• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.315-323
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• 2013

This study was conducted in order to compare the biological activities of leaf and root water extracts of Smilax china L. (SC) by measuring the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, anti-oxidant activity, inhibitory effect on ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, and anti-inflammatory gene expression. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of SC leaf (SCLE) and root (SCRE) water extracts were 127.93 mg GAE/g and 39.50 mg GAE/g and 41.99 mg QE/g and 1.25 mg QE/g, respectively. The anti-oxidative activities of SCLE and SCRE were measured using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity assay and reducing power assay. Both SCLE and SCRE scavenged radicals in a concentration-dependent manner, and SCLE showed stronger radical scavenging activity and reducing power than SCRE; however, both SCLE and SCRE exhibited lower activities than ascorbic acid. Compared to the anti-diabetic drug acarbose, which was used as a positive control, SCLE and SCRE exhibited low ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activities; nevertheless, the activity of SCLE was 3.7 fold higher than that of SCRE. Finally, SCLE caused significantly decreased expression of the LPS-induced cytokines, iNOS, and COX-2 mRNA in RAW264.7 cells, indicating anti-inflammatory activity. These results indicate that SCLE might be a potential candidate as an anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.634-639
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• 2020

Starfish are a potential source of marine materials, but their unique odor can limit application. Our previous work suggested that brittle star Ophioplocus japonicus extract could be more effective as a cosmetic material by reducing its odor through a roasting process. However, the biological properties of heat-treated Ophioplocus japonicus extract (HOJE) remain poorly understood. We here examined the anti-inflammatory potential of HOJE in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. HOJE significantly inhibits LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production without affecting cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and suppresses LPS-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthases (iNOS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and -1β. Furthermore, treatment of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate to inhibit nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling accelerated the inhibitory effect of HOJE on NO production, and the translocation of NF-κB p65 from the cytosol to the nucleus was attenuated by HOJE. These results show that HOJE ameliorates inflammation partly through NF-κB signaling which consequently suggests that it has anti-inflammatory potential.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.591-599
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• 2015

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease characterized by the progressive degradation of joint cartilage and is accompanied by secondary inflammation of synovial membranes. The purpose of this study describes a preliminary evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity on test material of Litsea japonica. fruit (LJTM) Also, this study was to evaluate the effects of LJTM on the joint cartilage of rat with OA induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). To study for anti-inflammatory agents effectively, we first examined the inhibitory effect of the LJTM on the production of pro-inflammatory factors and cytokines stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. We identified anti-nociceptive effects of the LJTM by using in vivo peripheral and central nervous pain models. In addition, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on mRNA expression of MMP-2, -3, -7, -9, -13, TIMP-1 and –2 in cartilage of OA. In the LJTM inhibited production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO and PGE₂) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). In cartilage, Expression of MMPs and TIMPs mRNA was suppressed in LJTM treatment group than in the control group. This study suggests that LJTM are potential candidates as anti-inflammation and anti-osteoarthritis agents (painkillers) for the treatment of OA.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.685-696
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a heme precursor, on inflammatory and oxidative stress activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages by estimating nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cytokines, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). We also evaluated the molecular mechanisms through analysis of the expression of their regulatory genes, and further evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy of ALA against LPS in the zebrafish model. Our results indicated that ALA treatment significantly attenuated the LPS-induced release of pro-inflammatory mediators including NO and PGE2, which was associated with decreased inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. ALA also inhibited the LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, reducing their extracellular secretion. Additionally, ALA abolished ROS generation, improved the mitochondrial mass, and enhanced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and the activation of nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. However, zinc protoporphyrin, a specific inhibitor of HO-1, reversed the ALA-mediated inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines production and activation of mitochondrial function in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, ALA significantly abolished the expression of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and showed strong protective effects against NO and ROS production in zebrafish larvae. In conclusion, our findings suggest that ALA exerts LPS-induced anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by upregulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, and that ALA can be a potential functional agent to prevent inflammatory and oxidative damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.233-240
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• 2017

