• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.117-125
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• 2007

Objective : Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae) has long been used for treatment of infectious diseases in oriental countries. The aim of this study was to investigative the effect by which the aqueous extract from flower of L. japonica (LJFAE) inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory mediators in murine macrophages, RAW 264.7 cells Methods : The dried flowers of L. japonica were extracted with distilled water at $100^{\circ}C$ for 7 h. The extract was filtered through 0.45 ${\mu}m$ filter, freeze-dried. The dried extract was dissolved in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) and filtered through 0.22 ${\mu}m$ filter before use. Accumulated nitrite, an oxidative product of nitric oxide (NO), was measured in the culture medium by the Griess reaction. The levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-1$\beta$ (IL-1$\beta$), and IL-6 production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis. Results: LJFAE (10-400 ${\mu}g$/ml) per se had no cytotoxic effect in unstimulated macrophages, but LJFAE concentration-dependently reduced NO, PGE2, TNF-, IL-l, and IL-6 production and COX-2 activity caused by stimulation of LPS. The levels of iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions were markedly suppressed by the treatment with LJFAE in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusions : These results suggest that LJFAE suppress the NO and PGE2production in macrophages by inhibiting iNOS and COX-2 expression and these properties may contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of Lonicera japonica.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate changes in the activity and mRNA expression of plasminogen activators (PAs) induced by $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) in porcine endometrial cells. Endometrial cells were isolated from the epithelium and cultured to 80% confluence. They were then treated for 24 h with $E_2$ (0.2, 2, 20, and 200 ng/mL), $IL-1{\beta}$ (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL), and hCG (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 IU/mL). mRNA expressions of urokinase-type (uPA) and tissue-type (tPA) PAs were analyzed using reverse transcription PCR, and activities were measured using a PA activity assay. mRNA expressions of uPA and tPA increased with $E_2$ treatment; however, this was not significant. Similarly, treatment with hCG did not influence the mRNA expressions of PAs. Interestingly, treatment with 0.1 ng/mL $IL-1{\beta}$ significantly reduced the mRNA expression of uPA, but did not affect that of tPA. Treatment with 2, 20, and 200 ng/mL $E_2$ increased PA activity compared with the control group; treatment with 0.1 and 1 ng/mL $IL-1{\beta}$ significantly increased PA activity compared with the other $IL-1{\beta}$ treatment groups, whereas treatment with 10 and 100 ng/mL $IL-1{\beta}$ decreased. Treatment with 2 IU/mL hCG increased PA activity compared with the other treatment groups, although there were no significant differences between the hCG and control groups. In conclusion, the activity and mRNA expression of PAs were differently regulated by the hormone/cytokine and its concentration in porcine endometrial cells. Therefore, understanding PA regulatory mechanisms may help to improve the reproductive potential of domestic animals.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2023

Background: The existing research results on the combined toxicity of these pollutants using mammals, such as rodents, are insufficient, especially in relation to changes in the immune system. Objectives: This study aims at evaluating the cellular immune response to PE-MPs solely or when combined with Pb, which possess excellent adsorption capacity with PE-MPs and is commonly co-exposed in our daily lives. Methods: The study investigated the cellular immune function of 9-week ICR mice with 28 days exposure to PE-MPs (2 mg/mouse/day) and Pb (0.1 mM in distilled water) individually and in combination. PE-MPs were administered via gastric intubation while the lead intake was conducted via the oral drinking water route. Cellular immunity was evaluated by analyzing the production for T_H1 cytokines namely, TNF-α and IFN-𝛾 and T_H2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-6 in culture supernatants from polyclonally activated splenic mononuclear cells ex vivo. Results: Both the PE-MPs only and the PE-MPs+Pb exposure group revealed an increased T_H1 response with elevated TNF-α and IFN-𝛾 levels and downregulated T_H2 response with low IL-4, and IL-6 production levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, an increased IFN-𝛾/IL-4 ratio was found in the PE-MPs only and PE-MPs+Pb exposure groups, which indicated the skewedness to T_H1 response. Meanwhile, reduced blood hemoglobin levels and increased levels of IL-4, the dominant T_H2 cytokine in the Pb-only exposure group, were observed. Conclusions: Our current findings on the predominance of T_H1 immune response in the PE-MPs and PE-MPs+Pb groups suggest that PE-MPs could be responsible for the predominant induction of the cellular immune changes. This finding could be used as an important landmark in research related to T_H1 predominance, such as autoimmune diseases. It suggests that additional research on immune modulation using longer exposure durations or the same exposure route is required to elucidate stronger findings.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.571-576
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• 2005

Cytokines are proteins produced by many different cells of the immune system and play a significant role in initiating and regulating the inflammatory process. In this research, an important cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene, has been identified and characterized from zebrafish (Danio rerio) genome database. Zebrafish IL-10 is located within a 2690 bp fragment and contains five exons and four introns, sharing the same organization with mammalian IL-10 genes. An open reading frame of 543 bp was found to encode a putative 180 amino acid protein with a signal peptide of 22 amino acids, which shares 29.7-80.9% homology with amino acid sequences of other known IL-10. The signature motif of IL-10 is also conserved in zebrafish IL-10. The predicted transcript was finally confirmed by sequencing of cDNA clones. Multi-tissue reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to examine the tissue distribution and expression regulation of this gene in seven organs of normal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation zebrafish. The results demonstrated that this gene was expressed slightly in normal kidney, gill and gut, no expression was detected in other four tissues. The expression was clearly upregulated after LPS stimulation. Using the ideal zebrafish model, further study of IL-10 characterization and function may provide insight on the understanding of the innate immune system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cold therapy and thermal therapy, and immunoreactivity of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), Interleukin-1(IL-1) and Interleukin-6(IL-6) on angiogenesis after muscle contusion injury. Methods : Muscle contusion injury was induced in the gastronemius muscle by dropping a metal bead(22.8g). Cold and thermal theraphy was applied immediately and directly to the skin of injured muscle daily for three days. (experimental group-1 : $5^{\circ}$ cold pack, experimental group-2 : $50^{\circ}$ hot pack, control group non applied, treatment time : 10minutes) Results : The experimental group-1 and 2 showed higher immunoreactivity of VEGF, IL-1, IL-6 than control group during 3 days(P<0.05). And the experimental group-2 showed higher than the experimental group-1 especially VEGF(P<0.05). Conclusion : There data thermal therapy was more effective than cold therapy in the acute muscle contusion injury.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.43-53
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• 2005

