• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.78-83
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the intracellular hydrogen peroxide productions of mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 are modulated by Red Ginseng-Ejung-tang water extract (ER) and White Ginseng-Ejung-tang water extract (EG). Red Ginseng-Ejung-tang were composed of Red Ginseng, Atractylodes rhizome white, Zingiberis Rhizoma Siccus, and Glycyrrhizae Radix. White Ginseng-Ejung-tang were composed of White Ginseng, Atractylodes rhizome white, Zingiberis Rhizoma Siccus, and Glycyrrhizae Radix. The intracellular hydrogen peroxide productions were measured by dihydrorhodamine 123 assay with spectrofluorometer (excitation 485 nm; emission 535 nm). For 4, 20, 24, 44, 48, 68, and 72 h incubation, ER significantly increased hydrogen peroxide productions of RAW 264.7 at the concentration of 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$ (P <0.05). EG for 4, 20, 24, 44, and 48 h incubation significantly increased hydrogen peroxide productions of RAW 264.7 at the concentration of 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$ (P <0.05). For 68 and 72 h incubation, EG at the concentration of 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$ significantly increased hydrogen peroxide productions in RAW 264.7 (P <0.05). These results suggest that ER and EG have the immune-enhancing properties related with their increasing effects on the intracellular hydrogen peroxide production of macrophage.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.49-58
• /
• 2019

Objectives : Obesity is a public health concern associated with chronic diseases including hyperlipidemia, diabetes, fatty liver, atherosclerosis and cancer. As several anti-obesity drugs have been limited owing to their side effects, the development of new anti-obesity drugs through herbal medicines has been increasing. Cynanchum Wilfordii Radix (CW) traditionally is consumed for various health benefits including immune enhancing, anti-inflammation and anti-tumor activities. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of CW on High fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Methods : The mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=7). The mice were respectively fed a normal diet (ND), a high-fat diet (HFD), HFD plus CW (50 mg/kg/day), HFD plus CW (100 mg/kg/day). All groups were assayed for body weights, food efficiency ratio, blood biochemistry parameters, and organic tissue weights. Results : HFD-fed mice showed an increase in the body weight and serum biochemistry parameters levels (total cholesterol and triglycerides) as well as organic tissue weights. However, the administration of CW to obese mice induced a reduction in their body weight, food efficiency ratio, blood biochemistry parameters and weight of liver and fat compared with the HFD fed mice. Additionally, we observed that CW inhibited the lipid accumulation in liver and serum lipid parameter induced by HFD. Conclusions : Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that CW may be a potential agent for use in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2023.04a
• /
• pp.61-61
• /
• 2023

Zanthoxylum piperitum has been used as a spice or various folk remedies since ancient times, and studies on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects have been reported. In this study, a raw material standardization study was conducted for the industrialization of Z. piperitum. First, optimal conditions for drying methods were established for the standardization of raw materials for Z. piperitum, and optimal conditions were established through content analysis using quercitrin, an marker compound, by obtaining samples every month. As for the drying method of Z. piperitum, it was confirmed that cold air drying was the best. It was analyzed that the marker compound content was highest in July. Next, for functional and toxicity evaluation of Z. piperitum, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing efficacy and cytotoxicity were evaluated. Cytotoxicity of Z. piperitum was not observed, and it was confirmed that although it had an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, it had no immuneenhancing effects. In addition, a study was conducted on the change in the efficacy of Z. piperitum using lava seawater, and as a result of the study, it was confirmed that the efficacy was superior when lava seawater was simultaneously treated. In conclusion, this study suggested the standardization of raw materials through the analysis of the marker compounds and the functional evaluation of Z. piperitum, and it can be used as basic data for future industrialization.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.65 no.6
• /
• pp.1226-1241
• /
• 2023