Previously, we have shown that Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (S. chinensis) has a protective effect against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced hepatic steatosis. Gomisin A is a bioactive phytoestrogen derived from S. chinensis. In the present study, the in vitro and in vivo effects of gomisin A on ER stress and hepatic steatosis were investigated. We quantified the expression of markers of ER stress, including glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homolog protein (CHOP), and X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1), in HepG2 cells treated with tunicamycin or palmitate. Tunicamycin treatment in HepG2 cells induced the expression of markers of ER stress, including GRP78, CHOP, and XBP-1c. However, treatment with gomisin A reduced the expression of markers of ER stress. These inhibitory effects were also observed in palmitate-incubated HepG2 cells. The in vivo inhibitory effects of gomisin A were assessed in mice injected with tunicamycin or fed with a high fat diet (HFD). Gomisin A reduced the expression of markers of ER stress and decreased triglyceride levels in the livers of mice after tunicamycin injection or HFD feeding. Furthermore, gomisin A decreased the expression of inflammatory genes in palmitate-incubated HepG2 cells and the liver of HFD-fed obese mice. These results suggest that gomisin A inhibits ER stress and ameliorates hepatic steatosis induced by ER stress.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1214-1220
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• 2003

Antimicrobial activity of Rhus javanica (RJ) extract against animal husbandry disease-related bacteria was determined by a paper disc method. The RJ extracts showed a significant antimicrobial activity against Gram positive (+) bacteria and especially the activity was most potent against L. monocytogenes and S. epidermidis. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the MeOH and EtOH extracts of RJ were in the range of 0.8 ∼ 16 mg/mL and 0.8 ∼ 10 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, among five solvent fractions (n-hexane, CHC1$_3$, EtOAc, n-BuOH and $H_2O$ frs.) from MeOH extract of RJ, the EtOAc fr. exhibited the most significant antimicrobial activity The antimicrobial activities of RJ extracts against most microbial strains were unstable by either heat treatment or acid treatment. The inhibitory effect of RJ extracts on microbial cell growth was further examined by the addition of 0, 100, 300, and 500 ppm of RJ extracts into growth medium. The growth of gram positive (+) bacteria, S. aureus, S. epidermidis and L. monocytogenes was inhibited for 72 hours when at least 300 ppm of RJ extracts added, but the growth of gram negative (-) bacteria was only inhibited when at least 500 ppm of RJ extracts were added. Taken together, tile antimicrobial activities of RJ extracts were more effective against gram positive (+) bacteria compared to those against gram negative (-) bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.574-581
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• 2015

This study describes a preliminary evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of Acrosorium yendoi Yamada extracts. A. yendoi Yamada was extracted using 80% ethanol and then fractionated sequentially with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol. To screen for anti-inflammatory agents effectively, we first examined the inhibitory effect of 80% EtOH extract and solvent fractions of A. yendoi Yamada on the production of pro-inflammatory factors and cytokines stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. In addition, we examined the inhibitory effect of 80% EtOH extract and solvent fractions of A. yendoi Yamada on pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, iNOS, PGE₂, and COX-2) in RAW 264.7 cells. In the sequential fractions of n-hexane and EtOAc inhibited the NO and PGE₂ production and the protein level of iNOS and COX-2, and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, and IL-6). These results suggest that A. yendoi Yamada may have significant effects on inflammatory factors and may be provided as possible anti-inflammatory therapeutic seaweed.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.753-759
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• 2001

