner. cLTA increased the phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases, and c-Jun N-terminal kinases in THP-1 cells. The secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 was also increased in the cLTA-treated mouse splenocytes. These results suggest that cLTA, but not W. cibaria whole cells, has immune-boosting potential and can be used to treat immunosuppression diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.395-402
• /
• 2020

This study has investigated the effect of a potent bioflavonoid, troxerutin, on diabetes-induced changes in pro-inflammatory mediators and expression of microRNA-146a and nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in aortic tissue of type-I diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6/each): healthy, healthy-troxerutin, diabetic, and diabetic-troxerutin. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection (60 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) and lasted 10 weeks. Troxerutin (150 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for last month of experiment. Inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), cyclooxygenase-II (COX-II), and inducible-nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were measured on aortic samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene expressions for transcription factor NF-κB, interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1), TNF receptor-associated factor-6 (TRAF-6), and microRNA-146a were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Ten-week diabetes significantly increased mRNA levels of IRAK-1, TRAF-6, NF-κB, and protein levels of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM, and iNOS, COX-II, and decreased expression of microRNA-146a as compared with healthy rats (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01). However, one month treatment of diabetic rats with troxerutin restored glucose and insulin levels, significantly decreased expression of inflammatory genes and pro-inflammatory mediators and increased microRNA level in comparison to diabetic group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01). In healthy rats, troxerutin had significant reducing effect only on NF-κB, TNF-α and COX-II levels (p < 0.05). Beside slight improvement of hyperglycemia, troxerutin prevented the activation of NF-κB-dependent inflammatory signaling in the aorta of diabetic rats, and this response may be regulated by microRNA-146a.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.151-163
• /
• 2024

Background: Galangin, commonly employed in traditional Chinese medicine for its diverse medicinal properties, exhibits potential in treating inflammatory pain. Nevertheless, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Methods: Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups for 7 days: a normal control group, a galangin-treated (25 and 50 mg/kg), and a positive control celecoxib (20 mg/kg). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated using a hot plate test, acetic acid-induced writhing test, acetic acid-induced vascular permeability test, formalin-induced paw licking test, and carrageenan-induced paw swelling test. The interplay between galangin, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), NF-κB, COX-2, and TNF-α proteins was evaluated via molecular docking. COX-2, PGE2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in serum were measured using ELISA after capsaicin administration (200 nmol/L). TRPV1 expression in the dorsal root ganglion was analyzed by Western blot. The quantities of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were assessed using qPCR. Results: Galangin reduced hot plate-induced licking latency, acetic acid-induced contortions, carrageenan-triggered foot inflammation, and capillary permeability in mice. It exhibited favorable affinity towards TRPV1, NF-κB, COX-2, and TNF-α, resulting in decreased levels of COX-2, PGE2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum following capsaicin stimulation. Galangin effectively suppressed the upregulation of TRPV1 protein and associated receptor neuropeptides CGRP and SP mRNA, while concurrently inhibiting the expression of NF-κB, TNF-α, COX-2, and PGE2 mRNA. Conclusions: Galangin exerts its anti-inflammatory pain effects by inhibiting TRPV1 activation and regulating COX-2, NF-κB/TNF-α expression, providing evidence for the use of galangin in the management of inflammatory pain.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.170-178
• /
• 2001

Background: Korean mistletoe (Viscum album) extract has been found to posses immunostimulatory activity. In this study, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C (non-lectin components), was used to know whether this extract might activate mouse peritoneal macrophages to produce interleukin $1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$). Methods: Hemagglutination assay was carried out to examine whether M11C contained a lectin or not. To know the effect of M11C on the production of IL-$1{\beta}$, the macrophages were treated by the M11C, and then collected the supernatant (M11C stimulated macrophages-conditioned media; MMCM). MMCM was analyzed for the IL-$1{\beta}$ quantification and mRNA expression by means of ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. Results: Maximum effective dose and time of M11C on IL-$1{\beta}$ production from macrophages were $20{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and 8 hours, respectively. This ELISA data was reconfirmed by immunoblotting assay. indicating that M11C is a good candidate for an immunomodulator. The dose and time dependent effects of M11C on the expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA from macrophages was also shown in expression of mRNA detected by RT-PCR. Treatment dose and time for the maximum expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ mRNA were $20{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and 4 hours, respectively. Maximum gene expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ was much earlier than maximum production of it. Conclusion: As results, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C, may be used for an immunomodulator. This will be able to make up for and solve the problems caused by existent immunoagent with many adverse effects through many other studies in future including one molecule extraction.