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in physiological processes by regulating the antioxidant defense system and enhancing immunity. Chromium is an essential mineral involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and also plays a role in maintaining normal insulin function. Based on these advantages, we hypothesized that the addition of selenomethionine (SeMet) and organic chromium (OC) to broiler diets would increase Se deposition, antioxidant capacity and immune response in meat. Therefore, this study analyzed the effects of OC and SeMet on growh performance, nutrients digestibility, blood profiles, intestinal morphology, meat quality characteristics, and taxonomic analysis of broilers. A total of 168 one-day-old broiler chicken (Arbor Acres) were randomly allotted to 3 groups based on the initial body weight of 37.33 ± 0.24 g with 7 replicate per 8 birds (mixed sex). The experiments period was 28 days. Dietary treatments were folloewd: Basal diets based on corn-soybean meal (CON), basal diet supplemented with 0.2 ppm OC and 0.2 ppm SeMet (CS4), and basal diet supplemented with 0.4 ppm OC and 0.4 ppm SeMet (CS8). Supplementation of OC and SeMet did not affect on growth performance, nutrient digestibility. However, CS8 supplementation increased in duodenum villus height and villus height : crypt depth, and increased in breast meat Se deposition. In addition, CS8 group showed higher uric acid and total antioxidant status than CON group. Taxonomic analysis at phylum level revealed that Proteobacteria and Firmicutes of CS4 and CS8 were lower than CON group. In genus level, the relative abundance of fecal Lactobacillus and Enterococcus of CS4 and CS8 groups were higher than CON group. In short, 0.4 ppm OC and 0.4 ppm SeMet supplementation to broiler diet supporitng positive gut microbiome change, also enhancing antioxidant capacity, and Se deposition in breast meat.

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

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.95-109
• /
• 2003

Inflammatory lung diseases are characterized by chronic inflammation and oxidant/antioxidant imbalance. The sources of the increased oxidative stress in patients with chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) derive from the increased burden of inhaled oxidants, and from the increased amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by several inflammatory, immune and various structural cells of the airways. Increased levels of ROS produced in the airways is reflected by increased markers of oxidative stress in the airspaces, sputum, breath, lungs and blood in patients with lung diseases. ROS, either directly or via the formation of lipid peroxidation products such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal may play a role in enhancing the inflammation through the activation of stress kinases (JNK, MAPK, p38) and redox sensitive transcription factors such as NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1. Recent evidences have indicated that oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory mediators can alter nuclear histone acetylation/deacetylation allowing access for transcription factor DNA binding leading to enhanced pro-inflammatory gene expression in various lung cells. Understanding of the mechanisms of redox signaling, NF-${\kappa}B$/AP-1 regulation, the balance between histone acetylation and deacetylation and the release and expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators may lead to the development of novel therapies based on the pharmacological manipulation of antioxidants in lung inflammation and injury. Antioxidants that have effective wide spectrum activity and good bioavailability, thiols or molecules which have dual antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, may be potential therapeutic agents which not only protect against the direct injurious effects of oxidants, but may fundamentally alter the underlying inflammatory processes which play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lung diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.135-143
• /
• 2010

Background: Cordyceps militarys water extract (CME) has been reported to exert antitumor and immunomodulatory activities in vivo and in vitro. However, the therapeutic mechanism has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we examined the effects of CME on the antigen presenting function of antigen presenting cells (APCs). Methods: Dendritic cells (DCs) were cultured in the presence of CME, and then allowed to phagocytose microspheres containing ovalbumin (OVA). After washing and fixing the efficacy of OVA, peptide presentation by DCs were evaluated using CD8 and CD4 T cells. Also, we confirmed the protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines through western blot analysis. Results: CME enhanced both MHC class I and class II-restricted presentation of OVA in DCs. In addition, the expression of both MHC class I and II molecules was enhanced, but there was no changes in the phagocytic activity of exogenous OVA. Furthermore, CME induced the protein levels of iNOS, COX-2, proinflammatory cytokines, and nuclear p65 in a concentration-dependent manner, as determined by western blot. Conclusion: These results provide an understanding of the mechanism of the immuno-enhancing activity of CME on the induction of MHC-restricted antigen presentation in relation to their actions on APCs.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.3 s.67
• /
• pp.88-106
• /
• 2006

Objectives: This study was carried out to find the immune responses of the Gami-sopunghwalhyeol-tang $(Ji{\={a}}w{\`{e}}i-sh{\={u}}f{\={e}}nghu{\'{o}}xu{\`{e}}-tang)$ (hereinafter referred to GSHT) to the human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (hFLSs) isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Experiments were performed to measure the cytotoxity against hFCs and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in hFLSs and the production of NO, ROS. Results: 1. The gene expression of TNF-a, IL-6, IL-8 in hFLSs was effectively reduced at $100{\mu}g/ml$, whereas IL-1 $\beta$ was effectively reduced at 100 and $10{\mu}g/ml$ of GSHT. 2. The gene expression of ICAM-1, MMP-3 in hFLSs was effectively inhibited at 100 and $10{\mu}g/ml$ of GSHT, whereas TIMP-1 was effectively increased at 100 and $10{\mu}g/ml$ of GSHT. 3. The gene expression of NOS-II in hFLSs was effectively inhibited at $100{\mu}g/ml$ of GSHT. 4. The production of NO and ROS in hFLSs was inhibited at 100 and $10{\mu}g/ml$ of GSHT. 5. The proliferation of hFLSs was significantly inhibited at $100{\mu}g/ml$ of GSHT. Conclusions: Comparison of the results for this study showed that Gami-sopunghwalhyeol-tang ($Ji{\={a}}w{\`{e}}i-sh{\={u}}f{\={e}}nghu{\'{o}}xu{\`{e}}-tang$: GSHT) had immunomodulatory effects of suppressing or enhancing.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.145-151
• /
• 2011