To evaluate antiinflammation of Aloe vera peel, antiimflammation substances were extracted from Aloe vera peel and identified, and we investigated the effect of the its substance the inhibitory effect on the activity of hyaluoronidase, elastase, collagenase and prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase. The water extract from Aloe vera peel were successfully purified with solvent fractionation, silica gel column chromatography, preparative thin layer chromatography and UV spectrometer. Two purified active substances were identified as aloe-emodin and barbaloin by Mass Spectrometer, $^1H-NMR$ and FT-IR. Aloe-emodin and barbaloin. $IC_{50}$ values of aloe-emodin and barbaloin against hyaluronidase activity were 40 and $70\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Leuckocyte elastase, which is related to the destruction of various tissue, $IC_{50}$ values of them were 50 and $60\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. $IC_{50}$ values of aloe-emodin and barbaloin against collagenase activity were 40 and $60\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. and $IC_{50}$ values of aloe-emodin and barbaloin aganist the prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase, which play an important role in inflammatory reactions, were 40 and $70\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Inhibitory effects of aloe-emodin, barbaloin and aspirin against carrageenan paw edema were 74.9, 52.9 and 51.9% as inhibiton percentage, respectively, at dose of 100 mg/kg and that of indomethancin was 49.7 at dose of 10 mg/kg. Cell cytotoxicity of barbaloin against human gingival cells was lower than that of aloe-emodin. Aloe-emodin and barbaloin did not show cytotoxicity against human gingival cells at concentration of 1.0 and $5.0\;{\mu}g/mL$, However, aloe-emodin and barbaloin showed less cytotoxicity than chlorhexidine, which usually have been used as the agent of anticaries and antiinflammation. These results suggested that aloe-emodin and barbaloin from Aloe vera peel have the effect of anticaries and antiinflammation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of water-soluble mulberry leaf extract (ME) on hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed rats via the regulation of hepatic microRNA (miR)-221/222 and inflammation. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 weeks old) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 7 each) and fed with 10 kcal% low-fat diet (LF), 45 kcal% high-fat diet (HF), or HF + 0.8% ME for 14 weeks. Lipid profiles and cytokine levels of the liver and serum were measured using commercial enzymatic colorimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and miR levels in liver tissue were assayed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Supplementation of ME reduces body weight and improves the liver and serum lipid profiles as compared to the HF group. The mRNA levels of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, and fatty acid translocase, which are genes involved in lipid metabolism, were significantly downregulated in the ME group compared to the HF group. In contrast, the mRNA level of hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (involved in fatty acid oxidation) was upregulated by ME supplementation. Furthermore, administration of ME significantly downregulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators such as hepatic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide were also significantly reduced in ME group compared to the HF group. Expression of hepatic miR-221 and miR-222, which increase in the inflammatory state of the liver, were also significantly inhibited in the ME group compared to the HF group. Conclusion: These results indicate that ME has the potential to improve hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed rats via modulation of inflammatory mediators and hepatic miR-221/222 expressions.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3 s.39
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• pp.36-44
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• 1999

Objectives: It has been well known that electroacupuncture(EA) has an analgesic effect and there is a pain control system in the central nervous system(CNS). The pain control system is composed of three major nuclei, which are periaqueductal gray(PAG), raphe nuclei, and the pain inhibitory complex located in the spinal cord. It has been suggested that the analgesic effect of EA might be the result of activation of the pain control system in the CNS. However, there may be a possibility that other nuclei are also involved in this pain modulation. Thus, we investigated whether the posterior intralaminar thalamic nuclei (PTIN) are involved in the pain modulation. Methods: To measure the level of pain, the jaw opening reflex (JOR) was used as a pain index. The magnitude of JOR is estimated by averaging the area of 10 successive responses. JOR was evoked by tooth-pulp stimulation with bipolar electrode carrying stimulus with the following parameters: intensity ranging from 420uA to 680ulA, 0.3ms duration of square pulse, and 0.5 Hz. Hapkog($LI_4$) and Taechung ($LR_3$) were the chosen acupoints. The Hapkog point was stimulated ipsilaterally at 5V, 3 Hz, for 15min in total, and the Taechung was stimulated at 2-3 V, 3 Hz, and for a total of 15 or 30 minutes. Different intensities of stimulation were given the PITN; one was given at $300{\mu}A$ and the other was at 500uA. The position stimulated in these nuclei by Paxinos Atlas was AP; from bregma $-4.0{\sim}-4.3mm,\;L; 0.5{\sim}1.8mm,\;D;\;4.8{\sim}6.3mm$. Results: The Hapkog point had a significant analgesic effect (P<0.05). However, the Taechung point had no effect. Both types of stimulation in the PITN did not reveal any analgesic effects. Conclusions: From these results, it was suggested that the posterior intralaminar thalamic nuclei are not involved in the modulation of pain.