• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.176-182
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• 2006

Sorghum bicolor L. Moench(Sorghum, Su-Su) is a major cereal food crop used in many parts of the world. It is used as a human food resource and folk medicines in Asia and Africa. The stem of sorghum has been used as a digestive aid and an anti-diarrheal agent. Sorghum hybrids contain high levels of diverse phenolic compounds that may provide health benefits. High levels of polyflavanols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and other antioxidant compounds have been reported in sorghums, which have also been shown to possess various biological activities such as anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activities. In an in vitro experiment, we examined mice splenocyte proliferation and production of three types of cytokine($IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}$) by peritoneal macrophages cultured with ethanol and water extracts of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench. A single cell suspension of splenocytes was prepared and the cell proliferation of the splenocytes was examined by MTT assay. The splenocyte proliferation was increased when water extracts of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench were used as supplements in all concentrations investigated. The production of cytokine($IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;TNF-{\alpha}$) by activated peritoneal macrophage was detected by ELISA using the cytokine kit. $IL-1{\beta},\;IL-6,\;and\;TNF-{\alpha}$ production by activated macrophages were increased by supplementation with Sorghum bicolor L. Moench water extracts. This study suggests that supplementation of with Sorghum bicolor L. Moench water extracts may enhance immune function by regulating the splenocyte proliferation and enhancing the cytokine production by activated macrophages in vitro.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 2021

Background: Diabetes-related neuropathic pain frequently occurs, and the underpinning mechanism remains elusive. The periaqueductal gray (PAG) exhibits descending inhibitory effects on central pain transmission. The current work aimed to examine whether inflammatory cytokines regulate mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by diabetes through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in the PAG. Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ) was administered intraperitoneally to mimic allodynia and hyperalgesia evoked by diabetes in rats. Behavioral assays were carried out for determining mechanical pain and thermal hypersensitivity. Immunoblot and ELISA were performed to examine PAG protein amounts of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as their corresponding receptors in STZ rats, and the expression of PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt)/mTOR signaling effectors. Results: Increased PAG p-PI3K/p-Akt/p-mTOR protein amounts were observed in STZ-induced animals, a PI3K-mTOR pathway inhibition in the PAG attenuated neuropathic pain responses. Moreover, the PAG concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and their receptors (namely, IL-1R, IL-6R, and tumor necrosis factor receptor [TNFR] subtype TNFR1, respectively) were increased in the STZ rats. Additionally, inhibiting IL-1R, IL-6R, and TNFR1 ameliorated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in STZ rats, alongside the downregulation of PI3K-mTOR signaling. Conclusions: Overall, the current study suggests that upregulated proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors in the PAG activate PI3K-mTOR signaling, thereby producing a de-inhibition effect on descending pathways in modulating pain transmission, and eventually contributing to neuropathic pain.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2011

The inhibitory effect of Chung-Jang-Hwan (C-mix) consisted of Geranium nepalense subsp. thunbergii, Saururus chinensis, and Rubus coreanus were investigated in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitic mice by microarray analysis. Treatment with Cmix improved colitic symptoms, including colon shortening and myeloperoxidase activity. Treatment with DSS alone upregulated the expression levels of inflammation-related genes, including IL-$1\beta$, IL-6, CCL2, CCL4, CCL5, CCL7, CCL8, CCL24, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL5, CXCL9 and CXCL10, and other colitis-related genes such as COX-2, PAP, MMP family, S100a8, S100a9 and DEFA1 in mice. However, treatment with C-mix inhibited the expression levels of inflammation-associated genes induced by DSS. The increased expression levels of COX-2 and IL-$1\beta$, representative inflammatory genes, were confirmed by a quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction analysis. These results indicate that C-mix may ameliorate colitis by the inhibitory regulation of inflammation-associated genes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.277-283
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the effects of a selective urotensin II (UII) receptor antagonist, SB-657510, on the inflmmatory response induced by UII in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EA.hy926) and human monocytes (U937). UII induced inflammatory activation of endothelial cells through expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6), adhesion molecules (VCAM-1), and tissue factor (TF), which facilitates the adhesion of monocytes to EA.hy926 cells. Treatment with SB-657510 significantly inhibited UII-induced expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and VCAM-1 in EA.hy926 cells. Further, SB-657510 dramatically blocked the UII-induced increase in adhesion between U937 and EA.hy926 cells. In addition, SB-657510 remarkably reduced UII-induced expression of TF in EA.hy926 cells. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the UII antagonist SB-657510 decreases the progression of inflammation induced by UII in endothelial cells.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2012

This study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effects of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton var. frutescens extract on the production of inflammation-related mediators (NO, ROS, NF-${\kappa}B$, iNOS and COX-2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Perilla frutescents (L.) Britton var. frutescens was air-dried and extracted with ethanol. The extract dose-dependently decreased the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and dose-dependently increased antioxidant enzyme activities, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in lipopolysaccharide stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Also, Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton var. frutescens extract suppressed NO production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6), NF-${\kappa}B$, iNOS and COX-2 were inhibited by the treatment with the extract. Thus, this study shows the Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton var. frutescens extract could be useful for inhibition of the inflammatory process.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1654-1657
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• 2006