Objective: Since Ulmus davidiana Planch (Ulmaceae) has been known to have anti-inflammatory and protective effects on damaged tissue, inflammation and bone among other functions, this study was undertaken to address whether the water extract of the bark of Ulmus davidiana Planch (Ulmaceae) (UD) could modulate the expression of inducible inflammatory cytokines in mice. The present study was also done in order to assess the therapeutic effects of UD in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. Methods : DBA/1 mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen. After a second collagen immunization, mice were treated with UD orally at 100 mg/kg once a day for 3 weeks. Paws were evaluated macroscopically for redness, swelling and deformities. The levels of $TNF-{\alpha}\;and\;IL-1{\beta}$ in the ankle were examined. The severity of arthritis within the knee joints was evaluated by histological assessment of cartilage destruction and pannus formation. Results : Administration of UD significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and inhibited the production of $TNF-{\alpha}\;and\;IL-1{\beta}$ in the paws. The erosion of cartilage was dramatically reduced in mouse knees after treatment with UD. In the serum of UD-treated mice, the levels of IL-4 and IL-10, anti-inflammatory cytokines, were increased. Conclusion : From the results, it was concluded that administration of UD has therapeutic effects on CIA including protection of cartilage and RA for a potential therapy.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2007

Objective : The application of Sam So Eum (蔘蘇飮, SSE) as a herbal medicine to treat asthma in mice has been studied and the mechanism of cytokine production in asthmatic mice was discussed. Recently, SSE was known to have anti-allergic activity. However, its therapeutic mechanisms are unclear. Methods : So, we investigated the effects of SSE on levels of several cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) using flow cytometric analysis in allergen-induced asthma. Results : In this experiment, SSE decreased levels of IL-la, IL-17 and GM-CSF respectively. Contrary, SSE restored level of IFN-g toward naive level in BALF. Conclusion : In conclusion, we demonstrate that SSE is useful to treat asthma and it's therapeutic mechanisms are involved in Thl skewing reaction.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2001

Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Injinchunggan-tang on Hepatitis C virus infection, and to clarify the mechanism of treatment by indentifying the effect of Injinchunggan-tang on cytokine secretion. Methods : In vitro model of HCV infection in MOLT 4 cell was used. The effect of Injinchunggan-tang on the attachment of HCV on MOLT 4 cell was studied by PCR method. The change of cytokine secretion according to Injinchunggan-tang treatment was investigated by ELISA. Results : Injinchunggan-tang inhibited the attachment of HCV on MOLT 4 in the concentration of $10-2{\mu\textrm{g}}/\mu\textrm{\ell}$ and $10-1{\mu\textrm{g}}/\mu\textrm{\ell}$. In cytokine assay, Injinchunggan-tang increased the secretion of IL-4 of mouse splenocytes and PBMC in 48 hour culture as well as the secretion of IL-12 of mouse splenocytes and PBMC in 48 hour culture, whereas it decreased the secretion of $IFN-{\gamma}$ of mouse splenocytes in 24 and 48 hour culture. Conclusion : The results of this study show that Injinchunggan-tang has an inhibitory effect on the attachment on HCV on Mo1t4 Cell, and that it increases the secretion of IL-4 and IL-12 of mouse splenocyte and PBMC.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.22-26
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• 1979

This report was carried out toxicity test for the mosquito coil made of Ginseng leaf and the residue after extraction of Ginseng root. This results are as follows: In the first group, was not shown any special difference on the body weight, the motion and dissection. In the second group, was not shown any Special difference on the body weight, considerable difference on the motion and considerable loss of appetite besides very slight loss, but came cack soon again to normal state by change of air after a moment. In the third group, the body weight and appetite was depressed very slightly and the motion was shown very slightly difference, but came back soon again to normal state by chenge of air after a moment too. No one was died, and all the animal were the normal state on the reslt of dessection, Therefore, we have positive evidence that this mosquito coil powder is applied to animals without any toxicity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2007

Objectives: Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baek-Ji in Korean, BJ) is well known to be used as a medicine for cold, headache, supraorbital pain, nasal congestion, and toothache. Little is understood about the roles of BJ in the cytokine and chemokine secretion by immune cells. This study was designed to find out the effects of BJ on the cytokine and chemokine secretion in human mast cells (HMC). Methods : We treated BJ according to consistency on HMC and measured cytokines and chemokines levels using flow cytometry CBA system. Results: In BJ treated group. the expression of interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-l0), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (MIG), and interleukin 10 (IL-l0) levels were decreased significantly and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (RANTES), IL-8, $interferone-{\gamma}$ ($IFN-{\gamma}$), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) were decreased significantly. Conclusion : The results of this experiment supposed that the treatment of BJ will ameliorate the secreting levels of some chemokines or cytokines such as IP-10, MCP-1, MIG, IL-10, RANTES, IL-8, $IFN-{\gamma}$, and TNF-a.