• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1101-1111
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• 2003

Our study shows that EC extract has inhibitory effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, iNOS and COX2 in hFLSs. IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS and COX2 mRNA expression is suppressed at a low dasage (1㎍/ml) of EC extract. TNF-α was also suppressed at higher dosages (10 ㎍/ml, 100㎍/ml). EC extract also inhibited TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 production in pro-inflammatory cytokine stimulated-hFLSs. Expecially IL-1β(p<0.05) production are suppressed significantly. On the other hand, EC extract did not show any cytotoxicity. Thses data suggest that EC extract has anti-inflammatory effect mostly by inhibiting IL-1β production, and thus could be used to prevent or treat some inflammatory disease such as RA. It remains to be known what are the major components responsible for anti-inflammatory effect and what is the main mechanism.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.251-257
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• 2007

The Tumor necrosis factor-α, (TNF-α), is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and contributes to the degeneration of oligodendrocytes as well as neurons. Nicotine has been found to have immunosuppressive and inflammation-suppressing effects. Astrocytes, the major glial cells in the CNS, are capable of producing TNF-α at both the mRNA and protein levels in response to interleukin-1 (IL-1) or TNF-α. Nicotine has been shown to influence glial cell functions. To order to explore the role of astrocytes in the production of TNF-α, astrocytes were pretreated with nicotine and are stimulated with IL-1β to determine their effects on TNF-α production. The results are as follows. Cytotoxic effects of nicotine on human fetal astrocytes were noted above 10 μg/ml of nicotine. The effect of IL-1β on TNF-α mRNA expression in primary cultured human fetal astrocytes was maximal at 2 h after IL- 1β(100 pg/ml) treatment. Human fetal astrocytes were pretreated with 0.1, 1, and 10 μg/ml of nicotine and then stimulated with IL-1β (100 pg/ml) for 2 h. The inhibitory effect of nicotine on expressions of TNF-α mRNA in human fetal astrocytes with pretreated 0.1 μg/ml of nicotine is first noted at 8 hr, and the inhibitory effect is maximal at 12 h. The inhibitory effect at 1 μg/ml of nicotine is inhibited maximal at 24 h. Nicotine at 0.1, 1 and 10 μg/ml concentrations significantly inhibits IL-1β-induced NF-κB activation. Collectively, this study indicates that nicotine might inhibit the expression of TNF-α in activated human fetal astrocytes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1377-1383
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• 2015

Scopoletin is a component of several plant such as Erycibe obtusifolia, Aster tataricus, Foeniculum vulgare and Brunfelsia grandiflora. It was reported to have anti-angiogenesis and anti-allergy effects. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of scopoletin was investigated in Raw264.7 cells, mouse macrophages. The effects of scopoletin on phagocytosis and nitric oxide (NO) production were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses. It was observed that scopoletin exerted inhibitory effects on both phagocytosis and NO production. In addition, scopoletin decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) which were related to NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. In particular, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 were remarkably decreased by treatment with scopoletin. Furthermore, the content of TNFα produced by macrophage was decreased in the presence of scopoletin at 8 hr. These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of scopoletin could exert by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in Raw264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. The above results suggest scopoletin could be a new remedial agent for anti-inflammation through inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α expressions as well as supression of phagocytosis and NO production.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2020

Sanyeoleumja (SY) is the traditional Korean medicinal prescription for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of eyes. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of SY water extract were investigated. To measure the anti-inflammatory effects of SY, we examined the productions of inflammatory factor including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. SY inhibited NO and PGE₂ production in a dose dependent manner and decreased the protein and mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2. Also, SY decreased the mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). In conclusion, SY downregulated LPS-induced inflammatory factor productions, which could be a clinical basis for inflammatory diseases.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.260-269
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• 2015

