• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.399-405
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• 2010

Rosa rugosa has been used as a folk medicine with various pharmacological properties for a long time in Asia. Recently, it has been reported that the extract of fractions from different parts of Rosa rugosa have various pharmacological effects on diverse diseases including diabetes, inflammatory diseases and tumor. We investigated effects of fructus extracts of Rosa rugosa(RRF) and semen extracts of this herb(RRS) on macrophage to evaluate the possibilities as a biological response modifier. We showed increased effects on tumoricidal activity, phagocytic activity, TNF-$\alpha$ and NO production in RRF-treated groups without direct tumor cell cytotoxicity. RRS-treated groups increased direct tumor cell cytotoxicity at high dose without tumoricial activity except increasing of TNF-$\alpha$ release. These results provide further possibilities for the beneficial immunomodulating effects of RRF on immune system with relatively larger safety margin rather than RRS.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2008

Objective : Herb medicines are potential sources of useful edible and medicinal plants. They are used as a drug because of their various biological activities such as immunomodulatory, antiviral, and antitumor functions. Nelumbo nucifera have been applied in Chinese herbal prescriptions to improve tissue inflammation. However, it has not been elucidated on the effect of the flower of Nelumbo nucifera in cells. Method : In the present study, to examine the effect of that on glioma cells, U87, the essential oil was extracted from the flower of Nelumbo nucifera (NN essential oil). U87 cells were exposed to different concentrations of 2-40 ug/ml of NN essential oil in ethanol. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay at 24 h. To find out the intracellular target signal molecule(s) for this antiproliferative activity of NN essential oil, phosphorylation of Akt, ERM, MAPK or p38 proteins were examined by Western blot analysis. To study long term effect of NN essential oil in U87 cells, the image of cells treated with NN essential oil for 4 days were obtained. Results and Conclusion : NN essential oil was shown to exhibit antitumor activity in glioma cells, at a broad range of concentrations of 10-40 ug/ml. The phosphorylation of Akt and Endoplasmic Reticulum Matrix (ERM) proteins which known to be involved in the cell death, were gradually decreased to 2 hours after addition 20 ug/ml of NN essential oil. However, the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAPK) and p38 was found to increase in NN essential oil treated cells. NN essential oil treated cells showed decreased glioma cell number. These results provide a possible NN essential oil-induced inhibitory signal for tumor cell proliferation that is initiated by the decrease in Akt activity. Moreover, it is likely that the activation of p38 is required for the NN essential oil-induced inhibition of tumor proliferation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.487-495
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• 2017

Background: Although flowers of Panax ginseng Meyer (FPG), Panax quinquefolius L. (FPQ), and Panax notoginseng Burk. (FPN) have been historically used as both medicine and food, each is used differently in practice. Methods: To investigate the connection between components and enhancing immunity activity of FPG, FPQ, and FPN, a method based on a rapid LC coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight MS and immunomodulatory activity study evaluated by a carbon clearance test were combined. Results: According to quantitative results, the ratio of the total content of protopanaxatiol-type ginsenosides to protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides in FPN was 0, but ranged from 1.10 to 1.32 and from 0.23 to 0.35 in FPG and FPQ, respectively. The ratio of the total content of neutral ginsenosides to the corresponding malonyl-ginsenosides in FPN ($5.52{\pm}1.33%$) was higher than FPG ($3.2{\pm}0.64%$) and FPQ ($2.39{\pm}0.57%$). The colorimetric analysis showed the content of total ginsenosides in FPQ, FPG, and FPN to be $13.75{\pm}0.60%$, $17.45{\pm}0.42%$, and $12.45{\pm}1.77%$, respectively. The carbon clearance assay indicated that the phagocytic activity of FPG and FPQ was higher than that of FPN. A clear discrimination among FPG, FPQ, and FPN was observed in the principal component analysis score plots. Seven compounds were confirmed to contribute strongly by loading plots, which may be the cause of differences in efficacy. Conclusion: This study provides basic information about the chemical and bioactive comparison of FPG, FPQ, and FPN, indicating that protopanaxtriol-type ginsenosides and malonyl-ginsenosides may play a key role in their enhancing immunity properties.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2009