This study was performed to examine whether HC is effective in controlling molecular components known to be involved in RA, FLS were used to determine possible regulatory effects of HC on levels of inflammatory cytokines. Major findings are summarized as follows. TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression levels in FLS cells which had been repressed by 10, 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of HC treatment. IL-6 mRNA expression levels in FLS cells which had been repressed by 10, 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of HC treatment. IL-1${\beta}$ mRNA expression levels in FLS cells which had been repressed by 10, 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of HC treatment. The present data suggest that FLS which has been activated by IL-1 and TNF-${\alpha}$ co-treatment decreased production of inflammatory cytokines then, HC treatment by repressed the production of these molecules.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 2004

Primary pro-inflammatory cytokines are a trio: tumor necrosis- $\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukine-$\beta$ (IL-$\beta$), and interleukine-6 (IL-6). These cytokines initiate and regulate the acute-phase inflammatory response during infection, trauma, or stress and appear to play an important role in the immune process. Nitric oxide (NO) is a multi-functional mediator, which plays an important role in regulating various biological functions in vivo. NO production by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in macrophages is essential for the defense mechanisms against microorganisms and tumor cells. However, over-expression of iNOS by various stimuli, resulting in over-production of NO, contributes to the pathogenesis of septic shock and some inflammatory and auto-immune disease. Solvent fractions of sage ( Salvia officinalis L.), which is cultivated in Jeju-Do, was assayed for their effects on TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Hexane and ethylacetate (EtOAc) fraction of sage inhibited the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells at the concentration of 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$. Also, incubation of RAW 264.7 cells with the fraction of hexane or EtOAc (50 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) inhibited the LPS induced nitrite accumulation and the LPS/IFN-${\gamma}$ induced iNOS protein. And this inhibition of iNOS protein is concordant with the inhibition of iNOS mRNA expression. Above results suggest that extract of sage may have anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, IL-6), iNOS and NO.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2017

Hyaluronidase inhibitory activity as inflammatory factor of Koreinsis chinensis leaf ethanol extract was showed higher inhibitory activity than water extract. 29.5% inhibitory activity was shown at concentration of $200{\mu}g/mL$ phenolics. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations ($5-25{\mu}g/mL$) of Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract and the amount of nitric oxide (NO) was determined; LPS-treated cells produced 3 times more NO than non-LPS treated cells. Moreover, the NO production in cells treated with Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract showed inhibitory effect in a concentration-dependent manner. Due to the stimulant-induced NO production is regulated by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), we determined the iNOS protein level to elucidate the mechanism by which the NO production was inhibited. It was reduced by 40% with a Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract concentration of $25{\mu}g/mL$ and identified iNOS inhibition in dose-dependent manner. The prostaglandin $E_2$ production in cells treated with Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract was reduced by 26.2% at concentration of $25{\mu}g/mL$. The protein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS-treated Raw 264.7 cells was inhibited by 64% at $25{\mu}g/mL$ of Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract. Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract had a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin-6 as pro-inflammatory cytokine in LPS-treated Raw 264.7 cells at $25{\mu}g/mL$ of Koreinsis chinensis leaf extract. Their levels were decreased by 61.7 and 62% respectively.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2013

This study was to investigate the quality of commercial Hwangryunhaedok-tang (Hwanglianjiedu-tang, HHT) extractive granules by comparing with HHT decoction. The contents of index components and the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative abilities of two different commercial HHT granules (HHT-2 and HHT-3) were compared with those of the HHT decoction (HHT-1). The contents were analyzed with HPLC. The anti-inflammatory effects were determined by measuring NO, $PGE_2$ and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cell. We compared the anti-oxidative effects through ABTS radical scavenging activities. The range of contents of 7 ingredients was 0.42-36.54 mg/g in HHT-1, not detected-12.30 mg/g in HHT-2, not detected-18.79 mg/g in HHT-3. Although HHT-1, HHT-2, HHT-3 had the inhibitory effects on the production of NO, $PGE_2$ and the scavenging activities on ABTS, HHT-1 showed stronger effects than HHT-2, HHT-3 (HHT-1 > HHT-3 > HHT-2). HHT-1 inhibited the production of IL-6, while HHT-2, HHT-3 showed no inhibitory effects. It is necessary to find appropriate methods for extracting HHT and to establish standardized processes, in order to improve the quality of commercial traditional herbal formula.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2010

Objectives : The object of this study was to verify the inhibitory effect of a decoction of Eucommiae ulmides OLIVER (EU) and Dipsacus asperoides C. Y. Cheng et T.M.Ai (DA) on Collagen II-induced Arthritis Mice (CIA mice). Methods : DBA/1OlaHsd mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen. Boostnig same collagen 21 days later, arthritis was induced and then administrated orally the extract of EU+DA (200 or 50 mg/kg) once a day for 4 weeks and compared with that of methotrexate (MTX, 0.3 mg/kg) as a positive control. Results : Administration of EU+DA suppressed the inflammatory progression of CIA mice and the results were 1. Arthritis index of CIA mice was decreased. 2. EU+DA decreased the production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$ in the serum of CIA mice. 3. EU+DA decreased the level of IgM. 4. EU+DAincreasaed $CD3^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD4^+$/CD25 but decreased $CD19^+$, $CD3^+/CD49b^+$(NKT), $CD3^-/CD49b^+$(NK), $B220^+/CD23^+$ in PBMC of CIA mice. 5. EU+DA decreased $CD3^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD3^+/CD69^+$ of paw joint in CIA mice. 6. EU+DA decreased subsynovial inflammation. Conclusions : This results demonstrated that extract of EU+DA suppressed the inflammatory progression of CIA mice and supported further studies are required to clarify a mechanism of therapeutic role.