Backgrounds: Multidisciplinary approaches including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are currently being performed to target various cancers in Western Medicine. However, some cancers still remain difficult to battle, which has long attracted many scientists for the discovery of new agents to fight cancers. Ginseng is one of the herbs used in Oriental Medicine including Korea, China and Japan. We have further investigated ginseng for its anticancer effect. Objective: This is a comprehensive review summary of anticancer effect of ginseng and ginsenoids as a possible agent for future cancer treatment. Methods: Data were retrieved from two web sites; www.pubmed.com and www.riss.kr, and authorized texts concerning anticancer effects of ginseng. From collected data, information on anticancer effect of ginseng was thoroughly sorted, restructured, then assessed. Results: Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer belongs to Araliaceae Panax family, a perennial prairie plant with its root known as Ginseng Radix. Ginseng induces anticancer effect through cell cycle arrest, acceleration of apoptosis, anti-angiogenesis, and suppression of metastasis. Anticancer effect of ginseng may be due to single compound or multi-compound actions. Many studies report involvement of immune mechanisms of cytokines, Natural Killer (NK) cells, macrophages and some antibodies in enhancing anticancer effect of ginseng. In near future, possibility of applying these mechanisms into clinical trials is convinced. There were some important findings on saponin in ginsenoids in reviewing for this article; First, eradication of metastatic tumors were influenced by macrophage activation. Second, suppression of malignant melanoma cell metastasis to lung were induced by macrophage and NK cell activation in spleen with red ginseng acidic polysaccharide (RGAP). Third, final metabolites of M1, M4 had exerted anticancer effect of ginseng. Conclusion: Unknown anticancer mechanisms of ginseng have been studied for many years up until now. Ginseng is comprised of multiple bio-chemical compounds that create complex pharmaceutical interactions. Therefore, for its proper usage and safe prescription, studies on different types of ginseng and patients' susceptibility to ginseng according to their constitution and stages of the disease should be further pursued. More efforts are needed to understand the anticancer mechanisms of ginseng as well.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.126-132
• /
• 2001

Methanol extracts form four kinds of kimchi, which were differently prepared in kinds and levels of sub-ingredients, were given to Balb/c mice for 3 weeks (0.5 mg/kg/day). Peritoneal macrophages isolated from mice treated with kimchi extracts and saline were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). K3 and K4 kimchis, containing more red pepper powder, garlic, Chinese pepper powder, mustard leaf and organically cultivated Korean cabbage, significantly increased NO production by the activated macrophages (p<0.05). K1, K2, K3 and K4 kimchi extracts (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$) significantly reduced the increased TGF-$\beta$1 production of H.pylori lysate (0.01 $\mu\textrm{g}$)-activated human epithelial RPMI 2650 cells (5$\times$10$^{4}$ cells/mL) at 24 and 48 hrs of treatment (p<0.01). However, the decreased TGF-$\beta$1 $\alpha$ production of RPMI 2650 cells by H. pylori lysate increased by treatment with kimchi extract for 72 hrs. Especially, K4 kimchi (containing organically cultivated Korean cabbage and more ingredients, modulated TGF-$\beta$1 production of H. pylori lysate-activated RPMI 2650 cells to the normal level (control) by treatment for 48 hrs. The treatment of K1 and K4 kimchi enhanced the LPS (0.01 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL)-induced IL-6 production of splenocytes. The results suggest that kimchi might have an beneficial effect on cancer prevention due in part to the function enhancing NO production of activated macrophages. Our data suggest that kimchi could modulate TGF-$\beta$1 production by cancer cells and IL-6 production of splenocytes, thereby possibly contributing to control carcinogenesis and the immune system.