Objectives : Maekmoondong-tang (MMDT), a Korean herbal medicine, has been used to treat severe dry cough in patients with bronchitis and pharyngitis. MMDT has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory, secretory-modulating, and metabolic regulatory actions. However, there are no evidence in regard to the effects of MMDT on carcinogenesis and metastasis. Here, we investigated the effects of 70% ethanol extract of MMDT on cell viability, apoptosis, and motility in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Methods : Cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay, and the apoptosis induction was evaluated by caspase-3 activity. To detect apoptotic features, the cells treated with MMDT were stained with 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Cell motility was examined by Boyden chamber assay and Real-time Cell Index of Migration assay. Gelatin zymography also performed to measure matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 activity. Results : We found that MMDT significantly inhibited cell proliferation and increased caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2 cells. Apoptotic features such as chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies were observed in MMDT-treated cells by DAPI staining. MMDT also suppressed PMA-induced cell motility and activities of MMP-2/9. Conclusions : Our results exhibited that MMDT possess the anti-carcinogenetic and anti-metastatic activities via caspase-3 activation and down-regulation of cell motility and invasion in HepG2 cells. Therefore, these findings suggest that MMDT could be potentially applied to the prevention and treatment of cancer.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.23.1-23.15
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• 2024

The widespread use of antimicrobials causes antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The use of butyric acid and its derivatives is an alternative tactic. This review summarizes the literature on the role of butyric acid in the body and provides further prospects for the clinical use of its derivatives and delivery methods to the animal body. Thus far, there is evidence confirming the vital role of butyric acid in the body and the effectiveness of its derivatives when used as animal medicines and growth stimulants. Butyric acid salts stimulate immunomodulatory activity by reducing microbial colonization of the intestine and suppressing inflammation. Extraintestinal effects occur against the background of hemoglobinopathy, hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, and cerebral ischemia. Butyric acid derivatives inhibit histone deacetylase. Aberrant histone deacetylase activity is associated with the development of certain types of cancer in humans. Feed additives containing butyric acid salts or tributyrin are used widely in animal husbandry. They improve the functional status of the intestine and accelerate animal growth and development. On the other hand, high concentrations of butyric acid stimulate the apoptosis of epithelial cells and disrupt the intestinal barrier function. This review highlights the biological activity and the mechanism of action of butyric acid, its salts, and esters, revealing their role in the treatment of various animal and human diseases. This paper also discussed the possibility of using butyric acid and its derivatives as surface modifiers of enterosorbents to obtain new drugs with bifunctional action.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.165-176
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• 2003

The present study was carried out to examine the effects of Kami-hwal-hyeol-tang(KHHT) on the immune responses of synoviocyte cells prepared from the rheumatoid arthritis patients, and also on the collagen-mediated arthritis in mouse model. Several experiments were performed in vitro and in vivo to analyse the immunomodulatory effects of KHHT, and the major findings are summarized below: 1. KHHT did not show the cytotoxicity against mLFCs and hFLSs. 2. KHHT inhibited gene expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, NOS and GM-CSF in hFLSs. Furthermore, KHHT-treated hFLSs showed reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 compared to the control cells. 3. KHHT treatment of hFLSs inhibited the binding activity of NF-kB and AP-1 to their consensus DNA sequences. 4. KHHT treatment(400 ㎍/㎖) of hFLSs significantly inhibited hFLSs proliferations compared to the control cells. 5. KHHT significantly reduced the production of ROS in hFLSs compared to the control cells. The present data show that KHHT plays an important role for the regulation of AP-1 and NF-kB gene expression. Also, it was found that KHHT has anti-arthritis effect. Further studies of KHHT in relation to RA therapeutics may provide important information to develop drugs to treat this disease.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.332-336
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• 2020

Homozygous mutations in NUDT15 R139C are known as the major factor associated with thiopurine-induced early leukopenia, particularly in Asian patients. Therefore, NUDT15 genotyping is currently recommended before thiopurine treatment to identify patients who are NUDT15 poor metabolizers and consider the use of an alternative immunomodulatory therapy. We report a case of a 12-year-old Korean girl with Crohn's disease (CD), in whom thiopurine-induced leukopenia was prevented by initiation of azathioprine (AZA) therapy at a low dose (0.5 mg/kg/day) and early detection of significant hair loss and white blood cell (WBC) count decrease at 17 days from the start of AZA treatment. The WBC count dropped from 8,970/μL to 3,370/μL in 2 weeks, and AZA treatment was stopped because of concerns of potential leukopenia in the near future. Her WBC count recovered to 5,120/μL after 3 weeks. Gene analysis later revealed that she had a homozygous mutation in NUDT15 R139C, resulting in a poor metabolizing activity of NUDT15. In situations when NUDT15 genotyping is unavailable, initiation of AZA therapy at 0.5 mg/kg/day with close observation of hair loss and WBC counts within 2 weeks may be an alternative way to prevent thiopurine-induced early leukopenia in Asian children with CD.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.54-65
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• 2014