The protective effects of extract powder of Angelica gigas on the degeneration of the articular cartilage in rats was investigated with monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis, The treatment of high concentration (50 μg/mL) of Angelica gigas effectively inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production induced by interleukin-1α (IL-1α) without any cytotoxicity. Specifically, mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were dose dependently reduced by extract powder of Angelica gigas. Importantly, mRNA expression in articular cartilage of inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were clearly reduced. The inflammatory cytokines in blood were also reduced as well. These results suggested that the protective effects on the degeneration of the articular cartilage was derived from the inhibitory effects of mRNA and protein expression of tested inflammatory cytokines which is linked to prevent the degradation of proteoglycan (PG), the main matrix content in articular cartilage. Meanwhile, the 2 hrs incubation of decursin, a major compound of extract powder in rat whole blood rapidely converted decursin into decursinol which shows string anti-inflammatory activity. The coverted decursinol was detected after 8 hrs in whole blood by LC-MS/MS. Conclusively, the inhibitory effects of inflammatory cytokines production in osteoarthritis may be derived from the production of decursinol, which performs against inflammatroy cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.456-463
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• 2021

Background: Keratinocytes form a physical barrier and act as an innate immune cell in skin. Keratinocytes secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, resulting from inflammasome activation when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Korean Red Ginseng extracts (RGE) have been well-studied as modulators of inflammasome activation in immune cells, such as macrophages. In the study, we elucidated the role of RGE on the UV-mediated inflammasome activation in keratinocytes compared with that in macrophages. Methods: Human skin keratinocyte cells (HaCaT), human epidermal keratinocytes (HEK), human monocyte-like cells (THP-1), and mouse macrophages were treated with RGE or a saponin fraction (SF) or non-saponin fraction (NS) of RGE before and after UV irradiation. The secretion levels of IL-1β, as an indicator of inflammasome activation, were analyzed. Results: The treatment of RGE or SF in macrophages after UV irradiation inhibited IL-1β secretion, but similar treatment in HaCaT cells did not. However, the treatment of RGE or SF in HaCaT cells in the presence of poly I:C, a toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 ligand, before UV exposure elicited the inhibition of the IL-1β secretion. The inhibition was caused by the disruption by RGE or SF of the TLR mediating up-regulation of the pro-IL-1β and NLRP3 genes during the priming step. Conclusion: RGE and its saponins inhibit IL-1β secretion in response to UV exposure in both keratinocytes and macrophages. In particular, RGE treatment interrupted only the priming step in keratinocytes, although it did attenuate both the priming and activation steps in macrophages.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.68-78
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• 2022

Objective: In this study, we investigated the protective effect of rhododendron mucronulatum extract (RME) on allergic reactions and inflammation. Methods: The effect of RME was determined using ELISA and RT-PCR in RBL-2H3 mast cells and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. We determined cell viability, β-hexosaminidase release, and the synthesis of IL-4 and TNF-α in RBL-2H3 cells. In addition, we determined NO from RAW 264.7 and the gene expression of IL-1β, iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10. Results: RME inhibited β-hexosaminidase release and synthesis of IL-4 and TNF-α in RBL-2H3 by the anti-DNP IgE plus DNP-HSA stimulation. In addition, RME inhibited the production of NO and the gene expression of IL-1β, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion: From these results, we concluded that RME possesses anti-allergic activity and anti-inflammatory activity due to the inhibition of mast cells and macrophage function.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.359-369
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• 2020