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent, with the ability to differentiate into different cell types. Additionally, the immunomodulatory activity of MSCs can downregulate inflammatory responses. The use of MSCs to repair injured tissues and treat inflammation, including in neuroimmune diseases, has been extensively explored. Although MSCs have emerged as a promising resource for the treatment of neuroimmune diseases, attempts to define the molecular properties of MSCs have been limited by the heterogeneity of MSC populations. We recently developed a new method, the subfractionation culturing method, to isolate homogeneous human clonal MSCs (hcMSCs). The hcMSCs were able to differentiate into fat, cartilage, bone, neuroglia, and liver cell types. In this study, to better understand the properties of neurally differentiated MSCs, gene expression in highly homogeneous hcMSCs was analyzed. Neural differentiation of hcMSCs was induced for 14 days. Thereafter, RNA and genomic DNA was isolated and subjected to microarray analysis and DNA methylation array analysis, respectively. We correlated the transcriptome of hcMSCs during neural differentiation with the DNA methylation status. Here, we describe and discuss the gene expression profile of neurally differentiated hcMSCs. These findings will expand our understanding of the molecular properties of MSCs and contribute to the development of cell therapy for neuroimmune diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.10-19
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• 2010

Methods: Intravenous administration of Platycodon grandiflorum was performed 2 days before tumor inoculation, then mice were killed 14 days after tumor inoculation, then number of tumor colonies were counted. Methanol extracts of Platycodon grandiflorum was added to colon26-M3.1 carcinoma cells, L5178Y-R lymphoma cells and Hela cells, and then cell growth was counted. To observe the immunomodulating effects of Platycodon grandiflorum, production of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and TNF-$\alpha$ were measured with ELISA assay and the cell growth of macrophage were also counted. Furthermore, antimetastatic experiment after depletion NK cells by injection of anti-asialo GM1 serum was also administered. Results: Intravenous administration of Platycodon grandiflorum significantly inhibited metastasis of colon26-M3.1 carcinoma cells. In an in vitro cytotoxicity analysis, Platycodon grandiflorum affected tumor cell growth above specific concentration. As compared with control, the production of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and TNF-$\alpha$ were incresed. And depletion NK cell completly abolished the inhibitory effect of metastasis. Conclusion: Platycodon grandiflorum appears to have considerable activity on immunomodulating effects and inhibit the metastasis of tumor. Further evaluation is needed for settling this.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.71-78
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• 2014

Purpose: Host modulatory therapy has been proposed as a treatment for periodontal diseases. A class of herbal medicines, known to be immunomodulators, alters the activity of immune function through the regulation of informational molecules such as cytokines. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that herbal immunomodulator drugs act as an adjuvant to scaling and root planing (SRP) in alleviating periodontal inflammation by improving clinical and biochemical parameters. Methods: Sixty healthy subjects (30 in each group) with moderate and severe chronic periodontitis were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, double-masked randomised controlled trial. The control group was treated with SRP and a placebo, whereas the test group was treated with SRP followed by dietary supplementation of Septilin for 3 weeks. Periodontal clinical parameters and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were evaluated for all patients at the baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks. Results: Improved gingival index scores found in the test group as compared to the control group were found to be statistically significant only after 3 weeks (P<0.001). In contrast, the decrease in the sulcus bleeding index and pocket depth scores was statistically highly significant in the test group as compared to the control group after 3 weeks and 6 weeks (P<0.001). However, reduced clinical attachment level and CRP scores, as reflected in the test group as compared to the control group, were not found to be statistically significant after both 3 weeks (P>0.05) and 6 weeks (P>0.05). Conclusions: The results of this clinical-biochemical study suggest that dietary supplementation with herbal immunomodulatory agents may be a promising adjunct to SRP and may aid in improving periodontal treatment outcomes.