Although many studies on immune modulatory materials have used RAW 264.7 cells, few have used T cell-derived TK-1 cell lines. Moreover, although some studies have investigated the efficacy of plant-derived β-sitosterol, few have examined the immunomodulatory activity of its analogue, daucosterol. In this study, β-sitosterol and daucosterol were isolated from D. batatas and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. To evaluate the immune-enhancing or inhibitory effects of the isolated phytosterols, the expression levels of the inflammatory response genes COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS were analyzed by RT-PCR. The relative expression levels of TNF-α and iNOS in RAW 264.7 cells were increased more than threefold with β-sitosterol treatment comparing to those of untreated control. In the case of TK-1 cells, the expression level of TNF-α was decreased and the expression level of iNOS was increased in a β-sitosterol concentration-dependent manner. The expression levels of COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 increased by approximately 0.7-1.2 times in RAW 264.7 cells treated with daucosterol compared to those of untreated control, but iNOS expression decreased by 0.8-0.18 times. In the case of daucosterol-treated TK-1 cells, the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS were markedly reduced from those of TK-1 cells treated only with lipopolysaccaride. As a conclusion, β-sitosterol treatment increased TNF-α and iNOS expression levels in RAW 264.7 cells, thus exerting an immune- boosting effect. However, in TK-1 cells, iNOS expression increased while TNF-α expression decreased, indicating an immunosuppressive activity of β-sitosterol. Daucosterol appears to exert an immunosuppressive effect in both macrophages and T cell lines by inhibiting iNOS expression in RAW 264.7 cells and greatly inhibiting the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and iNOS in TK-1 cells.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.1-24
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• 2023

Objectives: Boeum-jeon (BEJ) is a herbal formula composed 8 Korean medicinal herbs and is traditionally used to treat inflammatory diseases. In this study, the authors tried to confirm the antioxidant efficacy of BEJ and its anti-inflammatory effect in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: In this experiment, results of BEJ on the following two were measured as follows: (1) Antioxidant effects was measured by DPPH Radical scavenging Activity, ABTS Radical scavenging Activity. (2) Anti-Inflammatory effects were evaluated by the production amount of ROS, NO, Cytokine (PGE2, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, HO-1, NQO1 (the previous seven are "mRNA Expression"), COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, HO-1, NQO1, NRF2 (the previous eight are "Protein Expression") ERK, JNK, p38 (the previous three are "Protein Phosphorylation") in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Results: The experimental measurement results are as follows: (1) DPPH Radical scavenging Activity, ABTS Radical scavenging Activity increased in a concentration -dependent manner in the BEJ-treated group. (2) As a result of measuring anti-inflammatory efficacy, the production of ROS, NO, and Cytokine (PGE2, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) in the BEJ-administered group was significantly reduced compared to the control group. (3) Among mRNA Expression levels, COX-2, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α was significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner than in the control group, and HO-1 and NQO1 were significantly increased in a concentration -dependent manner than in the control group. (4) Among the Protein Expression levels, COX-2, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α was significantly decreased in a concentration -dependent manner compared to the control group, and HO-1, NQO1 and NRF2 was significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner compared to the control group. (5) As a result of Protein Phosphorylation, ERK, p38 and JNK was significantly decreased compared to the control group in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions: Boeum-jeon has been experimentally confirmed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and if the evidence for efficacy is reinforced through further studies such as in vivo studies and clinical trials in the future, it can be effectively used to treat various inflammatory diseases such as bladder inflammation and chronic pelvic inflammation.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2024

This study was carried out to identify the anti-inflammatory effects of Ishige foliacea (I. foliacea) extract on skin using RAW 264.7 cells. The anti-inflammatory effects of I. foliacea extract on RAW 264.7 cells were assessed by cell viability assay, mRNA expressions, and nitric oxide (NO)/prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) productions. The anti-inflammatory effects of I. foliacea extract were elucidated by analysis of IL-1α/IL-1β/IL-6/TNFα gene expressions and PGE₂/NO production. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that I. foliacea extract decreased the gene expression levels of iNOS/COX2/IL-1α/IL-1β and IL-6. Furthermore, PGE₂/NO production also revealed that I. foliacea extract exhibited anti-inflammatory properties. These results suggest that I. foliacea extract is an anti-inflammatory compound. It could be a potent cosmeceutical material for anti-inflammatory effects. Further studies on the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of broadleaf extracts are expected to help identify pharmacological mechanisms related to inflammation in addition to cosmeceuticals.